Master Zachary Wu pointed to his own heart as he spoke, and the younger me looked on in surprise.
Your heart? What is it? Is it tasty? Is it fun?
You can't see the heart or touch it. Sometimes you can feel where it is, but you can't hold it.
As Master Zachary Wu spoke, I seemed genuinely interested and stood up. He smiled.
You'll have one too. Only with a heart can you truly be called human. But you don't have one yet, do you? So can you really say you're human? Not yet.
The younger me nodded.
Alright, I promise you. I'll stay in this world for another twenty years.
Master Zachary Wu nodded with a smile.
After twenty years, if you're still not satisfied, you can come find me anytime. If you have trouble, I'll help you as always. But by then, you'll have a heart.
As Master Zachary Wu spoke, I laughed. Then, following his instructions, I sat down before the altar he'd prepared.
Isn't this going to shorten your life? Doesn't seem like a good deal.
Master Zachary Wu crouched beside me and smiled.
It's alright. Because I have a heart. Your parents have hearts too. They desperately want to save you—I can feel it. That's why I'm here to help you. Do you understand now?
A little.
The younger me closed my eyes, and the black mist gradually receded back into my body.
"Twenty years, okay? It's a promise." My smile softened a lot, then I held out my pinky and hooked it.
Master Zachary Wu also held out his pinky and hooked it with mine.
I heard people make promises this way.
Alright, I know. I won't lie to you. Go back now, I need to begin the ritual.
As Master Zachary Wu spoke, I nodded. Then my hand slowly dropped, and I fell unconscious.