Epilogue

A/N:
Last but not the least, the promised epilogue. It consists of two snippets in the aftermath of chapter 1 till 20 (wait, how many?). It happened. I wrote too much. ~guilty~

Anyway, as usual, hope you enjoy your read! Especially since this is the final chapter ;)

E.1 Not fair

"Hey, nee-san."

"Hmm." The older sister hums in response as to let the other know that she's listening.

"You know, I'm often reminded of our fighting days…"

Ryūko sighs, leaning back in her seat. Two hot cups of tea, which were neatly distributed on the mahogany table, leave a particularly flavoured scent. She smells flowers, leaves. A tiny bit of lavender. The mix of spices and dried botany that Satsuki holds dear. Still too bitter for my taste, though.

Her gaze is far, far away. Reminiscing on the past while looking through the window, failing to see the curious stare Satsuki is giving.

After a moment of silence, she continues. "… by other people, I mean. Though I'm willing to leave it all behind, start anew, they can't seem to mind their own fuck-"

"Language, Ryūko." The recipient deadpans, crossing her arms.

"-ing business." A frustrated sigh. She turns her head towards Satsuki, her eyes shooting daggers. Similar to her older sister, she went and crossed her arms.

Silence.

It was suddenly and harshly interrupted. "Aaargh, nee-san! You… don't you start shit-talking me too, I'm so sick of this!" Agitatedly, she then unties her arms and runs her fingers through her shoulder-length hair.

"Too?"

Another sigh. "My classmates are acting ridiculous. Thinking I'm still a brute, a monster. They keep avoiding me like crazy, like… like they're afraid. All while cowardly snickering behind me and Mako's backs…"

"So, is this about you fearing to become an outcast?" Satsuki shifts, leaning forward. Secretly, she knew that could not be the answer. We have always been taught to stand on our own, after all.

She mumbles. "No, yuck. That would be ridiculous. You know well me enough." The youngest let out a dry and empty laugh.

"I know, I know." Satsuki is still searching for some reassuring eye contact. Ryūko's irises were directed everywhere but on Satsuki's pools of ocean blue, though. Nope, it's not happening today. Oh well… "Let me take a good educated guess this time… is it about your complex?"

Silence. "Which is…?"

"You distancing yourself from the outside world because of the Life Fibers that keep you alive. In other words… the fact that you're not 100% human. And that they keep reminding you of that."

That put a nail on the head. Her eyes widen, then dart downwards, in defeat and in realization. There was at least a tiny bit of truth in that. With Satsuki observing her sister closely, she could not miss the depressed air coming off her. The chance in expression, in body language. Was I too direct?

The answer came soon enough. "Jeez, I'm well aware of that!"

"…"

"It's just… why involve Mako in this as well? It's not like she's done all that stuff."

"…"

"Isn't that right, nee-san?"

The question made Satsuki perk up. She's unsure about all this? Really? Well, then it's time for a chance of tactics. At least, the straight-haired girl is keen for some prying. So she will, of course.

"Nee-san?" Ryūko uttered and repeated the endearment questioningly. There we go.

"Hmmm, you're completely right." She nods, thereby excessively and almost overly acknowledging the truth in Ryūko's words.

The sudden and unexpected response made the latter a bit cautious. She could see the dramatic gesture from the corner of her eyes, after all. "Right… right…" Then she starts stealing some real glances in Satsuki's direction.

"…" In the meantime, Satsuki continued nodding, having her arms crossed. That is, until Ryūko ran out of patience. What's this one-sided conversation?

"So?"

"Well… that's not up to me, I suppose. It's your hurdle to overcome, not mine."

"But…" A futile retort. One which didn't go unnoticed by Satsuki. A mischievous glint started sparkling in her eyes. She dared to go a step further.

"But?" And her haughty tone was back. One which Ryūko hadn't heard in months. Damn you, Sats. To add some more to the fuel, she cocked one of her prominent eyebrows, visibly challenging her now. That's it.

"… it would not hurt to give me some support." Her soft voice was coated with a droopy air.

It was that moment when the older sister saw an opportunity. And she grabbed it with both hands. "So, you want your nee-san to beat up the bad guys?" A knowing smirk appeared on her face.

"NO!" A pause. "N-no, I mean…"

"…"

"T-That's not necessary at all! I can handle myself just fine."

"…"

"I know you know… so stop teasing me, nee-san. It's not fair."

"…"

"No, it's not fair at all."

"…"

"Nee-san?"

It suddenly occurred to Satsuki. Quite randomly, really. How lucky I am, to be able to enjoy my free time like this. With my family, in peace and quiet. Teasing and rambling all the way. I wouldn't want to miss it for a thing. Slowly yet steadily, a happy smile crept onto her face.

"-ing, okay?"

She woke up from her daydreaming daze. "Hmmm, what did you say?"

"J-Just don't do anything. It's no big deal, really." Ryūko scoffed. Maybe she was dismissive because of Satsuki's lack of response. Maybe she was just feeling nostalgic, depressed, looking back on her dark past. Our dark past. Regardless, the older girl could not tell.

"Well, if you say so… then I'll refrain from minding your business."

"Yea, you should."

"But still… Ryūko." She called out to her.

"Yes?"

"You should put some trust in yourself, some more positivity. And fret not about those Life Fibers."

"…"

"If I'm being honest with you, the fact that you have changed for the better shows you are human." The girls look each other straight in the eyes. "The fact that you care proves you are human… and well, most importantly, you're my dear sister. Isn't that enough prove already?"

"W-wha-"

"So, it's alright. It's going to be alright, Ryūko."

"…"

The silence was deafening, yet strangely calming. The smile Satsuki wore mirrored the one that covered Ryūko's face.

"Thanks, nee-san. You're the best."

And those smiles grew even wider.

E.2 Sleep over

"Hey, nee-san?"

"Yes?" A familiar brusque yet gentle voice is heard from the other side of the line. It fills Ryūko with a comfortable warmth.

"Wanna come over sometime?" Silence occupies the air momentarily. The girl continues. "Actually, Mako keeps nagging about some kind of sleepover… so, you keen for that?"

"I think I'll pass, Ryūko."

The question was inevitable. "Why?"

"Sleepovers are not my cup of tea, if I say so myself."

"… have you ever tried before?" came the honest retort. Because Ryūko was seriously curious.

"You don't need to have experience to know yourself." She deadpans in a monotone voice. Looks like she's bluffing her way out. No fucking way, Sats.

"And you won't ever be pleasantly surprised if you don't try new things." Ryūko shot back.

"…"

"So?"

"Well, ouch." Another sarcastic comment was thrown Ryūko's way. "I must admit, you've become better at back-talking, dear sister of mine."

A triumphant grin appears on the younger girl's face. She puffs her chest upon hearing the compliment. Not that the other could see, though.

"Still, my answer stays the same."

And gone was the smile. Her stature deflates, sensing that Satsuki will not budge, never in a million years. I mean, what should I even do to convince her?

Nah, that's impossible. She's just as headstrong as me.

"…" Ryūko remains silent, mentally going through every option in the book.

That is, until her thought-process is forcefully interrupted by a shove directed at her ribcage. One which causes her to tumble sideways, leaving the phone to land in the hands of the culprit.

"Ne, Satsuki-chan?" The oh-so recognizably chirpy voice could be heard on the other side of the line. And that causes Satsuki to feel slightly awkward and surprised by the sudden change.

"M-Mako-san? Wha-"

"You MUST come to our sleepover this week, Satsuki-chan! You know, it's gonna be SUPER DUPER fun and cozy with us three!"

"…"

"And… and… Ryūko-chan is looking many-much forward to it! She does not tell you becau-" The sound of Mako's high-pitched rambling becomes muffled at that moment, not before the older girl hears some hushed 'ssshhhs' and 'shut-ups' being barked at the intruder.

A sharp breath she then hears, as if someone was gasping for some much-needed air. Out of curiosity, Satsuki kept listening intently. What is going on over there?

Some bonking, some rustling. More shuffling, shifting. Dead silence follows, all while Satsuki patiently awaits an answer. Which comes, surprisingly, from the original caller.

"Nee-san? Sorry for all this… Mako's been an pain in the - " One brief pause. A thud, accompanied by a droopy whine. "I mean, a… nuisance." she manages to squeeze out.

She continues. "I won't bother you again today… so it's time for goodbyes, I guess."

.

.

"Wait, Ryūko!" Satsuki exclaims. "Let me ask you one question."

"And what would that be?"

"Do you want me to come?"

"… yes." No hesitation at all. Fearless determination drips from this one word.

"Then, I shall have a sleepover with you."

"HELL YEA-"

"But…" She breathed in deeply. "… on one condition."

Nothing could stop Ryūko's enthusiasm and happiness at the moment. That's why she cannot contain herself and blurts out these three words confidently.

"You name it." Anything for you, Sats.

"Don't bother waking me up when I'm having nightmares, okay? They'll come and go, and I'm used to them. So leave me be, and don't try to do anything."

"Oh sure, I'll definitely have them too. So the same holds for me, actually."

"…" I figured as much.

"But then we should tell Mako…" Another thud. Poor Mako. "… nah, never mind. We'll probably wake up from her snoring."

A childish giggle escapes Satsuki's mouth, one which she did not know she could muster.

"Is that so?"

"Ah, but nee-san…" says a contemplating Ryūko. "… what changed your decision?" You're never one to back out like this.

It's you, dummy. Only you.

She chooses to ignore the confronting question. With an "Until then", she hung up.