The Ones I Love

Just another moment. Chapter 8

Disclaimer: I don't own the picture above and have only done basic editing.

I look up at the two figures, now walking in front of me and whispering to each other as if I was non-existent.

"You both know I am still here, right?" I walk closer as both of them turn around and Shin smirks while stopping in his tracks. Carla, however, turns back around and continues walking as Shin pats me on my back.

"Of course, we know! We just thought you might want to stay in your dreamland." He grins and puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer so we both begin walking beside Carla. I roll my eyes at their mysterious behavior and keep my gaze at the ground as we continue walking in silence.

"Why did you come out here, anyway?" Carla finally breaks the silence and looks towards me while I contemplate whether I should tell him the truth or twist the story so it doesn't sound like such a sob story.

"I just needed some air, I guess. The brothers have been fighting since they got home." I shrug lightly and stuff my hands in the pockets of my school vest, finally realizing that I hadn't changed out of my uniform. Shin hums in response, seemingly in thought as he does so.

"Anyway, what are you guys doing here at this time? Aren't you, like, supposed to be running around with your pack or something?" I deviate the topic from the previous conversation and look ahead, not wanting to make any eye contact unless I absolutely have to.

"Well, you see, sometimes we just like to run alone." Shin replies with a little smirk and looks at me while I roll my eyes. "What? You think we are lying?" He nudges my shoulder and a genuine chuckle finally escapes my lips, easing my mind off things just a little. "There ya go." He mutters and looks back ahead, making me turn my head towards him in confusion.

"What?"

"Nothin'." He doesn't look back at me and continues walking when Carla clears his throat. "Oh, it seems he doesn't like us ignoring him." Shin immediately teases him but when he receives a glare in return, we both look ahead to follow Carla's indicating gaze. Instinctively, I tighten my lips into a thin line when I see the one-and-only, Ruki Mukami in front of us, his hands stuffed in his pant's pockets.

"Well, well, look who decided to show up to finally comfort his sister." Carla speaks up after ages of being silent, as he mimics Ruki's posture by putting his hands in his pockets. I subconsciously take a step back and Shin looks at me, instantly knowing what to do.

"How about you give her some space, baby brother?" Shin's words seem to visibly affect Ruki's patience as his eyes narrow at the nickname.

"Who do you think you are to suggest what I should do and not do with my own sister?" Ruki takes a step towards me, but I only increase the distance between us further, which results in a look of hurt crossing his face.

"They are my friends, Ruki, and they are right: I think I do need some space. All I can do is hope you understand and leave me alone for a while." I turn around immediately and hear pairs of footsteps behind me, thinking it's Ruki, I start walking faster but when I feel an arm draped across my shoulders, I look to the side to see Shin casually walking beside me with Carla on my other side. A small smile makes its way onto my lips as I stare at the ground, relieved that Ruki decided to actually listen to me for once.

"Alright, I know you guys, and I know this much: a simple fight does not make you fall apart like this. What happened?" Carla looks towards me but I shrug in return, still not confident enough to tell them what actually happened- hell, I didn't even know if I was supposed to tell anyone about a sacrificial bride in our house. Carla sighs and looks away, making it clear that he is not satisfied with my answer.

"Look, I'm sorry- there's just a lot on my mind right now and I don't know where to begin." I raise my shoulders in defense and wait for a response from him as I look at his profile.

"Well, you could start by saying what happened." He states as a matter-of-fact.

"There is this... girl... that all of them have been spending time with. I know it seems whiny of me but they are giving her all of their attention- and not only that, but they are treating her like she is garbage and I know she deserves so much better." I grunt in frustration and place my head in my hands as we continue walking, Shin's arm staying around my shoulders all the while.

"It's been about some girl all this time?" Shin scoffs and I glare at him, not wanting him to make fun of me. He raises his free hand in defense and looks forward.

"It's not only about the girl, it just seems like I don't know my brothers anymore. They have been so different ever since this girl came into our lives."

"Then kill her." Carla simply states and I turn to him faster than I would stand in the line at a food court.

"Carla, I know it's normal for you but I don't kill- or hurt, for that matter." I internally shudder at the thought of even having the intention to hurt her. "That's not who I am or who I want to be. No offense." I see Carla roll his eyes from the corner of my eyes when Shin tightens his grip on my shoulders.

"Hey, how about we make you forget all about the struggles back at home and do something fun instead? I promise you won't even want to go home after." I snicker at his confidence and willingly get dragged to wherever Shin has in his mind.