Chapter 1: He’s Back
The sun blazed down on New York in the heat of July.
Amid the bustling crowd, a lean young man stood silently, staring at the city that felt both familiar and foreign.
"Fifteen years," he murmured. "I'm finally back. I wonder how my seven sisters are doing."
His name was John—an orphan raised in a welfare home. Though he shared no blood ties with them, the seven girls he grew up with treated him like true family.
Their favorite childhood game was playing house. One by one, they had solemnly promised to marry him when they grew up.
John had only been five years old then. In a childish voice full of sincerity, he reminded them, "We're not three or four anymore. We have to keep our word."
His sisters laughed, but they took it seriously. They all made pinky promises and swore never to go back on their word.
John lived every day with excitement for the future—until a fire shattered his world.
The blaze engulfed their home. His sisters could have escaped, but when they heard John was trapped, they ran back inside without hesitation.
They were soon surrounded by flames.
John had been terrified, crying and choking on smoke. Even then, his eldest sister held him close, whispering words of comfort.