(Sakai Yuanhui's perspective)

I used to have a wonderful family. Besides taking care of my sister, who is four years younger than me, I worked hard in a family restaurant.

Although life was tough, and my sister was a picky eater, at least we were happy together... with my only family.

"Big brother," my sister leaned on my arm and looked up at me with bright eyes, "kind big brother, Yuzu likes the dresses at that store, they are so pretty and they even come with a sun hat!"

Looking at my dear sister's delicate appearance, I couldn't help but touch her shoulder, where her jet-black hair flowed.

"As long as Yuzu likes it, big brother will buy it for you!"

"Thank you, big brother," every time she said that, Yuzu would plant a kiss on my cheek with her rosy lips and say, "Yuzu likes big brother the most!"

I had to fulfill Yuzu's wish, no matter the cost. I used my hard-earned salary to find that store she mentioned, even though it meant working overtime during dinner time and drinking water from the office's water dispenser to satisfy my hunger. There was one time when I couldn't bear it anymore and fainted on my desk, luckily a kind senior gave me a sandwich to barely get me through.

Finally, on Yuzu's birthday, I couldn't wait to see her expression when she opened the gift box. She would surely run to me and kiss my cheek with joy, right?

After a while, I looked at the clock and it was already 4:15 pm. Yuzu, who normally finished school at 4 pm, should have been home by now, eagerly anticipating her birthday present. But why...

With a nervous heart, I decided to go to her school to find out what happened. Along the way, my mind was in chaos, praying that the accident victim wouldn't be my sister. I couldn't bear losing my last family member.

Yuzu, you promised to be with me forever, I...

"..."

Fate always likes to play tricks on people. In the middle of the road lay a girl, with a clear complexion, surrounded by a pool of blood. However, her normally clear eyes were lifeless and dull.

I couldn't believe it... that girl couldn't be my sister, no!!

As I approached her and knelt down to take a careful look, her pink lips were already turning pale. People nearby said that the truck driver who caused the accident fled the scene immediately.

"Yuzu, I bought your favorite dress for your birthday gift. Wake up quickly and come home with big brother to open it," I called her name softly, hoping for a miracle, "It's not fair, why did you leave me?"

The sky was covered in dark clouds, and the air became heavy and lifeless.

After countless days and nights, my mischievous and lively ghost was no longer seen in the house. There was only emptiness and loneliness.

Uncle Bobo, one of my father's friends, helped me pay for Yuzu's funeral expenses. Afterwards, I went to each of them to repay the money owed.

"Don't worry, keep the money, child!"

Although some of the uncles were stubborn and refused to take the money, I had to forcefully give it to them.

"After Yuzu left, I don't need these anymore. Please take the money back!"

In the end, they sighed and accepted the money, then watched me go on to the next house.

Whoo, whoo, whoo...

Winter arrived, covering the world with vast snow. But here I am, lost in this city, unable to find the path to my future.

"This is the last one!" "... "Thank you for taking care of me all this time!"

Even the heavy gloves couldn't stop the cold from seeping in. I took my hands out of the gloves and looked at my frozen, swollen fingers. I squeezed them, trying to feel some warmth through the thin layer of hard ice covering the gloves. I wanted to buy a new pair, but my empty pockets made me hesitate to throw them away.

Since the death of Yuzu, I haven't been back to work. I even had to sell the house to repay Uncle Hai's money. It seems like I've completely spent everything.

Regretfully shaking my head, I wish I hadn't invested all my remaining savings in the tavern. Now I don't even have money to eat a bowl of noodles.

Where am I? In a strange city street, I found a warm (at least warmer than the thick layer of snow on the street) corner and covered myself with old newspapers discarded in the garbage bin to absorb the scarce warmth.

"Yuzu..."

Taking advantage of the dim light in the restaurant next to me, I unfolded the photos given to me for free from the photo studio. They were proof of the life I had spent with Yuzu, but they also made me even more heartbroken, causing me to cry uncontrollably.

I know that my sister only wants to see the strong side of her brother. Of course, I'm afraid that if she sees me like this in heaven, she won't feel well. So I wiped away the tears and fell into a deep sleep.

"Brother, aren't you going to play with Yuzu anymore?"

"Yuzu doesn't want to be separated from her brother, even if she can take care of herself and wants to be with her brother forever!"

"Brother, what would you do if one day I fall in love with a boy? Um...don't say rude things like killing him!"

"Hehe, when Yuzu grows up, I don't know if she can marry a good man who loves and cherishes me?"

"How about...Yuzu settles for her brother?" Every time I reach this point, I furrow my brows and pretend to be angry, and Yuzu would immediately change her tone, saying, "I'm just joking with you, brother... You wouldn't take it seriously, would you?"

Each photo carries memories that slowly replay in my mind.

"Yuzu... Yuzu must marry her brother in the future, so we can be together forever... *cough*!?"

The loud honk of a truck startled me from my daydream. I longed to open my eyes and see a sweet smile with two sparkling stars, holding my arm, shaking and acting cute, saying, "Brother! Brother! Yuzu is hungry, Yuzu wants to eat fried meat, will you make it for me?"

It would be best if all of this was just a dream. I mustered all my strength and slapped myself in the face, which turned red and swollen. Finally, I realized that the slap imprint on my face was the only real and cruel thing.

"Hey, kid!" A white man with a foreign accent in Japanese uncovered the old newspapers that covered me, observing for a while before grabbing my shoulder and asking.

"Kid, your bones are good. Have you considered joining our Irina Group?"

According to the information collected by the intelligence department, I embarked on a journey back to my hometown again, returning to the home I had been away from for two years.

"The changes are really big," I aimlessly wandered back to the eaves where I used to live with my sister. "Only here remains unchanged."

Hmm? What's that...

When did a new café open across from the old house? Through the glass, I was surprised to see a girl who looked a lot like Yuzu sitting inside. She had short hair that reached the back of her neck, and her big watery eyes were very beautiful, just like Yuzu's. However, her outfit of shorts and a t-shirt didn't look very good. She smiled and ordered a cookie from the waiter, enjoying everything there by herself.

"Should I go over and talk to her?" I mumbled to myself in front of the mirrored wall. The girl seemed to notice my presence and turned her head towards me.

At that crucial moment, I stumbled and crashed into the adjacent glass door, flustered and clumsy.

"Huh?!"

"Yuanhui, is that you?"

As our gazes met, I asked, "Is it you... oh my goddess..." I almost mistakenly called her Yuzu. If I had said that, I would have been seen as a pervert.

This miraculous encounter allowed me to taste the flavor of youth again... but I also learned that she was actually a man!

"The assassination target is in transit..."

"Come, after finishing this job, I'll go accompany Yuzu," I said, taking out my phone and a hint of tenderness appeared on my face. "This... is Yuzu in the photo? Looks familiar... Ah, it's the person from just now!"

I quickly turned back and approached him, shamelessly asking for his phone number and address. "Sorry for pretending too much, may I have your email address... hehe!"

It's starting... the decision that belongs only to me. I can't regret anymore! I will also strive to save the people around me!