Game of Survival

P R O L O G U E

Ayano

     I put my clothes in my luggage, making sure that everything I need is in it. I am going to school and I am kinda excited and nervous at the same time.

This is my first time to go to school in my 17 years of existence.

I was home-schooled, so yeah. It's understandable. I am quite happy but I feel like yearning for something at same time. My family dislike the idea if me going to school, with different teachers, classmates, in different places. They preffered if I stay in the house with them which really sucks. Anybody in my age is normally having fun while me... I never even attended prom in my entire life. I never had my first dance, never had a friend, never had a romantic relationship with the opposite sex, even a crush!

I feel like I'm not a human. My family kept me isolated. I have never tried going out of this house on my own to socialize or even buy my own clothes.

I wanna walk freely on the streets, roam around the cities, or even talk to other people and make friends.

My patience is running thin. How long will they keep me hidden in this house? I wanna be free in the cage my family had kept me locked my whole life.

I love them and I know they feel the same way but I've had enough. They deprived my rights to be free. Whenever I tried to discuss this matter to my parents, it always pead to an argument so I decided to take matters by my hand. I talked to my Grandfather, Hiroshito Koizumi, and made a deal.

He will grant me my freedom but he had conditions. He said he would get to choose which school I am about to attend. Nevertheless, I agreed. The deal we had is in favor of what I demand. However, it was wierd when he said that I must survive. That occupied my mind for a while but I just shrugged it off. What I must think about now is how I shall live outside this mansion where everything is done by everyone except me. It's not like I do not know basic house chores. I have learned all the strategies due to boredom, though due to my weak heart, I cannot overexert myself.

My grandfather told me that I would get to live like a normal person. I admit I am a bit scared thinking how am I supposed to go on without my family's wealth and my maid's assistance.

'Get a grip, Ayano. This is what you need  independence!'

Right! I've had enough of this boring life. I need to live with the destiny I shall carve. My body is craving for something and I know it isn't just about my freedom. Its something deeper.

I flinched as soon as I heard a loud consecutive knocks coming from the door.
It's my brother. Asano Koizumi.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw my brother waiting putside, looking at me straight in the eyes with no sign of any emotion. Just an empty look in those ash grey eyes which I envy.

Without any words, he went inside my room and sat on the bedside. His eyes were focused on my luggage. I closed the door and went towards him.I did not dare utter a word. Compared to my parents, he's a lot more intimidating.  The way he looked at me coldly gives me chills, not that he looked at me that way everyday. His gaze has always been soft, his words are affectionate as well.

Ever since our grandfather's visit, he never uttered a word about our deal and the commotion that happened in the house. One thing is for sure, he's either mad or disappointed. He never looked at me coldly but he seldom smiled, he seldom talked and only uses hand signals. Not that he's mute. He just preferred not to talk, I guess.

He motioned me to go closer and I did. I walked and stopped right infront of him.

He tapped the space beside him motioning me to sit there which I did again. The thing about me is I am obedient, especially to my brother. Well, not everything lasts.

I leaned on his shoulder for comfort which was replied with a soft embrace.

"Onii-san... Am I a bad daughter now?"

I asked.

Napabuntong-hininga lamang siya. He gently touched my hair.

"Ayano, This is a very serious matter you're getting yourself into. The world outside is a dangerous place.
Do understand that our parents are only trying to keep you safe. If it means depriving you your freedom for you to live until hundred of decades then so be it."

I swallowed hard and tried not to burst into tears. He then looked at me softly, "..However, you're not a bad daughter. You're only fighting for what you think is right. We have different thoughts, different opinion of what's right and wrong as well as what's good and bad for us and the people around us."

I softly patted my head, "Don't worry about defying your own family. You have done it a lot of time before. I'm guessing it runs in the blood. I've been a bit of a rebel before as well."

" Really?"

He nodded. "You were a stubborn little pea, begging to play outdoors back when we were in Russia. You wanted to play and make a snowman on the 3rd day of winter."

His smile slowly faded as if he recalled something unpleasant,"...and then just as you walked out of the house and run in the vast pool of snow, you were taken from us."

He cupped my face, strains are visible in his eyes. He took a deep breath, " I don't know what happened. We lost you for years. Mom almost lose her sanity. We were all in hell for years. And then one day, you were brought back to us."

"I still don't remember anything, brother." I softly spoked.

He only smiled and gently kissed my forehead.

"I'm sorry, Ayano, for everything we've done, for locking you up inside, for depriving you of what you deserve because God know what you might have been through in all those years. But always remember that we love you."

He then handed me something, a bracelet with a ruby gem lock."Once worn, it shouldn't be removed. If something bad happens, if someone will kill you, run into the woods, destroy the gem and hide. The gem have a micro-chip that will send signal to my device. It will send me your location. Do not go far away from the location."

Startled from what he said, I couldn't speak audibly. "W-what...kill me?"

  "The old man haven't told the details but I know where you are going. You're going to a place that seems to be a paradise, but it's not. It's a very dangerous place. Academia Celestia is not a place for innocent like you."

"Academia Celestia? " I frowned in confusion.

"A heaven anyone may call... But a hell to those who will fall. "

*************

This is the first story na isinulat ko noon besides Wicked Series which I just started recently. I started writing this when I was in grade 7 at the back of my notebook at ngayon ko lang siya ipinublish sa wattpad. My gosh! 😆 I appologize for the typo-grammatical errors and the mispelled words but please support my story, the fun is about to start😉

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-Red Writinghood