The soft light of morning filtered gently through the curtains, wrapping the room in a tender warmth that promised a new beginning. White stirred, slowly opening his eyes to find Bell sleeping peacefully beside him. Her delicate features were softened by rest, and the steady rise and fall of her chest filled the room with a quiet calm. Almost without thinking, his hand reached out to stroke her hair.
But then, a sudden awareness prickled along his skin. He turned—and there, leaning lightly against the doorway, stood Aisha, a mischievous grin playing at her lips.
"Oh, carry on," she teased, barely suppressing a laugh.
A rush of heat tangled with White's embarrassment, and in a flustered attempt to change the subject, he blurted, "It's not what you're thinking! What are you doing here at this ungodly hour?"
"Shhh," she whispered, pressing a finger gently to her lips. "Let's not wake Bell. She's so serene in her slumber. Come, let's talk in the living room."
White tread carefully, making sure not to disturb the delicate stillness. Aisha was already seated there, eyes closed in repose. As he entered, she opened them slowly, a soft smile touching her lips.
"A cup of tea would be perfect right now," she declared calmly.
"And what am I, your servant?" White asked with a half-smile. "Besides, you hardly need sustenance from this world, do you?"
Her laughter chimed through the quiet room—melodious and clear. "I might assist you, but don't think you're free from repaying favors," she said, her eyes sparkling with teasing light.
"And you're wrong in one thing—I am very much part of this world. At least, I once was human."
"Yeah, yeah… whatever." White poured the tea, then froze, teapot in hand. Those words struck him like a bolt. This was the first time Aisha had ever hinted at having a past like his own, a past inside the fragile boundaries of mortality.
"How… how is that possible? If you were once human, then what are you now?" he pressed, yearning for clarity.
Aisha rose, her movements deliberate and smooth. "I can't reveal everything; there are rules, binding forces that limit what can be said. But I will tell you this—we are like anomalies, beings that defy the natural order."
'Anomalies. If that was true, then just like Bell, could Aisha also be seen by Luna'
She stepped closer, and the air between them thickened, heavy with unspoken tension.
"If you are thinking Luna might also be able to see me, then the answer would be a big yes," she continued softly. "This was already surprising to me—that a human could see someone like Bell. If I had to guess, I'd say Bell's radiant aura made her visible—or perhaps because she shares a piece of you, part humanity, part… something else. I don't know, but seeing me would be a piece of cake for her."
White cursed himself silently.
'My carelessness might have endangered Luna. I had to be more cautious if I wanted to keep her safe from this shadowy world.'
If Aisha started to take interest in Luna, that could be dangerous for Luna too.
"You won't hurt her, will you?" His voice carried both fear and pleading.
Aisha's smile softened. "Don't worry. But first, my tea?"
White sighed and poured the steaming cup, sitting opposite her. The silence between them hummed quietly, broken only by the clink of porcelain. Questions whispered on his tongue, but uncertainty shackled his voice.
Then, the bedroom door creaked open. Bell appeared, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
"Good morning, Papa… umm… big sister Aisha? What are you doing here?"
"Oh, such a delightful morning to you, Bell," Aisha said with a radiant smile. "As you see, I'm having a lovely talk with your papa."
Bell grinned and scampered over, climbing into White's lap. "Let me join! I want to be part of it too!"
"Of course, Bell," Aisha said kindly. "I'll keep you company while your papa gets ready for school, alright? And White, you need to get going. Right?"
White nodded reluctantly. "Yes, if I don't hurry, I'll be late. Perhaps we can talk more later?"
Bell's head drooped a little, a flicker of sadness crossing her features that he recognized as loneliness.
He stroked her hair gently. "Don't feel down, Bell. I have an idea. How about a picnic this weekend? We'll prepare food and play games together."
"Really? Can Aisha big sister come too?" Her eyes shone with hopeful innocence.
White glanced at Aisha, silently signaling. She seemed momentarily puzzled, then smiled brightly.
"Of course, Bell! Your big sister will be there to join in the fun," she said warmly.
Bell leapt up, bubbling with excitement. Aisha gave White a reassuring thumb-up.
"That wasn't quite the signal I was giving," he muttered under his breath, smiling despite himself.
"Hm?" Bell looked puzzled, her gaze bright.
"Nah, nothing," White said quickly. "I'm going to be late. Aisha, can you entertain Bell while I get ready?"
She nodded gracefully.
After preparing himself, White checked on Miss Elsa, who reassured him with a calm smile not to worry. He glanced back at Bell, who had settled happily in front of the television.
Still, unease crept in.
'Was it alright to leave her alone, even with Aisha nearby'
"Are you sure you want to take care of her?" he asked quietly.
"Don't worry about Bell," Aisha replied smoothly. "I'll watch over her."
Her usual indifferent tone had softened in recent days, replaced by a surprising warmth. It made White wonder what changes were taking root beneath her inscrutable façade. Before leaving, he turned back.
"I have to ask something," he said cautiously. "Do you need something from me? You're acting friendlier than ever, but it seems suspicious."
Aisha feigned shock, then smiled playfully. "What if I said I might need something someday?"
"I thought so," White said dryly.
She giggled. "I'm doing you a favor now, and when I need one, I'll call it in. But hurry along, or you'll be late for school."
Her light-hearted words belied the chill beneath—and White hurried out, uncertainty weighing heavy on his steps.
'As she had said once, she had once been human. If that was true, what had changed her? And what else was hidden behind her teasing smile?'
At School
Crossing the school gates, a bright voice called his name.
"Oh, so you came. Greetings, White! I've been waiting for you," said the student council president, her smile warm and inviting.
The day had just begun, but already, the threads of fate were weaving tighter around him.