Mar 9
"Vampires Angie Stitching Her Midnight Cloak"
Watercolor anime-inspired illustration with surreal elements
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"Vampires Angie Stitching Her Midnight Cloak"
Watercolor anime-inspired illustration with surreal elements
Mystic Sisters-Ch.24 Web of lies and goodbyes
Haru’s pov
I slowly opened my eyes, trying to adjust to the light. I realized I was laying on the couch. There was no need for Riyoshi to knock me out like that. I was weak from the lack of drinking blood. Riyoshi wouldn't have been able to knock me out otherwise. He’s lucky I didn't feed on him. Looking over, the first thing I saw was Hikari sitting behind the coffee table reading. She hasn't changed a bit. Ever since she was a kid she was always to herself. “Hikari.” I groaned, trying to sit up
“Haru?” she turned around in shock. I smiled weakly at her and she jumped into my arms. “You're okay!” she squealed.
“Yes but if you keep squishing me I won’t be.” I felt her smirk as she hugged me tighter.
“Hikari..” I groaned and she laughed looking up at me happily.
“Where’s your sister? I need to talk to her, well both of you actually.”
“I'll go get her.” she smiled quickly leaving the room.
“What’s your problem?” I asked Akio, who was staring at me looking pissed off.
My OC Characters from Millenium's Children : Morgane and Neji An extract of a scene from my comic. Doing some expirement here to have a more professional look.
me: let's see the raws of the chapter 86 bcs I'm curious of what will Kuro do
*looking at the raws of ch86*
me:tanakastrike we need tO TALK--- Tsubaki. Why. You can sit on my face as always but why. W h y.
"Vampiress Engie Stitching a Midnight Cloak" Watercolor artwork by Kateryna Manko inspired by anime style, surrealism and folk art.
Mystic Sisters -Ch.7 More & More
Hikari’s Pov
“Why can't you just tell me?” Yua yelled following me into my room.
“There’s nothing to tell you.” I shrugged sitting at my desk trying to ignore my sister.
“What do you mean? You were hanging out with Haru and probably talking about me.”
“I have better things to do besides talk about you. Haru walked home with me because he saw me walking alone. I wouldn't have been alone if you didn't have to stay after school. ” I said rolling my eyes at her.
“Don't sass me. Tell me what you were talking about. And I don't want you hanging out with him.” she warned.
“Yua I don't have to tell you anything. Haru and I are friends. You can't tell me who I can and can't hang out with.”
“I'm not leaving until you tell me.” she replied, stomping her feet on the floor. I pushed her out of my room and into the hallway even though she protested.
“Now if you're done yelling at me I have homework that I would like to get done before dinner.” I shut the door, slamming it and walked back to my desk. I could hear Yua slam her bedroom door.
Geez what's gotten into her? I thought, sliding into my chair and opening up a box of Pocky. For some reason Yua has been moody and has taken her anger out on me every chance she gets. Yesterday she got mad because I used the last of her shampoo. Before school she was mad because I was wearing her jacket. And now she's upset because Haru walked me home from school.
“Haru you didn't have to walk me all the way home.” I said standing on the front steps.
“It wasn't a problem, it gave us a chance to talk. Plus I dont live that far.” That was true Haru only lived a couple blocks from us. Before Yua walked to where we were standing I could feel her presence.
“Why is he here?” she growled.
“He was just leaving.” I said giving Haru a look. He picked up on my signal and hurried home.
“Yua why are you acting like this? You've been getting mad at me all week for no reason.” she rolled her eyes opening the front door.
I kept trying to talk to her all week but it just ended with her getting mad at me. I started to think that I did something wrong but if I did she would tell me. Right? A few hours later I knocked on Yua’s door.
“Go away.” she said muffled from behind the door.
“Just talk to me please.” I pleaded. She opened the door and gave me a blank stare.
“Did you finally come to tell me why you were with Haru?”
“I told you earlier we walked home together. We stopped at the convenience store for ice cream but that was it.Is Haru the only one you're worried about? What about me? You know you haven't been the nicest to me lately.” I fumed.
“Hikari I don't want to talk to you right now.”
“The same way you wont talk to Haru?” I shot back.
“Why are you always bringing him up? Don't you think it weird you're still friends with my ex?”
“You're the one that keeps talking about him! You're obviously still in love with him.” I yelled.
“Hik-”
“No. Don't talk to me until you figure things out.” I walked back to my room and threw myself on my bed. I loved Yua but I hate when she acts like this. Angrily I grabbed my manga off my desk and read until mom called us down for dinner.
We ate dinner in silence besides our parents asking us a few questions here and there. I guess they picked up on our weird behavior when my dad gave a mom a look.
“Girls, is there something going on? You've been quiet.” Dad asked us. I shook my head no without making eye contact with him.
“Everything is just fine.” Yua replied, glancing over at me while angrily stabbing her chopsticks into her bowl of chicken curry. I pushed my empty plate away from me and stood up annoyed with Yua.
“I'm going to bed.” I hurried to my room before my parents could protest.
I could hear Yua go to her room a few minutes later. Maybe I could try talking to her tomorrow if she wasn’t still mad at me.
I woke up the next morning to find out that Yua had left for school without me. I guess she was really mad. I grabbed my backpack and went downstairs to the kitchen.
“Hi honey.” my mom smiled pouring herself a cup of coffee which was probably her second cup of the day. I smiled back and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl.
“I'll drop your duffle bag at Hisako’s house on my way to work.” she pulled me in for a bone crushing hug as I tried to take a bite of my apple.
“Mom, I'm just spending the weekend at Hisako’s. You're acting like I'm moving out.” I say muffled. She let me go and laughed.
“Have a good day and text me when you get to Hisako’s. Okay?” I nodded and told her goodbye.
It was a lonely ride on the trade without Yua. When I got to school I peeked inside her classroom only to find she wasn't there either. I saw Hisako talking with a girl and when she saw me she gave me a warm smile. She stepped outside the classroom and ran over to me.
“Have you seen Yua?” She shook her head.
“No she hasn't come in yet. Is everything okay? Is she still mad at you?” I nodded and Hisako opened her arms for a hug. I hugged her back embracing her warmth.
“You didn't walk together?”
“No.” I sighed still in Hisako’s arms while she patted my head.
“Don't worry. She’ll talk when she’s ready. You know you guys always work it out.” I knew she was right. Hisako was comforting. She always knew how to make me feel better. I looked up at Hisako smiling at her.
“Aww you're so cute.” she cooed, pinching my cheeks.
“Why are you like this?” I winned trying to break free.
“Why are you so cute?” she laughed. A group of students walked past us and Hisako pushed me off as her cheeks turned red. I looked to see who the students were and turned back to her laughing.
“Did your crush just see you cuddling me and calling me cute?” I laughed again teasing her.
“Go to class.” she rolled her eyes, walking back into class.
I didn't see Yua all day. I tried texting her but I never got a reply. She was really ignoring me. I peeked over the students looking for Yua as I waited for Hisako by the front gate of school. “She probably went home. Is she really that upset with me?” I thought to myself.
“You still havent talked to her have you?” Hisako questioned. I shook my head and she gave me a reassuring smile.
“She’ll come around eventually. Cmon lets go get snacks for our sleepover.” she said grabbing my hand.
Yua’s Pov
When I got home the first thing I did was run a bath. “This calls for extra bubbles.” I yawned while grabbing the bubble bath from the cabinet. I stepped into the tub and relaxed under the warm water. I knew Hikari was hurt because I could feel it. Mom would say it's our twintuition. Maybe that was the reason we’re so close and why this isn't one of our normal fights. I know I hurt my sister. I sighed resting my head against the cold bathroom tile. Both of my parents were at work and Hikari was at a sleepover so it was just me and my thoughts. Those were the same thoughts that kept reminding me of how I've been taking my anger out on Hikari the past week. At first I didn't know why I was so upset. I finally realized it after our fight last night.
“Why are you always bringing him up? Don't you think it weird you're still friends with my ex?”
“You're the one that keeps talking about him! You're obviously still in love with him.”
When she said that to me I didn't want to believe it but the fight kept replaying in my head last night. That's when I realized she was right. I still love Haru and it hurts that he’s pushing me away. When I saw them together yesterday I was jealous. I was jealous that they were able to talk so easily like him and I used to. I got out of the tub and wrapped myself in my robe. After getting changed I sat on my bed with my phone in my hands. My fingers kept hovering over Hikari’s contact.
Should I text her? Maybe I should call? I don't want to ruin her night. Why do I do this to myself? I groaned lying on my bed, tossing my phone to the side. Hikari wasn't the only one I needed to call right now. It was Haru. Before I could call him I was interrupted by the front door opening.
“Yua come help me with the groceries!’ mom called from downstairs.
“Im coming!”
“Mom when is Hikari coming back?” I asked putting away the vegetables.
“Sunday. Why, whats up?”
“Nothing I was just wondering.”
“Is everything okay with you two? You've been acting weird the past few days.” she stopped and turned to face me.
“No everything is fine. She wanted me to help her with some homework but I guess Hisako can help her.” I lied. She nodded, probably not believing me and went back to putting up the groceries.
I guess I have to wait until sunday to fix this.
Hikari’s pov
Hisako sat in her bed as I laid in her lap watching a movie. “How many times are you gonna make me watch this?” I yawned, growing bored.
“You know it's our tradition to watch Mean Girls during our sleepovers.”
“Yeah but do we have to watch it 5 times in one night?” I laughed looking up at her. I got off her bed and dug through my duffle bag until I pulled out two sheet masks. I turned to show her and she smiled.
“Are those the ones with green tea?” She asked joining me on the floor. I nodded handing her a mask. It was quiet besides the sound of the tv playing or the occasional giggle from Hisako.
“I missed this. We should have our sleepovers more.” I said resting my head on her shoulder. She nodded in response.
The next morning I waved to Hisako and her mom as they dropped me back off at home.
“Mom, I'm home!” I yell entering the house. No answer. I placed my keys on the entryway table and called her again. I walked into the kitchen to see Yua placing freshly baked cookies onto a tray.
“Mom had a last minute work meeting.”
“Oh.”
“Cookie?” She asked, holding the tray towards me offering a small smile.
“No thanks.” I started to walk away when she called my name.
I turned back to face her. “What? Are you gonna yell at me because I didn't take one of your cookies?” She stepped closer to me and sighed.
“No, I made those as a peace offering. I wanted to talk to you...about everything.” I studied her face for a moment before replying. I grabbed a cookie off the tray and stuffed it into my mouth.
“Well it’s gonna take a lot more than chocolate chip cookies to win me over.” I mumbled. She laughed walking out the kitchen to the living room. I followed sitting on the opposite side.
“I know I’ve been a horrible sister and i'm sorry for that. No, not just that. I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. I never meant anything I said. I was mad at Haru and took it out on you. Also I was jealous. I was jealous because you were able to talk to him while I've been trying to do that for months. I don't expect you to forgive me right now but just know I'm really sorry and most importantly I love you.” Yua stared at me the whole time with glossy eyes. I knew she meant what she said. I scooted over sitting closer to her.
“You promised that you would never let a guy in the way of our relationship. You broke that promise and hurt me but I know how much Haru means to you. I'm willing to forgive you for now.” she smiled at me for the first time all week before engulfing me in a hug.
“You're my favorite sister and nothing can change that.”
“Yua I’m your only sister.” I pulled away from her. She was back to being herself.
“When we were fighting I realized you were right. I still love him. I left early for school. I wanted to talk to him and work everything out not because I was avoiding you.”
“Did you ever find him?”
“No.” I groaned leaning on the back of the couch. “I tried looking for him all day only to find out he didn't show up for school.”
“Talk to him tomorrow no matter what.”
“I will. You don't have to worry about us.” she smiled reaching for a cookie on the coffee table.
“Yua the day you saw us together we were talking about you. Haru doesn't know how to be around you anymore. He doesn't know how to talk to you. He knows when he left he hurt you and he doesn't want to do that again.” she stared back at me with a shocked expression on her face.
“I would never do anything to hurt you. You know Haru and I are friends. I was just comforting him.” Yua pulled me into another hug but this time it was tighter.
“Wow I really am a bad sister.”
“No, I understand why you were upset. Just have a little more faith in me next time. Okay?”
“This is why you can't date until you're 30.”
“Yuaaa.” I winned. She let me go and stood up from the couch.
“Fine you can date when you're 29.” I rolled my eyes at her.
“C'mon I’ll treat you to dinner. What do you want?”
“Shabu-Shabu!” I yelled excitedly.
“I should have known.”
Mystic Sisters- Ch.1 Who’s watching us?
Yua’s POV
“Yua mom said breakfast is ready. Hurry up!” My younger sister yelled from the other side of my bedroom door. I groaned sitting up and sliding on my slippers. I rubbed my eyes trying to wake myself up. Why was that dream so weird? I thought to myself. The only thing I could remember was running away and a voice telling me to keep running. “Why do I feel like I know that voice?”
“ I'm tired, go away” I said to my sister as I finally opened the door. “ Can’t I sleep in peace?”
“Mom called you 30 minutes ago and you never came down. We're gonna be late……. again because of you.” I rolled my eyes at her. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“I see you finally joined us.” Dad laughed while eating his breakfast.”Well yeah thanks to Hikari.” I replied, taking my seat at the table.
“Have a good day. I’ll be back late so your dad is making dinner tonight.” Mom explained putting our bento boxes in our backpacks. Hikari looked at me with a disgusted look. “Do you think he’s gonna try to make us eat miso soup again? And the rice balls?” she whispered horrified.
“Um we’ll cook tonight instead.” I chimed in thinking about the last time dad tried to cook for us. He somehow left the soup and rice on too long and it got stuck to the bottom of the pot. We had to get a new rice cooker because he burnt the rice. We ended up with take-out that night.
I had that dream replaying in my head over and over. I know it probably didn't mean anything but I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
“Oneesan, are you okay? You were quiet the whole way here. I asked you what we were making for dinner but you didn't say anything.” Hikari asked worriedly when we arrived at our school Meguro Academy. I looked at her smiling. “No, I'm fine. I’ll see you after class.” I hugged her and quickly walked to class. I know she didn’t buy it. For some reason we’ve always been able to feel each other's emotions. Any time either of us were upset the other one knew.
I walked into class 4-a and sat at my desk pulling out my homework from last night. It was just a dream. I told myself again. There’s no need for me to get worked up over nothing. I sat in class lost in my thoughts when I felt my phone buzz in my uniform pocket.
HIKARI❤️🌺😜: let’s eat lunch together
YUA🥀: 👍🏾
HIKARI❤️🌺😜: Where are we eating?
YUA🥀: Meet me at the water fountain.
I tried to get through my next classes without falling asleep. I sighed in relief as the bell for lunch finally rang. I ran my hands through my red hair. Mid- terms were coming up so we’ve been doing more work than normal.
When I get to the fountain Hikari is already there.
“I told you I was fine.” I reassured her by noticing the expression on her face. Hikari and I weren’t much different looks wise. People always confused us for the other one. Hikari was a year younger than me and had a more playful look. While I had a more serious “mature” look as our mom would say. The main difference in our looks were our eyes and beauty marks. I had green eyes while my sister had grey eyes. I had a mole on my lip on the left and Hikari had a dimple on her right cheek. I listened to my sister ramble about her math test she just took. I laughed watching her complain about how much she hates the subject until I felt eyes on me. It felt familiar. I looked up and locked eyes with the eyes that I once loved but now hated. In front of me was the person I fell in love with. The reason I can’t fall in love again. Haru. The memories of him came rushing back.
Everything was going fine that day until he left me. Haru had been distant so we agreed to go on a date. We started the day at Mystic cafe and ended the night at the local festival. The whole day Haru looked sad. He reassured me that he was okay but I knew something was up. We dated for two and a half years and I knew when it was lying. That night was the first time he told me he loved me. When he dropped me off at the front door he told me he didn’t want to be with me. “Haru what do you mean? You just told me you loved me.”
“Im sorry Yua. I can’t be with you anymore.”
“I love you Haru. Whatever it is we can fix it.” I cried.
“I'm sorry.” He said once again before walking away leaving me there to cry on my front porch confused and upset. I could see his dimly lit figure fade away into the darkness.
That was 7 months ago. After that night he stopped showing up to school. Haru stopped answering my calls and texts messages. When I went to his house to see him no one would be home.
“Haru..” I whispered not loud enough for him to hear me. He smiled before walking away.
“Did you see that? The nerve of him to smile at me after he hurt me the way he did.” I rant to Hikari.
“Don’t be so hot-headed.” Hikari mumbled, stuffing her face with her rice balls making a mess as per usual.
“Well he shouldn't be so shameless you know. And stop stuffing your face.”I said huffing and wiping her face with my sleeve. Every time I saw him all the memories we shared the good and the bad come rushing back. Then the pain follows. The pain of him breaking my heart. He’s the reason why I can’t ever fall in love again.
“Yua-chan we still need tofu and daikon for the kimchi jjigae.” Hikari chirped in front of me grabbing a few boxes of almond flavored Pocky off the shelf and tossing them into the basket. She cheerfully walked down the aisle adding stuff in the basket that we didn’t need. “ I hope you have money for that.” I warned as Hikari added ramen into the basket.
“I don’t because you're paying.” she smiled before turning down the next aisle. I rolled my eyes , pushing the basket following behind her.
“I can’t believe you made me spend $20 on Pocky and ramen.” I muttered looking down at the receipt.
“You love me though.” Hikari cheered, opening the Pocky offering me one. I shook my head no and Hikari shrugged while reaching for the bags.
“I do, so you're lucky.” I laugh out.
I had forgotten about the dream while being with Hikari. Things were always easier when we were together. Mom always said that we’ve been joint at the hip. I was listening to my sister ramble on about the manga she was reading while we walked to the train to go home. Something didn't feel right.
“And the next book comes out friday. I already pre-ordered it.” Hikari rambled on. I stopped in my tracks glancing at my sister. She stopped walking and looked back at me with the same concerned look she had been wearing all day. “Why’d you stop?”
“I feel like we're being watched.”
Mystic Sisters Ch. 2- Ocean Eyes
Hikari looked around then turned her attention back to me.
“Are you sure? You’ve been jumpy all day.” I looked around again and there was nothing there. Am I just imagining things? I gave my sister a defeated look. Hikari came closer and engulfed me in a hug dropping the bags.
“You know you can tell me what’s wrong right?” Hikari whispered. I nodded hugging her back before picking up the groceries. “Come on let’s get home and get dinner started.”
“Wow this looks better than my miso soup.” our father laughed.
“Anything would be better than your soup.” Hikari whispered more to herself.
“ Better than your cooking in general dad.” Yua replied to him with a straight face.
“I heard that Hikari. And Yua keep it up and you won't get your allowance this week.” Dad jokes taking the lid off the pot.
After my bath I sighed laying on my bed. Why was today so weird? I had a nightmare, my ex showed up out of thin air and then someone was following me. I just wanted to sleep without having any more nightmares or thinking about my ex. I fell asleep for a few hours before waking back up. Everytime I close my eyes I see Haru. I rolled on my back frustrated. A part of me hated him but unfortunately there was another part that still loved him. That part wanted to forgive him and run back into his arms. I laid in bed on my phone until I fell back asleep.
The next morning I woke up excited because it’s the weekend. Hikari and I planned to take a cooking class at the local university and then go shopping. Hikari wanted to go thrifting for a clothing design she’s working on and I wanted to add some more things to my collection.
“Hikari, you better be ready or I'm leaving witho-.”
“I’ve been ready. I was waiting for you, she sassed, cutting me off walking down the stairs.
“Why are you always so sassy!” I yelled chasing after her.
“Because I can be.” Hikari , smiling as she walked out the door.
I returned her smile as I followed her outside to start our day. The class we signed up for was Okonomiyaki which was one of Hikari’s favorite dishes. There used to be a shop that sold them on the way to the train station but it closed down and we haven't had any since.
“Okonomiyaki,okonomiyaki.” Hikari sang skipping into the classroom.
“How did you feel about the class?” I asked my sister as she looked through a rack of jeans. If she could she would spend hours looking through each rack.
“It was fun. We should make okonomiyaki at home more. We wouldn’t have to eat dads cooking as much.” Hikari laughed, throwing a pair of jeans into the basket. I looked down and she had already filled half the cart.
“So is this where all your money goes.” I joked following her down another rack of clothes. Leaving the thrift store we headed to the mall but I felt uneasy. I had the same feeling I felt yesterday. Hikari must have picked up on it because she quickly turned back and looked at me.
“Yua what’s wrong?” she asked.
“I feel like someone is watching us again.” Before she could respond I felt a gust of cold air. I shivered feeling the cold air against my bare arms.
“I'll go pay so we can go to the mall.” Hikari smiled brightly hurrying to the checkout counter. I looked around and just like yesterday there was no one there. Matter fact there was almost no one in the store.
“How the hell did you find a vintage Chanel bag at the thrift store?” I questioned my sister still in disbelief as we entered the mall.
“I have the magic touch.” she winked before finishing off the last of the mochi. “Let’s head to the makeup store we went to last time. I need a new cushion.”
“Didn't you just buy one?” It was nice spending time with Hikari. With school back in session and Hikari working so much it was nice to finally catch up. Even though I would never admit this to Hikari I loved having our sister time. If I told her she’d never let me hear the end of it. I don't know how but we ended up staying at the mall until closing time. Stepping outside it was pitch black and cold.
“Mom said she’s on her way.” Hikari said, putting her jacket on. Another cold gust of wind blew past like earlier. It's just the wind. I looked over at my sister who didn't seem to notice anything. She was texting rapidly on her phone. “Maybe it’s just me.” I said to myself. I looked up and there was a dark figure. I couldn't make out what it was but it was definitely a person. As I reached to tap Hikari’s shoulder the person moved away. For a split second we made eye contact.I didn't know who he was but I’ll never forget his icy blue eyes.