I Need Sleep

Rena strode down the quiet street in her school uniform, her backpack bouncing lightly against her back. The afternoon sun cast long shadows as she turned a corner, her steps quick but steady. She reached the abandoned house, its cracked wooden door locked tight. She didn't bother with it. Instead, she circled around to the side, where a broken window gaped like a missing tooth. With a quick glance around, she hoisted herself up, her small hands gripping the splintered frame, her legs swinging through. She landed softly in a dusty kitchen.

She brushed off her skirt and moved forward, stepping into the next room. There, sitting cross-legged on the floor, was Ruby. The white-haired girl hunched over a tattered notebook, her pencil scratching out little doodles of flowers and stars. Her school uniform hung loose on her tiny frame, wrinkled from a night outside.

"Ruby," Rena called, her voice soft but warm.

Ruby's head snapped up. "Big Sis!" Her face lit up like a lantern, and she scrambled to her feet, dropping the pencil. She ran over and threw her arms around Rena, squeezing tight. "I missed you so much!" Her voice trembled with relief, her cheek pressed against Rena's. She'd been alone since Ryuki left, and the emptiness had gnawed at her—now, Rena was here, and it felt like sunshine flooding a dark room.

Rena laughed gently. "Hey, let's sit and eat first, okay?" Ruby's stomach growled right on cue, loud and demanding. She loosened her grip but kept one hand clasped around Rena's, her fingers small and clingy, like she feared Rena might leave.

Rena knelt, setting her backpack down. Getting food out with one hand was tricky—Ruby wouldn't let go—but she managed, pulling out a couple of rice balls wrapped in plastic. She handed one to Ruby, who tore into it eagerly, crumbs tumbling down her chin. "Here, feed me too," Rena said, grinning. Ruby giggled, holding her rice ball up to Rena's mouth. They took turns, sharing bites.

Rena's eyelids drooped as they ate. She was tired—bone-tired from the sleepless night—but she fought it. She and Ryuki couldn't rest in strange, unsafe places, but exhaustion had its own rules. Soon, her head nodded forward, and she drifted off, rice still in her hand.

When she jolted awake, the light outside had shifted. She fumbled for her phone—time to meet Ryuki. "Ruby, let's go," she said, stretching. She peeled off her uniform, swapping it for a loose t-shirt and shorts from her bag. "There's clothes in here for you too. Take off your uniform and put these on."

Ruby tilted her head, puzzled. "Why?"

"Just trust me," Rena said, tossing her a faded blue dress. It was too big, the hem brushing Ruby's shins, but it was soft and clean. Ruby shrugged and changed, her small hands smoothing the fabric with a shy smile.

They left their bags in the house and headed to the park, Ruby skipping beside Rena, her white hair bouncing like a cloud.

---

"Ryuki, did you come here to sleep?" The teacher's gruff voice cut through the haze.

Ryuki cracked his eyes open, slumped over his desk. The old man loomed over him, "Sorry," Ryuki muttered, sitting up. The teacher launched into a lecture—something about responsibility, probably. Ryuki didn't catch the words; the class's laughter told him it was at his expense. Whatever. Old geezer, just teach and leave me alone, he thought. Sleep was a lost cause here too.

Lunch break hit, and before he could collapse again, Saki pounced. "Little Brother, let's eat together!" She yanked his head up by the collar, her grin wide and relentless.

"Saki, let him go," Asuka said, stepping in. She pried Saki's hands off with a firm tug. "You wouldn't let him sleep at home, so at least give him a break now."

Ryuki shot Asuka a grateful look. Good job, hero. Chocolate's yours later. He dropped his head onto the desk, ready to drift off—until Yuta barged in, waving a plastic case. "Dude, I got an Action Hero DVD! Epic, right?"

"Great," Ryuki mumbled, face still mashed against the wood. "Love to watch it, but can you let me sleep first?"

Yuta opened his mouth to argue, but Asuka grabbed his arm. "Come on, leave him be." She dragged him off, his protests fading down the hall.

Peace at last. Ryuki closed his eyes—then the classroom erupted.

"Did you see yesterday's drama?"

"Yeah, that princess was gorgeous. I'd marry her in a heartbeat."

"Hey, that's my sandwich!"

"Homework done yet?"

"The English teacher's got those killer legs, huh?"

Voices overlapped, a buzzing swarm of noise. Ryuki's head throbbed. Forget sleep—he was done trying.

When the bell rang, he figured he'd finally crash at home. Then he remembered: Rena and Ruby. Park first. He sighed, stuffing books into his bag.

Yuta slung an arm over his shoulder. "So, Sunday at my place? We'll watch that movie together."

"Cuckold, get off," Ryuki said, shoving him away. "I'm too tired to carry your weight."

"Ah… okay," Yuta said, ruffling his hair with a sheepish grin.

"Hey, little brother!" Saki burst in, skidding to a stop. "Are we meeting Ruby today?"

Ryuki rubbed his temples. "Yeah, at the park. Lead the way, Empress." He gave a mock bow, slow and dramatic.

Saki beamed. "Haha, your Empress will guide you safely!" She spun and marched out, head high.

"Yuta," Ryuki said, "as her knight, you should be behind her. Why're you still here?"

"Oh, right!" Yuta hustled after her, falling into step.

Ryuki sighed, relieved. Saki and Yuta were chatterboxes—normally, he liked their energy, but today it was a hammer on his skull. Asuka, bless her, walked beside him in silence.

They reached the park without incident. Ryuki fished coins from his pocket, bought a chocolate bar from the vending machine, and handed it to Asuka. "Here."

She blinked, holding it. "What's this for?"

"For keeping those two off me at lunch," he said. "Hide it before they see."

"You still didn't sleep, though," she pointed out, slipping it into her pocket.

"Don't worry about it," he said, waving her off.

"Big Bro!" Ruby's voice rang out. She raced over, her oversized dress flapping, and crashed into him with a hug. Rena followed, looking fresh despite the night they'd had.

She must've slept at the house, Ryuki thought. "How you holding up, Ruby?" he asked, smiling down at her.

"I'm fine, but…" Ruby studied his face, frowning. "You look tired."

"Nah, boys don't get tired," Yuta cut in, puffing out his chest. He slapped Ryuki's back—hard. "My best friend's a beast among—"

Asuka smacked him upside the head. "Quit it."

Saki jumped in, nodding sagely. "Ruby, my little brother's the best. He doesn't tire easy. Today, he slept double his usual, so he's the most energetic here."

Ryuki caught Rena's pitying glance as Asuka tried to correct Saki. "He's exhausted, Saki—"

"No, he's fine!" Saki insisted.

"Guys can skip sleep for days," Yuta added.

Ryuki tuned them out. One lesson burned into him today: Eight hours of sleep, no matter what. Never again.

---

Shimizu Fumiko stepped out of the hostess bar, her shoulders slumping as she sighed. She'd just finalized her new job—starting tomorrow. She'd known this might happen, but facing it still sank her mood. Annoying men would paw at her, their hands greedy but bound by the bar's rules. At least they couldn't go further.

She tilted her head back, staring at the afternoon sky. Her kids—Ryuki and Saki—would be heading home soon. "I should buy meat," she murmured. "It's been a year since we had a meat dish. I'll surprise them." A small smile tugged at her lips as she turned toward the market.

The stalls bustled with noise and color. Fumiko weaved through, hunting for a cheap meat shop. She found one, its sign faded but promising. She eyed the budget cuts for a long moment, then shut her eyes. "No," she decided, smiling wider. "Give me the premium meat," she told the shopkeeper.

It stretched her thin wallet, but her kids deserved it sometimes. She paid, tucking the package into her bag, then browsed more. Fresh carrots and greens caught her eye—pricey, but worth it for tonight. She'd make them the best dinner yet.

Bag heavier, heart lighter, she left the market. "Ryuki and Saki will be so happy," she said to herself, crossing the street. Then—a screech of tires. A brutal force slammed into her left side. Her body lifted, spinning through the air, the world a blur of colors. She crashed to the pavement, pain exploding in her skull. Her bag landed beside her, the meat box spilling out. She stared at it, vision fading, until everything went black.