"I guess that's a wrap. Good work you two."
It's been a few days now and it seems like my manager is finally letting us off for the night. For a Friday night it wasn't so bad, but it was definitely still more busy than any other day. My sickness had already fully passed yesterday, but my manager still only wanted me to come tonight instead.
"And here are your paychecks."
"Thank you, sir."
"Thanks... huh?"
As I was taking the envelope from the manager, I noticed that there's certainly a lot more money than I was expecting. I hadn't been working all week besides today, so why does it feel like this is a paycheck as if I worked the whole week?
"Sir-"
"Haha. Don't worry. It's all yours."
"But I didn't work for this..."
"Hmm? But you did."
"...Sorry?"
I was confused by his words. I even looked to my co-worker, but he too just gave me a smile as if this was expected. Am I missing something?
"I've known you for almost a year now. You've stuck around, helping me out all this time without missing a single day, let alone never running late either. You haven't even asked for time off before. You've done more than enough around me, so of course I'd like to help you when you're sick."
Seriously? Hearing him say all that makes me a feel a bit guilty, knowing that this whole "sickness" began with a lie in the first place. It doesn't sit well with me knowing that this money I have in my hands all came from that one lie...
"It's alright. Take it. You've earnt it."
He pats me on the shoulder with a smile, his wrinkles only making him appear even more gentler than his words, but that only makes me unable to feel a hint of happiness, knowing that I betrayed him.
"...I'm sorry. I'll try and not miss another day."
"Haha. I trust you will. Now go on home before it gets too dark."
"Yes, sir."
The walk back home went smoothly as I arrived at my apartment with little to no problems. Once inside, I took off my wig before washing off the makeup like usual, revealing my white eyelashes and eyebrows along with my silvery-white hair. I guess that wasn't the first lie I gave my manager... I've been hiding the real me this entire time for nearly a year now. I wonder what he'll think of me if he finds out what's underneath?
"...Hahh. Oh well."
I dismiss it though as I leave the bathroom, not wanting to look at myself in the mirror for much longer as I put back the hairpin in my hair before getting started on dinner.
But as I was prepping dinner, I hear my phone going off as it vibrates on the table. I check it to see that I have a new message.
Brother: "Still nothing. I can't wait around for the last couple trains so I'll be heading back now. Hope work is going well!"
My brother has been helping me out with the train station, but it always bugs me when he can't stay out until the last train. Every time, I feel as if Reina could've been on one of those trains that he missed, and that thought fills me with a sense of loneliness, making me feel even more depressed, knowing that I could've missed my sister yet again.
Luna: "Work went well. Thank you again for helping me out, brother."
I send him a reply, but that's when I realized just how hard I was gripping my phone. I guess I was unconsciously using my own phone as some kind of stress ball. And that thought brought my eyes to my bed where my stuffed bunny plushie was laying atop of. Maybe I could run over there now... It's not raining and I don't feel like I'll fall asleep anytime soon. Plus it's the weekend tomorrow so I can afford to stay out a bit later.
"...Okay."
I check the time, knowing that the next train will arrive in the next hour. I should have enough time to make something quick to eat before catching the train.
So, I did just that.
It's nothing much, but I packed myself some sandwiches to starve off hunger as I made my way to the train station. Only this time I came prepared as I brought myself a jersey and gloves. I'm not about to get sick a second time in a row and trouble everyone again. Once I got to the train station, I sat down at the same bench as I stared out towards the train tracks, waiting for a train to stop by.
After some time, a train finally came to a stop as I immediately began searching for both people who came off of the train and for people hopping onto the train. But sadly, just like all the other times, not a single person looked like- wait...
It was then that I found someone. It wasn't my sister, but the person looked familiar and they seemed to be hugging someone. It didn't take me long to realize that it's Nicole's boyfriend who was just now coming off of the train. I'm a bit curious as to why he's out so late, but my question was probably already answered from that girl he was hugging. The girl looks to be around our age who seems to be smiling and waving out to him as he too did the same. He didn't look away from the girl even as the sliding doors were closing. It was only until the train left our line of sight did he put his hand down before walking away, seeming to have not noticed me at all. What was that just now?
Sadly, nothing else happened after that as eventually, the last train arrived and just like before, there was no sign of my sister at all, and not too long after that, an officer came by, letting me know that it's closing hours. At least now I can have some peace of mind knowing that I didn't miss my sister again... I did bring an umbrella this time, but it looks like I won't be needing it thankfully. Still though... What was Nicole's boyfriend doing out here? That girl was most certainly not Nicole. She had a more refined look to her unlike Nicole's outgoing appearance. My first thought would be that she was his sister, but they didn't look much alike. I'm not that well versed in relationships despite being asked out numerous times, but I do believe that this is what people would be considered "cheating" right?
I don't let the thought linger in my head for too long as I make my way back inside my apartment, before heading inside for a shower, warming myself up just in case I get another cold.
"Hmmm..."
My mind ends up wandering about whether my sister would be in a relationship as well. Maybe she was seeing her boyfriend or something when she came to visit that one time when I missed her. It's a possibility, just like Nicole's boyfriend just before. Wait, then that "would" be cheating, right? Do I tell Nicole? But I guess I could just be misunderstanding it, they could just be friends... No, I don't think that's the case. They might not've kissed, but I did see them hug when they said goodbye to one another. Do friends even hug? I guess I could try hugging Midori and see how she reacts. But that brings me back to my sister.
Could she seriously have someone like a boyfriend here? I glossed over it, but if it's true...
"No..."
I don't see it... Or more like I don't want to believe it. I don't want to believe that there's someone out there that can take my place by her side. Sure it might not've been in the same way, but if Reina does have a boyfriend, then I'm sure that we won't be able to completely return to the way things were. I guess that's obvious though consdiering that it's actually impossible since our parents are dead...
"Ah, forget it!"
I bring my face under the shower head, washing off the shampoo, trying to drown out my thoughts as I eventually finish the shower. I'll just sleep this off like I usually do. I want to wake up early anyways to go back to the train station.
The morning soon came around, but with it came with some unexpected news...
The moment I prepared for my day of sitting at the train station, as I was opening the front door to my apartment-
"Ah-"
I caught Midori who was just in the process of beginning to ring the doorbell. And it seems like everyone else is here with her as well. Talk about timing...
"Ah- haha. Hey~"
She draws back her hand with an awkward smile. Her style has somewhat returned to normal which leads me to believe that maybe her mom is getting ready to take her in for the following week.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Not wanting to waste too much time, I end up asking the question a bit bluntly.
"You didn't see my message?"
At her words, I pull out my phone to check, and in just a few moments, I noticed that I did receive a message from Midori.
Midori: "Let's do something this weekend as well! I kinda threw the whole movie thing on you, so I was wondering if you wanted to do anything? Something you wanted to do perhaps?"
The message was sent last night so I guess I must've missed it while I was showering.
"So, you want to do something?"
"Mhmm! Only if you like to though."
"I also brought a plan B if we all just decided to hang out here."
Nicole lifts up a bag as she says that. Are they planning on just hanging out with me here? But-
"I actually did have plans."
"Eh? What plans?"
"I was... Planning on going to the train station."
"Ahh."
Midori seemed to have caught onto my intentions, but the rest of them still seem clueless.
"You planning on going somewhere again?"
Nicole in particular still seems to think that the person she saw that day was me and not my sister. I guess to her though, she wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Hahh... Maybe I should just tell them all? It was my mistake of not telling them that Nicole wasn't able to realize who she saw was actually my long lost sister. I've already told Midori, so what's the harm in telling others?
"...I guess it can wait. Come on in."
"Are you sure?"
"Nn. I can go later."
"...Okay."
Midori is clearly concerned about me now, which only makes me feel even more weird. It's like she was fully expecting me to turn down her invitation and send all of them home. Regardless however, we all return back inside my apartment as I close the door behind them before we all head into the living room.
"Alright~ Shall we get started?"
Nicole, along with the others began unloading some things onto the living room table, looking to be preparing something.
"Wait-"
But I can't have us continuing on until I get this off my chest.
"Before we do anything, I have something that I want to tell the rest of you."
"Huh?"
They all looked confused by my words, but Midori looks to have caught onto my words. As we exchange a brief amount of eye contact, she gives me a soft smile followed with a small nod.
"Eh? Midori?"
Nicole catches our little exchange which prompted the others to grow even more curious.
"Ehehe. Yeah. I think it's alright to tell them, Luna."
"Okay."
Our little conversation only seemed to have sparked the curiosity among them even more as they all looked over at me while seated on the floor whilst I remained standing. And so, I began to tell them a little about my past, just like what I told Midori that one night. Only this time I did make sure to tell them that my sister is in fact my twin sister, letting Nicole know that who she actually saw at the train station was actually most likely my long lost sister, rather than me.
"..."
Of course, everyone was silent as I talked about how I lost my parents and how I've been searching for my lost family ever since. I didn't tell them everything as I chose to keep my disguise and my part-time job a secret, leaving it so that only Midori knows about it. For the most part, everyone had more or less the same reaction, with their faces clearly saying that they feel sorry for me, but the tranfer student seemed to be a bit more emotional as he's the only one brought to tears.
"...So- I'm sorry."
Nicole's boyfriend is the first to speak, although I'm not sure what he's sorry about.
"It's okay. It happened nearly a decade ago."
"No- well, I am sorry that you had to go through such a thing, but... I guess I've just now realized how much I was in the wrong... Last time."
Ahh~ That day when I snapped at him?
"We've been over this. You didn't know, so I forgive you."
"..."
The others all remained quiet, as if processing everything that I said, but this sudden silence has now made me feel incredibly awkward. They all came here to have a fun time, yet I just put a huge damper on things...
"Okay! Let's not all get hung up on the sad stuff, okay? Nicole. You brought some things, right?"
"Huh? Uh, right! Hehe."
Thanks to Midori, some semblance of excitement returns as everyone went to take out things they had in their bags. Midori shoots me a quick smile at me which I also reciprocate, doing the same thing as if to show my thanks. She's like the heart of the group, pumping happiness back into our veins.
"Ooooh! Wait, is that?"
"Hehe, it's just an idea."
It was then that Midori spotted a box that Nicole brought out which when popped open has some sticks sticking out.
"King's game?"
The transfer student speaks out upon reading the writing on the box. I'm not that familiar with games as the only ones I'm familiar with are hide and seek, tag, along with games that we make up, like our little bath fights every time my sister and I entered the bath together.
"I was thinking we could do this later, though."
"Hmm~ Oh! Then what about truth or dare as a warm up?"
Apparently this "King's Game" is a bit too much. I'm not familiar with the rules, but I can take a guess as to what truth or dare is from what Midori said. She looks my way as if to gauge how I feel about it.
"Sure, although I just said all of that before."
"It's okay. If you're up for it then we can all give it a go. Plus it'll be a good opportunity to learn more about each other."
Looks like Shin is also keen. I don't mind him learning more about me, but I can't help but wonder how this game will go, especially after learning about what Nicole's boyfriend was up to last night.
"How 'bout you, Zhen?"
"Yeah... I'm down to play if you are, Shin."
"Then that settles it! Hehe~ I'll go first!"
With that, Nicole took out a plastic bottle of water from her bag, placing it on it's side on the table before spinning it around. I guess we're starting?
...
Once the bottle stopped moving, the end of it was pointed straight back to Nicole herself, prompting her face to become a lot more gloomy compared to earlier.
"Ha!"
"Oh shut up, Kai."
"What happens now?"
I end up asking to no one in particular, but Midori is the first to speak up.
"Well, Nicole was meant to give the truth or dare, but since bottle landed on her, we all can decide on what to ask instead."
"I see."
"Then come on! I choose truth."
Nicole looking to want things to hurry along, chooses truth as the rest of us look at one another.
"M-may I?"
The transfer student, Zhen is the first to speak up which I though was a bit surprising. The rest of us just nodded at him as he looked towards Nicole.
"What's your most embarassing memory?"
"Huh?! You're pulling out the big guns already?"
Nicole, looking to be quite shocked at the question, talks back at Zhen, which made him shy away his gaze from her eyes.
"Hahh. Alright. I guess it would have to be when I was in elementary, having to look like some goody-two-shoes."
"Is that all that embarrassing though?"
"Shut up, Shin. Look at me! Can you really see me wearing anything but this?"
"Haha. I guess."
So Nicole had a past where she wore normal clothes? And she thinks that's embarassing? Interesting... Well, I guess she mustn't have had many embarrassing memories if that's her worst, or she could just be hiding something...
"Okay, then it's my go again then!"
And just like that, Nicole spun the bottle once more as this time, it didn't stop in front of Nicole, but rather Midori instead.
"Ha! Alright. Truth or dare."
"Dare."
"Ooooh~ Hehe. Then let me think~"
As Nicole thought about what to ask, she eyes up both Midori and I who were sitting next to each other.
"I dare you to... kiss Luna."
"Wh-what?!"
Flustered, Midori seemed to nearly jump straight up from the floor as her whole body tensed up. I too tensed up a bit upon hearing that from Nicole, but I don't think anyone noticed as Midori's reaction was far more stronger. But a kiss? I haven't kissed anyone besides... my sister...
"You chose dare, so~"
"But did you really have to ask 'that' kind of dare?"
"Mhmm! If you can't do it, then you'll have to do the punishment game."
"..."
Midori remains silent for a bit before turning her gaze to the side; towards me. Her face is flushed deep red, reaching up to even her ears. Just seeing her like this is starting to even make me nervous. Is she really going to kiss me?
"Then... Are you okay with this, Luna?"
"I... Nn. I'm fine with it."
I was about to say no, but I have no idea what this "punishment" will be. Midori has become someone important to me, so I don't want her to suffer because of my own selfishness. Thinking that, I close my eyes as the look on Midori's face is only making me nervous.
"Then... Here I go-"
In the next moment, I feel a soft sensation tickle my cheek before disappearing after a couple seconds. I open my eyes in surprise as I would've thought that the kiss would be on-
"Hey wait! That's not a kiss!"
"You didn't specify where, Nicole~ Hehe."
"Tch. Fine."
I think I agree with Nicole on this one if I'm honest. I was fully expecting it to be on the lips as that's all I've known kisses to be. It didn't cross my mind to think a kiss could be anywhere else...