One Piece: Song of Nihilism

At dawn, when all things are newly born and radiant light bathes the world, a young boy stood outside the entrance of the People’s Hospital in Huaxia, his face dark and sullen as he gripped his phone.

“What do you mean, is work really that important? Do you even realize that Xiaoxi’s illness has relapsed? All she wants is for you to be by her side. Tell me, how many years has it been since you came back?”

“Yes, you’re working to earn money for her treatment—I won’t say anything about that—but you haven’t come home in three years. Is it really so difficult to visit even once?”

His furious shout shattered the hospital’s early morning silence, his face twisted with anger.

“Hmph... I don’t have a father like him, nor a mother like you. Each month you send us living expenses, but we never even see your shadow. What does that make you? What does it make us?”

Tears streaked down his exhausted cheeks.

“What’s the point of saying all this now? If you’d considered me, considered Xiaoxi, even once back then, things wouldn’t have come to this. If you were going to abandon us, you should never have brought us into this world.”

“Fine, do as you please! I remember every cent you sent over the years, and one day, I will return every penny. I hope you’re happy with your new families.”

With a scornful sneer, he slammed the phone down, then slumped onto the cold ground, sobbing.

When he was six, his parents divorced without a second thought. Neither wanted custody; apart from the monthly remittance, their only contact was by phone. Iron