The neighborhood was tranquil as we walked down the sidewalk, passing uniform houses with slight color and detail differences. The sun's warmth caressed my cheek. The birds, unseen but heard, lulled a blissful tune that teased the ears.

  Sakura and I walked the same path with different intentions: I was bound for school, and she for work.

  I looked down at my tacky blue uniform, half thankful I’d never worn one in my past life. I gnced over my shoulder. Sakura, blushing, wore a white shirt and bck business pants. She looked at me from the corner of her eye.

  "Knock it off already. I wasn’t doing anything like… that." My face ran hot, and I, too, looked away, losing control of my composure.

  "S-sure, you weren’t,” she said with shaky words.

  We walked in silence for a whole minute, listening to the song of passing birds as I mustered the nerve to speak again.

  "S-Sakura, how old am I?" I asked. My face was still burning with embarrassment as I dragged my eyes back to her.

  She hesitated.

  "Seriously? You're fifteen. Are you okay, Antwon?"

  She looked at me unflustered for the first time during our walk.

  “You’ve been asking strange, yet obvious questions as of te.”

  I shoved my hands into my pockets and remembered what my gang’s mentor taught me: control is key in any situation; without it, you’re no different from the sheep we feed on.

  "Let's remember who’s asking the questions," I said while pumping my chest out.

  I slowed down so Sakura could catch up. Her footsteps closed in, and then I kept pace with her. "How old are you?"

  She smiled something sly, sending shivers down my spine.

  "I'm 26, but age won't hold me back," she said.

  She closed the gap between us, reaching for my hand, gently touching my fingers.

  But what does that mean!? My finger twitched, moving my hand away.

  "Knock it off! We're siblings, right?”. I could feel the frustration; it must have shown.

  "Yeah, but we aren't reted," she proudly stated, pumping her chest out and sweeping over me with her eyes.

  “Don’t say it like that.”

  I needed to control the conversation, like an interrogation, using whatever leverage I had to gather the necessary information. I rexed—steeled myself.

  "Is that why you're stronger than I am? The age difference?" My eyes focused on her body nguage. If she lies, her body will betray her.

  She smiled at me. Her eyes tracked the contours of my face. She closed the gap between us, and I didn't panic because I was in control.

  "A little, but girls are naturally stronger than boys, so it's typical for my age to factor in."

  Her eyes dropped, and my eyes followed. "Also, I'm a woman." She smiled.

  We stopped at a crosswalk.

  "Antwon, I know living in Kokiri as a foreigner is challenging— it’s a small isnd country filled with simple-minded people, but I'll protect you. So, don't worry, okay."

  I looked up at Sakura’s face—she wasn't frustrated or filled with passionate desires. She was sincere and candid, and it made me feel safe.

  But what did she mean by protection? What dangers could this world be hiding?

  "And don't hesitate to tell me if kids give you crap at school.”

  "Sis, are you okay?" I said softly, feeling her emotional weight.

  The crossing sign changed, directing us to cross, but Sakura didn't move.

  "S-sis? You can't call me that," she said, trembling all over.

  "Sis, are—"

  I stumbled off the curb, tension tightening my chest. "So what?" I blurted. "What's wrong with calling you sis?"

  She lunged at me, grabbing my shoulders. The strength of her grip shocked me, causing me to freeze, seizing my control.

  "You don’t just call a girl sis… It just means something important.”

  She released me, avoiding eye contact. "Unless you c-consider—"

  Consider you for what!?

  I stumbled farther into the street.

  I wanted to scream about how dumb that idea was, but the sound of a horn drowned out my thoughts.

  The headlight, bring horn, dragged me back to my first death. The smell of fire and burning cinders; was this world done with me already?

  I had just gotten to this world, and now it was over.

  I closed my eyes, accepting my fate; I felt something hard drive into my body, then the breeze against my back.

  "Are you okay?"

  Is this death? Why does death sound like Sakura?

  "Little bro, did you die from shock?"

  My eyes shot open; once again, I was in Sakura's embrace as we both y on the ground; she on her back with me on top of her.

  "Are you two okay?" the driver inquired. "You just flew into the middle of the street, kid. You've got to be careful. Hey, Kid, Hey—"

  ***

  "Hey, Sakura, thanks for saving me.”

  The near accident was behind us, and I almost died—I can't let this second chance slip away.

  I touched Sakura's hand to get her attention, and she grabbed my hand in response. I didn't pull away—she saved me—she earned whatever this was.

  "I'm worried about you. And I don't mean the car." She sighed as we passed a bus stop.

  "The school is not far now. Look," we locked eyes—her gaze was intense. " Don't let anyone bully you, okay? You're a sweet kid, so try to befriend them or look for a teacher when you need help or something."

  She ran her hand through her hair, pushing her bangs out of her face. She's worried, I thought.

  She stopped walking.

  "The school is a few blocks in that direction. You can't miss it.”

  "Antwon, promise me." For a moment, I thought about the life led by Antwon, the life I've taken, and I questioned if I killed him to get here.

  I squeezed her hand once. "I promise," I said, feeling the weight of it all colpse onto me. Not just a promise to Sakura but to whoever Antwon had been—and whoever I had to become.

  “Okay, I’ll come get you after school.” A bus arrived shortly after. Sakura stood at the entrance of the bus, looking back at me.

  I mouthed the phrase “I promise,” not fully understanding why.