[62.4] Cyrus POV: The End of A Smile

[Disclaimer: This chapter includes mention of child neglect, death, suicidality, and violence.]

Reika walked past me, her once grinning face now had a shroud of gloominess covering it. She went to her brother's room where the sounds of a woman sobbing could be heard. She knocked hesitantly, "Mom… I'm hungry."

She got no response and could only hear the pitiful sobs. After waiting a while, she turned and walked down the hall where her father suddenly emerged from a room carrying a briefcase. She looked up at her father, "I'm hungry."

He averted his gaze from her and pushed past, "...I'm going to work."

"This late?!"

He grunted as if to answer and continued down the stairs, leaving without another word. With a sigh, Reika went down the stairs. She carried her stuffed cat as she walked into the dark kitchen and dining room.

After placing the stuffed cat in its own seat, she went to the kitchen and opened the cupboards. They were either empty or filled with useless items, causing her to really dig through them to find something adequate to eat. She pulled out a package of red-colored noodles and let out another sigh. She then filled up a teapot and hit a button, causing the water to boil automatically.

Eh? Reika always thought magic was interesting, but doesn't she have magic in her world?

How else could a button heat up water?

As I was admiring the teapot, she poured it into a bowl with the noodles and carried it to the table. The light went out in the kitchen and I realized the memory had ended in that location, so I turned to follow her.

She sat in a chair near the stuffed animal and reached over to move it. She spoke in a low voice as she pretended to be the animal, "Reika. Where are mom and dad?"

She answered in a calm voice, "They are too busy to join us tonight."

Reika paused for a moment before shaking her toy again, "Why didn't you give me a plate?"

She slowly released the toy and stared at the bowl with her head drooping.

"BaoBao…" Her voice choked as she took a bite, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

Unable to finish her food, she pushed it aside and laid her head down. In that dark room with only the table visible, she cried into her hands, apologizing without end as she did.

Have I ever seen Reika cry before?

I reached out to comfort her, but before my hand could pass through her body, the memory went dark.

The scene changed again.

I was outside looking around in wonder as several young children passed by me wearing the same clothes. I immediately could spot Reika in the crowd as she was completely alone wearing the same downcast expression as before. I followed after her, amazed that no one spoke to her, and pretended as if she didn't exist. When she entered the classroom, she stopped at the front of the room and grabbed a piece of chalk.

I watched closely as she wrote strange symbols before placing the chalk down and standing to the side. While all eyes were on her, Reika spoke in a small voice, "My name is Reika Kang. My family recently moved to XXXX City for my father's business. I… I haven't been in this city for long, but I look forward to meeting all of you."

The classmates assessed her, some with uncaring expressions, others with curiosity.

As Reika sat down at her assigned seat, one of the boys snickered and whispered to his friends, "Ehhh. She's pretty cute, right?"

The girl beside him staring at her newly polished nails clicked her tongue, "I don't see what's so cute."

"She's got that sad little puppy dog face. It makes you want to torment her."

Another boy laughed, "Oh yeah. Her crying face would be really something to see."

My fists clenched as I glared at the fools who dare speak about her like that. Reika could obviously hear such words and I expected her to give the idiots a face slap. However, I was surprised when she lowered her gaze submissively.

Huh?

Is this really the Reika I know?

After the class concluded, students swarmed her desk, asking her hundreds of questions while Reika's face turned pink from the attention. Reika shifted uncomfortably in her seat, answering politely, but it was obvious she wanted the kids to leave her alone.

"Reika, are you a scholarship student too?"

"O-Oh… No. With my grades, it would be impossible… My father pays the tuition."

"Eh!? Really? So you must be rich!"

"N-Not really… He just owns a mildly successful business… Nothing super important."

"Do you have any siblings?"

Reika's face turned darker as she bit her lower lip, "...No."

Despite her obvious discomfort, the children never dispersed. When the school day concluded, Reika pretended to need the bathroom but instead slipped away to avoid the students wanting to walk home with her. It was then that she ran into the group of classmates who had been talking about her before.

As I waited for a confrontation, the scene suddenly went dark.

Then, a blurry scene took its place. It was so hard to see, I could only rely on my hearing to understand what was happening.

An unknown voice taunted, "Do you think you're tough or something?"

Reika answered in a defeated voice, "...No."

"I said- @#@%@$@#!%- So why are you #$#@!%%!?"

I furrowed my brow, confused by what was happening. Part of the sentence was drowned out by a buzzing noise, so I couldn't be sure what was said.

When I tried to approach Reika to hear better, I flinched when she was suddenly standing in front of a river.

I looked behind in confusion.

Weren't we just in the classroom? How did she suddenly appear out here?

I could only see her hair floating in the breeze as her back was to me. Her hands squeezed a railing behind her as she stood on the edge of a wall separating the walkway from the rushing river.

Wait…

Is she-

"Reika!!" I rushed forward, trying to grab her hand to pull her back when I passed through her instead. I panicked, "D-Don't… Don't-"

She spoke to the air, "BaoBao… Did it hurt to drown?"

My eyes widened.

"Was it… Scary?"

She suddenly let out a sigh and turned around, climbing over the fence and back to the walkway. I sucked my words back in when I noticed her puffy eye and split lip.

She walked silently down the walkway along the riverside with her head lowered to the ground. I followed her closely unable to understand the burning sensation I felt in my chest.

I can't touch her.

I can only watch.

I never knew I could feel so powerless…

I just want to comfort her…

Soon, she stopped walking along the walkway and turned her attention to a flight of stairs that led to a wooded area. There was a strange statue at the bottom of the stairs and more words I couldn't understand.

However, it seemed to interest her as she soon started climbing the stairs. It led to the top with buildings that had beautiful tile and curved roofs. The decor was quite majestic and I found myself jealous that we didn't have such beautiful places in the Odalis Kingdom.

Despite it being breathtaking, it was completely empty.

Reika walked straight up to a box as if it was normal for her, and dropped in a coin. She lowered her head and clasped her hands together, "I don't know if there is anyone listening, but I could really use some help… My mother has lost her mind and won't even look at me anymore. My father is never home and… I could really use a friend…"

My eyebrows pinched together as I felt something tighten in my chest.

She gave a low chuckle, "I would also be okay if you send me a Prince. Oh! A handsome one, please. We could fall in love and he could whisk me away to another place."

I whispered, "Reika…"

Her hands fell to her side as her eyes glazed over, "Who am I kidding? There's no way anyone could ever love me."

No…

You're wrong…

I bit on my lip desperate to touch her, but I held myself back.