As much as I cared about ‘the truth of this world,’ the one invading my brain was Ashley Jones’ so-called Diegesis. What will happen to her after this? The thought of someone just suddenly losing their feelings over one thing that they’re obsessed about for more than half of their age was haunting me.

I took out the business cards I received from my pocket and stared at them along the way home. Hathaway and whoever else waiting for me there would definitely have the answers but do I really need it?

“Sota!”

Unknowingly, I already exited the monorail and made my way through the blocks and reached home. The one thing that reminded me of that fact was Maria’s voice that came from the gate of my house.

“How long have you been outside?”

“Not long. 30 minutes or so.”

“In the dark? Mom and dad aren’t here?”

She threw a glance at the dark house. “Seems like they’re out. I was waiting for you anyway.”

“You could’ve told me. Where are those two anyway?”

“Cut them some slack,” Maria followed me into the house after I unlocked the front gate for her. “I didn’t tell them that I’m coming to visit.”

“How about Akira?”

“No. Not him either.”

“I see,” I let her sit wherever she felt like. The house was my family house in Sector Eight. I stayed there while recovering from the whole incident and because my father insisted on getting a long break from work for me. I took a couple mugs and the jar of cold tea from the fridge.

“You see, Sota,” Maria was blanking at her fidgeting fingers. She had her back curled down with her arms on the coffee table. Her face could barely be seen behind her hands and hair. She continued, “I heard that conversation in the hospital.”

“How’s Akira?”

That question startled her who was collecting her thoughts. She looked up in disbelief with an answer. “He’s doing fine.”

“Just fine? That’s it?” I brought a tray full of sweets from the kitchen to accompany the tea we were having. I sat down on the floor facing her and continued. “Not how he is right now, I meant the whole thing.”

“Oh,” the confusion was clear but her serious expression turned light. “He’s far better than my ex.”

“Obviously.” I stuffed a piece of cooking into my mouth. “He’s my brother. The best kind of guy out there. Women want him. Moms love him. Fathers approve of the brilliance of Kagura Akira.”

“Now I’m not sure if you’re actually okay with me snatching him away.”

“Nah, please,” I got up from the floor to grab the TV remote. “Take him all you want. I’ll enjoy being the favorite son for a while.”

“Jeez.”

“Just you wait, though. I’ll make sure your relationship works out so I can torture you by calling you sister all the time.”

“Please, not that.”

“You’re too late, my dearest sister. Do you want the news or some movies I bought?”

“Movies, please, my dear brother.” She grinned mischievously.

“Ugh.”

“Right?”

“Fine, you won.” I sat back after putting on the movie.

“So everything is all good?” Her tone shifted again slightly. “School and everything else?”

I stared at her and shrugged, giving two thumbs up. “It’s all good.”

She sighed out of relief. “Alright, then,” crossing her legs, she sat down on the floor across from me. “Now tell me all of Aki’s dark secrets.”

“Oh, my child, you’re on one hell of a ride.”

We talked for hours while letting the movies play on the side until Akira came by to pick her up. Nothing much was transpired between Aki and I but our usual banter. Things went back to normal and, honestly, I wouldn’t ask for anything better.

“So, when are you coming to the coffee shop?” Both of them confronted me using that opening.

“It’s too much of a hassle, man. I need to ride the monorail down two sectors from the dorm then the tram through a few hills to get to a measly coffee shop.”

“It’s a beautiful place, though,” they said in unison. “It’s going to be worth it.”

“It’s two fucking hours of travel,” I shrugged. “How about this? Once I get my license this year, that will be the first place I go to.”

“Alrighty!”

I didn’t know where Maria got it but right now both of them were ruffling my hair messy. They then left.

After a while, my parents came back from their outing to the dark home only lit by the tv. I was just sitting in front of the blinking monitor with my head resting on the palm of my right hand, barely able to pay attention.

“Ooh, my favorite,” dad said, breaking the silence.

“Was someone here, Sota?”

“Maria came by, mom. Aki, too, just for a bit.” I looked at my father with a questioning glare. “The world peace mediator diplomat’s favorite movie is a chick flick tearjerker?”

“Right back at you, buddy.”

“Well, at least this way someone ought to cry a little.”

“To be fair, I love that movie only for the dogs,” my dad sat across from me with two cans of beer in his hands. He opened one.

“Whoa, dad. Liver. Remember?”

He slid one across the table to me and held one in his hand. “Doesn’t mean I can’t have a drink with my son.”

“Favorite son,” I giggled before gulping everything down in one go.

“Don’t tell Saeko, though.” He laughed, opening the can.

“Too late, I heard that!”