After a tiring day, Number Seven returned to her lodgings.
The sun set late here, and its dying light was blood-red.
She pushed the door open, and sunlight streamed through the gap.
The glass of the picture frame on the table gleamed crimson.
A photograph sat inside the frame.
A silver-haired little girl had her eyes closed, making a wish over a cake with all her heart.
A black-haired boy rested his chin in his hands, his bright eyes fixed on his sister as she made her wish, seemingly waiting for a particular moment.
Today is my little sister's birthday, and Father isn't here... no, Father never comes to his children's birthdays. He always has more work to do.
My older sisters all have jobs now. Only the youngest of them came.
Such a big family, and so few people are here.
I told them we were going to have a cake fight.
"Don't zone out." The white-haired girl put down the camera and rested both hands on the boy's shoulders.
"Isn't this too few people?" the boy asked.
"I'm worth seven people all by myself!" the white-haired girl said with a laugh. "You know how wild I can get."
"A-are we starting?" The silver-haired little girl opened her eyes, looking nervous.
"Oh, don't open your eyes so soon. Now I've lost my chance to ambush you." The girl shook her head regretfully. "Oh well, never mind. Let's go wild!"
She switched on the phonograph, and music filled the room.
Mingled with the laughter of the past, that music seemed to reach through the photograph and into Number Seven's ears.
She leaned against the doorway, gazing at the distant sunset, and murmured:
"Where are you now?"
"It's been so long since our family was together."
Creeeak-
Bang!
Tap, tap,