The scorching summer filled the air with a faint smell of heated earth, and the asphalt on the roads, softened by the high temperature, slightly warped, creating an illusion of distorted space that made one's head spin. But the summer heat could not stop people enjoying their vacations. Pedestrians, drenched in sweat under the blazing sun, roamed the streets. Couples in love, undeterred, continued to display their affection, while workers, wiping sweat with paper handkerchiefs, tirelessly discussed with clients how to reduce the cost of a design to two and a half yuan. On this enthusiastic summer day, people remained just as energetic.
In the park, children played tirelessly, their clothes almost entirely soaked with sweat. Mothers, sheltered in the shade of trees, discussed which country to send their children to for studies. From time to time, when a child returned to wipe off sweat, they would gently scold them, after which the conversation shifted to sales at major supermarkets.
In one sandbox, children played together, but in another, a boy quietly busied himself with the sand. He appeared to be about six or seven years old and looked slightly different from the other children. Though a boy, his skin was unusually pale, and his hair was longer than most boys his age, making him resemble a girl.
"Miss… your health does not permit you to go outside…"
A girl in a strict maid's uniform followed another girl, persistently trying to persuade her.
"I know what I can and cannot do. Go back home, don't follow me!" the other replied sharply.
"But…" the maid attempted to protest.
"I said, go back! And one more thing! Don't you dare go out in that maid uniform again!"
"It's a requirement of my job…" The maid looked as though she were about to cry.
"Go back! Don't you dare follow me!"
Ignoring the maid, the girl walked away alone.
"Ugh…" The maid, with tears in her eyes, pulled out her phone.
"Miss Aya… ugh… what should I do… Miss… she forbade me from following her…"
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"Where are you now? I'll come right away," a voice replied.
"I… I… ugh… Miss Aya… they'll fire me, won't they? Ugh…"
"Tell me where you are first. Miss isn't that harsh; she just doesn't want you following her. You won't be fired."
"Okay… sniff… I… I'm here… ugh… they'll still fire me, won't they? Ugh…"
"…"
Miss had long forgotten about the maid. The girl referred to as Miss exuded an aura of wealth, but that wasn't the main thing. She wore a straw hat, her slender, snow-white legs and arms seemed fragile, and her long, golden hair, slightly curling at the ends, flowed down. Her white dress perfectly accentuated her graceful body, as if carved from ice and jade. The girl's face, with Eastern features, radiated a captivating beauty that made passersby involuntarily turn their heads.
Noticing uncomfortable stares, the girl slightly furrowed her brows and quietly clicked her tongue, pulling her hat lower and tilting her head.
"Disgusting," she muttered.
Her graceful legs in sandals stepped lightly along the street, and it seemed her mood was quite good.
"What wonderful weather…" she said, lifting her head to the azure sky. A gentle breeze slightly lifted the hem of her dress.
"Yo! What a beauty!" a voice called out.
Three young men with green hair, cigarettes in their mouths, approached her with a swaggering gait.
"Hey, gorgeous, you alone? No need to explain, you know what we want, haha!" They burst into loud laughter.
The girl felt utterly helpless and slightly pressed her hat to her head.
"Every time I go out, something like this happens," she thought wearily, glancing around. There were many passersby, but no one dared to intervene.
"Just hold on a bit longer…" she thought.
"Get lost," she said quietly.
"Wow, what a cold beauty! I like your attitude! Don't be like that, we won't do anything, just have some fun, haha! Money's on us, but if you want something more interesting, we won't say no, hahaha!" The guys continued laughing loudly.
The girl covered her face with her hand and tilted her head back.
"Ugh, worse than worms. Get lost already, you're annoying," she said softly, but the laughing guys didn't hear her.
She pulled out a phone from her pocket (though where a dress has pockets, who knows?) and dialed a number. At that moment, a long black car pulled up to the curb. A tall woman in a black suit and two sturdy men in suits and dark sunglasses stepped out.
"Miss," the woman in the suit bowed slightly.
"Handle the rest," the girl said, lightly patting the woman's shoulder as she passed by.
"Yes," the woman replied respectfully. The two men in sunglasses approached and grabbed the three guys. Realizing what was happening, the guys began to resist, but to no avail.
"Let me go! Do you know who I am?!" one of them shouted.
The woman in the suit quickly stopped the girl, who was about to leave.
"Miss, please return. Your health doesn't allow you to be out in this weather, or the head of the family will blame us."
"Tch, I don't want to," the girl replied irritably, turning away.
"Miss… please."
"Aya, look over there!" The girl pointed to the side.
The woman in the suit, full of suspicion, looked in the indicated direction, but there was only a couple that made one want to grab a canister of gasoline and a lighter. Nothing special.
"Miss, there's nothing…" the woman began, turning back, but the girl was already gone. There were rumors that Miss was a master at escaping, but to vanish right under her nose was something extraordinary.
"…"
"To the car, we're looking for Miss," the woman said to the men in sunglasses.
"Phew, almost got caught… If they had grabbed me, who knows when I'd get out again," the girl said, looking pleased, as if she had escaped a great danger.
At the park entrance, she stopped, looked around, and thought, "I'll take a walk." A light breeze lifted the hem of her dress again, and the branches of trees by the river swayed slightly.
"What nice weather," the girl sighed again, continuing through the park. She reached a sandbox where children were playing. Some, exhausted, slept on blankets spread out by their mothers under the trees.
"A sandbox…" The girl smiled softly.
"Hm?" She noticed something. It was the boy playing alone. She slowly approached him, tilted her head, and looked at him. The boy, engrossed in digging in the sand, didn't notice her.
"Little one, why are you playing alone? Why not with your friends?" she asked.
The boy flinched in surprise, finally noticing the shadow on the sand. He looked up and stared at the girl with confusion.
"Because… my sister said I shouldn't approach other people, especially girls… Who are you, big sister? You're so pretty!" The boy, despite his initial fright, quickly recovered and spoke.
The boy had an astonishingly cute face, though it didn't seem girlish. His charming appearance slightly stunned the girl.
"Big sister is just big sister. First, tell me, why does your sister not let you play with others?" she asked.
"My sister said that if I approach others, they'll eat me, especially girls. But I don't feel like anyone wants to eat me, it's weird… But I have to listen to my sister. Oh! Big sister, you shouldn't come too close to me, or my sister will see and scold me again!" Saying this, the boy quickly stepped back a few paces.
"A controlling sister, huh? Not even leaving her little brother alone. If she's not a child, she's definitely a pervert," the girl thought with disdain, not realizing she might not be so different herself. She took a few steps toward the boy, leaned down so her face was a fist's distance from his, and looked at his adorable face.
"It's okay, no one will eat you. Look, your sister's nearby, and nothing's happening…" she began.
At that moment, an incredible fragrance emanated from the boy, flooding her senses, overwhelming her mind, and thrilling her nerves. Primal instincts awakened, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Her mind was consumed by one desire:
"To possess him!!!"
Information surged into her consciousness, and the girl desperately tried to resist. She gripped her face tightly, closed her eyes, shook her head as if doused with cold water, and came to her senses.
"Big sister? Are you okay?" The boy, concerned, shook her shoulder.
The girl, covered in cold sweat, was breathing heavily, still holding her face with one hand.
"Huff… huff…" She tried to catch her breath.
"Big sister? Are you sick? Is it because of me? My sister was right, I shouldn't approach others…" The boy looked dejected.
Coming to herself, the girl looked at him, her mind racing. "What was that? That fragrance… If it weren't for my self-control… What's wrong with this boy?" she thought.
"Big sister?" The boy still looked at her with concern.
"It's okay, big sister just felt a bit unwell, it's nothing serious, you're not to blame," she said gently, stroking his soft hair.
"Unwell? What's that? Are you sick? Do you need a doctor? If you're sick, you should go home and rest!" The boy grew even more worried.
His concern warmed the girl, but she was still thinking about that strange sensation. She noticed the fragrance still emanated from the boy, and if she hadn't been on guard, who knows what she might have done. Continuing to stroke his hair, she pondered.
"Big sister?" The boy still looked worried.
"It's fine, big sister is completely fine. Are you bored playing alone, right? Let big sister play with you. By the way, what's your name?"
"Really? You'll play with me?" The boy looked as if he couldn't believe it.
"Really. Tell me your name."
"Okay, big sister, my name is Hong Shuangyu. I'll write it for you!" He wrote his name in the sand with his finger.
"Hong Shuangyu? That's a beautiful name," the girl smiled.
"Yeah, everyone says my name sounds nice! What's big sister's name?" Hong Shuangyu began to liven up. Usually, no one played with him, and now a beautiful big sister had appeared.
"Big sister's name is Carly Alice. Remember it well, I'll write it for you too," Carly wrote her name in the sand as well.
"Carly? What a strange name! Oh, big sister, are you a foreigner? You have such beautiful golden hair!" Shuangyu complimented, unexpectedly delighting her.
"Big sister is a mixed-race. My mom is Chinese, my dad is English, but I grew up abroad, so you could say I'm a foreigner."
"Oh, I see!" Shuangyu seemed to understand quickly.
"By the way, can I call you Xiao Yu?"
"Sure, my sister calls me that too!" Shuangyu looked happy. "Can I call you Sister Carly?"
"Tch, like that perverted sister who controls her brother. Annoying. She probably knows about his strange trait, so she keeps others away from him," Carly thought.
"Of course you can," she replied cheerfully.
"Xiao Yu, how old are you? Where are your mom and dad?"
"Um… Xiao Yu is six years old. And Mom and Dad… they're gone," Shuangyu said sadly.
"So young, and already without parents…" Carly thought.
"Sorry, Xiao Yu," she apologized.
"It's okay, I'm used to it. I barely remember Mom and Dad," he said, still sadly.
"Let's not talk about that. Where's your sister?"
"My sister went to do some errands, but she didn't say what. She told me to play here alone and not approach others," Shuangyu grew sad again.
"What a terrible sister," Carly thought irritably.
"It's okay, big sister will play with you, just don't tell your sister, it's our little secret, okay?"
"Okay!" Shuangyu smiled. "By the way, Sister Carly, don't think I'm little, I'm really good at math!" He proudly thumped his chest, speaking in his childish voice.
"Really? Show Sister Carly what you can do!"
"Okay, watch closely!" Shuangyu squatted, scooped up a handful of sand, and stared at it. One second… two… three… four… five…
"Um… Xiao Yu?" Carly asked, embarrassed.
"Three million six hundred seventy-four thousand one hundred ninety-six grains of sand!" Shuangyu declared seriously.
"Uh… Xiao Yu?" A bead of sweat rolled down Carly's temple.
"Sister Carly, there are three million six hundred seventy-four thousand one hundred ninety-six grains of sand! Isn't that cool?" Shuangyu looked at her with shining eyes.
"…" Shuangyu kept staring at her.
"…" Carly, flustered by his gaze, wiped the sweat from her forehead. "Um… very… very cool! Xiao Yu, at your age, you already know what millions are… No wonder you're Xiao Yu!" she said awkwardly, patting his head.
"Really… Sister Carly doesn't believe me either… Of course, I know billions and trillions too, and the multiplication table!" Shuangyu declared proudly.
"Yes, yes, no wonder you're Xiao Yu!" Carly replied.
Shuangyu, a bit embarrassed by her patting, looked around and suddenly noticed something, his eyes sparkling again. Carly followed his gaze.
It was an ice cream truck.
The ice cream truck stopped in the park, and children, noticing it, rushed to their mothers, begging for ice cream. The mothers, grumbling that the kids ate too many sweets and that there would be burger meat for dinner, still bought the ice cream.
"Want some?" Carly asked.
"Huh?!" Shuangyu, with a bit of drool at the corner of his mouth, looked at Carly with shining eyes.
"Can I?!" he exclaimed excitedly.
"Of course you can."
"But my sister said I shouldn't bother others or take things from strangers," Shuangyu said regretfully, still drooling.
"It's okay, Xiao Yu, don't you trust Sister Carly?"
"But…"
"It's fine!" Carly, ignoring his doubts, took his hand and led him to the truck. His little hand was covered in sand.
"Wait, Sister Carly!" Shuangyu pulled his hand back, brushed the sand off onto his pants, took out a handkerchief, wiped his hands, and grabbed Carly's hand again, his eyes shining. "Sister Carly, let's go!"
"…" Carly thought. "What a charming child."
After buying ice cream, Carly led Shuangyu to a bench on a park path. Shuangyu looked at the ice cream with delight, his face glowing with happiness. He stuck out his tongue and licked it, his face lighting up with such adorable joy that Carly involuntarily flinched, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"This kid… he's really dangerous…" she thought.
Noticing her strange look, Shuangyu glanced at his ice cream, then at Carly, and offered it to her.
"Sister Carly, try it, it's delicious!"
Looking at the ice cream he'd already licked, Carly felt embarrassed.
"No need, Xiao Yu, you eat it…"
"Eat it! It's really delicious, Sister Carly!" Shuangyu said seriously.
"…" Looking at his serious face and the ice cream with his saliva, Carly felt her cheeks flush even more. Unable to refuse, she closed her eyes, stuck out her tongue, and lightly licked the ice cream, immediately turning away so Shuangyu wouldn't see her burning face.
"Very… very delicious," she mumbled.
"Really?" Shuangyu said happily.
"No… this kid is too dangerous… I was prepared… Aaa, my first indirect kiss… No, no, he's just a kid!" Carly tried to calm herself, watching Shuangyu happily eat his ice cream. Noticing her gaze, he looked at her strangely.
"Oh! Sister Carly! You've got ice cream on your cheek!" he said seriously.
"Huh?" Carly snapped out of it and reached for a handkerchief, but before she could, Shuangyu leaned forward and licked the ice cream off her cheek.
"You can't waste food!" he said, still serious.
"Aaaaaa!!!" Carly screamed internally. Her face was burning, and she covered it with her hands, unsure what to do.
"What's happening?! Why am I so embarrassed?! He's just a kid! Just a kid! But what's this feeling?! I want to hug him! Kiss him! He's so cute! Calm down, aaaa!!!" Carly battled with herself.
"Sister Carly? Are you okay? Your face is so red, are you sick?" Shuangyu asked, worried.
"N-no… I'm fine… thank you, Xiao Yu," she replied as he continued licking his ice cream.
Calming down, Carly watched Shuangyu eat. Though she still felt slight embarrassment and a strange attraction, she could control it. "What's with this kid? He's really too dangerous…"
"Xiao Yu, have you ever had… health problems?" she asked, realizing it was a bit impolite.
"Hm… no, I'm healthy!" he replied.
"He doesn't know? It must be something about his body… But what kind of trait is it?" Carly thought. "I'll have to look into it at home… Ugh, home… I don't want to go back… Ruined my mood again…"
After finishing his ice cream, Shuangyu looked at Carly.
"Sister Carly? Something wrong? Didn't you like the ice cream?" he asked with concern.
"No, the ice cream was delicious… Big sister just remembered something bad," Carly replied, smiling softly and patting his head.
"Hm… something sad? Tell me, Xiao Yu will share your sadness, since you treated me to ice cream! I can help!" he said, clenching his fists and looking at her seriously.
"Share my sadness… So young, and he already knows about that?" Carly thought.
"Big sister… doesn't like her home. At home, I have to do a lot of things I don't want to, and I'm often not allowed to go out. I have no freedom."
"Freedom? That's when you can't go out, right? Sister, you're so pitiful! Your home is too strict! You don't like it, do you?"
"Yeah… My father is often away, he's very strict… and doesn't decide anything, but still controls everything… When my mom died…" Carly fell silent.
Shuangyu, not understanding her words, tilted his head in confusion.
"It's okay, Sister Carly. I don't know what happened to you, but my sister said: if you're sad, find someone you can always be with and tell them everything—it'll feel better."
"Tell… be together forever? Is her sister that obsessed with her brother?" Carly thought.
"Xiao Yu, can you be the one I tell things to?" she asked gently.
"Of course! If Sister Carly is sad, come to me, tell me everything, I'll share your sadness. I don't know if I can help, but I'll definitely make you feel better!" He thumped his chest confidently again.
"So don't be sad, Sister Carly!" Shuangyu stood on the bench and patted Carly's head.
Carly was stunned by his sudden gesture. Being small, Shuangyu barely reached her head while standing on the bench. His touch unexpectedly calmed her, and her mood improved, though the exhaustion in her soul remained.
Seeing her soft but still tired expression, Shuangyu grew flustered. After thinking, he looked at her seriously again.
"Sister Carly…"
"Hm?" she responded.
Suddenly, Shuangyu hugged her. Since he was standing on the bench and gently pressed her head, Carly's face ended up against his chest. Caught off guard, she froze, and his fragrance began to intoxicate her again, her cheeks flushing.
"Xiao Yu doesn't know how to comfort, but I think this might help. Sister Carly, cry, I'll hug you, no one will see, there's no one around. Cry, it'll make you feel better."
"Xiao Yu…" Carly was bewildered.
"Don't be sad, Sister Carly. If you feel bad, come to me, I'll listen. As long as you don't mind Xiao Yu, I'll always be there, comforting and supporting you."
"Xiao Yu…" Carly's voice trembled.
"Sister Carly, it's okay, I'll always be with you. Want to cry? Cry," Shuangyu said softly, hugging her and stroking her head.
"A child is comforting me… What's this feeling? My nose stings… Xiao Yu… You'll always be with me? Always support me?"
"Xiao Yu… don't move…" Carly said quietly, hugging him tightly. Feeling her embrace, Shuangyu hugged her back even stronger. Her shoulders began to tremble.
The crack in her heart was healing.
The dusty heart was being cleansed.
"How embarrassing, crying in front of a child… Good thing no one's around," Carly thought, washing her face with water to erase the traces of tears. "And I got the kid's clothes dirty… So awkward. But my mood is unexpectedly so good…" She looked at Shuangyu's clothes.
"Xiao Yu, let's go to my house, your clothes are dirty," Carly said, embarrassed.
"No need… My sister will come soon, and I'll go home. I'll wash anyway, so it's fine."
"Well… still, let's go, I feel bad," Carly blushed.
"Really, it's okay," Shuangyu shook his head.
"Oh, my sister's here!" He noticed his sister's figure.
"I see… Okay then," Carly also saw Aya stepping out of a car and approaching.
"Xiao Yu, we'll meet again, but how do I find you? Do you have a phone?"
"Don't worry, Sister Carly, I'm here every day. If you want to see me, come here," Shuangyu said, a bit sadly.
"Okay, then let's agree to meet at least once a week, and definitely on Sundays! That's our deal, okay?" Carly leaned down, looking into his eyes.
Shuangyu broke into the brightest smile.
"Okay! It's a deal!"
"See you, Xiao Yu."
"See you, Sister Carly!" Shuangyu ran toward the small figure in the distance. Carly watched him with an unfamiliar tenderness. Halfway, Shuangyu turned and waved.
"Sister Carly!"
"Huh?"
"Don't be sad! If you feel bad, come to me, I'll comfort you, so be happy!"
His words filled Carly's heart with warmth.
"Thank you, Xiao Yu," she replied.
Hearing her response, Shuangyu smiled happily, turned, and ran to the small figure.
"Sister Xuan! I'm here!"
"Xiao Yu, don't run so fast, you'll fall!" a bell-like voice rang out.
"Hee-hee, Sister Xuan worries about me too much!"
"Who else is going to worry about you!" The figure seemed a bit annoyed.
"That's his sister? I can't make her out… But she's probably cute, even if she's obsessed with her brother… Tch, why don't I like her?" Carly thought.
"Miss," Aya's voice came from beside her.
"Let's go," Carly's face instantly turned cold.
"Miss, who was that?"
"None of your business," Carly replied, but the corners of her lips slightly lifted.
"Sorry," Aya lowered her head. "Miss seems to be in a good mood."
"Within ten minutes, I want to know everything about that child."
"Miss… who is he?" Aya asked, puzzled.
"Five minutes."
"Looks like Miss's mood isn't that good…" Aya thought.
Carly, meanwhile, was only thinking about how to learn everything about Shuangyu as soon as possible.
After that, Carly and Shuangyu often met in the park. Sometimes Carly couldn't come, but she was always there on Sundays. Their bond grew stronger with each day.
"Wow! Is this your house, Sister Carly? It's huge!!!" Shuangyu looked with awe at the luxurious hall, resembling a palace.
A massive European-style villa, surrounded by a strict copper fence guarded by private security. The front yard featured neatly trimmed bushes and a garden, a large fountain, a pool, and the backyard was more like a mountain than a yard, with a golf course and a hunting area.
"Like it, Xiao Yu?" Carly looked at him with an unfamiliar tenderness.
"Yup! A lot! It's so beautiful and so big! Who are those pretty ladies?" Shuangyu pointed at two rows of maids standing on either side.
"They clean the house. The house is big, so it takes a lot of people to clean, right?" Carly explained patiently.
"Oh, got it!" Shuangyu continued looking around in awe.
"Miss is smiling!" the maids whispered, trying not to let Carly hear.
"Yeah, in all these years, I've never seen her smile!"
"Not just smiling, I've never seen such a tender smile!"
"Does Miss like little boys? Or younger guys?"
"Idiot, that's the same thing!" The maids got carried away with gossip.
"Xiao Yu, let's go to my room," Carly took his hand. Carly's room was a true princess's room: enormous, with carved walls, large windows with pink curtains, a soft carpet, and a canopied bed. Everything was elegant but with a girlish charm.
"What a huge room! Bigger than our whole house!" Shuangyu was stunned.
Carly kept looking at him with a tender smile.
"Xiao Yu, want to read a book or hear a story?" she asked, taking a book from a shelf. Over time, she learned that Shuangyu loved books and stories, but not children's fairy tales—complex books: basics of psychology, quantum theory, analysis of three-dimensional space, The Divine Comedy. When Carly asked him about it, he replied:
"I don't understand, I don't know a lot of the words, I don't get what they're about."
Shuangyu said this with such innocence that Carly found it endearing. He didn't listen to princess fairy tales but stories about Sherlock Holmes, which was also unusual. So, when Shuangyu read, Carly sat beside him, explaining unfamiliar words and their meanings.
"I want to read! Read!" Shuangyu looked with excitement at the huge bookshelf. Carly also loved reading, but she rarely had time for it.
"Let's read on the bed," she said, picking up Shuangyu and sitting him on the bed.
Shuangyu read intently, while Carly sat behind him, hugging him. Sometimes, without realizing it, she inhaled his fragrance and became slightly intoxicated by it. She didn't notice that her heart was increasingly belonging to this boy, and she was becoming more dependent on him.
Meeting Shuangyu, daily or weekly on Sundays, became an integral part of Carly's life. Whenever she felt sad, hurt, or burdened, she sought him out. His hugs became her only source of comfort, and her dependence on him grew.
"Xiao Yu, never leave Sister Carly, stay with me always, okay?" Carly, sitting on the bed, hugged him tightly from behind as he read. Hearing her words, Shuangyu put down the book, turned, and hugged her.
"Sister Carly, I told you, I'll always support you, and we'll always be together," he said naively, not understanding the weight of his words. Carly froze, then hugged him even tighter.
"Xiao Yu… you're my support…"
"What kind of joke is this?! Why should I marry that disgusting worm?!" Carly's face burned with anger and disbelief as she looked at the imposing man before her. His golden hair was neatly combed back, and his face expressed unyielding sternness.
"Why? Because you are the heiress of this family. Born into our family, you are obligated to serve its interests, to sacrifice for it. Your marriage to Elliot's heir will bring immense benefits to our Victoria family, so you have no reason to resist," the man said, standing with his back to Carly.
Carly lowered her head, her face becoming expressionless.
"Hah, just like with Mom? You abandoned her, and now you remember me when you see a benefit? Are you even a father? Or even human?" Without waiting for a reply, Carly left.
"Insolence! Come back!" the man shouted, but Carly was already gone.
The rain poured as if from a bucket. Carly, like a walking corpse, trudged through the rain. Her wet clothes clung to her perfect body, but she no longer thought about anything. Being born into this family meant being a pawn.
"What do I do… Who will help…"
Xiao Yu…
Xiao Yu!
Remembering the most important person to her, her support, Carly could no longer wait. She needed to find Shuangyu.
"Only Xiao Yu… only he supports me… only he's my anchor… Where is he…"
Recalling their meeting spot in the park, Carly ran through the rain, heedless of everything. She tripped over her sandals, fell, her shoes tore, but she tossed them aside and kept running. Her snow-white legs were covered in wounds, her tears mixing with the rain.
Reaching the park, she quickened her pace. At their meeting spot, she slipped on a wet stone and fell, scraping her knee. Blood flowed, but Carly didn't notice the pain. Her only thought was:
"To see Xiao Yu."
"Ah! Sister Carly! Are you okay?!" a voice rang out, like the music of the heavens.
A small figure with an umbrella too big for them hurried toward her.
"Sister Carly! Are you hurt? Why are you without an umbrella?" Shuangyu, ignoring that he was getting wet, covered her with the umbrella. Seeing her injured state, he nearly cried.
Carly lifted her head and looked at Shuangyu, who was on the verge of tears.
"Xiao Yu…" she whispered softly.
Seeing her empty gaze, Shuangyu grew even more frightened.
"Sister Carly, get up! You can't lie on wet ground, you'll catch a cold! Why are you without an umbrella?! Oh, you have wounds on your legs! We need to bandage them, stop the bleeding, quick! Sister Carly?!" He noticed she wasn't responding, only staring at him.
"Xiao Yu…" she whispered again.
"Sister Carly, get up!" Shuangyu tried to lift her, but his small body couldn't manage.
"Xiao Yu… why… are you here?" Carly asked haltingly.
"Sister Carly, get up…"
"Why are you here?!" She grabbed his shoulders.
Shuangyu, startled again, still answered:
"Because… today… it's Sunday…"
Carly suddenly remembered that it was Sunday, the day of their mandatory meeting. But because of the marriage talk, she had forgotten.
"But… do you know what time it is?" Her voice grew more serious.
Shuangyu, frightened by her tone, feared she might hate him.
"It's night… eleven-twenty," he said quietly, glancing at the park clock.
"You realize it's night?! It's late, and it's dangerous in this rain!" Carly said loudly.
Shuangyu, now thoroughly scared, held back tears.
"Because… today… you didn't come… and it's Sunday…" he sniffled.
"So you waited for me?" Carly's face turned icy.
"Because… we agreed… I always wait for Sister Carly on Sundays…"
"You waited from morning until now?"
"Yup…" Sister Carly, get up, we need to go home, I have a bandage…" Before he could finish, Shuangyu noticed Carly lower her head, her body trembling slightly.
"Xiao Yu… Xiao Yu…" she repeated to herself.
"Sister Carly? What's wrong? Are you sick? Sister Carly, get up, are you cold?" Shuangyu shook her shoulders.
"Xiao Yu…" Carly said softly.
"Sister Carly…"
"Xiao Yu…"
"Sister Carly…"
Not understanding what was happening, Shuangyu only responded to her. Suddenly, Carly stopped trembling and calmed down.
"…" The silence made Shuangyu feel helpless. He wanted to take her home to treat her wounds.
Carly stirred.
She lifted her head, took his face in her hands, and kissed him… Shuangyu, caught off guard, froze. The kiss was brief, just a few seconds, after which Carly pulled away and lowered her head. Then she looked up again…
Her perfect face now bore a crazed smile… and eyes, empty, devoid of focus.
Shuangyu was frightened by her sudden expression. Carly grabbed his shoulders, her grip no longer gentle but painful, leaving red marks.
"Xiao Yu… be with me forever…" she said with a crazed smile that sent chills down the spine.
…
A massive room, like one for a princess, with a large canopied bed. Shuangyu slept on the bed. Since that rainy evening, he noticed Carly had become strange: she looked at him with a terrifying tenderness and emptiness in her eyes, often staring at him in a trance. Today, after she gave him something to drink, he felt his head grow heavy and fell asleep.
Soon, Shuangyu woke up. His body was powerless, he could barely move, even turning his head was impossible. But his mind was unexpectedly clear, and his eyes opened with difficulty.
"Ah… Xiao Yu, you're awake," Carly, entering the room, noticed his movement and rushed to the bed, climbing on and leaning over him.
"Car… ly… sister…" Shuangyu managed weakly.
"Yup-yup," Carly replied cheerfully.
"Why… am I… here…" he said with effort.
"Xiao Yu, you said we'd be together forever, right? So stay with Sister Carly always. Only with you can I live… Oh, and don't worry, you can't move, but big sister will take care of everything… everything…" Her voice sounded eerie.
"But… I… need… to go… home… Sister… Xuan… is worried…"
"It's okay, this is your home now. And let me be your Sister Xuan, I'll take care of you," Carly suddenly perked up.
"Sister… Carly…" Shuangyu didn't understand what was happening. He began to feel scared, but the drug's effect left him unable to resist, only able to lie there as she looked at him.
"Oh, Xiao Yu, let's play a game," a sickly flush appeared on her cheeks, her breathing quickened, and her gaze grew even more abnormal, full of obsession.
Shuangyu could no longer speak; his strength for words had run out. He only watched as Carly's face drew closer, and she kissed him.
Her face and skin were burning, and she looked at him with crazed obsession.
"Xiao Yu… huff… huff… Xiao Yu…" She continued kissing him, from lips to cheeks to neck, like a starving wolf seeking prey.
Looking at Shuangyu, her face expressed something no normal person would have.
"Xiao Yu… huff… huff…"
"Be with me forever…" Carly said maniacally.
Ten days passed. Shuangyu lay in bed the entire time. When Carly wasn't away, she spent all her time with him, manipulating him daily. She mixed something into his food to keep him conscious but powerless to resist.
…
Twelve days. Realizing Shuangyu was still too young and his body underdeveloped, Carly touched him less often, doing so periodically. But when she was in a bad mood, she still forced him. Moreover, she began controlling his diet to ensure he could endure her actions.
…
Fifteen days. Carly hugged the powerless Shuangyu, whispering in his ear:
"Xiao Yu… you know… today…" She often hugged him, pouring out her soul, but frequently interrupted herself, exclaiming that he was too cute, and began her shameful actions. The floor of the room was littered with his photographs.
…
Seventeen days. Shuangyu, perhaps growing accustomed to the drugs, could manage a few phrases, no more than ten.
"Car… ly… sister… I want… to go… home…" he said in a lifeless voice, looking at Carly, who was hugging him.
"This is your home, Xiao Yu, right?" she said, surprised he could speak.
"This… isn't… my… home… why… are you… doing… this…" His strength gave out.
"No, no, this is your home, Xiao Yu. Don't say that, it'll make Sister Carly sad. We'll be together forever, right?" Her gaze became empty again. She hugged him, inhaling his scent, as Shuangyu's tears flowed silently.
…
Twenty-one days. Carly, continuing her shameful actions, didn't notice Shuangyu's tears. His eyes were completely unfocused, tears flowing instinctively. He could no longer think, didn't know what he was doing or thinking, only shedding tears daily, unable to resist.
…
Twenty-seven days. One day, Shuangyu lost consciousness, and for nearly a week after, Carly didn't touch him, often hugging him and apologizing.
"Sorry, Xiao Yu, I didn't think about your health. Rest, when you recover, we'll play again," she said, tightly hugging his lifeless body.
…
Thirty-two days. Two weeks passed, and Carly couldn't hold back.
"Xiao Yu, Sister Carly is very sad today. Shall we play? I can't stand it anymore, it's been so long since we played… huff… huff… it's okay, right?" She was breathing heavily.
Seeing her actions, Shuangyu cried again.
…
Forty days. Carly grew increasingly abnormal, often hugging Shuangyu and muttering:
"It can't be… they couldn't have found out so easily… Xiao Yu won't leave me… He'll be with me forever, right?" She squeezed him harder, but Shuangyu didn't respond.
…
Forty-three days.
"Who are you?! How dare you enter my room?! This is private property! Get out!" Carly shouted with unprecedented agitation.
Her abnormal behavior only strengthened the suspicions of the people before her.
"Miss Carly, we suspect you're involved in the recent disappearance of a child. We've determined he was in contact with you before vanishing, and there's reason to believe you're holding him. Allow us to search your room," said a middle-aged man, showing his badge.
"Do you have a warrant?" Carly asked coldly, her gaze growing emptier.
"Not yet, but it's on its way."
"Then you have no right to be here!"
"The warrant will be here soon, what's the difference, now or later? Your behavior only heightens my suspicions," the man said sternly.
"Wait for the warrant," her eyes grew completely empty.
The man looked at her and made a gesture behind his back.
"Miss Carly."
She stared at him with an empty gaze.
"If we wait, who knows what might disappear here! Act!" he shouted, rushing forward.
Carly reacted too late.
"Stop!" she yelled.
But two officers already grabbed her arms, trying to restrain her. Carly, with a darkened gaze, threw them off with superhuman strength. The man burst into the room, seeing the floor covered with photos of the missing child. On the bed lay Shuangyu, with lifeless eyes.
"Get out!!!" Carly's scream came from behind. She lunged at the man, grabbing his throat with inhuman force. Unprepared for such strength, he couldn't break free. But, gathering himself, he kicked her. Carly, lacking fighting experience, staggered, her grip loosening. The man broke free, grabbed her arm, struck her lower back with his knee, and pinned her to the floor with his full weight, knowing she might overpower him otherwise.
Seeing her try to break free, he shouted:
"Paralyze her! Quick!"
It all happened in seconds. The officers, recovering, heard the order. One pulled out a tranquilizer and injected Carly.
Immobilized, she could only whisper powerlessly:
"Stop…"
The man and officers entered the room. More patrol cars arrived outside. The man looked at Shuangyu on the bed.
"I knew he was here."
He surveyed the room, noticing numerous photos and drugs on the bedside table. Taking one, he saw German inscriptions.
"Send this for analysis," he told an officer, then leaned over Shuangyu. The boy lay with open but empty eyes, unresponsive, as if dead.
"Psychological trauma?" the man muttered, scratching his head.
At that moment, a small figure rushed into the room. Seeing Shuangyu, the girl collapsed in tears.
"Xiao Yu!" She threw herself at the bed, hugging him. "Xiao Yu… ugh… I found you… don't leave your sister…"
She sobbed uncontrollably, but Shuangyu didn't react, his eyes remaining empty. Seeing this, the girl cried even harder.
"Xiao Yu? What's wrong with you? Don't scare your sister!"
Shaking his shoulders, she got no response as he slowly closed his eyes.
"Xiao Yu? Answer your sister! Don't scare me!"
The man, watching the scene, approached and checked Shuangyu's condition.
"He's unconscious, little one. Don't panic, your brother is likely alive. The ambulance is here, they'll take him to the hospital."
Comforting the crying girl, he heard her broken voice:
"Uncle… please… save… my brother…"
Shuangyu didn't understand what was happening. He heard noise, shouts, then saw a middle-aged man looking at him. Then he heard Sister Xuan's voice, crying. He saw her tears but couldn't think. His consciousness sank into darkness…
The body sustained severe injuries due to excessive exposure to drugs and violence, and he is still too young. These injuries are irreversible and will significantly impact his development…
The doctor, standing by the bedside, shook his head as he glanced at Uesugi Hiroichi before turning his gaze to Hong Shuangyu, lying in the bed, and sighed.
— What a mess…
At that moment, a commotion arose at the door—it sounded like a girl arguing.
— Let me in! Why can't I go in? I'm his sister! Move aside now!
— Little girl… the patient needs rest right now… visits are not allowed yet… — the nurse at the door responded with difficulty, her tone strained.
— How could I possibly disturb my brother?! I just want to see him! Get out of the way!
The nurse looked helplessly at the doctor and Uesugi Hiroichi, continuing to block the girl's path. Uesugi sighed again.
— Let her in, — he said.
Upon hearing this, the nurse immediately stopped arguing and hurriedly left the ward. The girl rushed into the room, and upon seeing Hong Shuangyu on the bed, her eyes instantly filled with tears. She threw herself toward him, intending to embrace her brother.
But rough hands stopped her. Uesugi Hiroichi grabbed the girl by the collar and lifted her into the air.
— Let me go! What are you doing?! You pervert, you lolicon! — Hong Xuan struggled desperately in the air.
"When did I become a pervert or a lolicon?" Uesugi thought, slightly taken aback.
— He's very weak right now, and you still want to hug him? You're his sister, think about him properly! — Uesugi said with a helpless expression, looking at Xuan.
Hearing his words, Xuan stopped struggling. She gazed at Shuangyu lying on the bed and quietly wept. Uesugi sighed once more and set her down on the floor. Xuan stood by the bed, silently watching her brother, her shoulders trembling with tears. After crying for a while, she turned to Uesugi.
— My brother… he… he'll be okay, right? — Xuan asked, sniffing and looking at Uesugi.
— As you can see, his life isn't in danger right now, but he's very weak. As his sister, you should understand that he needs proper care, — Uesugi replied.
— Don't tell me that… I already know… — Xuan glared angrily at Uesugi, then turned back to Shuangyu, silently watching him.
— The patient needs absolute rest to recover, so please leave the ward, — the doctor said, addressing Uesugi but also Xuan.
— Let's go, — Uesugi gently nudged Xuan. She glared at him fiercely again, wiped her tears, cast a heavy glance at Shuangyu, and left.
"Hey, hey, I'm the one who saved your brother!" Uesugi thought with a helpless expression, watching her retreating figure.
A week passed, and Hong Shuangyu still hadn't regained consciousness. According to the doctor, he should have woken up by now, but given his condition, the doctor could only speculate that severe physical injuries or a subconscious unwillingness to awaken were keeping him in a coma. Uesugi, looking at Shuangyu, sighed again. This case had kept him working non-stop for two months. The problem wasn't finding the person but what followed. Due to Carly's influential background, the situation had become incredibly complicated.
Uesugi reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes to calm his nerves. A passing nurse immediately stopped him.
— Sorry, smoking is prohibited here. There's a designated smoking area.
Uesugi, about to light a cigarette, froze, then sighed heavily.
— Sorry, — he said, putting away the lighter and walking off with the cigarette in his mouth.
As he walked through the hospital's white corridors, Uesugi kept thinking about Shuangyu's case. It was a clear crime, but due to Carly's connections, making progress was nearly impossible. The police higher-ups seemed to see this case as an opportunity and kept pressuring Carly, but her influential family wasn't about to back down. As a result, the situation had reached a deadlock, and Uesugi felt powerless. Until the case was resolved, he had to keep watching over Shuangyu.
Reaching the hospital's courtyard—the smoking area—Uesugi wasted no time lighting up. He took a deep drag and exhaled sharply.
— Phew… Damn, this is so frustrating… — he muttered, leaning against the edge of an artificial pond and massaging his temples.
"This kid still hasn't woken up. Why won't he wake up? He's the key witness; without him, this case is a nightmare!"
Uesugi continued rubbing his temples, feeling his headache intensify. He raised the cigarette for another drag but noticed a man in a suit on the second floor, talking to someone. A few seconds later, they walked away. Uesugi squinted—the man looked familiar.
"That's Carly's lawyer," he thought.
"Why is he here? Then the other person is probably Carly herself?"
Uesugi realized now wasn't the time to relax. He glanced at the cigarette, took one last drag, stubbed it out in the ashtray, and quickly headed to Shuangyu's ward. He didn't know why they were here, but he was certain Carly would want to see the boy.
Arriving at the ward, he found no sign of Carly or the lawyer. "Did I get it wrong?" he thought, but his suspicion was soon confirmed: Carly and the lawyer were approaching.
Carly, as always, wore a dress. Her figure seemed made for such outfits. She had on a white dress with lace trim. The lawyer, a man with gold-rimmed glasses and perfectly combed hair, followed her, looking like a typical successful professional.
Noticing Uesugi, the lawyer nodded politely—he knew who Detective Uesugi was. But Carly, ignoring him, intended to walk straight past him into the ward.
Her face was emotionless, cold as always, and her skin was sickly pale.
— Miss Carly, why are you here? — Uesugi stepped forward, blocking her path.
Carly stopped, and anger flashed across her face.
— Move, — she said coldly.
— That's not possible, Miss Carly. You understand the position you're in, don't you? You have no right or reason to see him, — Uesugi replied, looking at her indifferently.
— I said, move, — Carly gritted her teeth, her eyes piercing Uesugi coldly.
— I can't, Miss Carly. What if you do something again? How would I answer for that? You're a suspect in a crime. And you want to visit the victim? That's just laughable, — Uesugi smirked, as if deliberately provoking her to see her reaction.
Carly couldn't retort. She clenched her teeth, glaring at him furiously. Uesugi stared back, unflinching. Their gazes locked for several seconds. The lawyer, sensing the tension, tried to intervene.
— Detective Uesugi… — he began, but Carly stopped him.
She lowered her head, her body trembling slightly.
— Please… let me see him… — she said quietly.
— That's not… — Uesugi started.
— I'm begging you! — Carly suddenly raised her voice, cutting him off.
Uesugi froze, looking at her. His urge to tease her a bit, to get back for all the trouble of recent days, faded. He had expected Carly to be stubborn, not to plead. Looking at her bowed head, he scratched the back of his neck and sighed.
— Fine, but only in handcuffs. You have no right to object to that, — he said.
The lawyer behind Carly wanted to say something, but she stopped him again.
— Okay, — she replied, extending her hands.
Uesugi put the handcuffs on her and opened the ward door.
When Carly entered, her face transformed. It showed a mix of excitement, anticipation, obsession, and guilt.
Though she wasn't allowed to get close, her body involuntarily moved toward Shuangyu's bed. Her cuffed hands slowly rose, as if she wanted to reach out to him.
But Uesugi's hand appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
Carly froze, looked at Uesugi, then back at Shuangyu. Her delicate face was streaked with tears.
She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth, her body trembling. Then she took a deep breath, turned, and left the ward.
The lawyer followed her.
— Wait, — Uesugi called, tossing the handcuff keys to him. — Return them later.
The lawyer caught the keys and left, saying politely:
— Sorry for the trouble.
Watching Carly and the lawyer walk away, Uesugi scratched his head, sighed heavily, and shook his head.
Three days later, Shuangyu finally woke up. Xuan, dozing by his bedside, stirred at his movements. Seeing his eyes open, she burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.
— Xiao Yu… my Xiao Yu… you're finally awake… — sobbing, she hugged her brother tightly, as if afraid to let go.
Doctors, nurses, and Uesugi, hearing of his awakening, rushed to the ward. Entering, they saw a little girl clinging tightly to her brother.
Seeing Shuangyu, Uesugi wanted to talk to him immediately. After all, he was the victim, and his testimony was crucial to Carly's case. The doctors and nurses pulled Xuan away to examine Shuangyu. The examination showed no serious external injuries, but his body was extremely weakened and required long-term recovery.
However, during the examination, Shuangyu didn't respond to questions from the doctors or nurses. He lay like a wooden figure, allowing himself to be examined. The doctor concluded it was psychological trauma caused by the events, especially given his young age.
Uesugi, looking at Shuangyu's lifeless eyes, felt something was wrong. With concern, he decided to try talking to him.
— Xiao… kid… how are you feeling? — he asked, trying to sound confident and forcing a smile.
Shuangyu sat on the bed, motionless, showing no reaction.
— Kid… do you remember what happened? — Uesugi continued.
Shuangyu remained still, as if he hadn't heard him.
"Hey, hey, don't scare me like this, this is a nightmare for the case!" Uesugi thought. Deciding to push forward, he asked:
— Kid… do you remember the name Carly Alice?
As he expected, at the mention of Carly's name, Shuangyu's body trembled. He raised his head, his eyes filled with fear, wavering as they looked at Uesugi, then instantly dulled. Shuangyu stopped trembling… and lost consciousness.
Seeing this, Uesugi froze, then scratched his head again and sighed heavily.
"How do I deal with this now…"
When Shuangyu woke up again, his condition had slightly improved compared to the first time. He began responding to questions from the doctors and Xuan, but only with nods or head shakes. However, the name Carly still triggered a strong reaction: at best, he trembled; at worst, he fainted.
The doctors strictly forbade mentioning anything related to his psychological trauma and strongly recommended psychotherapy. They suggested professional hypnosis to help Shuangyu forget the traumatic events and restore his mental state.
For Uesugi, this was a disaster. The entire case hinged on Shuangyu's testimony as the victim, but mentioning Carly was off-limits. How was he supposed to move forward? Wait until Shuangyu could talk about Carly without fainting? That sounded like a joke.
In complete despair, Uesugi smoked in the designated area.
"Give me a break, I want to go home and sleep!"
— Argh! Damn! What a lousy case! — Uesugi raged alone.
— Sorry, please keep quiet in the hospital, — a passing nurse said, giving him a slightly disdainful look.
— Sorry… — he muttered.
"They're judging me too…"
After nearly three months of treatment, Shuangyu regained basic physical functions but still categorically avoided any talk about Carly. Uesugi was on the verge of a breakdown: he even imagined holding a gun to Shuangyu's head, demanding he speak.
"Talk! Come on, talk! If you don't, I'll shoot!" he fantasized, watching Shuangyu slowly practice walking with a nurse's help.
"Hah, if I did that, I'd get fired myself. Damn, I want a vacation! This has been dragging on for months! And there's a pile of other small cases!" Uesugi looked impassive on the outside but was seething with frustration inside, observing Shuangyu.
Due to the violence he endured, Shuangyu's body had become abnormally weak. He had almost no strength, could walk a little before getting exhausted, and running was out of the question. His development was also severely impaired.
Xuan watched her brother intently, encouraging him during his exercises. Uesugi observed them, reached for a cigarette, but remembered smoking wasn't allowed. He angrily stuffed the cigarette back into his pocket, stood up, and strode decisively toward Shuangyu.
"Time to put an end to this."
After more than a year of treatment and rehabilitation, Shuangyu was finally discharged from the hospital. As for the case's outcome, Carly was found not guilty. Before psychotherapy began, Shuangyu's testimony was obtained, in which he refused to press charges. Given her influential background, her acquittal was inevitable.
— Are you sure Carly Alice didn't commit any violence or actions that threatened your life? — Uesugi asked, looking at Shuangyu, who sat hugging his knees. The question was formal, part of the protocol.
Shuangyu looked at him with a blank expression, as if he didn't understand the question.
— In other words, did Carly do anything you didn't like? — Uesugi scratched his head, rephrasing.
Shuangyu froze, then shook his head.
— Are you sure? Your answer will determine Carly's fate. Are you really… — Uesugi began, but Shuangyu started nodding quickly, then shook his head again.
"What does that mean?" Uesugi thought, looking at him in confusion.
— Please give a verbal answer. Say either "press charges" or "don't press charges." If you choose "press charges," Carly Alice will go to prison. If you choose "don't press charges," she'll remain free, and you'll never see her again. Understood? — Uesugi explained slowly, afraid Shuangyu wouldn't grasp it.
After five minutes of silence, Uesugi was ready to explode.
— Listen, kid…
— Don't press charges… — Shuangyu said quietly, lifelessly.
— Are you sure? — Uesugi asked, surprised.
— Sure… — Shuangyu repeated, just as lifelessly.
Having obtained clear testimony, Uesugi didn't want to stay in the hospital a minute longer. The case could be considered closed. He immediately left the ward.
That was how that scene unfolded.
After the case concluded, Shuangyu underwent over a year of treatment and recovered. After his discharge, Xuan received what was called "treatment compensation"—a large sum transferred unofficially. With this money, Xuan took Shuangyu and left that place.
A place Shuangyu might never return to.
The orange light stung his eyes. Slowly opening them, Shuangyu felt the golden rays of sunlight from the window warming his face. He slowly sat up in bed.
Pushing aside the curtains, he let bright light flood the room. His body, as always, was tired, with barely enough strength.
"It's nice weather today," he thought.
Putting on his glasses, he glanced at the alarm clock.
7:01.
It was rare to wake up so early. He unhurriedly put on his oversized school uniform and left the room, heading toward his sister Xuan's room.
The room was empty. On the kitchen table, a prepared breakfast and a note awaited: "Eat all your breakfast! :)" with a big heart drawn on the side.
"Why the heart… Oh well, Sister Xuan tries so hard," he thought.
Approaching the mirror, he looked at his pale, sickly face and short stature, smaller than all the girls in his class. Without a doubt, the label "shota" was firmly attached to him. His small body drowned in the school uniform, even in the smallest size. The school confirmed it was the smallest size available for boys, and anything smaller would have required custom tailoring. Not wanting to trouble his sister, Shuangyu didn't ask for anything.
"Well, at least it's wearable," he thought.
After washing up, he leisurely began eating the breakfast his sister had prepared. The portion was normal, but for his small appetite, it was too much. With difficulty, he finished it, took the bento his sister had also made, and headed to school.
Due to his weak health, Xuan had rented an expensive apartment near the school. When Shuangyu asked how she could afford such expenses, she said it was thanks to the "compensation." The school was just a ten-minute walk away, which was perfect for Shuangyu.
The morning sun was blinding, and spring was smoothly transitioning into summer. The trees along the road were covered in fresh green leaves, and a gentle breeze was pleasantly refreshing. Shuangyu, already tired, felt himself growing sleepy. He wanted to lie down on the grass and take a nap.
On the way, he passed other students, but there weren't many.
"It's still early; the rest will probably rush in later," he thought.
At the school gates, members of the disciplinary committee were on duty, checking everyone in the morning.
"Not a day without inspections… Must be tough for them," Shuangyu mentally thanked them and entered the school.
— Classmate, wait, — a voice called out.
Shuangyu turned and saw a girl from the disciplinary committee. Her shoulder-length chestnut hair and serious expression stood out as she adjusted her glasses, identical to his, and approached.
"Is she talking to me?" Shuangyu looked around and realized no one else was nearby.
— Classmate, why is your uniform so baggy? It violates the school's appearance rules, — she said sternly, crossing her arms.
Her sleeve bore the disciplinary committee armband. A light breeze carried the pleasant scent of her perfume to Shuangyu, and he began to feel nervous.
— Uh… but… it's the smallest size… my height… I can only wear it like this… — he stammered.
Chidori Yuno, as the girl was called, looked at him in surprise. The boy was shorter than her, and his fear puzzled her.
"Why is he afraid of me?" she thought.
— If that's the case, you still need to tidy up your clothes. You're in middle school now; don't you know how? — she began lecturing, irritated by his weakness.
— S-sorry… — Shuangyu muttered, starting to panic.
He clumsily tried to fix his uniform, but his small stature and oversized clothes made it difficult.
Chidori, watching his fumbling, grew increasingly annoyed.
— Let me help, — she said.
As a senior member of the disciplinary committee, she decided to show care for a junior.
Before Shuangyu could react, he flinched as Chidori approached. The faint scent of her shampoo and the closeness of her face—she was strikingly beautiful—intensified his panic. His body tensed, his heart raced, his pale face broke out in sweat, and an inexplicable fear coursed through him. He began to tremble.
Chidori, focused on fixing his uniform, didn't notice his state. Seeing that the clothes still didn't fit properly, she looked up and saw Shuangyu trembling, with tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
— What's wrong with you… — she began.
— Sorry! — Shuangyu shouted, unable to bear it, turned, and ran into the school.
Chidori, stunned, watched him flee.
"Am I that scary? But… his face… it's so cute… Wait, what am I thinking?!" She shook her head.
"Am I really that scary?" she thought, crossing her arms, unaware of the faint blush on her serious face.
The trembling still hadn't subsided. Shuangyu ran into the school building and stopped, breathing heavily. Such a sprint was his limit. His weak body left him gasping, and tears still lingered in his eyes.
"So embarrassing… But that was so scary… A girl!"
Wiping his tears and trying to catch his breath, he slapped his cheeks to clear his foggy mind and changed into his indoor school shoes.
Since that incident, Shuangyu had developed a fear of women. Treatment had helped, but the fear persisted. At one point, he was even afraid of female animals, let alone girls. Only after a long time did he get used to one familiar nurse.
Cautiously, he headed to his classroom.
Kamiya School was renowned in the region. Its perfect infrastructure and elite teachers made it a true school for aristocrats. Admission was difficult, and Shuangyu still didn't understand how he managed it. Even with the "compensation," it seemed odd, but Xuan always dodged his questions.
Due to his fear of women, Shuangyu tried to be as inconspicuous as possible at school. He avoided trouble and, even more so, contact with girls. But his small stature made him stand out, often prompting his female classmates to want to "take care of the little brother." In such cases, he usually fled, or he risked fainting from panic.
Carefully walking down the corridor to his classroom, he tried not to draw attention, responding to greetings in a way that kept him unnoticed. Since elementary school, he'd grown used to this, reassuring himself with, "Well, I'll get used to it."
"It's tough enough as it is," he sighed, thinking about his weak health. The slightest mistake could have serious consequences.
Morning classes made Shuangyu drowsy. He didn't sit in the "protagonist's seat" by the window but in the front row—the most inconvenient spot under the teacher's gaze. His homeroom teacher insisted he sit there because he was the shortest in the class, even shorter than the smallest girl.
Obediently complying to avoid trouble, he tried his best not to fall asleep under the teacher's watch.
— Yu-kun, falling asleep in class again? Didn't sleep well? — asked his desk neighbor, Suzuki Ryuko, the shortest girl in the class, still slightly taller than Shuangyu.
— Um… no… I slept well, actually… — he replied.
— Hmm? Then is it your health? Take care of yourself! — Suzuki said, her cute, mushroom-like short hair swaying as she spoke. She was something of a class mascot.
— Um… thanks… — Shuangyu mumbled.
— I'm going to lunch, Yu-kun, want to come? — she asked.
— Uh… no, sorry… I have a bento… next time, — Shuangyu replied, pulling out his lunch box.
— Too bad… Well, next time! Bye! — Suzuki left with other girls.
"Phew, dodged that… Eating with a bunch of girls is too much," he thought with relief.
Due to habit and three years of sitting next to her, Shuangyu could talk normally with Suzuki, but only if they stayed at their desks, about a meter apart. That was his "safe distance." If a girl got closer, he'd start to panic, showing symptoms of anxiety.
— Thanks for the food… — he muttered, finishing his sister's bento.
After lunch, drowsiness hit him again. His eyes were closing, he yawned, and decided to nap. Settling comfortably, he started to drift off when an announcement sounded:
— Attention, general announcement: for today's homeroom, all students must gather in the auditorium.
Shuangyu, already half-asleep, vaguely heard it and fell asleep.
— In preparation for the school festival, all after-school club activities are canceled. All clubs must focus on festival preparations. Each department has been assigned specific tasks, — announced the student council president from the auditorium stage, her voice commanding and unyielding.
The hall immediately buzzed with students' discontent.
— What's with this? The festival is still two weeks away! Prep usually starts a week before!
— Exactly! My club still has tons to do!
— I wanted to keep training… Now two weeks of sitting at home…
— The student council always comes up with weird stuff; think about us for once!
— Typical student council… — came mocking voices.
The president, Nanajou Tsubasa, showed no emotion.
— This festival is of great importance to the school. Everything is done in the school's best interest. That's all, — she said, leaving the hall, leaving a wave of dissatisfaction behind.
Nanajou Tsubasa, student council president since her first year of middle school, was the epitome of the perfect student. Her doll-like appearance, impeccable academic and athletic achievements, and influential background made her almost unreal. But her pursuit of perfection often sparked resentment among students. This festival only amplified their irritation.
Among them all, Shuangyu was the quietest. Surrounded by girls, as seating was arranged by height, he sat in front with the shortest classmates. He silently prayed for the assembly to end soon. His legs went numb from tension, and he feared he wouldn't be able to stand. He also prayed the girls would leave quickly.
When they finally dispersed, Shuangyu sighed in relief and slowly stood. The hall emptied.
"Looks like I'm the last one," he thought, heading to his classroom.
It was already past regular school hours, and per his sister Xuan's strict rule, he had to be home no later than half an hour after school. So Shuangyu always hurried home, knowing his sister's anger was no joke.
As he nearly reached his classroom, his homeroom teacher, holding a stack of documents, stopped him.
— Oh, Shuangyu, perfect timing! You're free, right? Help take these documents to the student council room, — he said.
— Uh… — Shuangyu began.
— Don't worry, it's not much. I've got things to do, and I'm not passing by the council room, so I'm counting on you, — the teacher handed him a small stack of papers.
"Not much, there's time," Shuangyu thought.
— Okay, deliver them to the president? — he asked.
— Exactly. I'm relying on you, — the teacher replied.
"The president's office… the president's office…"
Reaching the door, Shuangyu was about to knock when he heard voices inside.
— President, this is unreasonable! Festival prep usually starts a week before, and now you're saying two weeks? The students are upset!
— Yes, President, everyone has their own plans, and the third-years need to study; we can't spend so much time on the festival!
— Please reconsider!
— President…
— Enough, — a cold voice cut through.
Silence followed.
— I've made my decision. It won't change. It's in the school's best interest. Dismissed.
Moments later, several girls left the room, all wearing identical expressions of dissatisfaction and mockery.
— Ugh, she's so annoying! Who does she think she is, acting so high and mighty?
— Typical Miss Perfect. Must be nice having that kind of family backing her.
— What pisses me off most is guys joining the council just for her. A pretty face solves everything!
— …
"Seems like the president really isn't liked by many… I'd better drop off the documents quick," Shuangyu thought, knocking softly.
— Come in, — came the cold voice.
He opened the door. The office was decorated in a Western European medieval style, like many school buildings, likely for aesthetic consistency.
— What's the matter? — asked Nanajou Tsubasa, seated at the desk.
Her doll-like appearance and silky golden hair, neatly tied in a small ponytail, struck Shuangyu. She looked straight at him, making him feel uneasy.
— Uh… I… brought documents… — he mumbled, slightly turning away.
"Ugh, I can't look directly… She's staring!"
— Thank you, place them there… No, hand them here, — she said.
— Oh… okay, — Shuangyu placed the documents on her desk and stole a glance at her.
Their eyes met.
He quickly looked away.
"Almost died from fear!"
— Then… I'll go, — he said cautiously, preparing to leave.
— Wait, — Tsubasa stopped him.
"Oh!"
— What… what is it? — he asked, turning mechanically but not daring to look up.
— Are you afraid of me, classmate? — she asked.
— Uh… no… why would I be afraid of the president… — he stammered.
— Your hands are trembling, — she noted.
"What?!" Shuangyu looked at his hands. They were indeed shaking slightly.
— That's… the documents were heavy… hands got tired… haha, — he said awkwardly.
— It's just twenty sheets. Even a kindergartener could handle it, — she replied.
— Uh… sorry… I'm a bit nervous… — he admitted, blushing.
— Did you hear our conversation? — she asked.
— Uh… yeah… but don't worry! I won't tell anyone! — he replied hastily.
— It's not about that. Whether you tell or not doesn't matter, — she said, closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair. — I just… want to ask your opinion… about the situation or about me.
"What?! Why's she asking me? I just delivered documents! What a nightmare… Fine, I'll tell the truth."
— Uh… I… think, President, you did the right thing… but maybe a bit… hastily? — he said.
— Don't sugarcoat it. Say what you really think, — she demanded.
— That's the truth… — he began, interrupting her. — Because… this festival is also the school's fiftieth anniversary, right? So students from other schools, even from abroad, will come…
Tsubasa, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, opened them and looked at him. Her crystal-clear eyes fixed on Shuangyu again.
— How do you know? I deliberately didn't mention that at the assembly, — she said.
Shuangyu grew even more nervous under her gaze.
— Uh… I just read about the school's history in the library and remembered the founding date…
— But you're the only student who knows this, — she pointed out.
— Uh… well, probably not just me… someone else knows… maybe? — he said uncertainly.
— Even the student council didn't know. How many others do you think are aware? — she asked.
— …
Shuangyu averted his gaze, unable to look at her. His body tensed with anxiety.
Tsubasa suddenly stood up.
— Classmate… — she began. — If you have ideas on how to solve this issue, please share. I'll offer you appropriate compensation. Please, help me.
She crossed her arms and bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
— Hey! Hey! Hey! President! Lift your head! — Shuangyu exclaimed in panic.
— Please, help me, — she repeated, maintaining her pose.
— I'll help… I'll help! They're just suggestions… but please lift your head! — he pleaded.
Tsubasa raised her head, looking at him not with her usual cold sternness but with a pleading expression.
Shuangyu felt uncomfortable again.
— Uh… for starters… you should tell everyone the festival coincides with the school's fiftieth anniversary. If there's a clear goal, people will accept it more easily, — he suggested.
— True… but that won't fully solve the problem. Motivation will still be low, — she replied.
— Hmm… then… rewards? Incentivize with rewards? — he proposed.
— Rewards? — she echoed, thoughtful.
— Like… the club or class that takes first place gets something? A club budget or a special prize? — he said.
Tsubasa pondered, then her face brightened.
— Indeed… That's a good idea. It'll boost enthusiasm, improve the festival, and reduce complaints, — she agreed.
— And also… adjust the schedule for third-years. Maybe make participation voluntary? Some will opt out, but most won't want to miss a milestone like the fiftieth anniversary, — he added.
Tsubasa nodded.
— That's worth considering… Another good idea.
Seeing her deep in thought, Shuangyu thought, "Time to get out of this room where we're alone!"
Tsubasa, noticing he was still standing, lowered her head in embarrassment.
— Sorry for taking so much of your time. Thank you for your help. I'll prepare a reward…
— No, no, it's fine! They were just suggestions, nothing special, — Shuangyu waved his hands.
— No, you helped a lot. It's important for the festival. Let me thank you, — she insisted.
— Aah! I'm running out of time! President, I gotta go. They're just small ideas, don't worry about it! — Shuangyu cut the conversation short, bowed, and headed for the door.
— Wait, classmate! — Tsubasa tried to stop him.
— By the way… — Shuangyu turned, already opening the door. — I… support the president. You're working hard for the school, right? The festival, sports events, rules, helping those in need… You prepare thoroughly for every assembly. And the club funding issue—you solved it, didn't you? You're really trying. Don't mind what others say. They'll understand you someday. I… will always support you. So keep it up! Well… bye, President!
He blurted it all out in one breath and bolted from the office, not waiting for her reaction.
"All this time… someone was watching me? Someone… supported me? All this time… someone saw me?"
Tsubasa froze. She forgot to ask his name.
"I'll remember you."
Her usually stern face now showed excitement, hope, relief, and girlish shyness. Two tears rolled down her cheeks.
Heading home, Shuangyu sighed in relief.
"Every day's a trial… I think I said too much. Oh well, gotta hurry, or Sister will interrogate me."
In the end, Xuan grilled him all evening.
The next day, Tsubasa called another general assembly.
— For this festival, we'll hold a competition with rankings. Clubs taking first and the top three places will receive rewards from the student council! — she announced.
— The rewards include… — she paused, — a seven-day trip to the Maldives with someone you like or your secret crush, plus a year's funding for the club!
The hall fell silent, then erupted in ecstatic cheers.
The festival issue was successfully resolved thanks to Tsubasa's decision. Shuangyu, unaware of the impact of his words, continued his challenging school life.
Finally, after classes ended, Shuangyu, exhausted from his weak health, packed his textbooks, sighed, and stretched.
"Time to go home."
— Announcement: Third-year Class B student, Hong Shuangyu, please report to the student council room. Repeat…
— Huh? — he said, surprised.
— Yu-kun, what's up? Did you do something? — asked Suzuki.
— Uh… I don't know… I'll go find out, — he replied.
Puzzled, he headed to the student council room.
Knocking, he heard:
— Come in.
In the large office, only Nanajou Tsubasa sat at the central desk.
— Uh… you called for me? — Shuangyu asked, scanning the empty room and growing nervous.
— Hong Shuangyu… or should I say, senpai? — she asked.
— W-what? — he stammered.
— Don't underclassmen call upperclassmen senpai? Though you don't look like a senpai at all… — she smiled slightly.
Shuangyu felt awkward at her teasing.
— If there's nothing, I'll go… — he bowed slightly.
Seeing his sullen face, Tsubasa panicked and stood up.
— Ah! Wait! Sorry, I didn't mean to offend! Really, I'm sorry! — she said, losing her usual confidence.
Shuangyu, startled by her reaction, waved his hands.
— N-no, it's fine… I'm used to it… Just lift your head… — he said.
— Really, I'm sorry! — she repeated.
— Uh… lift your head… And why did you call me? — he asked.
Tsubasa finally straightened up.
— Actually… senpai, do you remember last time? — she asked.
— Last time? And just call me classmate, "senpai" sounds weird…
— How could I! Senpai is senpai. You forgot about the festival? — she said.
"Fine, senpai it is… So awkward," he thought.
— What exactly? — he asked.
— You forgot… — Tsubasa lowered her head slightly, disappointed.
— Then… I'll remind you. The students were unhappy with my decision, but thanks to your advice, the festival was a success, — she said.
"Oh, right," Shuangyu recalled.
— I remember… but I just suggested an idea…
— No, don't say that. Without your suggestion, there wouldn't have been such enthusiasm, and the festival wouldn't have been so successful. That's why I called you—to offer a reward, — she said.
— No, no, that's not necessary! It was just a small idea… — Shuangyu waved his hands.
— No, you helped a lot. It's a matter of etiquette, and also an apology for my tactlessness, — she insisted.
— No need… Really, no need… — he resisted.
— Please, accept it, — she said, giving him a look that brooked no argument.
— Well… what's the reward? — he asked, looking away. "Her stare is scary…"
Tsubasa bowed again.
— Sorry… I couldn't think of a suitable reward. So I want to ask you or let you choose one yourself, — she said.
— Uh… can we leave it for later? Along with the apology… I really don't know what to ask for… — he said.
"Maybe she'll forget over time," he thought.
— Sorry… Then please let me know when you decide, — she said.
— Hah… okay, then I'll go, — he said.
— Wait… There's one more thing, — she stopped him.
— What? — he asked.
— I wanted to ask… Would you like to join the student council? — she said.
The school library, located at the campus center, was built in a Gothic style. Tall columns, large stained-glass windows, and wooden shelves created a unique atmosphere. The scent of wood and books filled the air, and many students loved spending free time here.
Shuangyu limited his school movements to two places: the classroom and the library. Not because he couldn't go further, but because he didn't want to. His weak body couldn't handle the large campus, and the library was ideal: a rich selection of books, quiet, and close to his classroom building—just a five-minute slow walk from the first floor.
"Not many people in the library today," Shuangyu thought, finding a secluded spot and picking up an unfinished book.
But after a few minutes of reading, he felt tired and stretched.
"Every time I'm in the library, I get sleepy… Probably the quiet, the coziness, and my weak health."
"Nap? Nah, I don't feel like it that much… I'll keep reading, there's time."
The school gave plenty of time for lunch, and learning relied heavily on self-study, so there weren't many classes.
Finishing the book's last page, Shuangyu thought, "Time to get a new one."
Approaching a shelf, he quickly scanned the titles.
"Hmm… nothing interesting… I'll go deeper, check there."