……………..

“Ladies and gentlemen, let us give a round of applause to-...”

The announcer introduced a girl and her band on the stage. There was an audience in front of them. Hundreds of seats filled the area, and the patrons attended the project meant for the graduating students. A reserved seat caught the attention of many. But since the chair was taken by someone, nobody dared sitting in the space without anyone’s consent. Not even the teachers. 

The school’s program included re-creating a play where the actors would express their dialogues, and the music group, which had a member named Kirameki, would be in charge of the sounds. Kira had a solo play for the event. And everyone who had rehearsed with her saw right through her talent. Once. It only took one audition when Kira was accepted for her role.

Kira was supposed to play when the prince arrived for the princess. A classic tale and romance. Her musical piece should capture everyone’s hearts, including the one Kira cared about the most. However, things didn’t go as planned. And that cost the entire show.

“My love, please give me a chance to slay the dragon!”

“Oh, darling. If only I could go down the tower, I would give you my all. My everything!”

The two actors exchanged words, which was the cue for Kirameki. When the teacher heard those lines, she immediately signalled her to start playing the fiddle. 

Everyone expected her to play. Although only a few lucky individuals heard Kirameki perform with her instrument, the teachers knew Kira was the perfect candidate for the role. Unfortunately, she never strummed the strings. Kirameki stood in the middle of the crowd and locked her eyes at the designated seat of her brother… The designated seat of her absent brother.

A few minutes passed, and the girl still refused to play the instrument. It delayed the play. When the audience had enough, they booed the poor girl and threw whatever they could find in their seats. Hundreds of items flew in the air. And all that trash hit Kirameki. But the girl was unfazed, considering her eyes had only stared at one place. And she didn’t mind the crowd. 

After a moment, the teacher finally had enough and escorted Kirameki away from the play. But the girl refused to move. So the teachers and the one handling the event continued regardless if the girl left the stadium. The onlookers mocked her for no reason. 

Still, the event continued. But nobody heard Kirameki’s sounds. However, the girl wished among the stars. “I want to play for my brother,” she whispered, while still on the stage with her eyes shut tight.

……………….

I was sixteen years old when it happened. It was the first day of my high school academic year, and Kirameki’s last day of middle school. She was a graduating student from the same academy I had come from, so it had to be special. At least, that was what I told her.

Since she was little, my sister had been practising the fiddle - a kind of violin that leaned more on traditional rather than classical music. These sounds were the same for me. There was no way for me to have any musical background, so I didn’t mind the difference between the two, for now. 

Day and night, my sister sacrilegiously played the instrument, but I had, shamefully, never heard her play it…

…. not until now.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let us give a round of applause to-...”

I knew I was late. Why did the ceremony have to start in the afternoon, right after my shift ended? No. Nevermind. Complaining about it wouldn’t bring me anywhere but a heavy heart. 

Using every energy I had, I rushed from the convenience store I had been working at as a part-timer and went straight down the street I recognised. The avenue bustled and let out a buzzing sound like bees. But instead of the insects, cars raced against the stop lights, turning green and red. 

I glanced at the time through my wristwatch and dilated my eyes. “FUCK! Is it already six in the evening? I hope I can make it!” 

The event Kirameki had was held around six thirty in the evening. I should make it if I try sprinting fast enough and rival a speeding bullet. However, no man could do that. So I hurriedly went to the subway and arrived at the school. Little did I know that the sun had already set, and the moon had shone the way. The ray of light disappeared, but the moonlight lit the streets. I arrived at the school. But by the time I reached the auditorium doors, nobody was there except one person.

It was my sister.

Kirameki was on her feet in the middle of the stage. Beside her was rubbish that should not be there with her, but magically appeared beside her. My sister obtained tints of some sort on her clothing. And in my sister’s hands was the fiddle, but no sound escaped from her dearest instrument.

As soon as I got close to Kirameki, she kept mumbling to herself while she was fast asleep. When I focused on my senses, her voice punctured my heart. 

“Are you here…. Brother?” Kirameki murmured. 

I looked at the ground, ashamed of what I had done. And when I glimpsed back, the empty seat greeted my eyes. And I was the only audience my sister had.

“I’m sorry, Kirameki… I promise I will… be with you next time you play the fiddle. I swear,” I whispered back, returned the instrument to its case, and carried my sister back home.

……………..

____________________

So I used my limited time and went to my sister. She had a bag in her sleeves that could fit the money. It would serve as her wallet if... I would leave her. As long as Kirameki could hide the money from these officers and people with formal suits, she would be safe, and her future will be secured. But I wouldn’t. Maybe the best outcome I could take was that Kirameki could visit me every day… or even once a month in a cell. But, for now, placing my sister’s safety was my utmost priority.

“Kira… Kira, look at me… I’m sorry for doing this… But you have to listen to me very carefully…” I mumbled.

“W-What is it… brother?” Kirameki muttered back.

After placing the money inside her back, I hid it where she could easily find it, but the pursuers wouldn’t. “That bag is the money you will need. It’s going to be enough to buy anything you want. Okay? Buy some medicine. Eat healthy foods. And, if you can, don’t spend it in one place… Okay, Kirameki…. “

“W-Why are you doing this, brother? Are you leaving me?”

“No,” I answered, and looked at the ground. It was a lie. But if Kirameki told the truth, then everything will be over.

I returned my sister’s gaze and held her hand within a few seconds. “Tell those people that we’re not related. That I’ve just barged inside this place, and I threatened you. Tell them I’m not your brother… It’s the only way to save you.”

Kirameki cried, “But I don’t want that, brother Arata! I don’t want that… Please stay with me…”

“What’s the use… of that money… if I can’t spend the rest of my life with you…” my sister continued.

“Please let me be a brother just this once… Please let me save you…” 

“But you’ve been my brother… since the time you gave everything. And you’re my everything,” Kirameki answered.

But it was too late. Before we could make another move, the people outside had finally breached the door. It didn’t take long before the police officers and the people wearing formal clothes rushed inside the room, with their guns clipped in their hands and other weapons on the other. There were five officers inside my room and six people dressed in obsidian clothes.

“Freeze! Put your hands in the air where I can show them! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law! You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you!”

Those were my Miranda rights. Despite what the police officer mentioned, I knew I would never win this trial. I was a thief. And now that I had been caught, it won’t take long before the law can prove me guilty.

However, the guards were interrupted. A tall Japanese man entered the scene and pushed the police authority to the side, creating a disruptive entrance. He even had sunglasses covering his eyes, as if those shades would help him block the sunlight when we were inside the room. But maybe it was his style. This was my first time seeing the man, after all. In spite of the rude tactics, the officer allowed it. It also seemed that this man held some sort of authority over the group of guards governed by the law.

“Yeah. This is the man we’ve been looking for. He’s the one who stole one of our client’s cash,” the man with the big old black suit remarked, and pointed his gun at me. He also eyed my sister. “So, who’s the lucky bastard to die today?”

“With all due respect, sir. We are not tolerating any mis-...”

With one shot from the gun, the policeman died without even finishing his sentence. His gun had a silencer. But for my ears, the blasting sound from the trigger erupted my eardrums as if they became deafening. It even echoed and rivalled my beating heart. When the man received the lead, the body fell flat on the floor, and the bloke’s eyes stared at the one who killed him. 

The police officers tried aiming their guns at the man who had killed an innocent life and his underlings. However, before they could even react, the subordinates of the lad wearing sunglasses made their move and shot those four police officers dead. The numbers he had were more. So naturally, the guards didn’t have a fighting chance against someone more bold and feral than them.

Gunshots and blood filled the room. And when these random people died before us, my sister, who was just around twelve years old, saw everything. We witnessed murder inside our home. And the outside was heavily guarded by the man’s people as well, so no police could check the place. We could request no help from the law-abiding officials or the law itself…

The man with the shades trundled in my direction while flaunting his gun, telling me he could kill me anytime he wanted. But he couldn’t. Even though he had taken the lives of these officers, something stopped the bloke from ending mine. 

“If I kill you, this problem will be solved quickly. But before that, maybe cutting your nails one by one should be more fun than ending your miserable life,” the man croaked, as he looked around. Eventually, he found my sister. He met his eyes with Kirameki and continued his sentences. “You see, the people you robbed are my clients. And you do know that I care about my clients. If my boss finds out we lost money, and it’s on me, I will kill you. So I’ll ask you once more. Where is the money, and are you affiliated with this man?”

I shook my head and tried opening my mouth. My voice turned into wheezes. But the man gave me no time to voice my concern as he aimed the firearm barrel at my sister’s head. 

“I’m not asking you, son. I’m talking to the little girl,” the man spoke, while studying my sister’s body. His eyes glared at Kirameki’s chest, and he eventually groped them like stress balls in front of me. His hands even explored down her hips. He didn’t stop touching my sister. In fact, the man persisted while simultaneously looking at Kirameki and me. 

“Tell me where the money is, and maybe I can spare your life… Or even your brother’s.”

My ears cried a river. But despite my aching heart wishing to end this scene, I had no choice but to watch Kirameki suffer the most. 

“No… This is my brother…. I will… not leave my brother…” Kirameki announced, as she gently, but with her full force, pushed the man’s enormous hands away from her body. “Please don’t hurt… my brother… You can… do whatever you want with me… Just please… don’t hurt him.”

It might be best if Kirameki endured what the man had in store for her. I told her to reject me as her brother. And that was the only thing that could save her from dying. I didn’t mind leaving this place. Everything should be okay if Kirameki continued denying her relationship with me. As long as she could tolerate this occurrence, she should be with… without me. 

I only had four bullets with me, considering I had already used two of them to burst the fire extinguisher open. The second I aimed my gun at the man before me, my senses tingled and alarmed me about the dangers at my side. And that came from the five people surrounding him.

So before I could touch the man who harmed Kirameki, I changed targets and aimed my handgun at the five people circling me. I pulled the trigger and released my first bullet ahead of the woman dressed in a black suit. She died in a flash when the shell flew right through her hair... killing her almost instantly.

This was my first time taking one’s life. Did I find joy? No. All I wanted was to protect my sister, so I considered my action as self-defence—nothing more, nothing less.

The fight continued. After gunning the girl, I swiftly moved to another person, locked my eyes, and pointed my Glock at the man in my East. Just like before, I was too fast for him. Prior to taking a hit from the man’s bullet, like a cowboy in the West, I shot the bloke without remorse.

With a bang, the man died. ‘Who’s next?’ I thought, and went to the next prey.

This time, my victims were faster than me, since I wasted time handling the other two. Two of those people had their guns directed in my direction, while the remaining enemy wielded a bat instead of a firearm. Instantly, when the bullets were fired, I tried diving to the side and dodging them. But I couldn’t. Fortunately, the two leads from the shot hit my side instead of my major organ. However, once the bullet made a hole, blood gushed out of my body.

So, without delay, I aimed my pistol at the two, and bit back before I could chew. But I was successful. My bullets landed and promptly eliminated the two out of the picture. However, I took a tumble. My gun only had four shots inside, and I didn’t have a spare magazine. There was still one guy chasing me with a bat. And when I turned to the side, my body was too slow to react to the strike. The man seized his opportunity and bashed me with the staff, aiming specifically for my head. He did it multiple times. Eventually, the bloke had enough after beating me up in a plump until the man with the shades ordered him to stop. Maybe this guy with the stick would still treat me as his toy if he didn’t.

My senses became hazy. I coughed out crimson blood, telling everyone that I had suffered broken bones and clobbered organs. And it became arduous for me to focus on the man and the situation before me. But even so, I never gave up and growled like a kicked dog on the streets. As long as I was alive, I swore to myself I would protect Kirameki with everything I had.

“No... Kirameki... My sister... Get your hands... away... from my sister!!!!!”

I was too late to play the hero. Ultimately, my actions didn’t bear fruit, and I had to watch my sister slowly crumble at my fore.

“Thank you… brother….” Those were the last words my sister said before spitting blood inside her. She didn’t even say all of it. But from studying her mouth, I knew Kirameki wanted to tell me her feelings. 

I wanted to protect her. But right now, there was no room for me to defend my sister.

But the opposite happened. So the moment my sister directly refused the man’s instructions, he got up, turned around, and shot my sister without even looking at her dead body. Two shots were enough for Kirameki to leave me in this world. When the man finished off Kira, he threw daggers at my figure and flashed me a snicker.

“Too bad your sister isn’t a good girl. I have no interest in kids, anyway.”

I thought everything was just a nightmare. And I needed to wake up in this dream with everything I had. But my body moved on its own and rushed towards the corpse of Kirameki, still with a smile on her face and her eyes staring blankly at me, telling me… she did the right thing. 

The tears in my eyes blocked and flooded my vision. I couldn’t see a damn thing, but I knew Kira was in front of me. I tried shaking my sister, but nothing happened. And when I lifted Kira’s hands, her arms just flailed and crashed on the ground. 

“No, no, no, no… No… This isn’t happening… No… Please wake up… Open your eyes, Kira…. This is just a dream… Please wake up… I need you… I…”

Silence filled the air. No matter how many words I spouted inside this room, my sister couldn’t hear a damn thing from my mouth. She died. Kirameki expired in the hands of the man before me, still with that fucking smile on his face.

I wanted to kill him. I wanted to break his bones and kill everyone inside this room. Since I lost my sister, I had… nothing more to lose.

So I got up and riled my fist, hoping I could at least punch the man who ruined my life… who took away Kirameki’s life from me.

But the moment I was in front of him, the bloke pulled out his gun and showered me with his remaining bullets. Each shell pierced through my body and destroyed my organs. As soon as they knocked me down, I turned my head towards my sister and, with my remaining energy, caressed her face and closed her eyes. 

“I’m sorry… I couldn’t give you… a life that you needed… I… I want to hear you play the fiddle… for me…”

My eyes fought back, but my body resigned itself to me. My life ended. And just like that, I was about to join my sister. Maybe this was for the best, being with Kirameki through everything, even in death. I had no regrets. I would rather die than live my life without her. And Kira… wanted the same thing.

I couldn’t cheat death. I tried. But there was no way for me to do it. 

If the afterlife was true, I would do everything within my power to seize that life we deserved. In the end, I couldn’t fulfil my promise. I wanted to hear my sister play the instrument… But maybe, in another world, I could somehow… hear the song she made for me…

When the day ended, the news stated that the police encountered an armed criminal, so there was a bloodbath inside the apartment. Little did the city know that a group of mafia had entered my home. And those people sporting black suits and ties ended a family’s life just to survive in this cruel world. 

Then, one miracle happened. And the wish I made changed our entire world.

[Pirate System Activated.]

[Code: Unknown$*((^#@]

[Welcome, Arata Kazuto, to the world Kepler]