Qian's face moved closer to mine, his gaze narrowing with suspicion.
My heart skipped.
Did he recognize me?
Had he seen me… during one of my yòu duties?
No… that couldn't be.
Anyone who had ever seen me as yòu… never lived long enough to remember.
Then where?
where had he seen me?
A chill ran through my body. My hands began to tremble.
I didn't want to lose this life.
I didn't want to go back.
Just as Qian parted his lips to speak, Jun stepped in.
"He grew up on the streets," Jun said casually. "You must have seen him somewhere before. But can you stop staring like that? You're making the kid uncomfortable."
He turned to me, his tone softening.
"And now that I think about it… I don't even know your name, dear."
Qian frowned sharply. "You took in a child without knowing his name? What's next, are you going to- "
Jun cut him off, slightly annoyed. "Enough. You're scaring him." Then he looked back at me gently. "Names don't matter that much right now… but still, what is your name?"
I froze.
A name…?
Now that I thought about it...
I never had one.
Master had never given me a name. He called me whatever he pleased.
The memories I tried so hard to bury began to surface.
That man…
The way he had asked me my name.
And how I never answered.
My chest tightened. My mind went blank.
Jun noticed.
His expression softened immediately. He knelt down in front of me, lowering himself to my level.
"I'm sorry, kid," he said quietly. "We didn't mean to upset you." He gave a small smile. "How about this? Let's go home… and give you a proper name."
We began walking back.
The air was calm, quiet,
until something broke it.
A sharp, desperate sound.
I looked ahead.
A small kitten was being attacked by a group of dogs.
I stopped.
And just… watched.
My face remained blank.
Master's voice echoed in my mind:
Never interfere with another soul. No matter what.
But Jun-
Jun didn't hesitate.
He grabbed a stick from the ground and ran forward.
"Hey! Get away from it!" he shouted, swinging the stick.
The dogs scattered.
But not because of the stick.
I glanced at Qian.
His eyes were cold, dangerous.
For a moment… it felt like he could have killed them all without moving.
Jun crouched down and gently picked up the trembling kitten.
"It's alright now," he murmured, softly patting its head.
The kitten responded almost immediately, rubbing itself against his hand, licking his fingers weakly.
It was… cute.
Fragile.
Alive.
But...
why?
Why would he interfere?
Why would he go against the laws?
Just like that man…
No.
No, no--
If he interferes, he will die.
That's how it works.
That's how it has always worked.
God would punish him...
I have to stop it.
Now.
Before either of them could react, I moved.
In a single instant, the kitten was in my hands.
Even Jun didn't see it happen.
Qian's eyes widened slightly.
he thought to himself..."What was that…? I didn't even catch his movement."
His gaze sharpened.
"Who are you?" he asked coldly.
I stepped back, clutching the kitten tightly.
"Don't come near me!" I shouted. "WHY DID YOU INTERFERE WITH ITS LIFE, JUN?!"
Jun blinked, confused. "Interfere… with its life?"
He slowly stepped forward, hands raised gently.
"It's alright, kid. Just calm down and put the kitten down. It's scratching you, see? You're getting hurt."
I shook my head violently.
"STAY BACK!" I yelled. "You should never interfere with someone's soul unless you have a death wish!"
My grip tightened around the kitten.
"It was destined to die!" My voice cracked. "Why would you go against the will of God?!"
My breathing grew uneven.
"…I don't want you to die," I whispered. "Not like him…"
Silence fell.
Jun and Qian exchanged a glance.
Then both of them looked at me.
Their voices were calm but serious.
"Who told you that?"