Prologue

“Mai, how was the trip?”

“It was the best, mama!” Mai shouted, smiling from ear to ear. “I ate so many food and ride so many rides!”

“I’m glad you had fun,” mother said, she then looked towards me. “How about you?”

“Well, it was fun,” I said with a shrug.

“Sounds like you didn’t like it.” My father fixed his rear-view mirror and looked at me through it—a hint of regret in his eyes.

“No, I liked it. It just that amusement park is for kids, you know?”

My mother giggled. “Ah, well, that’s understandable. But you have to forgive us for spoiling your sister, okay? There won’t be a next time, after all.” my mother looked towards me with a somber smile.

“Huh? What is that supposed to mean? H-Hey, that’s dangerous!”

My father also joined in at looking at me, his hand not even on the wheel. “You have to take care of your sister, all right? Promise us, you’ll always be there for her.”

“What's with you guys suddenly? Watch the road!”

“You have to promise us,” both looked at me intensely.

“All right, all right! I promise, I promise! Just look at the road!”

In the distance, a bright light gradually overshadowed my parents’ face. Even at the last second, they were smiling at us.

“We love you both very much.”

Then the light consumed them.