The rhythmic melody of the bird's tune resonates with the silent wind, traveling along the current path through the building as the other bird nearby listens quietly in peace. Along the wind, subtle green leaves detached from the trees flow freely without persistence, finally being free.
Inside one of the classrooms a teacher writes complicated math equations on the chalkboard to test the rigor of the students as they embark near the time of midterms. Most students focus, while others just chatter about their daily life.
"Seriously, I paid so much to get this SSR character, yet you get it in one go?"
"All luck baby, no need to spend money ha ha!"
"Darn it... I'm still farming to get them. People say that their kit is so OP. What do you think, Chun-Jan?"
The three male students turned their gazes at the back seat, where Choi Chun-Jan sits, listening and paying attention to the content of the lesson. He slowly looks up from his notebook and sees the character in one of the guy's phones.
"Ah... did they release a new update? I don't think I've downloaded it yet."
"Seriously? This is like the biggest update yet. So many things are being added and so many new characters to pull for. I'll gladly spend all my money to get them."
Choi Chun-Jan laughs at that remark before resting his head on the knuckle of his hand, smiling at them. "Come on, you should be busy studying. Midterms are around the corner"
One of the guys scratched their head with frustration. "I've given up at this point, no need to stress about it."
As he said that, one of the other guy's nudged him in the arm. "Idiot. At this rate, you'll end up working in construction to pay for the game."
A single clap echoed through the room, catching the attention of the talking boys. As they turn their gazes back to the front of the room, they see the cold stare of the teacher. After a quiet exchange, the teacher finally let out a sigh.
"Okay class. You know exams are going to commence next week. I hope you prepared yourself for them. If you haven't... Well, I wish you all the best of luck. Class is dismissed."
Everyone thanked the teacher as he began to leave the room. Shortly after, people began to pack their bags and converse among each other. A group of girl's formed in the corner of the room, talking and glancing at Choi Chun-Jan with admiration.
It seems that one of the girl's plans to confess their love to Choi Chun-Jan.
Having beauty unparalleled to the rest of the guys, and girls, in school with intelligence that rivals only his twin sister, all while having the physical capabilities and height to be the team captain of the volleyball team. Many people flock to him for attention, wanting to be on his good side.
He secretly glanced at the ground of girls from the corner of his eyes before noticing what was about to happen.
"... There's no need to make things complicated. I'll start heading out now."
He packed his bag and put on his school sweater before waving at the boys around him goodbye with his bright smile. "See ya! I have some things to take care of."
In their eyes, that bright smile blinded them so much that they miraculously had sunglasses on to protect themselves. "O-Okay…! We'll see you tomorrow!"
He quickly walks towards the door, going down the stairs of the school and reaching the shoe locker room in the front of the school entrance. Just before he was about to exit the premises, fast footsteps emerged behind him.
"Chun-Jan!"
Chun-Jan flinches before a sweat forms in his face. "I guess I failed..."
He slowly turns his head around, still showing his kind smile that he's famously known for. He sees one of the girls that were around the corner of the room walk up to him out of breath. She breathes in before straightening her posture.
Chun-Jan steadied himself, bracing for the awkwardness about to unfold. The girl finally caught her breath, her hands gripping her school bag tightly anxiously. She slowly opened her mouth again, clearly trying to push the words out before her courage slipped away.
"Chun-Jan, I... I really like you!" The words hung in the air as everyone in the room faced them in silence, making the young girl blush even more with embarrassment.
Chun-Jan let out a small sigh, his kind smile still intact, though his chest tightened with the familiar discomfort of rejecting someone. He calculated his words carefully, ready to let her down gently.
But before he could speak, the girl's gaze drifted past him. Upon shifting his gaze behind him, he saw Choi Do-Woon, standing patiently by the entrance.
His wavy brown hair shifted lightly with the breeze, and the soft warmth in his bright brown eyes reflected the warm sunlight itself. A serene smile spread across his face, making his delicate features all the more noticeable.
Chun-Jan glanced toward his brother before a bright smile emerged from his face. "Brother!"
Do-Woon continued his smile as he slowly approached him. "Chun-Ja. I thought I would surprise you and walk back together, but…" He gazes at the girl before letting out a warmer smile, making her heart skip a beat. "It seems you're busy at the moment."
The girl continued to stammer, still gazing at Do-Woon. "Y-You're his brother…?"
Do-Woon gently bows to the girl. "Hello. I'm Chun-Jan's older brother, Choi Do-Woon."
Hearing those words, she couldn't help but be surprised. "I... I thought you were his younger brother." She anxiously fidgets her finger together. "You look... younger than him..."
Chun-Jan gave a light shrug, his expression still calm. "Nope, he's older."
In a shallow whisper, did she continue to admire Do-Woon's beauty. "He's really beautiful..." Her gaze continued to linger on Do-Woon for a moment longer before Chun-Jan stepped in with discontent, preparing to leave.
"He's my brother..." Saying those words to her, he pulled his bag strap higher on his shoulder. Without waiting for a response, he turned back toward Do-Woon with a bright smile. "Let's go, brother!"
Do-Woon gave one last gentle smile to the girl before gently walking beside Chun-Jan. In the serene silence, they continued to walk out from the school and into the linear pavement with trees on both sides. Their leaves rustling against the spring breeze, and across their bodies, making this moment even more tranquil.
After a long moment of them walking in the silence, Do-Woon slowly glanced at Chun-Jan. "... Who was that?"
"... Just a classmate."
Do-Woon let out a small chuckle. "It seems that you're quite popular."
Chun-Jan gave a small hum, neither confirming nor denying. They continued their walk, the familiar silence between them comfortable.
The brothers walked in step with the afternoon sun stretching long shadows across the pavement, and the subtle scents of flowers filling the air. Choi Do-Woon's warm expression gave the moment a sense of peace. Chun-Jan slowly glanced at his brother, feeling something amiss this silence.
"... You didn't have to come all the way here." He stopped, looking anxiously away as he tightened his grasp on the strand. "I mean... You probably had better things to do."
Choi Do-Woon gently shifted his gaze towards him. The same serene smile continued to spread across his face as he stopped walking, trying his best to ease his anxiety. "What could be more important than spending time with my brother?"
For a moment, Chun-Jan didn't respond. Though he rarely expressed it openly, moments like these reminded him how much he respected his older brother—not for his intelligence or achievements, but for his kindness that seemed to come so… naturally.
He continued to stammer, his kind smile slowly breaking as he tried to avoid eye contact. "I just..." Chun-Jan paused for a moment, not sure on how to respond. "You… you always seem so... unbothered. Even when things aren't going great, you're just... smiling, like nothing happened…"
Do-Woon pauses for a bit, his smile breaking before he shakes his head, smiling once again with reassurance. "Is that what you think?"
Chun-Jan looked down at his feet, slowly nodding. "The way you carry yourself without worrying about the bad things... I don't know how you do it."
There was a brief silence between them.
Do-Woon lets out a small sigh before patting Chun-Jan's shoulder. "... Everyone has things that trouble them, Chun-Jan… but I've learned that being upset doesn't make things easier. Smiling isn't always about being happy—it's just how I choose to face things… It's the only way I can face them... without hurting you."
Chun-Jan slowly glanced at his brother, knowing the true meaning behind those words…
"... I see." He pauses for a moment, feeling rather solemn before forcing out his kind smile. "I wish I can be as kind as you, brother."
Do-Woon let out a small chuckle, giving his younger brother a playful nudge with his shoulder. "Then that makes us even. I've always wanted to be more like you."
Chun-Jan flinched, slightly startled by those words. "Like me?"
Do-Woon nodded without hesitation. "Chun-Jan… I admire the way you happily talk and befriend people with ease…. I admire how you're able to smile easily without any drawbacks..." He pauses for a moment. "I admire how... you always seem to know exactly what you want."
Chun-Jan opened his mouth to respond but closed it again, unsure of how to reply. The praise felt strange, coming from the person he looked up to the most. Even more strange as he knows very well what's troubling him… and what he really means when he says those words…
Finally, Chun-Jan responded to his words with a bitter smile. "Thank you... for walking with me today…"
Do-Woon smiled. "I'm always here for you, Chun-Jan."
And just like that, the moment passed, folding seamlessly into the rhythm of their walk as they continued their walk home, conversing about the events that happened today and throughout their life. Smiling brightly among each other without a care in the world.
In Choi Chun-Jan's mind, this walk home felt everlasting. It made him feel so… complete.
"... Please, don't let this moment end..."
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
The dark and eerie afternoon sky hung heavy with the gray clouds. The continuous downpour of the rain fell to the ground, pooling into small puddles all across the green field. The trees swayed gently, but their leaves trembled and broke from the relentless rain. One of the birds shrivels in the vast cold of the rain in their nest, but the other bird is gone...
Inside the classroom, Chun-Jan sat at his desk, his attention wandering far from the equations scrawled on the board as the lesson progressed. The distant tapping of the raindrops against the window amplified the silence, even when he sat near the window.
He felt as though he was trapped inside a dark room where the silent echo of his brother's voice continued to haunt him. The more he listened, the more he felt his world drifting away as he continued to mourn.
A few whispers floated through the air, and around the familiar group of boys who continued to exchange glances, concerned about Chun-Jan. One leaned forward, breaking the silence. "Hey, Chun-Jan... are you doing okay?"
Chun-Jan's gaze remained locked on the window. The rain distorted the eerie view outside, creating a blurred image that mirrored his muddled thoughts. He stayed silent, not responding for a while before he slowly opened his mouth. "... I'm fine."
Even though he tried to reply stoically, there was a sharp pain conveyed in his voice that made it hard to fool them.
Another boy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "You've been pretty quiet lately. We just want to make sure you're doing well.."
Chun-Jan slightly turned his gaze away from the window. The tension filled his shoulders as continued to try and maintain his control over the rising tide of emotions within him.
" ... Just focused on my studies, that's all..."
The third boy gently shook his shoulder, trying to get him to open up. "We're worried about you, man. I know it's been hard, but you have to–"
Hearing their continuous voices, Chun-Jan slammed his hand on the desk in front of him, feeling so frustrated. "What do you want me to say–" He flinched, gazing at their surprised expression before he forcefully calmed himself down. "I'm fine… You don't have to worry about me..."
"We're not trying to pry. We just want to make sure you're okay. That's what friends do."
"Friends…" He clenches his hand tight, still feeling frustrated at their attempt to bring him back to spirits. "You don't get it..."
A heavy silence enveloped the group, and Chun-Jan could feel their worried gazes on him. He turned his head slightly, his eyes drifting back to the muddled window. The rain continued to downpour relentlessly. The longer he stared outside, the stronger the ache he felt in his chest.
Even though he says he is fine… he can't help but grieve for his dead brother…
The bell rang. Chun-Jan quickly stood up. He gathered his belongings urgently, even desperately, as he continued to avoid the lingering glances of his classmates.
Once he left the classroom, the same familiar voices of the boys began to talk among each other.
"Did you see how he reacted?"
"He's still grieving so much..."
"Yeah, he seems so distant."
"I get that he's going through a tough time, but he can't just shut us out."
"I know it's hard for him, but we're here for him. He needs to realize that…" The boy then glances back at the classroom door that Chun-Jan had just exited.
The words continued to echo through Chun-Jan's mind. He couldn't help but feel frustrated. Not at them, but at himself… He couldn't help but listen to the continuous downpour of the rain that made his heart race faster and faster.
He's not fine. He's hurt. So hurt because he couldn't save his brother or know just how much pain he was in. He regrets how he wasn't able to do anything but watch him die in the hospital bed as he coughed out blood, before drawing his last breath.
He slowly looked at his hands. He could vividly feel the sensation of the blood from his brother still lingering in his hands. He slowly squeezes his hand before gasping for air before he runs away from the entrance.
As he continued to run down the hallway, the rain fell harder and harder, echoing his broken heart.
The downpour of the rain made the world feel so… alien. It's just a simple landscape that is soaked in his sorrow and confusion.
He reached the shoe lockers, panting uncontrollably before recalling a certain moment.
The same place where Do-Woon had stood before, waiting with that familiar, serene smile, now felt like a void.
The memory surged within him, flooding his mind with echoes of laughter and warmth. Chun-Jan stumbled as he reached his locker. He took his time, trying to slide on his shoes, all while his heart continued to drop every time he recalled the painful memories.
After finally putting on his shoes, he quietly murmured to himself, the voice barely audible above the rain. "... Brother..."
As he was about to grab his umbrella, he overheard a group of girls walking through the other side of the locker, talking to each other with slight worry and concern.
"Did you hear how Chun-Jan is doing? He hasn't been the same since..."
"I know, it's so sad. He just sits there, his kind smile gone... It's already been a few months after his brother's death, but he continues to mourn…"
"I wonder how Minji is holding up… I heard that she's been skipping meals and doing bad on her studies."
Chun-Jan's heart sank at their words, their concern cutting deeper than he expected. Alongside him, Minji is also suffering...
He gritted his teeth before he saw the girl leaving the school ground. His eyes turned solemn once again before slowly walking up the school entrance before staring at the rainy sky in front of him with dead eyes.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
The rain continued to downpour nonstop as I continued to walk back home. The way back felt so unfamiliar, so different...
Each drop that fell on my umbrella and down into the wet, pavement floor filled me with even more grief as I remember all the time I spent with brother...
He was always there for me… He always knew what to do when I was at my weakest and was able to cheer me up right away. The serene smile he always showed felt like I was truly at peace.
But that smile is gone...
I won't be able to see it anymore...
My heartbeat quickens at the thought. I painfully grabbed the cloth near my heart, squeezing it tightly before small tears formed in my eyes. Just before the tears were about to run down my face, I immediately wiped them off. "... I can't cry... I can't let him feel sad for me like this..."
A subtle smile ran across my face as I thought about it like that. Seeing the raining sky once more, is he up in the sky looking out for me?
I wish that could be true...
Slowly walking in the rainy silence as I thought about the happy moments with brother, I realized I finally arrived back home. I looked at the apartment complex. Gazing at its ten floors with access to the rooftop.
Its looming presence reminds me of my loneliness...
Once I entered the main hallway, I put my umbrella away before heading into the lounge and through the elevator, hitting the down button before waiting in silence as the elevator descended into the first floor. Once it opened, I slowly walked inside before looking at the multitudes of buttons in front of me.
I pressed all one through six, trying to slow down my way back at the empty home. The elevator closed, the metal door reflecting me as I continued to look straight ahead with nothing in mind.
*Ding*
The doors opened on the second floor, and I paused. The hallway stretched before me, dimly lit, shadows lurking in the corners. Yet… the eerie darkness puts me at ease, helping me remember the time brother told me to cherish each moment.
It was the moments we shared that felt most precious. Yet… those moments feel like they had been locked away when he left…
The elevator doors closed, sealing away that fleeting memory, before slowly ascending to the next floor.
*Ding*
The third floor. I held my breath as I gaze out at the eerie darkness once again, as I slowly remember another moment.
I told him how I would be taller than him… I remembered the warmth of his presence, his smile always brightening even the darkest days…
As I continued my ascent, each floor seemed to hold a piece of my brother's spirit, taunting me with the life we would never share again.
*Ding*
I hesitated before gazing back into the emptiness. My heart ached with the thought of his absence...
Brother had always been my protector…. I could almost see him standing in front of me with his everlasting smile, waving delicately at me to ease my burdens. But all that remained was the empty silence as his figure slowly disappeared into the darkness.
Out of instinct, I reached my hand towards the figure before the elevator door closed, going up the next floor without remorse to my well-being.
I slowly clenched my hand, bringing it close to my chest as I sadly whimpered with tears forming in my eyes.
*Ding*
The elevator opened its way to the fifth floor, showing me a blur of memories, voices overlapping in a cacophony of laughter and warmth. My hands began to tremble through those memories I have failed to keep...
*Ding*
The sixth floor opened, revealing the corridor leading to our apartment. I lingered in the doorway, gazing emptily at the familiar hallway that now felt like a stranger's home…
I remembered the last time I had seen him, the last words he uttered before he left this world from the hospital bed, grabbing tightly on his cold hands.
"Chun-Jan... please stay... happy..."
I gasped loudly, trying so hard to breathe. I squeezed my shirt back as the elevator door slowly closed again, exposing my fragile self in the metal door in front of me.
I could still see the vibrant colors of his funeral, yet the atmosphere felt dull and lifeless without him.
The funeral was cheaply made, held in a common funeral home with only cheap flowers and candles, with nothing but a single dim portrait of his face standing in the room.
As I stood before my brother's portrait in remorse, I was enveloped by the scent of incense and the soft murmurs of mourners offering their empty condolences before they immediately left the room.
The empty space beside me where my sister should have stood, where my parents should have comforted me…
Feeling the absence of their presence, the bitterness slowly rose in my throat, choking me. They were absent at a time when I needed them most... I thought of Minji's empty expression when I had last seen her when she came to the hospital room…
I couldn't help but say hurtful things to her as I left her alone in the room…
Did… did she really stop caring about brother…?
I felt a surge of anger before I crouched down in the elevator, the tears finally rolling down my face. "I'm sorry brother... I just can't stay happy without you here..."
These few moments of silence with only my tears hitting the floor felt like an eternity. I quickly wiped the tears of my empty eyes before gazing at the buttons in the elevator. Just as I was about to press the open button, my whole body froze.
"... Do I really want to go back...?"
The day that he died, everything felt off...
My parents were open about their feelings towards my brother, especially my mother... Saying how she was glad he died.
I… I can't be a family with these people... who are happy over the death of someone close to me…
My eyes widened with despair, everything seemed blurry to me. I continued to gasp for air, still mourning over brother before I came to a conclusion.
With such a thought, everything became so clear… I feel so emotionless, but… I now know what to do…
I pressed the buttons from the seventh to the tenth floor as I forced myself up. The elevator began ascending once more.
*Ding*
As I reached the seventh floor, the memories flooded back. Brother's laughter echoing in the hallways. The little moments we stayed together, exploring the world around us without anything to hold us back.
The moment I truly felt I was with my family...
*Ding*
The elevator opened to the eighth floor, and I felt as if I were ascending to another world. A world where I can be with brother once more...
*Ding*
The ninth floor felt endless, the corridors stretching like a deep void, yet the walls closed in on me as I panted more and more with fear… Crushing me with no space left for me to weep. No place for me to even reflect on what I'm about to do...
*Ding*
The tenth floor opened, and I stepped out, my heart pounding in my chest. The rooftop door stood at the end of the hall...
Each step towards it felt so heavy, burdening myself with the constant regret, sadness, and aching absence of my brother. As I finally stood in front of the white door, I gulped.
My hands shaking with fear, with desperation, with grief.
But even then… I gently opened the door before me, slowly heading up the creaking stair and onto the rooftop.
When I finally reached the rooftop, the first thing that greeted me was the eternal downpour of the rain. I stood in the rain for a while, looking up at the dark sky with no emotion left in me. I felt each raindrop hitting me like bullets, urging me to go back down home…
Urging me to stay alive, and continue on with life.
But even knowing that, I couldn't help but close my eyes. Maybe it was the rain, but I felt liquid coursing through my swollen eyes once more before clenching my hand. "I… I can't call this place my home anymore..."
The world blurred as I slowly walked at the edge of the building. Once I finally stood at the edge, I looked out over the beautiful, bustling city of Seoul. I removed my shoes, the cool concrete grounding me as I looked up at the darkened sky.
I could almost hear brother calling to me, his voice cutting through the storm, maybe urging me to stop what I'm doing and find peace in this life.
With my heart heavy yet light, I quietly whispered into the rain. "Brother... Can I be by your side again...?"
As expected, no response flew through the rainy sky as drops continued to downpour onto me. But strangely enough... I feel at ease now.
I closed my eyes, a bittersweet smile forming on my lips as I stepped forward, embracing the silence where my brother awaited.
Falling down the building, yet looking up at the dark sky above me. Stretching my hand out as I can somehow feel the warmth of someone grabbing back.
Even in the face of death, I don't feel afraid…
I… I finally feel…
Happy…
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
In the space enveloped in the color of the midnight sky, countless shining stars filled the wide space with the single full moon above them all. The warm moonlight embraces Chun-Jan, who was laying down in the blue lake water that wasn't wet, tears still streaming down his face as he continued to try and be with his brother…
A white figure of a woman slowly appeared into the space. Their long hair running down their white robe as they slowly walked towards the crying boy. Standing before them, they slowly crouched down, gently patting their head as their whimpering tears slowly subsided.
"Choi Chun-Jan…"
Chun-Jan slowly opened his swollen eyes, gently turning his head around to gaze upon the majestic figure in front of him.
His heart slowly ached as he sat up, looking around with confusion before gazing back at the woman. "W-Where am I…?"
She continued to stand there in silence before responding to his questions. "Chun-Jan… You stand before a new beginning." She slowly stands up, walking away from the saddened boy as she continues to talk. "Are you willing to accept my gift?"
"Gift…?"
A bitter smile emerged from the woman's face as she stopped walking, gazing back at the boy. "Yes… The gift that I want to give you… is to give you a new beginning. A beginning where you can finally feel happy."
He flinches at the words before leaning urgently towards her. "What do you mean? Will I forget everything? My brother, my family?"
The woman's gaze softened, slowly stepping closer to him, all while the warm moonlight continued to embrace them. "You will sleep for seven years…" She stops talking, trying hard to not make it even painful for him. "You will sleep for seven years in a new world, in a new body… while also receiving the blessing that my child was unable to bestow upon in the past…"
"I-I don't understand what you're saying... Why seven years? Why!? Please, tell me why!"
She stood there in silence once more, understanding the pain he is experiencing at the moment. "Through these seven years… you will come to understand what it means to truly live… you will get to understand and accept the painful memories that surround your heart, and live with happiness."
She paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath before continuing on. "You… you killed yourself in grief, longing for your brother. I guess this is my fault... my brother wanted to fix all his past mistakes, but maybe I didn't take into consideration the possible consequences."
She slowly walked closer to him. Despite his tall build, she seems more than double his size. She slowly placed her hand on top of his head, gently caressing his hair before smiling warmly at him. "... Don't worry, child. I also intend to let you be with your brother once more. That is, if you accept my gift, and slumber for seven years…"
As he stood before her, a flicker of hope ignited within him. "Really? Will I finally get to be with brother again?!"
The goddess extended her hand, and a warm glow enveloped him, filling the space around him with a comforting light. "Your brother's spirit will always be a part of you. His love and lessons will guide you through the darkest nights. You will not forget… Instead, you will carry his essence within your heart, and form it into a beacon of love as you take your step into this new life. Once you forged that new meaning, may you be able to reunite with your brother once more."
As the warm light from both the woman and the goddess began to surround him, he slowly closed his eyes. His body began dispersing into little fragments. But even then, he smiled warmly at the being in front of him. "Thank you…"
The woman smiled warmly at his response.
Chun-Jan's body continued to disappear among the light. Just as his whole body was gone, he slowly looked up at the familiar moon that his brother always cared about, smiling so warmly… "Brother... Can I finally be by your side again…?"
Finally, Chun-Jan's body disappeared completely from the midnight colored space.
The woman slowly closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath before gently looking behind her, seeing the same male figure that was in front of Choi Do-Woon once before.
"... Their stories... are quite sad…" Painfully saying those words out loud, she slowly smiled at the hope of their stories. "But their future will carry new meanings, and future happiness."
The male figure slowly nodded. "Their choices will determine the path they will now take…" He stops, showing a gentle smile at the support of the woman. "Thank you for helping me, sister."
She lets out a warm smile, looking down at the ground before bitterly closing her eyes. "Don't worry… you know that I will help you in this journey…"
Both the Goddess of the Future and the God of the Present stand in the midnight space, gazing up at the moon with a smile, wishing to finally fix their mistakes, and bring hope to the children that have suffered…
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦ .
Many maids and servants quickly run all throughout the Imperial palace in a hurry, calling out to someone, as if they are lost.
Among them, the duke and duchess worriedly call out the name of their lost son, hoping to reunite with him.
Isabella hurriedly runs all over the hallway near the garden. Her stamina has long run out, but she continues to run all round the place, ignoring her condition in response to the shock. "Everett! Where are you!"
Right behind her, Laurence continues to support Isabella with everything he got, while also calling out for his son. "Everett! Please come back!"
Even as they continued to call out for his name, no answer was made as expected. Laurence grits his teeth, feeling so lost as he gazes all around the place. "It's weird... Why can't I sense his presence even when I expand my aura?!"
Isabella pants out of breath, yet in a single, and final, moment does she call out one more time for her son with a scream filled with sorrow and desperation. "Everett!"
As the voice echoed through the whole garden, a young black-haired boy with red eyes ran through a small pathway near the fountain. He covers his ears, eyes looking so dreary and anxious as he continues to hear the screams of the people around him.
"Where am I? Are these people calling out to me or someone else?"
The lost boy quickly hides in a bush before a group of maids and workers pass by him. He quickly cowers in fear, bringing his knee closer to his chest, trying to make himself small and hard to spot.
His eyes slowly fill up with tears.
"I don't know what to do..."
The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself laying down in an unfamiliar bed. I slowly gazed upon my hand.
So small… just like a child's.
I quickly got up from the bed and walked to the nearby window. I saw myself as a young child...
"... Am I in a new body...?"
As I continued to look through the window, I saw some people walking. The closer I looked, the more vividly I could see some sort of eerie figure behind them.
But before I could think to myself about the current situation, I heard the door to the room open.
I turned around to see a maid standing nearby, her whole body stunned as she saw me walking around the room.
"Am I not supposed to be here?!"
Once again, a figure appeared behind her, looking like a bright white ghost. But the more I concentrated on it, the more vividly it appeared, showing the same stunned expression. But still doing nothing....
I quickly realized the situation before sprinting out of the room in a hurry. I heard her call out to me, but I ignored her, trying so hard to run away.
The moment they find me, what will happen? How can I explain to them my situation? How can I convince them that I am who I am?
Even now, I can only hope to hide in the small bush of this unfamiliar garden, hoping that no one will find me...
I looked up at the blue sky, remembering the subtle words that the woman told me in that strange space before I left.
She said that I would meet brother here... but I don't see him anywhere.
Was she lying?
I hid my head inside my arms and knee, trying to make myself smaller as I felt my tears rolling down my face.
I… I hate this... I feel so lonely... I'm so afraid…
I just want to be with brother…
"Everett!"
My whole body froze. They called out to the same name I kept hearing around me… but this time, it felt so different... I don't know why, but that voice seems so familiar...
I remember that voice appearing through my slumber, telling me that I'm not alone and that he would stay by my side…
I slowly stood up from my hiding spot before gazing at the person who called out the name.
I soon saw a young boy with white hair running through the garden, calling out the same name with a worried look with two other people behind him: A dark-haired boy and a white-haired girl. The moment I saw him, I saw the ever so familiar figure behind him…
The wavy brown hair and brown eyes that I could never forget. Looking worried while imitating the same movement as the boy.
My eyes widened, all while my hand trembled uncontrollably as I reached out my hand to the far away person. "Brother...!"
I slowly began walking towards him. The more I focused on him, the more vividly I saw the figure behind him, even more sure that it's brother.
My slow steps soon hastened before I began running toward him. My face was fully submerged with my own tears. My whole body continued to shake desperately at the thought that everything around me is nothing more than a dream.
That the familiar figure of brother that's in front of me is also nothing more than a dream…
But even if it is a dream… I still want to treasure it...
The white-haired boy tried to call out one last time. "Everett–"
I quickly wrapped my arms at the young boy in front of me, weeping profusely with no signs of ending. I couldn't help it…. After seven long years in the dark, sleeping unconsciously, I held on to the hope of being by your side once more, as a family…
I slowly looked up at him. He wore a stunned expression as he continued to gaze at me before slowly placing his hand on top of my hair, showing the ever so familiar smile that I wanted to see again...
Behind him, the familiar figure also smiled back, just like how brother always did...
My eyes widened with pure sorrow as I continued to stare at his serene smile. "B-Brother...!"
The day that you left my world… I thought that I would never get to meet you again.
I continued to wish for the day that I could finally be by your side once again… wishing and wishing… even if it was something impossible...
But in front of me, you appear once again, just like a miracle...
I don't know what this means... Does that mean that the person in front of me is like a reincarnation of my brother?
But if that's the case, then the words that the woman said were true...
I'm finally by your side again…
Even if you don't remember me… it's okay, because I'm finally beside the only person I considered my family…
My mouth quivered for a while as I tried to utter words from my mouth. I soon calmed down, relaxing my eyes before conveying to him the same warm smile that brother always complimented, the one that he said was special to me…
That same special smile, I wish to show him once more…
"Brother! We finally meet again!"