SAI SHINU
"Hey, calm down," my colleague said in my head.
Namae held my hand gently and asked, "Do you know anything about her?"
I'd told her a mix of truth and lies about Yuri — just enough to keep the conversation going without revealing everything.
"No, I don't," I said quietly, "but I saw a wanted poster on the road below. That's why I asked."
She smiled softly. "Okay, that's fine."
Then she looked at me with a seriousness I wasn't ready for. "Your mother was a good woman," she said.
Her words caught me off guard.
I stared into her eyes, trying to look neutral, but I stayed silent. Deep down I knew I was about to hear things I didn't want to. My heart felt like it was tightening, but Hanae's hand on mine grounded me just enough to stay still.
NAMAE ISAMU
I took a deep breath and began, steadying my voice. "I remember the day your mother came here. She was a prisoner. At that moment, I didn't know the reason. Even now… I'm not sure.
"I was at the entrance and saw her with my own eyes."
It had been strange. Most prisoners came in groups. She was completely alone, surrounded by five men. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she made no sound.
"I tried to learn why she was locked up, but no one answered. The day after, I was assigned to a post near the prison," I continued. My throat tightened. "It was strange… all the cages were empty except one. The one that held your mother."
I shivered at the memory. "I approached her cage, and she muttered only one thing, over and over: 'My son… my son… my son…'"
I froze at first, unsure how to help, but then I stepped closer, trying to offer comfort.
Her voice cracked as she whispered, "'PLEASE HELP ME… please, my son…'"
I could still hear it now, clear as if it were happening again.
"I brought her food and water. Slowly, she became stronger physically, but her eyes… her eyes were empty. Broken. We talked. She told me everything she could remember, how she ended up there, and finally, she shared your name: 'Sai Shinu.'
"I begged my father to release her, but nothing changed. The only thing I could promise her was that I would find you someday."
Weeks passed. We got to know each other. We talked as friends, sharing small stories to fill the silence, trying to bring a spark of hope to that dark place.
"And then, eventually, I found you… or rather, you found me. But it was already too late to keep my promise to her."
A tear slipped from my eye and landed on my hand. I looked up at him. His dark eyes met mine — alive, but trembling.
I reached out and placed my hand gently on his cheek, wiping away the single tear I saw.
SAI SHINU
I covered my face with my hands. "I'm sorry. Just give me a moment."
I stood there like a statue, frozen, lost in memories I couldn't escape.
Namae stepped closer, placing herself directly in front of me. She took my hands in hers, warm despite the chill in the air, and pulled me gently forward.
Then, without a word, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me tightly.
Her voice was a whisper against my ear.
"Don't move."