Haruwiko hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I... I'll give it a try."
Marcea smiled faintly. "That's what I want to hear. Now go back there. Bye-bye."
Left alone, Haruwiko fell into thought. What should I do to become close to them? he wondered. He tried to think of a plan, but his thoughts quickly grew hazy. "Eh... I feel sleepy again..."
Before long, he drifted off.
"Look at that scumbag. He's sleeping again!" a voice snapped nearby.
"Just calm down, Sappeh-oni-san," another voice replied gently.
"You're telling me to calm down,
Soffie?" Sappeh shot back. "Aren't you pissed off seeing that scumbag steal the time that's supposed to be ours?"
Soffie paused before answering. "I was... at first. But as time passed, I realized why our parents gave him so much attention."
"And the reason is?"
"He can't even stand on his own yet," Soffie said softly. "Right now, he's just like we were when we were babies... even if we don't remember it. I think the reason we're angry at him is because we're jealous.
And... if you look at him closely, he's actually very cute."
Sappeh narrowed her eyes. "Hey... why is your face turning red? I get your point, but... I still hate him."
Soffie sighed. "Come on, sis. We're already three years old. We should try to be more mature."
"I can't," Sappeh muttered, turning away. "I still hate him. Hmph."
Just then, Carmela's voice cut in. "Oy, you two. What are you doing here?"
"Nothing," both of them answered at once.
Carmela raised a brow, then shrugged. "Alright then. Since your little brother is sleeping, do you want to play hide and seek?"
Their eyes lit up, and they eagerly agreed.
"Okay then," Carmela said with a small smile. "Go on-start hiding."
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as the twins ran off.
"Those two are really energetic..." Carmela murmured.
An hour passed.
The door closed quietly, followed by the faint sound of approaching steps.
Haruwiko stirred. Wait... what's that? His eyes barely opened. Ehhh... this is bad.
Why is Soffie-nee here? She's coming closer... this is bad.
"Shh... don't worry," Soffie whispered as she approached him.
"It's okay. I won't hurt you. Just stay quiet, alright? We're playing hide and seek."
Haruwiko nodded slightly.
She really is like Mother... half human, half snake, he thought. Even though they're twins, they're both like that.
But... wow, they're beautiful.
He froze for a second. Wait, what am I thinking?
They're my big sisters.
From somewhere in the house, voices echoed.
"Soffie! Where are you?! Come out!!"
Soffie smiled faintly. Catch me if you can, Mama... Nee-san, she thought, letting out a quiet chuckle.
Haruwiko found himself staring at her, his expression soft and innocent.
"Haruwiko-chan," she whispered, "I'm going to lift you from your bed, okay?"
Oyy... be careful, he thought. Be gentle...
Soffie carefully lifted him into her lap.
He's kind of cute, she thought, her cheeks warming. I can pat his head, right?
She gently placed her hand on his head and began to stroke it.
This... feels nice, she realized. Why is this so relaxing?
She continued, unable to stop herself.
His head even smells like a rose... what is this feeling?
Meanwhile, Haruwiko's eyelids drooped again. Damn... I'm getting sleepy because of this...
And once again, he drifted off.
"Soffie, what are you doing to your little brother?"
Soffie froze as Lala's voice reached her.
"Um... I saw him, and I couldn't resist his cuteness... so I lifted him and put him on my lap, and then I..."
"Calm down, Soffie-chan," Lala said gently. "I'm not angry. But next time, ask for help if you want to do that. It's for both of your safety."
Soffie nodded quietly.
"So," Lala continued, "what do you think about Haruwiko?"
Soffie hesitated, her cheeks turning red. "...He's kind of cute."
"I thought you hated him?"
"I did," Soffie admitted softly. "But now... it's complicated. I'll take my leave."
Later, Haruwiko reflected on everything that had happened.
I think that day was a big step toward my goal-getting closer to my siblings, he thought. Since Soffie-oni-chan talked to me, it should be easier now.
But there was one downside.
Every time I fall asleep, I return to my soul paradise to train with Bakunawa.
To him, the training felt endless.
Bakunawa often said he was close to finishing teaching him, but Haruwiko had yet to see that happen. By now, he had already memorized fifty thousand sword techniques and sixty thousand magic spells.
Yet Bakunawa claimed there were still hundreds of thousands more to learn.
I'm glad I chose that card, Haruwiko thought. If I hadn't... I would've forgotten everything he taught me.
A month passed.