CALLISTA

Money can't buy happiness, they say.

But when I buy my sister an expensive plushie of her favorite cartoon character, I see the way her face brightens. She was simply a child, after all.

That's not all. When I bring home burgers from her favorite fastfood chain, she gets all giddy.

Once I had some spare change, I bought us tickets to the amusement park. She looked so marveled and moved, like it was a whole new world for her.

They say that money can't buy happiness, but I beg to disagree. In order to make my little sister happy, I need money. Lots, so she would live in comfort.

Ruth Alessia Narra.

My dearest little sister, Runa.

"Big sis!" she chirped. "Fly away!"

A small smile dawned on my face as I watched my sibling raise her tiny arms. Whenever she asks to be picked up, Runa says that she wants to fly away.

I gently carried my little sister, extra mindful of her small and delicate body. As she snuggled into my arms, I couldn't help but wonder... How can someone be so blameless, lovely, and pure?

"Look, big sis..." She took out a paper from her pocket and unfolded it. "I drew this for you!"

It was a sketch of her favorite flower.

A Camellia.

"It's my favorite flower, but you can have it." Runa giggled. "Because I love you so, so much~ Hehe!"

Her words brought tears into my eyes.

I wish I could tell her that I love her too, but my nonexistent voice prevented me from doing so.

Often times, I felt guilty for not being able to give her a normal family. After all, she neither had a mother nor a father like other children her age.

She only had me, a mute and illiterate sister.

Even at this moment when my dear Runa craves for attention, the best I can do is to embrace her in my arms and shower her with kisses. I could only hope that she understands what it actually means.

That I love her, even more than myself.

That I'm willing to dedicate all of me to her.

---

And so, I spent my whole life making sure that my beloved sister lives a comfortable life, if not lavish.

Unfortunately, I never had the privilege to pursue education. I didn't know how to read or write, so my options for employment were very limited.

Thus, I could only do physical labor like cleaning or running errands; jobs that don't require you to be smart. You only need to have enough common sense, like knowing how to use a broom to clean.

On a side note, I suppose you should also know how to clench your teeth... because that's the only thing you can do when people treat you like dirt.

"Get out of my sight, you useless cunt!"

For instance, when my employer throws a fit and douses me with water, I can only clench my teeth. I have no right to complain, because I am stupid.

I don't know how to read. How am I supposed to know the difference between a catsup and a hot sauce when they're both red? It's too complicated for me. I can't even spell my own name, you know.

"For heaven's sake, just fire this dumb bitch already! Why is my mother keeping you here when you can't even get one damn thing right?!"

Why, she asks? Oh, I knew the answer to that.

Because I'm the perfect subject of their rage.

They knew that whatever they throw at me, may it be knives or hurtful words, I would take it quietly.

Literally, because I was mute.

Figuratively, because I need the money.

Still, it's okay. I'm okay. I can handle this much.

This manor is the only place who accepted a mute and illiterate girl like me. I doubt I'll find another place who'd be willing to pay a dunce like myself.

I can live like this.

I'm willing to live like this for my sister.

---

"Big sis, I want a storybook!"

That's rare, I thought to myself. I don't know if it's intentional, but Runa was never the needy type.

If anything, this is the first time she requested for something. She must've seen it from her peers.

"I want the one with many pictures!" My little sister seemed awfully excited. "Please, big sis!"

I nodded to her, smiling. How could I say no?

But then I went to the bookstore and learned that storybooks were actually pricey. I couldn't even afford the cheapest. Is education only for the rich?

I hate being poor, I whined internally.

With my pay as a lowly maid, I could barely put food on the table. As if I'd buy a book and let my sister starve. I love her, but we have priorities.

Still, I don't even want to imagine her sadness when I tell her that I can't provide her request.

And then an idea suddenly came into my mind.

If I can't buy one, should I just make one?

I thought, why not? It's better than nothing. Good thing children are easy to please. If I just give her something, I'm sure my sister will be satisfied.

After a long day at work, I found myself holding a pencil and a piece of paper on my desk. Runa was already fast asleep, so I stayed quiet like a mouse.

Since I don't know how to read or write, I won't even dream of writing a story. I'm too dumb for that. However, my sister did mention that she wanted a storybook with many pictures on it.

I haven't tried it, but it's easier than whacking my brains and forcing some vocabulary to come out.

That's right. I can draw instead.

First of all, I need to establish a story. What were the common tropes for children's books? I only know Cinderella, the typical rags-to-riches story.

I don't want it to be focused solely on romance, though. My sister might grow up into a hopeless romantic. For a change, it should be about a boy.

The protagonist. The antagonist. The supporting characters. I need to craft all their personalities.

Wait.

This is more fun than I thought?

Before I knew it, the sun had already rose when I finished sketching my ideas. I couldn't help but look smug while looking at my sketches. Whoa...

I might actually have a flair for drawing? It's far from perfect, but it's not that bad for a beginner.

I was so immersed in my own craft that I didn't notice my sister waking up and rushing towards me with blatant excitement. "Big sis! What's that?"

I gasped.

Feeling hesitant, I faced Runa and carefully chose my gestures. Instead of telling her that I couldn't afford a storybook, I simply told my little sister that I opted to make her one for better quality.

White lies, my dear.

I'm sure you'll understand once you're older.

After a lengthy (though wordless) explanation, Runa gawked at me. "So you made this, big sis?"

I nodded shyly.

Her mouth widened in amazement. "Wow!"

My heart melted upon seeing her reaction. She looked so happy, and it made me even happier.

If only I could give her the world, I would.

Somehow, it pains me... that I have nothing to give my sister but these flimsy pieces of paper with my sketches that I made in a hurry to compromise.

She only wanted one book.

I can't even buy her that one damn book.

That was the inspiration of my story.

It was the story of a man who had nothing on his name, but ended up saving the world and gaining everything he ever dreamed of. It was my fantasy.

"Big sis," Runa pointed the sketch of the man with black hair. "Who is he? Is he the prince charming?" she giggled childishly.

I shook my head. He's not a prince charming.

"Eh?" She whined in dismay. "What is he, then?"

He's a mage, I mouthed.

"A mage?" she wondered innocently.

I smiled and made some comical gestures.

A person who uses magic to save the world.

"Whoa!" Runa clapped her hands. "That's so cool!"

My little sister looked so impressed while holding the sketches I offered, blissfully unaware of how lacking her life was. If she knew that this was the bare minimum, would Runa still look up to me?

"Yes!" I inhaled sharply when she shouted, almost as if answering my inner query. "Thanks, big sis!"

I blinked back my tears, feeling sentimental.

"What's the name of the cool mage, big sis?"

My eyes landed on the black-haired character.

Haniel, I gestured his name softly.

Haniel. That's your name. The hero who would fulfill my dreams in these pages, the one who would find freedom and happiness in my stead.

---

And so it was created, A World Without Light.

It was the story I created on a whim in order to appease my sister. However, to say that I am the author doesn't feel right. I didn't actually write it.

I was the artist who conceptualized it.

It was my mind that visualized each character.

My little sister grew up feasting on my amateurish drawings. She loved them. It was her childhood.

Still, I stopped drawing for her when she turned thirteen. I was afraid that she might have grown to dislike it, that it might be too childish for her.

She never asked why I stopped, either.

So I thought she had all but forgotten about it.

But then one day, during her second year of high school, Runa suddenly brought it up to me again.

"What was the ending, sis?"

Her question caught me off guard.

When she noticed my confusion, my sister smiled softly. "You never told me how the story ends."

I didn't know how to respond.

Because I didn't know as well.

Because as much as I enjoyed making art and unintentionally getting into it, I did not have the luxury to sit all day and draw a fictional character's whole life. I had mouths to feed.

And I don't regret sacrificing my whole life for my sister, who grew up to be a beautiful and intelligent lady. She was my pride and joy.

"It was the story I grew up imagining. Of course it's close to my heart." Runa walked closer to me with ginger steps. "Say, sis... Will you let me write your story for you? We can complete it together."

I was perplexed by her words.

"You know that I love writing, right?" She lovingly held my hands. "I want to share your story to the world. Can you let me write it for you? Please?"

One thing about Runa, she was a huge dreamer.

She was incredibly passionate about many things, but above all of them, she loved writing the most.

Perhaps her love for words rooted from the fact that her only family was mute, which was ironic.

At that moment, I didn't really care about my own story. I only cared about my sister, who looked so expectant and raring to go chase her dreams.

She used to be a small child who would ask to be carried, but now she was almost as tall as me.

My dearest little sister, Runa.

I placed my hand on her head, smiling softly.

"Is that a yes?" Her face brightened. "A pat on my head, huh? What does that mean, sis? Oh, wait."

She pretended to be thinking hard.

"You must be cheering me. I know what it means."

Runa grinned from ear to ear.

"You'll be a famous author someday, Runa!"

Those were the words that I faintly recalled some time after waking up as Kallen. The high schooler in my memory happened to be Runa, my sister.

But she wasn't saying those words for me. It was the words I wanted to tell her, unable to speak.

It was the words of an artist towards a writer.

The words of a woman who loved her sister.

---

Hello. It's been a while. I apologize for not being able to update this story for months. Entering the corporate world took a toll on me, and I dealt with serious writer's block. It took long to overcome it.

I won't promise to update frequently, but I'll try.

I hope you're all well and happy. Stay safe!

Yours Truly,
Aomine-san

PS. This is a flashback, in case you're confused. I don't like italicizing an entire chap idk why sorry