Chapter 4. Feb 14
Sprawled across the floor with nothing but a thin blanket that doubled as both cover and bedding, Shin snored softly, exhaustion etched into his sleeping face. Nearby, Suzune and Elena sat in silence, eyes flicking between each other and the CCTV monitors as they took turns watching for any signs of danger.
It was already morning, though the sun barely entered their hidden room which did not even have fresh air in it.
"Shin is strong," Elena murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I envy him. He's adjusted so quickly... Always putting us first, even if it means staying up all night searching for food. Knowing he could die out there at any moment."
Suzune offered a soft, proud smile. "My sweet boy's always been like that. Resilient." Her eyes grew distant as she looked down. "Even after his parents died in a car accident when he was just ten, he never let it break him. He moved in with me and my husband out here in Okutama. Coming from a big city like Tokyo, I thought he'd struggle to adapt, but he never complained."
Elena's eyes widened slightly. "He lost his parents that young...?"
Suzune nodded gently.
Elena looked down, her fingers tightening slightly. "Then... we're the same. My mom died of cancer when I was a kid. I've spent my whole life wondering what a mother's love feels like. I used to curse the world for taking her away. My dad was all I had left... I just hope, like Shin said, he's still alive somewhere."
Before Suzune could respond, Shin stirred suddenly in his sleep. He let out a soft whimper, his body twitching, then jolted upright, gasping as though he'd just escaped a nightmare.
"Shin!" Suzune rushed to his side, sitting beside him. She placed a wrinkled hand on his forehead which was hot with fever.
His entire body trembled as he looked at her, panic still clinging to his wide eyes.
"Granny... y-you're alive!" he breathed, then collapsed into her arms.