At the age of twenty, my mother married into a rich family. My father was a nice man, a wealthy man too, but fate never stayed kind to us for long. After my mother died, all the blame for her death fell on me.
That day, I was playing outside. I still remember the sound. A truck came rushing toward me. I froze. I thought it would hit me and everything would end there. But somehow, I survived. My mother ran toward me and pulled me back. The truck missed me—but it hit her instead.
She didn't die that day.
She was taken to the hospital. Days turned into months. I waited. I hoped. But after a few months, she died.
After her death, I was adopted by another family. My father married another woman—Luma's mother. I didn't stay with them. I was sent away.
The family that took me in… they were merchants. Not normal ones. They sold blood. They sold children's organs.
Nyra asked quietly, almost afraid of the answer, "They… sold your body parts too?"
"Yes," Arin replied calmly. Too calmly. "They sold one of my kidneys. They also sold a lot of my blood."
At that time, I was only eight years old.
My body was fragile. Weak. After a year, I became very sick. I was hospitalized again and again. My body couldn't take it.
Then my grandparents took me in. I was eight when I finally left that place.
Nyra shook. She couldn't say a single word.
She pulled Arin into her arms and held him tightly. Too tightly, as if letting go would break him. Arin's voice grew slower. He was tired. Sleepy. His body leaned against her chest.
"I… want to sleep with you tonight," Nyra said softly.
Arin blushed, but Nyra didn't let him go.
"I'm here," she whispered. "You don't need to worry anymore. I'm here for you."
She laid him down gently, his head resting on her arm. She kissed his forehead. Arin fell asleep.
Nyra's face grew dark with worry. She touched her chest, her heart heavy.
As an outsider of this world… as the great queen of the Water Kingdom… I'm sorry for this boy.
I won't let him die. I won't let him drown in despair.
Let the two worlds become one someday.
But for now… let everything remain as it is.
The day of beginning.
A new morning.
Arin woke up. Nyra was sleeping beside him. He blushed.
"Nyra… Nyra, wake up," Arin said softly.
"I already prepared breakfast," Nyra replied, opening her eyes. "Eat fast. Isn't today your first day of school?"
Arin nodded.
He ate breakfast while Nyra got ready too. After that, both of them left the house together.
"Where are you going?" Arin asked.
"To your school," Nyra said. "I have something to do near there."
They walked together until Sakuragi Institute. At the gate, Nyra stopped.
"I'll go now. You focus on school," she said.
Arin nodded and went inside.
Before entering the classroom, he checked the board.
Class 2-A.
Arin's heart started beating fast.
He thought about Yurin. The last time he saw her was that night… when they both confessed.
He entered Class 2-A.
Yurin was there, laughing with her friends.
The bell rang. The teacher entered.
"Everyone, take your seats."
Before starting the lesson, the teacher spoke again.
"There is a transfer student joining today. Be good to him."
"Come in."
Arin entered the classroom. His hands were shaking. He wasn't good with people. Social anxiety always followed him.
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said.
Arin stood in front of the class, holding his bag tightly.
My name is Arin, Iam looking forward to knowing everyone, I hope we all get along with each other.
"Hey dude, why is your name so girly? Mommy's boy?"
The class laughed. Some stayed silent.
Suddenly, a girl stood up.
"That's rude. You can't insult someone who just came."
The class became quiet.
"Sit down," the teacher said. "Arin, take that empty seat."
Arin walked slowly.
That seat… was beside Yurin.
She looked at him and smiled.
"Hey, Arin," Yurin laughed. "Your name really sounds girly."
Arin laughed too.
Class ended.
The girl who defended him came near.
"Hi," she said.
While Arin and Yurin were talking, Yurin's friends came.
"Yurin, who is this guy?"
She smiled. "My boyfriend."
The class was shocked.
"Hey boy, why are you hanging with that bitch?" someone said.
Arin got angry.
"It's none of your business. She's the one I love."
"I'm Siho Yamagi, the class rep,Remember that."
Two boys came forward.
"Hey man," one said. "I'm Shin."
"I'm Yukima," the other added. "Nice to meet you."
Arin nodded.The school ended.
Arin and Yurin walked home together. Side by side. Hands almost touching.
"Yurin… are you free this Sunday?" Arin asked softly, a little nervous.
"Hmm… Sunday?" Yurin tilted her head. "I have plans with my family, so I can't. Next time, okay?"
"Okay… next Sunday then," Arin said, smiling.
Their hands brushed… then held. Arin's heart skipped. He couldn't help but smile wider.
(Flashback to class earlier)
Some of Yurin's friends whispered.
"Why is she with a loser like Arin?"
"Yu… girlg… Hey Shua, what's up?" A beautiful young man appeared. Hair calm, eyes soft. "He looks like a prince."
"Yurin, dear, let's go Sunday to eat."
"Okay," Yurin replied immediately.
"Hey, Shua… Yurin dating a boy?"
"Huh? Is that so, Yurin?"
"Yes… you know, that boy who always gets 100% on tests."
"Oh… mommy boy… what's his name?"
"Arin," Yurin said calmly.
"I just want to cry… he's so silly, that revenge…" They all laughed.
"Hey, isn't that class rep?" Yurin whispered.
Siho, standing behind them, watched quietly. Book in hand, calm, gentle. She saw everything, learned everything, but said nothing.
Back to the present.
Arin and Yurin were still holding hands. Arin felt happy, warm. Yurin had been his childhood friend. That's what he thought of her.
A week passed. Yurin pretended to be Arin's girlfriend for school.
The day of the class test came.
Everyone was quiet. The teacher handed out the results.
"Take your results," Siho Yamagi said.
Arin looked. Perfect score. He smiled. I have a big sister like Nyra… and a caring girlfriend like Yurin.
Lunch break.
Everyone ate their lunches.
Siho came up to Arin and grabbed his hand.
"Come with me," she said quietly. "I want to show you something."
"Hey! Why are you grabbing my hand?" Arin asked, surprised.
Siho's voice cut in. "Just come. You need to see this."
Siho led Arin to the rooftop of the school building.
The door closed behind them.
"Why am I opening this door? What's going on here?" Arin asked, confused.
He opened it.
The sky was full of clouds. Wind blowing softly.
And then… Arin saw them.
Yurin… holding a boy. Their hands intertwined. Partly kissing.
Arin froze.
"Hey… Yurin… what are you doing?" he said, voice shaking. "Is this… a joke?"
The boy with her looked up. "Ah… look who's here. Caught you, huh?"
"Shua?" Arin asked. "Is this… your fake boyfriend, Yurin?"
Yurin's cheeks turned red. "Arin! No… it's not what you think!"
The boy laughed nervously. "Uh… I'm just a friend. Nothing serious."
Arin felt tight in his chest. He wanted to run. He couldn't. He just stood there, frozen.
Sino stood behind him, calm. Watching.
Yurin stepped closer, hands still loosely holding the boy's. "I… I was just showing him something for school. Please… don't misunderstand."
Arin shook his head. "Misunderstand? Or… am I stupid for thinking… thinking you like me?"
Yurin's eyes filled with tears. "Arin… please. Trust me. That boy… he's nothing. I only care about you."
Arin looked into her eyes. Wanted to believe her. But hurt still burned.
Siho nodded slightly. She knew this wasn't the time for words. Some lessons needed time.