EVERYTHING EVERY THING + TACHIZAKI +

Naomi

My sister, Naomi is a year younger than me, but we do everything together. I was diagnosed shortly after my first birthday when my parents really started taking me out into the world and I got very sick. They realised that having Naomi go to a school full of other germy kids would be a huge problem, so she stayed home with me too.

I feel guilty for keeping her here, but she always says she doesn't mind. I asked her why she wanted to do uni virtually when she starts instead of going even though she could but she just laughed and said, "Because I want to be with you, Onii-chan!"

I had to take that answer, but I still worry.

I put it out of my mind by staring at the shishi-odoshi we made with Dad when I was 8. He was home more then, but now he's always travelling for work. I wish he was home more, but he always tells me about the Outside when he comes back, loads of interesting things.

I squat, with my bare feet on the sandy white gravel, and look at my reflection in the pond. There are no fish in the pond, and too big a risk to have any "unpredictable biological factors" Mum says. But I like to pretend there are. I can see them so clearly swimming around, I swear I can feel their scales when I dip my fingers in the water. So real. Maybe I am going a bit crazy. Still, I love it out here.

Another reflection appears next to mine. Naomi. She's known for her quiet, sneaking up behind everyone, so quiet, seeming almost to appear out of thin air,

"Junichi! Hiya!"

"Hey, Naomi."

"Mum wants us for dinner."

"Kay."

Naomi takes my hand, pulling me up and along with her as she skips to the table. Dinner is plain as always, but I never mind it.

Fridays are special though, Mum stays home with Naomi and me all day, giving my nurse, Kouyou-san the day off.

When everyone has finished we all clear the table and part ways. Mum to work on whatever she does after her hours at the hospital are over. (It's incredible luck that my mum is a doctor) and Naomi and I to watch a movie like we do every Friday.

-

Naomi falls asleep against my shoulder which is annoying because she's heavier than she looks to lift (I'm just weak) and I don't want to risk her wrath by waking her. After getting Mum's assistance to remove my sister, I fall asleep staring out the window. From my room, I can see over the wall and trees to the house next door. It's for sale, or it was, but the sign was taken down two weeks ago, which can only mean one thing: New Neighbours.

I wonder what kind of people they'll be.