The Humor Tale: “Eba’s Shortcoming”

With only 30 minutes left until the night's veil lifted, Eba, Diana, and the blind girl pressed on, their footsteps carrying them towards the nearby Apothecary.

"By the way, what was your name again? We haven't gotten it", Eba asked the blind girl, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"It's Momoko... Aruku Momoko", the blind girl replied, her voice soft and melodious.

"So it's Momone-chan, then", Diana said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I'm Diana, and this is my sister Eba.

"Momone?!...chan?" the blind girl repeated, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Yep, isn't it cool?" Diana said, her face beaming with pride, as if she had invented something revolutionary. The air was filled with the warmth of newfound friendship, the three girls walking together in comfortable silence, their bond growing with each step.

"Haha... houch... my ribs hurt", Eba said, her laughter echoing through the air.

"I like it", Eba added, her agreement with Diana palpable.

"I think we're the same age, so can I call you Momoko for short?" Eba asked, seeking permission with a smile.

"Oh, yes! Definitely", Momoko replied, her sightless eyes shining with joy.

"Except for blind, no one's ever given me a nickname... well, no one's even called me by my name in the first place, so..."

Diana sensed the sudden shift in mood and let out a joyful shout, her tone infectious. The atmosphere was filled with the warmth of friendship, the three girls basking in the joy of newfound camaraderie.

"Haha! Don't think any of those jerks will be calling you names again", Diana said, her laughter echoing through the air. "You're like Splash, Ting, and Chang - you were so cool out there! I bet they're afraid of you now."

"Right, sis..." Diana added, seeking accompaniment from her sister.

"Yeah, probably I wouldn't need to become your boyfriend then, hahaha" Eba replied, a playful glint in her eye.

The three of them laughed together, reminiscing about their first encounter, the tension and fear of earlier replaced by warmth and camaraderie.

"Oum, I haven't thanked you for what you two did back earlier", Momoko said, quickly stepping forward. She bowed her head, her voice trembling with emotion...

"THANK YOU! I will never forget that... No one has stood up for me in a long time, so... so..." Momoko's voice cracked as tears began to flow, her sightless eyes welling up with gratitude. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of wonder, the three girls bound together by their shared experiences and newfound friendship.

The two sisters wrapped their arms around Momoko, holding her tight in a warm, gentle embrace. Eba, despite her own physical pain, ignored her discomfort and leaned in, her heart overflowing with compassion. She hoped to absorb and dispel the unpleasant sensations, suffering, and distress that Momoko had endured for so long, to erase the torment and anguish that had haunted her for years. The three girls stood there, entwined in a tender, comforting embrace, as the warmth of their bond and the sincerity of their friendship worked to heal the wounds of the past.

Eba felt a sudden sense of déjà vu, as if she had experienced this moment before. And then it hit her - this was exactly what had happened to Nana in the past. The realization brought tears to her eyes, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She felt joy for Momoko, who had finally found solace and comfort, but at the same time, she felt guilty for Nana, who had been denied the same kindness.

As Eba reflected on the past, she began to contemplate the differences between her own situation and Nana's. She realized that she wasn't as self-sufficient as she thought, that she needed others, like Diana, to support her.

Everything was just an illusion, a fragile construct built on the praise and respect of others towards her.

Words, too, were mere illusions, capable of either inspiring or crushing one's spirit. Eba realized that she and Nana were like two sides of the same coin, opposite yet inextricably linked. While Eba had basked in the admiration and adoration of others, Nana had been subjected to criticism, mockery, and ridicule. The weight of these opposing forces had greatly affected their self-perception, shaping their very identities.

In this moment, Eba grasped the cruel irony of their situations. She, who had been elevated by the praise of others, had been blinded by her own ego. Meanwhile, Nana, who had been torn down by criticism, had been forced to confront the darkest corners of her own mind. The contrast between their experiences was stark, a poignant reminder that the words of others held immense power to shape one's self-worth.

Perhaps, Eba thought, she needed someone else's help, realizing her own limitations, she came to understand that she couldn't bear the full responsibility of aiding individuals facing their own challenges alone. Or maybe, in order to help others, she needed to help herself first. The weight of her thoughts was crushing, and her physical exhaustion finally caught up with her. Eba's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with pain.

Momoko and Diana rushed, lifting her up and carrying her to the nearby Apothecary. The specialist on duty quickly attended to Eba's wounds, tending to her broken bones and battered limbs. The trio spent the rest of the night in the Apothecary, the only sounds the rustling of herbs and the soft whispers of the specialist as she worked to mend Eba's broken body.

As the night wore on, the three girls found solace in each other's company, their bond forged in the fire of their shared experiences. Though the night was dark and uncertain, they faced it together, united in their determination to overcome the trials that lay ahead.