Saint's Prison - Chapter 117

Side Story: The Girl Holding a White Flower

Shizuyo’s PoV

He often said that the way things were in this land was wrong.

Perhaps that’s the truth.

Maybe that’s what’s normal.

However, that’s just the story of the outside world. In this place, his normality was abnormal.

–He dreamt of the outside world.

That’s why he looked up at the sky. He longed for the unbound blue sky.

He found freedom in the sky. However, that was nothing more than an illusion. Originally, the visitors descended from the heavens. But now, their presence is only writhing within the pulsating abyss of darkness.

True freedom lies right at our feet. Those who crawl on the ground never pray to the sky. The object of our prayers is no longer in the sky. That’s how it is. In a way, those who don’t know this are fortunate.

Our ancestors sought salvation from the visitors from afar and received their blessings. That’s why we revere and obey the visiting gods as our mother.

Even if we go out into the outside world, we will always return to this land in search of our mother. It’s fair to say that this has become an instinct to return to the nest. Like a child born from its mother’s womb and returning to it in death, it is engraved in our souls.

As long as our mother’s blood flows through us, we will be bound to this land forever and ever, without end. Yet, that is a blessing. Moreover, it is the grace and wisdom we have gained.

Only he thinks of it as distorted. Yes, even though he was born in this land, he was a heretic.

He was always misunderstood and carried loneliness on his back. Even when it was painful, difficult, and sad, he would laugh and say he was fine. And then, he would cry when no one was around… suppressing his voice.

Ah, ah.

Why can’t I blame him for that?

Indeed, no one here, including myself, can truly understand his loneliness. But only I, who can be close to his loneliness, can heal him.

–Only I am allowed to love him.

***

“Shizuyo, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?”

As I was gazing at the crown of Baby’s Breath in my hand, my brother, who was standing next to me, peered into my face. There’s over a 30cm height difference between my brother and me, so he needs to bend down a bit to check my complexion. He lowers his waist deliberately to meet my gaze. I find that very endearing.

“No, I was just daydreaming. Onii-sama, I’m sorry for worrying you.”

At my words, my Onii-sama frowned. He didn’t like it. It was easy to see that he was filled with such feelings. As always, he was not good at hiding his feelings.

“Stop calling me ‘Onii-sama’ No sister calls their brother like that outside. At least call me ‘Aniki'”

“…Alright, Nii-san.”

“Good girl.”

Onii-sama… nii-san, cheerfully smiled and stroked my head. The pressure was gentle, but the way he stroked was always rough. However, as always, I feel like I’m being treated like a dog when he ruffles my hair without considering it’s a woman’s hair. It makes me feel like a puppy.

“Nii-san, my hair is a mess.”

“Hm? Oh, sorry, sorry.”

He said that, but he didn’t stop stroking my hair. When it comes to times like this, Nii-san doesn’t really consider what I say. But, I’m glad that he pays attention to me, I thought, conflicting with my feelings. I poised my cheeks that almost loosened from the warmth of his palm and puffed them out, pretending to sulk on purpose.

I don’t think it’s like me. Nii-san is happy when I act like a mere girl. Compared to my self-esteem, such a thing is cheap. It’s not like me at all. …But, that’s fine.

“You were like a puppy just now, but now you’re like a baby squirrel. How many acorns have you stuffed in your cheeks?”

As expected, I was treated like a dog. Moreover, a puppy. And now, a baby squirrel.

“Nii-san!”

“Yeah, Shizuyo is cute.”

“Nii-san, stop teasing me so much.”

“I’m not teasing you. I really think so.”

“…!”

My cheeks suddenly heat up. I tried to say something, but I let out a moan that wasn’t even a voice. I didn’t want my pathetic expression to be seen by big bro, so I lowered my face. At my feet was a field of Baby’s Breath.

I love Baby’s Breath, it’s not a particularly stand-out flower. However, it’s a flower that can enrich the soil by offering itself. It’s pure white and unblemished, and no matter how many times it’s trampled on, it strongly roots itself and always gets back up. Its existence is just like big bro. And the language of the Baby’s Breath flower reflected my feelings.

The Baby’s Breath flower is our flower, a single flower for the two of us. That’s why I love Baby’s Breath. However, Nii-san dislikes feelings that transcend the bounds of siblingship. Therefore, I only told Nii-san that I like the language of the Baby’s Breath flower.

“Nii-sa–”

“Young master, it’s time for your duties.”

A voice came from behind. When I turned around, a man in white was standing there. He’s from a family that has served the Ando family for generations. I don’t know his name. I don’t need to know.

“Hah, is that so? Is it that time already?”

“…Yes, Nii-san. Please do your best in your duties.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Nii-san sighed, looking gloomy, and left the flower field. I watched his retreating figure while holding the crown of Baby’s Breath to my chest. After a few seconds, I turned to look at the outsider who had kept Nii-san away from me.

“…You there. This is a flower garden for me and my brother alone. It’s not a place for someone like you to step in with your dirty feet. Leave quickly. And–”

The outsider deeply bowed and turned his back. I threw words at his back as if spitting them out.

“–Know that there won’t be a second time.”

We are two in one.

We have been since before we were born.

We are two in one.

Even if death separates us, until the afterlife.

――The two of us are one.