Chapter Two
“If you don’t want to go to school, then take a break!”
After the funeral and Tian’s cremation, my parents tried to persuade me as I grabbed my backpack, ready to head out.
But I didn’t listen and left the house anyway. Staying home would only make me more depressed; going to school might help distract me.
At school, many people were mindful of Tian’s passing, often gauging my mood before speaking.
Although Tian and I attended the same middle school, we weren’t in the same class for all three years. We’re fraternal twins, so we’re the same age—there’s no issue of who’s older or younger. Plus, Tian and I look quite similar, so many people know we’re siblings.
“Your sister earlier… ah, never mind…”
But now, whenever Tian is mentioned, everyone stops talking, wearing apologetic expressions.
“Go ahead, what is it? Don’t hold back.”
“Then I’ll be direct. Actually, your sister owed me fifty yuan and hasn’t paid me back…”
“Oh, I just remembered I have something to do. See you!”
“Hey, hey, why are you two siblings just alike?”
Even though she’s gone, the legends she left behind won’t fade.
I didn’t expect she’d leave me with her debts… Well, I’ll just dodge them. After all, she’s already dead. As the saying goes, debts of the deceased are written off (not that this saying actually exists).
After that, more people came looking for me because of Tian’s debts.
“Actually, your sister…”
“Oh, I suddenly forgot something…”
“No, your sister owed us…”
“Sorry, the wind’s too loud; I can’t hear you.”
“No, she really owed us—I have an IOU!”
Ah, Tian, though I knew this is the kind of person you were, you’ve managed to surprise me even after death.
I was sad at first, but now I can’t muster any grief. If you were still alive, I’d definitely complain and eat all your ice cream.
“Hey, Di! I know you’re there! It’s useless to hide! Pay up!”
Ugh, the banging on the metal door behind me was irritating, but I pretended not to hear and continued gazing at the sky.
“Hey, come out! If you do it now, we won’t charge interest!”
Screw you. Do you know that compared to your petty sums, what Tian owes me is a fortune? I haven’t had a peaceful day since childhood. I haven’t even calculated the interest she owes me, and you think you can calculate interest with her?
After the class bell rang, the knocking stopped. I breathed a sigh of relief and decided to skip class and keep sky-watching.
“Can’t some money just fall from the sky…? Ah, it’s all Tian’s fault… Even after dying, she causes so much trouble… Somehow, this feels just like her…”
The sky was so blue, like an endless sheet of azure without a single cloud. Summer was almost here.
As I lay on the school rooftop, staring at the sky lost in thought, I suddenly heard a voice.
“Ah, big brother, you should’ve just taken care of these little debts for me.”
“Who’s there?”
I thought I was hearing things because I knew that voice well. Who else could it be? I knew full well that this voice could only belong to Tian; it couldn’t be anyone else. How could I mistake my troublesome sister’s voice?
“No, no, I must’ve misheard. There’s no way!”
Could it be that Tian isn’t actually dead and is still playing pranks? Or did even the Grim Reaper find her annoying and send her back? Impossible! I personally saw Tian placed into the coffin and cremated. The sorrow I felt then has now turned into shame and anger, echoing in my heart.
“Big brother, why the unhappy face!”
“Where are you?!”
I jumped up and looked around; the rooftop was empty except for me.
“Tian!”
“Hehehe, guess where I am?”
Oh my god, I’m actually hearing my deceased sister’s voice. Am I losing it? Am I finally going to meet Tian?
Still the same infuriating tone—even after death, how much more does she want to mess with me?
“Hey, even if you’re a ghost, come out!”
I clenched my fists and shouted angrily at the clear sky.
“Come out and let me punch you!”
“Hahaha!”
Tian’s voice continued to echo across the empty rooftop.
“I don’t wanna~”
That voice was unmistakably Tian’s—the teasing tone was one of a kind.
“Even after dying, you’re still so annoying! Do you know how much trouble you’ve caused me? You devil!”
“Ah, I’m not a devil; I’m an angel now because I’m already dead. I’m up here in the sky~”
“What sky? I can’t see you!”
I looked up but saw only the sun, so bright I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
“Big brother, even though I’m dead, I’m still alive, you know?”
“Speak plainly!”
“Lalala, I’m not really sure myself, but it seems that if certain conditions are met, I can get a chance to come back to life!”
“What conditions?”
“Ehhehe, it’s brother’s love for me!”
“Huh?!”
I couldn’t help but shudder, whispering softly.
“Love?”
Hahaha, love? Eye? Aye? It felt too absurd; I couldn’t grasp the meaning of the word anymore. Really? Love, huh. Hahaha… So love is this detestable. It’s the first time I’ve realized that. Stop joking around! Even after dying, you’re still messing with me—I can’t even begin to tell you how much I hate you!
“First, pay back the money you owe me!”
“Hahaha, if I come back to life, I’ll pay you back, brother!”
“What on earth are you up to?!”
Then, my ever-mischievous sister spoke mysteriously. I could almost see her devilish figure right before my eyes.
“So it seems that as long as brother can prove his love for me, I can be resurrected! Through reincarnation!”
