Back in the room, the air hung thick with unspoken questions.
"So, what do you think?" White asked, settling into the chair as Aisha took a slow sip from her steaming cup of coffee.
"Hm… if I'm honest, you need to add more sugar," she replied, eyes flickering over the cup as she savored the bitter warmth.
"That's not what I meant," I said sharply, slamming both hands on the table in frustration.
Aisha smirked, curling a finger near her lips, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hmm… well, about that…"
White's gaze locked onto her, curiosity sharpening his features as he waited for her to continue.
"You look… cute when you cry, you know," she teased, her laughter light but edged with something darker.
I groaned, pressing one hand to my face, the other dropping limply to my lap. "That's not helping… geez."
Aisha leaned in, her tone dropping to something serious yet cryptic. "Actually, it seems like you don't need us anymore."
The words hit me like a cold wave. "What do you mean by that?" I asked, voice trembling with disbelief.
"What I mean is… Bell exists because of your desire. She is tied to your wishes, your craving for something. But you've been wary, trying to solve your problems on your own for so long that Bell... she's being erased from this world."
She took another sip, her eyes darkening with worry. "The world is deleting her."
Panic clawed at my chest. "What do you mean, I need Bell? Because… because…"
I hesitated, the truth knotting in my throat. I need her—whether for my wish or something deeper. But she came into my life uninvited, turning everything upside down with the side effects of her own desires...
Suddenly, Bell appeared, wrapped in white pajamas, clutching a blanket tightly in her small hands.
"Pa… Pa…" she called softly, still half-asleep.
"Bell…" I whispered, disbelief washing over me as I tried to process everything that had happened today. I paused for a moment, heart pounding.
"Oh, you're awake, Bell! Good Evening" Aisha greeted warmly. I rushed to Bell and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her tiny, warm body trembled slightly against me, her breath heavy and uneven.
"Papa…" she murmured, confusion lingering in her sleepy voice.
"Don't worry. Everything's alright now," I promised, relief flooding through me.
"If the world ever tries to take you away from me, I will use any means to save you."
Bell giggled softly and whispered, "I don't understand what you say, but thank you, Papa… for remembering me…"
Aisha let out a sharp whistle as I turned towards her, only to be met with her taunting smile.
"You… really are something else. Saying you'll fight the world to keep her safe, but you don't even know how to save her," she said coldly.
Embarrassment curled inside me. She was right—I wanted to save Bell, but I had no idea how. And now, two massive problems weighed heavily on me: Shu's situation and Bell's fragile existence. I was utterly lost.
"Tsk... tsk…" Aisha clicked her tongue.
"You know that's your biggest weakness.
You want to help everyone but don't know the first step to make it happen,"
she continued, rising from her seat. She approached us, gently taking Bell from my arms and lifting her up.
"That is what makes you special," Aisha said, her smile softening—not the wicked grin from before but a genuinely gentle one.
"I'll help you with Bell's problem. You focus on the issue with Shu."
"What… but how? If Bell exists because of my desire, then…" I tried to reason, only to be cut off by her firm voice.
"You're forgetting something. You're the reason she exists, but I... I gave birth to her. If I hadn't used your emotions, Bell wouldn't be here at all," she said with quiet certainty.
I didn't fully understand, but the weight of her words pressed down on me. I bowed my head, closing my eyes.
"Thank you… thank you for always supporting me. I will never forget what you've done for me."
Aisha's smile twisted into an evil grin. "Ah… now that you mention it, you wished me today, didn't you? And for that, you have to pay the price."
"Re… really?" I stammered, the dread of an unpaid debt settling in.
"Don't worry. Saving you was my desire. It won't cost you much. But when I return, you have to promise me something."
Her lips moved again, but it sounded like a whisper carried by a cold wind. My eyes widened, the world halting around me as black mist swirled from her, leaving behind a chilling message:
"Keep what I asked for as the price in mind. I need some time, so I'm taking Bell with me. I'll meet you later. And… good luck with Shu."