Warning! Mentions of war, rape(subtle), dead bodies. If you dislike such things or are triggered then kindly, skip to the next chapter.
~
Hatsuki had been an easy person to deal with, especially in comparison to many of the guests who were demanding and had specific tastes. Once all the essentials for the morning had been served, the maid couldn't help but investigate herself.
"Excuse me miss" The maid murmured, making Hatsuki look towards her. Since the maid had been dignified and never made any small takes during her work, it surprised Hatsuki.
"Yes?"
"Could we have a short talk if possible?" the maid asked, trying vigorously to hide the unevenness in her tone.
"...sure. Let's go"
~
"I would like to extend my gratitude, Miss," said the Maid. They were seated at the little wooden porch from where the morning sun could be gazed. The blessings of the morning rays soothed their souls while carrying the burdens in their hearts.
"Thank you very much but I am not sure why are thanking me. I have not done anything special…"
"You saved me from getting rebirth miss" she spoke in a steady voice. But that in itself brought a miserable shock to Hatsuki. Her lips parted and her stature was completely dull and still. There were no words, no actions and by far, no means she could even empathize with the lady next to her.
"But…"
"Would you like to know about my life? It might be selfish of me but I want someone to at least know this story of mine"
~
Nanjing, year 1937
The lifestyle had vastly changed after the war. There were several thatched houses with no roofs and the alleyways stinked with blood and rotten flesh. In that year, Wang LeiMin was only 14 years and her sister, Wang MeiMin was a student at the university.
They were the daughters of a dignified family and yet, when the war broke out, both their parents had died and LeiMin and MeiMin were the only surviving members. Scared that the military would approach them, MeiMin decided to shave off Lei's hair, making her seem like a boy.
"Listen here Lei, from now on. You are a boy. Do not ever get killed by them and mostly, if anything happens to me, run! Run for your life!" MeiMin had her eyes jammed in tears. The ruckus outside was clear and the crippling cries and murder had never gone unseen or unheard.
Carrying a little back with a few supplies, MeiMin along with Lei started their journey to the University where perhaps they could be protected, after all, it was an educational institute. On the way, they crossed several alleys where many children had been kept.
Those children didn't breathe, those women didn't cry and no one spoke a word. As they continued briskly, a group of footsteps could be heard. They started to approach them and so, both the sisters started to run.
Their breaths panted and even so, they kept queer. They kept quiet. Lei was at the front, running faster than her older sister but unfortunately, a pile of dead masses was all over the ground, making the narrow alley even more suffocating and blocking her way.
"...There's no way…" Lei panicked and just as Mei was about to reach, someone suddenly stabbed her in the stomach.
"AHH!" Mei screamed. The pain of her stomach and her vital organs being poached was immaculate. Drawing blood from her lips and suddenly, people started to bosch her even more.
From afar Lei hid herself among the pile of bodies, while her sister died. She was scared. A coward who couldn't even stand up or save her sister. Each little cry stung Lei, engraving itself in her memories.
Mei's eyes were undead but neither alive. The men started to undo her clothes, grinning and even laughing among themselves in a language that she didn't understand, and it went on. Even after Mei had died, they continued and then like used-up trash, discarded her while Mei watched. Tears stained her face in silence.
It was a pain that haunted her forever. Later at night when everyone had slept, Lei stood up from the pile. Her hands clutched her shirt as she limped towards her sister's body. It was lifeless with no clothes.
'Cruel! Those bastards! Fucking bastards!' She cursed in her mind while stomping the ground. Tears bersekly fell from her eyes. It was horrendous and inhumane. As those around droplets of water tapestried the dried ground dyed in blood, Lei finally dared to fully watch every single woman.
Some were young, some were old, and they didn't care about age nor had respect for the dead. Each of them was someone's daughter, someone's mother and someone's beloved. That night she properly covered the bodies.
"I am sorry sister" were her very first words that night. Then after she ran to the university. At that time a few foreigners had kept the place safe, providing the staples and even a place to sleep. But she was never the same.
~
"I got my degree in English and went abroad after being sponsored by one of the saviours back then. I lived a long life but I could never forget what had happened that day. Yet, even after my death, I continued to dwell. I still can't forget and forgive, them and myself. Thankfully master took me in after finding me at the hell of atonement."
The maid who had her face covered had a little crack in her voice. The pain she had carried all her life. A scene she could never forget and the pain of letting her elder sister sacrifice.
"Eh? Miss, you shouldn't cry! Please don't… This old woman just wants to share the past that is perhaps, buried by now." The woman brought her palm closer to Hatsuki's cheeks and wiped away the scream of tears.
Her nose was cherry red. Her eyes were torrid as she spoke in a parched tone "...I…am so sorry"
The air was heavy. The maid stared at the little young woman who was probably many generations after her, yet… After so long someone of those descendants had finally apologized.
"...It's okay. It wasn't your fault miss but I have a favour to ask you, miss"
"What is it?"
"Once you can use the fire of justice, could you burn my soul?"