It had now been three days since the incident. Shimei was taken under the care of Sumia's family, until another foster home could take him in. In that time, Shimei merely sat in the guest bed. He would occasionally get up to stretch or go to the bathroom, but then would return back to the bed afterward. When he was in the bed, he would either read or study his room.

It had a calm, pale pink on its walls. The edges had a floral design that travelled across the room. A single mattress rested on the floor in the center of the room. On its left was a stand with a candle; and on its right was a fairly-sizeable window. It would have been deemed "too girly" by any other boy, but Shimei could care less. The walls could have been a depressing stone color, like a prison.

It was fitting, because that's how Shimei saw it. He would remain there, until another group would come and drag him even farther from what was left of his life.

At night, when Sumia would go and check on his condition, she could hear crying. Sentences muffled by the tears and gasps as he tried to catch his breath, but one word could always be heard through it all.

Why?

Shimei had never asked to bare the Heart of Grima. He didn't ask to be saved by his mother, and put his family at risk. He didn't ask the nobles to prevent Aversa from taking him and ending his life. So, why was it him? That question continually haunted Shimei, causing him sleepless nights.

It tore Sumia on the inside to see Shimei so distraught. She did everything she could to help, but there was one thing preventing it. Shimei wouldn't even speak. She would watch him fake a smile in her presence, and sob when he slept. Shimei was placing a wall up; he wouldn't let anyone get close to him again. It wasn't for the noble reason of protecting other; Shimei was terrified of being hurt again.

One night, Sumia decided to confront him on his behavior. When she opened the door, she noticed Shimei trying to crawl out the window. He was dressed in the outfit from their date, but had no bag or pouch for food or money. When he heard the door open, he turned to a tear-eyed Sumia.

"What are you doing?" Sumia asked rubbing her eyes with her sleeve.

"..."

"Shimei, I know you're hurt, but running away won't make that go away." She said in a comforting tone.

"..."

"Will please just respond!" she yelled.

"..."

"W-will you at least stay for tonight? To think about this a little bit more." Sumia negotiated.

"..."

Shimei didn't say anything. He merely stepped down from the window and returned to his bed. As he was lying down, he was pulled up by Sumia, who engulfed him in a hug.

"You don't have to be alone. I'll be here for you." Sumia whispered.

The feeling of Sumia's hug, it reminded him of his mother. Tears began to form, as well as a quivering lip. Shimei couldn't bottle his feelings anymore, and cried into Sumia's shoulder. After Shimei had finally stopped crying, the two sat there for a while. They didn't chat as if nothing was wrong, but didn't remain quiet entirely. Shimei eventually lay back down, and Sumia left for her bed. As she closed the door, she could hear Shimei mumble something.

"Thank you..."

The next morning, Sumia decided to bring him his breakfast. When she entered the room, she immediately dropped the tray holding the food. Shimei had gone through with leaving that night. On his bed, lay the books that Sumia had given him to read. Next to the books was a note. Sumia quickly grabbed it, and read.

Dear Sumia,

Thank you for everything you and your family have done. I know I didn't show it, but I appreciated your kindness. That's why I can't stay. Aversa said Validar would return eventually. I can't risk another person dying because of me. I've taken one of the books from the pile. I'm sorry for stealing it, and I'll return it if ever given the chance.

Sincerely, Shimei

Sumia crumbled the letter in her hands. She then drew her knees to her face and lay back against the wall.

"You jerk..." she mumbled.

Ramsey looked around the empty void. She hadn't had another vision since the town back in Plegia. However, she was not surrounded by bubbles with images like before. Instead she saw a figure huddled over in a corner, Ramsey could hear crying. As she got closer, it was Shimei that was crying. Ramsey immediately began to dash to her son, but as their distance shortened, another figure could be seen. The figure held no real characteristics; it was just a pale-black figure with a purple glow. The character smiled creepily to Ramsey and showed her its left foot and right hand. Both bared the Heart of Grima. Ramsey eyes widened, but before she could run to her child...

She awoke from her dream in a cold sweat.

Ramsey took notice of the room around her; she appeared to be in a tent of sorts. She was lying on a table with a pillow supporting her head. Beneath the table were crates of medicine and such. She rose from her bed, and struggled to leave. As she walked, she thought back on what happened before she passed out.

Ramsey remembered covering Ayaka when debris fell. She remembered that large plank smacked her in the back, and knocked her unconscious. She thought she had died, but apparently not. Ramsey then realized something. She exited the tent, and immediately looked around for her children. She then found Ayaka talking with Libra on a table a few feet from the tent.

"Ayaka!" Ramsey yelled with glee.

She quickly got the attention of Ayaka, who then ran to her mother.

"Momma! Thank the gods, your alive!" Ayaka replied. The two then pulled each other in for a hug.

After the reunion, Libra explained what had happened. He said that after the fire passed; a search team found Ramsey and Ayaka unconscious under the debris. They took the two to a medical tent, and they were stabilized with staves until they regained consciousness.

"And what happened to Shimei?" Ramsey asked with concern.

"Sumia's family offered to take him in until another foster home can take him in. However, I'm sure if we go there now, we can clear things up and get Shimei back." Libra replied.

The group wasted no time getting to Sumia's house. They spent an hour asking around, until Ayaka ran into Cordelia. Cordelia wasn't shocked to see her, because she knew nothing of the fire. She happily gave them directions to Sumia's house.

At Sumia's house, her parents sat quietly in their living room, and Sumia hadn't left the guest bedroom yet. They had not conversed on Shimei's departure, but that would soon change when they heard a knock at the door.

"Hello, my name is Ramsey. I am Shimei's mother." Ramsey stated as the father greeted them at the door. He was in disbelief, and started to close the door. However, Ayaka halted the door with her foot and barged right in. An argument between the child and the father ensued. Hearing the commotion, Sumia left to see what was happening. To her surprise, she saw Shimei's family alive and well.

"Oh, Sumia! It's good to see you! Be a dear, and get Shimei for me?" Ayaka stated releasing her grip on the father's collar.

Her request was met with Sumia's tears.

Meanwhile, in the outskirts of Claive's forest, Shimei was travelling alone. He was in the purple cloak that Ramsey had taken from Plegia. It had survived the fire and laid a top the debris when Shimei passed by to pay his respects before leaving. He wasn't sure what would happen to him, nor did he care. Though, the cloak kept him warm, and was a constant reminder of what he wanted to avenge.