The Virus

Leiro's PoV

"Liana... Liana, wake up- don't... Don't leave me behind Liana!"

I sprung up on the sofa as I was hardly catching my breath. I looked around and sighed in relief as I found out that it was all a dream. That dream, or probably a nightmare, kept on haunting me until this day. I kept on thinking about that accident, and it's something to do with my condition.

I turned on the television and stared at my phone for a moment... It's still six in the morning and I'm currently in my living room, sitting on my comfy sofa. I didn't notice that I fell asleep here while I was waiting for my parents.

I was busy looking for channels to watch when I stumbled upon a news channel. I was about to change it when a news report caught my attention.

"Extreme Sister Complex Disorder... or ESCD... Another pandemic struck fear all over the world as this virus has killed over a hundred thousand people, particularly male teenagers aged 18-25 years old worldwide. The virus is said to..."

I let out a deep sigh as I heard that news. My, what an unfair world it is. This virus came out of nowhere and what's even worse, only male teenagers were the ones that were affected. Does this virus mad at men so much? I don't even think this is a coincidence.

"...Yet, a popular professor of Naipass City, Professor Seth Collins, proclaimed that chances of the virus worsening can be lessened with the help of little sisters. His studies proved an 80% chance of the virus' effects to lessen if the affected person has a little sister beside him, and it can be treated with..."

Well, the disorder's name said it all. We need little sisters.

"...To help, Professor Seth Collins created an institution he called the Mini-Lifesavers, or ML Institution to support all affected male teenagers worldwide. His institution currently has-"

I turned the television off and tried to calm myself. The show's not boring, but I need to keep my mind focused for today.

I massaged the sides of my head and rubbed my short, blonde hair with my pale ivory-colored fingers, as I decided to change my clothes for this event I'm going today. Well, this is life for me- it was selfish and unfair, and there is no such moment that life gave me challenges I could bear.

And yes, my name's Lei Roland De Guzman, but calling me Lei is also acceptable. I'm just a simple person with a kind and gentle attitude, although other people would think of me as the opposite since I'm living in a rich family. Aren't their mindsets always like that?

And as those other male teenagers reported on the news, I was also a victim of Extreme Sister Complex Disorder. And the worst part is that this virus infected me the day my little sister, Liana De Guzman, died from an accident- I'm sorry but I couldn't tell you the details for now. It's not that I didn't want to talk about it. It's just a long story, that's all.

So, back to what I am saying, to lessen this virus, my parents have no choice but to adopt a little sister for me in Mini-Lifesavers Institution. And that is the reason why am I changing my clothes today.

~

So here I am- busy looking for a decent pair of clothes; I looked at my phone and noticed it was already six-thirty in the morning. I quickly pulled out my blue polo T-shirt, a pair of black pants, and a pair of red socks. I quickly put those on as I was still looking for my black rubber shoes under my bed and thankfully I found them. I combed my hair until I realized I haven't taken a shower before changing, haha… It seems inappropriate but a spray of my favorite perfume will do.

I tried to scan my room and thought about anything I might forget to bring- my headphones were placed near my smartphone, a handkerchief, my wallet... What else do we need?

"There you are, Lei. Are you ready now? Five minutes and we're leaving." My mother suddenly knocked at my door as I just finished putting my wristwatch on. I gently tied my shoes, fixed the crumples on my T-shirt, and responded.

"I'm ready Mom."

"Okay, sweetie. C'mon out now since we're leaving early. Remember that I and your father still have our work today so we should make haste." My mother smiled at me as I opened the door of my room. She's currently wearing her office clothes and red sandals- well; they're working in an office, that's why.

As our maids gently opened the entrance of our mansion, my mother and I headed outside the house, and I saw my father starting his car for us. Oh yes, even though they have work today but they still did their best to support me with everything I need, I nearly-perfect family, to be précised. Well, it was perfect, until my little sister died and now my life is threatened by this virus I don't know where it came from.

I just sat in the back seat while my mother sat in the front seat together with my father. Both of us fasten our seatbelts as I heard my parents chatting about something. I just opened my smartphone, placed my headphones into my ear, and started listening to music as I slowly wiped the car window near me. I stared at the morning sun for a moment, took a deep breath, and drew a smile on my face.

As my father started the car, I slowly gained courage. Wait, I'm not going to join a competition or something. It's just, this event that I'm going through right now might be a new opportunity for me to change my past and fulfill the wish fate has taken away from me six months ago, and hopefully, this will cure me of my disorder…

…And it's my wish to have a little sister, once again.

*****