More Thai flowed from Reo as he lit the three candles on her altar. Once done, he brought his hands together in front of his chest and continued to whisper.
I drowned in discomfort, not used to seeing him like this. It made me turn away.
Kaede stepped forward next and gave the rest of us a quick nervous glance.
No. Don’t do this.
Kaede’s shoulders were tight and his jaw set as he slowly headed over to his grandfather’s picture.
I let out a long shivering breath when Kaede reached the altar and dropped to his knees.
When he lit the candles, his fingers shook.
I have to stop this.
Toma went next at this awkward pace where he kept his gaze on his feet. And when he reached his family's frame, his shoulders rose and fell in breaths that came too fast. His hands opened and closed at his sides.
He didn't light the candles, but he did fall to his knees.
Daisuke was already moving, heading to his baby sister like a man approaching the most sacred and dangerous object in a space. It took him no time to light the candles and when he did, he didn’t lower to his knees. He simply held his hands to his chest as tears left his eyes.
I turned to Nyomi and sneered.
She widened her eyes.
Meanwhile the twins looked at their mother’s picture, yet didn’t go up. One dragged his fingers through his hair like he was trying to pull himself out of his own skin. The other stared without blinking, eyes fixed and hollow, as if looking too closely might make her disappear for good.
Neither reached for the other like they usually did.
Neither spoke.
There was no synchronization.
In this moment, they were individuals processing in different ways. The mirror that had held them together since birth held them apart now. Each one was trapped on his own side of something they had always shared.
Grief didn’t split between them—it multiplied, doubled back, and left them unable to bridge it.
Seconds later, they turned and left the space.
Nyomi parted her lips and watched them walk away.
The violin’s sad melody continued.
Only two of us had not moved—Hiro and me.
Nyomi walked toward us.
I looked at my Tiger and hot rage rose through me.
Tora. Why? We were having fun.
She looked at Hiro.
I looked at him too, and what I saw almost knocked me to my knees.
My brother was shaking. Tremors in his shoulders and hands. His fucking mouth open like he wanted to scream. Those damn diamond fangs quivered too.
No. He’d been happy, Tora. . .and now. . .it’s ruined. . .
