Ever since returning to the apartment in Bunkyo Ward from Keio Girls High School, Uzuki’s complexion had remained a sickly pale.
There was still no news of Minako’s whereabouts.
Recalling that afternoon, when the ever-gentle Amano had declared it was all her fault, Uzuki’s heart clenched with every remembered glimpse of the disgust in Amano’s eyes.
“It’s my fault…”
“Uzuki, it’s not your fault. Don’t let an excessive sense of responsibility crush you,” Gao Sijin consoled her from the side.
“But if I had kept a proper eye on Minako back then, she wouldn’t have been devoured by the mirror of the Fifth Mystery. It’s all my fault.”
“None of us knew something like that would actually happen at the time.”
Uzuki sat on Gao Sijin’s bed, asking all kinds of questions over and over again.
What would Minako experience after vanishing?
Did entering a supernatural realm mean death?
Was there still a chance to save her?
Gao Sijin desperately wanted to give Uzuki the right answers. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about supernatural phenomena either. At dinner, he had coaxed her several times before Uzuki managed a few small mouthfuls of congee and a little mesclun salad. Her originally unhealthy complexion was perhaps sickly precisely because Uzuki never ate properly. Her pitiable state stirred Gao Sijin’s heart deeply.
While the other girls worried that the missing Minako would bring them trouble, only Uzuki had no appetite and thought only of how to save her. Moreover, Uzuki often visited Katakura Hayabusa’s house regularly to care for the orphans there. She possessed a heart purer than anyone’s.
He clenched his fists, swearing that no matter what, he would ensure Uzuki’s happiness. This had nothing to do with love. Even if Uzuki were to step into a wedding hall with another man one day, Gao Sijin would sincerely clap and offer his congratulations. He simply wished for good people to receive good rewards—nothing more.
After dinner, Uzuki sat on Gao Sijin’s bed, swiping through her phone.
“Uzuki, would you like to sleep in my room tonight?” Gao Sijin asked gently.
“Isn’t that improper?” Hearing Gao Sijin’s proactive suggestion to share a room, Uzuki’s pretty face flushed slightly, like a startled little rabbit in the woods.
Gao Sijin stroked her hair and said, “It’s fine, Uzuki. I’ll let Cousin Rio know in a bit. I’ll sleep on the floor and you take the bed. We can even chat a little at night.”
“Sleep with Sijin…” Uzuki pursed her lips.
She had been having nightmares lately. If she could fall asleep surrounded by his scent, it would surely soothe her, improve her sleep quality, and ward off the bad dreams.
Gao Sijin dialed Tsukiyuki Rio’s number. After some earnest pleading, Rio eventually agreed to the request. As Gao Sijin counted himself lucky to have such an understanding girlfriend, he couldn’t help but recall what Yu Qingxue had mentioned earlier—her words had vaguely hinted that Tsukiyuki Rio was not as simple as she seemed…
However, the person who needed his concern most right now was Uzuki. Matters like Haili and Yu Qingxue’s kiss, and the things that were revealed, could wait until later.
He sat on the bed with Uzuki and asked, “Uzuki, are you still going to school tomorrow?”
“I’m going to school.”
“What were you looking at on your phone just now?”
“The group chat with Aoi and the others…” Uzuki said, sounding deeply wronged. “The group chat, which is usually so lively every day, was completely silent today. Aoi always shares the latest fashionable clothes and all sorts of cosmetics, Amano tutors us on schoolwork, and Kaoru sends cute pictures. But ever since the incident this afternoon, they haven’t spoken a single word in the chat.”
Uzuki hung her head low. It was easy to imagine the other three had started a new group chat, completely excluding her, chatting away enthusiastically.
“Does losing their friendship cause Uzuki more pain, or is it concern for Minako’s safety?” Gao Sijin asked gently.
“Minako’s safety, of course. Even though I’m afraid of being lonely, if Minako could be safe, I’d rather be lonely forever…”
“Silly girl, you won’t be lonely. I’ll always stand by your side. And Hayabusa and the others are friends Uzuki can rely on, too. No matter what happens, I’ll face it with you.”
The warmth slowly thawed Uzuki’s heart. Recalling how, that noon, the fracturing of friendships had led her to consider ending her life, she realized how utterly selfish that had been.
If she recklessly died, Sijin would grieve for her. Hayabusa, Miyo, Kazue, and those children would all grieve for her. Even for their sake, she had to bravely keep living.
“Sijin, can I hold your hand?”
“Of course you can.”
Gao Sijin opened his palm and let Uzuki grip it tightly.
Just like Rio, it was a clasp interlocking their fingers. Although one was from the main family and the other from a branch family, in such small details, they truly shared the same bloodline.
As their warmth mingled now, Gao Sijin would not be so tactless as to bring up the fact he had a girlfriend. He needed to look after Uzuki until she truly grew up. Letting the girl lean on his shoulder, relying on him—the feeling wasn’t unpleasant.
As night fell, one of them lay on the bed and the other on the floor.
“Uzuki, if you don’t feel like going to school tomorrow, don’t force yourself.”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Sijin. I’ll try to be strong…”
Uzuki drooped her head. If she could, she would have liked to sleep under the same blanket as Gao Sijin, but that would make Cousin Rio angry.
Still, with him here, at least she wouldn’t have nightmares tonight. Gao Sijin told many amusing stories. Uzuki secretly marveled at his imagination and peacefully closed her eyes.
That night, she dreamed she was lying on a soft lawn, bathed in bright sunshine with a breeze ruffling her hair. She felt utterly content.
Tomorrow, she had to continue searching for Minako’s whereabouts. And if possible, Uzuki also wanted to make amends with Aoi and the others, to become friends again.
They were all such kind people. She hoped they would all have sweet dreams tonight, too.
—Ring, ring, ring.
With the sound of the alarm clock, Uzuki rubbed her sleepy eyes and found Gao Sijin standing beside her bed.
“Good morning, Uzuki.”
“Good morning, Sijin. I slept exceptionally well last night.”
“I can tell. Your complexion today is more rounded and lustrous than usual, just like Cinderella after finding the glass slipper.”
Gao Sijin wasn’t flattering; he was stating the truth.
Normally, Uzuki’s skin was pallid, like a patient in critical condition.
This morning, her complexion was much healthier—a pinkish hue glowing through the whiteness. Her hair, originally a bit dry and lackluster, now seemed to shine anew. It was hard to believe a single comfortable sleep could bring about such a transformation in Uzuki.
“Has Uzuki been sleeping poorly all this time?”
Uzuki nodded slightly. Although she couldn’t remember the content of her dreams, she had nightmares almost every night and spent the entire night in fear.
“Once Rio comes back, we should all live together. Uzuki is Rio’s younger cousin and also an important family member to me. I must help Uzuki regain her vitality.”
Uzuki felt both happiness and sorrow.
She was happy because Gao Sijin treated her with such tenderness. She was sad because she knew there could never be an outcome between them.
