I died when I was five. Ten years later, on Children's Day, I was granted a reward: a chance to return to the living world, still in my five-year-old body. The condition was simple. If either my mother or my older brother recognized me within three days, I could stay. As soon as I arrived, my brother—now so much older and serious—took me to the hospital for a check-up. He kept calling me "little sister" and brought me home. But he didn't let me see Mom. And the King of Hell didn't say I could stay yet. That night, I snuck into his room to give him an origami cloud badge—something I used to fold for him—to praise him for recognizing me so quickly. But then I heard him on the phone, his voice gentle and coaxing. "I'll make up for Children's Day tomorrow, okay? Don't be mad." "Don't be scared, Cloud. I found a matching bone marrow donor for you. Just wait for the surgery." "She's locked up. She can't run away." My heart felt like it was being pricked by a thousand needles. My brother is so stupid. If he doesn't recognize me soon, the King of Hell will come to take me back the day after tomorrow. 1 Tears streamed down my face. I didn't understand. When did my brother get another "Little Cloud"? My sobbing grew louder, and soon enough, my brother found me. "Who's there?" His voice was sharp, commanding. I shouldn't have been scared, but as he stepped out of the study, backlit by the lamp, I was terrified and slumped to the floor. "You heard everything?" He looked down at me coldly. "Since you heard, you better behave. Donate the marrow obediently. I've already lost one Cloud; I can't lose another." He squatted beside me, studying my face intently, as if looking for someone else through me. My fear made him look away, a flash of guilt crossing his face. When he turned back, I saw tears in the corners of his eyes. "Are you worried about that sick Cloud?" I asked softly. He didn't answer. I reached out a small hand, just like I used to, and patted his head. "Don't be sad, big brother. I'm willing to save your other Cloud." He slapped my hand away, leaving a red mark on my skin. "Stop the act. Whoever made you look like my five-year-old sister... what are you trying to scam me out of this time? You're all in on it!" 2 He stood up and dragged me roughly back to my room. "Go! From today on, you are not allowed to leave this room!" His grip was strong, his hand so big it wrapped around my wrist with room to spare. He wasn't the boy who used to get cornered by bullies for lunch money, waiting for "Cloud the Hero" to save him. He grew up. He could protect himself now. That was good. My world was small. It only had room for my brother, my mom, and my dad who had become a star in the sky. But my brother had another Cloud now. He didn't need me anymore. That night, I dreamed of monsters stealing my mom and brother, and swallowing the star that was my dad. When I woke up crying, there was a commotion downstairs. Through the crack in the door, I saw my brother giving a pale little girl a piggyback ride, running around the living room. That used to be my exclusive throne. But his eyes were full of joy. Maybe I shouldn't have come back to disturb them. At lunch, the pale girl snuck into my room. I don't know where she got the key. Seeing me, she froze. "You... you really look like his sister. I saw her in photos." She looked even paler now, scared and awkward. "Of course. Who are you? Did Mom have another baby?" I asked curiously. She looked so frail, like she hadn't eaten well. "I'm Rainie. I'm not your mom's baby. I have the best parents in the world." "Didn't you go to be a star in the sky? Will Julian still want me now that you're back?" She looked like she was about to cry. 3 "Oh, no. I didn't become a star. I was a bad kid. My death made Mom and Julian sad, so I couldn't be a star. Only good people become stars." I changed the subject, trying to sound cheerful. "I came back to give you my bone marrow so you can get better. Then Julian will be happy forever." She relaxed and sat on the rug with me to play with dolls. We became friends that afternoon. I told her many stories about Julian and Mom. Just in case they never recognized me, at least they'd have another Cloud to keep them company. She told me about her leukemia. It hurt a lot. She was always sick. Her parents cried in the bathroom so she wouldn't see. Her biggest wish was to go to an amusement park. Just as I was about to pat her fuzzy head to comfort her, the floor shook violently. "Earthquake! Run!" "Cloud! Where is Cloud?" Julian was the only one running towards danger. He found us in my room and froze. Then he grabbed Rainie. "I'm here. I'll protect you!" My outstretched hand hung in the air, empty. So "Cloud" wasn't me anymore. It was okay. I had experience with earthquakes. I scrambled to follow them, but they were too fast. I tripped over a doll and when I looked up, they were gone. I hugged the wall and started down the stairs carefully. But the shaking was too violent. Halfway down, the stairs collapsed. 4 I fell hard onto the floor below. Through the dust, I saw Julian's back. He was shielding Rainie, dodging falling lights and vases. I reached out with my chubby hand, grasping at the air as if I could catch him. But there was nothing. My leg throbbed with pain. I couldn't move. I crawled towards a corner with all my might. Mom and Julian hadn't recognized me yet. I couldn't die. Not again. When I woke up, I was in a hospital. My right leg was in a huge white cast. I was alone. Perfect for sneaking out. I hopped around, searching for them. Finally, I found them in a luxury suite that smelled of fruit and soup instead of disinfectant. Julian was feeding Rainie soup with a spoon. Even from the door, I could smell it—sour radish and duck soup. His specialty. He must have made it himself. I hadn't tasted it in ten years. "One more sip, and I'll take you for a walk," Julian coaxed. Rainie's parents stood nearby, nodding. "Yes, honey, drink a bit more. Thank Julian." "It smells so good, baby, drink some more." Watching them pamper her, my leg hurt even more. Tears welled up in my eyes. I was jealous Rainie was alive. Jealous she had loving parents. Jealous my dearest brother worried about her more than me.
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