CHAPTER 10 - Changing Someone
The love story between Iris and Noel began when they were both 15 years old. Iris worked at a restaurant, and Noel frequently visited just to see her.
Love at first sight, he said.
"Stupidity."
I don't believe in love at first sight; what he felt was sexual attraction to a beautiful girl, and he confused his feelings with love.
Ah, whatever.
Little by little, Noel earned Iris's trust. They started as friends and then became a couple.
Ah, and the drama began when they threatened to strip Noel of his last name if he didn't agree to marry a girl his parents had chosen for him. When he refused, family problems started.
Iris felt guilty and tried to end their relationship to spare him more trouble, but he refused to break up with her, kissed her, reaffirmed his love, and they married as quickly as possible to start a life together.
I won't deny it's admirable that he gave up being a millionaire to be with the person he loves, but…
"Is it worth doing something like that?"
Does love really feel so good that Noel gave up his luxurious life to be with the person he loves?
I've never been in love… Have I? Not that I know of… Hmm… Ah… Hana… Hana… I think I might've liked a girl named Hana or something, but I don't remember her.
Well, real love, I've never felt it.
But does it really feel that good?
"I wonder if even someone like me can fall in love."
Ah, better not think about that.
Iris had a difficult childhood, and her adoptive family forced her to work at a restaurant, paying her nothing, using the excuse that they covered her studies. They treated her like a slave until Noel got her out of that life.
Noel fell for her because of her beauty, I'm sure, and she fell for him because he helped her escape that living hell.
Is that love? Falling for someone because of their beauty, and falling for someone because they helped you.
Is love that easy? I don't know anything about love, so I'd better not say anything.
But considering Sylphie's personality, which is the same as her mother's, that means…
"Iris didn't love him, or rather, she loved him so much because he was the light in her life."
Iris depended too much on Noel, so much that she lost control of her life when he died, because she didn't know what to do.
Depending so much on one person… I'm no expert, but I doubt that's love.
I think, yes, Noel and Iris loved each other, but Noel made the mistake of not teaching Iris to be an independent person, and Iris never learned to be independent on her own because she thought Noel would always be with her.
Sylphie thanked me when I helped her and even told me her name because she wanted to get closer to me to be my friend.
"Sylphie wants to find a Noel in her life."
And that would only harm her. So far, she's done well, supporting her mother on her own. Sylphie is quite independent in her private life, but mentally, she needs a lot of help.
"And if a man approaches her, pretending to help her, it could ruin her life."
She's very easy to manipulate. If I were interested in sex, I could've taken her virginity that same day without any problem, because I know exactly how to manipulate a fragile girl like Sylphie, and if I'm sure I could do it, others could too.
Iris and Sylphie, girls who let themselves be dominated because their minds are weak.
Noel, you're a good person; I'm sure it was never your intention to take advantage of Iris's vulnerability, but you made a mistake with her by letting her be dependent on you.
I need to teach Iris that she must be an independent woman, that her happiness depends only on herself, not on others.
She needs to learn to love herself first.
"Ah, so lazy."
Iris has been lucky so far; no man has taken advantage of her, but if she sank so low as to steal from her own daughter, I don't doubt she'd spread her legs for more money any moment.
I need to prevent that at all costs, because it would only make my job harder.
"Ah, I hope it's worth it."
Yuki and Noel already informed me that Iris, Noel's ex-wife, left her house.
It's time for part 2 of my plan.
Humans are easily influenced by our feelings, which is why we're easy to manipulate.
A depressed woman is more vulnerable… Or so I think… I'm no psychologist or anything, but I have enough knowledge to know what to do in this situation.
I have experience with the negative side of human nature, but this is depression, it goes far beyond my knowledge, but I have some experience with it, so I think I can do it well.
Human nature is to survive, which is why we live in society, because we depend on others to move forward, even if we don't like it. Iris has only depended on Sylphie so far, but now that she's running out of money, she'll hit rock bottom and have to depend on others. And I'll take advantage of that to become the person she needs.
It's easy to manipulate someone's behavior.
Iris is an alcoholic because she misses Noel, her first love.
Something romantic, but toxic. That has affected her daughter.
How do you solve this problem? Honestly, I don't know exactly; I'm improvising a bit.
I imagined several scenarios, and the one with the highest chance of working is this one.
I entered the store and saw Iris, somewhat sober but worried.
"What? Why did the price go up?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry."
She looks too sad. Ah, buying alcohol again, huh?
She's been having financial problems, which is why she's upset that the price went up.
This is perfect.
I stood next to her and placed some money on the counter.
"I'll pay for it, miss."
"Tch! I don't need your pity, brat!"
Ah, wow. Not only did she click her tongue at me, she's looking at me with disgust and even yelled at me angrily.
She really gets aggressive, especially now, when she can't afford her addiction.
"Pity? I was just being kind. Your daughter is in my class, that's why I'm trying to help. Don't worry, I like helping, and this small expense is no problem for me."
"… How do you know I'm her mother?" she said, looking at me suspiciously.
"My late father was a friend of Noel; I remember you because he showed off a picture of his beautiful wife. You haven't changed a bit, Miss Iris. You still look as lovely. You smell a bit off, I won't deny, but your beauty is still there."
"Flirting with a drunk? Teenagers these days…" the clerk said before I silenced him with my words.
"Hey, idiot."
I put my finger to my lips to shut him up. Nobody asked for your opinion, trash, so keep your mouth shut.
"Shut up if you don't know what she's been through, got it? Sorry about that, Miss Iris. But, putting that aside, will you accept my humble help?"
"… Yes… Thank you."
"You're welcome. But…"
"But?"
"Take whatever you want, except beer. You're a bit thin, and I've heard some ugly rumors about your current situation. I'd like to help however I can."
"But…"
"I won't take no for an answer. Don't think about yourself; think about Sylphie. This will help you both get by a little. And don't worry about the money; I have plenty, this won't affect me at all. Could you accept my humble help? I won't ask for anything in return, don't worry, and we have the nosy clerk listening as a witness. I swear on the Norsai name."
I think I went on too long, but I guess it's fine.
Iris is in a terrible financial situation, and if she's desperate and I insist she accept my help, her weak mind won't want to refuse and will accept it.
She took a while to respond and started fidgeting with her fingers, like Sylphie did when we talked on the rooftop.
She nodded and looked me in the eyes.
"Yes, thank you so much, kid. I appreciate it with all my heart."
She didn't look away or stutter, but at least she fidgeted with her fingers. Perfect, that was faster than I thought.
"Let's see…"
I grabbed several baskets to collect the products.
"Don't be shy," I said, offering her a basket.
She hesitated for a second but finally took it.
Little by little, but I'm getting there.
•
•
After paying for our items, we both left the store. I paid another employee to deliver all of Iris's shopping bags to her doorstep so she wouldn't have to carry them.
The employee left in his car. Ah, I think everything went well; only the most important part is left.
It's drastic, but as long as no one dies, everything will be fine.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Iris. Ah, by the way…"
I took out the engagement rings she sold and offered them to her.
"Here."
"Huh? A-are those…?"
"Yes, the engagement rings you sold. They're an important keepsake; you should give them to Sylphie for her to use with her future husband, or wife."
"B-but… How?"
"I just tracked down the buyer and bought them."
Noel was present when she sold them, so it was just a matter of finding the buyer and purchasing them.
"Noel is gone, but you still have Sylphie, don't forget that."
I took her hand and gave her the rings.
"Life goes on; don't stay in the past. Be happy again, and share that happiness with your daughter. Goodbye."
I walked away and started walking without saying another word.
That sounded cheesy, but I think it was okay… I guess.
"Hey…"
I stopped and turned to look at her.
"What's up?"
"Please, don't tell my daughter any of this. I… I don't want her to know I don't have money."
Ah, I'm sure she already knows, even knows you stole from her, but doesn't say anything because she doesn't want to fight with you.
"Don't worry, I won't say anything…"
Before finishing, I ran toward her and jumped on her.
A car swerved off the road and crashed into the store. If I hadn't pushed her, she'd be dead.
I shielded her from the flying glass with my body, getting some cuts on my arms and back, but minor injuries, nothing serious.
She's beneath me, in shock, not fully understanding what just happened, while my blood drips onto the ground.
Ah, yes, this was exaggerated, but necessary.
"Are you okay?"
"W-what?"
I stood up and helped her up.
"Ah, wow. That was close. Did he fall asleep or is he drunk?"
"W-what?"
That crash was too strong, but I think the driver's still alive.
She just experienced what I like to call: "The closeness to death."
She was about to die, and that "almost died" will become the trigger for her to realize everything she's done wrong so far.
She's in shock. Her body won't stop trembling, and she's even crying. Yes, it worked.
Step number 2, done.
"By the way… Here."
I offered Iris a lot of money.
"W-what? W-why?"
"Noel helped my family in the past. My parents are dead, so it's my duty to return the favor. Please, accept the money. I know your family is going through a lot of financial trouble, so I'd like to help. And don't worry, you can make up that someone paid you a pending debt or something, like a loan. I'm not doing this to look like a good person; I just want to help the family of the man who helped mine. I hope it's useful to you."
She hesitated a bit, but since it was a lot, she ended up taking it. Perfect.
"Thank you… Really, thank you so much."
"You're welcome. If you need help, please don't hesitate to ask. It'll be a pleasure to help."
I smiled at her… Yes… This smile will work.
I guess.
"… C-can I know your name?"
She stuttered. Another step forward.
"Saik, my name's Saik Norsai. It was a pleasure meeting you, miss."
I took her hand and kissed it. I've never done something like this; I'm just imitating what I've seen in movies. It's a gentlemanly gesture, so I think I did the right thing.
"I wish you luck in life."
"Y-yes… L-likewise," she said… blushing.
Another advance. Weak mentality, so easy.
I need to go now.
If I stay longer, the plan will be delayed.
"Miss Iris, I have to go; I left something on the stove, and I don't want it to burn. It was a pleasure meeting you. Goodbye."
"W-wait, you're hurt!"
"Ah, right. Don't worry, I'll go to a hospital, but first, I'll go home to turn off the stove. I live alone and don't want anything to explode. Take care."
I walked away from her and sighed.
Well… Everything's set.
Now I'll go home.
•
•
Iris watched Saik leave and looked at the money.
"… He's kind… Very kind…"
But seeing the money, she noticed the trail of blood on the ground. Saik's blood, from the wounds he got saving her.
Remembering Saik saving her, a nostalgic feeling overwhelmed her, the same sensation she felt when Noel defended her from her abusive adoptive parents.
The feeling of being saved by a hero.
But that beautiful sensation wouldn't last long, because when she saw the driver stumble out of the car, injured but also drunk, that beautiful sensation vanished, leaving only regret and pain in her.
Seeing him staggering and complaining about the situation, she remembered that she behaved the same way, filling her with guilt and frustration.
"I'm disgusting…"
And out of nowhere, two elderly female ghosts appeared behind her, their auras black.
Ghosts corrupted by humans' negative emotions.
"Addiction."
"Neglect."
"A bad mother."
"A disgusting drunk who's useless."
"She disgusts me."
"She doesn't deserve to live."
"She's just a burden."
They got too close to her and started whispering in her ears.
"You don't deserve that boy's help."
"Have you no shame?"
"You're disgusting."
"You're a disgrace to your daughter."
"You don't deserve to live."
"Do society a favor and jump off a building."
"No one will miss you."
"Not even your own daughter."
Iris couldn't hear them, but she started feeling worse and crying even more than before.
"I don't deserve his help."
•
•
(POV - Saik)
I entered my house, and Yuki approached me furiously.
"Why didn't you let me go?! I wanted to go with you…! Uwaaaah! And why are you so hurt?!"
"Sorry, but take this as an apology."
I offered her the bag I was holding. A bag full of candies and chocolates. They looked at me strangely when I went to buy them while injured, but I don't care.
"Yay! I accept your apology!"
She took the bag happily but remembered her concern and dropped the candies.
"Uwaaaah! This isn't the time for candies! Why are you hurt?! Were you mugged?!"
Noel approached me.
"What happened to you, Saik?! Did you have an accident?!"
"Everything went as planned. According to my calculations, in 9 or 12 days, I can move forward with the plan."
"G-great… Wow… You're incredible."
"Thanks."
"But, Saik, what happened?! You're losing a lot of blood!"
"I'll get a first aid kit!" Yuki said.
Am I incredible? Ah, if he knew my methods, he wouldn't think the same.