*ding* *dong* *ding* *dong*
At the sound of the bell, both Yuka and I packed our bags and headed out of class. The once energetic Yuka now had a slight slump in her posture as we walked down the hallway. Though I probably wasn't any better. My brain was utterly fried.
Only one more week of this hell… I just need to survive one more week!
I tried to cheer myself up with positive thoughts, but the dread in my chest only intensified.
You know what—I just won't think about it.
I blinked, and when I came to, I was already at the shoe lockers.
…That was fast.
I leisurely slipped into my outdoor shoes, then exited the school with Yuka beside me.
She stretched her arms out wide with a tired groan. "Mmm, I'm so tired~. To think I'll have to do this for the next five days too…"
Suddenly, Yuka gripped both her arms as a shiver ran through her body, draining the blood from her face. "Yeah… I think I'll just think happy thoughts..."
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Hahaha. Good luck."
Knowing Yuka, the trick might actually work. And sure enough, only a couple of seconds later, she seemed to have cheered up just a little bit as a colourful smile returned to her face.
Sadly, by the time she did, we had already reached the school gate. To get home, I needed to take a right, while she needed to take a left.
It was time to say goodbye.
As much as I hated to admit it… this was always the hardest part of the day.
I took a deep breath before turning around to Yuka with a bright smile.
"See you tomorrow, Yu–"
Before I could finish speaking, Yuka lunged towards me and pulled me into a hug. So tight that I could feel her pulse against my own.
I grabbed her shoulders in an attempt to pry her off me, but without any real strength.
"Let go!" I groaned. "Can't you go one day without being so overdramatic?! We will see each other tomorrow anyway!"
Yuka frantically shook her head. "Stop being so heartless! That one day feels like an eternity for me! So just let me have my moment!"
My tongue clicked.
Selfish? Me? You're the one who always does this every day!
Yet, my body deflated as the seconds ticked by.
This is unfair… how am I supposed to reject you when you're like this?
With a sigh, I embraced her back, pulling her closer.
"I'll miss you too, Yuka," I said sincerely—before pulling her back with a scowl. "But stop being so clingy! Don't you like my Brother anyways?! Bother him instead!"
Yuka gave me a smug snicker. "Well, you two look so alike that as long as I close my eyes, I easily imagine you're him!"
My eye twitched.
I look like my Brother? Are all of you blind?! That's the second time this month someone's said that—and it isn't even true!
My mouth fell open, but before I could argue, Yuka stepped away from me with her usual smile.
"Welp, it's time to go now. Bye-bye, Lily."
Yuka paused before adding with a wink. "I love you!"
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I love you, too."
A brief silence hung between us before we both burst out laughing. That laughter lasted for only a few seconds. Once it faded, we turned around and headed home.
It was the middle of the afternoon, so the sun was still up, summer rays beating down. Yet as those rays warmed my skin, they weren't nearly as annoying as Yuka's lingering warmth.
Usually, walking home alone was—well, lonely. That's why I hated walking home alone more than anything. I sometimes wished my Older Brother still walked with me, and while he probably would if I asked, I didn't want to force it on him.
Today's walk, however, passed by in an instant.
***
I twisted the key until I heard a soft *click*. I quietly opened the door to my house and slid off my shoes.
"I'm home."
Mom, who had been in the kitchen, rushed to the doorway to greet me, wearing the same angelic smile.
"Welcome home. I hope you had a good day at school today," she said with her usual gentle, yet graceful tone.
Normally, the conversation ended at that—but today was different.
"Oh right!" I said, as if I'd just remembered. "There's actually something I want to show you today!"
Mom tilted her head. "That's new. What is it?"
A proud grin tugged on the corners of my lips, but I tried to remain as composed as I possibly could.
"I think you should sit on the couch for this one, you're going to be really surprised!"
Without waiting for her to respond, I quickly kicked off my shoes as I took Mom's hand and sat her down on the couch.
Mom didn't yell or lecture me about how rude I was being. She just sat there with her hands folded on her lap, waiting patiently.
I dug through my bag until I found what I was looking for.
"Here you go!" I exclaimed as I proudly set a sheet of paper in front of her.
Mom stared at it intently, unsure what to make of it. "What is this?"
"It's my math test from two weeks ago. I just got it back today, and I wanted you to see it!"
"Is that so…"
Mom picked up the paper, leaving not even a single wrinkle, and brought it close to her face. She didn't have good eyesight, so she had to.
Her eyes scanned the paper, memorizing each line. Then she flipped to the next page and continued reading my answers.
I continuously shifted my weight from one foot to the other as I waited for her reaction.
Once Mom finished reading the last page, she flipped back to the first one and glanced at my grade.
Then, a wide, proud smile spread across her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes.
"You did wonderfully, Lily! I'm so proud of you!"
I let out a breath I didn't even know I had been holding.
"R-really?" My voice shook. "Do you really mean that?"
Mom gave me a firm nod. "Of course I am! This is the best you've ever done, so why wouldn't I be happy?"
At that moment, it felt like a weight I'd been carrying for years lifted off my shoulders.
I… I did it—
I clenched my fists tightly, digging my nails into my palms, the pain reminding me that this wasn't a dream.
I did it!
My knees began to tremble, making it difficult to keep standing.
I made Mom proud of me… Finally! I finally did it!
I stared intently at Mom's face, determined never to forget this day—or the look on her face.
I opened my mouth, the words tumbling out. "A-are you proud of me, Mom?"
Mom happily clasped her hands together, the sound echoing. "Yes, I am!"
I had been struggling to hold them back this whole time, but upon hearing that, tears formed in the corner of my eyes.
At long last! I finally did–
"After all," Mom continued, her voice as gentle and graceful as it had been earlier. "I didn't think you had it in you to do this well!"
The tears receded just as quickly as they had come.
W-wh… what is that supposed to mean?
A subtle chill crept down the back of my neck, making my hair stand on end.
My knees buckled, but I caught myself before I could fall. My eyes didn't leave Mom a single time.
Why… did she say it like that?
I slowly opened my trembling lips, forcing the words out of my chest. I felt them as they scraped along my throat and left my mouth.
"What… did you mean by that?"
The words came out barely above a whisper, but enough that Mom heard.
Mom tilted her head, her angelic smile unchanged.
"Why are you asking that, Lily? You should already know the answer…" Her voice trailed off near the end, and with it, so did her usual grace.
Her lips parted, revealing a cold, even tone. "After all, when it comes to school at least, you've always been the one who struggled!"
…What?
My whole being froze. My thoughts, my breath, my nerves—all of it went still.
...Everything except the fury burning in my chest.
Why… why is it always like this?!
I clenched my jaw, the fury seething through the gaps of my teeth.
Why? WHY? WHY! WHY?!
I opened my mouth and took a deep breath, ready to shout, to scream—
D-don't look down on me!
Before the words could even form in my head, Mom spoke again.
"I always thought he was the family's only genius, but it looks like you can do it sometimes, too! Good job, Lily. I hope you can keep it up in the future. Although it's okay if you don't. That's your Brother's job, after all!"
…Huh?
In that moment, something I'd been holding onto shattered.
Why… why did you have to mention him?!