Inside a lavish, modern manor tucked down an alleyway, a small figure ran, finally stopping in front of a bedroom door. She rattled the knob and pounded on the wood, crying out at the top of her lungs: "Sister, come on—get up! Mother and Father have been waiting for us in the parlor for ages."
The door didn't open. A feminine voice answered from inside: "Wait a little, Xian. I just need to put a bit of makeup on. Wait quietly."
Little Xian blew out her cheeks, clenched her fists so hard her knuckles went white, and kicked the floor in anger. A few crystal-clear tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Just as they were about to fall, a warm hand landed on her head. She looked up; a happy smile spread across her face—then she frowned and said, "Why did you touch my head without asking? What were you trying to do? Did you put something on me—Aether?"
Aether smiled at his younger sister and whispered, "You're so precious when you try to be careful." He thought she looked adorable, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. He ignored Xian's earlier complaints and kept staring. Xian felt a little embarrassed by Aether unprompted stare; she had been teasing him, but when she realized Aether was still watching she froze, sure something was stuck to her face. Shyly she raised a finger toward him and stammered, "Y-you—why are you staring like that? What's on my face?"
Aether reached out and rubbed Xian's head. "Of course—there's something special about your face," he said, pausing as if awaiting her reaction.
"Is it an insect? A spider? Xian blurted.
Aether grinned softly. "How could anything be on such a beautiful, innocent face?" Xian puffed her cheeks, batting her lashes like a spoiled child. "I'm not that pretty," she protested.
Aether sat down on the floor to meet her at eye level. "Violet eyes—like Mom's. Hair black and shimmering like stars on a winter night. Your childlike features… all of it makes you the most beautiful sister in your brother's eyes."
Xian lifted her head and met Aether clear green eyes and confident smile. She whispered words so low even Aether barely heard them: "I'm sorry, brother." Then she wriggled free from his arms and ran down the corridor.
Watching her leave without another word, Aether felt a sting of sadness. "Don't be discouraged," he murmured to himself. "I'll work harder to patch up the family ties I've missed." He stared in the direction she'd gone, sighed, and turned back toward his room.
Unlike his other sisters' rooms on the second floor, Arther room was on the third—an abandoned, quiet level. As he reached the stairs he bumped into a girl who looked about seventeen, with black hair and green eyes. "Shiro—hello," he greeted.
Shiro turned her head and scowled, but let out only a noncommittal hum. Aether took that as a greeting and rushed on: "So, how are you? What are you doing? Are you coming with the others to the garden?"
Shiro replied coldly, "You ask too many questions," then returned to her phone without bothering to watch Arther expression. He lowered his head, feeling slightly hurt. "Alright, I understand," he said.
Shiro didn't look up; she was typing furiously on her phone. Aether, not one to wait for an answer, climbed the stairs and murmured, "Sorry to bother you," before continuing up.
Seeing him go, a small pang of regret crossed Shiro's face. Had she been too harsh? She slapped the thought away and reminded herself: he's irritating and always trying to look good in front of us, but secretly he hurts people. If Mom hadn't found the scars on Van body, but Van still insisted to not to make a fuss about those things and he'd said he didn't want to cause trouble for his newly returned brother and was willing to leave if that made things easier. In the end, Aether was cunning and sly; she mustn't pity him.
Shiro shoved her phone into her pocket and headed down the corridor toward her room.
On the third floor, in the last room, Aether scribbled in a notebook, sorrow painted on his features. The sadness flipped to hope; he put the pen down, lay back on the bed, hugged the book to his chest, and soon fell asleep.
Downstairs, a beautiful woman with gleaming violet eyes and pale lavender hair stared at a smaller figure and asked gently, "Shiro, are you sure you don't want to come with us tonight?"
Shiro nodded. "Yes, Mother. I have other plans."
The woman smiled tenderly, stroked Shiro's cheek, and, as her fingertip traced Shiro's skin, spoke softly: "I understand, my daughter. You're growing up and seeking independence, just like your older sisters. I can't stop you—this is your life, not mine."
She paused, sadness shadowing her tone; Shiro felt her mother's grief. Before Shiro could comfort her, her mother continued: "Do what you wish, Shiro, but be careful. Also… may I ask a favor?"
Shiro looked up. "Yes, Mother?"
"Take Aether with you when you go out."
Shiro was startled. "Why, Mother? He—he—" She wanted to say he caused trouble and only cared for himself, but her mother cut her off calmly: "I've told you before: you are of a noble family. You have qualities others don't. One of the most important is your understanding of this law: trust only your mind and your eyes."
"I know that, Mother, but—" Shiro began.
Her mother interrupted again: "But you must realize Aether is also a member of the Lin family, even if he doesn't see it yet. The blood in his veins ties him to us. He is your brother. From the beginning to the end, the Lin family has Aether. Aether can exist without the Lin family—but the Lin family cannot continue without him."
Shiro was bewildered. "Mother, what do you mean?"
Her mother released Shiro's chin and stood straighter. "You won't understand this now. Treat it as a joke for the time being. Still—please, Shiro—try to be kinder to him." Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if someone else might overhear.
Shiro, despite herself, grew curious about the reason behind her mother's plea, but she quelled that curiosity and finally said, "Alright, Mother. I promise."
Her mother smiled, ruffling Shiro's hair. "Thank you, my dear. I'll remember this."
Shiro gave a small nod. "Yes, Mother."
They left the house; the growl of a sports car engine followed as they drove off.
Shiro watched the car fade from the window and ran a hand through her hair. "This is odd and annoying, but I promised Mother," she muttered. "Fine—I'll treat him a little better than before." She walked up to the third floor and thought aloud, "Okay—I won't go tell him myself. If he's awake before three, I'll take him; if not, I won't. That way I won't break my promise."
She headed to her large room, switched on the air conditioner, and flopped onto the luxurious bed. After dozing for a while, her phone's ringtone jerked her awake. Seeing the caller and the time, she woke up. "Damn, it's time already," she cursed, and answered.
A breathless voice came through: "Ah—Shiro! Where are you?"
Shiro, surprised by the urgency, replied, "Yufi, I'll get ready and arrive soon."
"Okay, Shiro. We'll meet at the party," Yufi said, and hung up.
Shiro changed into a gleaming green dress, grabbed an elegant handbag, and left at once. In the courtyard she spotted Aether crouched by the small rose garden, scribbling in a shabby notebook. He smiled and waved but didn't approach.
Shiro thought to herself: maybe I was too harsh this morning. She clenched her teeth and marched over. "Listen—wear your best clothes and tell John to take you to the La Shia Hotel," she ordered, not waiting to see his reaction. She walked toward her car; its engine roared, and she sped off.
Aether nearly floated on air in the family courtyard. "My sister invited me to go with her—I'm so excited!" he muttered, then dashed to his room to find suitable clothes.
—Half an hour later at La Shia Hotel—
In the ballroom Shiro sat on a couch with three pretty girls. The girl with the flashy outfit and blonde hair kept a hand casually on Shiro's shoulder and exchanged sly glances with the other girls. Suddenly she asked, "So, Shiro, have you found a boyfriend yet?"
Shiro, oblivious to her friend's malice, answered honestly: "No. Not the right person yet."
Yufi smiled craftily and gave a secret signal to her green-haired friend, who then asked bluntly, "So, Shiro—are you a virgin?"
Shiro's cheeks flushed. "I don't like to talk about that."
The girl who pushed the question smiled falsly and said, "Sorry, I'm just curious."
Yufi laughed "Sony, stop embarrassing Shiro—she clearly isn't the kind of woman who sleeps with every handsome man she sees."
Shiro choked on her drink and started coughing while Sony laughed. "hehe what is it darling are you shy" she giggled.
Yufi changed the subject. "Have you heard about Yuka Cosmetics' new product?"
Suddenly all the girls were interested, including Shiro; they dived into the conversation. After a few minutes Yufi said, "I'll be right back, girls, okay?" The others nodded.
Yufi exited the ballroom and left the hotel. Outside she met a fat man with yellow, nasty teeth—Yi Shi. Yufi threw herself into his arms, swaying her hips as she pressed against him, letting her breasts brush his arm. Yi Shi smiled and slapped Yufi's ass. "After what you do for me tonight, I'll take you—make you pregnant, and make you can't get up from the bed," he laughed.
Yufi giggled coquettishly. "Oh, Yi Shi, don't worry. That Lin girl you've been staring at—Shiro—she's already been drugged with sleeping pills mixed into wine. She'll lose consciousness soon. I'll take her to a private room under the pretense of being her friend, and then you can enjoy her however you want—break her any way you like. But you must promise me one thing."
Yi Shi licked his lips. "I know. After I'm done with her I'll get rid of her. Then you and I will leave the country to avoid the Lin family."
Yufi pressed Yi Shi between her thighs and rode him, whispering, "When you're finished, promise me you'll—" She trailed off with a suggestive moan.
Yi Shi grinned with lust. "Lin Shiro—today I'll make you a whore, sell videos of you, destroy your reputation." He laughed.
A voice called, "Lin Shiro?"
Yi Shi answered without hesitation, "Yes, that whore—" He never finished. A young gentleman collapsed to the ground; some of his yellow teeth scattered beside him. Realizing what was happening, he yelled, "Who the hell—?" before a heavy boot smashed into his face, shattering the bridge of his nose. The man didn't stop and bent down, gripped the young man by the throat, and started raining heavy punches on him. "What did you say? Speak my sister's name with your filthy mouth again!" the assailant roared.
Aether hands were bloody as he hit Yi Shi's face. Yi Shi—fat and dependent on his family's influence—had no idea how to defend himself. When he heard Aether say "my sister," the blood froze in his veins; he feared the Lin family had discovered him and that he would be killed with no one to bury him. Yufi, screaming, rushed in: "Shiro! Shiro! Your brother is beating someone for no reason—please stop him!" She was already crying.
Shiro overheard and sprang into action, shouting, "That fool—of course he'll cause trouble!" She ran toward the place where her friend pointed. Yufi, sobbing, told her, "He's in front of the hotel."
Shiro clenched her teeth and darted forward. What she saw was a sight she could never forget: Aether covered in blood, repeatedly punching a man lying on the ground.
"Aether—what are you doing?" Shiro screamed.
Aether froze and looked at her. "Shiro—this person was going to—" he began.
A slap cracked in the air. Shiro was furious. "You're making excuses for yourself! You're nothing but a filthy, low-born bastard. I should never have listened to my mother and brought savages like you here!" Another slap followed.
"From now on stay away from me. Don't you dare come within ten steps of me!" Shiro shouted, cursing. People around them watched; she either didn't notice or didn't care. She slapped Aether more than five times in anger. "Get away from me—now." He lowered his head, turned, and left.
Shiro helped Yi Shi to his feet. "I'm sorry about this bastard," she told Yufi. "When I go back home, I'll teach him a proper lesson."
Yufi, supporting her companion, replied, "It's okay, Shiro. Right, my love?" Yi Shi managed a disgusting, crooked smile—more repulsive after being beaten. "Yes, it's fine. Go back to your party. I'll go to the hotel nurse first." In his mind he seethed: Damn you, Shiro. I can't go now—the drug will take effect at any moment; I won't miss this chance. Today I'll make you scream in pain.
Shiro glared at Yufi. "I'll will give you five hundred thousand gori later."
Yufi nodded. Five hundred thousand gori—enough for a facial cosmetic surgery in noble lands, she thought. Shiro felt faint and said, "I'm dizzy—I'll go back inside, Yufi."
Yufi urged her to go. Inside the hotel, she watched Yi Shi and muttered, "The drug will kick in soon, but you need treatment, I'm afraid…" Yi Shi cut her off, "It hurts like hell, but I won't back down this time. I can heal later." Yufi nodded and said, "Then go on ahead to the room."
They entered the hotel, unaware Aether was behind a tree listening to all of it. He ground his teeth. Good thing I pretended to leave and only took nine steps… This man—I'll kill him for real this time.
Aether pulled out his old phone and called the police. After a short wait a voice answered, "Hello, this is the police."
"I'm about to commit murder. Send the police and an ambulance. For the location, follow the phone signal," Aether said.
"Hold on—think before you do anything, you idiot—" the voice began, but Aether had already hung up. He stalked toward the hotel, asking around until he found the hall.
—
In the ballroom, Shiro lay breathing fast. Her body felt feverish and unwell. She tried to think but couldn't hold a single coherent thought—paralysis spread through her limbs. Yufi leaned over her. "Shiro's asleep, everyone. I'll take her to a quieter room," she lied. No one objected; Shiro and Yufi had been friends a long time.
Shiro tried to scream that she wasn't asleep, but her mouth wouldn't move. Yufi carried her into a room meant for married couples. Shiro sensed another person in the room and pushed wildly; in response, she felt pain and blood overflow from her mouth. They laid her on the bed. Through a haze she heard someone laugh and say they'd make her feel like she was in heaven in a few moments.
She couldn't see clearly, but a door slammed open with force. There were screams and loud crying. A warm hand touched her forehead, splashing warm water on her face. Her hearing and vision blurred—the world became a jumble—but the warmth on her brow and a voice saying, "I'm sorry, sister. This time I didn't take ten steps… but next time I will…" reached her. Something heavy struck the floor near her; then everything went black.
All Shiro could think as she fell was, Aether—I'm sorry…
—
At the hospital Shiro's eyes wide open. She screamed, "Aeeeeeeeeether!" breathlessly, searching wildly as if for something. She saw tubes in her hands, monitors tracking her heartbeat. Panic flared; a flash of memory: Aether leaping from a cliff, saying, This was the last time your brother saves you. Sister… don't trust others so easily. I will finish the tenth step as you asked. Shiro clutched her head in pain, sat frozen for a long moment, and kept repeating, "He's dead… he's dead."
She tore at her long hair and wailed, "Brooooooother!" loudly.
The hospital door burst open. A woman with pale lavender hair and violet eyes—red and tear-streaked—entered. Shiro stared at her mother, unable to meet her gaze. Through the edge of the bed sheet she managed, "I'm… sorry, Mother… he—he—" Tears spilled down Shiro's cheeks.
Her mother stood wordless for a while, unable to speak. Finally, with a hollow, detached voice, she said, "I tried to deny it…but in the end… my son is already dead." The words hit Shiro like a blow. Her whole body trembled; tears came faster and louder.
"He… he… died because of me," Shiro sobbed, hiccupping between words. "I didn't even apologize to him. I killed him—it's my fault. It's my fault." She clung to her mother, who wrapped her tightly and silently wept, while Shiro screamed and grieved with all her might.
Outside Shiro's room, a beautiful young woman with black hair and purple eyes sat on the floor, silently crying. She looked very much like the older woman—clearly her daughter. Beside her, a white haired woman with red, tear-streaked eyes pounded the wall with all her strength, shouting, "Damn it! Damn it! He's really dead! It's all my fault! If only I'd taken him away from this damned family, it would have been better. Damn this family—damn it!"
The white haired girl hit the wall until her hands bled; she didn't feel the pain. The black-haired girl—Yuna—walked up from behind and hugged her. Yuna trembled. "Yuri," she said, "I swear I will destroy that family. I swear it."
Yuna was sobbing and vowing vengeance. Yuri, through broken sobs, whispered, "I wish we'd taken him with us… maybe…" She couldn't finish. Yuna said, "It's a good thing that woman drove off the other Lin family members—otherwise I'd kill them now." Yuri didn't reply, but she knew Yuna meant it. After a moment Yuna said, "Sister, let's go. There's nothing left for us here."
Yuri nodded. A glint of ferocity appeared in her normally gentle eyes. Yuna added, "Even if it costs me my life, I'll retrieve my brother's body and bury him. Then I'll water his grave with the blood of the Lin family and erect a memorial of their bones."
They left toward the hospital exit—Yuna and Yuri—while Shiro was left screaming and collapsing into her mother's arms, both of them mourning in different voices: one loud and raw, the other quiet and broken.