In Our Next Life | Levi

Shizue in Paradise

Shizue Yamada grew up in a small village in Ragako. Her family wasn't rich, but they weren't unfortunate either. Even if they had to tighten their belts most of the time, their mother made sure they can afford basic necessities.

The Yamada family lived in the middle of the forest, and their father was constantly away.

Shizue was only eight years-old when she first caught sight of blood. All she could hear was the sound of her mother, crying as three soldiers of the scout regiment delivered what was left of their father. The pink haired girl could only hold her brother's hand, telling him that everything will be alright. Her eyes told a different story.

Everything changed after their father passed. Their mother had a hard time coping with his death that Shizue took it upon herself to take care of them and her younger brother. At a young age, she was begging her neighbors of some left over food or stale bread, anything that can fill their stomachs.

A few years passed, Shizue learned to earn money, whether be it cleaning stables, taking care of soldier horses, anything that can help her provide for her family. One thing Shizue learned as she grew up, is that money is everything. From then, she made it her personal goal to enter the military and use it for a for stable income. However, a part of her was a bit reluctant, because she didn't want to leave her family, especially her younger brother.

One day, an angry butcher went to their cabin holding her younger brother by the back of his collar. "Oi Yamada!"

"Your damn brother is trouble! He's causing havoc in the market for weeks!" Shizue's eyes hardened as she rushed to her brother after he threw the kid at her. The young ravenette tried his very best to put on a brave face in front of his sister.

"He's just a kid," Shizue calmly spoke. She couldn't let herself be any more upset, because she knew she wouldn't be able to do anything if this escalates.

The butcher spat bitterly. "He's a thief. Do something about it before he grows up a criminal."

The girl didn't say anything, she just held her brother. He wiped the dirt off his face and stood up, but still refused to meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Shizue. But mom needed the food, she's sick." Shizue unknowingly clenched her fists.

"It's my fault, we barely had enough money. Its just... the medicine was expensive than I expected, I'm sorry." She apologized.

Her brother felt incredibly guilty. He didn't want to be any more of a burden to her, but stealing was the only thing he knew how to do. He always saw his sister passed out in exhaustion and if there was any food left, she always gave it to him or their mom. For once, he just wants to be the one to take care of her, even through small things such as an apple on the table when she gets home from her jobs.

Shizue's little brother was only eight years-old, when he was murdered.

His body was found in the woods, with both his hands missing. Blood oozed off its body, he wasn't breathing anymore. She couldn't do anything, never did she ever felt more weak, and powerless.

Her eyes landed on her mother's figure who sat in front of the window, no emotion was seen in her face, not one word was spoken, there was just...nothing.

Words spread through out the city like wild fire. Their local butcher was murdered the other night, his severed head was missing. Shizue only kept walking until she reached the market to buy the stuff she needed.