Chapter 1: Empty Spaces

The mansion was quiet, its usual bustle and chatter replaced by an unsettling stillness. The parents, Akira and Hiroko, had left for a business trip earlier that morning, leaving Rin and Nozomi to their own devices. The sisters, step-sisters to be more accurate, had always had a complicated relationship. Rin, with her outgoing personality and charismatic smile, had often been the center of attention. Nozomi, on the other hand, was more reserved, preferring to keep to herself. But there was more to their complicated relationship than met the eye. A dark secret had been lurking in the shadows, a secret that had caused Nozomi to avoid Rin at all costs. The memories of that night still lingered in Nozomi's mind, the fear and the pain a constant reminder of the distance she had put between them. Rin had always been the one to initiate their interactions, and Nozomi had grown accustomed to her advances. But after that fateful night, Nozomi had made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with Rin. The distance between them had grown, with Nozomi avoiding Rin whenever possible. Now, with their parents away, Rin found herself with an abundance of free time on her hands. She had spent the morning lounging by the pool, reading a book and soaking up the sun. But as the day wore on, her thoughts turned to Nozomi. She wondered what her sister was up to, whether she was watching TV or working on her homework. Rin's curiosity got the better of her, and she found herself making her way to Nozomi's room. She hadn't been there in a while, not since...well, not since everything had changed. But she felt a sudden urge to see her sister, to talk to her and try to bridge the gap that had grown between them. She approached Nozomi's room, her heart beating slightly faster than usual. She knocked on the door, but there was no response. Rin frowned, wondering if Nozomi was even home. She tried the door handle, and to her surprise, it swung open easily. "Nozomi?" Rin called out, stepping inside. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to block out the sunlight. Rin blinked, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. She saw Nozomi sitting on her bed, staring blankly at a book in her hands. Nozomi looked up, her eyes widening as she saw Rin standing in the doorway. "Rin," she said quietly, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and wariness. Rin smiled, trying to appear nonchalant. "Hey, sis. I was just looking for you. I thought we could hang out while Mom and Dad are away." Nozomi's eyes narrowed, her grip on the book tightening. "I was studying," she said, her voice firm. "I don't want to hang out right now." Rin's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on Nozomi's. "Come on, Nozomi. It's just us now. We can talk, have some fun." Nozomi's eyes flashed with fear, and she shook her head. "Please, Rin. Just leave me alone."