章節 10: Chapter 9: Letter!
[Friday Morning – Shiro's POV]
I hadn't gone to school all week, but it was Friday now. I planned to return on Sunday for my next dungeon challenge—the Vampire's Castle.
As I lay on my bed, a faint rustling sound drew my attention. A letter floated down onto me. Frowning, I picked it up and read the neat handwriting.
"I sent all your records to your new school. Your friends will see them. I know it's not my place, but you need help. Good luck."
My heart froze, the letter slipping from my fingers.
….
[Student Council Room – Koneko's POV]
The air in the student council room was heavy with tension. Sona had called Rias and me here, saying Shiro's records had finally arrived. I couldn't shake the worry that had been gnawing at me. Shiro hadn't been at school for three days, and something felt wrong.
When Sona returned, she held a thick envelope in her hands. She took a seat at the table, setting the envelope down with a solemn expression.
"Are you ready?" she asked quietly.
Rias and I nodded.
With careful hands, Sona opened the envelope, pulling out the documents. Her eyes scanned the first page, but then she froze.
"What is it?" Rias asked.
Sona hesitated, glancing at both of us. "Are you sure you want to hear this?"
"Yes," I said firmly. My chest felt tight, but I needed to know. "Shiro hasn't been to school in three days. I'm worried."
Sona nodded reluctantly. "Alright." She took a deep breath before reading aloud.
"Shiro. Age: 15. Gender: Male. Has difficulty forming friendships."
She stopped, her eyes wavering.
"What's wrong?" Rias pressed, her tone more urgent.
Sona looked at me before continuing. "He was taken away from his family due to severe physical and emotional abuse."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt a tear slide down my cheek, but I didn't care.
Sona hesitated again before adding, "There's more. I have reports from the foster system as well. Should I continue?"
Rias and I exchanged a glance before nodding.
"The reports state that when Shiro was removed from his family, he had three broken ribs, a fractured leg, and a broken arm. He also had self-inflicted wounds, though they weren't deep enough to leave scars. When staff tried to tell him he didn't deserve such treatment, he reportedly said, 'I'm a failure. I deserve this.'"
My hands balled into fists as Sona's voice began to crack.
"At the age of ten, Shiro attempted suicide. He tried again at thirteen. He eventually became stable enough to pursue his education in Japan, hoping to escape the memories of his parents. The foster system still checks on him monthly to ensure his well-being."
Sona's voice fell silent, and for a moment, the room was filled only with the sound of quiet, restrained sobs. I wiped at my tears hastily, standing abruptly.
"Koneko—" Rias began, but I didn't wait. I ran for the door, my mind racing.
I remembered the reports. He'd tried to take his own life before. He hadn't been to school in three days.
And now, all I could think was: What if he tries again?
….
Rias's POV
I watched as Koneko bolted out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Turning to Sona, I couldn't hide the tremble in my voice. "Sona, you don't think…"
Sona's gaze met mine, her expression grim. "I don't know."
"We have no right to go over there," Sona said, her tone steady despite the unease she felt. "Koneko does. I know it sounds harsh, but think about it—if strangers barged into your house, asking if you were okay, would you feel safe enough to tell them the truth? Or would you just say you're fine to make them leave?"
Rias frowned but nodded reluctantly. "You're right. This has to be Koneko."
….
Shiro POV
I was trembling, curled up beneath the covers in the corner of my closet with the door shut tight. My breathing was shallow, and I couldn't stop shaking.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of the front door slamming open.
"Shiro!"
Koneko's voice echoed through the house, loud and frantic.
….
Koneko's POV
He had to be here. He just had to be. The idea of him being gone, of finding him too late, was too painful to imagine.
"Shiro!" I called again as I rushed through the house, searching every room. The kitchen, the living room, the bathroom—nothing. I moved to the downstairs bedroom, hoping I'd find him there, but it was empty too.
Panic clawed at me as I raced upstairs. One by one, I checked each bedroom until I reached the master bedroom.
"Shiro!"
My eyes scanned the room desperately. The bed was a mess, with the covers tossed onto the floor. I dropped to my knees and looked underneath, but he wasn't there. That's when I noticed the walk-in closet.
I stood and opened the door. My heart clenched.
There he was, huddled in the corner, shaking uncontrollably.
"Shiro!"
I ran to him without hesitation, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him into a tight hug.
….
Shiro's POV
I flinched when something collided with me, but then I realized it was Koneko. Her arms were wrapped around me, holding me close. I looked up at her, my vision blurry from tears, and saw that she was crying too.
"You're okay," she whispered, her voice breaking as she clung to me.
She pulled me closer, pressing my head against her chest as if shielding me from the world. Her warmth felt foreign, almost unreal, but I couldn't stop the memories from flooding back—the pain, the fear, the despair.
Tears spilled from my eyes, and before I knew it, I was sobbing into her arms.
"It's okay," she whispered, her voice steady despite her own tears. "I'm here. No one will ever hurt you again. I promise."
I cried until I couldn't cry anymore, my body heavy with exhaustion.
….
Koneko's POV:
I held Shiro as he wept, each sob breaking my heart a little more. Eventually, his breathing evened out, and I realized he'd cried himself to sleep.
Carefully, I scooped him up and carried him to the bed. He was so light, so fragile, and it made me want to protect him even more.
I laid him down gently and pulled the covers over him before lying down beside him. He needed to know he wasn't alone anymore.
"I'm here for you," I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "Always."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票