It was evening, and everyone withdrew to their respective rooms. The echoes of footsteps clumping then gradually faded, and soon the night was clothed with still peace and soothing restfulness.
Taku and Riku shared the same room. The room was dead silent like a cemetery, except for the scribbling of Taku's pen on his book, which blended with the soft swish of Riku's silent body movements, like a steady, gentle breeze.
Taku focused on his homework, his eyes buried in the book, as the dim oil lamp cast a dull illumination on his face.
Riku was practicing his martial arts. Given the flexibility of the sword in his hand, it showed he'd truly mastered the art of using a sword. He displayed a high level of potency. His level of skills was top-notch!
"How is the homework going for you?" Riku asked, a genuine concern on his face.
Taku shrugged, eyes still focused on the book. "Not bad. I can never be the top student, you know, no matter how hard I try, or even an average student." A hint of sadness clouded his face.
"Maybe that isn't your calling. Hunting demons could be," Riku remarked. "You never can tell."
Taku cast a glance at him. "You know that isn't true."
"Yes, yes, I know."
They chuckled lightly. Warmth lingered in their voices
"With skills like this, you could be a boxer. Your martial skills are top-notch. You can transform your martial skills to that," Taku suggested. It was more of an advice than a suggestion. For him, that was more realistic. With those skills of Riku's, hunting unrealistic demons was like going to pluck a moon to give it to a lover.
"You aren't serious. If you knew what awaits the world with these demons, you wouldn't say that," he lamented, anguish crystal clear in his eyes, like a clear, deep ocean where even the pebbles could be seen.
"For me, I think you have been so engrossed with Dad's stories and Grandpa's stories that you now see things that aren't real. Enough of the demons' stories," Taku's lips tightened with a less animated explanation. He wanted to get away from the demon talk by all means. Not that it made him scared or would make him believe it. He just found demon conversation unworthy of his time.
"Okay. I hope you won't learn the hard way. I really do hope," It was more of a prayer, his brow furrowed with deep sadness and worry and then a melancholy look in his eyes. "How is school going?" he asked, dusting off the sadness he felt.
.
"Perfect! School is the most enjoyable place anyone can be. Lots of nice kids around you'd wish to see in college," Taku replied enthusiastically.
Riku's expression gave way to a genuine smile. Good for you then! I'm exhilarated that you are elated in school. If you have any complications in school or anyone that's a pain in your ass you can tell me. Your big brother is here for you," a hint of pride in his voice and a heart readily willing to do anything for his brother.
They laughed wholeheartedly.
"You are just three minutes older than me. I wanted to be born at the same time as you, but I guess that would cause a lot of pain to Mum, that's why I stayed back," Taku said humorously.
They laughed again. Laughter filled the room like the aroma of rich food. The room seemed to be happier. The moon shone brightly in the room, adding to the joyous cheerfulness. A gentle breeze caressed their skin.
"You know that's not true. You should call me big bro," he jokingly said in the midst of laughter
"Okay, okay, I heard you," Taku raised his hands in surrender.
"Now say it," with a playful, commanding tone.
"Big bro," he chuckled.
Their mum was at the door, her body learning gently against the door. "Riku, Taku, it's bedtime," she said calmly. Her soft voice was like a musical rhythm.
"Mum, I'm still doing my homework," Taku revealed to her, his eyes narrowed back to his book.
"Finish up and sleep," their mum replied.
"Okay, Mum," Taku responded, his focus now entirely on his homework, his breathing was quiet and his gaze became intensed trying to understand what he was reading.
Their mum beamed at Riku, a light smile laced with pride. "Riku, do you still want to stay awake to train? You did a great job today by killing that demon, so I think you have to rest now." If she could pat him to sleep and sing a lullaby for him, she would, but he had long past that age.
"Okay, Mum. I'll sleep whenever Taku is ready," he replied softly, casting a glance at Taku, who was still concentrating on his homework, then back to his mum.
She nodded in agreement and left.
***
The two girls shared the same room. Akira was older than Mao, and they weren't twins. Akira and Mao wished they were twins like Taku and Riku. They had once asked their mum, out of curiosity, why she didn't birth them as twins.
"You don't decide what to give birth to," their mother had replied.
That wasn't a satisfying reply for them. They needed to hear more reasons, but their mother wasn't in the mood for explanation.
What would she have possibly said that would make those tiny minds understand? She had wondered and dismissed them with the only answer she felt she could give.
Now they just lay on their bed but weren't sleeping. They seemed to be anticipating something, something their young minds prayed should hurriedly come, like when a demon was about to devour a human.
Their mum came in. She wasn't the one they wanted to see. Disappointment weighed on their tender chests. But they weren't sad to see her either.
"Akira, Mao, why aren't you both asleep yet?" she asked with affection. "Don't just lie there. Go to sleep." She gently ordered.
"We are waiting for Taku. He promised to read us a story today before we sleep," Akira quickly responded.
"Yesterday we slept off waiting for him. We don't want to sleep today. We want him to read a story to us," Mao whispered in a pleading tone.
"He is doing his homework and will sleep after that," their mum said. "Go to sleep now. He will read for you tomorrow,"She gestured at them.
"Okay, Mum," Akira and Mao answered softly and shut their eyes.
Their mum left, and immediately they fluttered their eyes open like a butterfly fluttering its tiny wings in a clear summer morning.
At the sight of Taku, they started giggling. They grasped each other's hand expressing how cheerful they were. He was holding a beautiful and colorful storybook. He might not be a demon slayer, but his little sisters loved him so much. They enjoyed the company they had with him, his playful nature, and how he communicated with them.
Riku didn't have the time, or rather, he didn't want to. He loved his sisters. Fine! But having 'childish conversations,' as he called it, with them? Nah! It was a colossal waste of precious time he could never get back. He'd reasoned.
He had better things to do. He wanted to save the world from demons, and that he'd do. That would keep his sisters safe and would compensate for any other things he wasn't able to do with them.
Akira and Mao, although not having that bond with their eldest brother, were proud of him. But they couldn't tell the world that their brother, father, grandfather, and their whole generation were demon slayers.
Nah! They were warned against that. They would never spill it out, and they didn't try to disobey. Going against their father was a death wish, so they never thought of it! Not now! Not ever!
Riku's brotherly absence didn't really occur that much to them. They had Taku, and he was one in a million. They would rather spend every minute with Taku and talk about Riku to each other.
"You didn't read us a story yesterday," their faces suddenly became sad, a gaze of disappointment directed toward Taku.
"I'm so sorry about that. I came here, but you both were already asleep. I didn't want to disturb your sleep," He sincerely apologized, his head slightly bowed low, "I'm making it up with cookies." He showed them.
They didn't see it in his hand before now. They cheered loudly, their eyes bright and sparkled. They stood on the bed, grasping each other's hand and then leaping on the bed joyfully like a ball that was being juggled.
"Shush!" Taku placed his index finger on his lip. "Be quiet. You don't want Mum to be here." He wispered
They nodded with great understanding and sat on the bed quietly but still had the cheerful expression on their face.
Taku gave it to them. "I'm not saying you should eat it now. You take it to school tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you," they both replied excitedly.
They kept the cookies.
"So, which story are you reading to us?" Mao asked, anticipation bursting out of her eyes.
"Anyone you choose," Taku gave a calm response. He looked at them with affection and love, making his eyes teary. He quickly brushed it off.
"The demon slayer and the princess," they said in unison excitedly.
"You have both heard the story over and over again, don't you want something else?" he asked, expecting a change of title of the story they would want him to read to them.
"No," they objected firmly.
"Okay, okay, you both win. But before then, how is school? Are you having any challenges?" he asked with keen interest and concern, laced with eagerness to provide a solution if there was any.
Akira and Mao now looked both serious. Akira's seriousness seemed like the seriousness one would find in the graveyard.
Heavy.
Dark.
Quiet.
"The math assignment you did for
me, I failed it," Akira gave an outburst of crying, like the one which happened after a gloomy dark cloud and then a heavy outburst of rain. She used her tiny palms to cover her sudden red face.
Taku looked dead as hell. He bit his lip in frustration and his eyes downcast in deep shame. He was disappointed and ashamed of himself. He knew he wasn't really good with academics. His grades were bad, or a little more than worse.
He just couldn't improve, no matter how hard he tried. What were these people able to do to excel in their academics? He'd wondered millions of times.
He read his books, although he knew he never stayed in class, but that was not his fault in the least. He wished he would be in class... but he just couldn't get there; at least he was able to copy notes from his friends.
Sometimes he looked at the book without understanding, he read but didn't know what he was reading, but he continued reading anyway.
He wasn't giving up. He would continue trying. Giving up wasn't an option. He was trying to deal with that, but it affecting his younger sister was really, really bad. He was ashamed of himself.
But missing classes wasn't his own doing; it was due to circumstances beyond his control, beyond his ability, beyond his reasoning. It was a burden of secret that weighed on his shoulders, which seemed like it wouldn't be lifted.
He didn't want that to affect his sisters. He felt sorry for Akira.
He stroked her soft blond hair and then hugged her.
"Please stop crying. I will do better next time," he said, cleaning his own already falling tears.
Akira cleaned her tears with the back of her right palm. Then suddenly her eyes ignited with a soft glow. Her face beamed with a smile.
"Senior Ren came to my rescue. She said I can bring my homework to her. She saw me crying in my class, and she decided to know what the reason was. She saw the homework."
"Did you tell her I was the one who did it?" Taku inquired, a feeling of guilt arresting his chest more than how he felt.
"Yes. Was I supposed to lie?" She rolled her small eyes at him.
"No, no, no," he laughed awkwardly.
"She is helping me out now. So you don't need to bother yourself with my homework. You could do Mao's own." She gave a small chuckle.
"Oh… Yes."
"Senior Ren is such an angel. I never had any challenges in school thanks to her," Mao said softly. Her tone was tender and innocent. Her face melted like an angel with a pure heart. And yes, she had it. Her heart was pure as snow.
"Yes, she is! She is the nicest senior ever!" Akira declared, like one would do when declaring a winner in a track event.
At least he was better with Mao's homework, Taku thought. Well, he hadn't messed up… yet. He would try not to, but you never can tell when it came to Taku's academics. Well, Mao had never said anything like her failing the homework Taku helped her do.
But who was this Senior Ren, Akira and Mao always gushing about? Taku wondered in his head. Was she really that nice? And also intelligent? Was she also pretty?
He knew if he asked his sisters, they would say she was very pretty, pretty like an angel newly created out of beauty itself, like a flower that bloomed in the summer, because she was a nice senior.
But does being nice make one physically pretty? Maybe yes, maybe no. If he was being truthful to himself, although people wouldn't agree with him and said he was judging by physical appearance, the majority of people would agree that beauty is how nice and kind your heart is. That is a yes! But then again, being physically beautiful and being nice are two distinct things.
Why was he curious about how she looked? He wondered in his head. They didn't attend the same school, so there was never a time he would get to see her, he thought.
Why was he thinking of seeing her? He must be crazy! Really crazy! She was nice to his sisters, and he appreciated her. But it should end there at that spot and space. He had a lot to think about than one Senior Ren he would never get to meet.
"I would share my cookies with Senior Ren," Akira said delightfully.
"Me too!" Mao exclaimed, chortling.
"Don't you have your friends to share with?" Taku was curious.
"I'll be the happiest person to share my cookies with Senior Ren," Akira beamed cheerfully.
"Me too!" Mao exclaimed again, chortling.
"I would tell her my big brother made it," Akira revealed, a hint of pride in her tone.
To Akira and Mao, there was no gift more precious than Taku's cookies. Taku made some of the best cookies anyone could eat.
The knot in Taku's stomach seemed to tighten, making him unpleasantly uneasy. His nose wrinkled in discomfort. Why was he feeling this way? He pondered.
He needed to get his head straight and not overreact. But who was the one overreacting now? Wasn't it his sisters? Maybe he was the one, he concluded.
"I will read the story for both of you now, so that you will go to bed early and wake up early." He knew his sisters could talk on and on about this Senior Ren, like a car who lost its brake and just continued going without a stop.
"Yes!" they exclaimed elatedly.
They lay on the bed, clutching onto one another, their eyes fixed on the colorful storybook and their ears eager to hear the story Taku would read, as if they hadn't heard it before. To them, the story was new and fresh on any given night it would be read to them. It showed the love they had for the story.
"At the outskirts of a village in Japan…" Taku started reading from the storybook. "A princess was attacked by a demon and was taken to his home. The strongest and most fearless demon slayer in the village went on a dreadful journey to save the princess, but even if he could save the princess, she was already bitten by the demon. But he was still determined to save her and probably find a cure for that. He knew…"
Taku looked at his sisters. They were sleeping already, with a soft snore like a breeze whispering in the midnight. He closed the storybook. He then covered them with a blanket, kissed them on their foreheads, then left the room with the storybook.