Alinea

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock

She was getting mad with the monotonous sound of the clock on the far side of the room. It was like a staccato hitting her brain.

Alas, she was stuck in the room to suffer.

It's been a week since she had woken up in this strange world. As of now, she had already understood, that even though she was sure she had died, her soul was somehow transported to this dimension, and was now occupying Suzuki Ara's body.

As for the real Suzuki Ara…

The foolish lass had taken her place in the afterlife, and left this world that same day she succ.u.mbed in a deep slumber. Whether she's in the Elysium Field or in Tartarus, Alinea prayed for her soul to rest in peace.

She hoped she's in Elysium Field though.

"Ara-sama…"

Alinea turned around and saw two nurses bearing things to change her bandages and some medicine. The two of them came every three hours to check on her. She was exasperated as she disliked being catered to too much even when she lived in the castle. But it seemed, this was the norm for the pampered princess Ara.

Ah… what was she thinking?

She should get used to addressing herself as Suzuki Ara from now on. It wouldn't do good to dwell too much in her past.

Alinea was dead.

"Let's change your bandages," the kind nurse told her as she expected, and she gave them a small smile, indicating she'd cooperate with them like she always did since waking up.

Even armed with Ara's memories, she still felt awkward having conversations with people, and so she remained quiet, and speaking only when needed. It's better as well, since she could gain more knowledge or verify the information she already knew.

For example, about her new family.

Ara and Aki had a seven-year gap in age, and they were orphans. Their parents died when she was fifteen, and Aki, twenty-two, and so it was her brother who had practically raised her.

For a young man to suddenly be responsible for a much younger sibling and a huge company, Suzuki Aki actually did quite well. Part of doing good business was also luck, and he had been very lucky so far since taking over.

It was safe to say that Ara was well provided and cared for – except for the smallest but most vital thing: time.

When Aki realized his sister had been having problems, it was already too late, and she knew he had been regretting it deeply. It was why he was almost always by her side, fussing over her now. He was just absent at the moment to check up on things at work, and grab some clothes from home.

If it were the real Ara, for sure she'd have been very happy. In spite her attitude, the girl adored her brother.

"Younger sisters are born to worship their older brothers…" she whispered softly in the room.

But her eyes were not there but in another place, another time, with an image of a different older brother, and she bit her lip. Her resentment rose up like a bubble, she clenched her fist on her good hand, her nails dug into her palm and they bled.

The nurses didn't notice a thing and thought she was talking to them. "Then Aki-sama is lucky to be adored by a pretty little sister like you," one of them said with a giggle.

"But Ara-sama is also lucky to have a very loving brother. Aki-sama truly pampers you," another said, making her snap from her reverie.

"That's why you should get better soon Ara-sama. Look, many people are worried about you," the first nurse continued indicating the room full of bouquets of flowers. Each one looked very beautiful and expensive with small little cards from their senders.

However, instead of feeling good, she felt indifferent. The flowers were addressed to her, yes, but they were mostly from people or businesses who wanted to brown-nose to her brother. After all, what's a much better way to gain one of Japan's youngest tycoons' favors other than through his beloved younger sister?

Suzuki Aki may be gentle and kind towards her, but it didn't apply to everything else, most especially towards work matters. He had to be ruthless or he wouldn't have survived the dog-eat-dog world of business and flourish until now.

She eyed the flowers with disdain, but one caught her eye. At the far side of the room, there was a huge bouquet that caught her attention for it was elegantly set – beautiful but not too showy like all the other arrangements. Unlike the roses the others sent, this particular bouquet was of camellias.

She squinted to see the card, and it read Homura.

Huh? Homura?

She couldn't seem to remember anything about the name from the girl's memories, although it was somewhat familiar. She was mulling over this when the nurses had finished their job for the time being, and excused themselves to leave, and she let them. She preferred to be alone.

With one leg and arm still in casts, she struggled to ditch the bed, and sauntered towards the glass wall overlooking the city. This wasn't her first time looking outside the window, but she was still amazed.

She was in a place called Tokyo, and the hospital is located in one of the busiest districts, for this was the nearest one where her metal carriage – the car accident happened.

"Concrete forest…"

She was in awe as she looked at the plethora of skyscr.a.p.ers outside, and the crowded streets below where people walked and busied themselves with everyday commute.

The very first time she saw this scene, she was at a loss. She thought living in this new world was nearly impossible, but the girl's memories that she inherited helped her a lot. Although she still had some misgivings, she finally found the heart to honestly say she'd like to give this life a try.

As for her revenge…

How could she even do that? Alistair and his minions belonged to a different world.

"Do I have to let go of this grudge?" she wondered with a sigh, just as the door to her room opened and she turned around in time to see Aki step in carrying bags of clothing.

"Ara-chan, niichan is back. Were you bored?" he asked and her face softened as she studied him.

"No. I'm okay," she answered softly.

For a while, brother and sister looked at each other in a comfortable silence.

"Ara-chan," Aki started after a while. "I know you were not doing well, and I'm so sorry for not being there for you. But from now on, I will be here," he continued.

Alinea knew he was talking like this because they all thought Ara tried to kill herself. But it was okay. She would deal with Suzuki Ara's issues one by one, as soon as she got better. For now, it's important to establish her relationship with this kind, loving man.

In her mind, she again vowed. From today onwards, she will be Suzuki Ara.

"Then I will be in your care Aki-niichan," she told him with a smile.