Chapter 21: Minah Challenges Maria

My nieces and I stumbled upon a tree adorned with candy apples, each glistening temptingly in the moonlight. Without hesitation, my nieces rushed forward to grab the last few remaining ones. There was only one candy apple left, and I quickly made my way toward the tree, eager to claim it for myself.But as I reached the tree, I found myself face to face with a man in a stunning black kimono, embroidered with delicate white flowers. He, too, was reaching for the last candy apple.We stood there for a moment, caught in a silent standoff. Then I heard a familiar voice call my name. "Minah?"Turning around, I saw my sister, Ira Benesha Badila, approaching with a bright smile. She was dressed in an elegant purple kimono, and her presence immediately lifted my spirits."Benesha!" I exclaimed, surprised and delighted to see her.The man, still holding the candy apple in his hand, looked between us and then asked, "Do you know my sister?""Why don't we share the candy apple?" I suggested with a playful smile, trying to break the tension.We all sat together, and I began chatting with my sister Benesha and her younger brother. "What brings you both to Tokyo?" I asked curiously."We're here to enjoy the cozy, vibrant atmosphere of New Year's Eve," she explained. "And, of course, to attend the Asaliy performance. She'll have a guest performance for the show...""Kohaku Uta Gassen?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."Yes, that's the one.""I'm so happy to see you, Benesha," I said, my smile widening. "How have you been?""Good," she replied, her expression warm. "And you?""I've been fine, thanks."Just then, another man, dark-complexioned and dressed in a kimono, walked up to us. "This is my fiancé," Benesha introduced him. "His name is Tshikuta.""Fiancé? Wow, you're already engaged! Congratulations!" I said, genuinely excited for her."Nice to meet you!" Tshikuta said with a friendly smile. "Are you a friend of Benesha?""We're more like sisters," I replied with a grin. "I've known her since kindergarten, though we haven't seen each other in a while.""Oh, then you're just like Haniya and Mandane!" He remarked."What?" I was taken aback that he knew of them. "Did Benesha tell you about us?""I had met them while I was with her," he replied with a casual shrug.I handed Benesha's brother the last piece of the candy apple, smiling. "You look just like your sister," I said."I know, right?" he returned the smile. "My name's Sansula, by the way. It's nice to meet you.""Likewise!" I grinned. "By the way, Benesha, you won't believe who I just ran into.""Zipporah?" she guessed."How did you know?""I ran into her too. Actually, I was just talking to her. I left because she wanted to speak with someone privately.""Who? Her husband?""No... someone else..." she trailed off, but her words were cut short."Look at you two, eating an apple from a tree..." That voice—Lilith Maria. She stepped into view, wearing a striking green kimono. "This must be a bad omen," she added, glancing at us with a sly smile.Benesha let out a sigh. "My parents adopted her. And she's engaged to my brother.""Really?" I asked, surprised. "Why him?""Because he's everything I long for in a man," Maria answered, her tone almost dreamy."In that case, I'm going to snatch him away from you," I declared boldly."Huh???" Sansula looked utterly confused."Oh my!" Maria laughed lightly. "That isn't love, though. What even is it?""For you to choose Benesha's brother means he must be something special," I said. "So, I want him.""You don't even have any feelings for him," Maria retorted."Love is something that develops over time," I replied, undeterred."All of you girls are ridiculous," Maria chuckled. "No wonder your qualities are all sinful.""No," Benesha interjected, her voice calm but firm. "What we possess aren't sins; they are traits of success.""Let's see how successful those traits will make you in life..." Maria's voice dripped with skepticism.We all made our way to the hall for Kohaku Uta Gassen, the stage where Asaliy, or Ashley, would perform. The atmosphere was electric, filled with eager anticipation. It was packed, just as expected for one of the most talked-about musicians of the moment.Asaliy took the stage, her presence commanding the crowd's attention. She sang her first-ever song written in Japanese, but the melody was eerie. It painted vivid images of a global catastrophe, with devastating loss and destruction.Half a year passed, and the first day at Utrecht Metropolitan Self-Development School had finally arrived. I packed my suitcase, said my goodbyes to my parents, and boarded the train from Leiden to Utrecht.As I passed through the entrance gates, I saw my sisters—Benesha, Mandane, Haniya, and Kayla—waiting for me."Minah!" Haniya rushed to me and enveloped me in a warm embrace. "I've missed you so much! How have you been?""I've missed you all too," I hugged her back. "I've been good. How about you all?""Same here," Benesha said with a smile. "Can't complain," Mandane added. "I've been... well..." Kayla trailed off, her eyes clouded with something unspoken."I've been doing great!" Haniya beamed."Yeah?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "I haven't seen Benesha since December, but I haven't seen the rest of you in ten years...""We should definitely catch up!" Haniya exclaimed, her excitement contagious."Wouldn't it be better to wait for Eliza and Maeve to arrive first?" Kayla suggested, a hint of worry in her voice."Good point," I agreed, considering the idea."Nah, forget about waiting!" Haniya declared, waving off the suggestion. "How about we start with brief summaries and dive deeper when everyone's here?""Alright, Kayla," Haniya said, turning to her with a mischievous grin. "You go first."Kayla hesitated for a moment before speaking, her tone turning serious. "There's something I need to tell you all about Lilith..."