Chapter Text
On a scorching summer day with clear blue skies, a solitary tree stood tall on a small hill surrounded by short grass, as if it were the only thing occupying the space. Two people were sitting back to back in the dark shade of the tree, their expressions unseen. Despite it being summertime, there was a cold atmosphere in the air, devoid of the enthusiastic songs of cicadas or the chirping of birds that usually filled the area. Even the wind felt oppressive, like a reminder of yesterday's gloom.
"Mission accomplished. Thank you for your cooperation. We will meet again in nine days. Dismissed." A mysterious figure dressed in a black coat made the announcement, addressing the group of acquaintances who seemed more like business partners than close friends.
"Mate, want to go for tea?" A man wearing a flowered hat leaned in and casually draped his arm over the other man's shoulder.
"Nah, not interested. Last time I went with you, I lost everything I had. Go ahead and enjoy yourself." The man, who had a beard, lit a cigarette, waved his hand and headed towards a nearby bus stop.
"Last time was an accident. I promise I won't get you into any trouble this time." As they chatted, the two men turned the corner and disappeared from sight, leaving behind only a black-clad person and a white-haired man fiddling with his earphones.
When the man in black was about to take a step forward, a voice stopped him. "Wait..."
"What's wrong?" the man in black asked.
The white-haired man seemed to have something to say, but his mouth froze and his throat rolled as if he was trying to swallow his words. The tip of the iceberg in the sea was sinking again.
"It's nothing," he said. The man turned and walked in the opposite direction. The human shape twisted in the scorching hot asphalt under the summer sun. I looked at the black figure and didn't know how to react, so I could only silently watch him gradually go away alone.
Maybe he was used to walking alone like this. Everyone had someone to accompany them on the way home, except him. Was he afraid of loneliness? The truth was a mixture of truth and lies. He joked that he was afraid of loneliness, but of course he was invincible. At least that's what the people who had half-faced exchanges with him thought.
He believed he had to be invincible. It was his nature, a gift from God. Cowardice and prayer were not his style. But even he had times when he snuggled up in someone's arms and basked in love, once in someone's arms and once when his mother was still alive.
Satoru and I have been working together for many years, but I rarely hear any stories from his past. Several years ago, because of work, I met Satoru's aunt. From her, I learned some things, but I think he must have let go of those things by now. He had a face that was distant from strangers since he was a child, but his mother always called him by his nickname - "Little Sun."
Yes, Little Sun was his nickname, given by his mother, a name that may not match his white hair. Despite Satoru's objection to this name, his mother still used it. Satoru's nanny had also suggested using the name Little Star, but his father felt the connotation was not good. How could the brightness of a star compare to that of the sun? How could the Three-Family clan be accompanied by other clans? Although his father did not call him by his nickname, he did not object either. His father believed that with focus and Satoru's talents, he would eventually become the shining sun of the curse world that illuminated the world. At that time, all the clans would respect him. For Satoru's mother, Satoru was her warm little sun. So, except for his mother, no one else called him by that name.