Few days later
As soon as the class ended, the room buzzed with faint noises and hurried footsteps. White watched Shu quietly packs her things, her movements smooth but distant—almost as if she was trying to disappear before anyone noticed. Remembering his plan from the night before, he knew the first step: he had to meet Shu's younger sister, and for that, he needed to visit her.
He hesitated, then stood up from his desk, feeling the odd mix of excitement and nerves churning inside. "Shu," he called softly. She turned, her expression polite but reserved.
"Are you free today?" he asked, hoping his request wouldn't catch her off guard.
She paused, searching his face. " 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?" His words tumbled out messily, his smile awkward. He 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 him. If this plan failed, he had no idea how else he could meet her sister. Maybe… maybe he could tag along, wherever she was going.
"If you don't mind… can I come with you?" he blurted, trying to sound casual. "Are you going to visit your grandmother?"
Shu appeared uncomfortable—no surprise. His request was suspicious, but he was desperate. "I'm not going there," she replied quietly, avoiding his gaze.
Embarrassment flushed his cheeks. "Ah… sorry, maybe next time you could help me study," he muttered, turning away, ready to abandon the plan.
Just then, Shu called after him. "Wait, White…" He 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 him. But this was his chance—he 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.
White's mind raced. Was she talking about Miku? Shu's grandmother had once mentioned Miku was ill, but hearing she was hospitalized was shocking. This was his lead—and a way to finally meet her.
They walked together down bustling streets, the midday sun casting shadows over tight alleyways. As they chatted, White 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, they picked out flowers and chocolates for her sister.
Time slipped away in gentle conversation, but beneath each word he could sense something heavy weighing on Shu's heart. Her attempts at lightness did little to hide her worry.
Eventually, they reached the hospital—a towering building washed in sterile white light. At room 402's door, White paused. Shu's hand trembled slightly as she reached for the handle, her composure threatening to crack.
Inside this moment, their 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, White saw 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 pyjamas, appearing to search for something lost—mesmerizing in her presence.
"Miku? How are you feeling today?" Shu asked, keeping her smile on for her.
"Ah… Big sis, you come… ah…" Miku looked toward White 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 has a friend now… yayyy!" Miku exclaimed happily. "Hey, Big Brother, you know Shu never had a friend before, so I was thinking she was being bullied or something. But now I feel relieved she can make friends."
White felt nervous at first—meeting someone who was slowly dying must be painful and dull—but seeing Miku was quite the opposite; her excitement filled him with positivity.
He smiled, watching Miku's energy, then introduced himself. "I am White, a classmate and friend of Shu's. And you're right—I am her first friend in high school."
"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 teased.
"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 laughing, then glanced toward White, who teased along with her.
"Don't give me that looookkkkk!" Shu shouted at them.
Miku and White sat on the floor as Shu scolded them. "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 reasoned.
"Don't say that! You little…" Shu shouted.
As time passed, White 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 him, and Miku could see her, they would definitely become a good pair. He smiled at the thought.
He excused himself with a quick excuse and left. But now that he had met Miku, he confirmed one clear thing: the triggering point for Shu's emotions was Miku's presence. If anything happened to her, Shu would break.
He had to find a way to stop this. But how? That was the bigger question. Maybe he could ask Bell to cure Miku's sickness, but he didn't know if that would work—or what the price of saving someone's life would be.
Lost deep in thought, White turned a corner in the corridor and collided with a lady.
"Ahh… sorry, I was lost in thought," he apologized with a bow.
As he lifted his head, his eyes widened, his thoughts halted, and his breath deepened as he saw a face—a face of a woman he cherished and loved before. A woman who had loved him the most, fought for him, the woman he had lived for—and the same woman who had abandoned him on the street.
From his trembling mouth, a word slipped out:
"Mo… mom?"