As soon as the class ended, the room buzzed with faint noises and hurried footsteps. I watched Shu as she quietly packed her things, her movements smooth but distant—almost like she was trying to disappear before anyone noticed. Remembering my plan from last night, I knew the first step: I had to meet Shu's younger sister, and for that, I needed to visit her.
I hesitated, then stood up from my desk, feeling the odd mix of excitement and nerves churning inside. "Shu," I called softly. She turned, her expression polite but reserved.
"Are you free today?" I asked, hoping my request wouldn't catch her off guard.
She paused, searching my face. "I am. Did you need something, White?" Her voice was gentle but cautious.
"Well, I'm struggling a bit with my studies. Since you're the class topper, I thought... maybe you could help?" My words tumbled out messily, my smile awkward. I wasn't sure this excuse would work.
Shu's eyes flickered with a trace of apology. "Ah... I'm busy today. I have to visit somewhere." She looked genuinely regretful as she turned away.
Frustration prickled at me. If this plan failed, I had no idea how else I could meet her sister. Maybe... maybe I could tag along, wherever she was going.
"If you don't mind... can I come with you?" I blurted, trying to sound casual. "Are you going to visit your grandmother?"
Shu appeared uncomfortable—no surprise. My request was suspicious, but I was desperate. "I'm not going there," she replied quietly, avoiding my gaze.
Embarrassment flushed my cheeks. "Ah... Sorry, maybe next time you could help me study," I muttered, turning away, ready to abandon the plan.
Just then, Shu called after me. "Wait, White..." I stopped, and looked back. She hesitated—her body language uncertain, her eyes shadowed. "Maybe you can come along. I'm just going to the hospital to meet someone. Afterwards, I can help you study."
"Hospital?" The word stunned me. But this was my chance—I wouldn't let it slip by. "Sure, that's fine. May I know who you're visiting?"
"My little sister," she said, her voice softer, tinged with sadness.
My mind raced. Was she talking about Miku? Shu's grandmother once mentioned Miku was ill, but hearing she was hospitalized was shocking. This was my lead—and a way to finally meet her.
We walked together down bustling streets, the midday sun casting shadows over tight alleyways. As we chatted, I tried to read Shu's expressions, but she wore her trademark smile—a mask that hid whatever pain she was feeling inside. At a shop, we picked out flowers and chocolates for her sister.
Time slipped away in gentle conversation, but beneath each word I could sense something heavy weighing on Shu's heart. Her attempts at lightness did little to hide her worry.
Eventually, we reached the hospital—a towering building washed in sterile white light. At room 402's door, I paused. Shu's hand trembled slightly as she reached for the handle, her composure threatening to crack.
Inside this moment, our paths were about to cross with someone whose story had touched Shu so deeply. For now, the truth lay behind the door, waiting.
As Shu opened the door, I could see a girl with long blue hair and deep blue eyes, around seven or eight years old, much like Bell. She was seated quietly on her bed in pink pajamas, appearing to search for something lost—she seemed mesmerizing.
"Miku? How are you feeling today?" Shu asked, keeping her smile on for her.
"Ah... Big sis, you come... ah..." Miku looked toward me and then back at Shu, seeking answers.
"Don't worry, he is a friend of mine," Shu replied, "he said he wanted to meet you so he tagged along."
"Friend... Friend... Shu's sis friend," she murmured to herself and then raised her voice with shock and excitement.
"Friend of Shu... So Shu's sis has a friend now... Yayyy!" she exclaimed happily and continued, "Hey, Big Brother, you know Shu never had a friend before, so I was thinking she is being bullied or something, but now I feel relieved she can make friends."
I felt nervous at first because meeting a person who is slowly dying must be painful and dull, but seeing Miku was quite the opposite; her excitement filled me with positivity.
I smiled, watching Miku do great and then looking at me with curiosity. She asked, "Your name?"
"Ah... Sorry, I was quite shocked by your behavior—not in a bad way, but for someone sick, you seem quite energetic," I praised her and introduced myself.
"I am White, a classmate and friend of Shu's, and you are right—I am his first friend in high school," I said with a grin.
"Ohhh... Cool... Sister, your first friend is so chilled and cool." She gave a thumbs up to Shu.
Shu, with a little frustration, said, "Can you both please stop calling me the first friend? I've had friends before him."
"But you never introduced me to them, and when did you have a friend?" Miku replied.
"Well... I had a friend in elementary school," Shu said, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
"Ufff..." Shu looked at Miku, who was in tears from teasing Shu, then glanced toward me, and I teased along with Miku.
"Don't give me that looookkkkk!" Shu shouted at us.
Miku and I sat on the floor as Shu scolded us.
"Geez, why does it feel like you two are more siblings than I am to Miku?"
"Well, if Shu is going to marry White, doesn't that make him my brother?" Miku said, reasoning.
"Don't say that! You little..." Shu shouted.
As time passed, I smiled at both siblings. The bond between them was so pure and strong, incomparable to anything else. It felt good seeing them like this. Shu looked happier than ever.
If Bell were here with me, and Miku could see her, they would definitely become a good pair. I smiled thinking that.
I excused myself making a excuse and left
But now that I had met Miku, I knew one clear thing: the triggering point for Shu's emotions was Miku's presence. If anything happened to her, Shu would break.
I had to find a way to stop this. But how? That was the bigger question. Maybe I could ask Bell to cure Miku's sickness, but I didn't know if that would work, and what the price of saving someone's life would be...
Lost deep in thought, I was just around the corner in the corridor when I collided with a lady.
"Ahh... Sorry, I was lost in thought," I apologized with a bow.
As I lifted my head, my eyes opened wide, my thoughts halting, and my breath deepening as I saw a face—a face of a woman I cherished and loved before. A woman who loved me the most, fought for me, the woman I lived for—and the same woman who abandoned me on the street.
From my trembling mouth, a word slipped out:
"Mo... mom?"