Young man:...
"...I asked the school for leave."
After a long silence, the young man spoke softly.
Meng Jixi:...
He crooked his lips. "Oh? Should I praise you for at least knowing to ask for leave?"
"That means it isn't skipping class, right?"
The young man didn't answer.
But his silence was as good as an admission.
Meng Jixi:...
"Do your parents know you asked for leave?"
The young man lowered his eyes and picked at the nail on one hand with the other.
He looked completely absorbed in it.
Meng Jixi smiled knowingly. "They don't, do they?"
"I don't know why you're keeping this from everyone and searching for your friend Little One all by yourself..."
The young man pressed his lips together.
Were all police officers this perceptive?
He hadn't said much at all.
But this officer seemed to know every thought in his head.
"But..."
Meng Jixi paused. "Isn't finding your friend Little One the most important thing right now?"
"Then I think you should set aside your reservations. Even if you don't want to ask the police for help, you can ask your parents, your teachers at school, or your friends and classmates."
"One more person means one more helping hand."
"I'm sure you understand that."
"Or..."
"Do you think your reservations matter more than finding your friend?"
"No!"
The young man protested vehemently.
Little One was the most important!
But...
The young man pressed his lips together.
After a long while...
"...The police and teachers can't help me..."
"You can't help me..."
"...Only I—"
The young man's murmur abruptly stopped.
He thought of someone.
"No..."
"There's someone else!"
"Big Brother..."
The young man's eyes lit up brilliantly. "Big Brother, Big Brother..."
Thinking of that magical night, anticipation filled his heart.
Big Brother was