Part 3 – Ryota, Awakening of the Sun
Andora.
A planet overflowing with life.
One of the few to shelter a people of hybrids.
A free, independent world, where each species lives according to its own laws.
At the heart of Andora stands a special center, created to take in hybrids born from peoples on the brink of extinction.
A vast campus: schools, apartments, shops… everything is designed to offer a stable life to those who no longer have one.
This is where Ryota lives — twenty-one years old, half-dragon — along with his sister Emi, sixteen, half-kitsune.
The last two heirs of a nearly extinct lineage.
Ryota inherited his draconic blood from their father.
Emi, the kitsune legacy from their mother.
They share a small apartment provided by the center.
Emi attends classes every day.
Ryota, on the other hand, works to help younger hybrids without families.
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— Emi, you're going to be late! Hurry up!
— I know, I know, big brother! I'm doing my best!
The bathroom door opens.
Emi appears, a bright smile on her lips.
— What's with that smile?
— Seriously? You don't notice anything on my face?
— Yeah. You still look half asleep.
— SHUT UP! You're really not funny.
— Haha, I'm kidding. You look great, little sister.
Emi smiles even wider, then kisses Ryota on the cheek.
— Bye, big brother. I love you with all my heart. See you tonight!
She slams the door and runs off.
Ryota sighs with a smile.
— If I didn't wake her up, she'd never get out of bed…
He grabs his things and heads to work as well.
***
After a long day, Ryota stops by the convenience store.
When he gets home, Emi is already there.
— You took forever!
— And you couldn't tidy up a bit? It looks like a battlefield.
— I think it's perfectly organized. What did you buy?
— Fried chicken… and beer.
Emi's eyes light up instantly.
— FRIED CHICKEN?! Give it to me!
Ryota pulls the bag away.
— Clean up your stuff first, then I'll give it to you.
— Ugh, you suck…
Emi does as told.
But a few minutes later, she starts feeling unwell.
She locks herself in the bathroom.
In front of the sink, a violent coughing fit.
Blood.
She wipes it away quickly, cleans everything.
Ryota must not know.
— I'm done! Give me the chicken now!
Ryota stares at her.
— Are you okay, Emi?
— Of course, why?
— You look weird.
— That's because you won't give me beer!
— Nonsense… you're sixteen.
They eat together.
Then, suddenly…
— Hey, big brother… what did mom and dad die from?
Ryota freezes.
Emi notices immediately.
— Sorry… if you don't want to talk about it, it's okay.
— No. You have the right to know.
He forces a smile.
— Mom died from a rare disease. The doctors never understood it.
After that, dad tried to stay strong for us.
But a few months later… he disappeared.
They found him dead.
Emi clenches her fists.
— And dad… why?
— Because we're half-dragons.
Back then, they were hated on Andora.
Emi stands up and hugs Ryota.
— Thank you for telling me, big brother.
— I adore you.
Ryota wraps his arms around her, silent.