Niva's mother stood frozen in one place.
She could feel the tears from Niva's eyes dampening her shoulder.
There was no whimpering, no irregular breathing — just more and more tears falling.
Her mother gritted her teeth, as if she didn't know what to do for Niva...
or as if she already knew something.
Something about her.
She finally composed herself and gently pushed Niva back.
Niva slowly lifted her head. Tears still flowed...
But the expression in those cold eyes didn't change for even a split second.
For some reason, Niva's mother had always known this day might come.
She came closer and kissed Niva's forehead.
Then she looked around the room — tidy and neat.
Too neat for someone in such a miserable state of mind.
So,
She started to mess it up.
Cluttering things.
Throwing off the bedsheet in a strange way.
Setting books upside down.
Moving things here and there in a way that felt uncomfortable.
Niva's room had always been too neat — so neat it looked like no one lived there.
"Why...?" Niva asked, confused but clear.
"I've told you... haven't I?
You can't fool your messed-up mind by keeping your surroundings spotless.
Stop... faking it. Stop it." Her mother's voice shook with anger and sadness, yet it still sounded soft enough to make Niva drowsy.
"But... isn't that a good habit?" Niva asked.
"Yes. It is. But not for you."
"But... I like it that way..."
"That's why — that's why you're always so... ugh!" Her mother's voice broke.
— Niva was a strange child from the start, her mother thought.
— I don't think even she realized it. But I do. I watched her all these years.
She had always been so... mature, nice, and smart.
I used to admire other mothers when they complained about their children. I wished I could. But she was perfect — not a genius, not average, just a child anyone could be proud of.
And she never asked for anything.
She didn't cry when she was hurt. She wasn't scared to be left alone. She never complained about chores.
Always smiling — a smile that used to hurt me because it was always directed at me.
The way she slept in my arms when she was small, or on my lap when she grew up — it was beautiful. But...
This thing always bothered me. She was like an apathetic person who desired nothing in the world.
I wondered when she would reach her limit. Or if she ever would.
I was afraid one day she'd break. And now she had.
Yet... I'm so helpless—
"MOM!!" Niva shouted.
"What are you thinking so deeply about that you can't hear me?" Niva asked in worry.
"I-it's nothing. I'll... I'll be leaving."
and her mother left hurriedly.
Niva was confused until the end and sighed.
Thoughts of her mother didn't linger for long — Luc returned, occupying her mind again.
Come to a certain place tomorrow. At the same time. My bird will guide you to me. Keep the window open.
He'd said it yesterday. But...he doesn't even know my address.
*tak-tak*
A soft knock at the window.
Niva saw that unique, fascinating bird. It tapped twice.
"..."
She opened the window; the bird flew in and landed on her shoulder.
She followed the bird down a remote mountain trail facing west, where the sunset could be seen. But sunsets didn't impress Niva anymore — she couldn't find beauty in such things.
As she looked at the landscape—
"Oh! You're finally here~"
She looked up. The bird circled him and settled on his shoulder, then onto his fingers.
to be continued...