It's okay, Lettie,I said softly. We'll find her.
She held onto me tightly.
I didn't know who her sister was.
But until we found her, I wasn't going to leave this little girl alone.
Lettie,I asked gently, do you know where you were going with your sister?
Umm… w-we were going to the mall… for shopping, she said quietly.
Okay,I nodded. Then let's go find her.
I took her to the mall and started searching. Lettie had blond hair and green eyes, so I assumed her sister might look similar.
I asked the mall security for help. They said a girl had been reported—while we were talking
Suddenly, someone ran toward us.
LETTIE!
The girl stopped in front of us, her eyes wide. Instead of hugging Lettie, she turned to the guards and shouted,
He kidnapped her!
My chest tightened.
I gently put Lettie down, handed her the candy I had bought earlier, and stepped back.
I turned to leave.
Then—
Big brother!
When I looked back, the tiny girl with teary eyes was running toward me.
Big brother, don't go!
She wrapped her arms around my legs tightly.
I crouched down in shock. Lettie… what are you doing? what's wrong?
Before I could say more, her sister rushed over, panic written all over her face.
"What did you do to my sister? she demanded. Did you drug her?
I froze. My heart pounded.
I gently lifted Lettie into my arms and said calmly, Please ask your little sister what happened.
I was about to hand Lettie over, but she refused to let go of me.
Big brother, don't leave me, she cried.
I softly patted her head. Don't worry, Lettie.
Slowly, her sister understood the situation. Her expression changed, and after a moment, she askedd me quietly,
Could you… come with us?
I looked down at Lettie. How about it?
She nodded with a sweet voice. Okay.
I never imagined how warm it would feel to have a little sister—even for a moment. She was incredibly cute.
Later, as we walked to her house, Lettie cried a lot in my arms.
So eventually, she fell asleep. As we walked, her sister asked what had happened. I told her everything—from the moment I found Lettie to the misunderstanding at the mall.
She suddenly stopped, and bowed deeply.
I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.
I stepped closer crouched down slightly, and met her sparkling emerald-green eyes.
It's no problem,I said with a small smi tole.
She froze.
I stood up and lightly tapped her shoulder. Hey.
She straightened up quickly. "Th-thank you…?
I hesitated for a moment, then said, Oh—my name is Aiden Tsuki.
She let out a small laugh. Yeah, haha…? Thank you, Tsuki.
I softly chuckled. "Yeah… right.
I hadn't asked for her name, but she turned back and said,
My name is Elise Parker.
She smiled—gentle and beautiful, almost angelic.
And for some reason, my heart tingled. I didn't notice at first, but my cheeks had turned red. Ms. Parker noticed immediately.
Do you have a fever? she asked.
I flustered. N-no… I-I'm okay.
She didn't wait for my answer. She suddenly placed her hand on my forehead, checking my temperature.
The moment she touched me, my face grew even hotter.
I think you have a slight fever,she said calmly.
N-no, Ms. Parker, I'm really fine, I insisted.
She didn't believe me. Ardi, bend down a little.
I froze. W-what did you just call me?
Ardi, she said, without hesitation.
My heart skipped.
I bent down. She checked my temperature again—this time by touching her forehead gently against mine.
I think you really do have a fever, she said softly.
I couldn't move. My mind went completely blank.
Ardi, are you coming? she asked.
Y-yeah… coming,I replied. The nickname caught me off guard, the same one Hana used to call me.
We finally reached her floor.
And that's when I realized—
Her apartment was just one floor above mine.
We were in the same apartment building…!