Work Text:
A lot had happened in the last three months since Suzu—Belle, pop star of the virtual world U—exposed the elusive truth everyone on U had been asking: Who was the Dragon? Why was he always covered in bruises? And why was he so angry?
It was mostly luck that she and her friends had discovered Kei’s identity—or where he lived. Or maybe Suzu had simply found the courage to do what her late mother had done: risk her life for someone else.
However, in the age of social media, things quickly spiraled in both expected and unexpected ways. The predicted part was that the story went instantly viral after the live stream video footage was uploaded, showing Suzu protecting Kei and his brother.
Suzu had been trying to sleep, but her phone kept buzzing with repeated notifications from U. “Not again,” she groaned, rubbing the bags under her eyes as she picked it up. As she scrolled through the comments, exhaustion weighed heavy on her mind.
“Suzu, are you okay?” her father’s voice came from the doorway. He spoke calmly, but his eyes betrayed how he truly felt. He knew how depressed Suzu had been before all this—how she had spent so long struggling just to find her voice again.
Now, seeing her buried under overwhelming anxiety, forced to navigate attention she never asked for, only deepened his worry. She didn’t need this, not after everything.
Suzu wished people would stop calling her a hero. Like her mother, she did what she did because it was the right thing to do—not because she was trying to be a hero. Like her mother, Suzu had a loving heart—that, more than anything, had driven her to save Kei and his brother.
Real heroes were the ones who did the right thing—not for glory or attention, but simply because it was right.
With a sigh, she turned off her phone for the day and looked at her father. “It’s been three months, Dad. Why can’t they leave me alone? Kei’s father is already in prison. Kei and his brother are in protective custody until their grandparents can come back from America. So why are people still hounding both of us?”
Her father sat on the edge of her bed, taking her hand in his. “People will always have mixed opinions and want answers. Some probably feel bad for the boys. Others are shocked—supporting Justin on U, only to find out he was the real monster. And some… they might be in denial. They’ve never been in a situation like this and think it’s as simple as calling the police and having everything fixed.
“But life—and the system—is much more complicated than that. No one has all the answers. All we can do is make sure abuse and violence aren’t silenced. That we stand up for those who can’t speak. You used your voice to tell the truth, Suzu. That’s something to be proud of.”
Suzu looked down for a moment, then gave him a small smile. “I am proud, Dad. And I think... I finally understand Mom’s choice now. I’m not angry at her anymore. She died doing something selfless, and I was willing to do the same. I guess I really am my mother’s daughter.”
Her father leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Please, don’t let social media nightmares get to you. It’ll die down sooner or later. In the meantime, focus on yourself. Take a walk. Sing because it makes you happy. Enjoy life. Find peace in the simple things.”
Suzu nodded. “Thanks, Dad. There’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time… and I think it’s finally time.”
She got dressed and headed to the flower shop, buying a large bouquet of her mother’s favorite flowers. Then, with steady steps, she made her way to the place where her mother had made her final, selfless choice.
Taking a deep breath, she began to sing—the first song she and her mother had ever written together. Her voice was steady, carrying through the air like a quiet prayer.
“Mother, thank you for helping me understand the meaning of love and sacrifice. Your voice lives within me, and I’ll never forget that you are my song. Rest in peace, Mom. I love you.”
One by one, she let the flowers float down the river, watching as the petals danced along the water’s surface. A deep warmth spread through her chest, like an unseen embrace wrapping around her. She knew—her mother was proud.
And at last, Suzu had found peace.