Yuu continued to trace her fingers over the drawings as she spoke. “I used to come here when I was still living in London. It was my secret haven; one I stumbled upon by accident. I was about 15 at the time. I’d come here just to read a book and be alone with my thoughts, or… or cry - especially on days when life felt too heavy. I hated crying in front of others because it made me feel vulnerable. But eventually, I understood that tears can make you stronger. They show how much you’ve grown; how unafraid you are to reveal your vulnerabilities. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but even now, I still tend to hide when I cry.”
She placed a hand over her heart. “This place has always stayed in my heart. I’d come here, put on my headphones, play music, and cry my eyes out, letting myself get lost in my thoughts as the tranquility of this place enveloped me. Here, I would lose track of time.”
Yuu continued, “I liked it here. I felt like I belonged, even though I know it sounds strange. These drawings on the walls... I used to sit here and gaze at them. Someone drew them with a kind heart. I’m amazed they’re still here, and I feel... happy. Through these drawings, I felt connected to something - like I found peace and calmness.”
“It is certainly beautiful and peaceful here,” Victor said, his expression soft as he continued to examine each drawing. “No wonder you would disappear for hours, and I never knew where you were.”
Finally, her tears began to fall. Her voice trembled with emotion as she continued, “I was drawn to this place not only because it was hidden, but because it held historical value. These drawings warmed my heart. I felt connected to the people who created them - I could feel their emotions.” She leaned against the wall and paused, looking up at the sky for a moment.
William's words caught in his throat as he watched someone who respected these drawings and appreciated them so deeply. He hadn't imagined that anyone could hold them in such high esteem, or that this place could be a refuge for someone.
Yuu approached the drawing of the waterfall, her hand trembling as she touched it. “I wish... I could know more about these people... my heart craves to know...” she murmured softly, wiping away her tears. “I've always had a theory that... three people drew these.”
“May I know how you arrived at that conclusion?” William's voice was filled with curiosity.
Yuu stepped back from the drawing. “Well, it’s quite evident. When you take a closer look at the paintings, you can see different brush patterns and movements. If you examine them carefully, you’ll notice distinct patterns in the drawings. My conclusion is that three people worked on these. It feels as if they were trying to express their emotions through these drawings, almost like hidden messages. They feel pure, full of good intentions.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t be surprised if children had drawn these.”
She placed her hand on her chin, trying to recall. “I did some research on these drawings but had no luck. I only found out when the building was constructed... Wait... that means these drawings are relatively recent! Well, not exactly, but they were created during this era, since the building was constructed in the 1850s, and now we’re in the late Victorian era. It was partially demolished in the 1860s, so the drawings must have been made after that, otherwise, they’d have been damaged. But they’re in surprisingly good condition. I couldn’t find any records explaining why the place was meant to be demolished, though. That’s about all I can deduce, though I’m not very good at it,” Yuu said with a soft sigh.
William watched her as she voiced her thoughts, a smirk tugging at his lips as he realized how close she was to the truth.
Then, tapping her finger against her chin, a thought suddenly crossed her mind. “Ahh!” she exclaimed.
“What is it?” Victor asked, turning to her, surprised by her sudden outburst.
“So maybe... these people are still alive!” Yuu exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “I would love to meet them! These drawings have always inspired me and made me smile. Even in Whitechapel, which was once a poor area during this period, unexpected beauty can be found. It's like a contrast within the world itself - where it seems only harsh realities exist. Yet, hidden beauty reveals itself when you open your eyes. These paintings have shaped my understanding of the world...”
She lowered her hands. “I wish I could thank them for inspiring me, even indirectly, to move forward with my life and never lose hope.”
“You’re quite the detective, my lady,” William said, still pondering whether to reveal the truth now or wait until he could speak to his brothers.
“Wow, that's quite the deduction, sis,” Victor teased. “Are you trying to be Sherlock Holmes?”
“I just want to meet them,” she replied, determination shining in her eyes. “No, I have to.” She placed her hands on her heart again, glancing back and forth between the drawings. “Anyways, I'm happy to see these drawings again. They helped me survive the hardest moments of my life, and I will always be grateful to the people who created them. I truly hope my feelings will reach them one day.”
“I'm quite sure they will, Miss Yuu,” William said, adding, “I will make sure of that.”
Yuu turned to face him, her expression filled with appreciation. “William,” she said softly, “thank you. Even if it doesn't happen in the end, I'm still grateful.”
“Sis, I understand that this place holds your heart,” Victor said, a hint of concern in his eyes. “But night is approaching, and it can be dangerous here at this time. We should take our leave.”
“I agree with Victor,” William added. “Especially at night, it can be... hectic here. It's not a place for a lady.”
Yuu nodded slightly in agreement. “Alright, my dear gentlemen, let's head back to the manor and call it a day.”
As they reached the city center and crossed one of the smaller bridges spanning the River Thames, the sky was painted in warm evening hues, and the distant chirping of birds filled the air. However, the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly shattered when Yuu spotted an older woman - likely in her mid-forties - standing ahead of them. She was dressed in ragged clothes and had stepped onto the edge of the bridge.
Her hair flowed freely, tousled by the gentle breeze, while her dark gaze seemed distant, as if nothing else mattered but the choice before her. She hesitated for a moment, staring at the horizon, her body stiffening as though she were reconsidering. But then, her eyes returned to the water, filled with unwavering determination to end it all.
Sprinting in desperation toward the woman, Yuu shouted, “she's going to jump!”
The woman took a deep breath, fully focused on her actions, then closed her eyes and leapt. But Yuu caught her wrist with both hands. “I’m not letting you jump,” Yuu murmured, struggling to hold on.
The woman tilted her head, her eyes widening in surprise. “Let me go, or we’ll both go down.”
“No!” Yuu shouted, struggling to keep her grip.
“Stubborn child,” the woman muttered, attempting to free herself from Yuu’s hands.
Even though William and Victor raced after Yuu, they couldn’t reach them in time. Everything happened in an instant. As they rushed to help, Yuu, lacking the strength to pull the woman back, lost her grip and slipped off the bridge with her - both plunging into the cold waters of the Thames.

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