I hurried into my room, pushing the door open. Bell and Aisha both turned to me with shocked expressions. They weren't used to seeing me return so early—I usually came back late into the night.
"Papa! You're home!" Bell's face lit up as she rushed to hug me.
But I barely responded. My head was already somewhere else, my hands scrambling to pack what I needed for the trip to Shu's school.
"Papa..." Bell's voice trembled with hesitation, but I didn't notice.
"Hey!" Aisha suddenly stepped in front of me, her sharp eyes locking onto mine. "Bell is trying to talk to you. Don't you think it's rude to ignore her?"
Only then did I realize Bell had been standing silently, her tiny figure sulking, lips pressed into a pout. Guilt hit me like a stone.
I knelt down in front of her.
"Sorry, Bell. I have to go somewhere important right now. If I don't leave, I'll be late. But don't worry—I'll be back, and when I return, I'll bring you something tasty."
"I don't want it." Her pout only deepened, anger flickering in her eyes.
"Why not? You don't like pudding? Or cake?" I offered with a weak smile, but she only turned her face away—towards Aisha.
Then I followed
"Why are you looking at me?" Aisha sighed, folding her arms. "Isn't it obvious? For days now you've been too busy. You come home late, don't play with her, and barely listen when she talks. Of course she's angry with you."
Her words stung because they were true. Ever since Shu and Zen entered the picture, I hadn't given Bell the attention she deserved. She wasn't lonely thanks to Aisha, but still... I had been failing my bell.
I straightened up suddenly, making a decision.
"Bell, get ready. We're going on a trip."
Her round eyes widened. "A trip? To America? Italy?" She listed the faraway places she often saw on TV, sparks of hope lighting her imagination.
I chuckled softly. "Not that far. Somewhere closer to nature—the countryside."
"Yay! Big Sis Aisha, you're coming too, right?" Bell turned happily.
But Aisha shook her head. "No. I was only waiting here until White returned. Now that he's here... I have my own business to take care of. Bye-bye." With a flash of light, she vanished into thin air.
Soon, Bell and I were on a train. It was her first time, and she pressed her face eagerly against the window, fascinated by the rushing scenery. I, meanwhile, scribbled notes on a piece of paper, planning what I needed to do once we arrived. From the station, we took a bus and eventually reached our destination: Shu's school.
Or rather, where it used to be.
The building was silent, swallowed by wild grass and trees. The air was heavy with abandonment.
"The school... it's gone?" I muttered, stunned.
The locals told me it had shut down two years ago—the very year Shu had graduated. Students had been transferred elsewhere, and nothing remained. My lead... gone in an instant.
Defeated, I wandered the area, asking around for any clue. That was when I found a small purse lying abandoned near the path. Curious, I checked inside for identification.
To my surprise, it contained a photograph of a middle school graduating class. My eyes immediately caught Shu's face, surrounded by other students. My pulse quickened. A lead, at last.
There was also a mobile phone inside. And just as I held it, the phone rang.
I answered.
"Hello?...
"Hello, sorry, but that mobile is mine. Could you please return it?" A gentle female voice came through.
"Yes. Just tell me where to meet," I replied.
"Please wait at the police station nearby. I'll come there. Thank you."
The call ended.
Bell and I made our way to the station. She was restless but chatty, while I kept turning over the small photo in my hand. A few police officers kept glancing strangely at us, but before long, a girl approached.
She had short brown hair, warm brown eyes, and an anxious expression.
"Um... excuse me. Are you the one who found my purse?"
"Yes," I replied, holding it out. "I found it near the old school grounds."
Her shoulders relaxed with relief. "Thank you so much. I was so worried. I should introduce myself—my name is Saki."
"White," I introduced myself in turn.
"Actually... if you don't mind, may I ask something? About the school?"
She blinked curiously. "The school?"
"Yes. In your purse, I found a photo of a class. Were you a student there?"
"Well, yes," she nodded. "Why? Were you... a student too?"
"No. But a friend of mine studied there." I pulled out the graduation photo. "This girl—here. Shu. Do you remember her?"
Her expression shifted. "Shu? Are you sure you mean her and not someone else?"
"I'm sure," I insisted. "Do you know anything about her? Anything at all could help."
Saki hesitated, then sighed. "Well, since you helped me... I guess I can tell you what I remember. Shu was... unique, in her own way."
"Unique? How?"
"She excelled at everything—studies, sports, you name it. The best student our school ever had. But... she wasn't good at talking to people."
I leaned in closer. "And?"
"Honestly, she seemed like a robot sometimes—no emotions, no reactions. Because of that, a lot of students bullied her. She once asked the teachers for help, but they ignored her."
The words cut deep.
"She was bullied... and no one helped? What about her parents?"
Saki shook her head. "She didn't have parents. Shu always said they'd died in an accident. She lived with her grandmother."
"Her grandmother..." My heart pounded. "Do you know where she lives?"
"Yes. Here." Saki tore a page from her diary, scribbled down an address, and handed it to me.
"Thank you," I said sincerely, bowing slightly. With that, Bell and I parted ways with Saki, setting out again.
On the road, I mulled over everything I'd learned. Two things stood out like red flags.
First—Shu had been bullied, which explained her refusal to get close to anyone.
Second—she had distanced herself from her parents, hiding behind the story of an accident.
Her grandmother... somehow, I knew the old woman would hold the answers I needed.
Bell, exhausted from the day, had fallen asleep. I carried her gently on my back as we walked the long road. After thirty minutes, the small house finally came into view—the address Saki had given me.
And with each step, I felt I was getting closer to unlocking Shu's past.