The more mature a person is, the more they understand a simple truth: being a parent is not an easy task.
The tomato sauce movie, after playing six times, finally concluded amidst my and Illumi's alternating bouts of sleep.
The former found it boring because I had seen it too many times.
The latter found it boring because he didn't understand it.
Kikyo's attempt at early killer education through her filmic approach ended in failure, but I can understand. After all, it was your first time being parents, so failures are normal.
Later, Kikyo tried a different method, procuring silicone internal organ models from somewhere, calling them "toys" to pique our interest.
Oh, Mrs. Kikyo, don't you think this might cultivate human collectors?
According to the original setting, there are quite a few human collectors in this world.
Under Mrs. Kikyo's futile efforts, I, with another layer of unease, welcomed my third birthday.
If I recall correctly, the original setting dictated that at three years old, one must begin rigorous and terrifying killer training that directly confronts death.
Is it coming? Is it coming? A full package of electroshock torture?
...I'm scared.
The result was simply the commencement of some normal kindergarten-level courses. According to the schedule, classes were held every morning and afternoon, lasting two and a half hours and four hours respectively. The curriculum, in addition to continuing to learn sign language and lip-reading, added formal cultural subjects such as writing, arithmetic, and basic common sense. Other activities included outdoor sports, handicrafts, and similar enrichment programs.
This is too, too, too, too, too, too normal! Am I dreaming? I'm actually experiencing normal kindergarten classes in a family of assassins?！！！！！！
I was so dazed by this unexpected happiness that I felt dizzy. Sometimes Kikyo would bring Illumi to observe. When Illumi showed great interest in the feather bookmark I had placed in my book, I generously gifted him the bookmark.
At worst, I'll just make another one in handicraft class! My eagle doesn't shed only one feather in its lifetime.
Illumi could already call me "sister" with correct pronunciation and recognized some words, able to express simple meanings: "Want!"
"..." Can't you express anything else? If you can't speak like a human, then shut up.
Handicraft class is my favorite, especially the part about making leaf specimens.
After completing the first leaf specimen, my hobby of achieving 100% game elements reignited. It took me several months to collect leaves from all the different plant species within the Zoldyck territory, compiling them into three thick specimen albums.
The pleasure of collecting was not only in the satisfaction of achieving 100% completion, but the scenery along the way was also a great reward. During this time, I admired many of the magical beasts kept by the Zoldycks and incidentally paid homage to the Zoldyck gate, which is truly tall, immense, and magnificent.
However, it's impossible for everything to go smoothly. Illumi, a small tail, always followed me on my happy collecting journey. This was Kikyo's strategy to simultaneously train Illumi's physical fitness, look after both children, and foster sibling affection – killing three birds with one stone.
Although Illumi, as an adult, is a paranoid and insane control freak, the Illumi of today is as normal as the kindergarten classes I'm receiving. He possesses the excessive curiosity about new external things that is characteristic of his age, constantly asking questions about this and that, and even instructing me to help him pick tree fruits that he cannot reach.
"..." If Kikyo weren't present, I wouldn't help Illumi pick fruits.
"What is this?" "What is that?" "Why?"
The three classic toddler questions swirled around me, giving me a headache.
I am very glad that I am mute, as it gives me a valid reason to refuse to answer his questions. Therefore, his questions are all answered by the caretakers or Kikyo.
"Why?" Illumi's question this time was directed at me. "Sister. Why don't you talk?"
Because I'm mute! You don't know that until today?! Well, given your young age, I'll be understanding.
After hearing others explain what a "language-impaired person" is... Huh? The word "mute" can actually have such an elegant expression? It suddenly sounds so sophisticated?
"So cool," Illumi naturally found the term sophisticated as well.
Then he started imitating being mute, oh, no, a "language-impaired person." Whatever anyone asked, he would remain silent, only responding with nods or shakes of his head—Are you a little brat?! Oh, he really is a little brat.
"Illumi! Your sister cannot speak, but you can!" Kikyo spent a lot of effort correcting Illumi's imitation, "Answer me, Illumi!"
"..." Illumi covered his mouth with both hands and repeatedly shook his head.
Kikyo's agitated emotions only seemed to give this little brat more... a sense of accomplishment? Even on the verge of Kikyo's rage, he kept his mouth shut and slipped away from Kikyo without a word.
"ILLUMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kikyo's scream was about to break through the clouds.
This little brat, who could run and jump but didn't know the meaning of "knowing when to stop," was also very stubborn. Even when Kikyo caught him and lifted him up, he remained silent.
Unlike me, whose edges were smoothed by society and who often yielded to Kikyo's intimidating aura, I admired him for being a man at such a young age.
Although the pressure was immense, Kikyo was not the type to resort to immediate scolding or beating. She didn't actually do anything to Illumi. Instead, the caretaker who explained what a "language-impaired person" was was thus subjected to Kikyo's displeasure and had her salary docked for a week.
Following Zeno's advice, Illumi's grandfather, who said, "He's just interested for a while and will get bored over time," Kikyo reluctantly accepted.
Thus, Illumi could openly attend my sign language and lip-reading classes. He seemed particularly interested in the silent special courses and enjoyed interacting with me through sign language or lip-reading, treating it as an interactive game.
"This isn't too bad either," Silva commented when he saw it. "Illumi can learn more during this time. Having more skills is always beneficial."
"Oh, no, my Illumi, my Illumi..." Kikyo tightened her grip on the fan in her hand, displeased. "Your relationship with your sister is too good!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"..." Didn't you say you wanted "sibling affection" before, Kikyo?!!!!!!!! Is being too good also not allowed?!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alright, I also think that being too close to a future control freak is not a good thing, even if "I" am his sister. Moreover, being close to a control freak is inherently strange; normal people can't do it, so doesn't that make me abnormal too?
I began to intentionally and gradually distance myself from Illumi, responding to him less and less frequently, hoping to dampen his enthusiasm for imitating a "language-impaired person." I don't want to make an enemy of Kikyo, nor do I want to hinder Illumi's future career as an assassin and cause a butterfly effect that would make me lose more "information advantage."
Stop playing the naive game of "sibling affection" like children. You're long past the age for such innocence. You know that happiness and joy are always fleeting. You've experienced how life slides downhill, how life plummets. Your wish is a peaceful end. This is not the "real world." They have dialogue boxes, they have health bars, and they are NPCs you might have to kill in the future. Do not be lost in false illusions.
Silence, silence is the mute's inherent duty.
Even though I can now express many things through sign language and lip-reading, I rarely use them in front of Illumi. With him, I only shake my head or nod, or do nothing at all.
I believe this self-preservation behavior of mine is the most rational and superior course of action. However, the dire consequences were thus quietly sown, dealing me a great blow later on.
From that day forward, I began to resent Illumi.