“Hey Takumi, what was it like?”
“Huh?”
“Your dream from earlier, silly. What was it about? ” Michiko’s eyes fix on her brother. Her eyes are different than most people; one is blue as the noon sky and the other one is as golden as the sun.
“Oh…uh I can’t remember.” Takumi replies, avoiding eye contact. Michiko pouts, having a serious look on her adorable face.
“You're sure you're okay? You've been acting stranger than usual.”
Takumi sighs before looking back at her. That’s my sister for yah, he smiles, just as I protect her, she’s always looking out for her brother.
“I’m sure Michiko. It was only a dumb dream, nothing to stress about. Besides, you don’t want to be a worry-burry on your birthday now, do you?” He puts his arm behind his head. Michiko couldn’t help but laugh at Takumi.
“Don’t you mean our birthday? You know that we share the same birthday.”
“And that’s why most people mistake us as twins every time.”
“Really? I thought it was because we almost look the same.” Michiko smirks. Both of them have the same brown-colored hair of their mother and the same noses from their father. If anyone saw them, they would instantly know they’re siblings. Takumi isn’t really bothered by this fact, but sometimes it pisses him off when someone like Ralph says if he tried, he would look exactly like Michiko.
Takumi nods, “That too.”
“Yeah, but we have some differences, like our eyes.” Michiko points to his scarlet red pupils. These eyes can make him pretty scary when he’s angry. Blaze, their dog, once ripped up his notebook and after seeing his face, he didn’t come out of his dog house for a whole week.
“Plus I’m taller and older.” He smirks.
“Just by a year.” She laughs but then pauses for a moment. “Hey wait a minute, you’re trying to change the subject on me again, aren’t you?”
“Whatever do you mean Michiko? We were only talking about our birthdays.” Takumi says sarcastically but Michiko just got more mad.
“Idiot, you're doing it again!” She points at Takumi. “No more tricks Taku. You’re going to tell me about that dream you had, or else.”
Takumi chuckles, “Or else what? We both know you're not gonna do anything.” As he walks away, Michiko grins at Takumi, a mischievous plan dancing in her eyes. She loves to surprise her brother, a gene passed from her father to her. Even though Takumi has many great traits, detecting pranks is not one of them. After the slug incident, Michiko explored all her options of how to fool her brother. Inserting toothpaste in cream donuts, putting black paint around his telescope eyepiece, placing a bucket of water on top of the door, and her favorite, the classic whoopee cushion. And right now is another opportunity for surprising.
“Now then, we need to hurry and get home. I think Mom is almost done with breakfast and I'm starving. What about you Michiko?” He asks but to his surprise, Michiko didn't answer. “Michiko?” Takumi stops in tracks. They both usually answer each other, regardless of their questions. Before he could turn around, Michiko tackles him. He bursts out in laughter as she tickles him.
“Looks like someone let their guard down, huh?” She says with a smile. She continues her “attack” on Takumi, making him shed tears. “I’ll stop if you tell me.”
“Oh...really?” Barely able to talk, Takumi grabs Michiko’s wrists. “Two can play at this game.”
He grabs the other hand and rolls, forcing her to lay underneath him. His fingers wiggle under her armpit and she laughs.
“Hahahaha, okay, okay, I give up!” Her brother got off her and smirks. Michiko wipes her fingers on Takumi’s shirt with a disgusted look on her face. “Ugh, why do you sweat so much? And you stink too.”
Takumi raises an eyebrow. “I mean, I’m a boy, what do you expect?” He smiles and looks away, nostalgia clouding his mind. “Remember how Dad would make fun of me when I smelled bad? He used to call me ‘Lord of the Slugs’.”
Michiko giggles, like the sound of little silver bells. “Yeah, and remember the time he put slugs on you while you were sleeping? You wouldn’t sleep in your bed for a week.” Takumi face scrunches up. The very memory makes his whole body cringe.
“I couldn't help it, slugs are disgusting.” He shivers at the thought of slimy creatures lurking in his bed. Michiko laughs and pokes her brother’s side. The two siblings get up and continue to walk home.
“Hey, Taku.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad to have you with me. You’re the best big brother ever.” Takumi’s cheeks change to a bright pink. A joke pops into his head,
“Am I your only big brother?” He smirks.
The two laugh their hearts out until they reach the top of the hill to their home. Even though one might feel only confusion after that statement, the Detrus kids have their inside jokes and secret puns. They arrive to a small brick house, surrounded by many types of flowers. The plants made it feel as if it’s a shop. The area is so clear that they can see everything from the whole town to the short mountain range far away.
As they approach the front door, they’re greeted by a tiny shepherd puppy, racing towards them like his tail was on fire. He jumps all around them like a frightened cricket. Takumi bends down to the creature, hands on knees. "Hi Blaze, how's our favorite dog, huh?!" The dog barks in reply to his owners and they pet the happy animal. Blaze rolls over onto his back and they rub his belly. A woman's voice calls out from the house.
"Takumi, Michiko, are you two out there?"
"Coming Mom!" They both shout.
The siblings open the door to see their mother setting the table. "Good, you’re just in time. The food is almost done."
Sharia Detrus is their image of a perfect mother. She’s beautiful, loving, cooks like a world-class chef, always has the right answer to everything, loves to help everyone and can always put a smile on your face. Michiko always wanted to grow up like her mom, a dependable housewife. Even though she fails every chore, her mother is patient and teaches her as many times as she needs. As for Takumi, he’s a bit of a mama’s boy in the background. When he’s alone with Sharia, he enjoys their time together.
"Hey Mom, sorry we're late. We got a little sidetracked along the way here." Takumi takes off his pack of sticks and goes to the shelf near the stove. Michiko follows behind, putting a few pieces of wood aside. After putting both packs onto the shelf, Takumi grabs the other pieces and shoves it into the stove. The starving fire ate the wood with vigor, bursting and burning.
"Hey, where's Dad?" Takumi scans the room. “I thought he was going to eat with us.”
"Your father had to go to work early today, but he said he would like both of you to stop by before sundown, understand?”
“Okay!” They both playfully salute with honorable smiles. Their father is one of the greatest war generals in all of Ergona. He’s a loving father, a family man, but for some reason, he takes his job a little too serious. Being involved in the military has been a tradition for the Detrus’s, generation after generation. Each one would try to best their own father’s legacy, and it can lead to family rivalries. Sharia lifts her wooden spoon to her mouth, tasting the soup she’s been stirring.
“Mmm, this is good. Now don’t just stand here with your tummies rumbling, dig in!”
Takumi points a finger at Michiko, startling her. “Ha! I told you Dad wasn’t going to eat all the biscuits this time!” His voice has the sense of victory splattered all over it. Michiko just rolls her eyes and smiles, letting him enjoy his so-called “win”.
“Alright, that’s enough you two.” The two scramble to their seats. Their eyes widen with amazement as they gaze upon the food. Oven baked breads with sunny side-up eggs on top. Fluffy pancakes smothered in maple syrup and butter squares. French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar and orange juice fresh from the market. A side of chopped potatoes and meat, and to top it all off, their mom's famous biscuits.
“Thanks Mom.” Michiko flashes her mom a bright grin. Sharia smiles and puts her arms around her kids.
“M-mom, stop it we’re trying to eat here.” Her son squirms in his seat. She laughs and brushes Takumi’s hair gently. Suddenly a dark, eerie feeling stirs in Sharia’s stomach.She clutches it, and she groans. What in the heavens is this? But as quickly as she notices it, the strange feeling vanishes.
“Mom, is there something wrong?” Michiko asks.
Sharia straightens up and brushes her apron. “Oh, don’t worry dear. I was just having a slight ache.”
As soon as they finished saying their prayers, Takumi starts to stuff his face with food. He’s quickly stopped by his mother's spoon on top of his head.
"Ow." He rubs his head, giving his mom an annoyed look.
“Now Takumi, I thought I told you many times to use proper table manners while you’re eating.” His mother says with a calm, friendly smile on her face. “You’ll soon be ten years old, so I would like it if you use them more often.”
"It’s my birthday too!” Michiko says, putting a bag of ice on Takumi’s head. “And tomorrow’s the New Year’s festival, I almost forgot!"
"That's right, everyone said that this festival is going to be the biggest one yet!" Takumi nearly jumps out of his seat. Not only is their birthday on New Years, but a huge festival is prepared that day too. It’s the most celebrated event in town. People from all over the nation would come together to celebrate the dawn of a new year. The streets become jam packed with citizens, making it the one time when the town becomes a city. There's never a dull moment, as music plays throughout the day and the place is filled with bars, games and tournaments.
Takumi shoves another biscuit into his mouth, imagining all the fun him and his friends will have together.
“So, I guess you both are free today. What are you two going to do?” Sharia starts to fill their empty plates with food again.
“We’re going to help with the festival. I’m helping Sister Abby with her pies.” Michiko exclaims, looking proud of herself.
“And you Takumi?”
“I don’t know yet, but I’m sure I can be of some help, somewhere. If not, I’ll just do a little training before the tournament.” Takumi puffs his chest.
“That right, The Jr. Swordsman Championship. Are you sure you're ready, dear?”
“You bet Mom. I’ve been training for months. I’m ready as I’ll ever be.” Just then Takumi hears a loud snap from outside. He turns towards it. Near him, Sharia’s eyes go wide and her hands begin to shake. What’s causing this feeling again? It’s so dark and cold and… She searches for the emotion, from the stove, to the table of food, to the window. Her stare locks on to the boy in front of her. Is it coming from Takumi?
“Did you hear that?” He stands and rushes up to the window.
“Hear what?” Michiko peers at her brother. Takumi shakes his head,
“It must have been something else, but I thought...I thought I heard someone.”
“Are you alright dear?” His mom places a wobbly hand on him.
“Nevermind, it was probably just the wind playing tricks on me.” Takumi turns to the cuckoo clock at the other side of the room. “Oh man! It’s five minutes past ten. We better get going Michiko.” Michiko hurries to finish her food while Takumi grabs his wooden training sword. Their mother watches them as they race towards the town. She quickly opens the kitchen window. As the gentle morning breeze blows through her long brown hair, she sees her children waving to her.
“Have fun you two and stay safe!” Sharia yells happily. Her offspring become tiny dots against the horizon. Her joyous feeling is drowned by a deep black pit in her gut. Her hands begin to tremble again, like a never ending earthquake. I fear that something terrifying is about to happen… She looks to the sky with an aching heart. By the heavens, please let me be wrong.
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