The Day Emma Cried (The Letter from Norman: Story-2)

The reason he was drawn to Emma surely had some admiration to it.

He admired Emma’s strength and vigor – being a boy with frail health who was often bedridden with sickness.

Gripping one arm with the other, Norman pondered.

Though he wouldn’t catch a cold lately, he was weak as a child and was often taken to the infirmary.

“Ah, but...”

Emma, who'd never cry, once cried when he was sick in the bed.

He caught a bad summer cold at that time. If he remembered right, he was around seven. Having a high fever, he stayed up all night. The cough didn’t stop.

A crying Emma had muds and scratches all over herself, but she clenched a shriveled white flower in her hands. Though she bawled like a child, it wasn’t out of fear or pain.

“That’s right. Even back then, she...”

Norman recalled the events and smiled lovingly.

 

****

Earlier in that afternoon, the weather seemed quite suspicious when the children were playing in the forest.

A puff of fast-flowing grey clouds covered the sky. The blowing breeze was lukewarm. The days were long at that time, yet at around 3 o'clock, it was as dark as the evening. 

While playing in the forest, the children looked up at the sky through the branches.

“The weather seems bad, isn’t it?”

“Maybe it’s best to return early today.”

Norman, too, looked at the sky. A moist air touched his cheeks. The forest soil smelled like rain. The sound of thunder could be heard at a distance.

Ray’s face appeared from the shades of the trees as he put his book aside.

“Message from Mom- we should go back inside for the day.”

Although they were in the middle of playing tag, Emma and Norman obediently accepted the news of early return.

“Got it.”

“Thanks, Ray. We must warn the others too.”

“You two are the only ones who aren’t caught yet. The seeker couldn’t find you, so I had to come to look for you myself.”

Ray let out a long sigh while Emma and Norman looked at each other. Ray was the only one who could find them rather easily. Certainly the suitable one for Chucky, the seeker – to rely on.

 

“Ah. See that? ‘Tis pouring.”

The raindrops started hitting the ground in the middle of their conversation. Ray wrapped his arms around his book to prevent it from getting wet. Looking at him, Emma thrust her hand into the pocket to bring out her handkerchief and lend it to him.

 

“Huh? My handkerchief is gone!”

Emma turned over the entire pocket in her skirt, the handkerchief which she had inside wasn’t there. While inspecting the ground, Norman mumbled. 

“I wonder if you dropped it somewhere.”

“It’s just a handkerchief, don’t bother about it. Let’s return.”

Following Ray who started running towards House, Emma pouted sadly.

“Eh? No way...! I just received it, it’s the one Mom has embroidered for me on the other day!”

Even though she didn’t usually carry a handkerchief, Emma was fond of this one. She always kept inside her pocket; which brought its demise.

Emma still wondered if she should turn back, but the rain suddenly turned into a violent downpour while they were still passing through the forest. The water drops hit the leaves with a loud noise.

“Wah! We’ll get wet!”

 

At the House, Isabella kept the door open and rang the bell. The children who played outside came running inside one after another.

“Emma, you three should hurry up too!”

“It turned into a heavy rain all of a sudden!”

Safe under the roof, the children looked at the pelting rain. Isabella was about to finish counting the children.

“Emma, Ray... Huh, where’s Norman?”

The two who had just jumped through the door quickly turned back at Isabella’s words.

“Eh?”

“Why? Norman was with us...”

Naturally, they assumed that he had followed them. It poured heavily in the garden at their back, and the forest seemed to be covered in a thick fog. Emma’s face darkened.

“Is he still inside the forest....?”

 

As she attempted to take out the watch inside her pocket, Isabella noticed a silhouette running through the garden.

“Ah! It’s Norman!”

A white shirt emerged amidst the rain. The children who gathered at the front door sighed in relief.

Norman entered through the front door; out of breath and soaked from head to toe. He extended his arm towards Emma, the usual smile on his face.

“Emma, I found the handkerchief!”

“Eh?”

With a surprised face, Emma received the handkerchief from Norman.

The handkerchief was plain and white as their uniform, but it had the letter “E” embroidered at a corner with orange threads.

“Wow! Where was it? Thank you!”

The handkerchief was dampened in the rain, but it was clean otherwise. Emma dearly embraced the piece of cloth against her chest. Then, she looked at Norman again.

The children who quickly returned only had their hair and shoulders wet. But Norman was completely drenched to the point where water would come out if his shirt and trousers were squeezed.

 

Even after it started raining heavily, he was probably looking for the handkerchief in the forest. On top of that, his shoes and trousers were covered in mud as he ran through the puddle of water in the garden.

“But, Norman...you’re completely soaked...”

“Haha, so are you!”

Water was dripping from the tips of Emma’s curled hair. The children who came in early brought some towels. Norman thanked them and received one. 

“Everyone, please change your clothes immediately. You’ll catch a cold!”

At the moment Isabella said it, Norman sneezed loudly. The children laughed, but Emma looked at him worriedly.

-

Refreshing sunny weather returned the next day.

"Ya~y!"

"It's a sunny day~!"

As soon as it was free time, the children rushed outside through the front door.

The puddle of water still remained in the garden, the color of the sky reflected on it. The water drops on the leaves shone brightly in the sunlight.

"Who's gonna play ball?"

"Me!"

Emma ran towards Marcus who held the ball. 

"Norman, you?"

"Uh-huh...I think I'll just watch today."

Emma expected him to participate as usual. Hearing the reply, she glanced at him spontaneously.

"Norman, are you okay?"

The previous day's rain came to Emma's mind. The boy came outside, he also got the usual perfect score in the morning's test. He didn't appear to be sick, maybe that wasn't the case? 

Looking at Emma's frowning face, Norman gave a reassuring smile.

"Mm. I'm okay. Ray said he'll play in my place."

"Hah? Don't make me your substitution without warning!"

Ray, who was passing by with his book, snapped at his friend's words that he couldn't ignore.

"Alright, here I go!"

Marcus raised his voice and kicked the ball. Everyone chased after it. Emma too joined the group and screamed. "Coming!" 

Playing ball was Emma's specialty. Before anyone else, she caught the ball that flew far away. 

"Ray, pass, pass!"

"What the-?"

Ray kicked the ball that flew towards him while still having his book open. Flying over the other kids, the ball returned straight to Emma's feet. Seeing that, Norman applauded "Just as expected~", while hiding a cough.

"Norman, you've caught a cold...haven't you?"

"I'm fine, I'm telling you! Just a dry throat."

Ray sighed at Norman's lack of concern.

Playing ball was fun, but problems arose along the way.

Kicked by Kate- one of their siblings, the ball was unfortunately stuck on a tree.

"Come down!"

Marcus tried to shake the tree. But the thick trunk didn't move at all, no matter how much force he applied.

Marcus put his hands together and proceeded with various prayers: "Wind, please blow!" "Birds, please bring it!" The young Don next to him copied his gesture. But the two's prayers remained unanswered and the ball remained firmly attached to the branches.

"I'm sorry...what do we do now?"

Kate, who kicked the ball, dropped her shoulders in fear.

"How about telling Mom to bring it down?" Suggested Abby, who stood next to her. The children looked at each other's faces.

In truth, the ball was stuck on the roof once before. It was handed over to them at the promise that playing ball would be banned if they lose it the next time. But if the ball stayed on the tree, Mom would eventually notice. In that case, maybe it's better to be honest. Just at that time...

"I'll bring it down!"

The one who raised her hand was none other than Emma. The girl took off her leather boots, socks and held onto the big tree standing in the garden.

"Emma, that's dangerous!"

"Yeah! Let's apologize to Mom and get it down!"

Looking at her sisters who opposed, Emma smiled carefreely.

"Then, maybe, let's apologize to Mom if I fail to get it."

While making various sounds, Emma started climbing the thick trunk that barely had a gripping space. Norman who watched the game and Ray who was reading a book - both joined the crowd.

"Emma, you okay?"

Covering his mouth with his hands, Norman called Emma who was far above him.

"I'm good~!"

Emma waved at the voice below and continued climbing upwards. She was already at the level of the House's second floor. Marcus and Chucky both admired their younger sister subconsciously.

"Emma, you don't get scared often, do you?"

"That height...even looking at it makes my legs freeze!"

Norman was staring up at Emma impatiently. He looked as though he would start climbing up at any moment. Ignoring the distance from the ground, Emma jumped further up on a branch.

"The ball is here!"

Emma was finally near the ball that was stuck on a branch. But it was out of her range. Even if she shook the branch, it wouldn't fall off.

Thinking for a moment, Emma grabbed the branch with one hand and extended her other arm to touch the ball. She pushed the ball with her small fingers.

"There~!"

The ball was released from the branch. The rubber sphere became smaller as if a void sucked it up, and cheers could be heard from below. Showing a peace sign, Emma turned her body from the branch towards the trunk in an attempt to climb down.

At that moment, the branch that supported her weight made a creaking sound.

"...oh...uah!"

In the blink of an eye, the branch made a terribly loud noise and broke apart. Just like that, Emma was knocked into the air.

Screams echoed from below. Emma's body crashed on few branches and fell on the ground.

"Ow...ow ow ow!"

Emma rubbed her shoulder that received a bump and raised herself. At that moment, her eyes caught Norman who also laid on the ground next to her with his arms stretched out.

"Huh? Norman?!"

Emma got up in a hurry and shook the boy's shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Norman, are you okay?"

Emma figured that Norman came to catch her and fell on the ground. But his body was so hot that she could feel the temperature from the top of his clothes. 

"Norman?"

"Oi, Norman!"

Noticing the incident, Ray dropped his book and rushed to Norman. Despite their calls, Norman didn't open his eyes. He breathed through his mouth, his breaths were short and erratic. The children who gathered worrying about Emma started making noises after seeing Norman unconscious.

Hearing their screams, Isabella rushed in.

"What happened?"

Seeing an unmoving Norman between Emma and Ray's arms, the complexion of her face changed. Moreover, Emma was bleeding from her cheeks and feet; clearly scratched by something.

"Mom! Norman collapsed...!"

"Emma fell from a tree!"

"And Norman tried to catch her!"

All the children started making noise together. Isabella had to postpone listening to their report. She knelt beside Norman and touched his neck. 

"He's burning up..."

His body temperature was rising as his breathing and pulse quickened. Isabella picked him up gently.

"Emma, please come along...you've got scratches. Ray, lend me a hand please?"

Ray shook Emma's shoulder who stood there with a dazed look. She returned to her senses and started walking. The children followed Isabella on the way back inside the House.

Isabella laid Norman on the bed inside the infirmary and quickly prepared the thermometer and the stethoscope.

"Ray, take care of Emma's wounds."

Ray brought a first aid kit. Emma refused to keep sitting on the round chair and approached to Norman's bedside.

"Mom, what happened to Norman?"

Emma completely forgot that she herself fell from the height of a two-storey building. Her concern was Norman's health. Looking at the thermometer, Isabella replied.

"He has a high fever. It should be the common cold, but...."

Ray pulled Emma back to the chair before she could say anything.

"Emma, think about yourself first!"

"I'm okay."

"Shut up and sit still."

Being scolded, Emma received the treatment reluctantly.

"cough, cough..."

Norman coughed. He seemed to regain his consciousness, but the eyes that slightly opened for a second were closed again. His senses seemed to be clouded by the high fever.

Hearing his heartbeat with the stethoscope, Isabella frowned. Ray didn't miss the grim expression that momentarily appeared on her face.

Isabella fixed Norman's bedding and looked at Emma and Ray. By that time, her usual calm smile had returned.

"You two, please go back to your rooms so that you won't get infected."

Emma shook her head instantly.

"Mom, please wait...I want to stay by his side!"

"Emma, stop acting like a spoiled kid."

Emma couldn't insist after Isabella's harsh reply. Prompted by Ray, she left the infirmary.

Emma stood still in the hallway and stared at the floor.

"Ray, what do I do? It's my fault."

Emma clenched her skirt tightly. From the moment she realized that Norman had collapsed with a high fever, the events from the previous day ran rampant inside her mind. Keeping her face down, she felt her eyes welling up. She kept her gaze firm on her shoes, refusing to blink and let the tears fall.

"Because I dropped my handkerchief, Norman searched for it in the heavy rain and caught a cold...."

Ray turned around and looked at Emma's face. Then he scratched his head, looking annoyed.

"Huh... he must've hidden it from you 'cause he figured that you'll feel this way."

"Eh?"

Emma missed the words that Ray muttered. Ray replied in a clear voice.

"I said, don't worry about it. Norman always catches a cold, you know. He'll get better soon."

"Mhm....that's right..."

Emma said. But she certainly couldn't excuse her involvement this time. If she hadn't dropped her handkerchief on the previous day, it wouldn't have happened. If she didn't keep mourning for it, Norman wouldn't have returned to the forest to look for it. Emma regretted her careless words and actions.

"Hey, Ray, is there something I can do for Norman?"

Emma raised her face again. She realized that blaming herself wouldn't heal him up. Suddenly, she remembered.

"That's right, maybe we can make the cup phones again...!"

When they were younger, they made cup phones so that they could talk to Norman who was bedridden inside the infirmary. In that case, they wouldn't have to worry about getting infected.

"Not this time, Emma."

The door of the infirmary opened, Isabella could hear their conversation. She refused while sighing.

"But Mom, Norman is sick because of me...I need to apologize somehow."

Isabella bent down and looked at the girl. "Emma, Norman wouldn't think that. He'd be happy to have a cup phone, but let him focus on healing first, okay?"

Emma wanted to say something but closed her mouth again. She wouldn't be able to convince Mom with just that. 

"....Okay, got it."

"Thank you, Emma."

Isabella patted her and left the hallway in quick steps. 

Ray silently watched her back. He couldn't help but worry about the expression she made earlier. She refused to let them meet him. Not just that, she refused the cup phones. Perhaps Norman wouldn't get healed very soon this time. Ray opened his mouth.

"Emma, I think it's best to leave Norman in Mom's care for now. Who knows, maybe he'll improve tomorrow. Let's see what happens."

"Yeah, got it. But there's something I want to do for him."

"....."

Ray shrugged, giving up at her stubbornness.

-

On the next day, Emma didn't go out to play during the free time. She went to visit the library upstairs.

Though she gathered all her courage before coming here, she was at a loss at the sight of the books that filled the entire wall.

"Erm...where are the books on medicines....?"

Thinking about what to do for Norman, she decided to make something that cured a cold. That's the reason she arrived at the library. However, this task appeared to be more difficult than sneaking inside the infirmary for a secret visit.

"Maybe around here?"

Emma climbed up on the ladder and proceeded to read the spines of the difficult-looking books for the time being. The books were old, the words weren't just complex but also covered under the dust, it was very difficult to read.

"Eh~ I don't understand a thing...!"

All the books she forcibly pulled out from the shelves seemed to be unrelated to the topic. The books she held in her arm gradually became heavier. Standing on the ladder, Emma stretched out above to return a book.

"What are you doing?"

'Wah!"

Startled by the voice below, Emma dropped the books in her hand. "Hey - watch it!" A bunch of leather cover books dropped right next to Ray who he was sitting below. A cloud of dust raised from the fallen books.

"I'm sorry, Ray!"

"Don't drop the books, you'll damage them! And what the heck... "Whitwell Language Dictionary"...? And there's "Soltio's World Map"...?"

Ray picked up the random books that had fallen and wiped the dust. Sliding down the ladder, Emma came down with a sheepish smile to retrieve the books.

"Well, I was looking for books on illnesses and cures, actually..."

Ah. Ray understood 'the thing' she wanted to do for Norman. If paying a visit or using the cup phones wasn't possible, she had to come up with another method. 

"...is there anything on that?"

"Books, huh. Nothing much, probably."

Ray walked through the shelves in the library.

The House had a huge collection of books but it was somewhat unbalanced. For example, there were books introducing martial arts and weapons, but nothing on how to use them. There were many academic books and novels; such as mathematics, chemistry, engineering, etc. The novels had various genres including mystery and fantasy. There were many books on philosophy and arts.  However, medical books were limited to those that very briefly described the basics; such as books on human anatomy for young children and some books that listed the symptoms of some common disease and their remedies.

"To begin with...You were looking through the wrong shelves."

"Eh?"

Ray pointed at a distant shelf to Emma - tired of watching her search somewhere else the whole time. At the corner of the shelf, some books on illness and their medical treatments were lined up. There didn't seem to be a lot, just as Ray implied.

"Thanks a lot, Ray! Well then..."

Emma grabbed as many books as she could and spread them over the table to look them up. Ray, too, brought out a thick book and took the chair opposite to hers.

"Hmm...It's true, not much is written after all."

Furrowing her brows, Emma tried to decode the complex words as best as she could. There weren't any detailed treatment methods in the book that she was reading. Emma closed the book about diseases and opened one about herbs. The book was easier to understand and had illustrations in it. 

"Something that works for cold....hmm....ah! This flower!"

Emma pointed at a flower drawn in the page that she had just turned.

It was a beautiful white flower with big petals. Although she never heard of its name, Emma remembered seeing the plant before.

"They say it's a miracle cure for colds. I've seen the leaves in the forest!"

Ray responded while turning the pages. 

"Even if it's a medicinal plant, we can't process it by ourselves."

"But looks like it works if you just put in the soup and drink it...oh, never mind."

Emma's face darkened as soon as she read further.

"It says the flower only blooms at night."

Emma dropped her shoulders. Ray took the book from Emma's arms. Although it was on the level of a local remedy, the flower had been used for the treatment of lung disease since ancient times. It worked if the dried petals are added to a dish and ingested. Since there was no specialized process such as powdering or extracting the ingredients, it could be prepared inside the House.

But it said that the flowering time was only during the night. Moreover, it seemed that the petals often scattered during the nighttime. That's why it was rarely used as a medicine. Ray frowned and placed his hand on his chin.

"The flowering period is just around this time, though."

"Mom would never allow us to leave the House at night and search in the forest, would she?"

Emma tilted the chair backward and looked above.

Only if it bloomed in the daytime, they could pick it up even at this moment. Thinking about it, she clenched her teeth.

"But this one's doable, right? Might not be as effective, though."

Ray turned his book on the opposite side. Emma picked it up and her face brightened up soon after.

"Maybe this would work!"

The ingredients that were written worked against fever and cough. The page Ray opened had the recipe for a drink made with honey and lemon. This could be easily prepared inside the House.

"Let's prepare it and take it to Norman!"

"But Mom said that entry is prohibited, didn't she?"

Emma looked down after hearing Ray's confused remark.

"If possible, I want to give it to him directly. I still need to tell him that I'm sorry."

Telling her not to worry wouldn't convince her not to leave a face-to-face apology, would it? Looking at Emma, Ray exhaled deeply.

"Fine. I'll keep Mom busy inside the dining after dinner tonight, so go and give it to him."

"Thank you, Ray!"

Holding the book that had the instructions to make the drink, Emma immediately went down to the dining room on the first floor.

-

After dinner, Emma confirmed that there was no one in the hallway and approached the infirmary. She held a mug of warm drink in her hands that released a sweet and sour fragrance.

Honey, lemon marmalade and the stored ginger powder were mixed in hot water. Making the drink was easy, but the difficult task was not being noticed by Isabella.

"Now's the time...!"

Emma planned to meet Norman while Ray kept Isabella busy inside the dining. She wouldn't be able to stay for long, but she wanted to show her face and apologize - that much would be enough. Emma twisted the doorknob and slightly pushed the door.

"Norman, how are you?"

Emma whispered through the narrow opening. From the other side of the curtain, she could hear a faint sound of coughing. But there was no reply.

"Norman...are you sleeping?"

Emma slightly parted the curtains.

Norman's laid there with his eyes closed and an oxygen mask over his mouth. Tubes extended from a silver machine which was connected to a black cylinder. His shirt's sleeve was rolled up and an IV drip was connected to his arm.

The mug fell from Emma's hands. Fortunately, it didn't break; but the warm contents were spilled all over in front of her feet. Her shoes got wet, but that was no longer her concern. 

Emma lost her words at the sight of Norman in front of her.

It was clearly different from the treatment of the usual cold. One could tell at a glance that the condition was bad. 

Emma inched closer to the bed and looked at the boy.

Mom said all that, it was because...

Because he wasn't in a condition to speak.

Crouching next to the bed, Emma pressed her forehead against the sheet. She squeezed the fabric that smelled like detergent, and murmured slowly.

"Norman, I'm sorry."

Somewhere in her heart, she believed that it was the usual cold like Ray said. She thought that seeing her sneak inside, Norman would say "Don't come inside!", as always, with a smile on his face. 

I never thought that it was so bad...

Emma looked up and clasped his hand. His fingers were unsettlingly cold. Norman coughed with his head still on the pillow.

"Is there something I can do...?"

If it was a cold, maybe a simple honey lemon drink could work. But she doubted that he would be able to drink anything.

Suddenly, she remembered that the floor was dirty. If noticed, around five minutes had already passed. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, Emma was snapped back to reality. 

"Mom's coming!"

Emma grabbed a towel from the shelf and wiped the floor in a hurry. Then she picked up the mug and hid behind the bed. A few seconds later, the infirmary door opened.

Entering the room, Isabella frowned at the faint smell of citrus. As she was about to look around, Norman on the bed began coughing on a fit. Isabella opened the curtain and walked inside.

The woman took his temperature and pulse, then she pressed the stethoscope against his chest.

Emma crouched behind the bed. Sitting stiffly, she was waiting for Isabella to leave. But she couldn't see Mom from her hiding place. The sounds were all she could rely on. Following the rasping sound of moving the blanket, Isabella exhaled quietly.

Emma thought that it was a sigh. But she froze at the words that followed.

"...Probably won't last long."

Huh? Her voice leaked out unintentionally, she quickly gulped it back. Though she suppressed her voice, she feared that her heartbeat was so loud that it could be heard.

After a creaking noise of opening and closing the door, the sound of footsteps faded into the hallway. 

Even after Isabella disappeared from the infirmary, Emma couldn't immediately move.

"Just now, what did Mom..."

What did she say? Emma couldn't believe what she heard. But she was certain that she didn't hear it wrong. Emma stood up and looked at Norman from the gap between the curtains. The boy was coughing painfully with eyes still closed.

"Norman will..."

Everything that was about to overflow...Emma held back while trembling. She covered her mouth.

She couldn't bring herself to cry, she felt like it'd really happen if she cried.

Even now, there must be a way to save Norman. Emma shook her head as it was turning blank, and thought deeply.

There must be something...

Suddenly, the flower illustration that she saw in the library came to her mind.

"That flower!"

A special herb to treat lung diseases. She doubted that the flower could cure a disease that even Mom had given up on, but she couldn't just let it be.

Emma remembered where the flower grew, but it needed to be picked at night from the forest. There's no way she'd be allowed to leave the House at night - let alone going deep inside the forest. 

(I can't expect Mom's help...)

Emma took a deep breath, bit back the tremble and spoke up resolutely.

"Norman, wait for me."

The young girl left the infirmary and ran to the library upstairs.

-

After the lights went out, Emma got out of the bed so as not to make a sound. She changed her clothes, changed from the slippers to the boots and went downstairs;  relying on the faint light.

She took out a lantern and lit it up. Her surroundings were dyed in a light color. 

"Alright." 

Emma stood at the front door with the lantern in her hand. 

Just as she touched the doorknob, a sharp voice came from her back. 

"Emma, what are you doing?" 

Emma jolted involuntarily, gulped and slowly turned around.

Isabella stood there with a candle.

Lit by the light in her hand, the woman's face had a chilling expression that Emma had never seen before.

Emma knew that she's be scolded if caught. Though the intensity took her aback for a second, she was prepared beyond that. The young girl turned straight at Isabella.

"Mom, please! I want to pick some flowers that can be used as Norman's medicines. They only bloom at night...please!"

The appeal was unexpected. Isabella looked at the girl with her eyes widened. "Did you intend to go inside the forest alone? At night?"

"Not alone."

Suddenly, a voice floated in from the top of the staircase. Ray's figure emerged in the lights as he came downstairs.

"Ray? Why you, too?"

Isabella furrowed her brows. Ray held the medicinal book that described the details of the white flower. He showed it to Isabella.

"Here's the flower that Emma wants to look for, seems it really blooms at night. So I'll go with her. It shouldn't be a problem then, right Mom?"

Isabella frowned at his proposal, not convinced yet. Ray continued.

"I told her that Norman will be fine, but she won't listen. So I'll go...because if we let her be, she'll recklessly want to go out by herself."

Isabella saw through what Ray meant, and turned her glance towards Emma. The girl was staring back at her with her eyes filled with determination.

"I know where it blooms, Mom, I'll be back soon."

"Emma, Norman will get better soon. He's still coughing, so I won't say that he wouldn't need the medicine. But it's not worth taking the risk of going out at night."

Isabella explained exasperatedly to the little one who was the least likely in this entire facility to listen to reasonings at a time like this. Unsurprisingly, Emma stubbornly shook her head.

"I...still haven't apologized to Norman for making him sick."

That day, Norman looked for her handkerchief in the rain. That's why she wanted to return the favor by searching for a flower at night, which might just be the miracle cure for his cold.

"Please, Mom!"

"We'll be back as soon as we pick it up."

Looking at the two, Isabella gave up and sighed.

"Fine. But make sure to return by 12 o'clock, whether you find the flower or not."

"Thanks, Mom!"

"And, as usual, don't go beyond the fence If you sense any danger, turn back immediately. Even the forest you know so well can be dangerous at night."

"Got it! Thanks, we'll be leaving now!"

"Ray, I'm leaving it to you."

Isabella touched Ray's shoulder. Ray silently nodded and looked back at her.

"Unlike Emma, I don't believe that the flower would simply cure him."

"?"

"But it's better than sitting here and doing nothing. You want Norman to recover soon too, don't you?"

"Well, I do alright. But still..."

While Isabella wondered. Ray shook the lantern and left through the door.

-

Though she rushed out courageously, Emma was frightened by the appearance of the House at nighttime - wrapped in the darkness with the lights out. The two lanterns only lit up her own feet and Ray's shadow next to her.

"Emma, you okay?"

Ray called her from behind as if he could perceive the girl's uneasiness in the darkness she wasn't accustomed to.

Emma shook off her fear.

"Mm, I'm okay. I know where it grows, let's go!"

The night was cloudy, neither the moon nor the stars could be seen. Relying on the lantern's glow, Emma ran through the garden and into the forest.

Ray asked Emma while running behind her.

"You sure Mom said that he won't last long?"

"...Yes. that's why we must find it."

After leaving the infirmary, Emma went to bring the medicine book from the library and came across Ray. When Ray inquired about the success of her visit, she reported that Norman's condition was unusually bad and that she heard Isabella say the words "won't last long." Eventually, the subject of the flower was brought up.

Naturally, she expected Ray to oppose her. She thought that he'd call her unreasonable and suggest leaving Norman in Mom's care as he did last time. But without any hesitation, Ray spoke up.

"Why are you talking like you'll be going alone?"

While holding the book, Emma subconsciously let out a chuckle.

"Ray, thanks. To be honest, I was a little worried about going out alone."

Emma was truly glad to have Ray at the moment, running next to her.

As soon as they entered the forest, the light was blocked by the branches and could hardly reach a good distance. Only their feet were illuminated before the engulfing darkness. Even though they knew the forest so well, they had to slow down their pace. Something made a rustling noise nearby. Emma immediately turned her lantern but found nothing.

The night forest where she stepped into for the first time in her life felt like a strange place.

"It's scary...but..."

Emma thought about Norman in the infirmary. If they really fail to save Norman, then...? Emma tried to shake off the dark future from her mind.

(Norman dying is much scarier!)

Keeping track of the trees and the stones as landmarks, the two arrived at their destination. They were already deep inside the forest. If they moved in a little deeper, they'd arrive near the fence.

But they couldn't find the flower.

"It's strange...it should be here..."

Lighting up the ground with her lantern, Emma squinted. Ray, too, searched the ground near the roots and grasses.

"What do we do? It disappeared."

Was it the wrong place? Emma lifted up her lantern to check the shape of the surrounding trees. They came to the right place. Did it die off in the few days?

"Was it really here?"

"Yeah, no doubt on that. Ray, I'll take a look a little further."

"Got it. But stay within the range where we can see each other's lights."

Nodding to him, Emma started running. She headed towards the bushes, trying to slide down the slopes. As soon as she stepped on a stone, the stone sank under her weight.

"Aaah~!"

Hearing her scream and the noise, Ray immediately rushed in. Emma turned her face to the light falling from above.

"Emma, you okay?"

"Yeah, the stones crumbled below my feet..."

Carefully, Ray went down the slope where Emma fell. Emma got up and lifted her hand to get rid of the dirt in her clothes. She noticed that her right hand had a rough cut, perhaps scratched by the stone when she fell down.

"You're bleeding, that's a pretty deep cut."

"I'm okay, we should hurry."

Emma took out the handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to Ray. It was the one with her initial embroidered that Norman picked up the other day. Ray put down the lantern and gently held Emma's arm, wrapping it with the handkerchief and tying it tightly.

"Thanks."

Emma lifted her wrapped arm and gently pressed the handkerchief against her forehead.

"Norman.... we'll surely find it."

Clutching her injured hand, Emma lifted her lantern. She continued searching without making a sound in pain. Looking at her, Ray spontaneously called her out.

"Hey, Emma."

Ray quietly asked her from behind.

"Why...do you push yourself so far?"

Norman was almost dying, he was in pain. That alone was plenty as a reason - Ray knew. That's why he was here in the first place. But when he looked at Emma, it seemed as though there was something beyond that, an inexplicable force that was driving her forward.

Ray wasn't as worried about Norman's death as Emma was. Isabella wouldn't simply let Norman die. He's the golden egg of the premium goods and must be kept alive at all cost.

But if it's difficult to treat him on the farm, he might be taken to the Headquarters. Ray feared the possibility.

Norman was slipping beyond his reach. Ray wanted to prevent that in any way possible.

(If Norman is taken to the headquarters, then...)

In the darkness, Ray looked at Emma as she turned around in surprise.

If he didn't know the truth of the House, would he be trying to grab on the slightest possibilities without hesitation, like Emma was doing at the moment? 

Emma's eyes widened. She replied to Ray who was looking back at her. 

"Why, you ask...I mean, I'll do everything I can if it saves Norman."

Emma returned her gaze to the ground and started moving her hands again. While searching, she continued.

"I'm always helped by Norman. All the time. He explains the things I don't understand, lends me a hand in trouble. But not just that....how do I put it? It's like he's always watching over me."

Keeping her eyes on the ground, Emma looked for the right words. Then she raised her face.

"Because he's a company who I can trust on to surely be my ally, no matter what happens."

Ray looked at Emma's figure in the darkness.

Maybe, there wasn't a concrete reason for Emma to utter those words. It was more a sensory... an instinctive trust.

And that was correct.

If it's for Emma, Norman would make any sacrifice. Unconditionally, he'd give everything and be by her side. Even if Norman didn't say it in words, Emma felt it. That's why she'd move for Norman.

Emma smiled at Ray who stood there silently.

"I'll do the same for you if you get sick. So will you, right?"

Instead of agreeing, Ray opened his mouth.

"Emma, what if-"

Ray began speaking but then closed his mouth. In case Norman's life was really in danger, it was time to take action. But even if revealed the truth to Emma, it'd be impossible to escape. The transmitter couldn't be broken, and Emma was still incapable of deceiving Mom and crossing the wall.

(I can't tell her yet...)

Emma tilted her face at Ray as he halted during his speech.

"Ray?"

"Nevermind. Let's search...there's no time."

Ray resumed searching for the flower. Seeing him, Emma didn't ask anything more and continued doing the same.

The time remaining was indeed very short. The two expanded their range and combed through the ground, but couldn't find the flower they looked for. Before they knew it, they were back to the place where they began searching.

Damn it. Ray cursed while wiping his hands. He pulled out the watch from his pocket.

"Emma, it's no use. Unless we turn back now, we won't be able to return to House by 12."

Even without looking at the clock, Emma could feel how much had passed on. She tried to ask in frustration.

"But, Ray-"

"Nope. Unfortunately, this is it."

Ray's answer buried Emma's voice. If possible, he too would like to continue searching. But if they didn't maintain the time, Isabella would suspect him of being careless. 

It made sense that the woman left Emma in his care now to test his loyalty. Even if that wasn't the case, Isabella would arrive to pick them up by tracking their transmitter as soon as the time would be up. If the result was the same, he'd prefer to return by themsleves.

"No..."

Emma clasped her hands in sorrow. The sharp pain in her right hand, the pain, the fear...all of it disappeared at the moment.

(Maybe, if they got the flower, it could really cure Norman's sickness.)

Was she being useless, once again?

"Norman..."

As she stood there, defeated, she suddenly noticed some small white petals illuminated by the lantern in her hand.

"Ah..."

Emma hurriedly folded her knees and took the light closer. Ray rushed in with his own lantern.

The flower they looked for was there- glowing in the light of the lanterns.

"Here it is!!"

"Yes!!"

Emma picked it up gently. She then noticed few more flowers hidden in the shades. Emma picked some more that bloomed. Ray looked at the watch and screamed.

"Emma, we'll run!"

"Yeah!"

Her body was exhausted. But Emma found the strength just because she had the flower held tightly in her wounded right arm. The joy and relief almost brought her to tears.

"Thank goodness!"

With this, Norman might get well. Out of breath, Emma ran towards the House.

The House in the midnight had only one light up near the door. It was the light of Isabella's lantern. She had a stern look on her face and a watch in her other hand.

"Mom!"

As soon as she heard Emma's voice, Isabella smiled and ran up to hug the girl.

"Ah, I was worried...you two barely made it! Oh my, Emma...your arm!"

Isabella yelped, eyes on the handkerchief that wrapped Emma's right hand - dyed red in blood.

"Don't worry, I'm okay...More importantly, please give it to Norman!"

When Emma showed the flower in her hand, Isabella noticed something. Her face darkened.

"Anyway, you two- hurry up and get inside."

Isabella opened the door. Emma looked at Isabella in confusion, gripping the flowers she picked. Ray too had a puzzled look on his face, standing behind Emma and turning off the lanterns.

"Mom, hurry up and give it to Norman!"

"I'm sorry to say this, Emma...but it's not the same flower."

Isabella kelt in front of Emma and said in a calm voice. Emma looked at the shriveled flowers that she was holding the whole time.

"Eh...?'

"What- that's a lie!"

Ray snapped out and moved in front of Emma. Isabella shook her head and opened the book that she left near the door. Ray snatched the book from her arms and compared the image with the flower that Emma found.

Certainly, the leaves look the same. But the flower had some slight differences. The size and shape of the petals were clearly not the same.

Isabella gently reached out to Emma who lost her words with the flowers in her hand.

"Anyway, let's treat that wound first. Ray, you should change the clothes too."

Emma gritted her teeth, then she shook her head like trying to shake something off. When she raised her face, her eyes had no sign of resignation.

"I'll go to search again!"

Emma ran to the front door. Ray immediately picked up the lantern that he put down a while ago.

'Emma! Ray! Wait. Norman no longer..."

Emma and Ray turned at Isabella when she took a small pause.

"....needs a medicine."

Isabella finished quietly. Emma looked at Isabella from the door. 

"Does it mean..."

Emma couldn't think further. She dashed from the door towards the infirmary in the snap of a second and sprung upon the doorknob.

 "Norman!!"

A bed with opened curtains appeared before her sight. There was no one on the bed. All the machines had been removed- the boy who was laying there even a while ago had vanished completely. Looking at the empty bed, an unpleasant image flashed in Emma's mind.

Did they really fail to make it in time?

"No...This can't be..."

Emma rushed towards to door to meet Isabella again.

"!!"

Emma collided violently with someone who stood near the door. The person held her before she fell.

"There... Emma, are you okay?"

Emma quickly raised her eyes at the sound of a voice she hadn't heard in a while.

"Norman...?"

Norman stood there in his pajamas. His face was still pale and his voice was hoarse, but he was firmly standing on his legs.

"What happened? You've got mud all over in the middle of the night...ah, even an injury!"

 Emma stared at Norman - healthy and doing fine.

"Norman...is alive..."

"Eh?"

Norman listened back. Looking at the young girl's face, he was startled.

"uh..uuh..."

The green eyes were filled with tears. The tears started streaming down in a second.

"u...uuh...I'm glad~!!"

"E-Emma?!"

Emma hugged him tightly, clinging onto him. It was Norman's turn to be surprised. Ray and Isabella who came running after her voice were taken aback.

While she sobbed, Norman patted her back; still confused.

"Emma, What happened?"

"I...uuh...I thought that Norman...uuh~ I thought you died!"

"What?!"

The surprised ones were Norman and Isabella. Still unable to comprehend the situation, Norman looked at Ray in question.

"R-Ray! What does it all mean?"

"Aah..well. Sorry 'bout that. We kind of misunderstood... various things."

Ray held an with an unusual expression on his face; as if he'd like to crawl inside a hole. That shocked Norman too.

After she seemingly calmed down, Emma wiped out her tears and let out a scream.

"I'm glad!! Norman, you're okay...I'm so glad~!"

Emma laughed, her eyes still red. Norman figured that she thought he'd been badly sick.

"Emma..."

In truth, he had difficulty breathing and was almost unconscious from the day he fell. But the IV drips were effective; when he woke up, his body felt much lighter. He might have to remain inside the infirmary for a little longer, but he surely wasn't in a life-or-death condition.

(Speaking of which, I feel like I heard Emma's voice while I was sleeping...)

Isabella shrugged, still finding it hard to believe.

"Good lord. I said that he'll get better soon. Emma, you jump to conclusions too fast."

"But Mom, you said that he won't 'last long'..."

Ah. Emma gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. Ray clicked his tongue, but it was too late. Isabella raised her brows.

"So you entered the infirmary, after all."

"Uh...I'm sorry..."

Looking at Emma who seemed to shrink smaller, Isabella smiled without humor.

"I meant that the coughs won't last long. He was healing up already."

"Ohhh.... So that's what it was!"

"I thought it was strange. Even if it's you...I didn't expect you to want to scout a forest at midnight for a simple cold. Not just you...even Ray, huh?"

Isabella turned at Ray, who clicked his tongue, regretting his words and actions.

"Eh? Forest at night? Why?... and, Emma..did you get hurt?"

Norman was dumbfounded at the whole conversation. Going outside during the night isn't normal. To think that they went inside the forest...

"Ah, that's right. You need to get treated."

Now that Emma had stopped crying, Isabella stood up and urged her to enter the infirmary. Then she made her sit on the round chair and loosened the handkerchief from her right arm.

"That's a terrible cut..."

Emma smiled embarrassedly at Norman's frown.

"Hey, you see, we got this!"

Emma showed him the flowers that she clasped in her hand. Those were some shriveled white flowers.

"Thought it'll heal your cold, so we brought it. I read that it only blooms at night. But looks like it was a different flower..."

It was a mistake-Emma laughed nonchalantly. She added that she fell on her hands like an afterthought.

"Then...."

Norman looked at her hand, bewildered. It wasn't just her arm. There were cuts and scratches on her knees and upper arms, her white clothes were muddy. Both hers and Ray's clothes were dirty.

"You searched in the forest even at night, for me?"

Isabella stood up after disinfecting the wound and wrapping it in a clear bandage. Then she lightly patted her back.

"Because that's how reckless she is. From now on, going outside at night is completely prohibited."

"...I'm really sorry."

Emma obediently apologized. Isabella smiled and stroked her hair again, spoke up in a gentler tone to assure Emma and Ray. 

"It's late. You two, take a shower and change your clothes, then go to sleep immediately." 

After adding that Emma shouldn't get her wound wet, Isabella exited the infirmary.

"Ahh... I'm tired."

Ray stretched himself with a groan and left the room. Naturally, Emma was just as tired. She rubbed her eyes with a drowsy face.

 

Norman's knelt beside Emma who sat on the chair. 

"I'm sorry. You got this wound because of me." 

It was Emma's turn to be surprised. Seeing his grim expression in spite of feeling better, Emma shook her head like nothing had happened. 

"Uh-uh! You're doing fine, so it's alright." 

Emma beamed, muds and trails of tears still on her face. "What a simpleton" - that's what Ray would say, but Norman found this straightforwardness to be dazzling and precious.

"Emma." 

Norman wiped Emma's trail of tears with the sleeve of his pajama.

"...Thank you." 

The boy smiled. But soon, a serious look took over his face.

"But here's a request. Pease don't be reckless. If something happens to you because of me, I won't be able to forgive myself." 

Emma blinked at his words for a moment. Then she smiled widely again. 

"Mhm, got it." 

Soon after her reply, Ray's voice floated in from outside. 

"Emma~ your turn to shower." 

"Eeh?? Ray, you're fast!" 

Emma jumped off the chair and left the infirmary. Staring at her back as she ran through the hallway, Norman exhaled quietly. 

"That surprised me." 

Even when she fell from a tree, or hurt herself, or was worried, or felt sad - Emma never cried. Yet the same girl shed her tears and sobbed so loudly. 

("I...I thought that, Norman... I thought you died!") 

Norman was seriously ill, but he never expected to see her to cry like that. 

"What surprised you, exactly?" 

"Uah-Ray!" 

Norman jumped up to the voice that suddenly came from his side. Ray was wiping his hair. Norman smiled at him bitterly. 

"Well. I was thinking about how she cried." 

Ray shook his shoulder where the towel rested. Then he looked away. 

"If you really did die, though.." 

"That's dark..." 

"...she wouldn't have cried." 

Saying that much, Ray left to return to his room upstairs. At first, Norman didn't understand what Ray meant. But then it clicked in him. 

When it's difficult, or when she's overwhelmed with sadness, she would clench her teeth and endure.

The only time she'd shed her tears was when it's for someone else. 

A straightforward, clumsy, strong and kind girl. 

Norman gently pressed the withered white flowers against his chest. 

***

The hypothetical "if you died" which Ray said was becoming real. Norman picked up one of the flowers scattered on his letter.

"Emma, I'm sorry."

It would be better if Emma could cry during his shipment, but his plan wouldn't let that happen.

Moreover, to the children who didn't know the truth, a departure from the House meant getting to live with a new family, an event of celebration. Even though a farewell was sad, they'd find it strange if Emma cried.

Emma herself wouldn't show her tears either.

(It'll be better if she lets herself cry, though.)

"It's time already, huh."

The surroundings were dyed in a dark color. Putting the letter aside, Norman stood up. 

The words of those two echoed in his ear all this time.

"You don't have to die!"

"Norman, we won't let you die!"

Strangely, those words were what solidified his resolution. Though that wasn't what the two of them wanted. Norman smiled.

To have friends who'd throw themselves in danger for his sake...it was such an assuring, prideful and happy thing to have.

He was happy that he got to live together with Emma and Ray.

At the same time, there was something else that he felt very, very strongly.

He wanted to live.

He wanted to live longer with Emma, Ray, and everyone. He wanted to escape with them, see the world outside, face the hardships together.

But he made his choice already: Emma's wish and the 'everyone' that Ray had given up on. And this was his answer to everyone:

"All of you, make sure to live and escape this place."

He remembered the warmth of Emma's right hand and Ray's left hand, connected to his. Norman loosely clenched both of his hands.

He wouldn't forget it, till the very last moment. As long as he remembered this warmth, he'd be able to carry on his resolution.

(Thank you, Emma, Ray.)

See the world, the truth outside, for my sake as well. You can change the world.

Survive, and grow old.

It's okay. If it's you, Emma, you can do it.

Please save Ray and our siblings.

I'm leaving the rest to you.

"Emma, I've always loved you."

Norman didn't write the words in his letter. Carefully folding the drawing paper, he hid it inside a tree hole where the key and the pen were placed.

Clouds dyed in red floated in the evening sky. Norman left the forest, fascinated by the sunset in front of him.

"Ah, I'm glad."

He was thankful that the last sunset that got to see had such a beautiful color. His face illuminated by the glow of the orange, Norman smiled.

He wouldn't stop anymore.

Quietly, he walked towards the House, many happy memories supporting his steps.

[T/N: From *** onwards, the translation followed the final few pages of the novel. You can find the links to other chapters from the novel here.]