The next morning, Ryota got up and headed toward his sister's room.
He knocked softly.
— Emi, you're going to be late. Wake up.
— Mmmh… I start at noon today… let me sleep a little longer…
Ryota sighed and glanced at the wall clock.
— It's 11:55.
— WHAT?!
Emi jumped out of bed, rushed into the bathroom, and came out a few minutes later, still half-combed. She grabbed her bag and ran out the door.
— Kisses, big brother!
As usual, the door slammed shut.
Ryota shook his head with a smile.
— She'll never change…
Today was his day off.
He took the opportunity to tidy up the apartment, do some cleaning… until he came across several boxes stored under a piece of furniture.
Old books.
Photos.
Belongings that had belonged to their parents.
He sat down, picked up a photo.
Then another.
And finally… a manuscript.
The handwriting was his father's.
As he read it, Ryota felt his breath catch.
══ ✦ ══
Long ago, Andora was a world ravaged by conflict.
Half-dragons and half-leviathans clashed with other species, plunging the planet into chaos.
But one people changed Andora's destiny: the half-kitsune.
They sacrificed their essence to restore the balance of the world.
The half-leviathans disappeared.
The half-dragons were almost all exterminated…
Only one remained.
The last half-kitsune and the last half-dragon met.
They lived together.
They had two children.
But the peace was short-lived.
The half-kitsune was taken by a rare disease, affecting only hybrids on the brink of extinction.
The half-dragon lost his mind.
He attacked unintentionally… and was slain.
Today, only you remain.
Ryota, last half-dragon.
And Emi, last half-kitsune.
I'm sorry, my children.
══ ✦ ══
Ryota's hands were trembling as he closed the manuscript.
— I will protect you… no matter what happens, Emi.
He went outside to get some fresh air.
— Hey, Ryota! You're not working today?
— Hey, Kaïs. No, it's my day off.
— I've got a one-hour break. Coffee?
— Gladly.
Kaïs, a half-butterfly, had known him for a long time.
Back then, they used to spend their days together.
They sat down at an outdoor table.
— Do you want to talk about it? she asked softly.
— I found some of my parents' things… and now, I feel like I'm afraid.
— For your sister?
— Yes. I don't want to lose her.
— Doctors have made progress, Ryota. Don't lose hope.
They talked a little longer, then Kaïs went back to work.
— If you ever feel like talking or if you need help, you know where to find me!
— Thank you, Kaïs.
Ryota went back home… and found Emi already there.
— Why did you come back so early?
— I wasn't feeling well… that's all.
She pointed at the living room table.
— Who does all this belong to?
— Those are photos of our parents.
He brought two cups of tea and sat down beside her.
They looked at the photos together, talking about their parents.
Evening fell without them noticing.
Emi fell asleep against Ryota's shoulder.
He carried her to her bed, then put away the photos and the scattered boxes before going to bed himself.
The next morning, Ryota opened his eyes.
— That's impossible… she's going to be late again!
He went to Emi's room.
Empty. No one there.
— She already left?
Then he headed toward the bathroom.
But he saw what he would have wished never to see.
Blood filled the sink and covered the floor.
Lying there, his little sister.
— Emi!