Case 22: On how to save a life.

*****

Lately, Lyra felt as though she was living in a never-ending dream.

Once she accepted Cecilia's seemingly boundless love, things hadn't been the way they were. Once she clung to the warmth Cecilia gave her, she found herself unable to live without it.

Before.

Day by day, Lyra pursued nothing.

She had no goals, no motivation, and no dreams to speak of. If anyone had asked her the reason she diligently studied, she would have struggled to answer.

Amidst those monotone hours, she used to question the colors around her.

For what did the butler always seem proud of himself despite going through so much work that his body nearly broke down?

For what did the maids who used to cheat her meals seem amused even though they clearly did something wrong?

For what did her mother, who used to be proper, seem sad as she indulged herself with alcohol and women?

She didn't get it. She hadn't felt such emotions on her own, so she didn't get it. Her heart was empty, so she didn't get it.

'Why?'

Was it because of her inexperience? Was it an 'adult' thing?

For the longest time, Lyra constantly questioned her being. Sometimes, she felt nothing would really happen if she—no, everything were to disappear altogether.

Then, she met Cecilia.

It was strange to see a person like her, who clearly had troubles with health, care so much for someone like Lyra. On the outside, Lyra was undoubtedly healthy, yet those red eyes of the fragile girl looking at her always carried a sense of pity—as if she knew her everything.

At first, Lyra hesitated to accept her sister's pats and hugs.

She wasn't someone with no personal boundaries.

When she eventually chose to accept them... it was unexpectedly nice. Under Cecilia's gentle caress, Lyra realized something warm was welling up inside her. Something decidedly good—something she definitely wanted.

It intensified whenever she thought about Cecilia, whenever she spent time with Cecilia, and whenever Cecilia took care of her.

Suddenly, colors were born right in her heart.

'Ah... I see.'

She finally understood the other colors around her—the emotions.

So, she began to explore them.

With Cecilia, she finally experienced many feelings. Some of them she liked, some she hated. The most disgusting of them all... was perhaps this thorny, ill hostility toward anyone who acted intimately toward her sister.

It clouded her mind, and it only got worse once she realized Cecilia was likely acting favorably toward those people to shield her.

'Idiot. I don't even mind.'

Marriage was nothing to Lyra. She thought of it as a duty—nothing more, nothing less.

Why was Cecilia willing to engage with them, even sacrificing her time with Lyra?

She knew it was supposed to be jealousy, but she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it. Despite all the mess inside her head, she always acted the same, showing blatant disdain for anyone who dared to steal her light.

Before she knew it, Lyra had unconsciously blamed Cecilia, too.

'Idiot. Overcaring for trivial stuff...'

It was similar to a child resenting its parent during puberty.

Still, it was Cecilia's overly delicate image that silenced all the petty riots in her. Lyra didn't want to see that figure being sad.

So, even after everything, the same silent yet obedient little sister remained.

Today, Cecilia took such a cute sister to the heart of Syrus, where it was littered with large stores of all kinds.

''Hm... there are lots of them, huh? Let's check them out one by one.''

''...Mhm.''

Since it was the launch day, the block was crowded. Amidst this sea of people, even navigating from one place to another seemed difficult. Even though the pair of sisters had bodyguards following them, not every step was smooth.

Lyra grasped Cecilia's hand tighter, fearing the frail maiden might get swept away by the current of man.

''Fufu...''

This earned her a head pat.

Perhaps because it pleased Cecilia, the bond persisted throughout the journey, becoming an undercurrent that prevented them from separating.

''Which color do you like, Lyra?''

''Black.''

''That's what I thought. I'll get... a blue one, maybe.''

Even though the phones were all of the same model, they were released in various colors and designs, digging into the tastes and the sense of exclusivity of consumers.

Moreover, the 'serial number for contact information' scheme made it rewarding for those who wanted to 'hunt' for their desired number, evoking a sense of adventure. Through subsequent auctions of the popular numbers that would soon occur, attention on the product could be retained as well.

Not liking the appearance of your phone, which has your favorite serial number?

Don't worry! You can re-decorate the exterior however you want for a fee!

Why so inconvenient?

'Profit, duh. It was designed that way.'

Cecilia thought, letting out a sigh. Still, even if it was a scummy tactic from the brand, the more these phones sold, the more money she would get.

''Hahah...''

''...?''

Not even aware that a scam was running in the name of nurturing her, Lyra tilted her head.

In the end, both sisters settled on a relatively elegant model with sharp, angled corners and thin screen borders. Lyra got a black phone, while Cecilia chose a light blue one.

''Let's exchange numbers right away!''

Not even a full minute after paying, Cecilia excitedly nudged at the heroine. With a small, almost bony hand poking out of the coat to hold her phone, the image of a brightly smiling Cecilia somehow tugged at Lyra's heartstrings.

''...Um.''

Afterward, the duo quickly returned home and began to explore the new gadgets.

There were many to be impressed by, yet the ability to switch to a camera and take photos with it especially caught Lyra's attention. For the next few days, she found herself wandering around, taking pictures—little memories of the things she wanted to remember.

Half of them were pictures of her big sister.

Cecilia was an attractive model. Her sickly beauty and shy body language made for compelling scenes regardless of the action, which not even someone as disinterested in others like Lyra could resist.

There was a grand piano in the manor. Hardly anyone used it, yet sometimes, Cecilia could be spotted playing an unknown song with a melancholic expression.

click—!

A shutter sound rang.

There was a garden in the manor. Despite the cold, Cecilia was often strolling around the flowerbeds, stopping for a while before the iris buds.

click—!

As December approached its end, Lyra noticed her big sister having more and more solemn moments. As if remembering someone, she would often look to the sky, bearing a bitter smile.

''You know, Lyra.''

''...?''

Hands holding the hot coffee cup, Cecilia turned to the camera—the heroine behind the camera. For some reason, Lyra could feel cold sweat building up as Cecilia parted her lips.

''Sometimes... a person just needs a few encouraging words.'' She said. ''Even such small efforts could someday save someone's life.''

Lyra couldn't bring herself to press the shutter button. Instinctively, she feared that if she saw the current Cecilia's smile in the future, it would keep haunting her for a long, long time.

*****