Revelation

"Honestly, there's nothing strange about birth, aging, illness, and death. Everyone has to go through them, so take life and death a little more lightly. It really isn't that big a deal." Lin Yingbin continued his earnest persuasion. Yet Ryuseki still showed no reaction. Outside the window, darkness had already swallowed everything. Though it was clearly midday, it looked more like dusk.

"Ryuseki, think about it. Everyone dies someday; no one can escape it. No matter what, she's already in the past. As long as we still carry her in our hearts, she'll be happy in heaven too. There's no need for you to torture yourself like this all day, unable to eat or drink. Go have something to eat. Being hungry feels awful, so go eat!"

Seeing Ryuseki sit there without saying a word, Lin Yingbin continued, "Do you know that if you keep tormenting yourself like this, Kikka You in heaven will be heartbroken to see it? Do you know that? You're always making everyone worry. Even the sensible Kikka You had to worry about you." Lin Yingbin had said so much to Ryuseki, but seeing that he remained unmoved, he finally lost his temper.

"Ryuseki, we've been friends for so many years. I don't want to see you become like this!" he shouted.

"I..." Ryuseki raised his head and looked at him, then glanced out the window. In an icy tone, he replied, "I don't want to talk to you anymore. Could you leave and let me be alone for a while?"

The wind picked up. A fierce gust suddenly rose outside the window, as though it were about to carry something away. Since the window had not been shut, the wind rushed in and blew the wilted branches in the vase on the table every which way.

"You want to be alone? Heh, you want to be alone?" Lin Yingbin paced back and forth twice before clenching his fists. "What have you gained from being alone for so long?" Lin Yingbin threw a punch straight at Ryuseki's face.

With a clatter, the wind knocked over the vase on the table, spilling water all over the floor. The last petal of the wilted flower fell as well.

"What are you doing?" Ryuseki shouted at Lin Yingbin as he rubbed his face.

Lin Yingbin shook out his hand and replied, "What? Calmed down now? She's dead, but you're still alive."

"But..." Ryuseki stopped short. His expression changed, tears welling in his eyes as he shouted emotionally, "But Kaede died because of me!"

"Because of you?" Lin Yingbin gave a cold laugh and continued, "Haven't enough people sacrificed themselves because of you already? Your mother, your father, even your older brother has kept sacrificing himself for you. Did you know that? You knew, didn't you? Then why do you only remember Kikka You? In your heart, do none of them matter as much as she does?"

"No, that's not it. You're wrong!"

After hearing Lin Yingbin's words, Ryuseki clutched his head in agony and desperately denied it.

"Then what is this? So many people died for you, sacrificed themselves for you, yet you only remember the girl you loved. What is this supposed to mean?" Lin Yingbin was nearly roaring.

"I didn't. I didn't only remember Kikka You. It's because... she... she died because of me..." Ryuseki wanted to explain, only to realize he could not explain it at all.

"Because of you? Don't you understand? If you keep going like this, more people will sacrifice themselves for you." Lin Yingbin grabbed Ryuseki by the collar.

"More?" Ryuseki looked at Lin Yingbin and asked, "What do you mean?"

Lin Yingbin raised his fist at Ryuseki. Ryuseki closed his eyes and tried to dodge, but Lin Yingbin instead pulled him into an embrace. Lin Yingbin whispered in his ear, "Haven't you noticed? Kikka You's death wasn't just a simple traffic accident."

"What are you talking about?" Ryuseki asked in confusion.

"You're really slow. Haven't you noticed the activity around us lately?" Lin Yingbin released Ryuseki and walked to the window. After drawing the curtains, he turned back and said, "There's a good chance we're being watched."

"Who could it be? Why are they watching us? What exactly do they want?" A string of questions poured from Ryuseki's mouth.

"I don't know. I'm not them, so how would I know why they're watching us? But there's one thing I'm certain of: this is probably all aimed at you, so Kikka You's death wasn't simple."

"Then how did you find out?" Ryuseki asked.

"I noticed it at the funeral that day. I've been concerned about it ever since. I haven't told Kouhi about it yet. The fewer people who know, the better. I want to investigate in secret. Maybe I'll find something."

"If this really is a conspiracy, I definitely won't let them get away with it."