For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 50 - Cold Weather (6)
#50. Cold Weather (6)
At the familiar voice, Lia lifted her head again and looked around the alleyway. Among similar children, she could find a familiar face in the crowd.
“Hey, kid!”
Since she didn’t know her name, she could only call her “kid.” The child approached Lia, pushing past the others.
“Sister! I knew you’d come to this village.”
“Do you know this child?”
Kevin asked from the side. He found it strange that they seemed to know each other when Lia had just said she was coming to the Hiver region for the first time. Lia placed her hand on the child’s shoulder and spoke.
“She’s the kid I helped a bit with finding food back then.”
“Oh, back then.”
It was referring to the time when Lia disappeared. Kevin’s gaze towards the child sharpened momentarily. This child must have witnessed her using her abilities.
“I earned quite a bit of money with the grass you showed me. It’s money-making grass!”
The child excitedly hung onto Lia, expressing gratitude. Lia gently stroked the child’s hands and cheeks.
“Yeah. Don’t just teach anyone. Leave some as I told you, and make sure you see the flowers bloom. Got it?”
“Yes. I will.”
Meeting this child twice made Lia feel a special connection with her. She tightly held the child’s hands.
“Can you tell Sister your name?”
“Shu-shu.”
“Yeah, Shu-shu. Don’t get hurt and take care.”
Shu-shu also held onto Lia’s hand. It was difficult to let go, as the grip was very weak. If she wanted, she could save this child. But what about the other children in the alley behind her? Her abilities seemed too feeble and insignificant. Perhaps Perth had wanted to convey this. The limit of Lia’s abilities.
“Lia, we should go now…”
“Sister, can’t you help just one more time?”
Shu-shu looked up at Lia with teary eyes. Lia was surprised by the sudden tears. Even Kevin, who was urging her, was taken aback.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’re a magician, Sister. So, can’t you help just a bit more? Please?”
Shu-shu seemed to misunderstand and not know much about her abilities. She was someone who could do anything, according to Shu-shu. Despite having only the ability to grow plants, Lia still wanted to help Shu-shu. Lia looked at Kevin with pleading eyes. He also found it difficult to refuse a child’s request. Although they had come out for a village inspection, it would only take a moment, he thought.
“All right. Let’s go.”
* * *
Shu-shu led the two to the outskirts of the village. It seemed like there was the child’s house. Walking as adults led by a child felt peculiar. As the lively scenery of the village gradually became deserted, they finally arrived at a place close to ruins.
Shu-shu’s house was among the most secluded. It was more like a pile of planks than a house. Dust stirred every time Kevin and Lia passed by. Lia couldn’t imagine how long this place had been abandoned. Shu-shu laboriously cleared the planks that seemed like a door.
“I’ll do it.”
Kevin easily pushed the plank aside. This was just a door. His expression naturally darkened. As soon as he put down the plank, another gust of dust swept through. After coughing for a while, the two followed Shu-shu inside.
“Father.”
After Shu-shu spoke, it took a while before they realized there was another person inside. Through the cracked walls, a figure was visible amidst the light filtering in. He too was coughing, perhaps due to dust or illness.
“Shu-shu.”
A man was lying on the creaky bed, struggling to move. He reached out to embrace Shu-shu, showing signs of caution towards the two strangers who had suddenly entered. It was natural, given that unfamiliar people had barged in. He held Shu-shu tightly. But Shu-shu wriggled out of his embrace.
“These are the sister and her friend I told you about!”
Kevin’s face stiffened at Shu-shu’s words. It seemed like Shu-shu’s story wasn’t just about Lia helping with getting food. However, Lia wasn’t concerned about that part. She believed the child had kept her promise.
“Hello, are you Shu-shu’s father?”
“Yes, that’s right. I heard you helped our Shu-shu. Thank you.”
He bowed his head. Relaxed now, he had a rather kind-looking face.
“Not at all.”
Lia extended her hand. Shu-shu’s father gestured towards a place that seemed like a chair.
“Shu-shu, why don’t you offer some water to our guests?”
While Shu-shu poured water, the two cautiously sat on the chairs. The chairs seemed fragile as if they could break any moment. This house, made mostly of planks, creaked with every gust of wind. The thought of the ceiling collapsing was frightening.
“Isn’t the house too run-down?”
Shu-shu’s father seemed to notice Lia’s gaze and looked embarrassed. It was then that Lia realized her actions were a mistake. Having never seen such a dilapidated house before, she inadvertently glanced around the house.
“I’m sorry. It’s not intentional…”
“No, it’s just that you look like a precious young lady and a house like this might be strange.”
“But still, I am lucky. Unlike other kids, I have a father and a home.”
Handing a glass of water to each of them, Shu-shu spoke. Despite their difficult situation, she remained positive. Shu-shu’s words stirred emotions and warm feelings in Lia’s heart. But thinking the child was pitiable without knowing if she was okay was also disrespectful. Lia tried hard not to express those emotions. There was dust floating in the water Shu-shu offered. Pretending not to notice, she drank it.
“Thank you.”
Kevin also smiled as he drank the water. He didn’t forget to pat Shu-shu’s head.
“You’re kind. I’ll drink it well.”
Because of the dust, the water had an opaque color. Kevin tried not to look into the water for too long and took sips.
“Shu-shu, what did you ask for help with?”
Shu-shu sat beside her father, then stroked her face. Her expression clearly showed concern for her sick father.
“Father is very sick. So, I hoped Sister could help.”
“Shu-shu.”
Her father hugged her tightly. He was pleased that his daughter was so worried about him, though she was certainly not looking well. She was thin, too, from not eating enough.
But Lia wasn’t a doctor. She was just someone with the ability to grow plants. Shu-shu seemed to have strongly misunderstood something about her. Seeing the awkward expressions of the two, Shu-shu’s father understood the situation.
“It seems our child brought you two here due to some misunderstanding.”
“No! Sister can do very amazing things! Really!”
Shu-shu seemed to lack a proper understanding of abilities. It might be because Hiver didn’t produce many ability users, and she hadn’t received a proper education. Lia felt awkward because she couldn’t prevent Shu-shu’s father from worrying about her.
On the other hand, Kevin’s expression sharpened. It was revealed that the child hadn’t kept the secret. It wasn’t about blaming the child or Lia. It was his own mistake for not cautioning her against revealing her ability. But what mattered wasn’t assigning blame. At least Shu-shu’s father might have guessed what Lia’s ability was. Kevin remained wary if he might pry into Lia’s ability. However, Shu-shu’s father only tried to comfort the child with a gentle smile.
“Shu-shu, these two aren’t doctors and can’t cure your father.”
“Why? Sister can make flowers bloom!”
“That’s because it’s Sister’s ability.”
“Ability?”
“Yes. Citizens of Psychedelia are all born with abilities.”
“What about Shu-shu? Why doesn’t Shu-shu have an ability?”
“That’s right. Why don’t we have abilities…?”
Lia and Kevin’s faces darkened as they listened to the conversation. Lia had only heard about people in Hiver lacking or having weak abilities, but this was the first time she witnessed it. Seeing Shu-shu’s father smiling self-deprecatingly, she felt a pang in her heart.
“Are you… without an ability, sir?”
“I have one, but it’s too weak to be of any use. It’s almost as good as not having one. Besides, as you can see, I’m too weak to use it.”
It was often said that abilities were related to one’s physical condition. Indeed, those with weak bodies tended to have weak abilities. Kevin himself had thought that his own ability weakened due to a severe injury and subsequent recovery weakening his body. So, he could understand why Shu-shu’s father couldn’t properly utilize his ability because of his frailty.
Psychedelia was a society thoroughly focused on abilities. If one had a strong ability, regardless of social status, they could work in the palace. The ability possessed by Psychedelia citizens was their own weapon, starting from birth. Without such a weapon? Life would naturally become difficult for commoners without status or property. Hiver residents had to endure not only harsh weather but also difficulties regarding abilities.
The two fell silent in front of the two. As the silence persisted, their throats felt dry. The two silently emptied their glasses.
“Don’t feel too sorry.”
Breaking the silence, the father spoke first, wearing a gentle smile.
“It’s not your fault, is it? Being born like this is not our fault either.”
“Yes, of course. Neither Shu-shu nor her father did anything wrong.”
Encountering such poverty for the first time since birth, Lia realized the true meaning of her mother’s words, urging her to be grateful for her situation.
“I can’t make you better, but I want to help with what I can!”
“Lia.”
Kevin tried to restrain Lia from her rash statement. Wanting to help didn’t mean she could help everyone. But Lia wanted to help Shu-shu and her father as much as she could.
“Really? Will you really… help us?”
The father hugged Shu-shu, delighted. Shu-shu also smiled at Lia’s offer of help. Seeing the bright smiles of the two, Lia felt happy. But Kevin was anxious. He knew about Lia’s ability. Was she going to offer help without knowing what he needed? He tried to restrain her again. But then…
“Li… ah.”
Reaching out his hand, his vision blurred. Lia turned around, only to see Kevin slipping to the floor, reaching out to her.
“Mr. Kevin?”
Surprised, Lia stood up. Suddenly, her head felt dizzy.
“Then I gratefully accept the help.”
Someone placed a hand on Lia’s back as she tried to resist, but she was already feeling dizzy. Eventually, Lia collapsed to the floor, powerless. Just before losing consciousness, she heard Shu-shu whispering in her ear.
“Thank you, Sister.”