Merciless Loop

CHAPTER 19 - Bonds

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Bonds

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Loud banging sounds against the big wooden door can be heard from the quiet inside of the place. It wasn’t a surprise for the two inside as they already expected it to happen soon. They were looking at each other with calmness, the older one smiled.

“It’ll be okay. I can feel the other one already there for her.”

“Have you figured out what they were Dad?” Tomomi asked innocently as she slowly walks towards the banging door.

“Nope.” The old man answered truthfully. “But I believe that they mean no harm.”

The door opens exposing Yuko’s small standing figure, breathing heavily. Sweat can be obviously seen beneath her shirt as the rapid rise and fall motion of her chest allows her to gasp for air. Her hand reaches for the wall that holds the said door, bending her knees due to exhaustion.

“Tell me … what’s… going on.” She uttered in between breaths. “Why is it… yellow on… others?”

“What’s on your mind is true my child.” The man replied gently.

“That can’t be… true.”

“If it’s not, then neither we would know the answer to your question.” He reaches for Yuko’s hand and let her inside the house. “You are what you think you are. Have no doubts.”

“H-have no doubts?” her voice rise a little. “Can you even hear yourself old man? I… I’m not being rude. I just…”

“We understand.” Tomomi whispered loud enough for both people to hear. “It’s not easy to accept at all. We haven’t been there but I know how hard it is to believe.”

“Th-then what am I?” Yuko coughed.

“Truthfully my child, that… we don’t know.” The man’s smiling face turns serious. “Actually, I haven’t seen any of your kind my entire life.”

“My kind?”

“You seem to be… unique.” His eyes keenly looked all over the girl. “…like you’re just one of your kind.”

“Dad?” the man’s daughter seem to be as confused as the short one.

“She isn’t like us. She doesn’t belong in any race that is not human, or in human race. So what she is… I really have no idea.” The man turned his back against Yuko and started moving away. “…but your friend. I believe she has all the answers you seek.” He continued turning his head a little to see Yuko.

“Nyannyan?”

“Yes, the girl from your memories.” The blonde girl seconded. “Talking to her is your only hope to find answers.”

“B-but… Nyannyan…”

“Have your views on her changed, Yuko?” the taller continued. “Have your feelings wavered?”

There is a certain shock that twitches the midget’s eyes. It was like a whirling wind of thoughts washes her brain away. Those reasons she chose to let it pass instead of going in deeper became thoughts to ponder as to why a certain person seem to be complicated at times.

--------- FLASHBACK ---------

“Keeping a secret is different from not telling something about it Yuuchan.”

“Ehh? You’re just trying to get away Nyannyan.” I insisted after pointing out that she’s keeping a lot of things about herself. “I already told you a lot about me, but I don’t know anything about you yet.”