It began with a cough.
Light. Almost forgettable.
But when Fu Yunshen didn't respond to his name during roll call, even the teacher frowned.
Shi Mu, sitting three seats behind, was already out of her chair.
She found him just outside the classroom, leaning against the cold wall, hand pressed to his chest, breathing shallow.
"Fu Yunshen," she said softly.
He looked up—dazed.
"I'm fine," he murmured.
"You're not."
"I just need a moment."
"You need a doctor."
By the time they reached the infirmary, his fever had worsened.
The nurse frowned at the thermometer. "39.8°C. That's dangerously high."
She handed Shi Mu a damp towel and whispered, "He needs rest and someone to monitor him. Do you want to stay?"
Shi Mu didn't even hesitate. "Yes."
He was placed on one of the empty cots, eyes half-lidded, forehead slick with sweat.
Shi Mu sat beside him, gently dabbing the towel across his temples.
"You shouldn't keep pushing yourself like this," she murmured.
He gave a faint smile. "Says the girl who nearly fainted two weeks ago during a haunting."
"Different scenario."
"Same habit."
She didn't argue.
Silence fell, heavy but not uncomfortable.
Then he asked, voice hoarse, "Do you know what my first memory is?"
She shook her head.
He stared at the ceiling.
"A box."
She waited.
"My mom kept a small wooden box. She said it held everything she couldn't say. Letters, receipts, tiny photos, things she didn't have the heart to throw away."
Shi Mu blinked. "And you?"
"I opened it once. After she left."
He exhaled slowly.
"There was nothing inside."
Shi Mu said nothing for a long time.
Then she whispered, "Maybe the emptiness was the message."
He turned his head toward her, eyes unreadable. "What about you? What's your first memory?"
She hesitated.
"A broken charm," she said eventually. "My grandfather gave it to me to protect me from nightmares. But I shattered it during a tantrum."
"Did it work?"
"No. I still have the nightmares."
"But you're still here," he said.
"So are you," she replied.
[System Notification]
Emotional Depth Reached: Personal History Shared – Category: Early Memory Disclosure
Brotherhood Value +80 (Mutual Vulnerability & Physical Care)
Current Total: 2,025 / 1,000,000
He drifted off not long after, face finally softening in sleep.
Shi Mu sat beside him, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest.
She wanted to reach out.
To tuck a strand of hair behind his ear.
To fold a message into a box and leave it for him to find.
But instead, she whispered:
"I see you."
And hoped that one day…
He'd believe it.