My name's Haruto Ito, a hot-blooded college sophomore who lives with my single mother and my pint-sized tornado of a sister, Sora.
Ever since Dad walked out for some office fling, Mum's been juggling two jobs to keep a roof over our heads. Her double shifts meant I'm the sole babysitter for Sora's non-stop tantrums and antics.
To escape the chaos, I retreat to my room, headphones blasting and manga spread across my bed. College is my sanctuary- no little pestering me for snacks or attention. Today, however is not one of those blessedly quiet days.
"I need you take your sister to school today," Mum said, setting her empty coffee cup on the counter with a weary smile.
"But...that's your job, right?" I groaned.
"Just do it, Haruto. Your allowance is on the counter," she replied, nodding toward the meagre pile of notes.
I snorted. "You know she'll spend it all on candy and toys, right?"
Mum chuckled softly. "Cut her some slack- she loves you, you know."
"Loves me? She shows it in her own special way," I muttered, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.
"She's just-"
"A tiny terror in a schoolgirl's disguise? Believe me, I know!" I snorted, rolling my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain.
"Haruto!" Mum's voice cut through my laughter like a knife. She levelled me with a glare that could melt steel. "She's your sister."
I huffed. "Fine. But I'm only doing this under extreme duress."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than Sora barrelled down the stairs, hair a sheet of static and arms buried under a mountain of text books.
"Help me, Haruto..." she crooned, batting those big puppy-dog eyes.
I leaned against the doorframe. "Did you forget toady was Monday again?"
She dumped her books onto the counter with dramatic thud.
"I'm not asking. I'm commanding. Now that grab that backpack or face the wrath of-"
"I know the drill." I shook my head, but I stayed put.
From the corner of my eye, I watched her juggle a piece of toast in one hand and cram notebooks into an already-overstuffed bag with the other. It looked like an overcaffeinated anime montage- minus the upbeat soundtrack
THUD!
Sora hurtles for the door and suddenly the corner of the rug claims her feet. She lands hard on her knee, books flying in a colourful arc. Mum presses her hand to her forehead, exasperated.
"Sora, how many times have I told you to calm down?"
Sniffing, Sora cradles her scrapped knee. "It's Haruto's fault! He should've woken me up!"
I fold my arms and a raise an eyebrow. "I'm your brother, not your baby-sitter. Wake yourself up, you gremlin."
"Don't call me that, ogre!" she retorts, her cheeks puffing in a dramatic pout. "You're a big, ugly ogre, jerk!"
Without another word, she storms into the front garden. Mum taps my shoulder gently.
"Please, Haruto- just try being nice to you sister today. For me?"
I glance at the worn pavement, then nod. We step outside together. Sora perches on the low brick wall, heels swinging and backpack clutched tightly. A cool breeze rustles the fallen leaves around her.
I pause on the perch, torn between annoyance and something softer. With a reluctant sigh, I kick off the door frame and cross the yard. "You know I'm not leaving you out here, right?" I murmured.
She lifts her chin, silent for a beat-then cracks a small, triumphant grin.
"Come on," I say, extending a hand. "Let's get to the bus before Mum changes her mind."
Sora's eyes my hand, hesitates, then links her fingers through mine. Together we head down the path, the morning sun warming our shoulders as we shuffle toward another chaotic day.
______________________
As we neared the bus stop, the crisp morning air carried the rumble of an approaching engine. I finally relaxed- until Sora's second meltdown of the day broke the silence.
"I want chocolate!" she moaned, patting her empty pocket in exaggerated despair.
I kept walking, head down. She huffed, stamped her foot in the middle of the pavement, then crossed her arms and glared. "BUY ME SOME, NOW!" she screeched, her voice ricocheting off the houses.
I stopped, turned and raised an eyebrow. "Where's your allowance? Use your own money, Sora."
Her lip trembled. "I...I forgot it."
A low laugh escaped me. "Of course-classic gremlin move."
Her glare deepened, but Mum's gentle plea echoed in my mind: Just be nice, okay?
With a resigned sigh, I slipped my hand into my coat pocket and pulled out the bills Mum had left.
"Gimme!" Sora crowed, snatching the notes like a seasoned pickpocket.
She darted ahead, counting her treasure, and I couldn't help but crack a smile as we resumed our walk-hers already skipping, mine a few steps behind.
As we step past the last shop window, a silken voice drifts from the shadows.
"She's quite the little madame, isn't she?"
I freeze. Ahead of us, under the glow of a flickering street light, a woman steps forward- her crimson hair over a black dress, and those uncanny orange eyes glinting like embers. She kneels besides Sora, studying her with a playful tilt of her head.
"You must love her dearly." she murmurs, looking up at me with a knowing smile. "It's a sweet thing."
Instinctively, I slide an arm around Sora's shoulder and angle her away. "Thanks, but we're on our way."
She doesn't budge. Instead. she reaches into her sleeve and pulls out a slender card, placing gently into Sora's palm.
Sora passes it to me, wide-eyed. I glance at the blank logo and cartoon flourish. "Probably a scam," I mutter, folding my arms. "One of those flyer hustlers."
The woman chuckles, the sound tinkling against the quiet street. She covered her mouth with a gloved finger, flames of mischief dancing in her gaze.
"Oh, darling boy," she purrs, her voice low and teasing. "I'm far more than a pamphleteer."
I bristle. "Boy? I'm sixteen!"
Her laugh curves around us like smoke. "Only sixteen," she repeats, rising to her feet and brushing the dust from her dress. "Still, so young to be so fiercely protective."
With a final coy nod, she melts back into the alley, leaving is bathed in lamplight0 and a clutching a card whose secrets only she knows.
____________________
Once we'd shaken off that strange encounter, we finally stumbled onto the empty pavement beside the bus stop. The fluorescent shelter light buzzed over head, giving the few remaining leaves a sickly green glow.
Sora, her cheeks smeared with chocolate, had demolished three giant bars and downed an entire milkshake on the way- no wonder she was already bouncing off the walls again.
I couldn't wrap my head around how casually she'd shrugged off the woman's creepy smile. Anyone else would be jittery, spoked- Sora just yawned. Me? My eyes were glued to the card burning a hole in my coat pocket:
[LADY JEZEBEL, MISTRESS OF THE NIGHT]
Even imagining the words on that card made my stomach convulse. A dark nightclub chain? Some underworld invite? Why hand a flyer like this to ten -year-old? My fingers clenched around the pockets edge as a cold breeze snaked up my spine.
A distant rumbling of thunder snapped me back. At once, the bus rounded the corner, headlights slicing through the dusk. Sora darted forward, her backpack slamming against her back as she sprinted aboard. I watched her weave through the rows of seats to her friends, chattering like nothing had happened.
I climbed on just before the doors whooshed shut and wedged myself into the first empty seat. The vinyl was sticky from someone else's spill. I pressed my palm against the cool window, smearing away the grime to stare into the gathering storm- wondering what game "Lady Jezebel" was really playing.
__________________
The thunder rolled, rattling the bus frame. Rain splattered the windows in uneven trails.
I slumped into my seat and fished the card from my pocket, it's edges damp with worry.
Why can't shake that woman's face? She looked ordinary enough- so why is she haunting my thoughts?
Sora shuffled over and rested her head on harm. "I hate thunder," she whimpered, burying her face in my sleeve. "Make it top, please."
I stroked of her hair, my gaze drifting over the rain-blurred street outside. "Don't worry. We'll be there soon."
She sniffed. "I hope you're right, Haruro." Her fingers fug into my arm.
_________________________
A jagged flash of lightning lit the bus interior like stage lights.
Sora screamed, and the bus lurched as thunder cracked as thunder cracked directly overhead.
Before I could steady myself, another bolt struck the road in front of us. The wheels screeched, and the shuddered violently. Every student's scream echoed off the ceiling.
Then a voice- rich, crackling with power- cut through the chaos:
"FEAR NOT, MY PET. I'M HERE!"
The card in my pocket flared with white fire. In a instant, the world froze: the rain, the bus swaying, even Sora's sobs.
When I dared to blink, we were suspended above the seats. All the other children sat statuesque, eyes vacant.
A pure, brilliant light filled every corner of the cabin.
I narrowed my eyes and her silhouette by the drivers station, that same elegant curve of a grin.
"It's...you," I rasped, words slipping away with the storm's echo.
She nodded once, then drifted down the aisle. Her long black dress unfurled behind her like liquid night.
I couldn't move. I closed my eyes and hoped it was all bad dream.
She knelt beside me. lifting my chin with a single gloved finger. Leaning in, she gently pressed her lips to my forehead, and the ache coursing through me stilled.
Turning to Sora, still pale and unconscious, , she brushed fingers through my sister's hair, offering a warm, knowing smile.
"I've come for you....Haruto Ito." Her voice was silk and still as she extended her hand. "Come with me now."
My heart hammered. Something- survival, curiosity, or something deeper- pricked at my soul.
Instinct took over.
I reached out and grasped her hand