Sunlight shone lightly onto Shinae's eyes. She squinted slightly and turned her body round. Her body ached with every tiniest move, and her injuries seems sorer than ever. 

"Umm... Ughh... Stop- hurting! Aaaarrrghh." She grunted as she burrowed herself deeper into the soft pillowy blanket.

She flinched as someone slightly pat on her shoulder. The cut on it stung and and the pain seared through her arm. She shivered and recoiled from the touch, snugging deeper into her bundle of sheets.

"Child? Are you awake?", a gentle yet cheerful voice whispered close to her, and seeing her reaction, the owner of the voice quickly retrieved her hand.

Her body involuntarily relaxed at the comforting sound. She turned around slightly to see the person who has just spoken.

An unfamiliar middle-aged women was standing before her with a worried and apologetic smile on her kind face. Her silky blond hair tied in a messy bun loomed over Shinae's half covered face, motherly and caring.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, dear! I forgot you have a wound there! There now, does it hurt much?"

"I-- You--", Shinae stammered. She has began to realize that the sheet she was snuggling in was completely different from her old yellowish white blanket at home. The rooms was completely strange to her, as well. She was lying on the lower bunk of a double-bunked bed, with aqua blue blankets and ivory white sheets.

"Dear?", the woman called her again.

Shinae snaped out of her thoughts and bolted upright.

"I... um...". She smiled awkwardly, "Excuse me, madam, but... who are you and... where am I exactly?"

The lady suddenly chuckled and patted her head.

This pat... It seems so similar... yet I couldn't see how...

"Oh my, I've totally forgot! You were asleep when Ran and Rindou brought you home last night, so it's okay that you don't remember anything. My, it was lucky that I was visiting them this week! Otherwise, I'm sure those dummies won't know how to deal with your wounds. You would have died of infection if I weren't there to treat them. Really, Ran was a bundle of nerves over your bruises and cuts, when Rinrin didn't care at all. Let me guess, Rindou must have fought with you, didn't he? Strange he didn't break either of your legs like he usually does..."

Her chatter went on and on, but Shinae couldn't keep up with her pace. Her mind was stuck at the first sentence.

"Ran... Rindou...", she muttered, and then, as if someone snapped a switch in her head, everything that happened the day before replayed like a film in her mind.

What was wrong with my mind! Was I blind or something? THAT b_tch could not have been Aniki! Just for some tiny resemblance and I lost my fvcking common sense?! Wow, I've lost my chance to take revenge, too!! That Ran motherfvcker... I had hope that I'd be able to end that assh_le yesterday, since today is Aniki's ... memorial day.

Shinae choked on her words.

Fvck you, both of you!

"... And then Ran was like, completely shocked when I took off your T-shirt. He must have thought you were a boy! The boy blushed so hard he had to leave the room. We got some of Rindou's clothes for you, though it is still too big. He didn't care, he complained all night. Really, what's wrong with all your injuries? There is even a fresh new cut in your neck! That is really dangerous, dear. And except from the new ones I see that you have quite a lot of older scars and bruises..."

Shinae wavered at the mention of her scars. They had always been her greatest shame, and she hated every one of them. They came from her Mother's fits and whippings, and the fact that they would never fade seems to spit it her face that... her Mother hated her. Forever.

"... So, dear, if there is any problem in your household, you can always come and talk to me, okay? I will treat all your wounds and help you as much as possible, dear."

She smiled kindly and patted Shinae's head again. Shinae felt flooded with understanding and sympathy so warm she could almost feel it physically.

What is this feeling? So comforting that I feel uncomfortable. Why does she care for me? Does she even know me? She seems so similar yet so different, somehow.

The picture of Mother's fabulous face flashed before her eyes.

Yes... This is how Mother used to treat me... Kindly... Motherly... But Mother's kindness was so shallow and meaningless.

Shinae shyly turned to the woman before her.

Her caring is... genuine... Although it only originated from pity but... At least it is real...

Shinae couldn't help herself but reached her hands and hugged the figure before her. 

"Thank you... madam...", She muttered quietly.

The woman seems pleasingly surprised at her sudden action, but smiled and hugged Shinae back.

"My name's not madam. I am Reiko Haitani, dear."

Shinae broke the hug and got out of bed.

"Yes, mada- um- Haitani-san."

Reiko-san laughed and patted her head again.

"We are all Haitani-sans in this household, dear. You can call me Reiko-san. Now, go and wash your face, dear, breakfast is ready for you."

She said as she was leaving the room.

Shinae turned back and made her bed, smoothing the aqua blue sheets with her palms and rearranged the sky blue pillow. Her body still aches with every single movement, but it seems much more easier to withstand after meeting Reiko-san.

"I... wish Mother... could be like that...". She muttered below her breath.

"Shinae-chan~! Are you awake? Do your bruises hurt much?", A cheery yet somewhat worried voice rang through the room.

All warmth Shinae felt drained out of her soul. She felt empty and cold again.

This voice... THIS VOICE. 

Shinae clenched her teeth hard and slowly turned to the door. 

A tall figure in grey baggy pyjama sweaters and stripy jeans was leaning against the door, his long hair hanging over his sleepily smiling face. He waved good morning at her.

You... YOU. BECAUSE OF YOU. I FAILED BECAUSE OF YOU!

Her fist clenched tight and she could feel her veins press against her face. A fresh new wave of rage and hatred washed over her, paralyzing her, drowning her, choking her.

Violet eyes or not... She breathed. I will kill both of you.

P/s: I'm so sorry guys I haven't been able to update in 2 days so here's an extra long chapter!! I'm so sorry I wasn't able to make the illustration, too, but I'll work on it and upload it as soon as possible.    :((