The little boy gasped for breath.
"Don't tell anyone I was here."
Xiao Xiao held out his little finger.
"Shall we make a pinky promise?"
The little boy instinctively held out his little finger.
Xiao Xiao hooked his little finger around the boy's.
"Cross my heart and hope to die..."
Xiao Xiao lightly tapped the boy's thumb with his own.
"Don't you dare break it."
"All right."
Xiao Xiao drew back his hand.
"You promised me."
"Make sure you keep your word."
Huh...
The little boy, who had made a promise without really understanding how, looked a little dazed.
"They're here."
Xiao Xiao winked at the little boy.
"Goodbye."
Xiao Xiao turned around.
Before long, he had disappeared from the little boy's sight.
"Hey..."
Only after the big brother's back had vanished did the little boy seem to come to his senses and reach out to call after him.
"We found them!"
"Both children are here!"
The little boy turned his head in confusion.
The familiar uniforms let him quickly recognize the people before him.
The firefighters...
First, the firefighters lifted the little girl into their arms.
Then they picked up the little boy.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Firefighter Uncle smiled down at the little boy.
What they had seen was the little boy protecting the unconscious girl.
"What a brave child."
"You're safe now."
As he comforted the child in his arms, the firefighter swiftly retraced his steps.
"We'll be out soon."
"Your mom is waiting outside..."
"Ah!"
The little boy abruptly pulled his hand back.
As Firefighter Uncle passed him through the window, the little boy unconsciously reached out and touched the flames burning nearby.
He'd been burned.
It hurt so much!
Tears immediately