Keep Going

Imu hadn't slept at all last night. Sure, she'd put her pajamas on and climbed into bed, but she never closed her eyes. She just laid there, eyes glued to the ceiling.

The morning sun was finally starting to rise, peaking through the blinds of her room. She didn't react, though, staring forward instead. Her whole body had felt numb since last night. She had gone to find Miyabi to tell her something, she didn't remember what, and saw her talking with some boy. They were just talking at first, but then they started hugging...and kissing...

And that was when Imu knew that she would never have Miyabi's love. Sure, she'd hoped that there would always be a chance that Miyabi would see her as more than a friend, but now...

Imu felt the tears start down her face again. She'd loved Miyabi ever since she was young. She had to respect Miyabi's love, and she wanted Miyabi to be happy, but it hurt to have her hopes crushed in front of her eyes.

...

Would anyone miss her if she was gone?

She knew that Murasaki and Miyabi would miss her, but she didn't think that anyone else would. She wasn't too familiar with Ryoubi or Ryouna, and her relationship with the rest of her family was strained. Could she really do something like that...?

A small knocking at her door snapped her out of her dark thoughts. "S-sis, are you there?" a soft, timid voice asked. It was Murasaki, to her surprise.

Voice shaky, Imu called out to her. "Y-yes. Come in," she said as she sat up. The door slowly opened as Murasaki slipped inside, carrying Bebe with her. She was wearing her Heibjo uniform, surprisingly, since she usually wouldn't leave her room unless forced. Shutting the door behind her, Murasaki stared into Imu's teary face, her soft purple eyes meeting Imu's.
"Sis...what's wrong?" she asked, fidgeting in place.

Imu stared back at her. No, she couldn't do something like that. Not while her sister still needed her. It hurt to know that Miyabi's love was out of reach, but... She couldn't give up. For Murasaki.

With a small smile, and a low chuckle, Imu wiped down her face with the sleeve of her pajama top.
"I...I had a bad night, Murasaki." Murasaki seemed to understand something behind her words, and she started to walk towards Imu. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Murasaki surprised her further by pulling her in for a tight hug, her hair slightly wrapping around her body as well. The sensation of her sister giving her a hug, when she needed one most, caused Imu to let out another flood of tears, though these were of joy, not the sadness she had felt before.

Imu, Murasaki, and Bebe all sat there for a while after, holding one another in their arms.