Akuma no Futago (悪魔の双子)

A New Normal

"Are you sure you would not like to shower here?" "You've already done so much for me, Kuroki, I can't ask you to do more." Shiroizu noticed her sister's solemn expression. "Hey, I'll visit as often as I can, ok?" Kuroki nodded. "Thank you for everything." they hugged again and waved their last goodbyes.

Kuroki attended to her canvas. Before she could prepare a pallet, Shiroizu appeared in her mind's eye. The horns grabbed her first; were hers going to grow further? And her teeth, how did they get so sharp? Her sight drifted to her pile of sketchbooks. She hastily put her painting supplies away and picked one up. Sketches of fangs and horns covered the front of one page, then she started to sketch a head on the other. "Kuroki?" Yang spoke behind her. She flinched and made a stray line. "Yes?" "You doing alright? I hadn't seen you today." "I am all right, thank you." He started to close the door. "Wait." he opened it again. She stood and pulled him away. "A woman visited me last night." "Yeah, Sean told me. Did something happen?" "No---well, nothing bad if that is what you mean." Yang gave her a confused look. "What I mean is... the woman was my sister." "What? You're sure it was her?" "Completely; I was skeptical as well, but I cannot deny it." He paused for a moment. "Did you want to ask something?" "Since I know that she is close, I was wondering if, perhaps, she may stay with us?" "Permanently?" "Yes. If it is an issue, then I will pay for rent and other-" Yang held his palm in front of her. "Don't worry about it; there's enough for her, too." Kuroki perked up. "Does that mean---?" "Yeah, she can stay here. But," he added, "while I'm fine with it, I have to make sure everyone else is, too." "Of course." "I should be able to ask everyone now if you want." "Please?" "Then I'll be right back." with that, he stepped outside. The minutes seemed to crawl on even when she returned to sketching. Eventually, Yang returned. "Just talked to everyone else, she's good to live here." "Thank you so much, Yang. If I may repay you at all-" "Don't bother. Helping me in the Group is more than enough." Kuroki took out her phone then stopped. "What's wrong?" "She never told me where she is staying."

"Nothing?" "Only that she is nearby." "She's staying somewhere nearby... I've got an idea." He took out his phone and dialed. "Yes, I was wondering if I could get in contact with Shiroizu... this is on behalf of a relative of her's." He waited then passed the phone to Kuroki. "Hello?" Shiroizu picked up. "I have good news." "Oh?" "I have asked my boss and he has approved of you living here." "Really?!" "Yes!" "Am I okay to arrive tomorrow morning?" Kuroki pulled the phone from her ear. "Can she arrive tomorrow morning?" Yang nodded stoutly. "Yes." "Then I'll get packing now! I love you." "I love you, too." Kuroki hung up and passed the phone back to Yang. "I cannot thank you enough." "It's what I'm here for. Good night, Kuroki." "Good night." She returned to her room and prepared for bed. She laid down and felt her body sink into the mattress. A sigh escaped her lips and a smile grew on her face before she succumbed to sleep.