"Will you call me a sinner?" a thin sound from the dark came, followed by faint footsteps. Trailed off into the darkness, he found a faded Lily. His hands stretched to touch the soft texture of petals. A little bit to reach, but something snapped. Getting dragged downwards from Lily, He gasped. Struggled hard to shriek, to feel his voice, yet nothing came. Strangely, nothing.

~

Taehyung groaned loudly, eyelids shot open. Balancing on a sitting posture, he took a sharp breath. Minutes passed by to realise the nightmare he had. A sigh of exasperation escaped his throat since he found it was just four in the morning. Leaning back the cushion, he reached the water bottle to chug down the dryness inside him.

The room, he was staying, provided with little stuff, a door to exit and a window alongside his bed. The window delivered a beautiful view of the countryside. Whenever Taehyung felt worse, he would sit near the window to watch the landscape from the horizon.

Moving closer, he rested his head to the frame from where he could see the bus station of Daegu. The traffic lights flickered harmonising how his brain recalled the old memories despite the lingering nightmare at this hour. Moonlight seeped through the window merely illuminating his room and nature was breathing a breeze making his bangs sway. He looked up at the sky where the dazzling stars were.

A slight cracking sound formed near and unsettle the tranquillity so long. Letting his eyes follow the source of the sound, he slid his feet into a pair of slippers. Every steady step led him to the door across his room. Lily's Territory, a nameplate of handwritten letters, hanging on the hook, attached to the door a little ajar.

He pressed his palm to the wood and greeted by an empty room as expected. Taehyung, unfazed, walked into the room. The atmosphere here was stiff, darkness had the grip everywhere he roamed his eyes. He plopped down on the pressed bed. A bit of dust was here and there the evidence of being abandoned by its owner long ago.

Pressing his lips in a thin line, Taehyung scrutinised the place with his sad eyes. In search of something he was looking for, Taehyung glinted hope to find it in this dark. And how much he wished, he knew it was absurd to get what he lost. Unknowingly, he gazed at the mirror which was across him.

One small grin and a gulp of the secreting lump, he trailed around his eyes the place over again. The clock there as well stuck on the four for how long who knows. Meanwhile, a square-like object hit his feet. Picked up, Taehyung got a half-solved Rubik's cube. He smiled, sadly remembering those happy moments with his sister playing Rubik's cube. "Lily-ah" he sniffed in, "I miss you, Lily. If only I was a little more concerned, everything would be at least—" Taehyung halted to sniffle, "... and you would be here, telling me to stay." His sobs broke the silence of the empty room.

"Grief indeed has its gravity rooted you down. Still, living with guilt, eh?" Taehyung, in his bewilderment, blinked in his whimpers to trace the source of the sound. Being aware of no flesh and blood, Taehyung contemplated until his eyes faltered in the mirror. Even in this thick dusk, he could see a blurry, dark figure in the glass. His chest tightened up, unable to speak since his mind was playing tricks or it was what he thought.

A slow chuckle floated, "Hallucination you call it." The voice rumbled after a meaningful pause, "Already gotten tied up with guilt, Taehyung Kim. No matter how much you strive, you can't run away from this darkness." Sinister laughter replaced silence. Taehyung gulped his fear, he voiced deep, "Why!" Even if he tried to sound unfazed, dread replenished in the pit of his stomach, "Lingering like a nightmare, what does it get you?"

"Freedom," intonating low the phantom started to tremble, "Wasn't it a burden on you, Hmm?" Taehyung watched it swirl into a sphere before unleashing a view that was so unlikely. The mirror, leaving the bed he was sitting on, revealed a smoky reflection of a soul with shattered pieces of glasses scattered on the ground. He could see the broken glasses flickering around the soul. The whirling phantom, caging the smoky soul, shaped like a sizzling flame.

"No matter how much you try, you can't get me—" Taehyung was cut off from speaking, "How rude!" The phantom cooed sinisterly, "You're the one who starts drowning in guilt, letting me take over all your freedom, ain't you?" A menace filled laugh broke in the air, "You're the one is threatening me right now. So rude of you, Taehyung." One little pause, the phantom rumbled again, "How do you suppose Lily, your sister, to be with the likes of you?"

"Shut Up." this time Taehyung hissed suddenly shaking in anger, "Don't even think of calling her name? Or else..." and surprisingly Taehyung lost word to speak with boldness. "Then what, Taehyung Kim?"

Few more dreadful minutes passed by, and Taehyung could do nothing but stay in silence. The black phantom was doing its experiment over his patience. He wanted to put an end to this meaningless nightmare, to squish this dark figure with his two hands and splattered the blood out it. His thought was giving him a jolt to shoot up, yet he sat there and waited for the next.

"Impressive, Taehyung Kim. I'm liking it." With a full mocking tone, the phantom chuckled, "But I don't expect you to hate me too. Let's deal with a slim chance. Cause I can't assure you about the consequences, but the choice is yours." Taehyung scoffed in this dire situation, "And may I know that useless chance of yours?" His teeth gritted.

Taehyung heard a sigh like a whisper, "Erase Her." It was his turn to swallow while the phantom was emphasising, "Erase Lily. Wipeout all her recalls forever from your life." Taehyung knew this was coming yet he felt so weak. Lily, his sister, was one whom he couldn't do apart from his life. Since his childhood, Lily, one little girl, filled their family and him with lots of memories and tenderness. And in return, he couldn't give her anything.

Taehyung wanted to scream a No and flee away. And no matter how much he tried to stop this all, he knew it would begin as a movie scene where he was the prey of the same dark power. "Ahead of you, there's no future. Do what I say Taehyung." The black phantom rumbled, its dire voice ringing near his ear, "Do the right thing."

The last words got him a little taken aback. His eyes dropped again in the mirror. The smoky reflection of a soul was there caged by the black one. Taehyung wondered why he didn't notice this so long. He squinted his eyes towards it to watch the scenes it reflected. Those scenes were more like the lives of people, families and persons he loved to see always.

Little by little, every single thing around changed to which he didn't let himself bother. Even the gruff voice of the phantom became a mere murmur. Doing the right thing was all his brain registered. Before he could brace himself, a flash of light blinded him. He cupped his face until the light became adaptable to him.

The moment he unleashed the eyelids, Taehyung watched scenarios of people he loved floating ahead. Life there was serene and peaceful like an afternoon of spring, where the bird's sweet chirping brought leisure, and the empty path of the countryside whistled rhythm of the leaves. Taehyung's sense tingled to the sight of his family, his granny holding two-year-old Lily in arms while his parents and a young version of Taehyung were cooing to get her attention who curled up herself further into granny's lap.

"Lily-ah, "Taehyung's granny smiled at the child, "Don't get scared, my little sweet dear." Hearing her, Lily popped out her small brunette head to observe the surroundings. Leaving behind the orphanage's familiar atmosphere, she had lived since her birth, that was the first day with Taehyung's family.

Her hazel brown eyes watched Mr and Mrs Kim and dropped onto Taehyung who had been plastering his boxy smile of small teeth tight. Lily puffed up her wide eyes at him for a few minutes and blathered her first word, "Bla... tah!" pointing at him. The old lady smiled while the rest of them just admired, "Mother, How?" Mrs Kim cupped her mouth still adoring the cuteness of Lily.

"When I heard your miscarriage, I felt so sad for you, dear." The old lady started speaking to which Mrs Kim drew in her sulk. She then looked at pouty Taehyung who mirrored her mom and dad, "It made me awful to think of my grandson being a loner." Her finger stroked the small curly hair of Lily, "Poor little dear. Her mother died when she was born. Nobody could figure her mother's whereabouts. So, the orphanage authority decided to give her a name." Granny fondly gave Lily a peck, "Since I was one of authority and head of the orphanage, I signed her adoption paper that after my retirement I can take her with me."

"My daughter needs a good name." Taehyung's dad, after being silent so long, uttered with fondness. He approached Lily to take her in his lap, "Welcome to Kim's family, my daughter." Lily giggled and tried to feel his skin under her small palm. Taehyung raised his hand while jumping on his tiny feet, "I'll name her," he paused to sit and voice deep to act as a wise man, "I'd love to call my sister Kim Seo Yun Lily." At this, his mom, dad and granny nodded their head in approval while his sister giggled with a tooth.

The existing Taehyung watched it all, ignoring the tears that rolled down his cheeks. The scenario, he didn't want to let go, was fading, and he also wished to reach out to Lily. Wish where his weakness lies, he didn't mind receiving it. After all, that was what he thought doing right, despite it turning out to be a similar nightmare.

One last time for you... Taehyung heard a faint voice, he never heard of, and with that, he felt a pang of pain in his head. He wanted to yelp, yelp to cry. Everything had seemed like a disaster, a whirlpool of darkness, for how long he didn't know until he heard a soft feminine voice calling.

"Brother, wake up." Taehyung opened his eyelids blinking. He was lying on his bed. In front of him, Lily looked at him with her wide hazel brown eyes, long brunette curly hair sticking out from the sides, framing her pale chubby face. It took a few more minutes to realise that he was indeed seeing his sister. "Did I not wake you up? And you've gone to sleep again? You've surely missed your science tour." Lily kept continuing her lecture on him for being late again.

Taehyung watched her in a daze trying to realise what was going on since he couldn't specifically remember anything. The pain in the back of his head was throbbing as if he had jumped off a dark cliff. "Brother~" Lily's whine brought him back to pay attention to her, "You're not listening to me." Lily pulled up a pout at which Taehyung smiled, "It's okay Lil sis. Science tours don't bring fun to me anyway." He reached to her nose to pinch it dearly.

"If you say so. Come down soon for breakfast." with an existing pout on the face, Lily hopped to her feet and walked out of the room. Taehyung stayed on his bed for a few moments pondering before sliding off the sheets. He could see Lily's room from his, the door was wide open, and the room was bright. Even the most admirable view of the room gave him a slight jolt. Taehyung didn't know what it was. All he needed was to splash water over his face for a refreshing start.

The kitchen at the end of the small corridor where the delicious smell of food was coming from. Lily must be doing something nice for breakfast. Shrugging off the evil thoughts, Taehyung climbed down the stairs inhaling the sweet smell. No matter how much worse it feels like, food brings all the delights when breakfast is homemade Japchae, Taehyung's favourite and Lily's speciality. He would have dashed into the kitchen and started savouring the food but, wait! Where's Lily?

No traces of his sister caused him to gulp in fear until he heard sounds from the other room used to be his grandmother's. The room was full of her stuff. Taehyung jogged there to see Lily looking for something. "Lily-ah! What are you doing?" Halting on what she was doing, Lily looked at him with a blank face, "How forgetful I am!" Taehyung forced his laughter back at the contemplated sight of her.

"Tell me what it is." Taehyung ruffled her hair while taking a seat on the couch near the nightstand. "Dory. It's Finding Dory." Lily answered, fiddling with fingers. Taehyung chuckled at her fourteen years old sister with a soul like a toddler who never gets tired of watching an animation movie over again while eating. "Fish that forgets things like me," an evident pout made her look like a soft marshmallow.

Taehyung stretched out the drawer of the nightstand and grabbed the CD. Lily, in her amusement, dashed towards her brother, "Ah! I thought I lost you, Dory. Brother, you saved my life." Taehyung chuckled and wondered how his sister managed to stay at home all day long. She even chose to get homeschooled. Ever since their granny had died, Lily had to experience unexpected behaviour treated by the people who were the so-called relatives of Kim's family.

The opened drawer had some more stuff, Taehyung noticed, one of those was an album. Their granny had been a woman with passions and pursuits that reflected on her collections. Taehyung picked out the album ignoring the morning appetite and flipped it open. "Lily-ah, remember this!" He exclaimed being all jumpy that Lily had to see it. Both smiled at the photo of Lily's welcoming day with the family. Their granny held a giggling Lily being hugged by little Taehyung and their parents standing just behind happily.

"I wish granny would be with us," Lily said in a low tone enough to hear for Taehyung, "Then, I could get to learn to be strong just like her." Words came like a whisper. "You resemble so much of granny. You know that "He stroked her strands dearly. Lily smiled with gloom, "They didn't see it in me, brother. Even if I try to be one." Lily sounded like a grown-up who acted like a forgetful toddler a few moments ago, "The dissimilarity is still there. Where's the lie though? I'm someone who doesn't have any past. Just trying to fit in somewhere I don't even belong."

The morning rays fell on Lily, for her sitting position near the window, glinting fear embedded on doubts she was holding in. A mixture of impressions, he could picture, was always the cause of shattering her cheerful aura and Taehyung hated it. He despised how the fear of being criticised, for only her identity, confined her from conducting a regular life. And also felt remorseful cause after all being her brother, Taehyung was unable to do anything of all this.

His day's daily routine was effortless—Waking up, attending classes until afternoon, coming back home when the sun sank, having dinner and lastly must have some time with Lily playing pillow fights. Never had he heard Lily complaining; instead, she showed interest to listen about his activities of the day as if those had a worth of listening.

His thought was Interrupted by the smell of food coming from the kitchen. "Ah! I need to prepare the table and do some milkshake. You should wash your hands off." Drawing back a small smile casually on her face, she stood up, dusting the wrinkles of her dress. "Japchae and milkshake, different in taste yet bring delight. Don't you think?" Lily halted on her track, hearing her brother. By her sight, she depicted a thoughtful Taehyung watching space, "The missing pieces of us were the reason we're together. Whatever they want to mean doesn't matter."

A meaningful smile appeared on Lily's face. "Nothing could be blissful than living in the small world of mine that I treasured the most, brother." She looked outside the window where the plants and flowers were dangling, "A flower arboretum of mine. Anxious when the rose spike hurts me where I'm the only Lily." Taehyung blinked contemplating on what his sister had said. "Now Come on. Make haste." Lily hurried lest she should look vulnerable with tears this morning.

Taehyung shook his head in despair and decided to evacuate the room. Mentally he thanked his luck to get at least a day unintentionally to spend with his sister since it was getting hard to spend at home. Taehyung closed the door behind to head back to the kitchen but stopped by the doorbell. The signature ringing of the bell helped him to wind up about the person behind the street door.

He sighed and casually trudged himself to open it. Revealing a chubby boy wearing a bucket cap to conceal the upper half of his face didn't make it difficult to recognise him, "Seriously, Jihyun. Why did you skip the science tour?" Taehyung complained, putting on a straight face towards the boy who was looking down at his feet.

"I felt bored and–" Jihyun fiddled his fingers to come up with an excuse. Lily peeked from behind Tae while crossing her hands over the chest, "Where there is no Taehyung, there is no Hyunie, isn't it?" She smiled at the already blushing Jihyun who promptly looked away to hide, a habit he built up whenever the said girl had beamed.

"Appreciate my anticipation, brother. Now come on in before the Japchae gets cold. Hyunie, don't forget to wash your face too." Lily ordered, disappearing herself inside. "We'll get a chocolate milkshake after that," Taehyung cackled, throwing his hand over his shoulder at which Jihyun beamed in joy, "Really, Hyung! Morning can't be better than this."

Jihyun Park, Taehyung's friend, spends most of his time with them despite being a year younger. His home, living with his dad, was a stone's throw from Kim's residence. Daegu was never his birthplace since his dad got transferred from Busan. He had to leave his mom and elder brother back in Busan for some reason. Taehyung's family made him at home from every respect as their dads were colleagues of the same farm.

"Take a bit more, Hyunie." Lily, reflecting the care of Mrs Kim, served the dish. Indeed, she evolved her cooking skill and fondness while doing so. "But I've already taken a plateful, Lily-ah. Besides, I've done my breakfast before leaving," Jihyun whined a little. Lily crossed her hands putting up a straight face, "You mean a sliced bread with jam for breakfast then a whole run to the school just to check whether my brother was there or not and then come back here. Do you wanna fool me with your half-empty tummy? Not a chance."

Taehyung watched them bickering while swallowing. He could remember the first time Lily had befriended Jihyun and how shy to even talk to each other. He smiled secretly. "Don't look at me. I'm not defending." Taehyung mumbled towards Jihyun who was asking to help him through his eyes. Lily, satisfied, sat across them to eat as well. "You two should eat more." Lily, with a mouthful of food, told the boys, "I'm worried about troubles you're gonna deal with at school." Not even had enough experience of school, Lily could figure it out.

"I bet your friends already have started missing you." Taehyung joined while sipping to which Jihyun pulled up a scowl, "Better call them a bunch of plastic people." Lily cooed at how Jihyun's frown brought the cute crescent eyes. Suddenly, her smile dropped, "Brother!" facepalming, "I forgot Dory again. How come I start eating without watching Dory?" Tae sighed a bit, "You've just taken a chunk. Don't be remorseful and go get it." With a quick nod, Lily sprinted towards the room where she left it.

The only sound that existed in the kitchen was them munching their food in pleasant. "So, "Jihyun muffled, "Is Lily attending the occasion?" Taehyung slowed on munching food and looked at the younger, "I've decided not to." A small sigh was heard, "Hyung, "Jihyun turned at him, "At least, the occasion, you can bring her. I've never heard of an occasion held for siblings before, but Lily will be happy to see you performing at the stage. Besides—"

"I don't want her to be in our school." Taehyung mid-sentenced him poking the food. "But, why?" Jihyun asked with protest, "You always wanted her to go outside, live as we do." The boy reasoned. "I do want her to live like normal," Tae replied, clenching his jaws at which the younger boy pressed his bottom lips, "But not with me. You know why, don't you?" Taehyung faced Jihyun fully. His now blue eyes were pleading him not to talk more about this.

Taehyung felt difficulty swallowing his food. Deep inside Grief surged to make him miserable. He knew how Lily became traumatised with ill-treatment she had received from the relatives and the neighbours. Despite that, Taehyung wanted his sister to be strong enough, conduct life with her own identity and get to be known rather than isolated. And when there was a chance for him, Taehyung couldn't but hold himself back from doing so.

About the school, all she acknowledged was his brother having lots of good friends. Sometimes, he was laughed at by his conscience, telling her such lies. Taehyung often heard her wishing to meet his friends if she ever managed to go out for a bit when the truth was too oblivious for her to know. If only Lily knew his brother just tries hard to fit in a friend zone, just like her. Their ignorance, as if a paranoia of being loner, towards him often made him think what his flaws were until he met Jihyun. On the contrary, this younger buddy got the attention from his mates, mostly girls, yet he cared less calling them fake and kept sticking with Tae.

His thought got interrupted by the abrupt noise of the object falling. Taehyung, as well as Jihyun, turned to the source and found Lily awkwardly standing there. She was in her bafflement looking at the CD she dropped. Taehyung felt a very gut feeling of her overheard them as he tried to deduce that empty gaze of his sister. "Lily-ah, you... okay?" Jihyun tried voicing a little shaking.

The said girl with emptiness in eyes, approached the room slowly, "Brother!" the way she called Taehyung had to glance at her in anticipation, "M-mom was on the phone minutes ago. Know what she said?" The air of the surroundings became thick, "W-what was it?" Both Tae and Jihyun asked in unison. Lily inhaled deeply before articulating, "Mom said that..." a meaningful pause went by, "...We should order pizzas and she's gonna pay It. Yay, It's P-I-Z-Z-A TIME," her joyful squeal indeed had the boys dropped their mouth with the food inside.

"Oh, dear! My weak, poor heart. I was nearly having a cardiac attack, "Jihyun exhaled his breath while putting hands on his chest. Taehyung quietly sighed in relief. "Hyunie, be strong, my boy, "Lily burst out laughing at him then watched her brother from the corner of her eyes taking the last chunk of food quietly. He was too unaware to notice the empty gaze of his sister shimmering both fears and insecurities. Yet, there was something more in the girl urging her to be strong. She uttered with that same smile on her, "Try to feel at ease with fear, Hyunie, for the strength in you that has never known of. Am I right, brother?"

Taehyung was a little taken aback hearing his sister since he was out of paying attention and looked blank. Lily rolled her eyes, "Now, my brother. We should order soon to get the pizzas." Taehyung nodded, smiling at her and exited the kitchen. His mind was clouded with weird thoughts. The only thing he reckoned was those empty gazes of Lily that he couldn't decipher. Wise men say a woman is Almighty's one of the beautiful creations. Indeed they are beautiful in any form with the smile that has infatuation to fall for, but their eyes carry all the mysteries that make it hard to know them.

Taehyung was getting distracted and let his brain proceed with the everyday actions of ordering for pizza. When he'd done with the process turned to head back but halted. Lily was leaning on the wall crossing hands over her chest standing there. "Lily-ah! What are you doing here?" Taehyung asked her who just deadpanned. "I heard everything," Her answer had him gone bewildered. Taehyung started sweating profusely and waited for her to speak.

Lily lowered her, gazes, "You ordered four pizzas instead of three." Wait, what? Taehyung threw a blank stare before rechecking it. He'd made a mistake for which his mom would certainly scold him. "Calm down, my brother. We can be a nice ogre for that extra one. Mommy won't know. Don't worry," she affirmed batting her eyelids like a puppy. Taehyung had to urge back to roll his eyes, "There will be a memo too, Lily-ah."

Lily seemed to ponder for a few moments, "What if we use our pocket money? Mommy will scold less." Taehyung curved a smile. He knew that his mom wouldn't let any of them pay for the extra one, and Lily would get his back if he got chided, something his sister always does. "Let's go to the backyard. Jihyun is there too." Lily patted on his shoulder. "What's he doing in that storage?" Taehyung, being confused, asked her.

"You'll see it," she smirked while handing him a mug of milkshake. They jogged out to the backyard, which was meant to be trash storage to Taehyung. The backyard they had wasn't a big one in size but long in proportion. Since their parents stayed out for job purposes and Taehyung with his classes, they scarcely gave attention to this part of the house. So when Tae stepped on the yard, his eyes got bulged up.

The absence of trash brought a difference from what it was. Taehyung could see an expanded mini flower garden at one side of the yard, and the decoration using the attics was stunning. A small table with chairs just beside the garden where Jihyun was seated sipping his milkshake. "Lily-ah! You did all this!" Taehyung explained to the proudly looking Lily. He giggled and turned to look at the garden.

The flowers and plants of the garden were conveying Lily's tend for gardening. Taehyung wondered from where Lily managed the seeds for all these. "There is a flower shop that opens every day at the end of this block. The owner is an elderly woman and her daughter moved in here last month." Taehyung was listening to her while tossing a look at Jihyun. The boy was awkwardly silent, yet he kept paying heed to his sister.

"Mom bought all these plants for you, didn't she?" Taehyung asked. Lily raised her brows, "Well, Hyunie helped me too by buying seeds." Tae was surprised as he spun his heel to face all so quiet Jihyun, "And the brat didn't even tell me!" Jihyun rolled his eyes, "Don't look at me. I was told so." Jihyun retorted, bringing out a small beige package before swaying it in the air.

Lily hopped towards him to get it, a satisfied smile of hers had Jihyun struggled to hide his tinted cheeks. "Ah, don't scold him, brother. I just wanted to give you a surprise." Taehyung had to put on a pout but resisted to do so. "Brother, I need to wash the breakfast dishes. You two enjoy the drink, "Lily was rushing inside while Tae spoke from behind, "Lily-ah, when the pizzas arrive, give a call to mom right away." "I will," Lily nodded and disappeared inside.

Taehyung then dropped his gaze on the younger pal of his. Jihyun was quiet for long, which surely didn't go unnoticed from Tae. He walked until he stopped near him and dragged a chair to sit, "Oh, great silent monk, the possessive soul of introverts!" Taehyung's sudden deep voice startled poor Jihyun, "Leave my precious Jihyun and come another day." Instead of a scowl, the said boy ended up laughing, "Hyung, you're something."

Tae patted his head, "You looked bothered. Is there anything wrong?" Hearing him ask, Jihyun's smile faltered, replacing it with conflicts. He seemed more uneasy than usual. "Missing your brother, hm?" Taehyung softly asked, and Jihyun looked at him, giving a small hesitant nod to divert the actual explanation. The said boy then shrugged off and straightened his shoulder, "I assume you've progressed your practice with the saxophone, hyung."

Taehyung chewed his lips, "Well, You can reckon. After all, our guide teacher helped me a lot." he paused for a sigh, "I wish Lily could hear it." Jihyun didn't say anything and stayed silent as he could see her figure afar from the corner of his eyes. She was inside doing chores exquisitely. "Hyung, Whatever you decide, I do respect it. But at least think over it for once," Jihyun uttered. Taehyung was watching his sister's garden, the growing flowers and green plants, getting rapt with the beauty of nature, and spared a glance at the boy.

Taehyung inhaled the fresh air as if the remorse had suffocated him, "I don't want her to get embarrassed for me, Hyunie." Jihyun chewed his lips, "Not telling her won't make any better." Taehyung faced Jihyun to observe. He could sense something was wrong and also unsure of what it was. Still, he calmed himself and put a hand on Jihyun's shoulder, "I know you're concerned about her as much as I am. That's why all I want is to give her a fresh start, not embarrassment." Taehyung smiled at Jihyun, who was parting his mouth.

"Pizzas here." they froze on their position twice a day due to her squeal followed by a carved smile. Jihyun reached to grab a piece, but his hand got a slight slap. "Let me serve, will you?" Lily while slicing it in pieces, scolded him. And their bickerings began. Taehyung shook his head, smiling at their friendly arguing. Also wondered if this moment could be locked, if he could hold the butterfly longer. What if all these were just a dream that would eventually perish and he would lose again.

Taehyung shrugged off from his thoughts as he felt a tap on his shoulder, "Brother, you seemed zoned out. What happened?" He pondered a few seconds before shaking his head as if nothing happened. Time went by.

Lily made Jihyun a hold of a lunch box. The boy wobbled a little near the street door since she did that abruptly while he was doing his shoes. "I assume walking home will burn some calories and make your tummy half-empty. Eat well as soon as you arrive home, will you?" Lily asserted. "Your command is my duty, Madame," Jihyun bent dramatically. Taehyung smiled and patted his shoulders, "See you tomorrow at school, Hyunie. We can't be late tomorrow."

"What's tomorrow?" Crossing her hands over her chest, Lily turned to Taehyung. She looked naive and composed. Taehyung looked away, mentally cursing for not being careful talking about the school's sibling day event. He supposed his sister to go obstinate about it but her all so calm demeanour made him wonder. Even Jihyun's conflicted face he had seen earlier was back and wanting him to give concern.

But Taehyung could care less and prioritise diverting the topic. "An event we have tomorrow," he swiftly replied, counting on his friend to sound it genuine. Jihyun didn't utter a single word averting his gaze. "Doesn't it have a name?" Lily asked, her lips formed a little pout. "It has," Jihyun slowly responded, "The name is a little too weird to hear. You better not know it." Speaking like that, Jihyun set out not sparing a gaze.

Taehyung stood open-mouthed until Lily started to speak, "Don't worry about him. Jihyun often acts strange. You should have known that." He obediently followed her inside while having a bad feeling. The rest of the day went as usual. After dinner, he got into his room pondering. "This is exhausting," he said to himself, picking a book from the shelf, "Why all of a sudden things have become so weird?"

Taehyung recalled the day again but couldn't find the missing piece of puzzles. "Are you studying, brother?" He spun to see Lily standing on the doorstep. "Not actually. Come on in." He smiled at the said girl who walked in hugging her doll, "You look so tired." "But not sleepy," Taehyung huffed. "Is it for tomorrow's event?" Lily asked, resting her face on her palm.

Taehyung took a deep breath to conceal the anxiety and gave a small nod. Lily settled herself near the window looking outside. "Are you not going to bed?" He asked since his sister sat there in silence. "Don't worry about me. I don't have classes or events like you." Lily replied, not even turning. Taehyung quietly sighed as the moment passed.

It'd often happen when they just sat together, not exchanging any words, and stared at the sky full of stars. Except for the awkwardness, it was the first time only for Taehyung. He cleared his throat, "So, you've done wishing to the stars? I mean, the silence is exploding my head." Lily laughed a little at his remarks, "Those are just planets millionth light-years away. And..." the girl yawned, "my wish was the same from the beginning to the one who creates those stars."

"Stars, beautiful and mysterious," Taehyung exclaimed looking at the sky, "Remember, Lily-ah! Granny used to call you one of the most intelligent girls." Lily resting her chin on the back of her hand, hummed, "And also called you the coolest boy." Lily giggled like one proud sister and Taehyung ended up carving his lips until his throat left a sigh unknowingly. Since it was dark, Taehyung assumed his sister would be unable to notice it. Little did he know the girl could decipher him better even in the darkness.

"Wanna hear what I wish, brother?" Lily tilted her head. The brunette curly hair swayed as the wind blew in. Taehyung didn't utter anything. His lips turned into a thin line. "One day, I will roam around the neighbourhood, play hide & seek in playgrounds. you and Jihyun will be with me and—" Lily paused all of a sudden and blinked, "I shouldn't dream too much." Her expression faltered.

"Don't make a long face, Lily." Taehyung caressed her head, dearly, "One day, your dream will come true. You'll certainly bring this family the utmost pride." Lily looked at him in the eyes, "For that, I need you, brother," her words came out like a whisper. If it was because of the moonlight, Taehyung didn't know, he saw her pleading stare shimmering a single tear. Before he could figure, the girl blinked averting gaze. "At least you can take a rest if you don't feel sleepy," Lily patted his shoulder with a smile, stood up and walked out the room.

Taehyung watched until her figure disappeared into her room. The rest of the night went sleepless, for the boy was perplexed. That pleading stare wanted to convey something that he failed to deduce. Was she up to something? Was all he could think. However, time marched on since the alarm struck at six.

Taehyung yawned while staying half-awake the whole night. He started changing into school uniforms, to get ready for the event. When he'd done, he reached for his backpack, which was on the table. Taehyung saw a familiar yellow envelope lying under the bag. It was the invitation card of sibling day Taehyung had been hiding from his sister as the boy didn't want to throw it away either. He opened it to see even though he knew the context of it. There was a space to put down the sibling's name on it. Kim Seo Yun Lily he'd even written her name down there which made him scoff at him. Taehyung didn't know what he was exactly doing. He could only feel confliction within him.

Taehyung sighed and exited his room. Lily must be sleeping like a baby, or that was what he assumed. He left the invitation card on the table and the door open before sparing a glance to Lily's closed door. Climbing down the stair, then to the street door, Taehyung knew Jihyun must come by now waiting outside. He was right about that, the boy stood outside holding the empty lunch box which Lily had given him.

"Leave the lunch box here, Hyunie. You can't just carry it all day." Taehyung suggested. "Isn't Lily awake?" Jihyun fiddled his fingers. Taehyung looked at the boy before looking over his shoulder to see the half-opened window of Lily's room. "Hyung, "Jihyun voiced quietly, "C-can I wait here for her?" Taehyung silently watched the boy. Surely, he was the only friend of these siblings, and he could wait for her. Therefore, Taehyung shouldn't be taken aback with this. "I'll catch you later in the event, promise." Jihyun suddenly uttered like he was emphasising.

Taehyung chewed his lips looking away, "Sure," he sounded deep, "You can. And keep your promise too." He forced a smile at the boy who just nodded. Taehyung, Inhaling, walked past him to exit when he heard Jihyun, "Just want to hear my elder brother in Busan. Our phone is dead." He slowly spun his heel to greet his friend looking down at his feet. Well, why not. Their school's event is about siblings, and there were probably unlucky who were unable to bring their brother and sister. One was far away to get, and the other was kept unaware just because her brother didn't wanna embarrass her.

He, sighing, patted his buddy's shoulder, "Go ahead. Take your time talking to him. Tell him about us too, okay?" Jihyun nodded with a smile, "You better off now, hyung. You have a show to perform." Taehyung smiled back, "And I can't wait to see you volunteering with groups my little Hyunie." At this, Jihyun pouted a little then laughed. Taehyung set out completely unaware of being watched by his sister from that half-closed window.

Events such as this always brought chaos and crowds in school which was familiar for the students. "Keep in mind, you must play your instruments accordingly." Their guiding teacher was giving last instructions to the team. Taehyung was warming himself up with the saxophone since he'd be playing the music's central part. Sounds of claps and piano tunes coming from outside drifted the area. The team no longer needed to wait, since they were the next to perform. Taehyung exchanged glances with his guide teacher, who just gave a small nod of reassuring. Taking a deep breath, he stepped on the stage with his mates and bowed.

Taehyung cautiously observed the audience area. However, he knew nobody would be there watching him perform. But back of his mind, a feeling arose which he couldn't decipher. He swallowed while glancing at his team around him, getting ready to play the chorus with their instruments. Soon the team started to perform what they had prepared. It was a mixture of classical kinds of music they were playing. Taehyung tried to give all his concentration. While doing his part, he thought of Lily. If she had been here, she would have been cheering him.

The thought was enough to make him feel at ease as Taehyung showed the best of him with his team. Soon their performance came to a culmination. After a short silence, a massive round of applause came as expected. A loud noise came afterwards, which no one expected made them turn to look through the auditorium window to see what happened. Taehyung swallowed when he saw one of the volunteer's teams coming towards him.

Out of instinct, Taehyung left the stage and hurried to the volunteer boy. The boy didn't say anything but gestured to him to follow. They walked in a fast-paced, leaving the auditorium behind. The more they were getting nearer to the spot, the more Taehyung felt uncertainty piling up in his stomach. A considerable commotion gathered outside. From Taehyung's sight, he could see a pick-up van, and in front of that, someone was crouching down.

Taehyung fixed his gaze to understand as the male figure was turning to be familiar. His chest was getting heavier when Taehyung realised the boy was no one but his friend Jihyun, trembling in a whimper. Taehyung became bewildered when he saw a pool of blood. He blinked, could sense goosebumps, and the next thing he did was to push through the crowd.

Taehyung wasn't ready to see the next thing. Never had he imagined, he would see Lily, his sister. In the puddle of blood, she was lying, trying to breathe and stay awake with her remaining strength. Her pale skin and hair caked with fresh blood. Beside her, Jihyun, helpless and sobbing, held her close. Taehyung's feet couldn't have him any longer. He desperately wished it was a lie, instead heard her voice.

"Bla...tah!" Lily coughed out blood, breath got uneven, her eyes trying to see her brother. Taehyung hurriedly took his sister into his lap, "Lily-ah, you'll be fine. Don't be scared. Brother is here." Taehyung hitched while speaking, hand trembled while caressing the girl's brunette curly hair. His dress and face got stained with Lily's blood, but he didn't care at all. Taehyung looked at Jihyun, holding Lily's hand. Her other hand weakly held a small flower bouquet. Lily tried to utter, but her voice came out more like a whisper. Taehyung slid his hand to keep both her hand and the flower bouquet.

"Why did you come, Lily-ah? Why?" Taehyung sobbed, hugging his sister close. Lily's breath got weak as she splattered out some more blood. She tried to touch her brother's face with her shaky hand and whispered her last word, "sorry." Silence came over when Taehyung felt the chilliness of her body. In his lap, she looked like a doll resting for no tomorrow in peace. Taehyung kept looking at her, bloodless face, no response was there. He whispered, "That's...all my fault. Will you call me sinner?" He quietly whimpered.

Taehyung felt the same pang of pain in his head as earlier as soon as he uttered. He found everything turning into mist around him little by little. The light was here hazy, and Taehyung sat there hugging Lily in his lap. He was unaware of how to react when he saw Lily's body was fading into the flickering light. Around him were a thickening fog and Taehyung sitting closed eyes. Ready to be dragged downwards in the darkness, to experience another nightmare, since all this came to a realisation.

Seconds passed, and Taehyung found nothing happening as he expected. He then slowly opened his eyes. It was still the same surrounding, and the boy saw the smoky reflection of a soul as earlier in a few feet of distance. Taehyung startled when the soul shook and started to come closer. The more it got nearer, the more Tae scrunched his brows as the boy scrutinised it. Taehyung got stunned and widened his eyes as he saw none but Lily's soul.

"Brother," Her thin voice made Taehyung blink multiple times. "Lily? H-how?" He stuttered, sweating profusely. She sat calmly before him and looked upward at the sky. "Remember, brother! You once said stars are beautiful and mysterious." Taehyung didn't answer back. "They glow brightly in the Milkyway and eventually fall or perish when it's the end of their life span." Lily or her soul said. Taehyung chewed his lips bowing down. He didn't know what to utter.

However, Taehyung felt a cold touch. He turned to see Lily smiling at her, "You weren't the guilty. It was destined to happen." Taehyung shook his head scoffing. "You were being protective to me. Any brother will do that to his sister," The soul replied after a pause. Taehyung watched her for a few moments, then looked upward at the sky, "Then... what fault do our stars have?"

"I'm just a fragment of your dream. Do you want me to explain?" The soul lifted her brow. Taehyung neither turned to her nor answered. "Uncertainty," staying true to her nature, even as a soul, she explained as short as possible. "Both of us." Taehyung slowly turned to face her. "Uncertain of doing right," he completed her explanation.

Taehyung chewed his lips and fell in deep thought. Everything was clean, like water. At least he did right not erasing the memory and that he didn't need to bury the past anymore. His nightmare is now a mere shadow. Where he might be alone, but this trivial memory probably will bring a small smile and lead him on his way.

"From now on, you don't need to feel guilty. Till my last day your smile was my strength." Taehyung turned to the soul who was facing him, smiling. "We can't deny fate but let our happy memories be your strength and only silver galaxy." Taehyung, with parted lips, blinked. Nobody exchanged words, for they got the answer. The answer that could end all the guilt and uncertainty.

Taehyung's face curved to mirror Lily's smile. The light flickered slowly on them. Lily or her soul lifted its hand to cup her brother's eyes, "Greet the tomorrow, my brother." Her thin voice chanted before fading into the air. Taehyung didn't know how long had passed. He heard chirpings, shrugged in cool air, felt the warmth of soft rays but kept his eyes closed. Until he sensed a warm touch on his skin, caressing.

Taehyung revealed his eyelids batting to see his mom sitting beside him. He blinked to understand. "Morning, son," his mom wished. Taehyung cleared his throat to wish his mom back. Taehyung's mom, Mrs Kim, watched her son before patting his head, dearly, "When did you get here?" Taehyung contemplated a few moments. He had almost refused to come to this room since his sister's death. "Mom, I—"

"Missed her." Mrs Kim mid-sentenced him, "No matter how much you try, you do think of your sister. so do us, dear." She gulped her sulk. Taehyung looked at his mom, who was bowing down to hide her tears. He hugged her to cry out the sorrow. Moments passed. Mrs Kim breathed in a while, wiping away her tears. "You've done packing your bags?" Taehyung looked at her, "Yeah, almost done." He rubbed his face, "The bus to Seoul leaves at six in the evening. Still have enough time to give a recheck." Taehyung reassured his mom.

She bobbed her head. Taehyung looked at the mirror across him. It merely reflected them as it does. He heard his mom calling beside him, and he hummed in response. "Jihyun came and—," before she could finish, Taehyung puffed up his eyes in excitement, "Jihyun came? Is the brat downstairs?" Taehyung being all jumpy attempted to walk out the room, but his mom stopped him.

"He came yesterday evening to give you this. You were out at that time." His mom exhaled. Taehyung huffed in despair. Ever since Lily's death, Jihyun stopped coming to school. Even avoided people to meet, including Taehyung. Which just hurt Taehyung but he didn't force him to talk. "Why didn't he wait?" Taehyung uttered in the gloom.

"Because they had to catch the last bus of Busan." His mom replied quietly. Taehyung was taken aback hearing this. "Before leaving, he wanted me this to give you, "Mrs Kim fetched out a paper box and handed it to her son. Taehyung looked at the box for a few moments. A white paper box tied with a golden ribbon. Floral design crafted at edges of the box.

Taehyung gulped in when he recognised the box. He opened it carefully and found a piece of paper, a purple ribbon and a hand-made bracelet. The purple ribbon looked little shabby beside the bracelet. He picked up the paper which happened to be a letter, Jihyun's letter, and started to read.

Hyung(brother),

I'm sorry for everything. When you read this, I might be on my way to Busan. Call me a coward for running away from my unatoned sin. But I have to. If only I had been a little more concerned, nothing like this would have happened. I could have explained everything, but I didn't have the gut to face you. So I wrote this letter.

That day, when Lily overheard us and pleaded to take her with me to school, I couldn't be able to say a no. She wasn't scared of getting embarrassed. All she wanted to see you perform at the stage while cheering you and to see you happy. We walked all the way, tying our hands with a purple ribbon rather than holding so that we didn't get lost. Funny. She covered her face with a scarf from getting noticed. We arrived just in time and waited to give you a surprise unless those bullies of the school caught us. I would have managed the mess, but Lily came in between to defend me. They harassed, snatched the flower bouquet from Lily and threw it on the road. Never had I thought Lily would run behind it tearing the ribbon. And before I could run... I don't have the strength to describe any further.

Hyung, it's okay if you don't wanna forgive me. It's just wherever you go, and whatever you do, I hope you'll stay safe.

Your sinner friend,

Jihyun

A single teardrop doused on the letter where Jihyun's name was. The rusty and torn edged purple ribbon swaying little in the air. Taehyung gulped a fatty lump and picked the bracelet from the box. It was made of beads and coloured ribbons. Lily had made it for his brother, might have the desire to see his brother wearing it. But it'd left undone.

Taehyung wore it and looked at the mirror where he met the dark power of his guilt last night. The mirror reflects now as any other does, the room looks bright except for a little dusty. His eyes trailed around the room before leaving. Time ticked on.

Taehyung, all prepared, was standing in the garden. His mom had been taking care of it after Lily's departure. The afternoon rays fell on the leaves. "Never think of skipping your meals and don't get yourself lost on the city roads, are you listening?" Mrs Kim there lectured on her child when the boy was just putting a poker face on. "Mommy, I'm not a five-year-old anymore." He whined and cleared his throat to sound grown-up. "Yeah, who hugs stuffed toys while sleeping. Cute~." She chanted a coo, and Taehyung simply rolled his eyes.

"When you arrive in Seoul, don't forget to call us." Mr Kim's voice rumbled from behind them. Taehyung nodded as a response while tying his shoes. The sun sank, leaving a purple hue in the west. Waving goodbye to the parents, Taehyung set off for the Daegu bus station. He tossed a glance over his shoulder, could see the half-closed window of Lily's Territory.

Taehyung knew there was no one hiding behind the curtain. But he surely knew the memories he left there. Where he got to understand what could be done, even if it feels burdensome. Because the past is unchangeable and the future is uncertain. Now is where he could live with what he feels right like a fresh lily does.