Even the boy felt a little afraid to breathe...
He was afraid that the slightest movement might shatter this dream that was far too beautiful to be real.
"Hey."
"Xuanxuan."
The old woman returning from grocery shopping greeted the boy.
"Off to school?"
"Mm."
The boy abruptly snapped out of his thoughts.
He was a little startled.
He gave the old woman a polite nod, though he looked somewhat flustered.
"I'm off."
Before he could finish speaking, the boy had already run past her.
Like a nimble little deer.
He was out of sight in no time.
The old woman paused, slightly taken aback.
Then she smiled and shook her head.
A sigh slipped from her throat.
"Poor child..."
The old woman murmured under her breath.
It was plain to see that the boy wasn't as lively as he used to be.
Though he had never been particularly outgoing before,
he still seemed different now.
These days, he seemed... more preoccupied.
And the boy's eyes just now...
They looked a little swollen.
Had he been crying?
The boy ran out of the apartment building.
He didn't stop.
He only slowed down after running out of the residential complex where he lived.
"Huff... huff..."
The boy's chest heaved.
He was breathing quite loudly.
But after running like that and letting the cold morning breeze blow over his head, he felt much calmer.
Some feelings slowly surfaced, belatedly.
Mom was back...
His old Mom was back...
Mom had made him a hearty breakfast...
Instead of the bread and milk he'd been eating for so many days in a row lately...
Sometimes there wasn't even any milk.
Just plain water.
Mom had even helped him put on his backpack.
He'd thought Mom would never help him with