•••••Ethan’s POV•••••

“Thank you all so much for your hardwork!” The board members and I stood up and bowed to each other before they all completely left the room.

I was left alone in the conference room and that made me release a heavy sigh. I sat and massaged my nose bridge. It also felt like my shoulders were about to be torn apart.

“Excuse me, Mr. Asano. The—”

“Not now, Ashtrid.” I looked at my secretary who was standing by the door. “Cancel all my appointments.”

“But, Sir, are you sure?” she asked as I stood up to watch outside the glass walls in this conference room. “This meeting seems to be pretty important for them.”

“Look, Ashtrid, I really don’t care. I’m tired. Do you think I can talk to them properly when I’m so exhausted?”

“I understand, Mr. Asano. Should I reschedule their appointments, then?” I nodded, not throwing her a single glance. “Understood, Sir. Would you like to go somewhere? I’ll go tell the driver to prepare your ride for you.”

“No need. I’ll just be in my office,” I said.

“Very well, Sir. Rest well.” After she said that, I heard the door closed.

After a few minutes, I left the conference room and headed to my office. The employers greeted me all the way and all I could reply to them was a nod.

I took the Executives’ elevator alone. It was better that way for me, though. I was just so tired, I needed a rest. When I finally reached my office, I tiredly sat down on my chair.

“What an exhausting day,” I muttered to myself.

Napatingin ako sa picture na nasa table ko. It was a picture of Raven and me—it was the only picture taken of her. Simula nang dumating si Raven sa buhay namin, we declared to the whole family to forbid someone to take a picture of her. It was just for her own safety. Buong buhay ko, wala akong ibang ginawa kundi para sa ikabubuti ng kapatid ko.

Isang buwan na rin akong nandito sa Japan simula nang makauwi ako sa Pilipinas last month. One month ko na rin hindi nakikita si Raven. Though, alam ko na nakatira siya sa bahay ng kaibigan niyang si Maura dahil nag-hire ako ng mga tao na sundan siya.

However, when Raven confronted me last month in the house, I decided to just leave her alone for a moment. Besides, kasama rin naman niya ang mga kaibigan at mentor niya.

Aside from that, he also ordered me to stay away from Raven for now. Ayaw ko man gawin iyon, pero dapat ko siyang sundin dahil wala akong karapatan na suwayin siya.

I checked my phone just in case if Raven sent me a message. Although, deep inside, I knew it was so impossible. Galit ang kapatid ko sa akin at naiintindihan ko siya. I also don’t know how to keep our strings attached to each other anymore. Dahil sa galit na nararamdaman niya sa’kin, hindi malabo na balang araw, tuloyan na niyang puputolin ang koneksyon namin sa isa’t isa.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at sinubukang tawagan si Raven. Nakailang ring na rin ako pero wala ring sumagot. Maybe she really doesn’t want to talk to me.

I crossed my arms on my desk and attempted to fall asleep. Nagsimula na kasing sumakit ng ulo ko. Gusto na talaga siguro ng katawan ko na magpahinga. Suddenly, a single thought suddenly came into my mind.

May mukha pa ba kaya akong ipapakita kay Raven?

-----

“Ethan, wake up.” I felt someone kept on shaking me. Pamilyar rin yung boses kaya hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na buksan ang mga mata ko. “Come one, Ethan, wake up!”

“Raven?” I even rubbed my eyes just to see if I was still dreaming before looking back at her again. “Is that really you? Anong ginagawa mo dito?”

Nakatayo siya sa harapan ng desk ko ngayon at napakaseryosong nakatingin sa akin. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala kung paano siya nakapunta dito sa Japan at nakapasok sa office ko.

“T-Teka nga! Paano ka ba nakapunta dito sa Japan at nakapasok sa office ko? Did Ashtrid let you in?” tanong ko.

She gave me a confused look.

“What exactly are you talking about? I have always been here, Ethan. I never left Japan and besides,” She crossed her arms. “since when did I start asking for Ashtrid’s permission para makapasok dito sa office mo, ha? She has no right. I am your sister, for crying out loud. Everyone in here except you fears me.”

Tumayo ako at dali-daling lumapit sa kanya. I placed my hand on both her shoulders and automatically shook her. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya sa ginawa ko.

“H-Hold on, what a-are you doing?” Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong niya. All I wanted was to make sure if she was real dahil napakaimposible talaga na nasa harapan ko siya. “Stop shaking me!”

Nabitawan ko siya nang bigla niya akong sinampal ng malakas. I could feel heat on my left cheek and it eventually went numb.

“Just what the hell was that for?” She looked at me with her brow raised.

“I just wanted to check if you were real.” Hinaplos ko ang kaliwang pisngi ko dahil alam kong namumula pa rin iyon.

“Of course, I am real! Are you retarded?” Napakurap ulit ako nang ilang beses sa kanya dahil hindi pa rin ako convinced na nandito talaga siya ngayon sa harapan ko. “What? Are you not going to answer me?”

“Because you’re not supposed to be here, Raven, okay? You’re not supposed to be here!”

“What the... Did you hit your head somewhere?!” Tinaasan rin niya ako ng boses. “What exactly are you talking about?! Ethan, dito na tayong dalawa lumaki sa Japan! Why are you so thick-headed?!”

I took a step back from her. Hindi ito totoo! This is so good to be true. I pinched myself and nothing has changed. Though, I felt a slight pain from it pero wala talagang nagbago.

Pinagmasdan ko ng maigi si Raven from head to toe at nagulat ako nang biglang unti-unting nagbago ang kulay ng buhok at mga mata niya.

“R-Raven... You’re...” I took a step back again until my back hit the wall. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang paglamig at panginginig ng buong katawan ko. “Y-You’re not the Raven that I know!”

“Oh my, as if you’ve really known me to begin with, Asano.” Nagbago na ang kanyang pananalita kaya mas lalo pa akong nakasigurado na hindi na si Raven iyon.

That long, dark violet hair and magenta purple eyes... I can never forget it as long as I live!

“You’re a handsome grown man now. I hardly recognized you.” She smiled at me that sent chills down my spine.

Kung titingnan mo siya, kahit sino ay maaakit sa ganda niya. She looked like a goddess who was sent down from above. Kamukhang-kamukha rin niya si Raven at masasabi rin ng kahit sino na siya talaga si Raven. But for someone like me who have known my sister for a long time, I can totally speak the difference.

Other than that, ramdam na ramdam ko rin kung gaano kabigat ang hangin na pumapaligid sa kanya. I could smell anger, cruelty, and fire burning wildly inside of her.

“Ano bang gusto mo?” tanong ko.

Saglit niya akong tinitigan bago magsalita muli.

“O kinodoku ni. You’re indeed a handsome, grown up man and yet,” She looked daggers at me that made me swigged a large amount of saliva. “you have no manners.”

I grunted in pain when my body suddenly acted on its own. I bowed my head and crouched down. She was so fast. With just one swift move of her hand, it immediately sent me falling down to my knees.

“Joō e no yumi, shōnen.” Her voice was full of authority as I struggled against her power.

“I’ll never b-bow down to the likes of y-you!” I shouted even more in pain when I suddenly felt like strings was tied around my body.

She’s squashing me! Hindi ko rin naman kayang tingnan siya dahil kinokontrol niya pa rin ako.

“Well, at least I controlled your body so you’ll bow down to me. For now, that’ll do.” The moment she said that, my body suddenly became light and the strings that seemed squashing my body were gone.

Napaubo ako. I also gasped for air. I knew I was inside a dream—a dream that only her can control. I could not do anything every time I’m inside a dream she controls.

“Watashi no hanashi o kii te kudasai, Asano.” Listen to me, Asano. “Relay this message to your pathetic master.”

Kaagad na naagaw niya ang atensyon ko kaya napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. She was smiling, however, her eyes yelled annoyance and wrath.

“Whatever you pathetic fools will do, you can never eradicate me. If that will happen, however, I’ll take your precious girl with me.”

Kaagad na napamulat ako ng aking mga mata. It was for real this time. I was truly awake. I was panting heavily and my head was still spinning. Ang lakas rin ng tibok ng puso ko.

That dream I had with her was so realistic, I almost fell for it. I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

Paano siya nakapasok sa isipan ko? How did she manipulate my dream? As far as I know, imposible niyang kontrolin ang isipan ko, unless...

The telephone on my table suddenly rang that made me flinch. Nagbuntong-hininga muna ako bago ko sinagot iyon.

“Sorry to interrupt your rest, Mr. Asano, but there’s a major problem.” It was Ashtrid.

“Is this about those appointments again, Ashtrid? Didn’t I tell you to reschedule them?” Hindi ko maiwasang magalit.

I still have a new problem thanks to that dream I just had kaya ayoko pang madagdagan iyon.

“I’m very sorry, Sir, but this is something that can never be rescheduled.” I was confused because her voice immediately changed like she was afraid of something.

“What is it?”

“It’s your sister, Sir. She’s currently confined in Shuichin Hospital.” Kaagad na nabitawan ko ang telepono nang marinig ko iyon. My mind went black and my heart pounded even more faster. “S-Sir?”

“You know what to do, Ashtrid,” tanging sabi ko dahil hindi naman naputol ang tawag.

“U-Understood!” I placed the phone back properly, grab my coat, and headed for the door.

Dammit, kaya pala nakontrol niya ang isipan ko!

-----

“Kanojo wa genkida, Asano-san. It’s just because of the weather and her body just needs to adapt to the change,” the doctor explained. “All in all, she’s recovering pretty fast.”

“When will she be discharged?” I asked.

“She still needs to rest but since she recovers fast, she can be discharged first thing in the morning tomorrow,” he said. “Do you want me to make the arrangements, Asano-san?”

“I’ll let you know. Arigatou Gozaimashita.” I bowed to show my respects.

Nag-bow rin siya sa akin bago nagpaalam na umalis. Somehow, I felt comfortable that Raven was confined in this hospital. I bought this hospital para talaga kay Raven just in case may masamang mangyari sa kanya kung sakaling makakabalik pa siya dito sa Japan.

Mga tao ko na rin ang mga nagtatrabaho dito kaya may tiwala ako sa kanila. However, I’m still not letting my guards down.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko pinihit ang siradura at pumasok sa kwarto ni Raven. When I entered, she was just sitting on her bed while watching T.V. Unfortunately, when she saw me, she turned it off immediately.

“What the hell are you doing here?” tanong niya kaagad sa akin.

“Hindi ba ako dapat ang magtanong sa’yo niyan, Raven?” Though, may idea na ako kung bakit nandito ka.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at umupo sa bakenteng upuan na nasa gilid niya.

“Whatever.” She scoffed. “Who told you I was here, anyway?”

“Ashtrid, my secretary. Tinawagan raw siya nung doctor na nag-alaga sa’yo,” sabi ko.

Kahit papaano, masaya rin ako dahil nakita ko na ulit siya. Besides, the doctors and nurses did their jobs well. Nakilala nila na kapatid ko si Raven and they confined her in the room specifically made for her.

“Pesteng doctor na iyon! I told him not to tell you about this!”

“And why not?” She looked really cute when you look at her up close, though.

“Oh, come on, Ethan, drop the act. I know you are angry deep inside because I am here.” She crossed her arms. Somehow, I knew it was the real her because of the way she spoke. “Go on, scold me as if I am a little kid like you always do.”

I released a heavy sigh. Then, I smiled at her.

“I won’t scold you, Raven, dahil masaya rin ako na nandito ka.” Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko. “Could you tell me how you got here?”

“Do you think I have a choice? Kahit naman siguro hindi ko sabihin sa’yo ay malalaman mo rin because you keep on sticking your nose on my business.” She rolled her eyes at me kaya napatawa ako sa kanya.

God, I miss her attitude. Masyado na kasing mabigat ang tensyon sa aming dalawa kaya hindi na ako masyadong kinakausap ni Raven ng ganito.

“Your laugh is still irksome, Ethan,” she said.

“I don’t care, basta masaya akong nakikita ka. Pero,” I looked at her directly in the eyes. “paano ka nakapasok dito sa Japan?”

A smirked plastered on her face. “We have a family jet, remember? Besides, there is nothing that money can not do even if my name was banned. Just give people money and you will get what you want. Ikaw na ang nagsabi sa akin niyan, hindi ba?”

Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya. In her eyes, I could see sadness and despair, and in her mind, I could see how desperate she was to know the truth about herself.

“Anyway, Ethan, when will I be discha—”

“Ano bang ginagawa mo dito, Raven?” I cut her off with a question. “Ba’t hindi mo sinabi sa’kin na pupunta ka dito?”

Just that, I felt the air slowly changing. Bumigat ang aura sa paligid namin at alam kong may bahid ng galit na naman sa puso ni Raven.

“Why would I bother telling you? Papayagan mo ba ako? Hindi naman, hindi ba? It would be insignificant.” She looked away from me, maybe because she does not want me to see her eyes.

“Of course, hindi ako papayag. Alam mo naman na de—”

“Delikado ang buhay ko dito? Why? What is waiting for me in this country? Death? Or,” Huminto siya. Her fists were trembling kaya kinuyom niya ito. “the truth?”

I went silent. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin ko sa kanya. Every time I lie, mas lalo pa akong na-gi-guilty. I don’t want to hurt her anymore.

“Everything is gone, Ethan.” Her voice was low. That alone was enough for me to tell that she was mad. “I went to Misawa, to the place where we used to live, and nothing was left in there anymore. Not even our house. It was so empty.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

“Y-You came back to Misawa?” Hindi ko maiwasang magulat. “Raven, naman! ‘Di ba sinabi ko sa’yo na huwag na huwag ka nang babalik do’n lalong-lalo na’t mag-isa ka lang?! Raven, bakit ba kasi ang tigas n—”

“I am desperate, Ethan! Desperada na akong malaman kung sino ba talaga ako!” When she looked at me, my eyes met hers with tears falling. Tinakpan niya ang kanyang mga taenga na para bang ayaw niyang makinig sa mundo. “Something’s kept on ringing inside my head and I kept having these weird dreams! I tried to shake it off pero hindi ko na talaga kaya, e!”

“Kahit na, Raven! Hindi mo ba naiisip na maaaring may mangyaring masama sa’yo?! Just take this for example!” I could not help not to raise my voice.

Galit ako. Sobrang galit ako dahil parang hindi ko ginagawa ng maayos ang role ko bilang kapatid niya. I knew she was desperate, but I had to keep her away from the truth.

And I always will.

“Easy for you to say because you are not the one who is in this plight! While I was asleep before you came in this stupid hospital that you bought, a girl showed up in my dreams and she just looked exactly like me!” Napatigil ako sa sinabi niya.

Tumutulo pa rin ang kanyang mga luha and the more I look at it, the more I get hurt.

“S-Sinong babae?”

Nagsimula na namang manginig ang buong katawan ko. I did not want her to answer my question because I already had a hint who she was referring. But I had to know. I just... had to.

“Hashira. The girl in my dreams introduced herself as Hashira.”

Naramdaman ko ang pagtindig ng balahibo ko. Kaya pala nagpakita siya sa panaginip ko. Kaya pala after all these years, nagpakita ulit siya sa’kin.

Hashira has finally made her move.