I Won't Wait for You Anymore
Psyche's learning ability went beyond wondrous—it was downright terrifying. In just one month after mastering the alphabet, she'd devoured every tattered humanities book rolling around the house. By the second month, she'd perfectly grasped the basic math concepts from my past life that I'd taught her. Sometimes she'd even ask about words I didn't know, leaving me breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Psyche, you did great today too. At this point, you're probably the smartest kid in the whole village, right?"
I gently stroked Psyche's hair after our study session, praising her. The fluffy texture tickled my fingertips.
"No way! You've been working so much harder, sis. Everything you teach me is so fun, I memorize it right away."
Psyche leaned her head into my hand, clearly delighted, like a puppy craving affection, tilting her head to follow my touch. It was utterly adorable. She had a sweet personality, brains, and perfect looks—there wasn't a single flaw in this girl.
We gazed at each other, smiling for a good long while.
Of course, even our seemingly perfect life had its issues. It was Psyche's growing obsession and possessiveness toward me. But it felt less like cunning manipulation and more like the pure whining of a child who had nowhere in the world to lean on except me.
"Sis, do you really have to go to the bakery today?"
Every morning as I got ready for work, Psyche would grab my skirt hem and ask.
"Yeah, Ariel's family is short-handed, so I'll just help out a bit and come right back."
"Can't we just stay home and read together? Don't leave me alone... The house feels too big and scary without you."
Psyche bowed her head, gripping my sleeve tighter. The desperation in her five-year-old grip was unbelievable.
"Psyche, I have to work to earn money so I can buy you tasty treats and we can go play in the village like last time."
"I... I don't need tasty treats. As long as you're with me, we don't have to go to the village. I just want you by my side..."
Her timid pleas were always like this. Psyche obeyed me on everything else—even waking from sleep if I asked—but when it came to me leaving the house, she turned endlessly fragile.
In the end, I couldn't bring myself to refuse her desperate begging. I cut back on work and avoided meeting Ariel. I could see how anxious Psyche got whenever I was with Ariel. Because of that, Ariel and I became awkward enough that even a short greeting felt strange.
Ariel couldn't hide her hurt, but I couldn't ignore Psyche's desperate eyes, trembling in my arms.
Three months passed like that. In the meantime, our parents—completely ensnared by alcohol and gambling—started staying out entirely on many days, leaving the household finances and Psyche's care entirely on me.
I wasn't going to the bakery every day, so life should have gotten tough, but luckily, I got separate incentives for the breads from my ideas, so we managed fine.
My eye for this stuff is spot-on. Without Ariel's family, I never could've dreamed of terms like these.
"Sis, what're you thinking about?"
Psyche had snuck up and nestled right into my side.
She'd put on some healthy weight now—her skin was fair and plump.
"Oh, just thinking about you. When did my Psyche grow up so much?"
"Hehe, it's 'cause you've been making me so many yummy things."
Psyche beamed like the happiest kid in the world, as long as I was by her side. That innocent, pure smile was a privilege allowed only to me, and I gladly sacrificed my social life to protect it.
For the first time in a while, I left Psyche at home and headed to the village square alone. I needed groceries, writing supplies for Psyche, and that history book she'd been dying to read—they'd all run out.
But the village I came down to after so long looked totally different from what I remembered.
What's all this? Is it some special day?
From the entrance, vibrant flags flapped in the wind, and in the square's center, burly men sweated as they erected a massive wooden structure.
"Hey, Roen! Haven't seen you around lately—here for festival prep?"
A neighbor hauling a huge pile of firewood called out cheerfully.
"Festival? What festival? I haven't heard anything."
"No way, have you been holed up at home that much? Big fireworks festival this weekend!"
Fireworks! Even in my past life, the highlight of any festival was fireworks painting the night sky. Showing Psyche—who'd only known the dark corner of a warehouse with rain pattering outside—the brilliant bursts across the heavens... She'd love it.
The thought made my heart race with excitement. Maybe under those beautiful lights, some of Psyche's inner anxieties would fade a little.
Then, a fragment from three months ago flashed in my mind. Not long after meeting Psyche, when we'd toured the village—we'd passed that jeweler's necklace.
She really wanted it back then... but we had no money, so we just walked by.
It'd be perfect as a surprise gift for the festival. I clutched the heavy pouch of emergency coins I'd saved from bakery side gigs and idea incentives.
Forgetting the groceries for a moment, I headed straight to the jeweler.
The bell jingled as I opened the door, a musty mix of wood and metal wafting out.
"Well, if it isn't Roen. What brings you? Haven't seen you in ages."
The kind shopkeeper adjusted his glasses with a warm smile.
"Sir, do you still have that necklace I saw a few months ago? The silver one with the purple gem."
He pondered, staring at the ceiling, then slapped his knee as it hit him.
"Ah, that one! It's right here if you're looking. Pretty thing, but folks just pass it by. Like it's waiting for its owner or something."
He chuckled, pulling it carefully from the back of the shelf. It still shimmered with that iridescent purple glow—like Psyche's clear eyes carved into a gem. I stared, entranced.
"I'll take it, sir. Put it in the prettiest box, wrap it nicely, and add a cute ribbon too."
"Heh, for your little sis? You've turned into a total sis-con."
"Yeah, she's the most precious, kind girl in the world. This is nothing for her."
My pouch emptied of silver and coppers, but my heart swelled like the richest person on the continent.
Clutching the neatly wrapped little gift box to my chest, I stepped out. Imagining hanging it around Psyche's slender neck amid booming fireworks and exploding skies made my steps feel like floating on clouds.
But that happy fantasy shattered with a familiar voice from behind.
"Roen? What're you doing here? Why've you been stuck at home lately? Harder to spot you than the lord himself."
I turned. There stood Ariel, arms crossed, face a mix of hurt and resentment.
"Oh... Ariel. Long time no see. What about the bakery? Isn't it peak hours?"
"Long time? Ha, you really saying that now? You know how many times I wandered near your house? You never even read my notes."
Her eyes locked on the fancy wrapped box in my hand. They trembled, narrowing.
"What's that? From the jeweler? Box size says necklace, right?"
She stepped closer. Instead of her usual sweet bakery scent, a chill emanated from her.
"Don't tell me... you came to buy a gift for that brat? You've had time to avoid me for months but sneak out for this?"
"Ariel, it's not like that. The festival's coming up soon. Psyche's so scared of the village, so I thought it'd be a chance to give her a gift and have fun together—"
"Psyche, Psyche! That's all you ever say anymore. You're too much, Roen. After all the time we've spent together, that kid you've known for days means more?"
Ariel's sharp voice pierced the alley. Tears welled in her eyes.
"That's not it. Ariel, you're my precious friend, and Psyche's my sister. You know she's a poor kid with no one to care for her."
"Sister? Don't make me laugh. The way she looks at you? That's not how you look at a sister. Don't you see how slyly she's clinging to you?"
Ariel cornered me, face on the verge of tears.
"She won't even meet my eyes, ignores me begging her to come to the bakery! How much I relied on you..."
"Ariel, calm down. I'm really sorry for not noticing your feelings. But Psyche's genuinely sweet and fragile."
"Are you kidding? Do you really not know how I feel, or are you pretending because of her? That kid's not as innocent as you think!"
Ariel's blatant resentment, the necklace box in my hand, and the distant drumbeats of festival prep formed a stark contrast assaulting my ears.
"Ariel, watch your words. Psyche's done nothing wrong. She just has a lot of painful memories, so she relies on me more. The poor thing's so scared..."
"Nothing wrong? Every time I talk to you, the anxious glares she shoots from behind— you really don't see it?"
I couldn't spit out an easy reply. Ariel wasn't entirely wrong, which made it more pathetic. I felt Psyche's intense attachment too. But it wasn't the 'slyness' Ariel meant—it was a child's desperate struggle not to lose her only warmth.
"Fine. Enjoy the festival or whatever by yourselves. Don't you dare come near the bakery again! I'm done waiting for you!"
Ariel roughly wiped her tears and ran off.
"Ariel! Wait! Hear me out! Ariel!"
I called, but she didn't stop. Dust swirling over her retreating back settled heavily in my heart too.
I gripped the necklace box tighter. The closer I grew to Psyche, the farther I drifted from my closest friend Ariel. A corner of my heart felt weighted with stone.
"Haa... how did things end up like this?"
I sighed deeply, head hanging. The alley shadows stretched long, swallowing me.
On the way home, my steps were no longer light as clouds.