“No, Yuu!” Victor shouted as his sister plunged into the cold waters of the River Thames. “She can’t swim! We have to help her!”

William’s face darkened as the realization struck - Yuu might drown. He had to act fast if he wanted to save her.

Even though his exterior seemed calm, his eyes betrayed his worry. He ran as fast as he could to the edge of the bridge, where both women had fallen into the water. Without a second thought, he leaped off the bridge into the water, hoping that he would reach her in time.

Victor followed swiftly after him. At that moment, passersby noticed the commotion, and one of them shouted, “hurry! We need help! There are people in the water!”

 

“I have a boat,” an older man said. “I’ll get it ready.”

As the older man prepared the boat, William and Victor swam through the river, searching for Yuu and the other woman. Victor quickly spotted the older woman, unconscious and floating in the water. He swam to her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close before bringing her to the surface.

The old man waited nearby with his boat. When he saw Victor, he gestured for him to bring the woman aboard. Victor gently laid her down, checked her pulse, and began performing CPR. After a few moments, she gasped and started coughing, regaining consciousness.

Victor let out a soft sigh of relief as the woman regained consciousness, his expression briefly softening. However, fear still gripped him as he realized William was still in the water, searching for Yuu.

“Take care of her,” Victor told the boat owner before diving back into the water.

 

William’s concern was evident as he scanned the water. Though his mind remained sharp, his breaths came in short gasps, forcing him to surface for air. Focus, William, he thought.

“Yuu, where are you? Don’t leave us,” he murmured, his heart pounding as he desperately hoped to find her soon. Taking a deep breath, he dove beneath the surface once more, searching frantically. The water was dark, making it difficult to see, but his mind was consumed by a single thought of saving her.

Then, finally, he spotted her.

She floated underwater, unconscious, slowly sinking into the darkness. Her hair fanned out around her, and her expression was serene. Please be alive, he thought as he swam closer.
He caught her wrist and pulled her close. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers, trying to share his breath.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips. For a moment, confusion washed over her, but then reality hit: they were still underwater. He was so close - close enough that she thought her heart might leap out of her chest. But this wasn’t the time to be flustered.

William’s body felt lighter at the sight of her being alive, but he knew they had to get out of the water as soon as possible. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist and helped her swim to the surface, where the boat floated nearby.

 

Victor saw that William had finally found Yuu and that she was conscious. He let out a deep sigh he hadn’t realized he was holding. Both men helped her into the boat. Once they were all on board, the older man handed her a towel, which she draped over her shoulders as she shivered.

 

“What were you thinking, Yuu?! You know you can’t swim!” Victor’s voice was louder than usual, his gaze piercing into hers. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace, his eyes shining as he fought to suppress his tears. “What would I have done if I lost you?!” he added, his voice softer now.

Yuu couldn’t hold back her tears either and embraced him tightly. “My body moved on its own. I couldn’t let her drown... I just couldn’t... I had to...” she wept, burying her face in his chest.

William placed a comforting hand on Victor’s shoulder and said calmly, “Your sister has a good heart. All is well that ends well.”

They pulled apart. “I know she has a good heart, but she can be reckless,” Victor sighed. “It’s admirable to want to save others, but not at the cost of your own safety. There are always other ways.”

Victor looked into Yuu’s eyes. “Next time... please let us help you in such matters. Don’t just run off. We are a team, Yuu.”

Yuu nodded, her heart pounding as she absorbed the weight of her brother’s words.

“I’m glad you’re alright,” the boat owner said with a warm smile.

“Thank you for your assistance. It truly made all the difference,” William replied courteously.

“No need to thank me. It’s just what any decent person would do,” the man replied, turning his attention to the older woman.

Yuu took a deep breath and crawled toward the woman, who was shivering and weeping. Her dark hair was tousled and slightly gray. Though her face had gentle features, the years had left their mark, with deep wrinkles around her eyes. Her clothes were ragged, and her shirt had several holes.

Yuu looked softly into the woman’s eyes. “Your eyes... they tell a story. You, madam, have lost someone dear, haven’t you?”

The woman paused her weeping and lifted her face. “How do you know?” she asked, sounding confused.

“As they say, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. Your eyes... they’re empty and hollow, as if your very soul has left you. No light, no fire, no emotion... But I see you. I understand,” Yuu said gently.

“How can you say you understand so easily?!” the woman replied, raising her voice. “I have lost everything... everything, do you hear me? What’s the point of staying alive if I’m all alone?

“You just waltz into my life, deciding it’s better to save me, as if you’re doing it to feel better about yourself. Huh? You wanted to play the hero by endangering yourself? You foolish girl. You put not only yourself at risk but these two men as well. And for what? For an old woman like me, who has no will to live? Truly foolish.” She spat on the ground.

Yuu didn’t blink or feel surprised as the woman spoke. She understood; she felt the woman’s pain.

Closing the distance between them, Yuu hugged the woman tightly.

“You’re right. I’m sorry for being so selfish. But... this doesn’t change the fact that I understand this feeling of hopelessness, of losing someone close... of feeling the guilt and not knowing what to do. I know... I’ve been in your shoes... and I came to the same conclusion once. I did the same. But I was spared. I don’t want anyone else to feel this, not if I can help it. So, I won’t step back.”