#ocmatteo

You desperately need to improve your social skills. How do you comfort someone like this, [Name]?

The tip of your pencil snaps under the pressure you force onto the page. Your mind has been arguing with you since yesterday, and maybe that's why your mood is so heavy today. It had been the perfect chance to make a friend, and you know you should've handled things better.

You try to push the thought aside while you organize your desk before the girl arrives. Maybe you're overthinking. She even had lunch with you, and all you did was try to help.

Your inner debate only stops when a loud group of girls walks into the classroom. At their center is exactly the person you've been hoping to see. All of them seem desperate for her attention, and the rest of the class watches her every move.

You bite your lip, uneasy. The idea of approaching her with so many eyes on you makes your stomach twist. Your hesitation lasts just long enough for the teacher to step inside the room.

Another missed opportunity…

It's been a week since you arrived at this school, and, yet, you still haven't made a single friend. In your class, everyone seems to already be part of a friend group, so it’ll be hard for you to fit in, or fit in without being left out. You thought someone would eventually come up to you and bring salvation to your loneliness, but since then, you haven't spoken to anyone other than the teachers.

You hope you'll have better luck during recess again, but there’s very little hope remaining in your heart

Throughout class, you thought about the best tactics you could use to approach someone. You know you need to focus on your studies, but you're too desperate for a friend. If you don't seek after one, you'll be alone for the rest of the year!

Recess is a rush hour as always. If you're not quick enough to get your lunch, you might end up without a table to sit on, and even food if you’re unlucky. And, worst case scenario, you'll have to squeeze into a random table. Of course, you’d never want to go through that at all, but...

You're late.

Your lunchbox is in your shaky hands as you look around the cafeteria anxiously. Every table seems to have at least one person. These solo people are  probably saving tables for their friends, so for someone as lonely as you, that's impossible.

At least this opened another opportunity for you when you eyes suddenly met the girl from yesterday, sitting at a table alone, fiddling with her phone. Your legs are still shaking from anxiety as you walk across the whole cafeteria to get to her...

Your mother's voice telling you to face your shyness echoes in the back of your mind with every step you take. Her friend group  seems to be grabbing their meals, which influences you to quicken your already fast enough pace. The feeling of everyone watching you makes you want to stop walking so awkwardly, but you try to swallow that insecurity down your throat. 

The walk to the table seemed long for a moment, but soon you arrived, exceeding your expectations. The girl senses your presence just like yesterday and turns to you. Her gaze was questioning for a moment before she suddenly smiled appropriately at you.

"Hi!" She puts down her phone and rests her arms on the back of her chair. "You're new here, right? Do you need help?"

Yes! You need help making friends! You wished you could say that to her without looking like a pathetic, abandoned wet dog

"Uhhh that's not quite it..." You fiddle with the handle of your lunchbox. "I just..."

I want to sit with you. Your mind begged to scream your thoughts again. Wouldn't that be too invasive? She's with her friends! But if you did sit with them… you’d feel like you'd made great progress.

"I wanted to see if you're okay from yesterday!" You gather your courage to look at her eyes. "You seemed really upset yesterday, so I wanted to know if you're feeling better…"

The girl's eyes widened. She wasn’t expecting that to be what you were going to say to her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She responds immediately, turning her posture back to the table. "Could you please leave now? That seat is already reserved for someone else."

You open your mouth to tell her about yesterday, but you stop when she goes back to her phone immediately before you can do so. Feeling like a failure, you leave the table with your head down. What were you expecting? Snooping around in her life like that? Congratulations, [Name]. Now you'll have to find a hidden spot in the school again to eat lunch aga-

"Hey, girl!"

A voice booms behind you, and you consider turning around. But whoever it is, they probably aren't referring to you. That's what you thought until a hand grabs your shoulder and spins you around.

"Don't ignore me!" The random girl speaks when she's in front of you. "I refuse to spend recess alone just because he prefers to be with those sluts!" Both of her hands are now on your shoulders, where she rests them to tilt her face up to yours. "You need to sit with me!"

Your brain takes a second to process the words rushing out. You have no idea what she's talking about, but you nod anyway. "Sure! Where are we..."

"Here, I already have a table for us." She interrupts you, grabbing your hand and dragging you across the cafeteria. Letting go, she sits down and stares at the table in front of her. "Look how she's grabbing his arm! How bold of her!"

You sit next to her and look in her direction. Where you planned to sit, sits a boy. He's surrounded by girls. On the left, one has her head resting on his shoulder, while on the right, another girl, the one you were just trying to talk to, has her arms wrapped around his. The one on the left doesn't last long, because the one on the right waves her hand at her to get away from him.

"She doesn't even want to share him..." The girl next to you mutters angrily, drumming her fingers on the table. "That's why I don't make friends with anyone in this damn school."

It's probably just a love rivalry. A girl angry for love can be dangerous, better calm her down before her anger turns to you.

"Don't worry so much, I'm sure he likes you too." You hesitantly place your hand on her shoulder, hoping she won't mind the physical touch. "She seems popular... She definitely has a boyfriend already."

"As if." Your hand is removed from her shoulder, but she doesn't let go. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Let's talk about you." She brings your hand to her face. "Your nails are pretty, why don't you paint them?" Her hands are slightly larger and warmer, enveloping yours easily, and despite the gentle touch, her skin has a slight roughness you didn't expect.

The change of subject takes you by surprise, but you try to follow along.

"I don't have much time off from school, so I don't get to practice many feminine habits..." You admit as you open your lunchbox with your other hand.

"[Name]..." She repeats your name, which is written on the label of your lunchbox. "Now that I read it properly, it doesn't sound like a stuck-up name like I thought."

With both hands free, you remove the containers from it. "Did you already know me?"

If that's the case, why didn't she come talk to you?! If you had seen her, you would definitely have gone to talk to her. But no, this is the first time you've seen her.

"Know is a strong word." The girl leans in to examine the containers of food you brought. "I arrived at this school yesterday and saw you walking with THAT girl. I didn't have a good impression of you because I thought you were just another girl trying to fit in with the popular crowd, or worse, that you were just another deluded girl who wanted your love!"

That girl... She must be referring to the one you've been trying to talk to this whole time.

"Why do you dislike her? She seems nice..." You pause to take a bite of your food. "Is it because she likes the same boy as you?"

"What?! No, no!" She denies it, waving her hands as if to dismiss the idea. "He's my brother! I just want to protect him! It's because she's a horrible, cruel, and prejudiced person!"

"I-I didn't realize… I'm so sorry." You look at the table in front of you again. You still can't see his face clearly with his back turned to you, but his hair color matches his sister's. They probably look alike.

"How can you already know that? N-Not that I doubt you, of course... But you arrived yesterday."

The girl moves closer to you, lowering her voice. "Gossiping, girl! Gossiping! How have you been here longer than me and still don't know anything?" She discreetly points to the table again. "The girl you were with yesterday, in this case the one hugging my brother's arm, is named Elisa. As you've probably noticed, she's the most popular girl in school! Lots of girls want her attention, and lots of boys want to date her, and girls too! That's the problem!"

As she explains, she seems to raise her voice to exaggerate certain parts.

"But what's wrong with girls liking her?" You whisper back. "If she's popular, it makes sense that she'd attract a lot of people."

"The problem isn’t that you like her, though it does mean you have terrible taste." She points to a girl across the table. "See that one over there? She used to like Elisa and even confessed to her. You know what Elisa did?" You don’t answer quickly enough to stop her. "She judged her and humiliated her! That girl is only still in her group because, from what I’ve heard, she took advantage of her feelings and turned her into a servant!”

"H-How cruel..." You don't have much to say. When you found Elisa crying yesterday, she didn't seem like that kind of person. "I understand now why you don't like her."

"See? And people know that, but they forgive her just because she's pretty!" Her voice almost rises, but she stops herself before it does. "That's why I had a bad impression of you! And there's also…”

The girl continued talking, or rather, gossiping with you until the end of lunch. You spent so much time talking that you forgot about your food.

"I'll have to finish later." You put your food back in your lunchbox. "Won't you be hungry? I didn't see you eating anything."

She stands up and packs her things. "Don't worry about me, I was eating your fruit when you weren't looking. It was delicious, thanks!”

You realize the bowl you're holding is empty and sigh. This was supposed to be your afternoon coffee.

"I'm going to go save my brother." She walks away, waving goodbye to you. "We'll probably see each other later, wait for me before you go back to your dorm!" But before she gets too far, you manage to catch her hand, or rather, just her fingertips.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"You... didn't tell me your name."

Your gaze drops to your hand holding her fingers. You don't know why you're so nervous,  it's just a simple question. If you're going to be friends, it's okay to ask this, right?

Her hand slips into yours and squeezes in greeting. "It's Mei! It's a short and easy name, so don't forget it." She smiles at you before letting go of your hand and walking away toward the table.

Before you leave the cafeteria, you look back and see the girl you now know as Mei, trying to pull her brother out of his chair with all the insistence in the world. Her voice rises high enough for you to hear her, but not enough to understand what she's saying.

Mei is definitely chaotic, but you're glad you made a friend.

The rest of your day was uneventful. Now that a weight had been lifted off your shoulders, you were able to concentrate better in your classes. Mei was in some of them, and even though she sat far from you, she always rolled a balled-up note under the desks toward yours.

Some of the notes were just harmless comments, things you read and couldn’t help but smile at.

“I’m telling my brother about you!! He likes you!! :D”

“This class is sooooo boring T-T”

“Can I go to your dorm today? I still haven’t forgiven my brother for abandoning me.”

While others were more insistent that you answer her last note.

“Don’t ignore meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee”

“It’s still the beginning of the year, you don’t need to worry so much about homework”

“Are you still mad that I ate your fruits? TALK TO ME.”

And there was always a little drawing of an angry or sad face.

When you turned around, depending on her last note, she would make a different expression. Sometimes she smiled, sometimes she snorted, sometimes she waved... Each time it was a different expression.

In gym class, it was no different. Unfortunately, as always, you couldn’t participate and had to sit on the bench watching. But unlike usual, you didn’t get bored, you kept fiddling with your phone. Whenever Mei passed by, she’d make faces at you or gesture dramatically, sometimes even lifting her brother’s hand to make him wave back. It was enough to make you forget that familiar feeling of exclusion.

The class was lively, and Elisa was there too. Her physical abilities were impressive, and during some activities you could not help but admire her, just like your classmates did. Every time Mei noticed where you were looking, she gave you a disapproving glance, and you always replied with an apologetic gesture. After all, there was no excuse for it. Mei's uniform was a little different and looser than the other girls' uniforms, so it was impossible to lose sight of her in a crowd.

The front of the school was empty. Everyone was in the locker room changing while you leaned against the gate, trying to find a nearby market on the GPS. This was one of the problems you had started dealing with since gaining your independence, having to figure out the city on your own, most of the time with very little time to spare.

This is the downside of moving so often.

You hear footsteps, but you ignore them until you hear something fall. A student has dropped her water bottle. The noise should have been enough to alert her, but she just keeps walking. A cord runs from her phone straight to her head, so she must be wearing headphones.

Before the bottle can roll away, you pick it up and bring it to the girl. To get her attention, you tap her shoulder lightly. "S-Sorry to bother you, but you dropped your bottle."

The figure turns to you, taking off one of her headphones. You had not realized it was none other than Elisa you were talking to.

"I didn't even notice, thank you…" She cuts herself off, probably because she recognizes you as well. "...Is it you again?" The polite smile on her face fades, replaced by a harder expression. "Do you think I haven't noticed what you're doing?”

The bottle is snatched from your hand, her cold voice making you take a step back. What is she even talking about?

"Stalking me and watching me from afar is not only creepy, but also disgusting." Elisa points an accusatory finger at your chest. "Do you think you are going to get my attention like that?"

Your eyes start to water. Did she really think that was what you had been trying to do all this time?

Don't cry, [Name]. Defend yourself!

"N-No...! That is not it, I swear!" You press your backpack against your chest as if it could protect you. "I am sorry if I offended you before, it was never my intention. I just... I just wanted..." With each word that leaves her lips, her expression grows angrier, and your voice trembles more and more until it dies in your throat.

"Don't play innocent with me." Her face moves closer to yours. You try to pull away, but she grabs the top strap of your backpack to stop you. "If I see you near me one more time, I will kick your ass. Are we clear?"

Your head nods before you can even process what she is saying.

"Good."

And just like that, she is gone.

Your hands go to your face immediately, trying to wipe everything away as quickly as possible. Even when her figure is already far in the distance, your heart keeps racing. If she spreads the word around the school that you are some kind of stalker, your reputation will be ruined!

"I told you she was cruel."

A familiar voice speaks behind you. You had not even noticed the footsteps approaching.

"Is that the first thing you are going to say to her? That's not very nice of you, Mei."

Her brother is there too, scolding her before turning his attention to you. "Are you okay? Your eyes are red.”

Mei huffs beside him. "It's obvious she was crying, idiot!” She walks over and places a hand on your back, stroking it softly. "We saw what happened from afar. I did not think what she did would make you cry, that is why I did not step in, but wow, you are so sensitive! I doubt she said anything that mean.”

"I told you we should have done something.” He says as he approaches you. "How can you call someone you treat like that a friend?"

The hand on your back is removed, and you can feel anger radiating from the girl beside you. You cut in before the argument can go any further.

"It's okay, I am not upset." You reassure them quickly before changing the subject. "You are her brother, right? It is nice to meet you, I'm [Name]." You extend your hand toward him, and he looks at it with surprise before taking it.

"Like Mei said, you are definitely not from around here." His lips curve into a polite smile, and he shakes your hand before letting go. "I am not used to that kind of greeting. You can call me Matteo."

"Actually, call him Matt! He will love it."

His sister joins in, looping her arm around his. "Enough introductions, we have to go to the market soon. I want to get back to my room as soon as possible!"

You adjust your backpack, preparing to leave. "I did not know you were going somewhere. Sorry for taking your time."

"What are you talking about?" Mei hooks her other arm through yours and starts walking. "You are coming with us.”

You don't move right away and look at Matteo, waiting for an answer to your silent question.

"Sorry, it was my idea." He smiles, a little embarrassed. "I saw she gave you a hard time at lunch, so I thought I would make it up to you by buying you the food she took from you.”

The girl between you lets out a huff before pulling his arm harder, forcing him forward.

"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't abandoned me!" She turns to you, her demeanor suddenly softer. "See? That's why I wanna go to your dorm today! I don't wanna be near him.”

Matteo pulls her away from you.

"What's with all this closeness? You met her this afternoon."

"She's already better than you for not leaving me alone." Mei refuses to be dragged away and pushes her brother aside, giving you all some space again. "Look at her! She doesn't look like any kind of kidnapper. I'll be fine!”

"It's not you I'm worried about..."

You hold back a laugh as you watch the two of them. Matteo seems like a calm person, maybe he is, but when he is with his sister, they become a chaotic duo. With them, you do not have to worry about getting lost, or even being alone.

Distracted, you do not notice the group watching you from afar.

"Pick me," one of the girls mutters, and the others murmur in agreement. "Did he really dump you because of her?”

Elisa is quiet compared to the others, her fists clenched and her arms crossed.

Another girl approaches and whispers in her ear. "She didn't seem interested in him before. Don't you think she is trying to compete with you after what you did to her?"

"She's trying to mess with you!”

"What kind of girl steals other people's men? Ely, you need to do something!"

"Don't let her get away with this!’

The comments echo in her ears, but they no longer have any effect on her. These girls always want to cause chaos, trying to make her lose her temper and tarnish her reputation because of boys. Their jealousy is obvious, but Elisa is used to it. They are no longer a threat to her.

And neither are you. Elisa will not lose her prince.

"He's only with her because his sister is with her.” She retorts, turning to the girls. "And this new girl must be lonely. She cannot have bad intentions.”

The group exchanges glances and murmurs among themselves, giving each other questioning looks. Elisa only smiles in response.

They know that's not true.

And so does she.

The streets are empty on the way back to the dorm.

Your shopping bag is heavy, and because of that, you end up stopping more often than you want to. Your friends had insisted on coming with you, just like always, but you refused. You know they noticed something’s off.

Still, you’re not ready to tell them yet, no matter how much Mei tried to push. And honestly, with the way you’re feeling now, you kind of wish you’d accepted their help. Your anxiety always gets worse when you sit down, because it feels like you’re waiting for THEM to show up.

You stand back up as soon as your body feels rested, picking up your pace while you discreetly glance over your shoulder, trying to spot the figure that’s been following you these past few days. You had noticed it before, but you tried to convince yourself it was just your imagination.

The sight of the dormitory entrance makes you walk faster, but the strength in your legs feels drained from every part of your body. Your arm gives out for a moment, and the bag of vegetables slips from your hand. A frustrated sigh leaves your lips as you bend down to gather everything again, your eyes filling for maybe the tenth time today. You’ve always been sensitive, but lately it feels like you’re getting worse with every passing day.

But they stop when you see someone bend down to help.

"Are you crying just because of that?" Elisa picks up one of the vegetables from the ground and drops it back into the bag. "It's fine if they spoil. You can just buy more, can't you?"

That’s not why you’re crying, but you decide not to comment.

She’s much faster than you, and in less than a minute, everything that had scattered is back where it belongs.

"Sorry, I didn’t know anyone was around..." You take the bag from her hand and check the vegetables. "Unfortunately, I can't eat most of this anymore, but thank you."

You’re about to take the bag to the trash when she stops you. "Are you seriously throwing this away? Give it to me!” She snatches the bag from your hand and inspects the fruit herself.

You frown. She’s not going to eat this, is she?

"Elisa, it fell on a public street... I really don't think it's edible anymore."

"Obviously I'm not going to eat this!" She slings the bag over her shoulder. "I'll throw it in the organic garbage, where it belongs.”

"I-I didn't think of that..." You admit, embarrassed. Of course she wouldn't do that. "Thank you again, I'm going back to my dorm now." Your eyes instinctively dart to the street, and the chill running down your spine makes you step back. "D-Don't stay out here too long, it's dangerous when it's getting dark.”

The confusion on her face is clear. "What's wrong? You've been tense ever since I saw you running." She walks over to you, following your gaze. "Did you see something?”

"Yeah, you can probably already imagine what it is..." You mumble with a sigh. "I'll never get used to this... Let's go in."

"...What are you talking about?" The gate unlocks with your face and closes automatically after she steps in behind you.

"You really don't know?" You ask, surprised. "Where you lived must’ve been really safe, because I couldn’t feel this calm even if I was walking around with ten bodyguards."

Elisa doesn't answer. You take that as her not understanding, so you explain.

"It's very common for people like us to almost get kidnapped all the time, especially in schools." You show her the pepper spray hidden in a secret compartment of your uniform. "My parents never trusted me without something for defense, so I always have to carry something like this.”

You don't hear a response from her yet. The only thing that changes is her expression, one eyebrow lifting slightly. That doesn't make you feel any better. Why does she seem to have no understanding of anything you're saying?

"I-If you've never been through this, you must have really good security." You try to shift the subject toward her, hoping to please her.

Elisa walks ahead of you, leading the tour. "Yeah, of course, but even then, they still don't come close to yours.”

You stop in your tracks, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, you're [Name] [Last Name], the daughter of one of the greatest fashion designers in the world!" She tugs lightly at the sleeve of her uniform, as if the gesture makes her point stronger. "And your father? A renowned physiologist responsible for training athletes who are now internationally recognized." Before you know it, her face is dangerously close to yours, forcing you to drop your gaze to the ground. "I'm sure your bodyguards are on another level.”

Even you can hear the mockery in her voice. So she was only being nice because she recognized you... You should've suspected it.

"I-I understand... I didn’t think anyone would recognize me." No matter how hard you try, it's impossible to hide your sadness. "I know you don't like me, Elisa. I wouldn't want you to force yourself to be nice to me just because of my parents.”

"Everyone knows who you are, they just don't feel comfortable approaching you." Ignoring your last comment entirely, Elisa grabs your wrist and starts pulling you in the opposite direction of the dormitory.

"W-Wait...!" You try to protest, but the air rushes from your lungs with the sudden movement, making your hand press against your chest. "Where are we going?!"

She drags you to the back of the school, and when she lets you go, you immediately lean against the wall, breathing heavily. "D-Don't do that again... That hurts me..." you say between shallow breaths, trying to compose yourself.

She doesn't answer right away, but you feel her gaze burning into you.

"Aren't you ashamed of your father?" she blurts, crossing her arms dismissively. "If I had a lazy daughter like you, I'd be so sad."

"It's not laziness!" You try to defend yourself, but your voice cracks. The girl before you falls silent, as if giving you time to justify yourself. "It's because I really can't do it..."

"Excuses, excuses, excuses..." You're interrupted by her murmurs. "You have no one to protect you outside of school. How do you expect to defend yourself if you don't even have the breath to run from a harasser?"

Such harsh words... It's the first time you've heard them spoken directly to you. They hurt, but they hurt less than the pitying words you receive from doctors, and they hurt much less than the sad looks your parents always give you. Still, you can't.

"I'm sorry... It's way beyond what I can handle."

"So when you finish school, are you going to go back the same way you started? Are you going to keep letting people talk about you behind your back?"

No sound escapes your lips, which pushes her to go on.

"If you don't practice, you'll never change. Won't you try, even just a little?" She extends her hand again, making you look up. "If we start slowly, I'm sure you'll make progress eventually."

You still don't believe it's possible, but...

What she said earlier lingers in your mind. Does your father really feel this way about you?

"I don't want your tears." The hand in front of you shakes insistently. "I want your answer."

You pull a small handkerchief from your pocket and wipe your eyes, then reach your own hand out to meet hers. "I think I can try."

She squeezes it tightly before letting go. "There's a perfect room for that." Then she takes a key from her bag and uses it to open the back door of the school.

"How do you have one of the school keys?" Are you even allowed to do this...?

"You worry too much about the smallest details."

When the door unlocks, Elisa steps inside and turns on her phone's flashlight. "It's really dark, so stay close to me. We shouldn't be too far."

You nod and begin to follow her. Even though you know there's nothing wrong, your skin crawls, but you try to hide it. You're not a child anymore, [Name].

But the girl in front of you isn't hiding it very well; her fingers tremble around the phone she's holding, and her other hand is balled into a fist. You quicken your pace, choosing to walk beside her instead of behind.

"Are you afraid of the dark?" Your voice is barely above a whisper, as if you're trying not to startle a scared kitten. "You can hold my hand if you want." You rest your fingertips on her wrist, trying to show her you're here with her.

"Huh?" She doesn't pull away, but she looks at you strangely. "That's the first time I've heard that excuse for holding my hand." Her gaze shifts forward, as if she can't bring herself to look at you. "And I'm not scared, it's just the cold, that's all!"

You're confused. "W-What? It's not an excuse... My mom always did that when I was scared." Your voice shakes; this wasn't the reaction you expected. "Do you want me to lend you my coat? I have a spare in my bag."

Elisa's body seems to freeze for a moment when you place the coat on her shoulders, but she quickly relaxes. You keep walking quietly until she breaks the silence.

"Are you out of breath already? I’ve only just started getting tired." She frowns, as if the sound irritates her. Then she quickly grabs your hand, pulling you closer. "Stay by my side. The way you are, you look like you're going to faint."

In truth, you've been out of breath for a while now, but you didn't want to bother her, especially in a place where she seems nervous herself.

When your legs threaten to give out, Elisa stops abruptly.

"We're here." She quickly opens the door and turns on the light. "The gym is the best place for this." Noticing that you didn't follow her immediately, she peeks out and finds you panting against the wall. "Ha, it's good to see you're already trying hard. Be careful not to collapse on the floor."

...She didn't do that on purpose, did she?

"Come on, let's get started." Without giving you time to rest, she pulls you into the room. "See that mat? That's where you'll start. Sit there!"

You obey without hesitation, taking the opportunity to rest your muscles. The room is large, with various pieces of equipment scattered everywhere, from the lightest to the heaviest. Elisa seems to examine each object carefully, and her smile only grows with every second. It makes you uneasy, though you aren't sure why.

"We can start light." She picks up three books from a shelf. "Get into the doggy position."

The sentence takes you by surprise. For a moment, you just stare at her in disbelief. "...What?"

"You heard me." Her smile widens, and she hugs the books to her chest. "Come on, you want to improve, don't you?"

"I-I think you meant the all-fours position..." You correct her, swallowing hard. The way she said it doesn't sit well with you at all. Your muscles haven't fully recovered yet, but with the help of the mat, it might not be too difficult. You place your knees down first, then slowly try to position your hands. Despite the effort, you manage to hold the posture.

"Is this okay?"

Instead of responding verbally, she suddenly places the books on your back, making your position collapse immediately. The strength in your arms disappears, and your chin hits the mat. You don't need to look up to know Elisa is stifling a laugh.

"I prefer to call it the doggy position," she says as she removes the books from your back. When you don't move, she calls for your attention. "We're just getting started. Get up!"

You take a deep breath and try to lift yourself again. "P-Please warn me before you put anything on me..." But Elisa is already too far away to hear, scanning the room for more ideas.

...You can sense the next few minutes will be long.

And you were right.

Elisa made you stay in the same position while placing objects on your back, watching to see how long you could hold on. It seemed like the more you struggled, the more she searched for heavier items, and the more her amusement grew. In the end, your whole body ached, and you lay back on the mat, breathing heavily.

You thought you could last longer, but no. Your body remained the same as always.

"Now, it's time for the final challenge."

Your head falls to the side to meet her excited gaze. "I thought we were done."

"I was just letting you rest." She places her hands behind her back, leaning toward your lying form. "Come on, you've been doing so well so far!”

Despite her irony, you obey her one last time. Even though things didn’t go the way you expected, you're happy she's having fun.

How long has it been since you did something that brought someone joy instead of sadness?

"What will it be this time?" You look around, but don't see any object set aside for this. "There's nothing here.”

The last thing you see is her adjusting her skirt before placing all her weight on you. Your body almost gives out. Almost. Because the moment she realizes you're about to collapse, she lifts some of her weight. Still, the pressure is intense, and you feel like you could fall at any moment. What keeps you steady now is the desire not to let her get hurt.

And also not to hurt yourself.

"I-I can't support a human weight, please get off! Get off!"

She lifts a little more of her weight, and a soft laugh echoes through the room. "Use your elbows. I don't want to accidentally break your arms."

You comply immediately. It feels a little better, but it still doesn't seem like you'll last long.

"I can feel you trembling beneath me." She crosses her legs and rests her hands lightly on your back. "Don't tell me you can't handle a girl like me? That hurts, you know?”

"No, I didn't mean that!" Your arms give out in despair, your back starting to ache more than usual, the mat beneath you no longer as comfortable as before. "P-Please, get up..."

Her gaze weighs on you, burning silently. From your peripheral vision, you realize it's no ordinary look. It's cold, as if she's judging you without saying a single word. You don't like it.

"Oh, I know..." Elisa examines her nails absentmindedly. "People like you are used to being above everyone else, right?" Her other hand slides to your neck, gently guiding you to face her. "How does it feel, knowing that this is nothing but arrogance?”

Your eyes fill with tears, your strength about to give out. Elisa seems to sense it and steps off you just as your body collapses for the last time onto the mat.

What was she saying?

"And our exercises end here." The sweetness returns to her voice, and you almost think you imagined that coldness from before. "If we do this every day, I'm sure your body will be firm and strong in a few weeks." She gives you one last smile before disappearing down the hallway.

Although your back is worse and your whole body aches, you feel completely exhausted, as if you could fall asleep right there. Of course, you can't do that if you want to avoid problems.

Would Mei mind coming to help you? You don't like the idea of bothering her because you're tired, but...

Your gaze falls on your bag, probably placed on the table by Elisa. With effort, you slowly get up. Even after so much rest, your body still feels like you've just run a marathon. When you finally reach the table, you grab your phone.

There are several messages from Mei and multiple missed alarms to eat... So that's why you feel so sick; you should have eaten!

But how strange... You never put your phone on silent.

You don't have time to think about it anymore because you're interrupted by another call from Mei. Judging by her call history, she seems to have been calling for quite a while.

"Where are you?! I've been knocking on your door for hours! Did you faint somewhere?! Did you fall, did you hurt yourself!?"

Mei starts talking nonstop the moment you pick up. You don't dare interrupt her and wait patiently for her to finish.

"No, but seriously, did something happen on the way back from the market? Did someone attack you!?"

"No, no. I ran into Elisa on the way, so I stopped to stay with her for a while."

The other line goes silent. Mei has always been a sweetheart to you, but she can be a little scary when she gets angry.

"Your voice sounds weird..." Her reaction is calmer than you expect, but only for a moment. "What did she do to you?! Where are you?! I'm waking Matt and making him carry you to your dorm, and I'm going to deal with that woman myself!"

Before you can say anything else, she hangs up. Impulsive as always.

[You]

"I'm in the gym, come in through the back door."

She sees it immediately, but doesn't respond. It shouldn't take long before she arrives. You flop down on the mat, sleep creeping back in as you yawn. Is this how normal people feel after a full day of exertion? It hurts, sure... but you feel satisfied. So this is what it's like to live a long, productive day.

You know you can't risk repeating it any time soon, but you're glad you had this experience. You'll have to thank Elisa later.

Every action has a consequence.

And you are dealing with one now.

"I'm sorry, but I'll need to notify your parents." The nurse speaks while examining the bruises on your back. "Your body is strained and your blood sugar is low. Are you eating properly?"

You finish chewing the piece of fruit before answering. "S-Sorry, I lost my phone yesterday and hurt myself while looking for it..."

She nods, clearly unconvinced, but you cannot tell her the truth.

"I suggest you return to your dorm." She lowers your uniform after applying ointment to your muscles. "Your body needs rest. If you keep pushing yourself like this, you will end up seriously ill." She takes a few more ointments from a drawer, places them in a box, and hands it to you. "Here. I hope everything goes well."

She escorts you to the door and lets you go. You sigh as you look at the ointments, realizing this is the price you have to pay now.

"Oh my God, [Name]!"

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around you. The pressure on your sore muscles almost makes you whimper, but she, Mei, does not let go. She does not even seem to notice.

"I was so worried!" She rubs her cheek against yours, as if needing proof that you are really here. "Do not ever do that again! What if you had fallen into a coma!?"

"M-Mei, I appreciate your concern, but..."

Her brother approaches quietly and steps between you. "You are hurting her. Give her some space." He gently pulls her away.

"Okay, okay, sorry..." Mei looks down, guilty, and crosses her arms. "I knew that woman was trying to kill you. I warned you!"

"Not now, Mei..."

"Am I wrong?" She glares at Matteo and then grabs your hand. "It is lunchtime, and you need to eat!" But before she can drag you along, you grab her wrist.

"Wait, I..." Your voice trails off for a moment. You swallow hard, rethinking your words before continuing. "I need to talk to you two. But... in private."

Mei and Matteo exchange a quick glance. They say nothing, only nod and follow you into an empty classroom. You stand in the center of the room while Mei sits casually on the edge of a table and Matteo leans back in a chair. Neither of them speaks. They wait, giving you space.

"You both noticed something is wrong with me..." You finally say, choosing your words carefully.

"Yep.” Mei answers, tilting her head. "I admit I used to think it was just laziness, but..." She looks over your body before continuing. "You going to the infirmary almost every day, getting special meals, needing to eat in such short intervals..."

Matteo nods. "Not that we mind, but we've had to carry you more than once even for short walks. I think we deserve to know what's going on."

You lower your head, shame burning in your chest. "I-I know..." Your voice comes out soft, almost fading. "Sorry for causing trouble. And thank you for always helping me." You take a deep breath, forcing yourself to continue. "My body is… naturally weak. I was born with a chronic condition that's made everything difficult my whole life."

You walk to the window, looking out over the courtyard. Students stand in small groups outside. Some laugh loudly, some rest on benches, others snack under the shade of a tree. The scene eases something inside you. "It was worse when I was younger. I used to watch other kids play from indoors. I always had to stay inside because my parents were scared something would happen to me."

When you turn back, they are already beside you. Mei rests her head lightly on your shoulder and Matteo slides a hand down your arm, offering steady reassurance.

"Of course, hard doesn't mean bad..." You relax into their presence. "My parents loved me a lot, even if they were overprotective. If they hadn't taken care of me the way they did, I probably wouldn't have made it this far." Your eyes soften with genuine gratitude. "And without you two, I might not even be studying here. I'm thankful for everything you've done."

Matteo opens his mouth to speak, but Mei pulls you into another hug before he can. This time it's gentle, as if you're something precious in her arms. "W-Why didn't you tell us sooner?! I would have been more careful with you, I would have helped more, I-I would have..."

She stops, trying to hold back her tears, when she feels your fingers gently sliding through her hair. You need to calm her before her crying becomes your own. "Don't worry. You and Matt have helped me so much. You never hurt me, Mei. You don't have to change who you are because of me."

Suddenly, your back presses against something firm and warm. When you look up, Matteo has wrapped his arms around you in a protective hug from behind. "Don't mind her. My sister's always been emotional." His hold tightens slightly. "Just remember you can count on me for anything.”

You smile at him and give their hands a final squeeze before stepping away. Mei immediately grabs your hand again.

"You need to eat! It's lunchtime, and I'm starving too!’ She shoots a look at Matteo. "And you stay on her other side! If anything happens, we have to be ready to catch her.”

"Lunch? Already?" you ask, giving Matteo a puzzled look.

Matteo nods. "It's past time. You were in the infirmary all morning." He hands you a lunchbox with a small smile. "I picked it up for you.”

"Really...?" Guilt settles over you as you take the food. "I hope I didn't make you late."

"Nonsense," Mei says, tugging you gently to make you walk with them. "Come on, we're going with you."

Their concern is sweet, but something in your chest feels heavy. Are they going to start treating you like everyone else does? Like you can't take care of yourself? You hope they don't change the way they act around you.

On your way to the cafeteria, you fail to notice the familiar figure watching you from a distance.

________________________________________________________________

The cafeteria is full, as expected. Every table is occupied, and the buzz of conversation fills the room, though for some reason it feels quieter than usual.

"Every table is taken... We'll have to find another place to eat," you say, scanning the room.

"That's where you're wrong." Mei gives a mischievous smile and nods toward the center. There, in the middle of everything, a table with a discreet reserved sign sits untouched. "I asked Matt to save us a spot while you were in the infirmary. When he said it was for you, they gave in right away."

You hadn't even thought of looking there. After all, that's where Elisa and her friends usually sit. Seeing it empty feels odd.

"Wait... isn't that Elisa's table? How did you manage that alone?"

"Shhh!" Mei slaps her hands over your mouth as if sealing a dangerous spell. "Don't say her name out loud. What if you summon the creature?"

You narrow your eyes at her antics but give a small nod. Satisfied, she removes her hands.

"Good. Matt, let's sit down..." She says, but freezes mid-step when she notices her brother is gone. "What? [Name], do you know where he went?"

You don't even answer with words. You just tilt your head to the side. Matteo had fallen behind, and it wasn't accidental. He's talking to someone.

"Ugh!" Mei groans, stomping her foot. "See? This is exactly why we don't say her name."

Without waiting, she storms off toward him, and you follow, trying not to laugh.

"How do you know it's her?" You whisper.

"It's simple." Mei lowers her voice dramatically. "I can smell that bitch from a mile away."

As soon as she reaches them, Mei grabs Matteo's shoulder and yanks him back. "Excuse me! Am I interrupting something?!"

Matteo blinks a few times, clearly surprised by the aggressive approach. But once he recognizes his sister, his posture eases. "Hey, Mei. I was just saying hello to Elisa."

"Just saying hello?" Elisa cuts in smoothly, sliding her arm through his with a sweet, practiced smile. She doesn't even glance at you or Mei. "I was waiting for you. Aren't we sitting together? I even dismissed my friends so we could be alone today."

You see Mei's jaw tighten. Every sugary word Elisa speaks seems to grind her teeth a little further. You give Mei’s arm a gentle squeeze, trying to calm her, and she softens a bit, though the tension still clings to her.

"Well..." Matteo looks between all of you, clearly conflicted. His eyes linger on you, searching for an answer. You offer a small, warm smile, trying to ease the pressure rather than sway him. Mei, however, does the opposite, glaring at him with a silent threat that screams ‘choose wisely’.

Finally, Matteo straightens. "Maybe next time. I'm sorry, Elisa, but my sister needs me. And I'm not leaving my responsibilities to [Name] either.”

Surprise flickers over Elisa’s face. She clearly hadn’t expected him to refuse her. Her eyes finally land on you, sharp and displeased. Mei glares right back, unwilling to yield, while you avert your gaze, wishing the tension would dissolve. Why can’t everyone just get along?

As if she heard your thoughts, Elisa breaks the silence. "It's okay, I understand.”

Her face softens. You think she’s about to walk away, but that’s not what happens. She steps right between Mei and Matteo, her voice gentler than ever. "Then I'll stay with you. It would be nice if I got closer to your friends and family, don't you think?”

"No way!" Mei refuses instantly, but Matteo actually seems to consider the idea.

"I think it's a good idea." He nods. "I think [Name] would like it too. You're friends, aren't you?"

The question catches you completely off guard. You don’t even know what expression to make. Thankfully, Elisa answers for you.

"Of course we are!" she declares, and before you can even blink, her arms are around your shoulder and her cheek presses against yours. The sudden closeness freezes you in place. You don't return the hug, but you don't pull away either. "We're best friends, she'd definitely want me to stay in your group forever!”

"Elisa..." You say her name softly, confused, but she only winks in response.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Mei snaps, lunging to your other side and trying to pry Elisa off you so she can replace her. "You can try to steal my brother all you want, but don't you dare try to steal my best friend! She's too good for you!”

Matteo just sighs at the situation. You give him a helping look, but you know that even he doesn't dare go against his sister's fury.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Elisa tries to cling tighter to you. "What kind of friend leaves her friend walking home alone at night? Poor [Name]. Yesterday she had to carry all her groceries by herself..." Her tone is sweet, but the intention is clear. She wants to provoke Mei.

"Please, Elisa, I was the one who told her not to come with me..." You try to correct, but it is useless. Neither of them is listening.

"I-I know I was wrong..." Mei admits, her voice shaking for a moment before she hardens it again. "But at least I recognize my mistakes and I will not repeat them. Unlike you. You know how [Name] is, and you pushed her harder than she could handle." Her arms tighten around you, and you have to swallow down a small groan of pain. "Did you know it is your fault she had to go to the infirmary today?”

When the hope that things would finally calm down started to fade, Matteo stepped in and cut the argument short.

"Hey, Elisa." He calls her name, and she instantly falls silent, turning toward him. "Where's your lunch? Aren't you going to eat?" His calm tone feels almost out of place in the tension surrounding you.

Elisa blinks, surprised by the question. "Oh, right! I'm going to get it now!" She rushes away without looking back.

You let out a relieved breath, but with Elisa gone, Mei immediately redirects her anger toward someone else. "Why did you let her join our group?!" she demands, arms crossed. "You know I can't stand her! Don't tell me it's because you like her!"

"It's nothing like that." Matteo keeps his voice soft, trying to sound reassuring. "We need a good relationship with our classmates. Networking in a school like this is essential. Come on, let's sit down."

"I don't care! Why should I get along with someone I hate just because of the future?!”

Mei follows right behind him, and you keep the same pace. Their arguments are so common that you're already used to them. At first they were worrying, but now you know they always end with the two hugging like nothing happened.

"You don't need to like her, just pretend you do.” Matteo says once he sits, clearly trying to end the topic. "Besides, she's pretty and probably has a high-status background. Being with someone like that wouldn't be a bad deal.”

No one even knows where she came from!" Mei protests.

You sit across from her brother. Mei hesitates for a moment, glancing at the two empty seats. In the end, she chooses the one beside you and keeps going.

"And what if she's from some company that doesn't bring any profit?”

"If she's in a school like this and hides her identity, I highly doubt she's anything less than the daughter of some major executive," Matteo replies, unfazed.

Mei rolls her eyes and casually wraps an arm around you, pulling you close with a proud grin. "Whoever she is, she doesn't compare to our [Name] here!”

"Mei, you shouldn’t drag me into your arguments.” You gently chide her. "But honestly, I agree with your brother. Maybe she just doesn’t like talking about herself. I’ve met a lot of people like that. Reserved people who prefer not to share too much personal information, sometimes it’s a way to protect themselves.” 

"Still, it’s suspicious..." Mei seems to finally lose interest in the conversation and changes the subject. "Let’s focus on what matters! What did you bring for lunch today?"

"Here, I brought a fork for you." You hand the utensil to her. Since you’ve been eating together, Mei has always sat beside you, which means you need to bring double the food. "And today I also got a fruit salad, just the way you like it.”

Mei’s eyes light up at the sight of the salad, though the rest of the meal doesn’t excite her as much. “The rest looks kind of ordinary… but I like it, so I’ll eat with you.” She spears a piece of meat with the fork and brings it to her mouth.

“And it’s good for you too.” Matteo comments, opening his own lunch. “Even though I feel sorry for [Name] having to carry all this, I’m glad that thanks to her, you’re eating healthier.”

"Or maybe she just doesn’t have money to buy her own meal."

The sudden interruption catches all of you off guard. Elisa is back, sliding in energetically next to Matteo, her cheerful mood unmistakable. She seems genuinely happy to be alone with him at the table.

Before Mei can fire off a response that would likely spark another unnecessary argument, you step in.

"It’s not like that." You offer the fruit salad to the girl beside you, letting her eat while you handle the situation. "She and Matt always offer to help pay for groceries, but I refuse. My parents are also happy I’ve made friends and even give me extra money for it.”

"Wow…" Elisa feigns surprise, her expression shows she isn’t truly interested. "Are your parents really that nice?”

"Of course they are! Do you even know who her parents are?" Mei answers for you, twirling a piece of mango on her fork. "Maybe that’s why you’re here. Want a little taste of her spotlight?”

"Ha!" Elisa flips her hair back with a challenging smile. "You don’t even know who I am. Don’t tell me you’re afraid I’m a threat not just to you, but to her too." She folds her arms on the table. "Did you know that sharing too much about yourself can be dangerous? [Name]’s family is well-known… I bet it wouldn’t be hard to find everything about her online.”

You sigh. She isn’t entirely wrong, but this isn’t a topic you want to deal with. Matteo notices your discomfort and decides to intervene.

“Where’s your food?” He asks, looking at Elisa as if searching for something. “Did you forget it?”

With Elisa distracted, you glance at Mei discreetly. She’s staring at the girl coldly. You don’t like seeing her like that.

“Oh, actually…” Elisa leans slightly toward Matteo. “A classmate forgot their lunch today, so I decided to give mine to her. Isn’t that kind of me?”

Matteo raises an eyebrow. “Couldn’t she have bought something herself? Or you could have bought one for yourself?”

She shrugs. "I forgot my wallet today, and I don’t know her situation, maybe she didn’t have extra money. See? I can even care about people I don’t know!" Her lips curl into an almost proud smile.

Elisa really seems determined to impress him… For now, it looks like it's just you and Mei.

You wave your hand in front of your best friend's face to get her attention. She blinks, as if snapping out of a trance.

"How about I get us some hot chocolate? It's cold today.”

The annoyance she had a moment ago disappears instantly, and she nods. "Get extra chocolate for me! And preferably a bit of white chocolate too." You start to walk away, thinking she's done, but she adds one more detail. "And ask for a pink mug! I don't want them giving me a masculine color like blue..."

You give her a confused look for a second, but nod. "Can you organize my utensils while I'm gone? That way the table will be ready when I get back."

With her agreement, you get up. You had originally planned to wait for her to finish eating before cleaning the table, but you figured it would be better to keep her busy so she wouldn’t pay attention to her brother being flirted with right in front of her.

A few minutes later, you return with only one mug. Mei turns to welcome you, but her expression shifts to surprise and confusion when she notices you brought just one.

"Sorry. It looks like it was the last one they could make today." You explain with a shy smile as you set the mug gently on the table. "I hope you don’t mind sharing."

"Of course not." Mei takes a deep breath, enjoying the sweet steam rising from the drink. "It smells amazing! But we should wait a bit, It’s probably too hot.”

"Hmmm..." You think for a moment, then an idea comes to you. You pick up the straw and start drawing softly on the foam. First a slightly crooked heart. Then a smiling sun. And finally, the head of a little cat.

From the corner of your eye, you can see Mei watching you with quiet admiration.

"Do you want to try?" you ask, turning the mug toward her. Mei looks up, surprised by the invitation.

She hesitates, but curiosity wins. She pushes her sleeve back, presses her own straw to the foam, and makes a crooked line that you quickly turn into a goofy mustache on the little cat.

"Look, now he’s a detective cat!" Both of you laugh together, the simple game bringing a moment of warmth and ease.

While you watch Mei start her own drawing, you notice Elisa sitting alone on the other side of the table. She observes you quietly, pretending not to care, even though her eyes clearly show otherwise.

"Where did Matteo go?"

The question slips out before you can stop it, immediately drawing both girls' attention.

"He said he needed to go somewhere first." Elisa answers coldly, looking away as if she couldn’t care less. "I’m sure he went to get something for me.”

Mei lets out a short laugh. "And he didn’t leave his food with you? I thought you two were going to share. Guess he wasn’t that interested after all." She turns to you, ignoring the furious glare Elisa sends her way. When she sees the worry in your expression, her voice softens. "Don’t stress over it, It’s probably a call from our parents! He wouldn’t leave without warning us unless it was important.”

Her words ease your mind a little, but not completely. Another worry lingers. Does that mean Elisa hasn’t eaten anything yet?

"Hey." You call out to her. "Come sit with us for now. We can all draw together.”

Elisa’s eyes widen, and before she answers, she studies both of your faces, as if searching for a hidden motive. Your expression is gentle, but the girl beside you is radiating pure indignation.

"Trying to get my attention while Matt isn’t here?" Elisa’s confidence returns as she stands. "Bold move. Can’t do it in front of a guy?”

You stare at her, confused.

"Don't call my brother by his nickname! Only I and [Name] can do that!" Mei snaps back, annoyed.

Elisa ignores her and sits at your side. "I’ll accept this time. You should feel grateful."

You hand her your straw, and she takes it a little roughly. Even with that quick touch, you feel how cold her hands are. Elisa notices your reaction but says nothing. Instead, she leans in and begins to draw.

You and Mei watch quietly. Little by little, the drawing forms. A soft, adorable teddy bear.

"Wow, that’s adorable!" you say, impressed.

"Yeah…" Mei admits reluctantly. "But I know how to draw one too!”

Elisa’s smile widens. "Of course it’s cute. I made it.”

When she moves away to return to her seat, her arm lightly brushes against your hand, and you pull away. "What is it? Too shy to touch me?”

"It's not that..." You press your fingers lightly to her hand. "You're cold."

"Of course she is." Mei cuts in, pointing at Elisa’s thin jacket. "Do you really think that kind of clothing is okay for this weather?”

Now that she says it, it’s true. Elisa is wearing nothing but a thin silk coat. Beautiful, sure, but absolutely useless against the cold.

"I’m not cold," Elisa insists, showing off her clothes as if that proves anything. "Pretty, right? I bet– Hey, what are you doing?”

She stops midsentence when she feels something warm resting on her shoulders. You had taken off your own coat and were draping it over her, gently pressing the soft fabric around her cold skin.

"Is it better now? You can keep it." You study her now-covered figure. "I think it suits you."

"Are you out of your mind?!" Mei grabs your shoulders and pulls you closer, desperate at first, then softening the gesture as she remembers your condition. "What about you, [Name]?! You're going to freeze!"

"Don't worry. I'm sure the heater will keep me warm."

"Heater?" She points to the corner of the cafeteria, where a few staff members are struggling to fix a machine. "It's broken! That's why Elisa was freezing!”

That makes sense. You hadn't stopped to think about it.

"Well, I guess I'll have to warm myself up with this hot chocolate, then." You stir the liquid slowly with your straw before bringing the mug to your lips. The sweet, creamy flavor spreads across your tongue, filling you with a comforting warmth. "It's at the perfect temperature. Here, try it." You hand the mug to Mei, who takes it eagerly.

She drinks a generous sip, smiling with delight. "Wow, it's amazing! I love it!" she says before taking another sip, completely satisfied.

While Mei enjoys her drink, your attention drifts back to Elisa, and you're surprised to notice she's already looking at you. Her expression is still tinged with astonishment, so you offer her a gentle smile, hoping to ease whatever she's feeling.

"I hope you're feeling better."

She lowers her head slightly, unable to meet your eyes. You decide not to push her, letting the soft sounds of Mei’s happy humming fill the space between you.

“What a gentleman…”

You’re almost sure you heard something from Elisa. "Did you say something? I don’t think I heard you right…"

"No, it was nothing!" She turns her face away quickly, clearly embarrassed. You choose not to push further.

Silence settles again until lunch finally ends. When the bell rings, calling students back to class, you stand up with the girls right behind you.

"And Matt never came back…" You comment as you adjust your lunchbox. "Do you think something happened?"

"I wouldn’t be surprised if he got distracted again." Mei scans the room, searching for him among the students. "He's going to be late at this rate! Come on, [Name]. Let's go find him!" She motions for you to follow her, deliberately ignoring Elisa’s presence.

But Elisa doesn’t let herself be pushed aside. She quickly moves to your other side. "I'm coming too. I'm worried about him. And it'll be good if I stay with you two. Our Matt will be happy to see us getting along."

Mei rolls her eyes the moment she realizes the trio is forming. "He’s not ours, and I told you to stop calling him that!" She grumbles and speeds up while scrolling through her phone. "I'm calling until he picks up!”

"There she goes…" you mutter, watching your best friend walk off. "If you want to stay with us, you'll have to keep up with her pace." You sling your bag over your shoulder and pull out your wallet.

"It’s not like I want to." Elisa looks away. "I'm only doing this for him."

"Yeah, sure…" You reply absentmindedly as you pull out a few hundred-dollar bills. "Here, take this." You press the money into her hands. "I didn't bring much, but it should be enough for you to get something to eat later.”

She stares at the bills as if she can’t believe they're real. "What?! Why are you giving me this?"

"So you can buy something to eat later. If I knew you were out of money, I would've gotten you lunch beforehand."

She stuffs the bills into her bag, shaking her head. "Your attempts to bribe me are pathetic. Money won’t help you win my heart." With that, Elisa speeds ahead, following the same path as Mei.

Well, at least she accepted the money. You hope she manages to eat something today.

You’re about to go after them when you feel a firm hand settle on your shoulder. When you turn around, you come face-to-face with Matteo.

"You really know how to handle those two." He looks genuinely impressed. "I thought I'd walk into chaos when I came back, but when I saw Mei smiling and Elisa calm, I figured I could leave you alone for a bit.”

"Matteo!" The surprise escapes before you can control it. "So that's why you left? You could have said something."

"I actually got a call from our parents." He unlocks his phone, skimming through the messages Mei sent him. "They wanted an update. And, you know… she’s been so much happier since she met you. Before she came to this school, I had never seen her like this. Our parents are grateful that you’re around.”

"Really? But I didn't do anything..." you reply, sounding a little confused. "You were the ones who helped me from the very beginning."

"Then we're even." Matteo reaches out and gently ruffles your hair, stroking it affectionately. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."

Your eyes widen at first, but you relax under his touch, leaning slightly toward him without thinking.

But someone else notices.

If looks could kill, you’d have vanished already. Elisa watches from afar, frozen, as if something inside her just snapped.

Don’t you get enough attention already? Why go after him too?

Her jaw tightens. She turns away abruptly, walking fast. Only when she reaches a quieter hallway does she stop, leaning on the wall as her breath stutters.

You already have everything she’s ever wanted. And now you’re going after the person she’s set her heart on?

It’s cruel. It’s unfair. Why does it always have to be you?

"Ely?”

The voice cuts through her spiraling thoughts. Elisa lifts her head and sees one of the girls from her group approaching, with the rest gathered behind.

"Why didn’t you stay with us today?" the girl asks with a frown. "Why were you hanging around [Name]?"

"We thought you couldn’t stand her," another adds, stepping closer. "The boys didn’t stay with us either… Aren’t we supposed to support each other?”

"Exactly!" a third girl chimes in. "Don’t tell me you’d rather be with that stuck-up girl than with us."

…

Elisa feels her patience thinning to a thread. She forces a sweet, polite smile back onto her face.

"Sorry, girls… I had to. [Name] is getting too close to Matt. I need to keep an eye on her." She casually inspects her nails, calculating. "She’s difficult to handle. Always acting superior, bragging, talking trash about other girls…”

A few of them whisper among themselves, while the leader crosses her arms, clearly annoyed. Elisa steps closer to her and lowers her voice so only she hears.

"She doesn’t seem to like you either."

She leaves that needle-sharp comment behind and walks off with calm, collected steps.

"Did you see the face she made before we showed up?" One of the girls asks quietly.

"Yeah… [Name] must’ve said something awful to her.”

"I bet she did. Just because she’s who she is, she thinks she can treat everyone however she wants…"

"Enough." The leader exhales sharply. "I’m sick of her attitude." She looks at all of them with a cold, decisive stare. "Let’s remind her where she stands.”

________________________________________________________________

Your whole body aches.

You can’t remember the last time you felt pain this sharp. Maybe it’s because you still haven’t recovered from the last time.

"Don’t tell me you’re already tired."

The girl standing over you presses her foot against a bruise on your thigh, and a quiet whimper slips out of you. "How do you get hurt so easily? We’re not even using our full strength.”

A few steps away, another girl holds your lunchbox with open disdain. "You’re such a weirdo. How can someone like you eat something so cheap?" She tosses it into the trash without a second thought. "Whatever."

If there’s anything good about the pain, it’s that it muffles their laughter. For some reason, hearing them laugh at you hurts far more than their kicks ever could.

"Just looking at you annoys me."

The leader mutters this before delivering one last kick to your stomach. The impact sends you crashing into the wall like you’re nothing more than an obstacle. "Let’s go, girls. This thing isn’t even good enough to use as a punching bag.”

Their footsteps fade down the hallway, and you release a shaky breath you didn’t even realize you were holding. It looks like you’re free for the rest of the day.

The infirmary isn’t far and the hallway is empty. Every small movement makes your muscles scream, but you’re more afraid of collapsing before you get there. Using the wall for support, you force yourself forward step by step.

The short walk feels endless, but luckily you don’t run into anyone. When you finally reach the infirmary, the room is completely empty. No sign of the nurse. She’s probably on her lunch break.

You think about pressing the call button, but decide to let her have her break in peace. With slow, careful movements, you drag yourself to the nearest bed and let yourself collapse onto it. The softness of the mattress and the cool fabric against your bruises offer the smallest bit of relief. After a moment, you adjust yourself upright, leaning back against the pillows. The silence in the room is almost overwhelming, yet completely familiar.

Your eyes drift to the windows. Outside, the blue sky and sunlight feel like the only things left that can comfort you. That view has always been a reminder that there’s a world beyond these walls. Honestly, you can’t stand this place.

Before your thoughts can sink any deeper, the sound of a door opening cuts through the quiet. You look over, expecting the nurse, but instead you see a familiar face.

"There you are!" Elisa bursts into the room, eyes bright with excitement as she closes the door behind her. "Your friends and the teacher were really worried. It’s not every day the model student disappears without a word."

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry anyone," you say, offering a small smile. "Please don’t tell them."

Elisa arches a brow, surprised, but eventually nods. Only then does she notice something on your neck.

"Hey, what’s that?"

She points to the dark bruise blooming across your skin. "What were you doing while skipping class to end up like this?"

Your hesitation makes her assume you won’t answer.

"Well, since the nurse isn’t here, I guess I can take care of you until she comes back." You hear the sound of drawers opening beside the bed, but you stay still, too afraid to move and worsen the pain. "If you keep looking like that, the boys will avoid you even more than they already do. You don’t want that, do you?”

"I don't really care about that… I'm still learning how to make friends with you guys, so it's probably better if not too many people try to get close to me right now." While you explain, Elisa seems focused on choosing an ointment. "And I think some girls really don’t like me..."

"Oh, really? Not even the girls?" She smiles with a hint of humor. You’re not sure what she finds funny, but maybe she is trying to lighten the mood. "Makes sense… People usually like pretty, well-put-together girls. Maybe they just don’t see you that way!" When she steps closer, you tilt your neck slightly so she can apply the gel to the bruise.

"Pretty and well-put-together girls..." The cold substance sends shivers down your skin, but you remain perfectly still. "So that's why..."

"That's why what?" she asks, catching your murmur. "Wait, are they the ones doing this to you? Wow, you really don’t get along with anyone in this school." She leans back a little, tilting her head to look at you directly. "Why are you even here?"

"What do you mean? I'm here because—"

Your voice trails off when she lifts her hand, holding a finger close to your lips. She doesn’t touch you, but the gesture alone silences you instantly.

“I’m talking about your reputation here. If nobody likes you, there’s no reason for you to stay." She picks up the ointment again, spreading more of it across her fingertips. "It’s for your own good. I just want to help you."

Before her fingers reach the next bruise, you catch her wrist. Your hold is gentle, but it still surprises her.

"I understand what you mean." You lower your gaze toward your lap. "You’re right. This isn’t good for my parents either. I don’t want to bring them any trouble after everything they’ve done for me.”

"…See?" She tries to pull her hand away, but you hold her a little tighter, your fingers sliding down to entwine with hers.

With your other hand, you hold her tighter, cupping both of her hands between yours before lifting your head and smiling. "That's why I should become a pretty girl like you! You can help me with that, right? I saw you looking at some of my mom’s dresses on my phone the other day. I can ask her to give us a few! How about that?”

The shock stays on her face for a moment, but after a quick blink she recomposes herself, looking away with a small huff.

"You think you can just put on some makeup and a cute outfit and everyone will forget who you are?" She scolds you, though her expression suggests she’s actually considering it. "Well, maybe that’s still better than you leaving school. Matt would be really upset if you left..." She mutters something under her breath before recovering her firm tone. "And let go of my hand. I'm tired of your excuses to touch me.”

"Sorry!" You quickly release her, and she withdraws her arm as if your touch burned her. "Not just him, you and Mei would be sad too." Taking your phone from your pocket, you open your contacts. "I’ll talk to my mom about it right now.”

"For someone who was dying in pain, you look pretty excited." Elisa says while washing her hands at the sink. "I have to go back to class. I can’t miss a lesson just because someone doesn’t know how to take care of herself." After drying her hands, she heads toward the door.

"Thank you so much, Ely."

Your words make her stop mid-step, so you keep going.

"I never thought anyone would take care of me unless it was their job. Really... thank you.”

You can’t see her face with her back turned, but you feel like you don’t need to. She doesn’t say anything as she leaves the room.

The nurse will probably be back soon to finish what Elisa started. In the meantime, you turn your attention back to your phone.

Your mom, as always, is willing to do anything for you. But this time, she seems even more excited, sending picture after picture of different outfits.

This is going to be fun!

"How many times do I have to say it?!" Mei lifts the set of clothes as if sheer will could prove her point. "The black uniform is better for cold weather. It absorbs more sunlight and heat, so it keeps you warmer!"

"Color doesn’t matter that much!" Elisa adjusts the red uniform on the hanger with a practiced flick. "Red draws attention, gives an elegant impression… it suits someone of her status better!"

While their argument keeps escalating, you and Matteo are on the other side of the room, surrounded by hangers, fabrics, and scattered pieces of clothing. He watches you pick a few school outfits, trying to look invested, though his gaze keeps drifting back to the two girls behind you.

Honestly, you would rather be in a fitting room with one of them, but Elisa was far too busy choosing outfits, and Mei seemed deeply uncomfortable changing in front of anyone who wasn’t her brother.

"Can you fix the collar on my blazer?" You lean closer to the mirror, tugging at the fabric. "The more I touch it, the worse it gets."

Matteo steps in and nods, smoothing the collar carefully. From the corner of his eye, he glances at Mei and Elisa again. "Are you sure it was a good idea to put those two together?"

You follow his gaze. They’re still arguing about colors and fabric quality, each convinced she’s absolutely right. The original plan was just to try on the uniforms with Elisa, but you didn’t want to leave Mei out, and you certainly didn’t want to deal with either of them alone. And that is how all four of you ended up stuck in this situation.

"It’d be nice if they learned to tolerate each other, considering Elisa likes staying close to you." Matteo finishes fixing your collar. You drop onto the sofa with a sigh. He kneels in front of you, waiting for the next item. "Hmm, I think I’ll go with the boots with the bow."

He grabs the pair you point at, brings it to you, and gently slips them onto your feet, tightening the straps with careful hands. "I don’t get these arguments," he says, still focused. "In the end, whichever you choose, it’ll work out."

Hurried footsteps approach, cutting your conversation short. Matteo doesn’t bother reacting and leaves you to handle it.

"[Name]! Why did you ask her for help and not me?!" Mei blurts out first, crossing her arms. "If I knew you needed help, I would have brought you an entire collection of new uniforms to wear for a month!"

Elisa refuses to let that slide. "She knows you wouldn’t make her stand out the way I do." She turns toward Matteo, as if only now remembering he's there. "And you? Why are you on the floor? I’m the one who should be helping her get dressed."

Matteo is taken aback by Elisa’s sharp tone, and so are you, even though it isn’t the first time. Ever since you started drawing the boys’ attention, she has been strict with anyone who tries to get close to you, and Matteo has been no exception. You expected that kind of reaction from Mei, but not from her.

You really hope she doesn’t think you're trying to take her place.

But Mei doesn’t let Matteo speak. "This is the job of the BEST FRIEND, which is me!" She grabs your hand and helps you stand up before you realize Matteo had already finished helping you. "Here, [Name], I picked an outfit for you- Wait, you’re already dressed?"

The girls only seem to notice now that you're already dressed. You spin once, showing off the new uniform. "So? What do you guys think? I love it!"

Mei lets out a breathy, amazed sigh before scanning you from head to toe. "You look gorgeous. The sleeve seams are perfect, the skirt is the ideal length, the blazer fits you so well... Oh, and the tights look so warm, you won't freeze at all, and…!" She touches every detail that catches her eye. "Matt helped you pick this out, right? At least he inherited his sister's good taste!"

You smile, two approvals secured. Looking for Elisa’s, you notice she’s following every movement Mei makes. Judging by her enchanted expression, she liked it too.

"What about you, Ely? What do you think?"

Your voice seems to pull her out of a trance, but once she finally looks you in the eyes, she shuts down. "It's... adequate. But did you really need a man to help you? I would have picked something much better for you."

Your smile fades. You had hoped she would like it. Maybe she’s upset because you asked someone else for help, even after asking her first. That must be it. You should make it up to her later.

"...I'm glad you approve."

Gently, you step away from Mei's hands and walk toward the door. "I think we're ready. Can we go?"

Everyone nods, but before you can take the first step outside, you notice nobody is following you. Mei laughs softly when she sees your confused look.

"What are you waiting for? You're the star here, remember?" She pushes you forward playfully. "Go on, go!"

You swallow hard. You've been doing this for a while, but it still feels strange to walk without your friends at your side.

Your footsteps echo down the hall as your thoughts drift. Now that you're getting popular, even if only among the boys, you think you finally understand Elisa. There's something comforting about being the center of attention, as if all those eyes on you mean you finally belong somewhere.

Someone calling your name snaps you back to reality, and you start greeting people as they approach. Their smiles are warm, their eyes gentle...

So different from the cold stares of the nurses who used to watch over you.

Lost in your distraction, you bump into someone. Instinctively, your hands latch onto the first thing within reach—which happens to be the boy's blazer. The impact nearly sends both of you off balance, but he quickly wraps a steady arm around your waist, keeping you upright.

"Whoa, easy there." He leans in a little, still holding you while he regains his balance. When you look up, you notice how close the two of you are. "In a hurry to go somewhere?" he asks, his tone relaxed.

You pull back a little, trying to regain your composure. "S-Sorry... I should've been watching where I was going."

While you're talking to him, your friends peek from the corner of the hallway.

"Isn't that one of the most popular boys in school?" Mei whispers, half thrilled. "Look at that, [Name] is really getting popular."

"Indeed. I wonder if his family's wealth matches hers." Matt replies, analyzing the scene with a critical gaze. "And I'm proud of you. I would've expected you to be jealous now that she spends less time with us."

"Jealous? Me?!" She places a hand over her chest dramatically. "Never! I am thrilled that someone who actually deserves attention is finally getting it." Her tone drops into a silky purr. "He seems very into her, and [Name] looks happy with him. What if they actually like each other?"

Matt’s brow furrows. He watches his sister closely. She keeps flicking quick glances toward Elisa, clearly provoking her on purpose. He should have expected this.

And just as he feared, Elisa steps away, retreating quietly from the group. The moment Mei notices, her smile drops.

"I knew something was off." Matt mutters, crossing his arms. "You can barely stand [Name] being around other girls, so how would you ever be fine with her getting close to boys?"

A sharp, humorless laugh escapes her, but her eyes remain fixed on the scene. "It was just a joke. I was only..." She suddenly stops talking, tilts her head and narrows her eyes. "Hold on, where is he taking her? We need to follow them!"

Before she can run off, a hand grabs her by the back of her shirt and pulls her away.

"Not happening. We are leaving [Name] alone and cleaning up the disaster we left in the fitting room."

Mei complains the entire way, but she cannot escape her brother’s grip as he drags her back, step by unwilling step.

Meanwhile, Elisa walked through the corridors, trying to let the silence calm the anger bubbling inside her. She approached a vending machine, but, upon checking her wallet, realized she didn't have a single coin. Such a common situation, yet one that still seemed impossible to get used to.

Useless boys. None of them had tried bribing her lately, probably because of you.

She sank onto the floor beside the machine, trying to blend into the background. A slow breath left her lips, and she tried to let the silence swallow the tension in her chest. But the calm shattered when she heard voices approaching, and one of them was yours. She opened her eyes and saw you from afar, laughing as you spoke with the boy.

He was supposed to be her next target, but now that you had caught his attention so easily, he would probably never look her way again. And weirdly, she couldn’t hate you for it. She couldn’t even bring herself to blame you.

Her attention shifted entirely to him. And instead of feeling angry at you, all she felt was rage toward him. Why was he touching you so casually? Why was he trying to get closer to you? Why was he showering you with gifts?

Elisa knew the taste of jealousy well, but this wasn’t it. You affected her in ways that he never could. That was what frustrated her. She couldn’t see you as a rival or as an obstacle. Even so, something about you tangled her thoughts in ways nobody else ever had.

She tried to focus, tried to calm down, but couldn’t. Every laugh you let out, every gesture you made, every glance he gave you reminded her just how deeply this was getting to her. He wasn’t the problem. You were. You always were.

Footsteps interrupted her spiraling thoughts, and suddenly your conversation with the boy came to an end. When she finally looked at you, there was something uneasy in your expression at first, but it melted the moment your eyes met hers.

"I thought you were with Matt. What are you doing here alone?" Before Elisa could answer, you pulled your hands from behind your back, revealing an elegant iced coffee and a snack, probably from the vending machine in the other hall. "I noticed you were looking at the machine earlier but didn’t buy anything. I figured maybe you forgot your money, so I got these for you."

She blinked, surprised, before accepting the snack. Her brows knit together. "You didn’t have to do that."

You settled on the floor beside her, watching quietly as she unwrapped the food and took her first bite. You stayed silent so she could eat without feeling rushed. Elisa, however, looked uneasy under the stillness.

"So… what happened?" She asked, opening the drink without looking away from you. The sound of the seal breaking echoed around you, but what stole your breath was the intensity in her eyes, as if she was reading every thought on your face. "It was pretty obvious you were uncomfortable earlier."

You shrank a little, surprised she had noticed. "That boy…" Your voice came out softer than intended. "He kept touching me. I… didn’t really like it." A shiver ran down your spine as the memory returned.

Elisa raised her brows, tilting her head with genuine curiosity. "What do you mean? You’re always clinging to Mei. Anyone can see you like physical affection."

Your gaze dropped to the floor. The words you needed were there and gone, slipping out of your reach. "W-Well… she’s my friend. I don’t mind when it’s my friends."

Elisa let out a soft, almost mocking laugh. "So that means I’m not your friend?"

Your eyes widened. Her reaction stunned you. It seemed to surprise her too, as if the words slipped out before she could think about them. Why did she care so much?

After a moment, you finally answered. "I… thought you wouldn’t like it. You always seemed uncomfortable when people touched you, so I tried not to bother you."

How did you notice that? Had you been paying that much attention to her?

Elisa couldn’t bring herself to look at you. Her gaze stayed glued to the floor. "Just like Mei, I’m also your friend. I don’t mind if you hug me, or put your arm around my waist, or kiss me. That’s normal between friends." The words slipped out before she realized how specific they were, describing gestures you often shared with Mei and that she always ended up watching. "I mean, I’m only saying that because…"

Her sentence died the moment she felt a warm breath near her cheek. She turned sharply, and your lips brushed the corner of hers, close enough that they almost met.

A soft laugh escaped you at her stunned expression. You licked a bit of sauce from your own lips, then lifted a napkin and gently wiped the small stain near her mouth. "I’m glad you feel comfortable with me, Ely. But I’m sure you wouldn’t want to stain the new uniform my mom gave you." Then you stood up and extended your hand to her. "Class is about to start. Come on, let’s walk while you finish your drink!"

Elisa’s breath caught for a moment. It felt like she had been pulled back to the instant she saw you for the first time. The sunlight from the window highlighted the glow in your hair, and the smile you offered seemed meant only for her. There was something in your eyes, something warm and tender, that almost melted her on the spot. And with your hand extended toward her, you looked like a prince.

The prince she had always dreamed about.

She held your hand, and the light touch you gave back made her heart quiver. The feeling, however, also reminded her of your limits, and she had to lean on the vending machine to stand up. You did not let go of her hand as you walked through the halls, and the silence between you felt comfortable, almost intimate. Your footsteps echoed softly, and Elisa stayed at your side as if she were drifting through a dream she did not want to wake from.

Since the moment you started walking, she simply could not look away from you. She watched every detail, the way the light brushed your skin, the faint shine in your eyes, the calmness in your expression.

Whenever you noticed her staring and gave her a small smile, Elisa turned her head away in a hurry and pretended to be distracted by anything else. A door, a sign, the floor. Anything that was not you.

Inside her, however, a quiet question grew stronger. Why did you look so much like the man of her dreams if you were a woman?

You carried every quality she had ever wanted to find in someone. You were wealthy, beautiful, gentle, and attentive in a way that felt almost knightly. You had presence, posture, confidence, traits she had never seen gathered in one person. And yet, you did not match the mold her mind insisted on calling ideal.

The thought made her look at you again, from head to toe, with a strange mix of fascination and hope. Maybe there was a way. She imagined you with a men's haircut, looser clothes, and small adjustments that could shape your appearance into what she pictured. It seemed absurd, but in her mind the fantasy took form as something possible.

Perfect. You would look perfect. The perfect man for her.

As the fantasy grew stronger, a bold thought appeared. If you were a man, there would be no competition. At least that way, most men will no longer be interested in you. Elisa knew she stood no chance against them if they wanted you, but girls were different. Against them, she felt confident, certain she could win against anyone as long as she could shape you into what she desired.

Before her thoughts could spiral further, she felt a shove on her shoulder. A student running through the hall bumped into her, and Elisa lost her balance. You tried to catch her, but both of you ended up falling, and you did everything you could to cushion the impact and keep her protected. Elisa gasped at the feeling of your body against hers, until she noticed you were trembling. When she looked at your face, she saw your eyes filling with tears, but the moment you realized she was watching, you tried your best to smile.

"Sorry, I should've been paying attention. Are you okay?"

Even though you could not fully hold her up, you still tried. For Elisa, the effort alone was enough, and she needed nothing else to feel safe. You tried to get up, but Elisa stayed atop you. When she saw your confused expression, she spoke.

"[Name], how about we go to the mall this weekend, just the two of us? I have some incredible ideas for looks you could try."

Your eyes widened at the invitation, unsure how to react. She simply smiled as if she already knew your answer.

Well, why not?

_________________________________________________

"I've never seen a girl with your style." The boy you were talking to says, intrigued. "Do you want to go out sometime..."

Before you can answer, your hand is yanked back. "[Name], I found new clothes for you!"

You try to protest, but Elisa is already dragging you through the hall. "E-Ely, please, can we slow down..." Every step she takes forces you to walk faster, and you find yourself torn between surprise and the strange feeling of being guided by someone who leaves no room to refuse. Your heart races, and you cannot decide if you want to complain or simply let her pull you along.

Why does she always do this whenever a boy gets near you?

_____________________________________________

"I think we should change your clothes a bit. They look way too tight..." she comments, breaking your distracted stare and noticing exactly where you were looking. "Hey, are you listening to me?"

You point at a soft pastel dress in the window. "Look, that dress is cute. I think I already have too many outfits like this, so how about we go back to dresses?"

Elisa shakes her head in disapproval, steps in front of the display to block your view, and holds out a boys' uniform for you. "I think this will look great on you."

Your hands slide over the fabric, admiring its soft texture and perfect cut, but you still do not understand why you need to dress this way. Before, no one seemed to care about what you wore. So why change now?

As if reading your thoughts, Elisa folds her arms and says, "Aren't you tired of attracting only boys? Don't tell me you're just looking for a boyfriend."

"No, of course not..." You reply hesitantly, thinking about Mei and wondering if she would think the same about all of this.

________________________________________________

The silence hanging over the room was heavy. Elisa's expression was serious, and you had no idea if you should speak or stay quiet.

"E-Ely, don't you think it would be better to cut my hair when you're calmer?" You ask in a small voice, trying not to upset her. "That boy wasn't doing anything wrong..."

"You're too naive." She brushes off a few strands that fell onto your clothes. "Of course he was harassing you, just like many boys who try to do bad things to you. And the best solution is definitely this."

"Wouldn't it be better if we called our friends and asked for their opinion?" You suggest, hoping for a softer way out.

Elisa doesn't answer, and her silence tells you everything.

You look… different.

Now, reflected in the glass of a vending machine, you see someone who almost looks like another person. You have changed a lot, even though your face is still the same. You stare at your reflection and smile at yourself. Despite everything, it’s still you.

Fast footsteps echo down the hallway, and before you realize it, someone wraps you in a hug that is far too strong.

"[Name]! [Name], [Name], [Name]...!" Mei repeats your name over and over, rubbing her face against your shoulder. "I missed you so much! This world is so cruel, why does everything feel like it's against us?!" she whines, her voice rising into a sharp pitch.

"It's your fault for failing so many classes." Matt scolds her, trying to pull her away from you. "Wow, Elisa made some big changes in you in such a short time." He greets you with a smile.

His words caught Mei's attention. She steps back and looks you over from head to toe in a rush. "Why didn't you tell me this was your style? I would've picked beautiful clothes for you!"

"Do you like it? Actually, it was Ely's idea! She helped me choose everything."

Mei's expression shuts down instantly. "Wait, did she force you to do this?!" She turns to her brother. "You were supposed to look after [Name] while I was studying!"

"Well..." Matt looks away, unable to face her anger. "Elisa got pretty mad whenever a man got close to her, and I couldn't call you because I didn't want to distract you..."

Mei narrows her eyes at him but says nothing. She turns her full attention back to you. She seems especially struck by your hair, letting her fingers slide through the strands while she studies every detail. "She did a good job at least, but I admit I'll miss your feminine look. Unless..." She stops suddenly and stares at you for a few seconds, then finally asks. "Are you… like me?"

Matt tenses beside you immediately and places a hand on her shoulder, trying to steady her. Mei clenches her fists, eyes locked on you, her expression a mix of surprise and something you still cannot name.

Before you can ask what she means, a presence slips in beside you.

"There you are!" Elisa appears so suddenly it feels like she had been waiting for the perfect moment. She loops her arm through yours, drawing every gaze in the hallway. "Are you hiding from the girls again?"

Silence spreads around you. For a few seconds, no one knows what to say. Elisa’s unexpected arrival catches everyone off guard.

Mei is the first to recover, frowning. "Hey! What did you do to [Name]?! You should’ve talked to me before deciding anything!" She steps forward, clearly bothered. Her tone isn’t aggressive, but there is real frustration behind it.

Elisa looks straight at her, her stare as sharp as a blade. "This is between me and him. You spent the entire month in after-school classes, so if you really wanted to help, you should've tried harder."

The siblings froze, surprise written all over their faces. It was as if they needed to look at each other to confirm they had understood correctly. "Him?" Their voices came out almost at the same time. You feel their eyes fall on you immediately, their confusion mirroring your own. You have no idea what Elisa is trying to imply.

"Ely, what are you saying...?" You murmur to her.

"[Name], can we talk?" There is a softness in Mei's voice that you barely recognize. She holds your hand gently, as if she is afraid you might pull away. "It's been a while since we spent time together..."

You hesitate, unsure what to do, glancing between Elisa and Mei. In the end, it is Mei who captures your gaze.

"Sure." You step away from Elisa, feeling the weight of her stare follow each of your movements as if every step you take is a mistake. Mei lets out a relieved smile. "See you later, Ely."

You look away, hoping Elisa will not notice that you caught the hurt in her expression. Mei says nothing as she heads off, but she tosses a quick look at her brother. He gives a small nod, and you cannot shake the feeling that there is something between them you still do not understand.

The walk between you two is strangely silent, and you cannot find the courage to break it. She must be angry with you… right? You spent almost the entire month without seeing each other. Elisa never gave you a chance to visit, and Mei was too busy studying to meet you. Ever since you met her, she always seemed so in control at school that it never crossed your mind she could be struggling.

"Where are you going?" Her voice cuts through your thoughts when she lightly tugs the sleeve of your uniform toward the gate.

"We're getting ice cream."

You stare at her, surprised by the gesture. She always holds your hand, so why is she avoiding touching you now? The question stings, but you swallow it down. Dark thoughts start piling up as you walk, and you try to ignore them even though they insist on staying. When you arrive, the two of you choose a quiet corner on the balcony of the fancy ice cream shop and take your seats. The waitress hands you two menus, and you look through them in silence.

Your focus slips when a finger appears over your menu, pointing at an ice cream under the section labeled ‘for couples.’ "What do you think about sharing this one?"

You look up at her, startled. Her voice sounds... different. A little higher, almost like she is forcing her tone.

She seems to misread your reaction and quickly looks away, embarrassed. "O-Only if you want to, of course! I don’t think I could finish one of these big ones by myself..." She twists a strand of her hair around her finger as she speaks.

"Sure, I don’t mind at all." You set the menu aside and ring the bell for the waitress.

Little by little, conversation begins to flow. Mei relaxes, and her voice slips back into its usual tone. The moment she notices it, she raises it again. You pretend not to notice, not wanting to make her uncomfortable now that she seems to be warming up to you again. She starts asking questions about the time the two of you spent apart. You begin telling her everything, until the subject inevitably reaches Elisa.

"So..." Mei leans in a little. "You don’t have anything to tell me?"

"...I don’t think so?" You hesitate for a moment, trying to remember if you forgot anything. "About Ely, I guess that’s it. I thought I’d feel lonely when she started chasing Matteo, but in the end she actually seemed happier without him around..."

Mei narrows her eyes and leans in a little, resting her chin on her hand as if waiting for you to say something important. "...You know you can trust me, right?"

You frown, confused by the sudden question. "Of course I can! Why?"

The same waitress from before suddenly appears, balancing the ice cream on her tray. She sets it carefully in the middle of the table and steps back, watching you. You thank her and she smiles. For a moment, it looks like she is about to leave, but then she discreetly touches your hand. A small piece of paper slips between your fingers before you realize it. She steps away and gives you a quick wink before vanishing between the tables.

"What..." Mei mutters, her eyes locked on the girl. "How disrespectful... doing that to someone who is already taken."

"Taken?" you repeat as you open the note in your hand. "What do you mean by that? I’m kind of used to this stuff by now, but... it still feels weird."

"I knew it!" she bursts out, pointing at you as if you were living proof of her suspicion. "You’re trying to hide it from me, but it’s so obvious!"

The accusation hits you like an unexpected punch. You freeze, unable to respond for a second.

"You are... You’re dating Elisa, aren’t you?" Her voice trembles between anger and disbelief, every word heavy with accusation.

Without realizing it, your fingers loosen and the note slips away. It spins through the air, carried by the wind as if mocking the moment. For a moment, you wonder if this is really happening.

"No... no!" You wave your hands quickly, trying to push the idea away. "Where did you even get that from?"

She folds her arms, raising an eyebrow as if you were the one acting strange. "Didn’t you hear? Even I heard it, and I was locked in my room!"

Why is she looking at you like you broke her trust? What could have happened? A tight, uncomfortable ache builds in your chest.

"Mei..." You begin gently, choosing each word with care. You place your hand over hers on the table, softening your voice. "You’re the person I trust most in this world. There’s no one above you." She stays quiet, so you keep going. "If you heard something, know that it doesn’t mean anything. People love gossip."

She glances down, staring at the melting ice cream. "The person I heard it from... was Elisa." You wait, giving her time. "Matt and I heard her telling people that you two were together... and that you were her boyfriend."

Her voice breaks, and the truth hits like a punch to the stomach. Now you feel the weight of it. Why would Elisa say something like that?

"That’s why I wanted at least one date with you... so I wouldn’t feel so guilty for taking so long. I know it’s not your fault if you trust her more than me, but... it’s not fair! I saw you first! Why do you trust her more than me? Did I do something wrong?" Her words stop abruptly when she feels something warm against her back. When she turns, her face meets your chest, and the contact muffles her tears, giving her a strange sense of relief.

She leans into you, curling closer and hiding her face against your body. Only a few shaky sobs escape. After a few minutes, you break the silence. "I don’t know why Elisa said that, but it’s not true. I’m not hiding anything from you. Are you upset because I changed my style all of a sudden?"

"No, that’s not it..." She mumbles into your clothes. "...So you really don’t have anything to tell me?"

"No, nothing at all." You slide a hand through her hair, feeling her body finally relax. "But what about you? Do you have something to tell me?"

Her face is still a little damp when she pulls away. She looks at the ice cream, now completely melted, then at the crowd around you, especially the couples. "I..." She stops, unable to finish, and looks back at you. The simple eye contact only makes her more nervous. "...Can we go somewhere else?"

"Sure! Where do you want to go now?"

"No, not now..." She steps back a little. "I’ll send you the address. Meet me there before midnight." Mei pulls some money from her pocket and sets it on the table. "Sorry for ruining our date... We didn’t even eat the ice cream. But don’t worry, I promise I’ll make it up to you tonight!" She gives a quick wave before walking off, and you return it.

But she does not get far. Suddenly, she turns back, rushes to you, kisses your cheek in a quick motion, and disappears again before you can even react. By the time you manage to process what happened, Mei is already heading down the stairs.

Smiling to yourself, you lean against the railing of the ice cream shop, watching her leave.

Something tells you tonight is going to be unforgettable, and because of that, you plan to prepare as much as possible!

You don’t really understand why you’re this happy.

Your humming echoes softly through the empty hallway, blending with the steady tap of your flats against the cold floor. Each quiet step seems to match the rhythm of your quickened heartbeat. Wanting to make sure everything is fine before meeting Mei, you decide to stop by the infirmary for a quick check-up. Not even the illness that keeps haunting you will ruin tonight.

You knock on the door but enter without waiting for an answer, murmuring a small “excuse me.” The lights are off, though the moonlight streaming through the windows is enough to brighten the room.

“I knew you’d be here.”

Your body reacts before your mind does. You jump at the sound, turning around with your heart racing. Elisa stands behind you.

“Ely…” Confusion slips into your voice. “What are you doing here?”

She slightly furrows her brows, and for a moment the air between you feels heavy. Whatever you said didn’t sit well with her. “What? Do I need a reason to come see you now?”

“N-No, of course not!” You try to explain yourself, though you already feel that words may not be enough. Looking around, you notice that one of the beds has medical equipment already set up. “You came to take care of me, right? I’ll lie down then.”

You climb the small steps, each one echoing in the silence around you. Only then does Elisa really notice your clothes.

“What is… that?” She points at your outfit. “Why are you dressed so feminine?”

For some reason, a wave of embarrassment washes over you. You never thought she'd notice, let alone bring it up.

"...I decided to try a different look today. Do you like it?" The question leaves your lips more timidly than you meant it to, almost no louder than a whisper.

She doesn’t answer, and you don’t push it, afraid of irritating her. You lie down on the bed as Elisa begins examining you, though her touch is rougher than usual. Whenever you let out a sound she interprets as pain, she softens for a moment, only to return to that same harshness a few seconds later. You can’t take it for long, so you gently move her hand away.

“I-I think that’s enough… Thank you.

But she didn’t let you pull away. The moment your foot touched the first step of the small stair, her hand closed firmly around your wrist. “Are you going to see her again?”

The coldness in her voice was so unexpected that you froze. “See who?”

“You know exactly who I’m talking about.” Her gaze slid to your cheek and, when she touched it, you realized Mei’s kiss-shaped gloss was still marked there. “Is that why you dressed up like this today?”

You tried to pull your arm back, but she only tightened her grip.

“You were doing so well… until she came back.” Elisa’s breathing grew heavier, and now it felt like she was talking more to herself than to you. “I did everything so you’d confess to me. Why haven’t you done it yet?”

While she spiraled into her own thoughts, you took the chance to glance at the clock on the wall. If you didn’t leave soon, you’d risk being late for your date.

“Maybe I’ll have to use a more persuasive method…?”

Suddenly, your body was pulled backward, hitting the mattress with a sharp thud. A weight settled over your waist. When you looked up, you saw Elisa sitting on top of you, blocking any chance of escape.

“Plenty of boys would kill to be in your place. Why are you so ungrateful?”

Her words made no sense to you. Panic rose in your chest and you tried to push her away, but the moment she realized what you were doing, she grabbed your arms with both hands, holding you down.

“...E-Elisa, what are you saying…?!” Even exhausted, you try to break free from her grip, but your trembling body refuses to cooperate. “Please, get off of me!”

Her grip on you doesn’t loosen at all as she starts unbuttoning her uniform. “I never thought I’d stoop this low for a man, but here I am...” With her other hand, she guides yours to her breast, making you squeeze it and feel the softness against your palm. “Honestly, you’re not even my type. How did you make me fall for you?”

When you understand what she intends to do, tears you hadn't even noticed start running down your face. "No, NO! I don't want this, Elisa, please...!"

She doesn't seem to hear you.

The moment her breath brushes your face, you automatically turn your head to the side. The hand holding your wrist lets go only to slide up to your chin. Her fingers close around it, forcing you to look at her. Then her lips touch yours.

The kiss is unexpectedly gentle, almost a silent request for you to stop resisting. But instead, your body grows even more rigid, frozen by tension and the mess of emotions twisting inside you. Your senses only snap back into place when you feel her tongue pushing into your mouth.

While you're living through a nightmare, Elisa seems lost in a completely different world.

It's sweet... Your taste is unbelievably sweet.

She realizes it in the very first second. Nothing compares to anything she's felt before. Men always had a rougher tongue, a touch that made her feel suffocated, as if they were trying to dominate her with every move. But you... you aren't like any of them.

Her curiosity only grows. There's something in the way you feel that pulls her in, something that sparks sensations she doesn't understand yet. Guided by that impulse, she closes the space between you, fitting herself even tighter against your body as she deepens the kiss.

Addictive... She doesn't want to stop.

But the spell breaks when something sharp grazes her face. Elisa jerks back and brings her hand to the skin under her eye. Her fingers find a warm, slick heat.

Blood.

In your hand, there's a small pocketknife shaped like a key. She recognizes it instantly; it was part of your self-defense kit. When she looks at you, searching for an explanation, she finds only horror on your face. That single moment of eye contact is enough for you to snap back to yourself and shove her away with every bit of strength you have, pushing her off you as if your life depends on it.

Before Elisa can even process what just happened, you've already crossed the doorway of the infirmary.

Even after everything, you still refuse to stay with her?

She has exactly what any man would dream of. An attractive body, full breasts, striking thighs... and yet…

What’s wrong? Why doesn’t the one she wants above anyone else want her back?

Her fingers tighten around the hem of her uniform skirt, nearly wrinkling the fabric.

No. She won't accept that. After everything she waited for, everything she endured, she won’t let you just walk away.

Her hand shakes as she pulls her phone from her pocket, gripping it like it’s the last hope she has left. She starts typing in a rush, not caring about the tears falling and blurring the screen.

She will have you. One way or another.

________________________________________________________________

You run without stopping until your legs start to tingle, which happens far too quickly considering how many times you fell along the way.

The pocketknife is still firm in your hand, but just looking at the blood on the blade is enough to drain the warmth from your face. You don’t want to use it again.

Your mind keeps telling you to go back to the dorm, lock the door and only come out when you feel safe. But you know you can’t leave Mei behind.

You take a few long breaths, trying to recover your strength, until the sound of a notification breaks the silence. When you grab your phone, you see a message from Mei.

MeiMei <3: “Did you get lost?” “I know it’s a long walk for you, so rest whenever you can” “I’m excited to see you!!”

A smile grows on your lips. She’s always been like that, hasn’t she?

Those messages alone are enough to slow the frantic pace of your heartbeat. You can’t ruin the night by telling her what happened. That can wait.

Your footsteps echo through the street. Normally you’d be scared, but excitement wins this time. You follow the address until you stop in front of a patch of tall grass.

After checking the paper twice, you realize you're in the right place. The confusion lasts only a moment before another sheet catches the wind and lands at your feet. You crouch down, pick it up and see a drawing.  It’s an arrow pointing forward and, beneath it, a sketch of a smiling girl.

You recognize Mei’s style instantly.

As you keep walking, you find several more drawings. Each one points in a different direction and shows a new illustration. In every drawing, the girl has a different expression, but all of them overflow with the same contagious joy. By the end of the trail, you find yourself in what looks like a small clearing, though it’s still quite dark. The only light comes from a lantern that also casts a warm glow over a silhouette. One you’d recognize anywhere.

You move forward slowly, careful not to step on any flowers, and little by little the path becomes clearer. When you get close, Mei doesn’t turn around, but the subtle tension in her posture tells you she knows you're there. Not wanting to break the peaceful silence, you step beside her and look in the same direction.

"Look." She points at the sky, where a soft constellation glimmers. "Doesn’t it look like a dolphin?"

"A dolphin?" You tilt your head, studying it. "It looks more like a horse to me." Then you spot another cluster of stars and point at it. "And that one? Doesn’t it look like a heart?"

Mei shakes her head, laughing. "No, silly! That’s clearly a triangle."

Her laughter is contagious, and for a few minutes you both get lost trying to spot shapes and figures in the starry sky. But little by little, the silence returns, even though Mei seems more relaxed than before. She steps away slowly and you hesitate, unsure if you should follow her, but she notices and gives a subtle gesture telling you not to. The lantern’s light barely reaches her face, making it hard to read her expression.

"You're wearing feminine clothes today..." Her voice is quiet, almost a whisper, but there's something in her tone that says she had noticed long before. "Is this... really your true self?"

Your hands brush shyly over the outfit you chose while thinking of her. "Well... you seem to like it when I wear feminine clothes. So I decided to dress like this today."

"So honest..." The word slips out bitterly. "You always do everything to please other people, while I... I..."

Her voice cracks, weighed down by fear and guilt. You take a step toward her, but Mei moves back, retreating one step.

"I can't keep doing this... you don't deserve it..." She speaks between sobs, looking like she could collapse at any moment. "I'm sorry, [Name], I'm sorry, I'm sorry... The truth is..." She stops, as if she needs to gather courage. "I-I’m not really a girl...! I only dress this way because it makes me feel okay with myself. It's what lets me look in the mirror without hating what I see. I can't stand the idea of stopping..."

Her sobbing grows harder, and you wrap your arms around her in a warm embrace. You don’t interrupt, just stroke her hair gently. Little by little, after whispered apologies, she calms down and continues in a soft voice. "That's why, when you dressed like a boy, I thought you were like me... That way I wouldn't have to change the way I look just to seem like a man..."

"Mei..." You pull back slightly, wiping her tears with your thumb. "You are a girl. Even if some people disagree or don’t understand, that’s the truth that matters. I would never, ever leave you over something like that." Your fingers squeeze her shoulders softly, trying to offer comfort. "Thank you for trusting me."

She nods, and a wide smile appears on her tear-stained face. "Why did I ever doubt you? You're amazing, [Name]!"

"We’re friends. It’s the least I can do." You pull her into one last tight hug before stepping back. "But why would you change your appearance because of me? I don’t care about that. To me, you’ll always be my Mei." As you walk toward the exit, you reach out your hand to her. "It's getting cold. Come on, let’s continue our date somewhere warmer."

"Your Mei..." she repeats, looking away before meeting your eyes again. "[Name], I... I have one more thing to tell you."

You turn immediately, giving her all your attention. "Go ahead, I’m listening."

"It’s kind of embarrassing, I’ve already said too much face to face..." She takes a deep breath and holds out a letter in a pink envelope sealed with a heart. "Here, read this."

Your eyes widen. The envelope is so typically Mei that it's almost painfully cute, covered in tiny, shiny stickers. But when you reach out to grab it, an unexpected gust of wind snatches the letter from your fingers.

Mei lets out a surprised gasp and tries to grab it, but the envelope flies straight into the forest.Before you can even think, your legs are already moving.

"[Name]! Where are you going? I-It's fine, you don't need to do that!" Mei's voice echoes behind you.

"I-I'll be right back, I promise!" You shout over your shoulder before disappearing between the trees. After a few minutes of walking, your legs finally give out and you lean against a damp tree trunk, trying to catch your breath. You know it's dangerous to wander off like this, but that letter was meant only for you, and you can't lose it.

Determined, you begin scanning the moist forest floor, pushing aside leaves and branches as you move forward. After several minutes of searching, something near the riverbank catches your eye.

It looks like your letter!

You throw yourself toward it without thinking twice and drop to your knees, the rough stones scraping your skin, but the pain means nothing now.

The letter is slightly soaked, its edges rippled from the water, but it still looks intact enough to read. You grab it and press it against your chest, closing your eyes as you draw in a deep breath. You should head back. Mei will start worrying if you take too long.

And as if your thoughts had called her, a voice echoes through the trees: "[Name]! Where did you go?! [Name], [Name]!"

You try to get up to answer, but a gloved hand clamps over your mouth and nose before you can make a sound. Your body reacts on instinct, your hand going straight to your pocket for the pocketknife. The attacker seems to anticipate it and tears the blade from your grip with ease. But when they pull their hand away from your mouth, you seize the moment and scream for Mei with everything your lungs can give.

Just as the lack of air threatens to make you pass out, your body is hurled forward. You cling to the edge of the bank, desperate not to fall into the water. Dizzy, your vision slowly clears, and the only thing you manage to see is Mei being thrown into the river. She thrashes and struggles to keep herself up, and even with the muffled ringing in your ears, it's obvious she’s screaming for you, fighting to survive.

Panic floods your chest. She... she can't swim?!

With almost no strength left, you try to push yourself up, each movement costing every bit of effort you have. But before you can rise, a violent blow slams into your head, knocking you back to the ground and plunging you into darkness.

Your vision is so blurry that for a moment you think you've gone blind. But as your senses slowly return, you realize your eyes are covered by a tight blindfold pressing against your head like it’s trying to crush it. Your mouth is sealed with something you recognize as tape, muffling your breathing and every attempt to speak. Your arms are completely numb, and the hot, burning sting around your wrists makes it clear they’ve been tied with rope.

Several minutes pass before your memory starts crawling back, bringing a wave of panic with it. What happened to Mei after you blacked out?!

You try to make a sound, anything that might catch someone's attention if anyone is nearby. There are no signs of movement, but the noise you make triggers something else. The metallic click of a lock echoes in the room, followed by a rush of cold air as a door opens. You flinch at the sudden chill.

Footsteps echo above you, each one sounding like someone coming down a set of stairs. When the steps finally stop, a deep voice breaks the silence, low enough to sound almost teasing. "Damn... I thought I'd killed you by accident." He lets out a short laugh. "Rose would have destroyed me if that happened."

You try to respond, but the tape over your mouth turns everything into faint, confused murmurs. Even without seeing anything, you can't ignore the presence leaning in front of you, heavy and invasive, filling every inch of your personal space.

"I knew getting to you would be complicated. You're always surrounded by bodyguards..." The man walks slowly around you, as if he's studying every angle of you. "She was smart to earn your trust. I just didn’t think she'd go as far as pretending to date you."

A cold shock runs through your stomach. How are you supposed to explain that he grabbed the wrong person? That you don't even know who the hell Rose is?

He ignores your attempts to speak, moving on as if you hadn't made a sound at all.

"But I have to thank you." Something metallic scrapes across the floor, maybe a chain, maybe a can. You can’t tell. "You're the one supporting her now, right? Because she’s not the way she used to be." His breathing changes, growing heavier, like the memory physically angers him. "I still remember that pathetic little thing begging for food... or maybe just attention, since not even her own parents cared about her. And look where she is now, fooling men and even women with that pretty face, while I’m the one depending on her."

Before you can process the words, a firm hand grabs your chin and forces your head upward. "But I admit, you're more attractive up close." He tilts your face from side to side, examining you. "When she paid me to follow you, I didn’t think you’d be worth the effort."

Your whole body locks. So he's the stalker who kept tailing you when you first started school!

"And since you're going to die anyway..." His hand keeps gripping your face while the fingers of his other hand trail down your arm, cold enough to pull an involuntary shiver from you. "...I guess there's no harm in enjoying myself a little. It's not like you can stop me."

You try to fight back, pulling away as much as you can, but he holds you down with enough force to crush any attempt at movement. His hands tug at your uniform and panic surges through you. Between stifled sobs, you try to push him away, struggling to break free.

Sudden footsteps rush across the room, and before you can understand what's happening, the hands holding you are torn off your body with brutal force. The man spits out a curse, followed by a choked sound, as if someone has cut off his breath. Sharp, chaotic noises fill the air, the sounds of a short but vicious fight. Within seconds, something heavy crashes against the floor.

"Rose?!" His voice comes out ragged, like he's still trying to catch his breath. "Are you insane?! Or are you high again?!"

The other figure doesn’t speak. From the steady rhythm of her steps and the speed with which she moves toward him, it’s clear she didn’t come here to talk.

"Oh, great... Guess I’ll have to knock some sense into you myself..." He doesn't even finish the sentence before more violent sounds explode through the room, followed by a woman’s scream. A scream that, for some reason, feels strangely familiar to you.

Heavy breathing fills the silence for a few seconds. Then slow footsteps begin to approach, each one closer than the last. Suddenly, the blindfold is ripped off your face and harsh light forces your eyes open. A man stands right in front of you. He doesn’t look away from your face for even a second. He only lifts his hand and points to the empty space behind him.

"Do you see that woman? It was her. She's the reason you're here, she's the one who..."

The sentence dies in his throat.

Warm blood splashes across your face.

…

You don’t want to look.

Blood splashes onto your skin and runs down in uneven streams, and every part of you begs not to look. But your body refuses to obey. When the man collapses onto your thighs, his weight forces your attention toward the scene. The heat of the blood feels almost scalding, spreading too quickly across your skin.

Your eyes lock on the open wound at the back of his neck, a deep gap you cannot look away from. It is as if your muscles reject any attempt at movement.

You have never witnessed anything so explicit. Not even during the years you spent in the hospital had you seen anything close to this.

"What kind of pervert tries to do something like that to such a young boy...?"

The voice is unmistakable, yet you fight the recognition, as if denying it could reshape reality.

"If you keep staring for too long, you will end up traumatized, sweetheart."

The fallen body is dragged away from you. The movement leaves a dark trail of blood behind it, a thin line stretching across the floor. Once she pulls him far enough, she returns to you. She crouches right in front of you, filling your entire field of vision.

Elisa’s smile blooms the moment she sees you, bright and almost out of place in a scene like this. "Hi, hi!" She waves before gently removing the tape from your mouth. "Sorry it took so long. It was hard to catch him off guard."

When you do not answer, she runs her hand through your hair, slow and soft, as if comforting a child. "There, there..." She whispers the words while checking your bound arms and legs. Her fingers touch the reddened skin around the ropes. "Even if you probably cannot run, I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Who…” Your voice comes out thin, almost unrecognizable. “Who are you…?”

Elisa lifts her eyebrows but doesn’t answer. Instead, she walks over to the corpse and, with a disturbingly casual air, rolls it onto its side and inspects it as if evaluating an object. “Don’t tell me he hit you so hard you lost your memory.” She remarks, pulling a cleaver from her backpack, its edge catching the light. “Well… I was a little dizzy myself the first time I saw this much blood.”

Your eyes widen the moment she raises the blade. “Wait, what are you doing?!”

Elisa doesn’t hesitate. The wet sound of metal cutting into flesh is her only reply for a few seconds. “I’m trying to get us some food, isn’t it obvious?” She says it lightly, as if talking about something trivial. Only then does she lift her head, meeting your gaze with a mocking look. “Or is this too disgusting for the spoiled prince?”

You can barely process what you’re seeing. Does she really not grasp how insane this is?

“He told me your name is Rose.” You pause, trying to gather your thoughts. 

“What else did you lie about? How did you get into the school? Where did the money come from? How…”

She cuts you off by pressing a scalpel toward your mouth, a strip of still-bleeding meat hanging from its tip. “So many questions coming from that pretty little mouth.” She brings the food closer to your lips. “You need to eat.”

You turn your head away, disgust twisting your stomach. “There’s no way I’m…”

Elisa shoves the piece toward you with no restraint. The edge of the scalpel scrapes your lips, opening a small cut that burns instantly. You brace yourself to spit it out, but she grabs your cheek, forcing you to face her. “I’m tired of this arrogance. Where did all that fierceness come from?” Her grip tightens, her face inches from yours. “Eat.”

Her stare terrifies you, but your dignity still pushes back. You shake your head, refusing, tears spilling hot down your face. She pauses then, her hold on you loosening. The moment you’re free, you spit the meat out, the metallic taste of blood clinging stubbornly to your tongue.

“…Sorry.” Her voice drops to a murmur as she starts untying your legs. “I was just messing around. I only needed to remove a few parts to sell on the black market.” She wipes your tears with her thumb as if the gesture were affectionate, giving you a smile that feels painfully out of place. “I know you have a refined palate. I don’t want to change that.”

You can’t bring yourself to answer. You only stare at Elisa in pure horror, unable even to look in the direction of the body.

“I wouldn’t stoop that low either, but I felt insulted when you refused the food.” She moves to your hands, untying them with more care this time. “I’ll do what I can to get money for us.”

The moment your arms are free, you try to stand, but your legs refuse to obey.

“We need to go, the police are going crazy looking for you, but first...” She takes your hand and guides it toward the cleaver and the scalpel, forcing your fingers around them. When you look up at her, confused, she finishes, “Getting rid of the witnesses won’t be enough. I need your fingerprints on the weapons.”

Witnesses?

You drop the tools instantly, the clatter echoing between you. But it’s already useless. You know it, and she knows it too. “What do you mean witnesses? It wasn’t just him who…”

The memory hits you like lightning. Is Mei…

She only smiles. When she notices your tears still streaming down your face, her voice softens even more. “I know it’s a huge change… but I didn’t have any other choice.” She slips an arm under your shoulders, pulling you closer and letting you lean against her. “When I found you, I thought we’d live surrounded by luxury…” She forces a small smile. “But it’s alright. I can handle this.”

You both start walking toward the exit, and her voice keeps flowing, filling the air around you.

“I’ll work hard for the two of us. I’ll become the best doctor I can, for you.” She presses you closer when the cold wind hits as you step outside. “You’re just… broken. Once I'm fixing you, I’m sure you’ll be the perfect prince.”

When you reach a parked car, she opens the back door and guides you inside.

“I can play the prince for a little while, at least until you get better.” She closes the door and walks around to the front, settling into the driver’s seat and peeling off her bloodstained gloves. “When the time comes… you’ll take care of me, won’t you?”

But your mind is so far away you don’t even register her question.

You begged your parents to get you out of that hospital… and now you might be heading into something even worse.

Your parents… Will you ever see them again? And your friends?

The siblings’ faces rise in your mind. Will Matt be able to handle what happened?

…And that letter you received. What did it say?

Not even the person who wrote it can tell you now. You’ll probably never know.

You take a deep breath and turn your gaze to the window. Maybe your parents were right. Maybe leaving the hospital really was too dangerous for you. Maybe you truly weren’t ready to live outside.

…You just hope they forgive you.

And that they don’t give up on you.

His voice breaks the quiet as he sits on the edge of the bed. “I scheduled another therapy session for you. Three o’clock.”

A muffled groan comes from beneath the pillow pressed over her face. “I don’t want to go.” She stretches her arm out and points toward the desk, where papers are sorted into neat stacks. “I have too much work.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Work? But everything is already organized…” The words fade the moment he notices what she’s holding.

It’s a photo of you.

“You know she wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

The room sinks into silence. Only after several long seconds does her voice return, still buried under the pillow. “Good thing she isn’t here, then.”

His hand slides over his sister’s hair, trying to offer some kind of support. It takes a while, but eventually she lifts her head just enough, her eyes fixed on the wall. “Why didn’t she take us with her?”

“What do you mean?” He leans in, puzzled.

“We could’ve helped her… helped hide the body. She wouldn’t have had to disappear like that.” She finally turns to him, doubt clouding her expression. “Did she not trust us?”

He shakes his head. “The case is marked as closed, there’s nothing else we can do.” His phone vibrates, and he pulls it from his pocket. “The (Last Name) family is asking about you.”

“…They are?”

“Yeah, they want us to have dinner with them.”

She hides her face again, making him sigh. “They’re worried about you. They were the ones who helped find another therapist for your sessions.”

Matteo feels his hope slipping as he prepares to give up. Then, suddenly, Mei sits up and stands. “You are right. I can’t let (Name)’s name be forgotten.” She heads straight for the wardrobe. “I want her company to be ready for when she comes back.”

Her determination pulls a sad smile from Matteo.

“Of course. I’ll let them know.”

________________________________________________________________

The hallway carried a sharp, metallic scent of disinfectant. They stepped aside to let rushing patients pass, and the older brother kept his arm around his sister, guiding her with quiet care. Every so often, he gave her arm a gentle squeeze, a discreet attempt to steady the tremor that kept returning to her face.

“Who are you looking for?” Matteo asked when he noticed her restless gaze shifting from one end of the corridor to the other.

Her eyes widened for a brief second before she managed to hide it. She lowered her gaze to the floor, her voice barely audible. “No one…”

He nodded lightly without pushing further, even though he already knew the truth.

“We’re here.”

Mei stared at the doorknob for a few seconds, frozen. When her brother reached out to take it, she stepped back.

“Do you want me to go in with you?” he asked, taking one of her hands in his.

“No… it’s fine.” She inhaled deeply, wrapped her fingers around the doorknob, and opened the door just enough to peek inside, though she hesitated. Before stepping through, she turned to him. “Don’t disappear, okay?”

Matteo gave her a small smile and leaned in to press a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be right here. Waiting for you.”

Mei’s eyes softened, and she pulled him into one last hug before entering the room.

“Excuse me…”

The moment she steps through the door, her eyes widen at the sight of the woman seated at the desk.

“Good morning!” the therapist greets, surprise flickering across her face. “Mei, right? Please, make yourself comfortable.”

It’s too late to turn back now.

…

…

…

After what feels like an eternity, the door finally opens and Mei walks out into the hallway.

“Wow, I think that was the longest session you’ve ever had,” Matteo says as he stands up from his chair, sounding hopeful. “So… did everything go well?”

Mei nods. “Yep, we talked a lot.” She looks away, restless. “It’s good to speak with someone who also misses [Name].”

“The therapist knew her?” Matteo asks.

Her face drains of color before she quickly forces herself back into composure. “O-Of course she did… who doesn’t know [Name]?” She lifts the prescription in her hand. “She gave me these meds. I’ll go to the pharmacy and be right back!”

Without waiting for an answer, she hurries down the hallway. Matteo watches his sister’s silhouette until it disappears completely.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

The voice behind him makes Matteo turn. Someone steps out of the same office Mei had been in. Elisa offers a polite smile and extends her hand.

“Wow…” Matteo shakes her hand with a professional gesture. “I never imagined you’d end up in this field. How have you been?”

“I’m doing well, thank you for asking.” She hands him a sheet of paper. “Here are some recommendations to help you support her. Since she is my patient, I can’t comment on what we talked about. I hope you understand.”

“Of course. No problem.” He tucks the paper away and gives a small nod. “Thank you. Have a good day.”

“Wait.”

He freezes mid-step and looks back at her, confusion flickering across his face. “Did I forget something?”

“You know…” Elisa looks away, almost shy, before gently taking hold of his wrist. “It has been so long since we last saw each other, and… I’m free right now, so I thought maybe…”

Matteo blinks, caught off guard. The idea of getting to know her again is tempting, but…

He glances in the direction his sister disappeared just moments ago. He can’t leave her alone.

A soft rustling sound pulls his attention back to Elisa.

“Thank you.” Matteo says, looking down at the card she just handed him. But something on the floor catches his eye. He leans slightly. “I think you dropped someth…”

The words die in his throat.

It is a photo.

A photo of you.

But it isn’t an old one like the one Mei keeps. It shows you older.

And right behind it there is another picture, this one from school. You stand beside him and his sister, although the photo has been torn so that both of them were removed. You look almost unchanged since the last time…

Matteo can stare for only a few seconds before Elisa snatches the picture from his hand.

“Don’t touch other people’s things without permission.”

Her expression twists with anger, so sudden and sharp that Matteo steps back. He has never seen her look like that.

Elisa tries to recover her composure, but the forced smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “It’s fine.” She checks her watch as if nothing happened. “I’ll see you at the next appointment.”

In the blink of an eye, she is already halfway down the hallway.

What was… that?

The image of your photo flashes in his mind, and a sharp discomfort settles in his chest, the kind that warns him he has stepped into dangerous territory without realizing it.

He exhales slowly, tired, and begins walking toward the hospital exit. Without meaning to, his thoughts drift back to the criminal case from years ago, that devastating incident that kept Mei locked in her room for months… and made Elisa vanish from the map entirely.

She had seemed shaken back then, but her alibi had always been fragile. On the same day you and Mei left, only the two of them had remained in that place. Elisa acted strange… whispering fragmented sentences, asking odd questions, begging for advice on how to win a man over. And after that, she left.

She left earlier than the time she later reported to the police.

When he confronted her about it, Elisa only laughed and claimed she had been trying to flirt with him. He never believed that story, but chose to stay quiet. He knew that getting involved could stain the reputation of his own company. And no one survives untouched once an entrepreneur’s name becomes tied to a criminal investigation.

Depending on the accusation… Elisa was capable of anything. Back then, he had absolutely no idea who she really was.

Who she was…

The thought dissolves the moment he reaches the hospital’s main entrance. Outside, his sister is crouched on the sidewalk, playing with a small kitten.

Elisa… Why did she decide to treat Mei? And why did she seem so interested in getting close to him?

“Hey!” His sister calls, running toward him with the kitten in her arms. “I forgot my wallet. Give me yours!”

“Sure, let me just…” He slips a hand into his pocket and freezes. Nothing. “That’s strange. I was sure I brought it with me.”

She rolls her eyes with an exasperated huff. “You really need to stop being so forgetful. I’ll have to call Mom so she can pay for me.”

“Sorry, sorry…”

Mei never went back to being the same after the disappearance. She tries to look fine, but he knows the truth. He knows how much she has closed herself off since then.

He lifts his gaze to the large screen near the hospital entrance, where an ad for his own company is playing. Now he has connections, a solid reputation… He has even earned the trust of your entire family.

It might be an unwise idea, but…

“What are you thinking about?” Mei asks suddenly, tilting her head as she watches him.

“Mei…”

“Yeah?”

“How much would you be willing to risk for someone?”

She blinks, confused. “It depends! For my family? Everything! My happiness, my life, anything!”

Family…

“But sometimes that’s not enough…” She looks away, and he instantly understands whom she means. “And when it isn’t, you don’t just lose the person… you lose part of yourself.” She grows quiet for a moment, then tries to cover it with a smile. “That’s why you can’t disappear too!” she says, already dialing their mother’s number as she heads toward the pharmacy.

He smiles as he watches her walk off, then takes his own phone from his pocket.

What harm could it possibly cause? Maybe there really was a chance waiting for him. And if it worked, the reward would outweigh the danger. Whoever Elisa is now, it no longer matters. He's prepared for her.

The call rings for a few seconds, each tone echoing the choice he just made, until someone picks up.

"Good afternoon. I'd like to speak with Detective Cohen.”

Author’s Notes: This ended up getting a bit long, so I decided to leave it for the end of the story.

First of all, I’d like to thank @Crepezinhos. She helped me a little with translating some parts <3 (she could have helped me more if I wasn’t in a bad mood for having dragged this story out for so long, so this story will definitely have several mistakes)

Honestly, I didn’t like it that much. I didn’t want to write another long story again, so when I realized it had already passed 10k words and I wasn’t even halfway through, I panicked… I tried to speed things up a bit, but it felt more like “a slow slowburn at the beginning, then the LI suddenly going crazy out of nowhere, and a rushed ending.” Even though it didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted, it was fun to write! I’m happy that I tried to develop an idea I had a long time ago.