Chapter 11: The Choice to Let Go

The days grew heavy, weighed down by the shadow of that night on Moon Bridge. Mei couldn't forget the mist, the whispering voice, the cold grip of the shadow that had tried to take Jun away.

And she couldn't forget its words. "He was meant to stay… The river keeps what it takes."

It haunted her, twisting through her dreams, echoing in her thoughts. No matter how tightly she held him, no matter how fiercely she promised to protect him, the truth remained: Jun was never meant to come back.

By staying by his side, she was defying the river, defying fate itself. And the river would not forgive. It would keep trying to take him back.

The realization shattered her. She was the reason he was in danger. Her love, her promises—she was holding him in a world where he didn't belong, a world that was tearing at him, trying to pull him back to the shadows.

If she stayed, she would only bring him pain.

If she stayed, she would lose him forever.

The decision was made, cold and heavy as stone. She would leave.

It was the only way to save him.

The next morning, she found him at the edge of the riverbank, skipping stones across the water. His face was bright, his laughter carefree, his small body leaning into the throw with all the enthusiasm of a child.

Mei's chest tightened. He deserves this. A chance to live without fear, without shadows. Even if it meant living without her.

She approached slowly, her feet silent on the soft earth. "Jun?" Her voice was steady, though her heart was breaking.

He turned, his face lighting up. "Jiejie! Look! I made it skip five times!" He ran to her, his hand slipping into hers. "Can you teach me how to do more?"

Her fingers tightened around his, memorizing the warmth, the feel of his tiny fingers curled around hers. "Jun…" She knelt before him, her eyes level with his. "I… I have to go away."

His smile faltered, his eyes widening. "Go away? Where?"

She forced herself to smile, her heart cracking with every word. "Just… somewhere far. I have to take care of something important."

His lip trembled, his hands gripping hers. "But you'll come back, right?"

Mei's vision blurred, her tears threatening to spill. She wanted to say yes, to promise that she would always be there, that she would never leave him again. But she knew the truth. If she stayed, the shadows would come for him.

This was the only way to protect him.

She took a shaky breath, her voice breaking. "No… I won't be coming back."

Jun's face crumpled, his eyes filling with tears. "No! You can't go! You promised!"

Mei's heart shattered, the pain so deep she could barely breathe. "I know… I know I promised." Her voice wavered, the words choking her. "But sometimes… sometimes promises have to be broken to keep someone safe."

He shook his head violently, his small body trembling. "No! I don't care! I want you to stay! I don't want to forget you!"

Her chest seized, the pain slicing through her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, her tears falling into his hair. "I love you, Jun. I love you more than anything."

He sobbed against her, his small arms clinging to her desperately. "Then don't leave! Please! I'll be good! I won't get in trouble! Just… don't leave me again!"

Mei's body shook, her heart breaking into pieces. But she couldn't stay. If she stayed, he would never be free of the shadows, never be safe from the river.

She pulled away, her hands cupping his tear-streaked face. "You have to be brave, okay? You have to live and be happy." Her voice trembled, her heart aching. "You won't remember me, but… but I'll always remember you."

His eyes widened, his voice small and afraid. "Forget you? No! I don't want to forget!"

But she knew he would. Once she left, once she broke the bond between them, the memories would fade. The river would release its hold on him, and he would be free.

She stood, her heart screaming, her body numb. "Goodbye, Jun."

She turned and walked away, each step agony, every fiber of her being begging her to turn back, to run to him, to hold him and never let go.

But she kept walking, even as his cries echoed behind her, even as his voice broke, calling her name over and over. "Jiejie! Don't leave! Don't leave me!"

She walked until she couldn't hear him anymore, until the river was a distant whisper, until her legs gave out and she sank to the ground, her sobs tearing through her.

In the distance, the cherry blossoms danced on the wind, their petals drifting toward the river, carried away by the current.

And behind her, on the riverbank, little Jun fell to his knees, his tears soaking the earth, his heart breaking.

But as the wind blew, carrying the petals away, his cries grew quieter, his memories growing dim.

He sat there for a long time, his body still, his eyes empty.

Then he blinked, his face going blank, his tears drying. He stood, brushing the dirt from his clothes, his expression confused as he looked around.

There was no one there.

No one to remember.

No one to miss.

He turned away from the river, his steps light as he walked back toward the village, his heart calm, his mind blank.

He had forgotten her.

And Mei, lost in her grief, knew she had saved him. Even if it meant he would never remember her face, her voice, her love.

It was the price she paid to keep her promise.

And the river was silent, its debt repaid.