I’m Planning to be Killed by the Heroine

“Sister····!”
It’s an old dream.
It’s a scene from the past that has pierced her numerous times.
“Look at this····! It’s a flower, a flower! A white flower!”
The girl was smiling like that in the vast garden.
Towards Erica, herself.
“Yes, Ere. It is.”
She looked so much like herself. That’s what she thought.
Golden long hair fluttered, blending with the statue-like flowers around.
Pure white eyes that seemed to have stolen only the radiance of diamonds were directed at her.
Always.
She decorates her face with a bright smile.
“Which flower do you like best among the flowers, sister?”
“Your sister····.”
Did she have a favorite flower? Did she even have the luxury to care about such things in the first place?
Life is already overwhelming just balancing magical beast subjugation and work. She always felt sorry for not being able to spend time with her sister.
She hurriedly turned her gaze and took in the flowers around her.
“Ah, baby’s breath····?”
It was white baby’s breath.
“Baby’s breath? Baby’s breath is pretty! I, I even know its flower language!”
“Flower language?”
“Yes! It’s, it’s····! Ah, I knew it!”
“You can think slowly.”
“I’m not saying I don’t know! I really do know!”
Ere glanced at the baby’s breath hidden in the bushes and grabbed her head with her slender hands.
“Umm····! Ah! Pure heart!”
“Pure heart?”
“Yes! It suits you well, sister! You’re so kind····!”
It doesn’t suit me at all, she thought.
“Me?”
“Yes! You buy me lots of food, and sometimes call me! And, and····.”
There was nothing she could think of. It was natural. Erica herself didn’t spend much time with her sister.
Their parents had passed away long ago. She and her sister had to continue living on their own. In an era where magical beasts were rampant and awakened ones were running wild, many things were needed to protect what she wanted to protect.
Money was needed. Power was needed. Effort was a given.
It was only recently that she had entered the Association with the status of a ranker and just started to establish herself.
She went out to subjugate magical beasts, working day and night. She had shed blood countless times while catching vicious criminals.
But it couldn’t be helped. No matter how hard and tiring the work was, she wanted to make her sister happy at least.
“Our Ere. I didn’t know you thought of your sister like that.”
“Of course! You don’t know how much I like you, sister!”
Her smile was beautiful. Her eyes were beautiful. She was lovely. The flowers around didn’t even enter her sight.
She wanted to protect her. She didn’t even want to show her the dark side of the world.
For that, she needed to be strong. Very, incredibly so.
Of course, the more she did so, the more gradually distancing herself from her sister was a predetermined future.
“Erica. You’ve been working hard lately. There’s no talent as great as you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but you’ll be busier. The number of gates has gone up to the Render grade. Awakened ones won’t miss this opportunity. They’ll spread their wings more and plot something through the back roads.”
Erica silently nodded.
The superior gestured towards the back door of his office. Beyond the door, employees were busily moving in the office. The commotion doubled and phone calls filled the room.
“Well····, the office atmosphere these days is no joke, so I think you understand.”
“Yes.”
It couldn’t be helped. It was natural. The environment was changing and humans had to adapt.
The time she could return home on time became even later, and each time, Erica could only sigh.
It was a late night hour. The streetlights were dark and couldn’t emit light. The vermilion street looked gloomy today.
“Haah.”
With trudging steps, she entered a dim building in a corner of the city and stood in front of her apartment number.
The house was bright. Thanks to her sister’s consideration. She must have turned on the living room lights so she could come in and fallen asleep in her room.
She slightly opened the door marked – Ere’s room – and peeked her head in. Ere must have tossed and turned, as she was sleeping turned over with her blanket slightly crumpled.
Her face wasn’t visible.
How long had it been since she faced her?
After gently closing the door like that and turning her head, there was fried rice wrapped in plastic wrap on the dining table along with a note attached next to it.

Sister! It seems you’re coming home late again today, so I made a simple snack. Isn’t work hard? Make sure to take care of your health! If anything hurts, make sure to tell me. I’m always cheering for you!
It was neat handwriting. It was identical to Ere’s gentle personality.
But at the same time, Erica was worried. Ere has a personality that gets lonely easily. She probably doesn’t have many friends around. She knew well the feeling of not having someone to embrace.
She unwrapped the plastic and picked up the spoon placed next to it. She didn’t bother to heat it in the microwave. She scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth. It was cold but warm.
The taste hadn’t changed at all from when she ate with her before.
She wanted to do something for her.
It was almost her birthday.
“Are you awake?”
“Mmm····? Sister····?”
It was early morning. The clock pointed to 7 o’clock.
“Sister····. Aren’t you late····?”
“It’s okay to be a little late.”
Wrapping the blanket around her body, Ere rubbed her eyes. Then, seeing Erica sitting on her bed, she hugged her tightly.
“I love you so much, sister····.”
“Me too.”
Erica silently stroked her. Her glossy hair tickled her hand.
After spending some quiet time like that, Erica opened her mouth.
“Ere.”
“Yes?”
“Ere····, what’s your favorite color?”
“Favorite color?”
Ere, who had buried her face in her chest, gently raised her head and met her eyes.
Round amethysts entered her sight.
Ere pondered for a moment.
“White!”
“Hmm, white?”
“Why?”
“No, just asking.”
Erica avoided her gaze. Ere looked at her for a moment, then couldn’t hide her rising smile.
Erica instinctively felt it. Ah, she’s caught on.
Of course she did. She was so happy on her own birthday. It was natural. Because that’s when she could spend quality time with her sister.
There’s no way Ere herself wouldn’t know it was her birthday today. And asking about her favorite color too.
“Sister.”
“It’s late, I should go.”
“Hihi. Okay.”
Though she was two years younger, it was Erica who got caught at times like this.
But Erica was happy. As long as she could see her smile, anything was fine.
It was red. Deep red. Bright red liquid poured out onto the snow-white clothes. Irritation surged and stress became extreme.
Her body had long been dirtied. Her heart too, her clothes, her hair.
She gripped her long sword and knelt, then stood up. It seems several ribs are broken and judging by the sharp pain in her heart, it’s a serious injury.
Ah, this will take a long time to heal.
She frowned, chewing on the bitter pain. Her colleagues were lying around her too.
The magical beast subjugation was successful. The gate was closed and people were saved.
Blood gushed out and Erica sat down against the wall, breathing again.
It hurts, I want to see Ere soon. It’s late. Birthday? It’s her birthday today. No, yesterday.
Of course, there’s no way the magical beast subjugation wouldn’t take time. The night is late and it’s long past 12 o’clock.
Ere sleeps at 11. No, would today be different? She probably believed I’d come before 12 for sure, then cried alone in a corner of her house.
I had to go.
I roughly supported my colleagues and requested reinforcements from the Association. Just need to call the medics.
“Erica····, you should be hospitalized····.”
“It’s okay. Just roughly bandage me.”
“Do you have to go home right now?”
“It’s my only sister’s birthday today.”
No, it was yesterday.
I broke a promise I didn’t even make.
The woman in the white gown nodded and started a brief disinfection.
It hurt.
After finishing only the minimum treatment with first aid, Erica roughly put on her top with bandages wrapped around her abdomen and chest and came out.
She had already bought the birthday cake. It was thoroughly stored in the refrigerator of the Association’s hospital ward.
The cake was white. Ere liked whipped cream even normally. I think I’ve heard the reason. She said she likes it because it’s white.
Why white?
Erica hurriedly moved her steps, holding the packaged cake. She wanted to run but didn’t have the strength. Her abdomen hurt and her chest hurt. Her legs seemed to limp and her breathing dried up.
But she couldn’t stop. It had already been several days since she left Ere alone at home.
She arrived at the building and climbed the stairs. There was no time to take the elevator. She climbed the stairs, swallowing rough breaths. She reached her floor only when her breath was up to her chin.
With urgent steps, she arrived in front of her apartment number and opened the door.
It was dark. Too dark. It was always bright before. She always left the lights on.
After several seconds, when her eyes got used to the darkness and her vision widened, only then could she see objects.
It was a small desk. It was something she bought for Ere to use when they first moved to this house. And on top of it seemed to be a choco pie. A candle was stuck in it.
The candle wasn’t lit. There was a slight smoke.
“Huk····, huk····.”
“Ere! Ere!”
Only when the phone with the flashlight on fell did she see a figure. The golden long hair was disheveled. Her face was dark and the area around her eyes was red.
She hurriedly rushed in and hugged her. She could feel her trembling breath. Groans were heard then subsided.
“Si, sister····?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ere.”
The floor was slightly wet. The sound of her heart throbbing loudly was heard.
“N-No. It’s okay, huk, sister.”
“Ere, I’m sorry. Your sister. I’m sorry.”
For how many hours? How many hours did you wait for me?
I couldn’t know. She didn’t tell me.
Ere hurriedly rubbed around her eyes with her hands and sniffled. Then she flashed a bright smile.
“It’s okay. Sister. I know, you’re busy. I can wait this much. What did you bring?”
Her tone was calm, but for Erica who had been watching her, she could tell those words were riddled with lies.
Her breathing trembled and her Adam’s apple vibrated. Her voice seemed hoarse too, as if she had cried for a long time.
Alone in this dark place.
“Ere····.”
“Yes? Let’s see. I said it’s okay? I just caught a cold.”
Her blinking as if it was really okay rather made her heart ache more.
Erica couldn’t open her mouth anymore. She wondered if she had the right to.
“A cake and····.”
And a scarf as a gift.
“Wow! This is the whipped cream cake I like! I’m so happy!”
Though exhausted, her voice was filled with excitement. The corners of her eyes lifted and her pupils dilated. Erica forced a smile.
Her expression as if everything was okay rather felt like it was trampling on her.
She should say something more, but couldn’t open her mouth.
What she barely opened was after hearing Ere’s exclamations a bit more.
“Weekend?”
“Yes, weekend. How about the weekend? It’s cold these days, so we can’t go far. Shall we look around downtown, go shopping, and eat out?”
“Yes! Sounds good! But aren’t you busy, sister?”
“Weekends are okay. Your sister needs to rest too.”
Spending time with Ere was rest.
Literally.
She wanted to fill it somehow. It might have been her selfish decision to alleviate her guilt towards Ere.
But anything was fine. If she could smile even a little.
It was when she was gently smiling at Ere like that.
When the call from the Association came.