And there is one more person whose emotions take physical form—Zen.
"Zen... what do you mean?" I asked her, worry creeping into my voice.
"Right, maybe you didn't know him as he stopped coming to school, but it's true. Due to the incident that happened to his sister Aris, he became host to an emotion's physical creature—and that emotion is called Hatred," Luna explained, her tone calm.
As she continued, "I told you before that emotions have their own colors—anger is red, sadness is grey, etc. So, the creatures born from those emotions are different too.
For example, I said Shu is also a host. The emotion giving rise to her creature is guilt, regret, and disappointment in herself for being unable to do anything—she feels helpless. And as for Zen, it is hatred."
"So, these emotional consequences are different too?" I asked, wanting to understand more so I could find a way to resolve it
"Right. The emotion Shu holds will consume her, possibly taking her life or forcing her into decisions she'll regret forever. And in Zen's case, hatred often results in taking another person's life," Luna explained.
"Hmm, I get it all, but is there any way we can cure this before it hurts someone?" I asked, hoping for an answer.
She looked downward, her hair covering her eyes, and spoke slowly in a whispering voice.
"It is... Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that, as I've never seen anyone overcome it."
"You must know something, right? If you have such ability, then you can solve anything, right?" I pressed, hoping she would guide me so I could save both of them. Luna, unlike Aisha, spoke directly, and so I hoped she could tell me how to resolve this.
She lifted her head and looked toward me.
Instead of the confident, smug face I was used to, I saw something different—it was the first time I ever saw her with tears in her eyes. Feeling frustrated, she raised her voice for the first time
"I said there is no way to cure it! I have also tried it, but… but… in the end..." She stopped; her voice lowered again as she continued, "Maybe you should go now."
I was shocked and confused, unsure how to reassure her in this moment of weakness. I had never thought she could break, always seeing her as an iron wall, difficult to crack. Before leaving the club room, I looked at Luna, her head still down. I said,
"I don't know what happened to you, but things won't change. Whether it is guilt or curiosity, you always help, so for that—thanks. Don't worry about them. I promise, I will save them, and when the time comes, I will save you too."
—
As I reached the classroom, everything continued as normal for the entire period, but my mind was elsewhere, searching for a solution on how to help Shu and Zen. I tried to recall everything but failed—if Luna didn't have an answer, then my only hope was Aisha.
But since right now I had no clue about Zen, I decided to go and talk to Shu; perhaps, while talking to her, I could learn more about her present struggles.
According to my plan, I asked her out for some snacks. At first, her face turned red, and she tried to refuse, but I was able to convince her.
"So, where do we want to go first?" I asked.
"I don't know…" she said quietly, her face still red.
"Ah… I know! How about a café? They serve desserts and all, so you'll like it," I said, hoping to cheer her up.
"Ahmmm..." she agreed with a small nod.
We chatted a little, but her words were sparse—only "hmm" or "okay" came from her.
When we reached the café, we ordered and started talking.
"Now, I'm thinking this is the first time we've come together for snacks, right?" I started my plan, created after talking with Luna.
"Yes, it's the first time, so I'm a little nervous. Sorry," she said.
"Ah… don't worry. Maybe it's because it was so sudden that you're nervous," I said to ease her.
"So, what did the President and you talk about after I left?" she asked, curious.
"Ah… nothing much, just a little about studying and all," I avoided the topic to change the flow.
"What about your parents? I mean, are you all right?" I asked.
She was shocked at first, but then her nervousness changed as she smiled and said, "Everything is fine. There is nothing to worry about."
Seeing her smile, I felt maybe "President must be mistaken since her smile doesn't feel fake." We talked more, and I tried to find out about her condition, but she denied everything, insisting she was living a normal life.
Time passed. As we stood to leave and approached where our paths would separate, she asked finally,
"You two—I mean President Luna and you—seem close."
"Nah… she's just nagging me. Always bothering me, uses her power to frighten me, always threatening me," I said, complaining
Hearing that, she chuckled, and at the end, I couldn't hear what she said; I only saw her lips moving as she tried to say something. Then she left.
—
I went back to my apartment, following my usual routine. I checked on my big sister Elsa. She had just started her normal life again, beginning college and becoming normal, just like before. After that, I went back to my room.
Just like home, I heard the voices of Bell and Aisha talking, smiling and chatting.
"Ah, welcome back! Papa!" Bell rushed and jumped on me.
I almost lost my balance but managed to steady myself.
When Aisha came over, she giggled, "Oh, you're here! What do you want? Dinner, bathing, or…"
"What are you now, my wife or something? It was better when you came mysteriously, gave nonsense, and disappeared into thin air," I taunted
"If you really want that, then okay, bye," she said with a pouted face, about to disappear. I stopped her
"Wait! There is something I want to talk to you about, but after dinner, okay? So please wait until then." She saw my serious face and nodded.
We had dinner. Bell told me about what she did today, and exhausted, she soon fell asleep. I took her and laid her down in bed, then returned to where Aisha was sitting calmly, drinking her tea.
I sat in front of her. "So, umm… I just want to ask something."
"You want to know how to end the emotionally formed creatures, isn't it?" she said even before I could finish asking, which didn't surprise me—it wasn't the first time she guessed first.
"Yes, about that…" I started.
She interrupted, "Forget it. Like your friend Luna said, it is impossible to get rid of emotions once they take physical form. No matter how much you help, you can't save a person."
"There must be a way to end this, right? Something I can do to help. Please, Aisha, I want to know," I begged.
"There is nothing you can do once emotions form. They can't be taken away by others.
Well, if you really want to get rid of it, why not ask Bell for that?" she suggested, sipping her tea.
"Well, I can't risk that. I know if I wish for that, Bell can get rid of those emotions, but if the price to pay is equal, then it just means passing the burden on. If I cure Shu, those emotions might be passed to someone else—and the price of saving Aris is still yet to be paid."
"Well, you're not wrong," Aisha said.
"So please," I lowered my head and pleaded,
"Please help me. I will do anything—just tell me the answer. How can I save my friends, please, Aisha? I beg you."
She sighed.
Chin resting on her hand, she said, "You know, you're too greedy. Always asking this and that and never returning anything."
I bowed my head until she answered.
"Ok, ok,"
she said, handing me a pamphlet with a special kind of dessert cake. "You have to bring this to me. If it's okay, then tell me."
"Ok, I will," I replied.
"So, the answer is—" My heart pounded as I awaited her words.
"So, the answer is still the same. You can't do anything to the emotional forms that are created."
"What?! You said you would give me the answer, but you're saying the same thing," I complained.
"Didn't you hear what I said? I told you can't do anything, but the host of that emotion can get rid of their emotional form by accepting reality or the situation," she explained.
"What do you mean?" I asked, still confused and hoping for more explanation.
"Wait… What do you mean the host can get rid of their emotional form? Tell me…" I called after her desperately.
"Just like you had to accept your death… and yet wished to live. No one could do it for you expect yourself "
"That's all I wanted to say. I'm tired now." She yawned and vanished.
She always does that. Never tells me the full answer, only gives riddles to solve. But maybe now I understand what she said.
Even if I can't save them, I'll fight beside them until they can save themselves.