Three Promises

With a sudden movement, I stood up and grabbed Frank Niu by the collar, staring at him.

"What do you mean, it doesn't matter anymore?"

"It's meaningless. After searching for so many years, it all turned out like this—no clues at all. Heh, I'm tired, really tired. All these years, I've forced myself, practiced day and night, learned all sorts of things, and in the end, none of it meant anything."

With a loud thud, I punched Frank Niu in the face, knocking him to the ground.

I immediately walked over, picked him up, and stared at him.

"Is a promise something you can just forget so easily? Whether it’s ten years, twenty years, or a hundred years—as long as you’re alive, you keep searching. One day, you’ll find them."

"Ethan, that's enough. Don't get so worked up," Hugh Thompson said, pulling me back.

Frank Niu lay there like a pile of mud, slumped on the ground against the sofa, grinning foolishly, clutching his head. Huge tears rolled down from his eyes.

"There's still one more thing we need to resolve, isn't there?" Hugh Thompson said. I nodded.

"If you stay holed up in a place like this, you'll never find them. You say you've learned a lot, but I bet your understanding of ghosts is limited to what's in books. If you don't really understand them, how will you ever find your friends?"

Then, three hands clasped together.

Take care. If I ever find my friends, I’ll return to the Ghost Burial Squad headquarters.

The car started up. Hugh Thompson drove Sophie Su straight out of town, while Justin Huang and I got into our own car and left as well.

"Do you want to take one last look?"

I asked, but Justin Huang shook his head.

"I've already made up my mind. I belong to this world now. There's no going back."

When we reached the bridge leading into town, I slowed the car. Justin Huang gazed quietly out the window. Suddenly, I stopped the car and stared—Mandy Lou was standing in the bleak, cold wind, rubbing her hands together.

"Are you Justin Huang?"

Mandy Lou walked over, smiling as she asked.

"I'm not Justin Huang. You’ve got the wrong person, Ms. Lou... Teacher Lou."

Justin Huang replied quietly, then turned his head toward me.

"Is that so? Well, Officer Zhang, please pass a message to Justin Huang for me. As long as he’s still alive, our promise still stands—no matter how many years, no matter what he becomes."

In that instant, Justin Huang wanted to turn his head in surprise, but didn’t dare. Tears streamed down his face.

I smiled.

"I understand, Ms. Lou. I’ll be sure to tell him."

The car slowly started up. Mandy Lou leaned closer, reached in, and placed a hand on Justin Huang’s arm.

"Come back and see me when you get the chance. Don’t make me wait too long."

"Ah... I... I understand..." Justin Huang finally spoke, taking off his sunglasses and turning his head. Big tears rolled down his face.

The car kept moving forward. Behind us, Mandy Lou flashed a brilliant smile and waved, while Justin Huang sobbed beside me.

I looked at Justin Huang. Even though he looked almost monstrous, he still possessed the most important part of being human.

"Let’s hurry back. There should be a nice bonus this time!"

I urged him.

Justin Huang wiped his tears, nodded, and started the car.

The night outside was cold and silent. The city lights blurred behind us as we drove away, leaving the past behind.

As the car sped forward, I glanced at Justin Huang, who was still wiping away tears. The world outside was as dark and uncertain as the road ahead.

We didn’t speak for a long time. Only the hum of the engine and the wind outside filled the silence.

Eventually, Justin Huang broke the silence. "Do you think we’ll ever be able to go back?"

I answered quietly, "No one knows. Maybe some promises are all we have left."

Peter Su stood at the gate, waving goodbye again and again. I kept glancing back, and in his eyes, I saw hope.

Sophie Su kept crying, unable to stop.

"Even if I can’t remember, my heart hurts so much. Ethan, it hurts so much..."

"You’ll remember. You will, I promise."

When we reached the street, I was surprised to see the car we’d driven here parked by the roadside. Frank Niu was at the wheel, and Justin Huang sat beside him, head down in silence.

"Sorry about this. Thank you both, Ethan, Justin. I’m going to stay here and keep looking for clues."

Frank Niu didn’t look as lost as he had that morning.

Suddenly, Justin Huang and I raised our fists and punched Frank Niu in the face. He closed his eyes.