Nott: "My name is Ethan, and I am 11 years old."
Patrick: "Good, now, can you tell us exactly what happened? Also, did you feel anything before the meteor fell?"
Nott, taking a deep breath: "I didn't feel anything because I was far from where it fell, but I experienced a strong earthquake. The meteor... it was a massive explosion. I saw everything collapsing around me, and I don't know how I survived."
Nott pauses for a moment, looks at his hands, remembering the dreadful scene.
Nott: "When I saw everything destroyed from a distance, I couldn't hold myself together. I started running until I found a car. I used it, but it ran out of fuel, and I had to walk until I lost consciousness."
Patrick, shaking his head approvingly: "You're doing well. We need more information now. Did you remember anything else? Maybe we can understand the cause of this disaster and save other survivors, if there are any."
Nott: "More information? I don't know anything else, my memory is too scrambled."
Patrick: "That's alright, this is enough. Don't worry about your living situation, we will provide you with an orphanage to take care of you."
Nott: "No, I don't want to go to an orphanage."
Patrick: "What? Don't you like it? You didn't just lose your family; you lost your entire city! Where will you find someone to take care of you when you're still an 11-year-old boy, with no family or relatives?"
Nott, silent for a moment, then speaks quietly: "...Alright, if that's the only choice."
Patrick, smiling slightly: "That's better. You'll meet friends there and spend time with them."
After a short while of lying in the hospital bed, Nott, still disoriented from the impact of the incident, begins to collect his thoughts. Suddenly, he realizes that he hasn't asked something very important. His mind jumps to a question that could be the key to everything that happened.
Nott: "[Oh... I forgot to ask about the date. I must have traveled a long way... What if I'm in a completely different era?]"
Nott turns to Patrick, who was sitting next to him reviewing some papers.
Nott, softly: "Patrick... What is the date today?"
Patrick lifts his eyes from the papers and looks at Nott in surprise.
Patrick: "The date? It's the year 2017, September 8th. But, Why do you ask?
Nott freezes, his lips trembling silently. He tries to process the information, then begins speaking to himself in his mind.
Nott: "[So... I traveled through time 18 years?! How?!!]"
It feels as though time has stopped around him, his thoughts swirling in his head like fragments of the past and present. It was impossible to believe what he had just heard. But there was no time for shock, as this new reality required him to adapt quickly.
An hour and 41 minutes later in the hospital, Patrick returns to the room, wearing his black leather jacket. He smiles faintly at Nott.
Patrick: "It's time to go, boy. We'll move you to a safe place."
Patrick takes Nott to an orphanage in the 'Venice' area. The weather outside is cold, and the sky is overcast, as if it shares Nott's inner state of confusion and anxiety.
They arrive at the gate of the 'Loris' orphanage, an old building with sturdy wooden doors and walls covered with a thin layer of peeling paint. The place smells of time, as if many stories have passed through here.
Patrick: "Oh... I didn't expect such a reception."
As they enter, the orphanage caregiver, an old woman with brown hair carefully wrapped around her head, stands with a group of children, all arranged neatly, as though they are accustomed to this kind of ritual.
Caregiver: "Welcome to the new boy! Welcome to the Loris orphanage. My name is Miri, and I'm in charge here. Come on, children, let's greet the new boy!"
The children cheer excitedly, as if eager to meet him.
Everyone, in unison: "Welcome to the new boy, nice to meet you!"
Nott stands there, slowly moving his head between the children, the caregiver, and Patrick, not fully comprehending the situation.
Nott, in a low voice: "What is this?..."
Patrick steps closer to Nott and leans down a little to whisper in his ear.
Patrick, whispering: "Boy, they're greeting you. You should respond to them."
Nott looks around once more.
Nott, calmly: "Hello..."
A brief silence fills the room, and then a boy steps forward from among the children, looking impulsive and angry.
Tom, harshly: "Hey! New Boy, greet us properly! Don't you know manners?"
Nott looks at him with a cold, indifferent stare.
Tom grows angry and seems about to charge at Nott, but before he can move, Miri, the caregiver, intervenes quickly.
Miri: "Stop, Tom! It's okay, maybe the boy isn't used to it yet. Soon, he'll be part of our little family.
Miri gives a sweet smile and invites Nott inside.
Miri: "Ahem... Well, Ethan, let me show you your room."
Patrick watches the scene from a distance, then turns to Nott.
Patrick: "Alright, boy, I have to leave now. Remember not to cause trouble."
Nott, quietly: "Yes... Thank you."
Patrick leaves, leaving Nott to face his new fate.
Nott follows Miri upstairs, walking through the orphanage's old hallways. The dim lights create an atmosphere of solitude and mystery, deepening as they move further from the noise of the children downstairs.
Miri, with a smile: "Well, this is your room. Your roommate is inside. I hope you both get along quickly."
Nott does not respond. He stands in front of the room door, his hands frozen.
As Miri walks away, Nott stares at the door for a long time. His heart heavy with memories he cannot forget. The door before him resembled the doors his late brother "Rion" used to open. In that moment, Rion's bright face and his smile, which had never left him, flashed in his mind.
Nott: "[Rion always opened the doors the same way, with a bright smile...]"
Nott slowly extended his hand toward the handle, hesitating to move, but he knew he had to open it, even though his heart was weighed down with sadness.
As soon as the door opened, a boy appeared from inside the room. He looked about Nott's age, with black hair, dark skin, and a friendly face filled with innocence.
Ryan, cheerfully: "Oh, you're the new guy? Nice to meet you. My name is Ryan."
Nott kept staring at Ryan without saying a word. His eyes held a mix of pain and sharpness, a heavy gaze that made Ryan feel embarrassed and uneasy.
Ryan, clearly nervous, looked away, unsure.
Ryan: "Uhm... I... I heard you... lost your family in a mysterious accident, is that right? ... How tragic... what happened to you..."
Before Ryan could finish his words, Nott suddenly lunged at him with lightning speed, pushing him hard toward the wall as if the shock itself carried the weight of the past that Ryan was trying to stir. Ryan groaned in pain, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
Ryan: "Ugh... W... What... What are you doing?!"
Nott moved closer to him, slow and deliberate steps, his eyes burning with cold fury, as if they were glowing with a hidden flame of suppressed hatred.
Nott, in a sharp voice: "Listen carefully... I'm not interested in being your friend or talking to you. So, while I'm here, I don't want to hear your voice. Do you understand?"
Ryan stood there, stunned, his eyes wide in terror, stammering, unable to respond, just giving a simple nod that reflected his submission and fear.
Ryan, panic-stricken: "O... okay."
Nott walked away from him and headed to his bed without another word. He lay down, resting his head on the pillow, as if trying to stop the whirlwind of thoughts racing in his mind. He watched Ryan silently as he left the room, visibly hurt and defeated.
Ryan, as he left: "[I hoped the new boy would be kind... but it turns out he's just like the rest of them.]"
Nott woke up 4 hours later to the deafening sound of a bell.
The bell rang repeatedly, like a herald marking the beginning of a new day at the Lorias Orphanage.
Nott, tired from the memories and mixed emotions, slowly opened his eyes, yawned lazily, then got out of bed. He stretched his body as the first rays of sunlight filled the room, but he felt an emptiness in his heart.
Nott, muttering to himself: "Looks like it's going to be a long day..."
Raymar, 11:25 AM.
Nott made his way to the door, slowly opening it to find the boys and girls flowing into the large hall like waves. He joined them without saying a word, a silent observer avoiding their gazes.
Inside the hall, the sounds filled the space, children lining up to have breakfast.
Nott grabbed a plate from the table and walked toward the cafeteria worker, a plump woman with gray hair wrapped around her head.
Cafeteria Worker, with a wide smile: "Oh, a new face! I haven't seen you before. Are you the new boy?"
Nott: "Yes."
Cafeteria Worker, happily, her eyes lighting up: "Well then, this is your lucky day.
Since it's your first day, I'll give you a special meal!"
The cafeteria worker placed a large spoonful of rice and beans on his plate, as if offering him a rare gift.
Cafeteria Worker: "Alright, enjoy your meal, new boy!"
Nott, in a low voice, unaffected: "... Thanks."
Nott walked away and sat at a table by himself, eating quietly, his eyes watching the boys and girls around him as they laughed and played. The atmosphere in the hall was lively, but Nott felt as if he were in a different world, surrounded by shadows of thoughts and reflections. His inner voice echoed, a mix of curiosity and anxiety, leaving him emotionally distant from everyone.
Suddenly, a girl around his age approached him, with short blonde hair and blue eyes, radiating positive energy that drew the attention of those around her. She seemed to glow with rays of hope and joy, making Nott feel as if that light was stealing a part of his isolation.
The Girl, with a wide smile: "Hi! Can I sit here?"
Nott slowly lifted his head to her, his face expressionless, but he noticed that friendly look piercing through his silence.
Nott: "Do whatever you want."
The girl placed her plate in front of her, then sat with a confidence and natural ease that showed her comfort in the place.
The Girl, with a pure smile, tried to start a conversation.
The Girl: "Thanks! You're Ethan, the new boy, right?"
Nott, keeping his distance: "Yes."
The Girl, with curiosity, looking at him: "Nice to meet you! I'm Elory."
Nott, quietly: ... "Hello."
Elory, determined to break the ice, continued talking.
Elory: "What do you think of the orphanage? Do you like it?"
Nott raised his gaze to her, thinking for a moment before responding, trying not to show any interest.
Nott: "It's okay."
Elory smiled mischievously, as if understanding his situation.
Elory: "I agree with you, I think it's bad too."
Nott looked at her sharply, trying to clarify.
Nott, confused: "I didn't say that."
Elory smiled kindly, then laughed lightly, knowing that despite his coldness, he was easy to provoke. She picked up a spoon from her plate of rice while drinking strawberry juice, smiling playfully, lightening the seriousness of the conversation.
Nott, watching her: "How do you drink that while eating rice?"
Elory, enthusiastically: "It's my own taste, and it's delicious."
A soft hum and the scent of various foods filled the air as Elory held her cup of strawberry milk and ate her rice. She gazed out the window as if contemplating her thoughts, speaking softly.
Elory: "As they say, 'People have tastes' and 'Our opinions are different'..."
I like strawberry milk with rice even though it's a weird combination, it reflects my unique taste. In the simplicity of things, we find the beauty of difference. Even strawberry milk reflects the diversity of tastes in this world.
Isn't that right?
Nott remained silent for a moment, thinking deeply, then spoke softly.
Nott: "Those who repeat that phrase are hiding behind it to justify their bad tastes, as if it were a shield to protect them from the truth being revealed."
Elory, in surprise: "What? What do you mean? If we spent time understanding those differences, we might find beauty in the variety of perspectives."
Maybe there's wisdom in the diversity of tastes in this world.
Nott: "When differing opinions turn into avoidance of the truth, it becomes just a phrase that builds a thin barrier hiding the contradictions of the human soul.
Some people avoid acknowledging their truth and try to justify their bad tastes with the illusion of difference."
In an atmosphere of deep thought and reflection, silence filled the space as these ideas were exchanged, and they shared meaningful glances, as if reacting to the complexities of life and the perpetual differences in viewpoints.
Elory, holding her head and rubbing it hard: "Ugh, my head hurts, let's change the subject...
Why do you wear a black ribbon over your eyes? Are you maybe injured?"
Nott: "None of your business..."
Elory: "Hmmm, fine, do you want to know why my name is Elory?"
Nott: "No..."
Elory: "Well, I'll tell you. It's derived from the Eloria legend, have you heard of it?"
Nott sighs slowly, as he continues to fiddle with his food without looking at her.
Nott: "Do you mean that myth about the woman who activated a stone to save her child, causing meteors to fall on the earth?"
Elory, excited: "Yes! Do you know it?!!"
Nott: "No, and I don't want to know..."
Elory, pretending to be upset: "Hmph, how annoying you are, but okay, I'll tell you about it someday."
Do you want to...
Elory suddenly stops when she hears a loud noise coming from the middle of the hall.
Elory: "What's going on here?"
Nott turns to see what's happening. In the middle of the hall, there was an increasing ruckus. He saw a boy with dark skin, black hair, and green eyes, clearly Ryan, his roommate, being bullied by a group of boys.
Tom: "So what, you filthy smelly thing! You dropped my toy and broke it while cleaning my room, you filthy thing!! Are you going to pay for it? I've been waiting for you for a whole week!"
Ryan: "I'm really sorry. I told you I didn't mean to break it, it was on the edge of the table when my broom accidentally touched it.
Give me more time, I'll fix it!"
Tom: "Huh? Are you saying I'm wrong now?"
Simon: "Hey Tom, why don't we teach him a lesson? He forgot to clean my room this morning!"
Tom: "Huh? Did you forget to clean Simon's room, you filthy thing?"
Ryan: "I was going to clean it, but I was so exhausted from the work, and I just wanted to eat breakfast before going to clean it right away!"
Tom, laughing arrogantly: "You really dared to act this way, you're just a janitor like your grandfather. How dare you lie?"
The sound of boys' and girls' laughter fills the hall, echoing from every corner, intensifying the tension in the air. Suddenly, Tom lands a harsh blow to Ryan's stomach, sending him crashing to the floor.
Ryan, screaming: "Aaaahgh… that hurts!"
Tom, laughing mockingly: "Hahaha! You're so weak. Come on, get up and face me! Isn't that what you wanted?"
Tom gestures toward Simon, who is tightly restraining Ryan's arms. Simon seems eager to play his role in the bullying.
Ryan, choking: "I'm really sorry! It won't happen again, I promise!"
The sound of blows repeats, accompanied by Ryan's screams as he struggles to break free from Simon's grip.
Ryan, screaming: "Aaaah… Ahhgh… please, stop!"
The merciless beating continues while Nott watches. The scene triggers painful memories, taking him back to his childhood back to when he was bullied in the very same way.
Ryan, screaming: "Aaaaah… Ahhhgh… stop, please!"
Tom strikes him again, and rage boils inside Nott, reflecting his inner turmoil.
Nott, muttering: "I can't hold myself back anymore…"
Simon forces Ryan down, and blood starts trickling from his nose. Nott moves, rising slowly.
Elory, alarmed: "Hah?! Where do you think you're going?!"
Nott, determined: "They're annoying. I'll handle them."
Elory, worried: "Don't go, you fool! Tom is going to be part of House Stanvilla!!"
Nott, indifferent: "Stanvilla? I don't care."
Nott's furious expression is like a volcano on the verge of eruption. His eyes burn with determination, his jaw clenched as if holding back an overwhelming force. His heartbeat accelerates, and in an instant, he dashes toward them with arrow-like speed, his entire being radiating fury... as if every moment of bullying and hardship he endured has gathered into this single, explosive storm.
Tom is stunned, struggling to process what's happening.
Tom: Huh? Is this guy seriou... Before he can finish his sentence, Nott lands a powerful kick to his face, throwing him off balance. The force of Nott's strike sends Tom crashing to the ground, helpless, as if time itself has paused. The once noisy hall falls into an eerie silence. All eyes lock onto the scene, witnessing something unbelievable... almost like a miracle.
Tom screams in pain, clutching his face.
Tom: "Aaaghh…! Aahgh…"
His voice trembles with agony, his face contorting in pain while his classmates watch in shock at the sudden turn of events.
Simon, caught off guard by the attack, rushes to retaliate, his expression shifting from disbelief to fury.
Simon: "You arrogant bastard, how dare you"
But Nott doesn't give him a chance. He closes the distance in an instant and lands a solid punch to Simon's stomach. The impact is staggering... Simon bends forward, the air knocked out of his lungs, before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud, his body hitting the floor with a resounding echo.
Simon, groaning: "Ugh…!"
The atmosphere is thick with tension. Students exchange stunned glances, trying to process what just happened.
Tom and Simon lie sprawled on the floor, the chaos of their downfall mirroring the turmoil in the room. The confusion in the hall only grows.
Tom, his face flushed red, screams in fury.
Tom: "You bastard! You'll pay for this!"
The hall erupts in murmurs and stifled laughter as boys and girls exchange amused glances, whispering about Tom's humiliation.
Fuming, Tom struggles to stand again.
Tom: "You cowards! Stop laughing and whispering like weaklings! I'll show you! Once I get out of here, you'll all pay!!"
Nott: "You make a fool of yourself, and you expect no one to laugh at you? How pathetic."
Nott doesn't stop. He strikes Tom again... another powerful blow to his face, making his pain even more evident.
Tom, groaning: "Agh… damn it!"
The surrounding students laugh and whisper even more, witnessing Tom's downfall with a mix of amusement and disbelief, adding to the tension in the room.
Nott: "You're just a victim of your own arrogance. You brought this upon yourself."
Tom's fury reaches its peak. His expression twists with hatred and defiance as the crowd gathers around, drawn into the escalating conflict.
Tom, seething with hatred: "You bastard! I'll make you pay!
Miss Miri! Come here!!"
Nott, smirking: "Hmm? Are you seriously calling for help now?
You're already about to be punished, idiot."
At that moment, Miri storms into the hall, her sharp eyes gleaming with fury. Her loose hair flows behind her like a storm descending upon the scene.
Miri, in a commanding tone, glares at Nott: "You! The new boy! How dare you cause trouble on your first day?!
Do you think this is some kind of battlefield?!"
The room falls into stunned silence. Everyone watches as Nott stands there, his sharp gaze unyielding, his presence unshaken... as if the battle itself has frozen in time.
Miri, threateningly: "You insolent boy! Apologize at once! Do you even realize who the father of the boy you just struck is?!"
Ryan slowly rises, whispering as he tries to defend Nott amidst the tense atmosphere.
Ryan: "A... Auntie, I'm sorry! He has nothing to do with this! He was just defending me..."
Miri screams, her eyes blazing with fury.
Miri: "And you, you filthy brat! How many times have I warned you not to cause trouble? Do you still insist on challenging my authority?"
Ryan chokes up, struggling to speak, but the words get caught in his throat.
Ryan: "I... I... I'm sorry..."
At that moment, Nott cuts Ryan off with a sharp, angry tone, making everyone freeze in place, as if his voice is echoing in their minds.
Nott, furious, his eyes burning like embers:
"Why did you slap me?"
Mairi, taken aback, tries to regain control of the situation, but the anger in her eyes reflects her hesitation.
Miri: "What!? You dare..."
She stops mid-sentence as she looks at Nott, whose expression is filled with overwhelming rage and hatred. The air grows thick with tension as everyone anxiously awaits what will happen next.
Miri, angrily: "Y... You know what?! You're going to the yard with Ryan, and both of you will clean it as punishment. Now, move!"
Nott steps toward Mary, his anger evident, but Ryan quickly grabs his hand.
Ryan, in a low voice: "Let's just go... Please, I'll explain later..."
Ryan pulls Nott away and runs.
As Ryan dashes through the orphanage corridors, his footsteps echo amidst the chaos. When Nott notices the anxiety in his eyes, he asks sharply.
Nott: "Why are we running?"
Ryan suddenly stops, as if stunned by the question. He turns to Nott, his expression a mix of confusion and frustration.
Ryan: "What? Are you seriously asking that now?! Don't you see what's happening around us?"
Ryan stops running, breathing heavily, anxiety tightening in his chest. Nott observes him, realizing he's speaking to someone who is overwhelmed and distracted. Then, he asks again.
Nott: "....Why didn't you defend yourself?"
Nott steps closer to Ryan, his gaze filled with anger, making Ryan feel an immense pressure. Ryan's eyes drop to the ground, as if searching for an answer beneath his feet.
Ryan: "It's..."
He hesitates, determined to say something. His eyes meet Nott's, seeing the intensity burning in them.
Ryan: "I..."
Tears begin to well up in his eyes, then fall freely. He feels the weight of the entire world pressing down on him.
Ryan: "You shouldn't have helped me in the first place! I've lived here, enduring all kinds of humiliation and bullying, just for the sake of my grandfather, whose suffering I caused!!"
His voice cracks, as if each word carries an unbearable burden. Ryan turns away from Nott, determined to deal with his emotions alone. He approaches a corner of the yard where an old, neglected broom lies.
He bends down, picks up the broom, and starts sweeping in silence, as raindrops begin to fall from the sky, mingling with his tears.
Nott: "....Why are you crying?"
Nott watches silently, trying to process the painful scene before him.
Nott: "Crying won't change what you are. If you want to change your reality, all you have to do is fight."
Take revenge on those who humiliated you, and don't be a coward who grovels at their feet! Don't let anyone stand in your way!"
Nott stares directly into Ryan's eyes, trying to awaken the fighting spirit within him. As the rain continues to pour, light reflects in the small puddles around them, adding a surreal touch to the scene.
Ryan pauses for a moment, looking at Nott, questioning in his mind whether he could really fight for himself. But he wipes his tears and continues sweeping.
Ryan: "You don't know anything, so how can you say such things without knowing the consequences? If I take revenge on them, I won't gain anything... I'll just get kicked out of here and end up living on the streets like a homeless person!"
Nott: "And would your grandfather be happy knowing that the only thing you've achieved is living as a slave under these bastards?"
Ryan looks at Nott with eyes full of anger and pain, as if every word is cutting deep into his soul.
Ryan: "My grandfather was a kind and gentle man, always good to everyone. He worked for them for twenty years of his life, and in return, what did they do when he was dying in his dark, crumbling room?... Nothing!"
His voice rises slightly, as if the words are about to burst out of him. He feels unbearable rage as he recalls those cruel memories.
Ryan: "They left him alone in that room, suffering in silence, enduring the pain for my sake."
His emotions surge as if an unstoppable storm is raging within him.
Ryan: "They forced me to take his place, even though he told them to let me live here like the other kids and treat me well in exchange for reducing his salary. But instead, they made me a servant in his place, and sometimes they didn't even send his monthly salary, using the excuse that they needed to pay for water and electricity bills."
His expression tenses as he recalls those moments, as if reliving a painful movie in his mind. His emotions turn into a blazing fire in his heart.
Ryan: "My grandfather died not knowing any of this... because I was too afraid to tell him what they were doing, fearing his health and mental state would worsen. But... he was already dead."
His breathing quickens, his body trembling with grief. The image of his grandfather dying alone in that dark room flashes in his mind... a man who had waited for help that never came.
Ryan: "He was kind to everyone, so much so that people in town knew him for his good character. He was the reason this orphanage gained popularity because of how warmly he treated the children."
He feels like the ground is shaking beneath him, struggling to grasp what has happened. His emotions are reflected in his tear-filled eyes, glistening with sorrow.
Ryan: "They named the orphanage after him, yet his funeral was pathetic. They claimed they had no money to make it better... just so people would pity them and send donations...
I... I hate this world!!"
Ryan's suppressed emotions rise to the surface as his eyes well up with burning tears, as if the pain is pouring out from deep within him, engulfing him entirely. In that moment, he sincerely wishes he could destroy this entire world... a world that has shown him nothing but cruelty and betrayal.
In the midst of the silence, as raindrops fall to the ground, Nott stands still in his usual calmness. He listens to Ryan's words, his eyes reflecting a deep misery, as if they carry the weight of the entire world.
Ryan, with a trembling voice: "Deep inside me… there is a relentless desire for success. A desire that surpasses everything, a need to achieve something greater than myself. I always dream of reaching new heights, of attaining what I believe I deserve… but there are always walls standing in the way of my ambition. Walls that make me feel trapped in a narrow space, with no way out."
He sighs deeply, then continues in a hushed voice, staring at the ground before him.
Ryan: "Through this experience… I've learned that passion alone isn't enough. The circumstances and environment around you must also be favorable."
His heart tightens with worry as he speaks.
Ryan: "I feel isolated, as if I'm in a closed-off world where there is no room to move. The ambition inside me is there, but it finds itself confined between walls of despair... unseen, unable to break through."
A long silence follows, with the rain falling gently in the background, its soft sound underscoring the heavy words Ryan has left in the air. Tears gather in his eyes, beginning to stream down his cheeks as he unveils his inner wounds.
Nott: "….. This world crushes the innocent and grants power to the wicked
Injustice rules everything, and all I've found in every corner is pain and disappointment. This world has left me without hope.
But we can't let it defeat us. We have to be strong and try to change reality."
Ryan shuts his eyes tightly, his words emerging.
Ryan: "Change? Do you really think anything in this corrupt world can change? No, maybe we should hate this world even more… There is no hope in changing it."
His words land like a dark butterfly on Nott's heart, carrying deep pain and open wounds. Nott has no easy answer, but he feels powerless in the face of Ryan's overwhelming sorrow.
Nott: "Maybe we can't change everything…"
But we can change something small. We can be a glimmer of light in this world's darkness, even if it's just a tiny one.
His words flow like a quiet river amid a stormy sea. In a moment of deep silence, everything around them seems to pause, as if the entire universe is taking a slow breath, contemplating what has been said.
Ryan is lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the ground, as if every grain of dirt carries the weight of his life.
Ryan: "Is it worth it?"
He wonders to himself, as conflicting thoughts clash in his mind.
Ryan: "True happiness… Can I really find it?"
His expression begins to shift little by little, and a faint glimmer of hope manages to seep into his heart. In Nott's eyes, there is a strength... like a radiant sun after a long, dark night.
Nott: "Look at me. I completely understand what you're going through. Each of us carries a part of this burden, but if we face it together, maybe we'll find the path we're searching for."
Ryan looks into Nott's eyes and sees a spark of determination he had never noticed before. Nott's eyes are like a mirror, reflecting a strength Ryan never imagined.
Ryan: "But how? How can just two people like us change anything in this world?"
Nott contemplates for a moment, gazing at the sky, where the clouds gather as if the world itself is speaking of pain and loss.
Nott: "It's true that we're only two people, but it's not about numbers. Change starts with a single step."
The world may seem bigger than us, but every action has an impact, no matter how small. The important thing is that we don't surrender to our circumstances.
If each of us decided to take responsibility and play their part, we'd find that these scattered efforts could come together and create real change.
A spark of hope glimmers in Ryan's eyes, his emotions blending with his words. He begins to sense the possibility of a better life... a life where one stands strong, a fighter rather than a quitter.
Ryan: "Maybe… Maybe I can try. I'll start step by step."
I have doubts, but that's okay. I'll try, even if it's just a small beginning. Maybe I can make a difference, even a small one. At the very least, I'll be part of the attempt to change.
Ryan's expression steadies, and a faint smile appears on his face, as if light is finally breaking through the shadows. In Nott's words, he has found something more valuable than gold... something that can restore hope in a world filled with challenges.
Ryan: "I can't change the whole world like you said, but… I can start by changing myself."
Nott looks at him silently, with deep appreciation.
Nott: "Yes… That's a good step. Now, let's finish cleaning this area and get some sleep. I'm starting to feel tired."
Ryan, laughing: "Hahaha, don't worry, you can go to sleep. I'll finish cleaning up."
Nott: "No, I'll stay."
Ryan, with a small smile: "Alright then… Thank you…"
Nott: "Hmm? For what?"
Ryan: "For... everything…"
Nott looks at him for a moment, then quietly nods, saying nothing in return.
The rain continued to fall, washing away the dust and dirt from the ground, as if cleansing the heaviness lingering in the air. The dim glow of the streetlights flickered faintly, casting long shadows that danced between Ryan and Nott, mirroring the turmoil within them.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ryan's heart felt lighter... not free of its burdens, but no longer crushed beneath them. The weight of despair that had chained him seemed just a little looser, as if a crack had formed in the walls surrounding his soul.
He glanced at Nott, who stood beside him, unwavering, solid like the ground beneath their feet. There was no grand speech, no forced encouragement... just presence. And somehow, that was enough.
Ryan let out a slow breath, then bent down and picked up a stray piece of paper from the ground, his movements steady, deliberate. Nott did the same. They worked in silence, side by side, as the rain softened into a light drizzle.
Time passed unnoticed, and when they finally stood, the place was clean.
Ryan wiped his damp hands on his clothes, then looked up at the dark sky. The clouds were still thick, but for the first time that night, he felt as if there might be something beyond them... something waiting.
Nott stretched his arms with a quiet sigh.
Nott: "It's late. We should get some rest."
Ryan: "Yeah... We should."
But neither of them moved right away.
For a brief moment, there was nothing but the quiet rhythm of raindrops and the distant hum of the city. Then, Ryan took a step forward, walking ahead without looking back.
Nott followed.
The night swallowed them as they disappeared into the distance, two small figures against the vast, indifferent world. But somewhere in that darkness, a single ember of hope remained, flickering stubbornly against the storm.