Shadow Slave

Changing Star frowned. There was a hint of surprise visible in her cold, grey eyes.

"My… goal? Isn't it obvious?"

She gestured to the slum that surrounded them and the magnificent castle towering above it.

"I'm trying to help these people. What else?"

Sunny sighed.

Then, turning his face away, he asked:

"Hey, have I ever told you about my sister?"

Nephis blinked.

"No. Why bring this up all of the sudden?"

He smiled wistfully.

"I just was reminded of her recently, so I thought I'd share. You see… our parents died when we were little. She got adopted, but I ended up on the streets. Life wasn't really sweet for me. In fact, it was nothing but unsavory and bitter. So, young as I was, I simply imagined that it was the same for her. That's why I got obsessed with the idea of finding her. I had this fantasy in my head, you know, of saving and protecting her. Becoming a family again."

Sunny grimaced.

"But how could a penniless undesirable like me find anyone? You know how the city databases are. Even if they're functional, unsealing anything requires you to be a citizen, and one of a considerable rank, too. However, I was ready to do anything to accomplish my goal. So, I saved up money. A street kid can't earn much, but even then, I saved up as much as I could."

A dark expression appeared on his face.

of credits I had earned through doing all kinds of horrid crap. And after four or five years of

He smiled.

detective who sometimes hired us nobodies to gather information for him. His services weren't cheap, but I trusted him. Or in him, at least. So I gave all my money to that guy and told him to find my sister. And you know what?

for a few moments, then asked

what happened? Did

his face, glanced

couldn't even really remember what she looked like. There was this girl, around

for a while, then continued, his voice strangely

living in it, can you imagine? Well, I guess you can. Anyway… there was even a lawn. And a window… a big window that shined light outside.

embarrassing astonishment, and

for a while. She had parents who loved her and treated her well. She had real food, and enough of it to never go hungry. She had pretty clothes and expensive textbooks. She even had cute younger siblings. They were all smiling, laughing,

looked at him

what did you

he remembered how he just stood there, watching those happy people. How he looked down at his own frail body, his dirty

that she… she never really needed him. She probably didn't even remember that he existed. More than

and rainy night, while Sunny was standing in the shadows,

kind of situation he would find himself in after this, nothing would really

time, he slowly backed

showing the first

the rest

unpleasant memories, Sunny

done. I turned around and went away. Do

slowly shook her

finding its

need his saving. So please tell me, Neph, why is it that you, with all your intelligence and clarity,

deep frown

lied about my intention to help