Chapter 23: I'm heading out...
Sunlight filtered through the gaps, spilling into the bedroom and resting gently on the sheets, softly illuminating those food-grade chocolate-like feet. The light passed through delicate stockings, faintly revealing pearl-like toes, inviting one to pick them up and admire them carefully.
Utaka Kaede approached the window and drew the curtains closed. When he turned around, he saw Fu Jiang still half-asleep, gazing at him with drowsy eyes.
“What time is it?”
“Nine o’clock.”
Blinking in a daze, Fu Jiang yawned and sat up in bed.
Looking at this girl who seemed to have stepped right out of a manga, whose hair exuded an unnatural, almost eerie beauty, Utaka Kaede reopened the curtains.
“I’ll make breakfast. Remember to freshen up.”
“Mm…”
Just awakened, Fu Jiang appeared a bit dazed and adorable. With eyes drooping, she watched Utaka Kaede leave, then fell back onto the bed.
At that moment, a scratching sound came from the wardrobe.
Fu Jiang, wearing a look of mild annoyance, got up and opened the wardrobe door, peering down at the small Fu Jiang nestled in the corner.
“You’re utterly useless, a complete waste.”
The little Fu Jiang paused in surprise, then smiled brightly.
“What do you call a waste?”
“You…!”
An irritated voice escaped Fu Jiang’s lips. After a brief glare exchange, Fu Jiang grabbed the little Fu Jiang like a chicken and lay back down on the bed.
“A waste is a waste. Nighttime is the best moment for life to begin, and you just wasted it.”
At these words, Fu Jiang’s expression twisted into something both terrifying and distorted, but moments later, she smiled sweetly.
Fu Jiang’s taunts cut deep. Enraged, the little Fu Jiang suddenly leapt from the pillow and bit Fu Jiang hard on the nose.
“Ah… you damn…!”
Some time later, Fu Jiang sat on the bed, her nose bright red and face scratched, glaring furiously at the little Fu Jiang whose body was still unnaturally twisted.
The clattering of pots and pans from the kitchen interrupted their standoff.
With the subtle sound of bones realigning, the little Fu Jiang’s form returned to normal, and the marks on Fu Jiang’s face vanished silently.
Compared to previous skirmishes between Fu Jiang and other split selves, today’s encounter was exceptionally gentle.
“Is there anyone else?”
“You already have a hive mind. Can’t you sense it?”
After the little Fu Jiang’s explanation, silence fell.
After a long pause, the little Fu Jiang spoke softly.
“What exactly are we?”
Leaning against the headboard, Fu Jiang pondered for a moment, then shook her head.
“I’m not sure. From a biological standpoint, I suppose we’re still human?”
“…What if something goes wrong with the child you and Kaede might have in the future?”
Another long silence.
“I don’t know.”
During their conversation, a voice called up from downstairs—Utaka Kaede summoning Fu Jiang to come eat.
At the dining table, Fu Jiang glanced toward the second-floor bathroom where Kaede had excused himself ostensibly to use the restroom but in truth was delivering something to the little Fu Jiang, and she pursed her lips.
“You’re getting better at lying.”
At Fu Jiang’s home, Yuko Matsushima, wearing reading glasses and watching an entertainment channel, looked at Fu Jiang returning from Kaede’s house.
“Make sure you protect yourself~”
Fu Jiang paused mid-step on the stairs, her ears flushing bright red.
“Grandma…!”
She muttered shyly before hurrying upstairs. Yuko Matsushima watched her go with a thoughtful expression.
“Oh my, so pure and innocent—how wonderful youth is~”
At the doorstep, Utaka Kaede waited for Fu Jiang to leave. From the direction of the Kayako household came a burst of shouts.
“You slut, dressed so provocatively, who are you going to see now?! And who gave you that watch?!”
“Who I see is none of your business! Seen my watch? Ha, if you could buy me watches and cosmetics, I wouldn’t see anyone but you~!”
“Slut! Slut! Slut!”
Smack! Someone lightly tapped a shoulder.
Wearing a navy floral dress paired with beige lace-up sandals, left hand holding the brim of a yellow wide-brimmed sunhat, right hand charmingly resting on a slender waist.
Utaka Kaede’s eyes flickered with admiration as he looked at Fu Jiang, who was stunning even without makeup.
“Do I look good?”
Naturally, she did. As the young girl twirled gracefully, strands of hair fluttered at her lower back, revealing a glimpse of flawless white skin.
Utaka Kaede’s unwavering gaze confirmed that the backless long dress he picked out today was an excellent choice. Fu Jiang, satisfied, glanced in the direction Kaede had been looking.
“Get lost, just get lost. This isn’t your home, don’t ever come back!”
“Hah, I own half this house, so why shouldn’t I come back?”
“Get lost!!”
The sound of shattering porcelain rang out. Moments later, a woman dressed flamboyantly, still showing traces of color, emerged from behind the yard wall.
“Stop staring. Don’t worry—I’ll support you when you’re broke from now on.”
Fu Jiang thought Kaede, overhearing the quarrel, was teasing him lightly, then took his hand and walked toward the bus stop.
Inside the Kayako household, Kayako sat curled up in her cramped room, quietly staring through the window at the courtyard.
After her mother left, an angry father had thrown things around the house, smashing them until he finally quieted.
Fortunately, the scraps Kayako had carefully hidden in a corner went unnoticed.
Near noon, hungry Kayako tiptoed silently to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared at the half loaf of bread and a few leftover snacks.
She carefully took them out and placed them on the counter, clasping her hands together in thanks.
“I’ll start eating now…”
But just as she bit into the bread, a cold voice sounded behind her.
“That’s mine.”
Startled, Kayako slowly turned her head to see her drunken father standing behind her.
“Father…”
“Put it down.”
Kayako looked at her father’s expressionless face, pursed her lips slightly, put down the bread, and returned the snacks to the fridge.
Once she put the food away, her father, as if not having seen her, took the food from the fridge again, expressionless, and returned to the living room.
He sat down, eating bread and drinking beer while watching TV.
Kayako stood in the kitchen for a moment, forcing a small, sad smile, then went to her room, changed into old clothes, and stepped into the yard.
She gathered shattered porcelain fragments and retrieved the scraps she had hidden in a corner, carrying the bag to the door.
“I’m heading out now…”
Her whispered words sank silently like a stone into the sea, causing no ripple.
Standing at the door, looking toward Utaka Kaede’s house, Kayako paused for a moment, a faint warmth stirring in her cold heart.
“No more dawdling. The recycling center is far away; I need to hurry.”
With a soft murmur, Kayako lowered her head and grasped the recycling bag as tall as her leg, filled with scraps, and set off toward the recycling center.