Bente and I looked like we had come straight out of the Stone Age after spending a year in the wilderness.
We walked through the city, enjoying the sight of peace and the relaxed atmosphere.
Bente had never been off the island before, so he was amazed by every little thing.
< "I wonder what kind of leader rules over such a place?" > Bente marveled.
I just grinned and we continued on our way home, eager to reunite with the most important people in my life.
Thanks to my appearance, I wasn't recognized, which made things much easier.
Admittedly, I looked completely different, especially with my wound.
When we arrived in front of the tower, I looked up and prepared myself to see everyone again.
Bente asked me, < "Hey Jun, what are we doing in such a big building?" >
Without answering, I just walked inside until we stood in front of our door.
When we got to the door, I knocked and took a deep breath.
Nima opened the door, but upon seeing Bente and me, she went into a fighting stance and asked, < "Who are you and what do you want?" >
I didn't answer her because I was just happy to see my sister again.
She had grown quite a bit during the time I was away.
Spreading my arms wide, I said to her, < "Is that how you welcome your brother?" >
You could see the recognition on her face after I said that, and she jumped into my arms with tears in her eyes.
< "Jun, you're finally back. You idiot, do you know how much we missed you?! How could you just disappear overnight like that?" > she said, crying in my arms.
< "Forgive me, but I had to do it. But now I'm back. How is everyone else?" > I asked.
< "Tobo is at work, Bigs is handling Lubai's affairs, which he seems to manage well despite his eye condition, and the others, no idea." > she replied.
< "What about Shiro? Where is she?" > I asked Nima, full of excitement to see my wife again.
But Nima's face grew more serious and sad at the same time, and she said, < "Jun, she's going to die soon. After the incident two years ago, she was thoroughly examined, and they discovered a disease that she had had for a while, but it's slowly bringing her life to an end. The disease spreads faster and more dangerously the longer it goes on. Supposedly, she doesn't feel any pain, but she noticed that she's getting weaker and weaker. At the moment, she's in a phase where she can only lie in bed." >
I stood there frozen, not knowing what to say.
With a dead voice, I asked where Shiro was, and Nima led me straight to her upstairs in the bedroom.
When I saw her in bed in her condition, my world shattered before my eyes.
She was alive, but she definitely didn't look the same anymore.
I walked over to her as my eyes filled more and more with tears, knelt beside Shiro, and took her hand.
< "Shi… Shiro. I'm back. It's me, your husband, Jun. I'm back as I promised." > I whispered softly to her.
Shiro showed a slight reaction, and tears flowed from her eyes.
With a very weak voice, she said to me, < "You're back, Jun. I missed you. Jun… I was scared that I'd never see you again before I died. Even now that you're standing in front of me, I'm not able to hug you." >
I hugged her and said, < "I'm here now, don't worry, I'll never leave your side again. I'm staying here now." >
Filled with sorrow, Shiro told me with a trembling hand, < "Jun, I'm scared, I don't want to die! I don't want to lose you. I just got married. I wanted to have a child and watch it grow up. To see how it resembles you and me. Jun… I'm sorry." >
I stood there, not knowing what to do.
So I lay down next to her, and we cried together for a while.
Nima and Bente left us alone and went downstairs.
Bente introduced himself and told Nima what had happened.
After some time, I came down to Nima and Bente and told them that Shiro was currently sleeping upstairs.
Nima told me that she hadn't seen Shiro like that once since she got sick.
< "She always pretended to be strong and constantly told us not to worry. But today was the first time she opened up. She was completely different." > Nima said.
In my mind, I blamed myself.
No matter what I did, it kept getting worse and worse.
No matter whom I loved, that person would always get hurt, or I would lose them.
My goal is to bring peace, but all that comes is sorrow and pain.
< "It's definitely my fault!" > I thought to myself.
I was the one who took Shiro from her village.
Then I let her fight and didn't take care of her enough.
As if that wasn't enough, I disappeared for two years without even saying a proper goodbye.
I know I'm strong, but I would rather be the weakest person in the world.
I would give everything to save Shiro.
I stood up and said, < "I'll be back later." >
< "Jun, it's not your fault, no one can…" > Bente tried to say, but I interrupted him and said, < "YES. It's my fault, it's all my fault. Because I wanted to play the hero, because I'm weak, because I couldn't protect anyone, because I couldn't just listen to my mother and ignore everyone, because I chose to fight a damn monkey instead of doing what a man should do for his family, like being there for them and taking care of them. That's exactly why it's my fault. Whose fault would it be otherwise? That my mother, my brother, and now Shiro have suffered because of me. I've lost everyone. Why? Because I did everything right? I don't think so!" >
Then I hesitated for a moment because I didn't know how to control my emotions.
I needed a way to release my anger and sorrow somewhere.
Then I remembered that the reason Shiro even left the island was because of her village, or more precisely, her father.
I then teleported to Loss Island.