CHAPTER 18 - The Mindset of a Widow. Part 8
Ah, my candies. My precious candies. They've stolen one of the things I value most. It's as if those girls took an oxygen tank from an old man at the top of the world's tallest mountain.
The sweet flavor is my favorite, the one I love to savor the most.
Ah, I'll have to buy more.
The rest doesn't matter to me, but nobody messes with my candies.
It'd be an exaggeration to say I'm angry; I'm just a bit irritated because now I'll have to go back to the store to buy more. So lazy.
Actions have consequences, and those girls will soon get what they deserve.
"They threw my food in the trash too! Saik, Saik, take revenge for me and break their noses!"
…Yuki, they dared to waste food? No, more importantly, they threw your food?
Yuki's eyes… they're teary.
"Ugh, I'm still hungry," Yuki said, rubbing her stomach.
I'm sorry, Yuki, but I can't leave; it'd make Sylphie feel bad, and that would delay my plans a lot. Just wait a little longer.
I closed my lunch and sighed.
"I'm craving pizza."
I stood up and walked away from the table. I'll give that lunch to Yuki and buy something else for myself.
Ah, I think now my irritation has turned into pure hatred.
I was just planning to find a way to get them expelled from school, but now that they almost made Yuki cry, their punishment will be worse.
Much worse.
"Are you buying me pizza? Yay! Get me… umm… one with extra, extra cheese!"
"I think they only sell two types of pizza a day here. Pizza or the lunch I brought?" I whispered before getting in line.
"Ugh, that's a tough choice. The lunch was amazing, but I love pizza. Hmm… which one do you want?"
"I'm fine with anything, I guess."
"Come on, don't be shy. I always choose; it's your turn."
"…Lunch."
"Then I want a whole pizza just for me!" she said, hugging me and rubbing her cheek against mine.
Wow… I'd forgotten what it feels like for others to care about me. It feels nice.
•
•
After filling our stomachs with food, Sylphie and I returned to the classroom, and everyone turned to look at me. Some were laughing, others were serious, Saoto looked worried, and Ram… well, serious as always.
Wow, Saoto's picking up the food they threw on the floor. That's kind of him.
Sylphie got nervous seeing my desk and my stuff on the floor, but I didn't care. Considering what I'm going to do to them, this is nothing. I can get new supplies and candies whenever I want, but they'll never recover what they're about to lose.
"I'm sleepy."
I yawned and scratched my arm.
I picked up my things, sat at my desk, and took out my phone to play, ignoring the insulting messages written on my desk.
I remember a girl at my old school who killed herself because of the bullying she faced. I even heard some guys were raping her. It didn't affect me, so I didn't look into it, and I don't know if that's true. What I can confirm is that sometimes girls would scratch insulting messages on her desk, calling her a "whore" and spreading rumors (I think) about her sleeping with teachers.
Blah, blah, blah.
I think that was true, and that's why she killed herself. If it wasn't true, why would it affect her?
They're just words; they shouldn't matter, especially if they're lies.
Ah, I never understood why people who were bullied at school didn't fight back with violence.
I always defended myself with my fists, and that's why I never suffered from that so-called school bullying. Well, only from a distance, since they mocked me, but they were just words, so I didn't care.
I only used violence when they mocked my family, even if they only used words.
Ah, but because of that, I got expelled several times.
"S-Saik… I'm sorry… I-I…"
Huh? Is she crying?
Her sobbing snapped me back to reality.
She's crying, covering her face so I can't see her.
…Why is she crying? I don't get it.
Let's see… Um… Does she feel guilty? No, I don't think so. She doesn't know those girls did this. Why would she feel guilty?
Maybe she thinks she brings me bad luck or something. Ah, that victim mentality will stick with her for a while, huh? I need to fix that.
"Huh? Why are you crying, Sylphie? Did something bad happen?"
"Saik… Because of me, now you…"
"'Now you'? What do you mean by that…? Oh, you mean my desk?"
I guess so. I've already picked everything up. The desk is the only evidence left. I haven't read it, but I assume the insults must be pretty harsh since they made Sylphie cry, considering I'm supposed to be the victim.
I got up from my seat and looked at my desk.
"Hmm… Oh… 'Weird'? Hmm… 'Idiot'?"
…Seriously? They think this is humiliating?
How adorable.
This isn't humiliating at all, at least not to me.
They're just basic, simple insults. The worst one is that they wish to see my corpse defiled by Incubi in hell. Wow, what an imagination, and pretty realistic too, since I think that could actually happen to me.
But the rest is so… stupid. Sylphie, are you seriously crying over this? Ugh, I really don't understand people like Sylphie. If I don't get normality, I definitely won't get people like her.
"Hmm… Nope… Sorry, I tried. I tried to find something humiliating about this, but I feel nothing. Absolutely nothing."
I sat on the desk.
"You shouldn't cry over this, Sylphie. It's not your fault, and honestly, I don't care about any of this. I mean, after all, money's not an issue for me (for now). I can replace the stuff they broke, and the insults are just words; they don't affect me at all."
I pulled a lollipop from my pocket and offered it to her, brushing her hand with the lollipop to get her to uncover her face.
My emergency lollipop. I hope you appreciate this, Sylphie.
She slowly moved her hands from her face while Yuki patted her head.
"There, there, everything will be okay, Sylphie, don't worry," Yuki said.
"Here, this will calm you down."
"…Does it really not affect you?"
"Well… They're just words. Why should they affect me? They know they can't hit me because I'd hit back, so they tried to attack me psychologically, not knowing I'm a weirdo who doesn't care about anything… This doesn't matter to me, Sylphie. Being your friend doesn't bring me any consequences, so don't worry. Take the lollipop; you need to calm down."
"…T-Thank you so much."
She took the lollipop.
Wow, she's smiling… I think I've made progress with her self-esteem.
I think so.
"Wow. Already got enemies, Saik?" Ram said.
"Enemies…? Hmm… I guess… Just some girls who are scared of me, Ram."
"What did you do?"
"Why do they hate me…? Hmm… Let me think… I defended Sylphie by punching one of them in the stomach. I threatened to hit them if they bothered Sylphie again… Hmm… That's about it, I think."
"You hit a girl?"
"Yeah, why?"
Whispers?
I noticed the girls in my class started looking at me with disgust and murmuring things about me.
"Oh, they think I did something wrong? Yeah, I guess they're right. Hitting a girl who was beating Sylphie to steal her money is wrong. Yup, I'm the villain of the story. I should be in jail, right?"
Well, I should be in jail, but for other reasons.
"S-Saik was just trying to help me!"
"Don't worry, Sylphie. Like I told you before, I don't care what people say about me. Blah, blah, blah. Just words."
But that doesn't mean I won't do anything to stop it.
•
•
Somehow, I managed to get everyone to ignore the desk issue.
I replaced it, and that was that; problem solved.
Ram and Saoto offered to help, but I turned them down. I don't need help; it's basically resolved.
No need to do anything.
"Ah, the library. The perfect place to sleep."
"Sleep?"
"It's quiet and smells nice… Ah, I'm sleepy. Let's finish the project, Sylphie."
"C-Clearly!"
Sylphie and I sat together and took our books out of our backpacks.
The library. To think I used to use it for sleeping, and now I'm using it for what it's meant for: studying.
My body's so used to it that I'm dying of sleepiness.
No, body, no. Not this time. I want to finish the project today so I can rest the rest of the week.
"Saik… I-I really appreciate your help… I-If there's anything I can do for you, j-just let me know."
…That was unexpected.
I'll say it again, Sylphie, you're lucky you didn't befriend a pervert.
"Ah, that was sudden."
"I-I didn't want to say it in public. I-It could be misunderstood… I-I know you're not a bad person."
Ah… If you knew my past… Never mind.
"Don't worry, I won't ask for anything. I just do it because I hate people who take advantage of others, that's all."
That sounds so stupid, but it's the first lie I told her, so I have to stick to it.
"Fufu. Sure, sure… Ow!" Yuki said.
Hey, don't laugh; I'm in this mess because of you.
"…4? Why do you have a number drawn on your palm?"
She noticed? How…? Oh, right, I'm stretching my arm as an excuse to pinch Yuki's nose with my index and middle fingers, making my palm visible.
I stopped pinching Yuki's nose and looked at my hand while Yuki rubbed her nose.
"You're so mean, Saik!"
I did it with love, Yuki. Besides, you deserved it.
"Oh… This? I was bored and drew it. It's nothing."
"I see."
Though the truth is sick and cruel, they started it. The law of… of… ugh, I forgot its name. Whatever. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.
And candies for lives.
•
•
(POV - Yuki)
Do you smell that, Saik? It smells like romance! Though I can barely smell because you pinched my nose. Hmph! I'd complain more, but I get that you're mad since they stole your candies.
Saik and Sylphie are getting close way too fast. It's so romantic!
Though… for some weird reason, I feel strange… Probably just hungry.
"It hurts…"
"Huh? Did you say something, Saik?" Sylphie said.
"It's nothing. I'm going to the bathroom; I need to wash my face."
"C-Clear."
Hmm. That seems suspicious.
Saik left the library, and I followed him.
"What's wrong, Saik? You said something hurt… You're bleeding?!"
Why is Saik bleeding from his nose?! He's definitely not the typical perverted guy; that blood's from something else. Heatstroke?! Impossible, the library's cold. Anemia from not eating enough candies?! I don't think that's how it works.
Ahhhhh! I don't know what's happening!
D-Don't worry, Yuki, this is Saik we're talking about; he probably overdid it controlling me or something spiritual.
"Ah, right…"
Saik sighed again, and more blood came out. We need to go to a hospital; this is really worrying me!
He went into the bathroom, and I followed.
I don't care that it's the men's bathroom; this is an emergency!
"What's wrong, Saik?!"
Saik washed his face with water and sighed. T-The water turned so red.
Saik…
"I'm just tired. I need to sleep… Don't worry, Yuki."
T-That's not true… Something bad is happening to him.
Saik, why are you hiding your suffering from me?
"Saik, do you know what's happening to you?! Don't lie to me!"
"Ah… I don't know, Yuki. This happens to me sometimes. Don't worry, I always recover in minutes."
H-He's used to this happening?
Saik…
•
•
(POV - Saik)
We stayed at school for a while since we had to finish the project to have more free time.
I didn't want to do this, but she's resisting; she needs the final blow.
What did I do? I invited Sylphie to dinner at a small restaurant—not too fancy but not a run-of-the-mill place either. A place between expensive and cheap, where they sell foreign food.
She wanted to refuse since she didn't have money, but I insisted enough, and she ended up accepting my invitation.
And here we are, eating at a table by the window. The perfect spot.
Yuki went home because she misunderstood my invitation and thought I was trying to seduce Sylphie. Well, considering what's about to happen, it's good she left. I don't want her to witness what's coming, because if I fail, she'll see something horrible.
I took a bite of my burger while Sylphie sipped her lemonade.
I chewed and swallowed before speaking.
"A good dinner after a job well done. There's no better way to celebrate."
Sylphie smiled and nodded quickly.
"I-I agree!"
…She's coming.
I placed my burger by the wall so it couldn't be seen from outside.
My backpack's under the table. Good.
"I'm going to the bathroom. Excuse me."
"Y-Yes."
I got up from my seat and headed to the bathroom.
I hope she reacts as I expect, because if she makes a scene, my whole plan will go down the drain.
•
•
(POV - Iris)
My daughter doesn't need me anymore. I'm just a burden to her… She doesn't need me… I'm a burden… Just a burden to everyone.
"If you die, no one will miss you!"
"Jump off a bridge already and die, you burden!"
Yes… It's true.
No one will miss me… No one.
My daughter will be happier without me… She doesn't need me… Huh?
"W-What?"
"Fufu. That's your daughter, isn't it?"
"Look at her, dining with a smile on her face while you walk toward your death."
"She doesn't love you."
"After all, who would love a filthy, alcoholic piece of trash?"
Daughter…
You'd rather spend your money at a restaurant than have to eat with your pathetic mother… No… With a failure of a mother… I don't even deserve to be called that.
And you're smiling so happily… Forgive me, Sylphie… Please forgive me.
"Your tears won't fix anything."
"Stop crying and keep walking; don't waste oxygen that someone who actually matters could breathe."
…Goodbye, daughter. I hope you're happy… I won't be a burden to you anymore… Not anymore.
•
•
(POV - Saik)
"T-Thank you so much for walking me home, Saik."
"It's getting dark, and it was my idea to eat at that place. Walking you home was the least I could do for you."
"S-See you tomorrow, Saik."
"Bye, Sylphie."
She went into her house, and I started walking.
Good. I'll get there in about 20 minutes… Yes, I'll make it in time.
She chose a lonely, dark place, huh? Even better.
Let's see… I think there's a flower shop near that spot. The perfect excuse.
•
•
(POV - Iris)
If I jump, I'll die… Will my daughter be sad, even a little? I don't know… I hope so, but… I've caused her so much pain… It wouldn't surprise me if she wasn't sad.
I caused her so many problems and embarrassments because of my alcoholism… I'm a disgrace, both as a mother and as a human being.
My own daughter is ashamed of me… My few friends distanced themselves from me and left me alone.
Noel died… I have no one left… No friends, no husband… And worst of all, my only daughter hates me.
Continuing to live will only bring me more suffering… It's not worth staying alive.
If my death makes Sylphie's life easier, it'll be worth it.
Forgive me for everything, daughter.
"Though I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, Syl…"
"Jumping off a bridge? So cliché."
That voice… I know it.
I turned to my left… It's that boy… Saik.
What's he doing here? How did he find me?
"So… Hmm… Are you trying to kill yourself?"
"Get away, or I'll jump!"
Ignoring my words, he walked up to me and stood beside me. What's wrong with him? Did he not believe I'd jump? I will jump…! It's just… this boy intrigues me. What's he trying to do?
"Wow. That's a big drop. You'll definitely die when you hit the water. Your head will explode or something. Ew. Gross, right?"
Trying to make me regret what I'm about to do? I don't care what you say; I've made my decision.
I already left my suicide note. There's no turning back.
"What do you want?"
"Well… Hmm… I don't know."
"…You don't know?"
What's wrong with this kid…? Huh?!
H-He jumped and sat on the bridge's railing! What's wrong with this brat?! One wrong move, and he's dead! What does he think he's doing?!
"Hey…!"
"You'd rather kill yourself than try to be someone better, huh? Don't you think you're making a mistake?"
"Tch. Mind your own business and leave; this doesn't concern you."
"You know, your daughter was a victim of school bullying. Did you know that?"
"…Yes… Yes, I knew."
After all, I was to blame. And when I saw her come home with bruises or sad, all I did was drink instead of helping her.
"And why didn't you do anything?"
"I… I didn't know what to do."
"I see… So you'll jump and die, leaving Sylphie alone… That's pretty cruel of you. At least wait until Sylphie's an adult."
"She doesn't need me… She doesn't need me."
"You think so?"
He took out his phone and showed me a picture. What does this mean?
"When she found your suicide note, she immediately called the police while crying desperately."
A picture of Sylphie crying.
…Sylphie's crying… for me?
"…Why would she cry for me? I've only hurt her."
"You are her mother, after all… And you're just an ordinary human. A human who makes mistakes. You can fix your mistakes. How? By being a good mother to Sylphie."
A good mother… C-Can I be a good mother?
"Believe it or not, Sylphie loves you. She doesn't hate you… Want me to tell you a little personal story? My mother was a perfect person. She was intelligent, very sociable, and a walking beauty. People compared me to her a lot, and that hurt. I was an idiot, considered weird, and not sociable at all. They treated me like a freak… Do you think I hated my mother for that? No. It wasn't her fault they compared me to her… You made a lot of mistakes, but Sylphie loves you… I hate to say it, but Sylphie has very low self-esteem and struggles to socialize. If you die, Sylphie will be devastated… She really needs someone special in her life… She needs her mother's support… Sylphie needs you."
"S-She… needs me?"
"Yes… But it's your life; you decide. Jump and die, or don't jump and fix your relationship with your daughter… Please, think carefully about your actions."
"I… I… I can't…"
I don't want to be a burden to my daughter again. What if I mess it up again? I don't want to disappoint her… I can't… I can't.
My daughter will be so much better off without me.
I closed my eyes and took a step forward.
I know I'll die and leave my daughter alone, but I'll only be a burden to her… I'm not essential to her… She doesn't need me… She never needed me. I was just a burden in her life.
I started falling… I'll be dead soon.
Goodbye, Sylphie… I'll always love you.
…Huh?
"Wow… You're not that heavy. You should eat more."
When I opened my eyes, I saw something simply incredible… S-Saik caught me with his left hand and is holding onto the railing with just his right hand. H-He's… incredible.
But that's not important right now! Why did he do it?! Why risk so much for me?! Doesn't he realize we could both die?!
"What are you doing?! We'll both die!"
"Ah… Right… Sorry, I couldn't help it… Sylphie really needs you."
"Why would she need me?! Why?!"
"Because you're her mother, the most important person to her. She doesn't have friends… You're all she has left. She already lost her father; she doesn't want to lose her mother too. You're important to her… You're not a burden… Sylphie never considered you a burden. Trust me, Sylphie loves you more than you can imagine."
Saik started lifting me… This kid is so… strong.
"You're important to Sylphie. You're not a burden."
His face was in front of mine, and a strong wind blew, moving our hair… Saik's eyes… He's… crying?
"Saik… Why are you crying?"
"…I'm sorry… You remind me so much of my mother… I think that's why I want to help you… My mother died a few months ago… I don't want Sylphie to lose her mother too… Please, reconsider your decision… You're still young; you can fix the mistakes you made."
"…How?"
"By being a good mother."
Saik helped me place my hands on the railing.
"Please, think carefully about what you'll do… If you want to die, let go… If you want to live, climb up."
…Can I be a good mother?
"All humans make mistakes; we're not perfect."
"It's in human nature to fail and try again."
"Sylphie loves you; she doesn't hate you."
"Go back to her."
So many voices… Am I going crazy…? No… Maybe it's a sign from God… I don't know.
"Be a good mother to Sylphie."
"Fix your mistakes."
…The negative voices are gone… I guess it's a sign… I have to change… I have to be a good mother… I don't want Sylphie to hate me… I don't want to… I want to be a good mother… I have to be.
I know my past mistakes will still be there, but I want to try.
Sylphie shed tears for me, someone who doesn't deserve them.
My daughter is so pure and innocent… I don't want to cause her more pain.
Can I be a good mother to her? I don't know, but I'll stay alive to at least try.
Dying without trying would be a mistake.
Saik went so far as to risk his life for me. I don't want that to be in vain.
Thank you for this new chance, God… Thank you for this new chance, Saik.
"Saik… Thank you."
I climbed onto the bridge and helped Saik up.
"…Thank you so much, Saik… Thank you."
"…You're welcome… I'm sorry… I… I have to go… I'm really sleepy… Please, think carefully about what I told you… Sylphie loves you; don't forget that… And don't tell Sylphie what happened… I don't want her to know I did this, okay?"
"Of course, I won't say anything… Thank you so much."
Saik walked away… Saik… That boy saved me again… He saved me twice.
…Is it fate? I don't know… Maybe… Saik was sent to save me… Saik.
…Huh? Why is my heart beating so fast…? This feeling… No… I'm just confused.
•
•
(POV - Saik)
Ah… Faking tears was harder than I thought.
I entered my room and sat on my bed.
Killing herself on a bridge closed for construction, in the middle of the night. A bad move since it's heavily guarded. If it weren't for me sending the police away, everything would've been ruined.
"Ah… It took longer than I thought."
Well, less time than I initially imagined, but more time on the bridge.
Legendary ghosts number 13 and 14 appeared before me. The ghosts responsible for Iris's severe depression and the ones who drove her to want to kill herself.
"You did a good job, old ladies."
Using them to worsen Iris's depression was a good idea. It saved me weeks of work.
"It was pretty exhausting, but it went perfectly."
Ghost number 15 appeared before me.
The ghost of an old man. The legendary ghost of hope.
"Using me when she jumped was smart. When you saved her, it made her think it was fate. Hahahahaha! What face would she make if she knew you only saved her because of a deal with her dead husband?"
"Shut up."
15 disappeared.
"You too."
"Wait."
"You helped us. We want an answer to a question."
"Tch… Fine."
"You felt nothing when you saved her. No sadness, no worry. And when you saved her, you didn't care… If she had died, how would you feel? No… If you didn't have that deal with Noel and saw that woman trying to kill herself, what would you do?"
"Hmm… I guess nothing… I wouldn't care."
"…You feel no empathy for anyone… You're the strangest human we've ever met."
"Are you even human?"
"Bye."
They disappeared, and I lay on my bed.
If I saw someone trying to kill themselves, I wouldn't feel bad for them because they made that choice. What someone does with their life shouldn't matter to me.
If Sylphie lost her mother, I wouldn't feel bad for her.
I wouldn't feel anything.
…Am I human?
Yes, I am… A weird one, but I am.
"Why should I care what others do or think?"
Ah…
I closed my eyes and saw what one of my ghosts is seeing. It's watching Iris.
She's hugging her daughter while they both cry, with the police in the background.
So many tears… Ah…
Sylphie, I couldn't save my mother, but I saved yours (even though I was the cause). I hope you value this new chance… A chance I never had, and if I did, I wasted it.
They keep hugging, crying and crying… It's a sweet scene, but… it doesn't make me feel joy… Nothing…
Mother, Father, I'll never understand my existence.
•
•
Today is Friday; a new school day has begun.
The first week of classes ends today. The training days are over. The next few weeks will be tougher. It's an elite school for a reason. They'll probably give us surprise tests or something. I need to be ready for anything… Well, not really, since I'll cheat, but it's better to be prepared.
I left my house, and Yuki started smiling beside me.
That smile… is it too cheerful?
She closed her eyes… That makes her look even cuter… What's she up to?
"What's up?"
"Fufu. Noel told me what you did while I was spying on the girl who messed with you. I knew you were a good person!"
She started hopping around me.
Ah, I had to tell Noel since it was the end of the plan, though I framed it as "an unexpected ending."
"You're a good person! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"
I stopped and sighed.
Am I a good person? I don't think so. After all, I caused the accident that almost killed Iris. I was the reason for her suicide attempt… I'm not a good person.
"You've got kindness, Saik! You saved Iris! You saved a life!"
Yuki started dancing in front of me, swaying her hips… So cute.
I'd give her a lollipop, but I don't want to get in trouble with a floating lollipop beside me.
She started doing little hops while waving her arms.
"Saik, you're amazing! You're the coolest person I've ever met! You're awesome!"
"…I'm not."
I started walking, and Yuki walked beside me, giggling a bit.
"Fufu. Are you embarrassed?"
"Everyone has a past, Yuki… Even me…"
I looked into Yuki's eyes.
"If you knew my past, you wouldn't think I'm a good person."
"Your… past?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
I kept walking.
"Saik… What bad things have you done?"
"…Yuki, I give you food, a home, clothes… I treat you like my little sister… And I want you to pay me back."
"P-Pay you? H-How?"
"I'll be your friend, give you a home and food, but never… never… never try to dig into my past, because you'll never get answers to your questions."
I stopped and turned to her.
"Got it?"
"…Y-Yes… Okay."
"I'm far from being a good person… I'm sorry."
•
•
(POV - Yuki)
Saik… Why do I feel sad hearing those words? It's like… Saik has a sad past he doesn't want to remember… What kind of person is Saik, really? I don't know… I don't know.
I want to believe he's a good person… He even risked his life to save Iris… He has to be a good person; not just anyone risks their life for someone else… Saik… Why don't you think you're a good person?
•
•
(POV - Saik)
I entered a store to buy some candies. I need to replace the ones they stole.
…Ah… This is a… surprise?
I guess.
I grabbed a bag of lollipops and a bag of chocolates and placed them on the counter.
"Hey, Iris. I didn't know you worked here."
"H-Hi, Saik. I started today. An old friend of Noel's got me this job… Starting over is hard, but I have to try."
"I'm happy for you… How's Sylphie?"
"Good… I talked to her… It'll be tough, but I'll try to be a good mother to her… Saik… If something happens… could I talk to you again?"
"Of course, I'll be available whenever you need me."
"T-Thank you… Thank you so much… So… C-Could I have your number and email?"
"Sure."
It worked… I'm sorry, Noel, but this was necessary… I saved her once and saved her again… That sparked something in her… In other words, I tried to make her fall for me… And it worked.
Her face is a little red, and she's nervous, avoiding my gaze… Her personality is similar to Sylphie's.
I didn't tell Noel because he'd be against me trying to charm his ex-wife.
But I don't plan to be her new husband or boyfriend. I'm only doing this to help her overcome her depression. I need to be someone she trusts.
"She looks much better than before," Yuki said.
Yeah, you're right. After all, she has a new chance to fix her mistakes. Anyone would be happy with that… Even me.
•
•
After giving her my number and email, I paid and said goodbye.
I left the store and headed to school.
"Hey, Saik, Iris looks better. You did a great job yesterday."
"Thanks, Yuki."
The power of words is strong when backed by actions.
Saving Iris and telling her not to tell anyone made her think I did it because I care about her, not because I wanted to look like a good person.
The human mind can be manipulated more easily than people think. A few words can make us react differently.
Iris has Sylphie's personality. Noel's mistake was not supporting Iris. Iris became dependent on Noel, and when he died, she didn't know what to do.
Noel, you're a good person, but you made a big mistake with Iris… A mistake I have to fix on my own.
I'll make Iris and Sylphie independent so they don't have to rely emotionally on anyone.
I'll be Sylphie's friend, but I won't solve all her problems; I'll help her solve them on her own.
The same goes for Iris. She needs to be independent and not emotionally dependent on anyone.
It'll be hard work, but I'm sure I'll succeed.
"Hey, Saik!"
…Someone's calling me?
A girl caught up to me and started walking beside me.
"How are you?"
"…Hi?"
Who is she?
"Oh, you clearly don't remember her. That's Cristal!"
Oh, I remember now. Thanks, Yuki.
"I'm good… How about you, Cristal? Did you manage to level up?"
"I'm almost there! Could you help me?"
"Sure, I've got time this afternoon. Send me a message through the game."
"Thank you so much!"
I talked with Cristal about the game and the characters we use on the way to school.
I prefer characters that use the fire element, and Cristal prefers those that use wind.
She really knows how to play. It'd be nice to have someone to play with. Sometimes it's hard for me to beat the bosses.
"Cristal!"
Oh… She has a lot of friends… She's very different from me. I thought we were similar.
"See you later, Saik."
She joined her friends, and they entered the school.
I entered the school… Ah… Another day of classes… So lazy.
"Saik!"
Sylphie started walking beside me and smiled.
"G-Good morning!"
"Good morning, Sylphie. You look great today."
"T-Thanks… Yeah… I feel really good today… Thanks for noticing," she said, smiling even sweeter than before.
Ah… If Sylphie knew I'm the one responsible for her mother's suicide attempt, she wouldn't come near me.