Morning came, and the world slowly woke as sunlight spread across the land.
Outside Riverside City Hospital, a young man stood at the entrance, staring at his phone with a bitter expression.
"What do you mean? Is your job really that important? Don't you know Lily's illness has relapsed again? She just wants you with her. Tell me, when was the last time you came back?"
"Yes, you make money for her treatment. I never complained about that. But you haven't come back in three years. Is visiting once really that hard?"
His voice suddenly rose, shattering the quiet of the hospital lobby. His face burned with anger.
"Hmph. I don't have a father like him, and I don't have a mother like you. Other than sending us money every month, we never even see you. What kind of parents are you?"
Tears slid down his pale and exhausted face.
What was the point of saying all this now? If you had thought about Lily and me back then, things would never have turned out like this. Since you abandoned us, you shouldn't have had us in the first place.
"Fine. Do whatever you want. I remember every cent you sent us. I'll pay it all back someday. Every last penny. And I hope you and your new family are happy."
The young man hung up the phone with a sharp motion.
Then he slowly sank down onto the cold ground and began to cry.
When Ethan Hale was six years old, his parents divorced. Neither of them wanted custody. Aside from monthly support payments, the only contact they had with their children was through occasional phone calls.
Not long after the divorce, both parents started new families. If not for legal obligations, Ethan and his sister might have ended up in an orphanage. In truth, they already felt like orphans.
Over the years, Ethan's resentment toward his parents had never faded. They claimed they worked to pay for Lily's treatment, but that felt like nothing more than an excuse. Beyond sending money, they never showed up. Not once.
If their grandfather had not raised them and left behind a small amount of savings when he passed away, Ethan and Lily might have ended up on the streets.
Lily had been born with a congenital heart defect. Since childhood, she had always been weaker than other kids. Even walking left her trailing behind. Any anxiety or shortness of breath could trigger intense chest pain and even cause her to collapse.
Ethan and Lily had depended on each other for as long as they could remember. His love for his sister ran deep. After their grandfather passed away, she became his only family.
Ethan shook his head, forcing away those thoughts. He wiped his reddened eyes and tried to compose himself before walking into the hospital room with a smile.
Inside the room sat a small white bed. Lying on it was a frail young girl.
Her long black hair fell to her waist. Her delicate brows rested peacefully above closed eyes. Her soft breathing lifted her small nose gently. Her lips were slightly parted, and her slender arms lay quietly at her sides. Her skin was pale, though faintly rosy at the edges.
Ethan sat down quietly and reached out, gently brushing her cheek.
He smiled as her eyes slowly opened.
Her bright eyes sparkled with life. She blinked and tilted her head slightly before smiling sweetly.
"Big brother, you're back."
"I'm back. What happened this time? Why did you faint again?" he asked, gently rubbing her head.
"It's nothing," she said with an innocent smile. Then she made a small pleading face. "Big brother, I want to go home."
"Alright. I'll take care of the discharge papers. We'll go home soon."
He tapped her lightly on the nose before leaving the room.
A few minutes later, out on the street,
a young man carried a girl on his back, forming a warm and gentle scene that seemed to brighten the road around them.
"Lily, I think you gained weight again."
"I did not. Just a tiny bit," she said, puffing out her cheeks as she lightly smacked his head.
"Heavier is good," Ethan said, holding her legs securely. "Heavier is healthy."
After a moment of silence, she rested her head against his back.
"Big brother… they still won't come back, will they?"
Ethan's expression stiffened.
"They're busy. Let's just go home. I'll cook something good for you tonight."
A trace of resentment flickered in his eyes.
"Okay. I love your cooking the most," she said, forcing herself to sound cheerful despite her weakness.
"Let's go home."
He quickened his pace.
"Yeah… we're going home!"
Suddenly, Lily turned her head.
"Big brother, wait. Look over there. What are they selling?"
"Just fruit," he said, glancing toward the stand.
"No, look. Doesn't that look like a Devil Fruit? Let's go see."
She squirmed impatiently on his back.
"Alright."
"That really does look like a Devil Fruit," Ethan muttered, staring at the strange fruit covered in swirling patterns. People really went all out designing fruit these days.
"Big brother, let's buy one."
"It's probably fake. We don't even know if it's safe."
The vendor quickly spoke up.
"It's safe. Certified normal fruit. Just made with a special process. It's basically an apple."
"Alright. We'll take one."
That night, stars filled the sky.
A shooting star streaked across the darkness.
"Lily, come downstairs. Dinner's ready."
Ethan set bowls and utensils on the table beside a simple meal of three dishes and soup.
"Coming!"
Her voice rang from upstairs.
Moments later, she came hurrying down in oversized pajamas, panting but excited.
"How many times have I told you not to rush?" Ethan sighed, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a towel. "You're already out of breath."
"Smells amazing! Big brother, you're the best!"
She grabbed her chopsticks and started eating.
Ethan sat beside her, smiling as he watched her devour the food.
"Big brother, watch TV with me after dinner," she said with her mouth full.
"Tonight? I still have work later."
"You haven't spent time with me in forever," she said, pouting.
"You silly girl."
He brushed a grain of rice from her mouth.
"Alright. Tonight I'll stay with our little princess."
"Thank you!"
She smiled brightly and continued eating.
Later, in a room filled with cartoon posters and plush toys, the two of them sat watching TV together.
"Is this the newest episode?"
"Yeah. Ace died. That villain Akainu killed him," she said angrily, pointing at the screen.
"That's a shame. He was a good character," Ethan said calmly.
"Luffy is so miserable. If I went there, I'd beat all the villains up," she said, waving her fist.
Ethan laughed and rubbed her head.
"You silly girl."
"This show grew up with us. But I still like Naruto more."
"No way. One Piece is better."
"Fine. One Piece is better."
She lifted her chin proudly.
"Oh right. Let's try that Devil Fruit."
"You actually believe that?"
"Big brother…"
"Fine."
He went to the kitchen and brought it back.
"I'll try it first," she said eagerly.
He stopped her.
"I'll eat it first. If it's safe, then you can."
"Hmph. You worry too much."
Ethan took a bite.
Instantly, a horrible taste filled his mouth. The smell was unbearable. The texture was even worse.
It was revolting.
He nearly blacked out from the taste.
"Well? Is it good?" she asked eagerly.
He gagged and threw the fruit aside, retching violently.
Cold sweat poured down his face.
"Big brother… look…"
He looked up.
The fruit was dissolving into tiny specks of light.
And then it vanished.
Ethan froze.
At that moment, the television suddenly released a terrifying pulling force.
A life sized black vortex expanded outward,
swallowing everything.