The rest of Haruto and Natsume's day was uneventful. Finishing up early, both decided to close up as soon as the sunset for the day. No customers had come in after their visit by the 'strange cosplayer' Antigone, leaving little to do but read in seclusion.

There was a time when customers would come in regularly when they were kids, but it had become apparent that time had long gone. The truth was fewer and fewer customers come in since most books were ordered and read online. The twins feared that their life of bliss in the bookstore would soon come to an end.

"If this keeps up, we'll have to get some real jobs," said Natsume, locking the store door behind them.

Haruto had already exited and was watching over the empty parking lot of the strip mall. The street lights had just started to illuminate. It was already deep into fall, making the days short.

"What are you talking about? This is a real job," answered Haruto with a smile.

"You know what I mean..."

They started walking to the bus stop. Not having a car, it was the fastest way for them to get home. Knowing the schedule by heart, the twins knew they wouldn't have to wait for long.

"I've been thinking about what that woman said this morning," continued Natsume, "about the whole 'Not wishing to go beyond the borders of the world, you know' thing. Maybe we should take off and get out of this town? We could apply for college."

"Apply and do what, go into debt? I'm happy where I am, and we get to do our own thing and get free rent at home. What could be better?" answered Haruto. But with one glance, Haruto knew his sister wasn't expecting that comment. Puffing out her cheeks, she had anger in her eyes.

He would have told her, "If that's what you want, then go and do it yourself," but he couldn't. The two of them in their nineteen years thus far had always been inseparable. Since before they were even born, they had away been together. The thought of being away from Natsume scared him.

"This is the first time I've heard about this," he started to say, but a short yelp escaped him when a voice suddenly interrupted from the shadows.

"Hello again, Miss Ito."

They had just made it to the bus stop when Antigone appeared seemingly from thin air in front of them. Still, a few meters away, they could make out that she was holding a long two-pronged staff. It made Haruto think, "A satsuma, but revamped."

"I have been waiting for you, Miss Ito. I am pleased to inform you of being chosen to join my sisterhood." Offering her free hand to Natsume, she continued, "Now please come with me, Miss Ito, so we may move to the next phase."

Natsume was about to answer but was cut off by Haruto. "You again… why do you keep hounding my sister?"

Ignoring Haruto, Antigone kept her cold grey eyes affixed only on Natsume. Stepping slowly, she began to close the gap between them.

Stepping into Antigone's path, Haruto tried for her attention again, "I asked you a question!" Now he was angry.

Cutting off her view of Natsume, Antigone finally acknowledged Haruto's presence.

"Step aside now, the brother of Miss Ito," said Antigone. "Her witnessing me Hurting you will cause unnecessary damage to Miss Ito's nervous system."

'Nervous system'….You would think it would hurt mine more in that case, he thought.

Hand still held out to Natsume, Antigone continued to cautiously approach, like coming upon an animal you didn't want to scare off. The closer she came, the more intimidated Haruto felt. She stood a head taller than him, and she had a weapon. Haruto had never been in a physical altercation in his life. If she attacked, he would be in trouble. But he couldn't abandon his sister.

Haruto yelled at Natsume to run and call the police, but instead, she grabbed his wrist tightly and yanked him hard out of Antigone's reach. Pulling him with her, she ran back the way they had just come, back towards the shop. Without time to react, Haruto found himself being dragged along with her. Speechless, they ran as fast as they could.

This was no residential neighborhood. The streets were empty, and all the shops looked closed. Looking around, Natsume could see all the lights were off in every business they passed. There was no one about to help them.

Not daring to look back, the twins ran back to the entrance of the shop. But as they came nearer, they both went to a sudden stop, as once again Antigone appeared out of nowhere, stepping mysteriously from the shadows of their store's entrance.

"Enough," Antigone's voice was like ice.

"......" Still in shock, the twins could only stare back silently.

"Now, please come with me, Miss Ito, so we may move to the next phase without delay," 

Extending her hand, Antigone beckoned to Natsume again.