—THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF WIND-BREAKER!
A loud noise rumbled from the living room. Miyu, as always, had turned on the TV to watch the new episode of the animated series Wind-Breaker.
—Seiyi, can you bwing the chomputer to the chouch? —she mumbled with her mouth full, chewing an enormous chocolate bar.
—Hmph… fine, but turn down that garbage show.
—You wouldn't understand, you ignorant! —she retorted, puffing out her cheeks—. But fine….
Reluctantly, she lowered the volume while Seiyi set up the computer and prepared to dial their mother.
Miyu let out a dramatic sigh as Seiyi placed the laptop on the table in front of them. While waiting for the internet signal, Seiyi stared at the TV. The protagonists of Wind-Breaker launched gusts of air with a simple flick of their hands.
«Can they really use magic without a channeling object?», Seiyi thought, feeling a sting of doubt. «Dad did something like that... It's not strange that Miyu is fascinated by this show. But how did he do it? Isn't magic always a matter of tools? Or does it have to do with that "absorption" he used to talk about sometimes?».
—Wh—?! —Seiyi almost fell off his chair.
His mother's voice exploded from the laptop speakers. On the screen, the woman waved with an energy that suggested she hadn't seen them in years.
—Oh, heslo, Mommy —Miyu greeted, chewing loudly.
—Oh, my sweetheart! What are you eating, love? Is everything okay? How is your brother treating you?
—Yeeeah… nothing interesting. Can I come homsh yet? —Miyu asked.
—No, daughter, it's for your own good. Remember you must study to be better than all of us. You are our pride, the light of this family!
Seiyi, who was right next to the camera, sighed silently.
«Uh... I'm also here, you know?».
—Thansh, Mommy, but you don't have to tell me every singshle day —Miyu smiled, revealing teeth completely stained brown. She looked like a malnourished hamster that had finally found food.
Seiyi looked down at the keyboard.
«Every day? I wish I could get even a bit of that…».
—Oh, yes, Seiyi —his mother's voice changed. It lost its sweetness and gained a military firmness—. Remember that tomorrow is the semester change. If you get expelled, it's over. I won't pay for such an expensive exchange program again just for you to get into trouble, boy. Understood?
Seiyi raised a finger, like a defense lawyer who knows he's lost the case before starting.
—Huh? But Miyu is the one who always—
Miyu interrupted him, raising a hand full of crumbs and throwing him a look of pure malice.
—Yes, Mommy! I'll make sure Seiyi doesn't cause trouble, like last time!
—B-but… you son of a—!
—Thank you, Miyu! I knew I could trust you! —the mother exclaimed, radiant.
Seiyi slumped against the backrest. He felt like he'd been stabbed with a plastic spoon: it didn't kill him, but it hurt his pride.
«It's impossible to win against them... you just can't…».
—Oh, yeah! —Miyu added with feigned innocence—. My brother wants to ask you something, he almost forgot.
«Why do they keep talking as if I'm not here?», he thought, recovering his composure.
—Oh, sure. What's up, Seiyi? —the mother asked in a flat tone.
Seiyi puffed out his chest, searching for courage.
—O-oh… sorry to bother you, Mom, but… do you think you could?… I don't know… there are some new burgers downtown… —he murmured, scratching the back of his neck, hating how desperate he sounded.
—No. I gave you the exact budget for the month. Manage yourself better.
—Shit… —he whispered, shrinking back. But then, his brain clicked. He looked at Miyu. The Deal.
He whispered urgently in her ear:
«Pss… remember what we agreed. The burgers».
Miyu's eyes sparkled. It was the glint of a demon who had just collected a debt.
—Mommyyy~. I also want to go try those burgers… Would you give me money? Pwease…
—Burgers? Why, of course, my girl! I'll send the transfer in a moment. Seiyi! You'd better use that money to take her and look after her well.
Seiyi clenched his fist under the table. He had won. It was a dirty, humiliating victory dependent on his sister, but it was a victory nonetheless.
«Perfect... everything according to plan».
However, when he turned his head to celebrate the success of the "heist," he met a wall of silence. Miyu was sound asleep on the couch. Her mouth was open, a bit of chocolate remained on her lip, and she had the rhythmic breathing of someone in a deep coma.
«How…? How can she fall asleep in three seconds?!».
—Give… give me a second, Ma.
Seiyi stood up. With a patience born of years of practice, he picked up the chocolate wrappers scattered across the sofa. Then, he took a blanket and covered his sister carefully, making sure she wouldn't get cold. As he turned off the TV, the screen's reflection showed his own tired face.
«Almost forgot… Should I ask her again?».
Seiyi hesitated, confused, without getting a clear answer. He sat back down on the couch and resumed the call with his mother.
—I'm back… Miyu fell asleep, as usual. I guess there's not much more to say… though I barely spoke. I don't know… do you want to ask me something?
—Seiyi… tell me, what is it that you truly want?
—I… ah… yes. The usual. I want to ask again.
The mother sighed. Her eyes showed a weariness that weighed more than words.
—Seiyi, you know I can't answer you. I can't.
—Why? Every day I notice your lie more! Why won't you just tell the truth for once?
—You're very smart, son. I knew you'd notice sooner or later. But I swear… your father had his reasons for keeping it quiet.
—A heart attack? Ma! Nobody dies of a heart attack at that age, especially not him. Dad was healthier than all of us. I just want to know what happened… because it was just out of nowhere…
—Listen to me… when the time comes, you'll know. Not before. You have to trust me a little more.
—You ask too much of me… and I can't even talk about it with Miyu. The subject scares her.
Looking at his deeply sleeping sister, Seiyi let out a small smile.
—She… she always says she wants to go home. How everything was before we left. That wish only pushes her further away. She doesn't even go out with her new friends anymore… she just… sleeps… I don't understand why, if this was her dream too, wasn't it?
The mother looked down, helpless from a distance.
—Seiyi… I trust you more than anyone. Stay by her side, always. And… if things ever get better, I know it will be because of you. Protect her. Do it for me, okay?
—Heh… sure, whatever it takes. Just… tell her to stop spending her money on stupid thi—
The call cut off at that instant. Seiyi, confused, thought she had hung up, but then realized the battery had run out. With a sigh, he looked at his sister once more.
«Whatever it takes… I promise».