Chapter Text
On the sidewalk, a mother and a young boy can be seen walking to a house with a collection of lilies on the porch. The mother rings the doorbell and waits for someone to open the door for them.
“Mummy, why are we here?” said the young boy. His mother’s eyes find his and gives him her usual smile.
“Oh darling, didn’t I tell you? We are visiting a friend of mummy’s. You will meet another boy here too!” his mother said with a cheerful voice that would always encourage him. He nods slowly before getting startled from the door suddenly opening. Standing before them, holding the doorknob, was a woman and another boy behind her legs.
“[Mother’s name], you’re finally here! It’s been a long time since I last saw you. Here come in." The woman greeted the boy’s mother before letting them in. Before the boy could even go past the door, the woman spots him and calls out to him.
“Ah Hui! You sure have grown a lot huh? The last time I saw you was when you were just a baby! I even held you in my arms.” said the woman. Hui Ming just stared at the woman in confusion, having never seen her in his entire life. Hui Ming’s mother giggles at her friend’s comment before directing her attention to the other young boy.
“Your boy has also grown a lot! He is even taller than my Ah Hui.” Hui Ming’s mother said while ruffling the boy’s hair. Hui Ming wasn’t sure why, but he felt irritated when he saw his mother giving her attention to another boy. Hui Ming’s mother turns toward him and introduces the two strangers.
“Darling, this is mummy’s friend. Call her Auntie Ming.” she says as she gestures her hand towards Auntie Ming.
“This little boy here is Ming Yu! He is the same age as you.” she said. Ming Yu smiled brightly when he heard that he was the same age as Hui Ming. He extended his right hand towards Hui Ming. Hui Ming only stared at the outstretched hand. After a few seconds of complete silence and no movement, Hui Ming’s mother spoke up.
“Hui Ming darling, Ah Ming wants to shake hands with you. Why don’t you return one to him?” said his mother. Hui Ming obliged and shook Ming Yu’s hand.
Why do I have shake his hand? Hui Ming thought and quickly returned his hand to his side. Ming Yu giggled when he finally got to shake Hui Ming’s hand and was about to go hug Hui Ming, when Hui Ming sidestep and made Ming Yu fall. Hui Ming’s mother and Auntie Ming stared at the scene in shock. It wasn’t long before Ming Yu let out a small sound of a sob and it slowly became a disaster.
Ming Yu was crying on the floor while Hui Ming just looked at him like he was something not worth his time. Auntie Ming quickly picks up Ming Yu and comforts him.
“Ah Ming, you alright? Where does it hurt, tell mummy!” As Auntie Ming continues to gush over Ming Yu, Hui Ming gets dragged over to a corner away from Ming Yu’s eyes.
“Ah Hui! Why did you do that?” She continues to nag to Hui Ming about his action just now, but he could care less about that. He could only see Ming Yu crying hysterically in Auntie Ming’s arms.
How troublesome…
They went home after what happened. Hui Ming wasn’t allowed to go out to play for a week because of what he did to Ming Yu.
When he finally was able to go out, he went to the local playground straight away. Just as he reached there, he could see the group of kids that would always terrorise every kid bullying Ming Yu who is sobbing on the ground. Hui Ming doesn’t know why, but he went in between the bullies and Ming Yu.
“Hui Ming? What are you doing!” The leader spoke to him. Hui Ming only gave him a short glance before turning around and extending a hand out to Ming Yu.
“You alright, crybaby?” Hui Ming asked. Ming Yu was baffled at this point. He hesitantly grabs onto the hand. Hui Ming pulled him up, ignoring the complaints thrown at him from the bullies. When the voices started to go up in volume, Hui Ming gave them the glare that silenced them.
“Y-you will pay for this! Let’s go!” the leader said. They bullies scurried away, leaving Hui Ming and Ming Yu behind.
“Thank you for helping me! But may I ask why did you help me there?” Ming Yu asked. Hui Ming huffed and just gave him a plain answer.
“I don’t know…” Ming Yu nodded, but was still confused. He still smiled brightly at Hui Ming and took his hand before running towards the swings.
“Well, since you’re here. Let’s go play on the swings!” Ming Yu happily chirped. Hui Ming could do nothing but get dragged away. His eyes widened when he saw how Ming Yu smiled at him.
How can you still smile so brightly after getting bullied… and I even hurt you when we first met. How…?
After ever since that day, they became friends and would play everyday at the playground.
“Ming Yu, I’ve been wanting to ask you something.” Hui Ming faced Ming Yu while swinging on the swings. Ming Yu turned to him and let out a “hm?” sound. Hui Ming inhaled and exhaled.
“How are you always able to be so positive and happy even after something bad happens to you?” Hui Ming stares into Ming Yu’s eyes, pulling Ming Yu out of his thoughts. Ming Yu only stared at him for a few seconds and smiled.
“Silly. What is there to be sad about when bad things have already passed? I think being happy is something very important because it won’t harm anyone!” Ming Yu brightly says beside Hui Ming. Hui Ming stared at him in disbelief before staring into the night sky. A shooting star passed by, reflecting it into his black obsidian eyes.
Right, being happy doesn’t harm anyone…it doesn’t. A small smile slowly crawls onto his face. He will remember this.