Lost in heavy silence, Aisha's words still echoed in White's skull.
"Every wish has a price…"
He blinked when he heard a sleepy little yawn.
"Papa…"
"Bell." He exhaled in relief as she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"Mhm." Her crimson eyes flickered weakly as she glanced at him.
"Papa… did you see my drawing?"
"Ah… drawing. Yes, I saw it. It was a good drawing." He looked to his side where he had placed it.
"Huhh… it should've been right here…" he muttered, checking under piles of crayons. But no matter how he searched, it was like it had never existed.
Bell's little pout trembled. "My drawing… it's gone…"
White forced a smile, suppressing the unease creeping inside him. "Don't worry, Bell. We'll draw more later. For now… how about dinner? What do you want to eat?"
Her mood instantly brightened. "Something delicious!"
That sparkle in her eyes—so innocent—made his chest ache.
Even surrounded by darkness, she smiles like the sun doesn't know how to set.
"Alright," he said softly. "Let's head out shopping. We'll decide on the way."
"Yay!" she cheered, grabbing his hand with childlike excitement.
---
They ran into Miss Elsa as they were leaving. She was tending to her potted flowers by the entrance, her gentle smile lifting some of the heaviness from White's chest.
"Oh, good evening, White. Heading out? How are you feeling now?" she asked.
She's been worried about me since the accident. There's no way I can tell her what really happened yesterday.
"Good evening, Miss Elsa. I'm feeling fine now."
"Miss Elsa, do you know what—I scored perfect marks in today's test," he said, scratching his nose proudly.
Her eyes lit up warmly. "That's wonderful! I knew you could do it."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It wasn't much, really."
As she tilted her head, her gaze drifted to his side. "Say, White… are you heading shopping by yourself?"
He blinked. "No… with Bell." He gestured beside him. "This is—"
When he looked down, Bell was right there, gripping his sleeve. Her pure white hair faintly glowing under the porch light.
She's shy? I didn't know that… Well, whatever she is—phenomenon or not—she's still a child.
"Bell," he said with a nervous chuckle, "can't you say hello?"
Bell's cheeks flushed as she hid behind him, peeking out. "H… hello…"
But Miss Elsa frowned, confused.
"Bell? Where is she?"
White's heart skipped. "…Sorry, she's right here. Standing beside me."
"I don't see anyone next to you, White." She waved her hand through the empty space. "Are you playing a game with me?"
Her hand passed through Bell—like she was nothing but mist.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
"…You… you can't see her?"
'If Miss Elsa can't see Bell… then that confirms it. I'm the only one who can. But why me? It doesn't make any sense'.
He glanced at Bell. She only looked back at him, confused.
"Pa… pa…" Bell called softly.
Miss Elsa gave him a worried look, like she was talking to a sick child.
"White… are you alright? Maybe you should rest. If you're still not well, I'll make dinner for you, okay?"
He forced a laugh, wiping the sweat forming on his forehead.
"O-oh, I forgot to mention—she just left. Her parents came to pick her up."
"Parents?" Miss Elsa frowned. "White, when you first came here, you told me you had no relatives."
"Yes, I… I did," he stammered. "Since you weren't home, Zen asked me to take care of his little cousin. He's busy with practice, and his mother is visiting relatives. So… he asked me to look after her."
"…I see." She nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in her eyes.
He quickly changed the topic. "Anyway—about the rent—"
"Don't worry about it." She cut him off with a firm, gentle smile. "You've just recovered from an accident. Forget the rent until you're better."
White swallowed hard, guilt weighing on him.
Miss Elsa had been his savior ever since he was abandoned. She gave him shelter, food—everything.
To her, he wasn't just a tenant.
He was family.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "Really… for everything."
She smiled softly. "Don't mention it. You're like a little brother to me."
And with that, he left.
---
"Papa," Bell tugged his sleeve once they stepped outside. "Who is that nice lady?"
He smiled faintly. "…You could say she's like my big sister."
Her eyes widened. "Papa has a sister?"
"Not really…" He sighed, then looked at her. "By the way… where were you this morning? I didn't see you."
She thought for a moment, her lips twisting innocently.
"When I woke up… I saw a beautiful lady with white hair. She played with me and took me somewhere. I don't really remember much… it was all white… She gave me toys and snacks and asked me how I felt."
White froze.
Aisha.
"Did she… say anything else?" he asked carefully.
Bell's eyes sparkled.
"She said Papa would be happy if I made his wishes come true~ Bell didn't understand, so I asked—but she said to always listen to Papa, and everything would be fine."
A chill ran down his spine.
'So, it wasn't just a theory anymore. Bell really could… She was the one who changed my test.'
But then—
Why didn't she give me the million I jokingly asked for?
…Aisha's words echoed again.
"She would not grant any wish you desired half-heartedly."
So, Bell's power had rules. Limits.
What Aisha told him was vague…
But maybe he was starting to understand.
---
His thoughts stayed heavy as they walked through the brightly lit department store.
Bell pointed excitedly at sweets, wanting everything she saw.
Her innocent joy…
It didn't match the storm inside his head.
And then—
His heart froze.
Shu.
She stood near a shelf of notebooks and pens, her expression unreadable. She seemed to be looking for study reference books.
The memory of her bruised wrist and neck flashed in his mind.
The look in her eyes…
Her cracked voice on the rooftop…
He clenched his fists.
'I should leave. Talking to her might only make things worse. But… this might be my chance. To understand what's really going on.'
He took a deep breath.
…Can I really ignore this?
Bell looked up at him, confused.
And then—
White made his decision.
He walked toward Shu.