Jealousy
"Psyche, are you really okay now? No dizziness or nausea?"
"Hehe. I'm fine."
"Fever can come back, so tell me if anything feels off at all. You're really okay?"
From early morning, I'd been pressing my hand to Psyche's forehead, checking the nape of her neck and her wrists, confirming her condition over and over. The child had been hovering on the brink of death just yesterday, so the anxiety gnawing at my heart wouldn't fade easily. Thankfully, the skin touching my palm was smooth and warm with healthy vitality—no trace of yesterday's scorching heat.
"Yes, sis! I don't hurt at all. In fact, I feel healthier than before I got sick. My body's so light, like I'm walking on clouds!"
As if to wash away my worries, Psyche bounced in place on the bed like a rabbit.
She's gotten so lively.
The timid, cowering girl from the start was almost gone. All the bathing, the carefully boiled porridge, the herbs I'd scrounged up—it had paid off. Seeing her silver hair, once matted with sweat, now shimmering like silk in the morning sun, I finally let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Good. We had a deal, so today we're going to explore the village to your heart's content. Sis'll buy you all the tasty stuff!"
We descended the village hill with light steps. After the rain, the village was especially green and bustling with life. We shared chicken skewers, admired the fountain, and strolled through the streets together.
"Oh, Psyche! There's a play over there. Wanna go see?"
In the middle of the square, a traveling troupe was putting on a simple performance.
"Yes! I've never seen a play before."
We sat in the front row and watched. Time flew by unnoticed until the curtain fell. It was a clichéd tale of virtue rewarded and vice punished, but it was fun all the same.
As the play ended, clowns took the stage. A clown in flashy clothes rolled a ball, drawing cheers from the kids. The villagers were all doubled over laughing at the ridiculous antics unfolding onstage. I, too, was lost in the rare lively scene.
But when I glanced sideways, a strange feeling gripped me.
Psyche wasn't watching the stage. Amid the crowd, her eyes were fixed solely on my profile.
"Psyche? Aren't you watching the play? Look, the clown just tripped!"
I pointed to the stage, and only then did she blink, offering a soft smile.
"I am watching, sis. But... seeing you smile is way better than that clown over there. When you look happy, it makes me happy too."
For a child, her gaze felt oddly heavy and profound. Like someone terrified I'd vanish into mist if she looked away even for a second. Her stare was relentlessly pinned on me, harboring something beyond simple admiration—a desperate obsession.
...She's fine, right?
The joy was short-lived; dark clouds gathered in an instant. As the troupe's colorful parade began, people surged like waves.
"Hold on tight, Psyche! Grab my hand!"
I was definitely holding her small hand firmly. But the excited crowd shoved roughly between us, and in a flash, a stranger's sleeve brushed between our gripped fingers. The warmth at my fingertips vanished like a mirage.
"Psyche! Psyche, where are you!"
When I turned, her silver hair was gone from sight. My heart plummeted.
A sharper terror than any from my past life stabbed my chest. I shoved through the crowd like a madwoman, screaming her name. I circled the square three times, combed every nearby alley. Ten minutes, twenty... My lips cracked dry as time dragged on.
What if someone took her? What if she got lost and collapsed crying?
Worst-case scenarios tore through my mind. My legs shook; my voice was hoarse.
"Please... Psyche, please show up..."
After wandering desperately, I reached a dark alley behind the village's outer fountain. There, a tiny figure huddled on the ground.
"Psyche!"
As I called her name and ran over, the child with her face buried in her knees slowly lifted her head. Psyche's face was a mess of tears and snot.
Spotting me, she flung her fragile little body into my arms.
"Waaah! Sis! Siiiis...!"
Her hands clutched my clothes like she was tearing them. It was far too fierce for a normal hug.
"I did wrong, sis... I let go of your hand... I thought you abandoned me because I'm a bad kid. It was so scary..."
Psyche begged through sobs.
"I'll die without you, sis... Please don't abandon me, okay?"
Her cries were heartbreakingly pitiful. I'd opened her heart so quickly that to her, I wasn't just a guardian. I was like the sole god holding her lifeline.
I stroked her trembling back, crying with her.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I won't let go again. I promise."
We clung to each other in the middle of the road, sobbing for a long while. Once calmed, we walked hand-in-hand back through the village. Then we stopped abruptly in front of the jeweler's shop.
Psyche's gaze locked on one spot: a necklace with a small silver pendant embedded with a gem matching her purple eyes perfectly.
"Pretty... right? It'd look perfect on you, Psyche."
I despaired the instant I checked the price tag. Way too expensive for me to buy.
Reading my face, Psyche shook her head and clung to my arm.
"No, sis! It's not pretty at all. I don't need it anyway. As long as you're by my side. For real."
Her words were admirable yet heartbreaking.
"...I'll buy it for you next time, for sure."
Vowing to myself, I led her toward Ariel's bakery.
"Hungry? Let's go eat the delicious bread sis made."
Saying it pricked my conscience a bit. It was just copying popular Earth breads.
The door chimed with the scent of buttery warmth—and a sharp glare.
"Oh, Roen? Heard you were skipping today. On a date? Who's got you holding hands so sweetly?"
Ariel leaned on the counter, eyes narrowed at us. Her gaze zeroed in on our clasped hands.
"Ah, Ariel. Here as a customer today. Wanted to let my little sis try the pizza bread I made."
"Little sis? Hmm, so you're the one who had her bolting out yesterday?"
Ariel approached with a grin, but her eyes weren't smiling. She hooked her arm through mine, looking down at Psyche.
"Hi, kiddo. I'm Ariel, Roen's best friend. We spend the most time together in the village. Right, Roen?"
At Ariel's blatant claim, Psyche's eyes chilled instantly. She hid behind me, wrapping her arms tight around my waist.
"...Hello. I'm Psyche... Roen's little sis. Sis is gonna stay home with me from now on. Right, sis?"
Her voice was small, but her arms screamed she wouldn't let go.
Ariel's brow twitched up.
"Ariel, pack up some pizza bread, soboro bread, and cream buns. Psyche, let's eat by the lake. It's the prettiest spot in the village."
Ariel frowned. "The lake...? That's our secret spot."
At "secret spot," Psyche's face darkened noticeably. She gripped my hem tight.
"Secret... spot...?"
Psyche murmured low. I missed the jealousy and possessiveness swirling in her purple eyes.
I explained to Ariel. "Ariel, well... Psyche's my sister, so—"
"Fine! I'm coming too. I fit best right next to Roen anyway."
Ariel untied her apron and went to pack the bread. For some reason, Psyche pressed even closer, practically merged with me. Soon Ariel returned with a basket of bread.
"I tried making that deli manju you mentioned before. Haven't even given Dad any yet. You're the first to try it."
"Whoa, can't wait!"
I hadn't shared the recipe yet—just the idea? I was genuinely excited for the taste.
"Let's go."
We headed to the blue lake behind the village amid a weird tension. Ariel holding my left hand, Psyche clinging to my right arm while glaring warily at her. Invisible sparks flew between them, sending cold sweat down my spine nonstop.
Why is this happening...?