"Emiko, can you give me your assignment for the next lecture?"

I turned to my course mate and smiled brightly at him, "Of course."

I noticed someone staring at me from outside the lecture hall while I was handing my book over to him.

I turned to the door and saw a girl standing there waving at me.

She was dressed in black pants and a loose-fitting white shirt.

She smiled, beckoning at me.

"Excuse me." I said to a friend of mine before standing from my seat.

"What's wrong, Iwasaki-san?" I asked, folding my arm.

She stared at me, a knowing smile creeping up her face.

"It's Reo to you, Emiko-Senpai." She called my name softly, raising her hand to my cheek.

My cheeks flushed red immediately, but they immediately faltered when I noticed she only did that because someone was walking past us.

I slapped her hand away from my cheeks before looking away.

"Hello, Iwasaki-san." The person waved.

Reo waved back at her before turning back to me.

"What do you want?"

She didn't say anything for some time, "I'll be leaving for Osaka today."

I bit my lips, still avoiding her gaze.

"Oh? Leave if you want to. Why bother me?" I asked.

"Aunty asked me to bring you back with me." She answered.

"Mom did?" I asked, immediately turning to her.

"Mm-hm."

"Why? I'm not a kid anymore. Why should I return with you?" I asked.

"Aunty misses you. We didn't return last holiday too, so she wants to see you."

I hesitated for a while before nodding, "Or she misses you? Anyway, you'll have to wait till I've packed up."

"No need for that, I already did." She grinned widely.

"Huh?!"

"I already ordered a ride. We'll be leaving after your lectures." She said, then turned and walked away.

Of course, she already knew I'd agree. There was no need to tell me. She had already bought a ticket, so I decided not to ask.

I sighed, walking back into the classroom.

After the days lectures ended, I went back to the house I shared with Reo.

We'd known each other since we were little, so our parents decided to let us live together even after I rejected the idea many times.

"Come on and eat quickly. The ride would get here anytime soon."

"Ugh, let me dress quickly."

I joined her in the dining room after taking my time getting dressed up.

"You're returning home. Is there a need to dress so extravagantly?" She asked, dishing out my meal.

"Stop nagging at me."

She placed my food before me, and I began eating hurriedly.

"Hey, be careful. You might choke." She said.

"What's your deal? One minute you say I should eat quickly, the next you say I shouldn't!" I yelled.

Then I began coughing.

"See?" She handed me a cup of water.

Reo always got on my nerves. She was always acting kind and loving when deep down she was a monster.

...《BEHIND THE MASK》...

A few minutes later, the ride she ordered arrived, and we left for the airport.

"Stick close to me, okay?"

I ignored her. I didn't have the strength to talk anymore. Talking to her always left me disoriented.

We finally got on the plane.

"Are you comfortable there?" She asked.

I ignored her, my eyes fixed on the chair next to me.

Of course, I wasn't comfortable. She knew I liked taking the window chair.

The guy seated next to me smiled and waved discreetly at me.

I blinked, then smiled back at him.

He was a cute guy, I wouldn't mind giving him my number.

"Hey, I'm Tatsuki." He said, leaning a bit closer to the side.

"I'm Emiko."

Just as he was about to ask for my number, Reo grabbed my shoulder.

"It seems you really aren't comfortable there. Why don't you come sit by the window?"

"Let go off me, I don't wanna..." I started, then turned to her.

The lights in her eyes had died out, and she stared at me in furry.

I shuddered, then nodded slowly.

It wasn't the first time she'd looked at me that way. I knew that it would be a bad choice to act stubborn in that situation.

We quickly exchanged seats without saying a word to each other.

"I hate you." I muttered.

Of course, that wouldn't have changed a thing. I didn't turn to her because I knew that she'd look really smug at that moment.

"Do you want a snack?" She asked.

"Go die." I mumbled.

I heard her sigh softly beside me, and then I heard the sound of something being unwrapped.

I felt her hand slip under my cheek as she made me face her.

_Is she still mad?_

The thought of her still being mad terrified me, but I didn't want her to realise I was still scared, so I spoke up.

"What's wrong with...?" I started, but she shoved a chocolate bar into my mouth.

Then she smiled softly, "Don't you like that?"

I stared at her speechless. I felt like a fool for even being scared.

"I said I didn't want any."

She took out some other bars and placed them on my lap.

"You say that, but it looks like you're enjoying it."

I groaned, turning back to the window.

We didn't say anything to each other after that.

Returning to Osaka always reminded me of things I didn't want to remember. The worst times of my life.

Especially the first time I met the monster seated beside me.

I glanced at Reo, who was now listening to music on her earphones.

It felt like a pretty normal meeting at first, but that was when I was still unaware of what was hidden behind her mask.

I shut my eyes tightly, and before I knew it, I was already fast asleep.

When I woke up, I felt a hand softly caressing my face.

I could perceive the faint smell of Reo's perfume. I raised my head and realised I was resting on her shoulder.

She smiled softly, "You're awake already?"

I stared at her, long enough for tears to start rolling down.

"Hm? You're crying again. What's wrong?"

I regret meeting her. I always did, and I always will. But whenever she acted kind to me...

After getting off the aeroplane, we met my father, who waited for us in a cafe around the airport.

"Reo, my dear." Mom called when Reo and I walked into our house.

Reo smiled brightly as mom embraced her, "We're back, aunt."

I stood at a corner with my dad. She asked me to come home but she looked happier with Reo around.

I sighed, taking my luggage up with me.

"Emi, won't you say anything to Mommy?" She asked, walking towards the staircase.

"I'm back, mom."

"That girl..." Mom sighed.

I glanced at Reo, who smiled and mouthed some words to me.

'I'll be right behind you.'

I stared at her in disgust before walking upstairs.

The sounds of their laughter and conversation were still heard even after I got into my room.

It looked like mom had already cleaned up my room. She even aired it.

I threw my luggage carelessly, took off my shirt, and then slumped on the bed.

Looking at every single thing in my room gave me bad memories from the past. It was that very room Reo was introduced to me in. The same bed I always asked her to sit on, the same table and desk we used when she taught me math. The same closet had some of her clothes in it. And the same bed where we first...

I stared at the door.

The first day we met a couple of years back, Reo was still a little cutie.

"Emi, come here and meet Mr. Iwasaki's little girl. She's just a year younger than you are." Mom smiled, pointing at Reo, who stood beside her.

She fiddled with her thumbs, stealing glances at me at intervals. I blushed at how cute she looked while doing that.

"Hello, Reo-chan. I'm Emiko. Just call me Emi." I smiled, grabbing her hands gently.

She looked up at me, still looking a bit nervous as she nodded.

"Mn."

I was the only child of my family, so I never had to think about taking care of younger siblings or catering for older ones. After meeting Reo, I developed the urge to take care of her as I would to my little sister.

...《BEHIND THE MASK》...

There was a soft knock on my bedroom door, completely distracting me from my reminiscing.

I sighed, turning to face the window.

The door creaked open, and the sound of familiar footsteps approached my bed.

I knew it was Reo. The way she walked was something I'd gotten used to over the years. It's not like I wanted to get used to it or anything.

She paused beside my bed, probably picking up my shirt and arranging my luggage. When she was through with that, she sat beside me on my bed.

"Won't you put on a shirt?" She asked.

Her voice sounded so close and low, making me shudder.

I shielded my face with my pillow. It would've been bad if she'd noticed my flushed cheeks.

"I'm in my room. What's it to you?" I managed to ask.

She gently placed her hand on my bare back, and this time, I wasn't able to hold back a moan. I was shocked by the sudden touch and at how cold her hand felt against my back.

She leaned closer to me, her hands slowly trailing up my shoulder.

I bit my lower lip, trying not to let out a sound.

Reo was always like this. She'd always place her hand on any part of my body and trail, but she never did anything more than that. It's like she always loved teasing me.

Still, though, I couldn't help but feel irritated at myself for always expecting something more than that. Sometimes, I just imagined both of us doing intimate things, but we've only gotten a little intimate a handful of times.

"You still gave that dude from the plane your number, right?" She asked, her hand resting softly on my neck.

My breath hitched when she said that. I thought I'd been more discreet about it.

"W-what? Can't I make new friends?" I asked, my lips trembling as I spoke.

"He clearly doesn't want to be friends." She furrowed her brows, her hands slowly stretching over my neck.

I tried sitting up, but she immediately pinned me down on the bed.

"R-Reo, please let's not do this. I-I just wanted to speak to more people."

"Are you that desperate to be fucked? Even accepting strangers' advances?" Her eyes grew irritated.

Why was she always against the idea of me speaking to guys?

"Reo, I'm an adult now. Dad and mom have been bothering me about finding a partner. I need to socialise." At that point, I was just trying to calm her down to avoid any serious escalations.

"I've told you before. You don't need a boyfriend. They'll only distract you. I'm here for you, whatever you want, I can easily give it to you. You don't need anyone else, do you understand that?" She asked, leaning closer to me, her lips tugging upwards.

"Y-yes."

I hate her.

I saw her eyes soften for a moment, and then I looked away.

She released my neck, brushing some strands of hair on my neck before pressing her lips against the side.

A tear trickled down my eyes as she kissed me. I hated myself for accepting her.

I hated her. I really really did, but then, why? Why was I satisfied with the way she kissed my neck? Why was I satisfied with the way she smiled at me after threatening me? Why did I always hope for something more?

"R-Reo." I called, raising my hand to her head.

She raised her head from my neck, and then she smiled at me. She leaned closer to me, then pressed her lips against mine. The kiss was soft at first, then became rougher as we went on. It was the same as a few years back. The last time she was intimate with me to date.

I longed for her kiss all this time I'd been with her, but I just couldn't bring myself to accept that. I always wanted to go further into the forbidden zone, but for some reason, she only stopped with long kisses.

"Be a good girl, okay?" She kissed my forehead and stood from the bed.

I laid helpless on the bed, gasping for breath. I wanted more than that. I wanted real intimacy from her, but she never gave me that.

The door to my room flew open, and mom walked in with some snacks.

Reo was already seated at the chair, as if aware that mom would come in at that moment.

"What's wrong with you, Emi? Is the heat getting to you?" Mom asked, placing the snacks on the centre table.

I turned towards the window and shut my eyes.

"She's been complaining about the heat, aunt. It's summer already."

"Is that so? The air conditioner in the sitting room broke. It will get repaired tomorrow. You guys should have a cold shower and leave the house for a while."

Reo thanked her as she left the room.

"You heard her." She said.

I ignored her, my face still buried in my pillow.

"Hey, why don't we take a bathe together?"

"Oh, Reo-chan, I didn't expect you'd come over this early." Mom said, her palm resting on her cheek.

I glanced at the door from the sitting room. Reo stood by the door with mom, smiling at her while handing over some fruits.

"You shouldn't have."

"No, aunty, you've done a lot for me."

I turned back to the television, focused on the movie playing.

Reo always came to visit in the morning, and then she'd stay over till late in the evening before leaving for her apartment. Her parents weren't always home, so she sleeps over sometimes.

"Miko." She called, sitting beside me on the sofa.

I shifted farther from her, adjusting my singlet to cover up my skin.

"Oh, how you both have grown." Mom said, walking into the sitting room with a tray of snacks.

I let my legs down from the couch and leaned towards the table, "Oh! Thanks for the snacks."

"I remember when you used to call Emiko big sister. Looks like you both have grown." She smiled.

I paused before I could reach for a snack. I never really remembered when that happened. Just hearing it from Mom brought back the memories.

"Reo-chan, why don't you try calling me big sister?" I had said the first day it started.

It was meant to be a joke. I was just trying to tease her. But then, she didn't even waste any time to call me...

"Onee-chan...?" She called as if asking whether that was alright.

I immediately turned to her. This wasn't me reminiscing. She actually said that this time.

She smiled softly at me, picking up a cookie from the tray.

"Oh, my. That's the same way you addressed her in the past."

"Why aren't you eating anything?" She asked in a whisper.

Her expression looked tender and kind, in contrast to how she always looked at me when things weren't going the way she wanted them to.

I took a sharp yet short inhale before turning back to the television. I hugged my knees and buried my face inside.

I hate her. I hate her with everything in me.

Mom had taken a leave from work that week, so she decided to prepare a feast for dad's birthday and our return home. Well, she might've said our, but it was definitely for Reo.

"Reo-chan, can I trouble you to join Emiko to buy some things in the convenience store?" She asked.

She looked sorry for suddenly asking Reo to leave with me. But of course, Reo wouldn't have refused her offer. She's always trying to look good in front of others.

"It's no trouble at all, aunty. What do you need from us?"

"Hey, shouldn't you ask me whether I'm okay with this first?" I asked from the sitting room.

"Come here and take the list, Emi!" Mom called.

I grumbled as I stood from the bed and walked to the kitchen.

"You guys shouldn't stay out too long, okay? I need to prepare this before dad comes back." She said.

"Yeah, yeah." I sighed, then I turned to Reo. "Let's go."

"Are you leaving dressed like that?" She asked, leaning towards me.

"Ugh, can you not nag me? It's too hot, let me wear whatever I want to." I raised my voice, then walked out of the house in a hurry.

"Don't be sad, Reo-chan. She's always like that."

"I know, Aunty. I've been with her for a long time, after all."

...《BEHIND THE MASK》...

After a while, I noticed Reo walking quietly behind me. She didn't try speaking to me like she always did.

Well, that was for the best. I wasn't in the mood to speak to her anyway.

The streets looked as familiar as they were some years back. The park where kids had fun at, the stores we walked past whenever we went to school together, the neighbours who we always greeted and received fruits and vegetables from, everything looked the same as it always had.

I kicked a pebble while walking down the street. It was quite boring walking without having Reo pestering me.

"Oh, that's right. Aya said she returned home a few days ago. Maybe I'll call her to hang out." I said to myself, taking out my phone.

Then I paused when her name appeared on my screen.

Aya and I became friends in high school. We were really close initially, but then she suddenly got obsessed with Reo. We didn't talk for a while because she thought Reo and I were an item. I did explain myself, and I asked Reo to do the same, which she did. After that, Aya apologised for acting that way. Even though I forgave her, it took a while before we went back to how we used to be.

I glanced at Reo, who still walked a little farther from me. As soon as our eyes locked, I turned away.

"Maybe I shouldn't call her..."

Just as I was about to switch off my phone, my ringtone sounded.

I stared at the caller ID for some time before glancing at Reo again. She was still far away, so I was safe

"Hey." I said, placing the phone on my ear.

The caller chuckled softly, "Hey... it's Kazuki. The guy who got your number earlier..."

He paused, then continued, "Ah... I bet many others must have gotten it after I did. I mean, who wouldn't want to?"

He chuckled again.

"Thanks for the Flattery, but I do remember you. The guy from the aeroplane, right? I saved your number before." I twirled my hair while hastening my steps.

"Is that so? I'm so glad."

I didn't listen to Reo. She could threaten me all she wanted, but I wouldn't pass the chance to try out a cute guy. And it's not like she'd find out anyway.

"I just settled in today. I was wondering if you'd want to get some drinks sometime?" He asked, almost worried about my reply.

"Hm...? You can text me. We'll figure it out then." I answered.

"R-really?! I mean, that's cool. I'll text you soon."

I giggled, "I'll speak to you later."

"Yeah, goodbye."

"Who was that?" Reo asked, walking closer to me.

"It's none of your business." I frowned.

"Emiko..." She called, and then she sighed softly.

She didn't say anything more even after we left the convenience store.

After buying everything on the list, she asked to carry everything we bought on her own, and of course, I agreed. Sometimes, it's good having someone like her around. Just very few times, though.

When we got home, we received a big surprise. One I wasn't expecting at that time.

"You're back! I've missed you, Emiko!" Aya called, running towards me.

"A-ya?"