“Get off of him—my brother—right now!”

  Sakura’s voice tore through the quiet infirmary like an unshathed bde.

  She advanced with rapid, thunderous steps.

  Christine jolted to her feet, stumbling over our tangled limbs, her hair softly brushing my face, dragging her head across my chest.

  “Calm down—let me expin, Sakura.”

  She stopped a bed shy of us. She didn’t say anything, but her rapid breaths were all I needed to measure the size of her rage: deep inhales—rapid exhales.

  Christine nervously csped her hands.

  Her legs rattled.

  She touched her chest with one hand, guilelessly; “We are together…Antwon and I—”

  Words of love—now decrations of war.

  However, the world took on a different meaning from my upside-down position.

  Sakura was smiling in a horrific way; her eyes seemed to sink into her skull.

  Her usual pale complexion was scorched.

  “No. Antwon’s in danger because of you.” Sakura closed the distance, standing before Christine—her rage was controlled by… fear, respect, or a combination of both.

  “Y-you’re an honorary member of the court—my court.”

  Sakura—a court dy?

  Christine shook her head in defiance. Pcing a hand on my leg, and said, “I-I didn’t protect him when I should have; I let Ryo bully him even… when I was right next to him. “I’m sorry, Antwon. But I’ve changed, so I’ll protect Antwon from—”

  “Like st time. You’ve never protected him—I can’t afford to lose him this time.” Sakura's rage spilled over through clenched teeth.

  I’ve never seen a woman cry in this world.

  “What do you mean,” Christina said, “like st time?”

  I sat up—my chest was numb—with a sick sensation, nuzzling in my stomach.

  “What did you just say?”

  They looked at me—the real me, for the first time. I leaned toward Sakura. My body was disjointed, possessed by turmoil.

  “Like st time? What does that mean, Sakura?

  Sakura averted her gaze.

  Confusion was the only thing I could see in her eyes.

  “The Court has never threatened Antwon.”

  Her shoulders slumped, and a malefic ugh emanated from her.

  “Sakura?”

  She pced her hands on Christine’s shoulders. “You stupid girl. You’re a political tool that belongs to someone else. And now you’ve sucked my brother into your spat, holding him in your arms like you aren’t taken. You’ve killed us all for what you think is love.”

  “I do love him,” Christine shouted.

  I grabbed Sakura’s shoulder. I turned her with all my strength. “Answer me, Sakura!”

  She relented—her tear-flooded eyes dropped—her soft sobs grew. But she didn’t give me an answer.

  I grabbed her by the shirt with both hands. “Look me in the eyes, and tell me!”

  “Y-you’re my brother—Antwon.” Her shaky hands wrapped around me, entangling me. “You’re my Antwon—I wished for it.”

  “You,” my body went limp, “wished for it?” She wished for me to live this crappy life—to suffer more than I had to. No, she wished for him… and got me. I feel… sick.

  My head grew dizzy, and the lights began to fade.

  How long has she known—since I woke up—is this real—I’ll kill you, Sakura!

  A violent shaking brought me back to center. “You—you liar—you’ve always known I wasn’t—him”

  The beast was reduced to a babe.

  I let go of her shirt and wiped her tears away—I tried to release my own anger—I could feel the red shards composing a symphony of sadness in my soul.

  “What’s going on, Antwon?” Christine said, touching my shoulder.

  I gently touched her hand and sighed. “I’m finally acting my age,” for better or worse.

  “Sakura, I’m sorry about your loss.” I hugged her, and she hugged me back with trembling arms.

  “Is this about the Knox thing you mentioned earlier?” Christina asked.

  “Yeah—you could say that.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her tears steadied. “It told me not to tell you—it said acclimation was easier that way.”

  Those words struck like a gun's buttstock against my skull or an intrusive voice that won’t take a hint. You did this! You’ve ruined everyone’s life, genie. You esoteric piece of—

  Genie: sumptuous specimen.

  “Antwon, are you both—”

  I turned to see why Christine had stopped talking, when I noticed she had stopped moving—everything seemed as if it were frozen.

  Genie: No; time is not frozen. I’ve temporarily elevated your perception of time to foster adequate discourse. Much like our homeroom discussion, I will proceed; stop me if you fail to comprehend any information.

  I braced myself, Sakura’s shaking still clung to me, and on my shoulder—Christine’s hand.

  Try me.

  Genie: Sakura has made three wishes to resurrect her fallen sibling; the first two failed. Acclimation was beyond the first candidate's scope, leading to unforeseen consequences.

  Death?

  Genie: at the hands of the Crimson Veil. Sakura made him cognizant of the unprecedented state of Kokiri.

  The second candidate?

  Genie: The second candidate, much like yourself, was associated with individuals who did not prioritize Antwon’s well-being. Substances damaged his prefrontal cortex beyond reproach. In the end, he also crossed the veil.

  Time passed without exchanging thoughts, and then—

  Genie: Sakura’s mom and Antwon’s dad died together. Antwon was having trouble adjusting to life in Kokiri; as a result, they agreed to return to the States. When they ceased to exist, Sakura devoted herself to the Iron Fan Court to supplement your lives.

  I looked into Sakura’s still eyes. She made a decision that would keep her and Antwon safe. Sacrificing her safety and well-being for someone else is the peak of masculinity.

  As a woman in this world, she’s more of a man than I’ve ever been

  Genie: Upon Antwon’s death, she developed bitter tendencies, resulting in the death of many rival cn members, earning herself the title of Blood Blossom.

  We’ve only known each other for a few hours, but she’s never shown me her emptiness.

  Genie: During a raid on the Daughters of Ash’s foothold within the Veil, she summoned me, asking if I could resurrect Antwon.

  So what do I have to do with this crap!?

  Genie: Souls cannot be restored once they’ve departed. If the corporal form is recreated through magic, they are on a predetermined path that leads to their demise—

  That’s bull crap! I spoke with Antwon—he’s still in me.

  Genie: That—that is not possible.

  What’s the matter, genie? Can’t you read me like a script?

  It happened when you trapped me in the void; there were shards of different colors—his memories tied to emotions.

  Genie: Knox—

  Well—what?

  Genie: What you are describing are the soul remnants used to pilot a hollowed husk. Your souls should not have access, yet you do…

  The world slowly increased in speed.

  Genie: Knox–

  You listen here; you, damn genderless voice. I didn’t ask for this life.

  Genie: This is your second chance—

  This isn’t a second chance—this is a nightmare. A second chance means with the life you’ve already lived, not this mess. The fire seems nice compared to this crazy world.

  The world around me moved at normal speed.

  Sakura’s arms were still shaking, and Christine was pcing her second hand on my other shoulder.

  Genie: persist, Knox.

  Can it!

  “Sakura—the veil—how?”

  Fragmented words that were clear in her mind. Her eyes gnced at Christine.

  “Ryo is—a bloodline sprout—we are in the veil.”

  I turned my head toward the clock; the bell rang, marking the end of the school day.

  “What the heck is a bloodline sprout, Sakura?”

  “I am.” Christina said, “Those born to rule cns are. One day, I’ll rule the Iron Fan Court.”

  “That little jerk is going to become a cn boss!?”

  Sakura tensed up. “He will become the next leader of the veil; hitting a sprout is a death sentence, Antwon.”

  “No, no, no. I don’t even remember hitting him!”

  The day isn’t over, but I’m drained; how can so much go wrong?

  “I talked to Ryo, he isn’t a problem.”

  Sakura’s arms dropped, leaving me bare. “He’s a pretty little liar, and you're his fool.”

  Christine clinched her fist and snatched the phone from the wall.

  “I won’t let him hurt you. I’ll come down on the veil with everything if I must.”