Cycles of Eternity

Chapter 3: A Name for the Stranger



The morning following the mysterious event, the Sawamura family waited in a small hospital room. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, illuminating the figure of the gray-haired boy, still lying in bed.

Eriri observed the boy with a mix of curiosity and empathy. There was something about him that felt... familiar, though she didn't fully understand why. Meanwhile, her parents were conversing with the doctor in a corner of the room.

"Mom, when will he wake up?" Eriri asked, not taking her eyes off the boy.

"We don't know, dear," Sayuri replied, gently stroking her daughter's hair. "We have to be patient."

As if answering her question, the boy began to slowly open his eyes. First, his left eye, a deep shade of purple, then his right, a dull gray that seemed unable to focus well.

"Mom, Dad! He's awake!" Eriri exclaimed excitedly.

The boy looked around, but his face showed no emotion. He didn't say a word, only observing the strangers surrounding him with his one visible eye.

"Hello… can you hear me?" Mr. Spencer asked in Japanese, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

The boy nodded slightly but didn't respond.

"Do you know your name? Do you remember where you come from?" Sayuri continued, her voice soft and warm.

The boy shook his head, making it clear that he didn't remember anything. Eriri, intrigued, moved closer, noticing the lack of reaction in his gaze.

"Dad, his right eye…" she whispered, pointing to the boy's gray eye.

Mr. Spencer stepped forward to look more closely, his brow furrowing with concern.

"It looks like he has partial blindness," Mr. Spencer murmured to his wife. "We should speak with the doctor to see if anything can be done."

Meanwhile, Eriri looked at the boy with a determined expression.

"Mom, Dad… we have to help him!" she exclaimed, taking the boy's hand without hesitation. "He… doesn't have anyone, right? Why can't we take care of him?"

Her parents exchanged glances, a little surprised by Eriri's conviction.

"Eriri, it's a big responsibility. We don't know anything about him, not even his name or his past," her mother replied gently.

"But that doesn't matter!" Eriri insisted, looking at her parents with eyes full of determination. "I'll take care of him, and we'll help him recover his memories… or give him a new life if he doesn't remember them."

Mr. Spencer sighed but smiled at his daughter's enthusiasm. He knew that her generous heart always found ways to help those in need.

"All right… but he'll need a name. We can't just keep calling him 'boy,'" he said with a hint of humor.

Eriri looked at the boy intently, as if trying to find the right name in his features.

"Shiro…gami," she whispered after a moment. "Because his hair is white like a god of the sky."

The boy looked at Eriri with his purple eye, and for an instant, a spark of life seemed to appear in his expressionless gaze.

"What do you think?" Eriri asked softly.

The boy nodded slowly, as if accepting the new name offered to him.

Sayuri and Mr. Spencer smiled, moved by the connection that seemed to have formed between Eriri and the young Shirogami.

"All right, Shirogami…" Sayuri said, gently stroking the boy's head. "You're part of our family now."

Shirogami looked at Eriri and her parents. Although he couldn't express what he felt, a strange warmth filled him. And at that moment, he knew that this would be the beginning of a new life.

.

.

.

Several days had passed since Shirogami was found in the forest. The doctors hadn't found any serious injuries, so he was finally discharged from the hospital. Though the gray-haired boy hadn't regained his memories, his new name and the presence of the Sawamura family seemed to give him a sense of purpose.

Eriri, excited, guided him to the entrance of his new home: an impressive mansion surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens. The mansion's facade was majestic, with classic architectural details and tall windows reflecting the sky.

"Welcome to your new home, Shirogami!" Eriri exclaimed, opening the door with a grand gesture.

Shirogami looked around silently, his eyes carefully observing every corner with a quiet interest. Despite his stoic expression, it was clear that he was impressed by the place. The entrance was spacious, with marble floors and a wooden staircase that elegantly rose to the second floor.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," Eriri said, taking his hand and leading him upstairs.

As they walked, Shirogami could see paintings and decorations adorning the mansion's walls, as well as bookshelves full of books, sculptures, and various items reflecting the tastes of a sophisticated family. The furniture was made of dark wood with golden accents, and in every corner, a sense of history and elegance could be felt.

"This is the main living room," Eriri explained, pointing to a large room with velvet sofas and a fireplace. "Sometimes we gather here to watch movies, or sometimes my mom and I draw. Do you like drawing?"

Shirogami looked at her silently, as if processing the question, but didn't answer.

"Well, that's okay. If you want to try it sometime, just let me know," Eriri said with a smile, guiding him to the second floor.

Finally, they reached a room in the west wing of the house. Eriri opened the door, revealing a spacious room with a large bed, a wooden desk, and wide windows that let in sunlight and offered a spectacular view of the garden.

"This is your room!" Eriri announced, stepping in to show him all the details. "Mom said you can decorate it however you want. So, if there's anything you need, just let me know."

Shirogami entered the room, observing the bed, the closets, and the desk. Everything was new and carefully prepared for him, with a sense of warmth and care in every detail.

"You'll be safe here, Shirogami," Eriri said, sitting on the bed and looking at him. "We're a family now."

Though Shirogami didn't express any emotion, a slight sense of calm and security settled within him. He knew he was in a place where he could find answers and perhaps begin to understand who he was.

Eriri showed him around the room and the view of the garden, smiling with endless energy.

"If you need anything, just look for Mom, Dad, or me," she added. "We're here for you."

With those words, Shirogami understood he was no longer alone, and although his past was still a mystery, he felt that this place could be his new beginning.


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