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n- 2022, November 7th. Present Time. -

nClasses were over for the day and I returned to my room, reminiscing - no, that's not a good word - remembering about the past. I opened the windows and made myself some tea.

nIn any case, that's the story on how my parents died.

nIndeed, they died because of me.

nAs I was thinking of this while sitting on the couch, the cool and gentle evening wind blowing against my face, I unconsciously stared at the area on the floor where I had once collapsed holding the stone pendant. I opened the secret compartment in my bed and took out the necklace that had once belonged to my mother. I had not touched it ever since that day. As I held it in my hands, I remembered the familiar feeling of the stone, each surface and vertex.

nAll the despair and frustration I had at the time came rushing back to me at once, and a tear streaked down my right cheek against my will. I couldn't help it. They gave up everything for me - by that time, the only thing they had left was their life - and they gave that to me as well. But I'm still the same as always. Useless. Incompetent. The insults that come at me everyday? They are all true. That's why I can't refute.

nI suddenly heard knocking at my door and immediately wiped the tears from my face, clearing my mind. Ever since my parents passed away, I've turned into a cold, merciless, and devious person, not showing an ounce of weakness - I cannot let anyone see me with a tear on my face. I readied myself for whoever it is and walked calmy towards the unknown visitor.

n

"Big Brother Xuan Kai, are you there?

" a cute and playful voice called out.

nAlthough separated by the block of wood known as a door, I could immediately identify who it was by hearing her voice alone, and just knowing that immediately lifted my spirits, ever so slightly. But that joy quickly turned into skepticism as I frowned.

n

"How are you here?

" I asked through the sound transmission technology implemented in the wall.

n

"Oh c'mon, I'll explain later. Can't you let me in first?

"

nI unlocked the door and pushed it open.

n

"Come in,

" I said.

n

"I've been standing here for a while now, what took you so long?

" the girl about my chest's height asked as she entered my room and slid right past me.

nI closed the door and followed behind her.

"I was...uh, thinking about things.

"

n

"Mmm...is that so? Why are your eyes red then?

"

n

"I couldn't sleep well last night.

" A lie.

n

"Ah. Very believable,

" the feminine figure said as she plopped on my couch and made herself comfortable.

"A boy like you who doesn't have a care in the world? I know you too well. How is it even possible for you to 'not sleep well'?

"

n

"Think as you wish,

" I answered briskly and sat down next to her.

nThis girl is my only friend in this world, the only person apart from my parents that didn't abandon me and treat me like trash. Her name is Qing Yue, from the Qing family just like my mother, and one of the top beauties in Shenzhen along with Yu An Xue. We aren't related by blood, but I still treat her as a little sister even though she is only one month younger than me.

n

"Ah mou~don't be mad!

" she exclaimed hurriedly, thinking I was angry at her.

"Look what I brought you!

"

n

"I'm not mad,

" I replied honestly.

n

"Well, whatever,

" Qing Yue shrugged off my reply as she took out a neatly wrapped box out of the bag she was carrying.

"Here!

" she yelled excitedly as she presented the box to me.

nI was confused as she held out the box to me. Was this what you call a 'present'? But for what? I took it from her hands and asked,

"What is this?

"

nShe blinked a few times.

"Um...Big Brother Xuan Kai, don't tell me you really forgot...

"

n

"...I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

"

nShe sighed and shaked her head.

"Then I, as your little sister, shall remind you. What day is it today, Big Brother Xuan Kai?

"

n

"It is...I don't know. November?

" I replied truthfully.

nTo me, there was never anything to look forward to tomorrow anyway, so I never really kept track of dates. It would just be the same cycle of getting insulted and humiliated, repeated over and over again. Not really amusing, is it?

n

"Wow...how do you not even know the date?!

" my little sister yelled.

nShe pouted a little as I remained silent, then finally said,

"It's November the 7th.

"

n

"...I see.

"

n

"So? You know what the occasion is now?

"

n

"It's...November the 7th.

"

n

"AHH MOU~~! You are such a dimwit!

" Qing Yue exclaimed angrily.

nJust calling me a 'dimwit'? That kind of verbal attack won't even scratch me. After all, I am exposed to insults and humilations a hundred times worse everyday. And besides, this girl would never insult me for real. She was too nice for that.

n

"...

" I fell silent once more, unsure of what to say in response.

n

"It's your birthday today!

" she yelled at last, exasperated.

nWait...are those tears in her eyes? Did I make her cry? Oh, **...

n

"Today is my birthday?

" I asked in a softer tone.

nShe nodded.

"Yes! And this cake is a gift from me, to you.

" she smiled happily.

nFunny how girls' emotions can change so easily.

n

"Uh...your face is red,

" I remarked.

n

"Yes! Because I'm happy! But that's the part you pay attention to?!

" she yelled, irritated again.

n

"Er, no-

"

nQing Yue then suddenly got up and headed towards the door, clearly in a bad mood.

n

"Leaving?

" I asked.

n

"Yes! Because you're such a dummy!

"

nHer attack was ineffective. However, I still decided to apologize, even though I'm not sure what exactly I did wrong.

n

"I'm sorry,

" I said quietly. But it was enough. She heard it.

"And thank you for bringing me...a present.

"

nShe stopped in her tracks.

"...You're welcome.

"

n

"Sorry...I made you mad.

"

n

"Hmph. As long as you know. I forgive you,

" she said as she headed back towards me and sat down next to me on the couch once again.

nBecause I had no experience doing this kind of thing as my parents never really celebrated my birthdays like this, and instead just told me 'happy birthday', Qing Yue took the initiative and led me. I was told to close the lights. When I returned, Qing Yue had a lighter in her hand as for illumination, and I could see the cake was already taken out and placed on the small table in front of the couch. The lighter was no normal tool, however. It was a Magic Artifact - using mana as its energy source. She lit the candles with the flame carefully and beckoned me to come over.

n

"Come here, Big Brother Xuan Kai!

" she told me.

"You have to now make a wish then blow out all the candles in one breath!

"

nMake a wish?

n

"...I see,

" I replied.

nI sat down on the couch and closed my eyes.

nI've never done this before...and I have no idea who exactly I'm making a wish to. But whoever is on the other side - if there's something I wish for - it's Qing Yue's safety. I don't have the power to protect her right now...so please - watch over her for me.

nAnd as for my other, more bloodthirsty wish...

n...I'll fulfill that with my own strength.

n

"I'm finished,

" I said.

n

"Nice! What did you wish for?

" Qing Yue asked.

n

"I...wished for you.

"

n

"H-Huh?

" Qing Yue appeared confused, caught by surprise, but then suddenly started blushing.

"R-Really?

"

n

"I mean, I wished that you can have a happy life.

"

n

"Oh, so that's what you meant...

" she looked slightly saddened. But then she took a deep breath and continued after clearing her throat.

"A-Ahem, why...why didn't you wish for something for yourself?

"

nI shrugged.

"Nothing is going to help me. Instead of wasting this wish, I would rather use it for you.

"

n

"Ah...

" she said slowly, before turning and looking the other way so I couldn't see her face. I could hear her sniffling.

nShe...seems to be crying.

n

"Hehe...Thank you, Big Brother Xuan Kai,

" she murmured quietly.

n

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry.

" What did I do wrong this time?

nBut Qing Yue shook her head slowly.

"No no...I'm not crying because I'm sad. I'm crying because I'm happy.

"

n

"...

" once again, I fell silent.

nCrying because you're happy, huh? I wonder...I wonder if I can do that someday as well.

n

"A-Anyway! Happy 14th Birthday, Big Brother Xuan Kai,

" she beamed happily at me, wiping her tears away.

nAs an aside, anyone that saw her like that would've gotten an urge to protect her. The cuteness was overbearing, but I was used to it - and besides, even if she was ugly, I would still protect her no matter what. I'm not about to let the one friend I have in this cruel world die.

nBut in any case - 14? These numbers were meaningless to me - after my parents died, every time my birthday rolled around, it just painfully reminded me of just how weak I am, surviving for yet another year as worthless, useless trash. So before long, I forgot. Whether that was completely accidental or subconsciously on purpose...I didn't know, nor did I care.

nThen, as I moved to follow her instructions and extinguish the flames, something strange happened. All the fires suddenly went out before I even blew it - the candles and the flame in Qing Yue's hand.

n

"Huh? Where did my fire go?

" she asked no one in particular.

"Woah! No way! You blew out all the candles and the fire in my hand together? How is that possible!

"

nNo...the flame in her hand was too far away. It is impossible for me to blow it out from this distance without any magic.

n

"Eh? Wait! What is that glowing thing on your neck?

" Qing Yue asked.

nI looked down to see what she was talking about. Sure enough, there was a faint orange glow coming from the stone pendant I got from mother. However, it vanished after a couple of seconds.

n

"Probably just a hallucination. Don't worry about it,

" I said to her reassuringly. She agreed and moved to turn on the lights.

nBy the time we finished eating the cake, I had forgotten about it as well.

nAlthough I knew of this tradition known as a 'birthday', I have never received a cake for it before. Qing Yue always came and found me on my birthday every year to accompany me, but never actually brought a gift like today. This was because the Qing family prohibited her from being with me, so she can only make up some excuse to sneak out of the house.

nHowever, it wasn't possible for her to bring anything along, it was too risky - someone might notice that whatever she brought, is gone from the house. Hence, we could only enjoy the night with each other. But I was content this way. I was already overjoyed that she would risk getting caught by her family in order to spend time with me.

nBut ever since that fateful night when my parents were assassinated, I've never felt any emotion. Right now, however, I am more concerned about the fact that she was able to come to the school. She had told me she would explain later. Now is the time.

n

"How did you convince your family to allow you to leave the house with a cake in your hands?

" I asked suddenly.

"And how did you get through the front gates?

"

nI had expected Qing Yue to be caught off guard, but it looks like she was prepared for this.

n

"Believe it or not, I will be going to this school from now on!

" She said proudly.

n...

nWait. What?

n

"Aren't you attending a private magic school?

" I quickly inquired.

n

"I WAS. But I wanted to come to this high school instead, and after some begging my parents allowed me.

"

n

"Why?

" The private school is much better than Shenzhen Magic High School. I've heard that their principal is a Golden Monarch stage expert. I really don't understand why she would come to this school instead.

n

"Eh?

" It seems she didn't think I would pry this much. Then, she suddenly broke into laughter, and snuggled up to me tighter.

"I just want to experience a public high school too, y'know?

"

n

"...I see,

" I replied, although I don't believe her one bit.

n

"...And to be with you, Big Brother Xuan Kai...

" she whispered faintly, barely audible under the cool evening breezes. But I heard it.

n

"...I see.

"

nSo that was the real reason she wanted to come here. Had my emotions not been brutally killed along with my parents, I would've been overjoyed that someone was willing to be with me to the point of transferring schools.

n

"Huh?! You heard that?!

" She stood up and pointed at me, her face gradually turning red.

n

"I did,

" I answered. I could not lie to her on this matter. It would be hard to explain if I were to be exposed afterwards.

n

"W-Well, you heard nothing!

" She exclaimed, desperate to cover up her mistake.

n

"You are my only friend, and also my precious little sister. I know that I am too weak to protect you...but I am at least going to try my best. I cannot lose anyone else,

" I said.

"I am really glad you are going to come to this school.

"

nQing Yue averted her gaze.

"Does that mean...you want to be with me too?

"

nI pulled her into an embrace. It was awkward, considering our height difference, but at the same time, also comforting.

"I don't have anyone else left.

"

n

"...

"

n

"Just remember one thing,

" I continued.

"No matter how much other people harass and insult me, you cannot interfere. Do you understand?

" This was for her protection. I don't want her to become a target as well. Even if she was in one of the 4 Great Families of Shenzhen, the Qing family was still weak compared to the other 3 families. Scum like Li Yi Fei won't be afraid of offending the Qing family.

n

"How can I just stand by and watch my big brother get bullied?!

" she responded aggressively.

n

"It's fine. I'm used to it. Don't get yourself caught up in my mess.

"

n

"We're family, aren't we? We share our happiness and troubles together.

"

n

"This...is different. You cannot get involved.

"

n

"...Fine,

" she agreed reluctantly at last, with a deep sigh.

nBut I wasn't convinced. And soon enough, I would find out that I was right.

n