[Translator's Note: This chapter is best enjoyed with music.]
If it weren't for loving you,
Would I still be awake this late at night?
Every thought I have is about you.
I miss you, miss you, miss you so much...
By the tranquil lakeside, a beautiful voice began to sing. There was no music, just pure vocals, but it was enchanting. Couples secretly meeting here couldn't help but listen, drawn in by a magical power in the song that made it impossible to pull away.
If it weren't for loving you,
Would I feel this restless inside?
On all those inexplicable days,
I miss you, miss you, miss you so much...
Jack Young always had a great voice—he was the campus singing king back in college. Now, after mastering Subtle Change Sense, his control over his vocal cords and breath was better than ever. There wasn’t a hint of discordance, making the song nearly perfect.
Love—it’s something that torments the heart.
Yet, I just can’t let go.
Constantly guessing what’s in your heart,
Is my name there...
Sophie Soo lived with Jack Young’s family from age three to ten, and Jack treasured her as his little sister. Wherever Jack went, Sophie was his shadow. They ate and played together, and if any kid in the neighborhood bullied her, Jack would always show up to defend her—clever and fierce. Back then, Sophie didn’t even call him ‘cousin,’ just ‘brother.’
The gentle breeze and the soft song, Jack Young swaying gently with Sophie Soo in his arms, keeping time. His right hand, soothing like a parent, patted Sophie’s back as he sang a lullaby. The bridge lights glittered across the lake, their reflections like rainbows. The night was gentle, the wind gentle, and the sparkle in Sophie’s eyes was gently intoxicating.
Love is my only secret.
No matter what words I use,
All I do, all I do, is miss you...
All I do, all I do, is miss you...
The sky was perfect, clouds parted for the moon. Silvery moonlight spilled over the trees, grass, and lake—and into people’s hearts. With the gentle singing, this place felt like a fairyland. Couples held each other close; maybe some had come here with wild intentions, but now they just listened quietly, swept up in a sweet kind of emotion.
If it weren’t for loving you,
Would I sigh without even realizing it?
There’s this feeling—something’s missing in my heart...
Loving you,
Loving you,
Loving... you...
As the song ended, its melody lingered in the air, echoing in everyone’s hearts. By the lakeside, Jack Young held Sophie Soo in his arms. For a moment, neither spoke. After a while, Sophie softly asked, “Cousin, you still haven’t forgotten about that sister, have you?”
Jack looked surprised. “What are you talking about, silly? It’s been so long.”
“Cousin, don’t pretend. That song was both sweet and bittersweet—I almost cried.”
Sophie wrapped her arms around Jack’s neck, resting her head against his shoulder. “Cousin, when my parents started their business, they left me with Auntie’s family. We lived together nearly seven years—don’t think I don’t know you.”
Sophie Soo lived with Jack Young’s family from age three to ten, and Jack treasured her as his little sister. Wherever Jack went, Sophie was his shadow. They ate and played together, and if any kid in the neighborhood bullied her, Jack would show up to defend her—always clever and fierce. Back then, Sophie didn’t even call him ‘cousin,’ just ‘brother.’
Later, when Sophie’s parents’ work stabilized, they took her back. She cried her eyes out, and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to leave. After that, the families lived too far apart, so visits became rare—until now.
“Cousin,” Sophie’s nose twitched and her voice trembled, “I waited for you all day when I left, but you never came. Why didn’t you see me off?”
Jack sighed. “Honestly, I thought you’d never ask. We stayed in touch, and things were good, but it wasn’t quite the same. You got tougher, a little more devious, and you never brought up that day. I don’t know what made you ask now, but I’m glad you did.”
“I didn’t go because I was scared.” Jack said, lost in memory. “I was in middle school, thought I was a big kid. Crying in front of everyone? No way.”
“Huh?” Sophie’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s it?”
“That’s right. Middle school boys are at peak awkwardness—it’s not surprising.” Jack patted Sophie’s back, chuckling, “But really, I just couldn’t bear to see you go. I hid in our secret base and cried my eyes out.”
“Really?” Sophie’s eyes started to shine, a misty glow in them.
“Really. But I did sneak out to see you off. I remember the car that picked you up was a black Santana. I saw you crying inside and just couldn’t help myself—I ran after the car for half the block before tripping and falling. I moped around for ages after that.”
“R-Really?” Sophie’s voice shook, her whole body trembling as she clung to Jack’s shirt, refusing to let go.
“Really. My second biggest regret as a teenager was letting my own awkwardness keep me from seeing you off.”
“The first thing I regret is not being bold enough to stop you and say—” Jack looked into Sophie’s eyes, steady and clear: “Don’t go.”
“The first thing I regret is not being bold enough to stop you and say—” Jack looked into Sophie’s eyes, steady and clear: “Don’t go.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, pupils shrinking, misty tears spilling out as she lowered her head and buried it in Jack’s chest.
Warm tears fell on Jack’s chest, one by one, like pearls.
Soft sobs tugged at Jack’s heart, each one a painful little gasp, like his insides were being twisted.
The gentle crying turned to wailing, and Sophie finally burst out sobbing. Ten years apart, and she cried just like she did that afternoon they said goodbye—a little girl longing for one last moment. Ten years rushed by, but Jack’s warm embrace was still the same.
Jack’s nose stung, but he used his Subtle Change Sense to keep it in check. The stubbornness from ten years ago hadn’t changed: I’m an adult now, can’t let myself cry in public.
Jack’s nose stung, but he used his Subtle Change Sense to keep it in check. That stubborn pride from ten years ago hadn’t changed: I’m grown up now—no way I’m going to cry in public.
He just lifted his big hand and gently patted Sophie’s head, soothing her wild emotions. After a while, her sobs slowed, the clouds parted and the rain stopped. Sophie, still pressed to his chest, suddenly called out, “Brother?”
Jack froze—he hadn’t heard that name in ages. “Yeah?” he answered softly, though he frowned a bit. He noticed Sophie’s heartbeat speeding up, her blood racing, her breath quickening, and her temperature rising. Was she getting sick? Didn’t seem like it.
“Brother—” Sophie’s voice was smooth and teasing as she lifted her head and brought her cherry lips close to Jack’s ear, her tone playful: “You know, in Japan, cousins can get married...”
Pfft—! Cough, cough! What the heck?! “Brother—” Sophie’s sultry voice rang out again, making Jack shudder. He looked down to see her tipsy, eyes dreamy, voice slurred: “Marry me, you gorgeous thing—just say yes to me!” Then she leapt out of Jack’s arms, grabbed his hand, and stumbled forward, shouting, “Let’s go, let’s go... anywhere that’ll let us get married! I’m making you my official partner from now on!”
That night, Jack Young got a full dose of Sophie Soo’s drunken antics. After they got home, she grabbed a magazine and turned it into a microphone, singing and dancing around the living room. Then she bolted to the bathroom to throw up, and when she was done, she dragged Jack over to show her some karate moves.
That night, Jack Young was put through the wringer by a drunken Sophie Soo. After they got home, she grabbed a magazine and used it as a microphone, singing and dancing all over the place. Then she ran to the bathroom to throw up, and when she was done, she dragged Jack over to teach her martial arts.
“Brother—teach me, teach me!”
You don’t need lessons—you already throw a mean drunken punch.
It wasn’t until midnight that Sophie finally crashed. Jack showered and collapsed onto his bed, totally wiped out but feeling lighter—ten years of emotional knots suddenly untied, even his inner demons eased. Smiling, Jack drifted off.
(Translator’s Note: The daily arc is ending, and a major plot development is coming soon!)