Saint's Prison - Chapter 76

The Beginning of a Nightmare

Love is innocent, pure, and above all, precious.

Affection, on the other hand, is lonely, frenzied, and above all, sinful.

***

The sky was dyed in the colors of sunset.

As the sun disappeared from the western horizon, the ominous hour of darkness quietly approached. I quickened my pace as I walked along the stone-paved path, looking up at the sky.

I rushed up the stone steps, my own heavy breathing echoing around me.

The weight of the backpack on my shoulders dug into my flesh, and my skin felt uncomfortably sweaty. But still, I didn’t slow down.

Desperate, I climbed the steps and caught my breath as I looked ahead.

In front of me stood the old pillar shrine we used to play in when we were young.

The shrine was simple and unadorned. I bowed respectfully before passing through the stone torii gate.

After making sure no one was around, I entered the shrine. The inside was dim, filled with the smell of dust and decaying wood. I couldn’t help but scrunch my face.

“Onii-san…”

A beautiful voice, clear as spring water, reached my ears. My heart raced with joy upon hearing it.

“Shizuyo… I’m glad you came.”

Sitting there with perfect posture was my twin sister, Andou Shizuyo.

Her long black hair flowed over her reddish-purple kimono, and even as her blood relative, I couldn’t help but feel an alluring charm. She was such a beautiful girl that it was hard to believe we shared the same blood.

“Come on, we don’t have much time. Shizuyo, let’s go!”

I reached out my hand to her.

Shizuyo stared at my hand and shook her head slightly.

“Sh-Shizuyo? What’s wrong? We need to leave this village as soon as possible.”

“No, brother. I have no reason to leave.”

Shizuyo calmly told me. There was no trace of doubt in her voice. Her clear, unwavering gaze met mine.

“What are you… What are you talking about? The reason is obvious. This can’t be allowed. It shouldn’t be allowed. That’s why we have to leave as soon as possible. If you’re worried about what happens afterward, I’ll do whatever it takes. So, please…!”

“Onii-san…”

Shizuyo interrupted me.

“…Do you really hate it that much?”

“Hate? That’s not it. This situation is wrong. Are we going to be bound by these outdated customs and live like this? That’s… unforgivable. It’s simply unforgivable.”

“Onii-san, I don’t mind if it’s unforgivable. In fact, I’ve always wanted this.”

“What… What are you saying?”

My voice trembled, and my thoughts couldn’t keep up.

Ah, could it be that the person in front of me was really my sister?

“Onii-san, I am…”

***

At work, Shibuya-san, who just arrived, saw my face and said, “You look terrible.”

I couldn’t help but smile wryly at her blunt greeting.

But that straightforwardness was typical of Shibuya-san.

Her meticulously styled black hair and crisply tailored pantsuit made her look incredibly cool.

I know it might be strange to call a woman cool, but it suited Shibuya-san perfectly.

That’s what I thought to myself.

“Well, I just finished my night shift.”

In the hospital where we worked, male office workers took turns standing by during the night to deal with any unexpected situations.

Even if I was asleep in the nap room, if something happened in the middle of the night, my PHS would ring, and I’d be forced to wake up.

Today was a day when I hadn’t been called out, but…

Shibuya-san thought for a moment, her hand resting on her chin. Beautiful women always look picturesque, no matter what they’re doing.

“What’s the real reason?”

“I had… a bad dream.”

“So,” Shibuya-san nodded.

“Andou-kun, have this.”

She handed me a few pieces of candy.

“They say sweets are good for times like this. By the time you finish them, you’ll have forgotten all about your bad dreams.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s what they say.”

I couldn’t help but make a pathetic face, and Shibuya-san laughed softly.

“I don’t know what you saw, but there’s nothing you can do about it. Dreams are just dreams, after all. If you can’t do anything about it, there’s no point in worrying.”

“…You’re right.”

“You work too hard, Andou-kun. I’m sure the stress is affecting your dreams, too. So make sure to refresh yourself!”

“Yes.”

I nodded obediently.

In truth, the fact that I was going to visit my sister’s grave tomorrow probably played a big part. That’s why I must have had a dream from over ten years ago.

“By the way, Andou-kun… You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

Shibuya-san’s tone was uncharacteristically hesitant, her cheeks flushed as she looked up at me.

“Ah, the promise to have dinner together? I remember it well.”

“Good. I’m looking forward to it.”

As am I.

I smiled. I hoped my smile looked genuine. Satisfied, Shibuya-san returned to her seat. I lowered my eyes as I watched her walk away.

(But, Shibuya-san… I can’t forget this dream. Just once more. I want to see her one more time. As long as I feel that way, it will never end.)

I left something behind as I ran away.

Something that was more precious than anything else.

It still torments me.

I can’t help but think that my decision back then was wrong. I couldn’t bring myself to follow the customs. But there must have been a better way. That’s why I continue to regret it.

Does Shizuyo hate me?

With that thought, I sighed.

There was no way I could know now, no matter how hard I tried.

I opened the candy Shibuya-san had given me and popped it into my mouth. The sweet and sour taste of citrus filled my mouth.

Author’s Note : The prologue of “The Saint’s Prison” has begun!

Please enjoy the story of beginnings and endings.

TLN : whoa, the author really goes back to the start