More often than not, people forget the small things that make a mundane day beautiful—the soft rustling of leaves, the gentle blue of the sea meeting the sand, the distant chatter of others. These are the quiet reminders of presence in this reality, the subtle moments that breathe life into the world and invite us to appreciate what we have today.
A world without such presence feels hollow—a bleak and nerve-wracking thought. Imagine a land with no trees, no ocean, no living beings—just a barren sphere drifting through space, indistinguishable from countless other lifeless celestial bodies. Perhaps that's why so many say: do not dwell on the woes of yesterday or fret over the unknowns of tomorrow. Don't envy what might have been or what could be. Simply exist in today, even if it lacks the thrill of yesterday or the promise of tomorrow. It is still something worth cherishing.
This is a truth that a young man named Shiro has come to remind himself of with every passing moment. For much of his life, he hadn't known what the world could offer. Only in recent years had he begun living the kind of quiet, ordinary days that many take for granted. Now, as the wind rustles the leaves and lifts his hair in a gentle breeze, as the taste of sea salt lingers on his tongue, and as the joyful shouts of children echo along the coast, he smiles softly to himself. Just another moment to be thankful for.
...…
" You're 15 now, aren't you, Shiro? "
The young boy found himself snapping away from last month's trip to Taketomi Island, his green eyes refocusing back onto a man in his middle ages. " Yes. " he answered curtly to which the older man, Sakurako-san, nodded.
A short silence passes between them, Shiro not having anything to say, while Sakurako-san seemed to have many things to say at once, yet hesitation is what stalled him. The boy briefly considered taking his leave in a few minutes if the silence remained unbroken, yet fortunately or unfortunately, the man spoke again.
" How was your talk with Yuki? " He asked, hopeful, but not naive of the possible disappointment to what Shiro's response may be.
Yuki was a girl that grew up from the same place as him, supposedly, she was a girl who should've experienced life's mundane days earlier than him. The beauty he'd only come to know now, a beauty she herself should have known forever. Honestly, he figured he wouldn't be able to see her again after leaving that place, but somehow her father was able to track him down and recognize him asking him to come here. Shiro only agreed because he was curious about Yuki's experiences of the world and to see how she was doing.
" She's not much of a talker. " He put it simply. He refrained from sharing his disappointment with her father. " I apologize. It seems I couldn't do what you'd hoped. " That much, he could admit.
Sakurako-san resigned himself to a sigh and instead issued his own apology. " No, thank you for coming. I should be the one apologizing for asking you to come here on short notice. It was worth a try. "
" Have you asked Kiyotaka to come visit? " It was a thought he's had ever since the request, he thought it best to ask now. " If there is anyone that could reach her, it must be him, no? " After all, it was no secret to anyone back at the institution about the not-so hidden affections the young girl fostered for that boy.
To Shiro's surprise, the older man let out a somber laugh. " Well, I thought so too. But that boy truly is heartless…" he began explaining to Shiro the highlights of how that event went down, how it seemed to be working at first, but Kiyotaka chose to make it clear that the two of them should be separated. Ruthless, logical, and efficient– that's the Kiyotaka she encountered that day. The same Kiyotaka he's known until he left.
It's a pity, Shiro thinks. It seems even after some time had passed that guy remained unchanging. Well it would've been a bigger surprise if he did.
" Then there's nothing that can be done. I guess time will have to be her aid. " Shiro said as a means to assure him. "We have a long life; I'm sure Yuki can find some happiness again down the line. It might be a lot to ask, but the only thing you can do is be patient."
Thinking this was his cue to leave, Shiro rises from his seat and grabs his bags resting by the coffee table. Going over the items and going over his mental list of the items he should have, a large palm proceeds to rest itself on his shoulder. " I suppose you're right. Perhaps she could find some happiness in the school she'll be attending from now on. "
" Yes… I suppose. " Shiro awkwardly shrugged away the man's palm. He obviously noticed, but didn't seem to mind and instead looked at him with amusement. " What about you, Shiro? What school are you enrolling to? "
" I'm not…? "
" Hm? "
" I'm not planning to enroll into a school. "
Shiro could feel the bewilderment emanating from the man's expression after hearing that. Although Shiro earlier acknowledged and appreciated the mundane things in life, that didn't mean he was going to trap himself into another bubble in a so-called " routine ". No, there was more to be explored in the world, places to see, food to taste, and sights to appreciate. Besides, academically speaking, is there really anything new that a school could teach him? The mundane things are enjoyable because he was free.
Free from obligation,
Free from training,
Free from pain,
Free to choose. That is a privilege he is not willing to throw away. Not after he's already experiencing it.
" So you plan to explore the world, I see…"
Shiro only nods, zipping up his bag after confirming everything.
" Do you have room for one more then? "
" Huh, you want to come along? Aren't you busy and stuff? Not to mention your age…"
" Okay, I'm not that old, kid. And no, I'm not even talking about me. I'm just thinking of having Yuki perhaps tag along with you. "
" What. " Shiro stares at him, blinking a few times as if to process what he just heard was correct just now. " You heard me. " He smirked, Shiro frowned.
There was a list of things that could go wrong with that scenario. Although a trip should sound relatively safe, he isn't too keen on having to essentially babysit someone as they're going through a mental recalibration after enduring a childhoods' worth of trauma. The man admitted it himself that Yuki hardly went outside, that means she didn't explore Japan like Shiro did, so why would he send his daughter to go out into an entirely different country? Isn't he skipping a few too many steps there?
" After hearing you aren't enrolled into a school, I suddenly reached an epiphany that I should've had earlier. What point is there to send Yuki to a school that would teach her things already taught? I want her to progress her life, not stay stagnant. And hearing your plan to explore is quite inspiring, it would be nice for Yuki to– "
" I'm sorry, but I don't have time to watch over her– "
" Shiro, please. She won't be trouble, I'm sure– "
" Your daughter could barely even look me in the eye! "
"....I know. " Sakurako's smile shows pain. " Honestly, I don't know what to do. As her father I only want to help her, but it's as you say, she's hurt in a way only time can fix. For the past few years I've been regretting having ever offered her to be a part of that atrocious experiment. I already failed as a father in all aspects when I signed her up for that place. "
"...."
" But… " He looks at Shiro with determined eyes. " I'm not looking for forgiveness nor anyone's pity. I simply want to make up for my mistake. I want her to grow up happy. And I feel that you, a person who knows her pain, could help her heal if not a second faster than if I were to just let her be. "
Sakurako's words were sincere, full of remorse and the desire to correct things. Shiro honestly didn't expect to feel sympathy for any adult that had their children involved in the White Room experiment, because if they truly loved them, why put them there then? There is no justification, even now, no matter how much time passes. He fails to understand why and he doesn't want to hear his reasoning. But in regards to correcting his wrongs…. Shiro could get behind that.
But still, Shiro goes over this carefully. It really would be a hassle having to watch over someone, especially when that someone is not in a good head space clearly.
She could only provide more cons than benefits. But what would a real benefit be if he were to say yes? Companionship, perhaps? He has thought of it before when wanting to explore the world. Having a partner does sound nice. Friendship is an important part of youth, hm? Although there is plenty of logic that should determine a complete rejection….
" Alright. " Shiro chooses otherwise.
" Oh, thank you so– "
" On one condition though, " Shiro smirks, crossing his arms as he begins to think about another big benefit to this idea.
" What is it? " The man was quick to respond, obviously willing to meet any of Shiro's demands at this moment. Despite more cons than benefits, this is one benefit he'd be a fool to not take advantage of.
" You'll be the one to fund all of our travel expenses. "
The man smiles.
" Deal, kid. "
...
" Where are we going? "
Finally, she speaks. Shiro thought. It's been 30 minutes since they've been stuck in traffic while on the way to the airport and not a word was exchanged between them until now.
" Do you have any places you'd like to visit? " He asked, simply out of consideration, without any real expectation of her giving an answer. Actually, the blank look she gave him already meant ' no ' in silent language. " Okay, then we're using a random generator."
Yuki looked at him questioningly as Shiro pulled out his phone and typing into a website she wasn't familiar with, but apparently it is a random generator that should–
"... You didn't plan anything at all? " Yuki said to herself in bewilderment. Though it was meant to be for herself to process, Shiro still provides an explanation. " It's more fun this way, trust me. " However vague the explanation may be, it's how he's been going around Japan domestically all this time.
There's a unique thrill in going somewhere on a whim—one that carefully planned trips can never quite capture. Nothing embodies living in the present more than spontaneous travel. With nothing but a bag packed with essentials and a mental checklist of procedures, he sets off to unfamiliar lands. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and throwing together a rough itinerary within hours—that's where the excitement lies for him.
Yuki, however, clearly doesn't share the sentiment. That's why he had been hesitant to agree to Sakurako's proposal in the first place; she might end up slowing him down. But a deal's a deal. At the very least, he wouldn't have to jump through hoops just to scrape together the money for his next trip.
His phone dings which has Shiro snap out of his thoughts, he looks down and sees the result of the generator. He grins to himself upon seeing the chosen country. There shouldn't be too much trouble in a country like this with Yuki around, right?
" Seems like we're heading to Vietnam. "
Yuki gives a quiet nod to show she's listening, but when Shiro glances at her, he notices something different—her eyes no longer hold the same light they once did when they were children. He remembers, if only briefly, a time when she was the one eager to explore the world, dreaming of adventures with everyone by her side. But he doesn't linger on the memory. Instead, he turns his attention back to the present, quickly drafting an itinerary and booking hotel rooms for their upcoming three-week stay.
He doesn't know if letting her stay beside him would help her improve like Sakurako had wished, but it didn't matter so long as he could enjoy his trips without trouble.