Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Stay by My Side Instead of Her
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"Just so-so."
A hoarse voice echoed through the dark room.
It was like a voice swaying precariously in the mist.
Tail froze.
It was the first time the child had spoken.
'Progress is showing.'
Even just one word, but the fact that the child had spoken carried immense significance.
It meant she was attempting, even if just a little, to communicate with him.
And it meant she was gradually allowing others into her space.
Tail smiled happily.
"If you eat something sweet, you'll feel even better."
Tail pulled out a red bean bun, wrapped it in tissue paper, and placed it in front of the basket.
With a strangely buoyant mood, Tail flashed a bright smile and said,
"You deserve it, Miss."
For some reason, it felt like another miracle was about to happen.
But Cecilia showed no reaction.
It was as if they had gone right back to square one.
Still, Tail didn't give up.
'At least I heard her voice today. That's enough.'
The first time is the hardest. The second and third come easier.
Tail rose to his feet and said,
"I'll head out for today."
As he slowly made his way out, Tail offered his usual farewell.
"Sweet dreams, Miss."
Click.
The door shut.
Silence filled the room once more, just as it had been before Tail arrived.
In the dark room, Cecilia wriggled under the covers.
Two skinny white legs slid down from the bed.
The soles of her feet met the unfamiliar flat texture of the floor.
Cecilia wiggled her toes for a moment before slowly sitting up.
Then, one step at a time, she walked over to the tent flap.
She came to a stop in front of the shoe cabinet.
There on the floor sat a single red bean bun wrapped in tissue paper.
Cecilia reached down and picked up the solitary bun.
"Cecil deserves to be happy."
Those were the words her one and only brother—always so timid and hating loneliness—had said to her.
She had loved those magical words more than anything.
Hearing them made her feel like happiness was truly possible.
'And to think I'd hear them again.'
Cecilia took a bite of the red bean bun.
The sweet red bean flavor flooded her mouth.
Cecilia paused right there and took another bite.
It was the kind of sweet taste her brother—who no longer existed in this world—would have adored.
Tail visited Cecilia without fail, every single day.
Rain or shine. Even through major typhoons.
On sweltering days. Even when swamped with work.
For three full months, Tail never once missed a visit to Cecilia's tent.
Maybe it was because he came every day.
Over those three not-insubstantial months, Cecilia had changed a great deal.
The room was still dark, and she still wouldn't look people in the eye properly, but now she no longer chased him out upon entry.
Even better, he could sit nearby—if only briefly.
And short conversations were possible too.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
A far cry from those early days when she'd eject him wordlessly.
Today, as always, Tail clocked in and plopped down on the sofa.
He turned to Cecilia, who was perched precariously on the sofa's edge, as if she might tumble off at any moment.
"Cecilia, how was your day?"
Cecilia, silent up to that point, fidgeted before parting her lips.
"...Just so-so."
A small, feeble voice.
Tail grinned, satisfied, and held out the basket of red bean buns he'd brought.
"Freshly made red bean buns. Want one?"
The reply came faster than expected.
"Yeah."
A bony white hand shot out from the darkness, snatching a red bean bun from the basket.
Tail furrowed his brow slightly at the arm so gaunt it raised suspicions of starvation.
'Still hasn't put on any weight.'
Well, she only ate the red bean buns he brought—nothing else.
In a way, the fact that she ate those was a silver lining amid the misfortune.
Tail gazed at Cecilia, his eyes now accustomed to the inky blackness.
Cecilia stuffing her cheeks full with the bun was downright adorable.
Tail found himself smiling unconsciously at the sight of her clutching the bun in both hands and nibbling away.
If he had a daughter for a patient, it'd probably feel just like this.
Lost in the thought, Tail reached out without realizing and stroked Cecilia's head.
Freeze.
Cecilia halted mid-bite.
She looked utterly rigid from the sudden touch.
'Oh no!'
Tail screamed inwardly.
She was hyper-vigilant about anyone invading her space.
And now he'd suddenly touched her?
'I'm done for.'
She'd no doubt scream at him to get out.
'Things were going so well, and I blow it like this!'
Tail went pale and yanked his hand back.
He had no defense if she booted him out right then.
"I'm sorry. It was reflexive..."
He apologized in a rush, but oddly, Cecilia didn't react.
No telling if she was shocked or flustered—she was just frozen solid.
Since no order to leave came, he waited, and a tiny voice crept out.
"...It's okay."
"Pardon?"
"...You can touch my head."
The voice was minuscule, but Tail heard it crystal clear.
At her shy permission, Tail grinned and laid his hand on her head again.
He gently stroked the child's frizzy locks.
Dry, brittle strands slipped between his fingers.
The unfamiliar sensation on her scalp felt awkward; Cecilia halted her bun-holding hand midair.
She sneaked a glance at Tail, their eyes met, and she jolted, ducking her head.
It was like a startled squirrel, drawing a chuckle from Tail.
Cecilia, motionless for a beat, hesitantly spoke up.
"...That's enough. Go."
Her voice sounded more subdued than usual.
'Guess that's our limit for today.'
Still, not bad at all.
Tail stood and said to Cecilia,
"I'll come by again tomorrow. Sweet dreams, Miss."
He carefully shut the door on his way out.
Click.
Once the door sealed shut and darkness swallowed the room, Cecilia lifted her head slightly.
Her face was flushed red.
Cecilia raised a trembling hand to her crown and touched it.
She felt the dry, lusterless hair.
Yet somehow, Tail's gentle touch seemed to linger.
* * *
The next day.
As the sun dipped low around 6 p.m., Tail headed to Cecilia's tent like clockwork.
His steps felt lighter than usual.
'What should we talk about today?'
He was thrilled at Cecilia's gradual progress lately.
Of course, part of it was seeing his patient improve.
But also,
'Jackpot. Nail this, and the Cecilia donation rolls in.'
The donation was a huge motivator.
A whopping 100,000 crowns.
100,000 crowns!
Sure, he'd split it with the monastery, but half was still half.
'Money's always better in abundance.'
Tail hummed cheerfully as he reached Cecilia's tent.
The instant he raised his hand to knock,
"Tail."
A familiar voice called his name.
He turned to see vibrant golden hair first.
Then deep, intelligent blue eyes gleaming sharply.
Snow-white skin, rosy cheeks.
Plump, red lips.
Tail recognized her and smiled.
"Ah, Chloe."
It was Chloe.
A Chloe brimming with a sulky, wounded expression.
She spoke peevishly.
"Off to see Cecilia again today?"
Tail nodded at Chloe's question.
"Gotta go today too."
'With that donation on the line.'
He skipped the unspoken part in his reply, and Chloe's face shifted subtly.
Her eyes waveredly as she muttered,
"I'm gonna get stolen away..."
Whoosh!
Wind whipped up the moment Chloe spoke.
"Pardon? What was that?"
Not catching her faint whisper, Tail asked back, but Chloe stayed silent.
She fidgeted with her fingers before reaching out, resolute.
Grasping Tail's collar lightly, she pleaded with desperate eyes.
"...Don't go."
"Huh?"
Don't go?
To Cecilia?
Why?
"Cecilia won't come out anyway."
Tail shot her a puzzled look.
Cecilia had already shown tons of positive changes.
Yet Chloe was so sure she wouldn't emerge?
Chloe hesitated, then said reluctantly,
"Cecilia lost the person she treasured most."
"What do you—"
"She won't come out unless that person returns."
Chloe clammed up after that.
She flashed an awkward smile to gloss over it.
"No, that wasn't what I meant..."
Her eyes shookly.
Only wind whistled between Chloe and Tail.
Then Chloe hesitantly spoke.
"...Stay by my side instead of her."