The Distance

As Thien Thanh's figure faded into the distance, Minh Quan stared blankly after her, his arm still stretched forward in a frozen pose, his eyes holding nothing but a trail of sorrow and shattered pieces. He let himself sink into the swivel chair that still held her warmth, as if mocking his own lonely silhouette in the vast room. The smile on his lips froze like ice. He wouldn't allow himself to cry, especially not in front of her; he didn't want her to see his weakness.

Over the past days and months, he had come here, watching her in her pure white yet lonely clothes, leaving behind his busy work just to catch a glimpse of her, even if only for a moment. He hoped that one day she would open her heart again, but at the same time, he also wished she would end her own life so he wouldn't have to suffer from the guilt of the sins he had committed against her. She was the person he loved most, the one he cherished most. He feared that one day she would leave him forever, without realizing that she was already very far away from him—so far that he could never touch that silhouette again.

Only at this moment did he clearly see how wide the distance between them had stretched. He also knew that the bond connecting them was now just a fragile thread; a gentle touch would snap it, pushing the two of them down different paths...

Thien Thanh walked aimlessly. She felt as if she had just fallen into a deep, bottomless pit, unable to suppress her emotions upon seeing Minh Quan. She didn't want to reveal her feelings so easily. Toward everything, she only wanted to maintain a neutral attitude, refusing to act like a fool, and even less like a sulking child. She didn't want to be like her peers, for she did not belong to their world. Thus, she would never be like them, never be a child who only knew how to play and learn.

Regaining some composure, she turned and walked toward the old corridor of the Academy. No one was allowed here for safety reasons, and almost no one knew it was a beautiful world, isolated from everything outside, like an exotic flower needing protection. It was the most natural scenery, and also the hardest to find in this city filled with nothing but people. The smell of damp earth, mixed with the scent of leaves and rotting wood, though unpleasant, allowed one's soul to find a quiet space, calming the mind like a rippleless lake.

Stepping a bit deeper inside, lush green climbing plants hung down from the old walls, creating an ancient scene. Those walls enclosed a courtyard filled with trees and beautiful flowers, evoking a feeling both wild and serene. Thien Thanh walked over to the swing, which was wrapped in numerous ivy vines. Although it could no longer sway to catch the wind, it was very cool due to the moisture radiating from the canopy of leaves. She sat down, her sudden weight causing the swing to creak softly. Leaning back, Thien Thanh closed her eyes. She wanted to rest for a bit; her earlier outburst had left her feeling exhausted.

"Where is she?"

"Sir, the young lady is in the old corridor area."

"...Assign people to watch over her carefully, don't let anyone disturb her! ...Is that boy still there?"

"Master Minh Quan? He is still there, sir. It seems he has no intention of leaving yet!"

"...Leave him be."

The man gently signaled his subordinate to withdraw. Alone in the room, he directed his gaze out the window toward some distant place and sighed softly. He asked himself when everything would finally return to its original course...