In the depths of rough darkness, I found myself suspended between dreams and reality.

The air stirred gently, filled with a soothing calm that wrapped around me like a warm embrace.

Despite the obsidian veil surrounding me, there was a strange comfort in the dream—one I couldn’t explain.

A gentle hand continued patting my head.

The gesture was unfamiliar.

Yet it felt as though it were guiding me through the darkness.

The touch carried a silent promise.

A voice called my name—again, and again.

I didn’t recognize it.

As if it remained hidden, buried within the shadows.

{Bia… Bia.}

The whisper drifted around me, soft yet persistent, like an unseen pull.

But why Bia?

I had never heard anyone call me by that name.

As the voice tugged insistently at the edge of my awareness, I blinked my eyes open within the darkness.

Suddenly, a presence grasped my hand.

It pulled me forward.

I rubbed my eyes with my free hand, struggling to clear my vision. The voice whispered once more, closer this time.

{Wake up, Bia. It’s time to—}

At that moment, the darkness vanished.

Light spilled into my vision, gentle but blinding, revealing the familiar walls of the infirmary. A voice followed immediately.

“Bian, wake up.”

I covered my eyes against the brightness. As my vision adjusted, I felt a gentle pat on my head.

Lowering my hand, I glanced briefly at the teacher before sitting up.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you sleep so deeply.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

Just before leaving, something compelled me to turn back.

“Miss… were you calling me multiple times to wake me up?”

She nodded.

“Yes. You didn’t respond at first, so I even had to shake you. You were sleeping very deeply.”

After thanking her again, I stepped out of the infirmary.

Despite her explanation, the feeling lingered.

It still felt like I had been called in my dream.

And by someone else.

…No.

I must have simply fallen into a deep sleep, just as she said.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense that I couldn’t remember anything after entering the dream at all.

After walking for a short while, I spotted Jia waiting at our usual spot.

The moment she saw me, relief washed over her face.

“Hey, there you are! I was about to start hunting you down if you were even a minute late.”

Her voice carried relief—mixed with mild scolding.

I smiled awkwardly and hurried to explain. Jia studied me for a moment longer than usual, then her expression shifted.

“You know what? You look good. Actually… you’re glowing.”

My eyes widened at the unexpected comment.

But Jia immediately burst into laughter at my reaction.

“Now that’s the Bian I know.”

Annoyed, I flicked her forehead and headed toward the classroom.

Rhia was leaning back in her seat when I entered. Without a word, I sat down.

“Hey, you look way better than earlier today.”

…First Jia.

Now Rhia.

Was I looking really that bad earlier?

“Thanks.”

I turned to my homework, organizing it carefully.

Still, something lingered at the back of my mind—something I couldn’t quite grasp.

********

After classes ended, I approached Jia.

The question had replayed in my head countless times, yet the words felt heavy, stuck in my throat. Jia looked up and met my gaze.

I inhaled slowly.

“Why are you making such a disgusting face?”

However, before I could say anything, Jia said something completely nonsensical that left me speechless.

“What did you just say!?”

…I must have misheard.

Yes. That had to be it.

“I said, why are you making such a disgu— Ouch!.”

No.

My ears were working just fine.

I punched her head before she could finish.

“Haaah, Jia!”

She stared at me with watery eyes.

“What?”

“Have you ever called me Bia?”

Jia rubbed her head, confusion written plainly on her face.

“I feel like someone called me that before,” I added, “but I can’t remember who.”

“I’ve always called you ‘Bian,’” she replied immediately. “And I’ve never heard anyone else call you that.”

Her answer came without hesitation.

Just then, someone called out to me.

I picked up my bag, unease settling quietly in my chest.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

Lost in thought, I hurried out of the classroom.

When I got home, I learned Dad had gone away again on business.

During dinner, Mom mentioned we’d be getting a new home tutor soon. She didn’t explain further—but her eyes warned me clearly not to cause trouble.

I said nothing and went to my room.

Click…

Before I could sleep, Vivi and Zain entered, their expressions tense and unhappy.

I motioned for them to come closer.

“What’s wrong?”

After a short silence, Zain spoke.

“We don’t like that.” 

I tilted my head, confused, unable to comprehend their puzzling statement. They remained hesitant to talk any further.

A thought came to my mind when I saw them like that.

"The new tutor?”

“Yes,” they answered quickly.

“What if they’re like the last one?”

Vivi’s voice wavered. Their fear was understandable—but I couldn’t let it trap them forever.

“We shouldn’t judge before meeting them. And even if they are like the other one, I’ll—”

“PLEASE DON’T!”

The sudden shout made me flinch.

“Please!”

“Hey—calm down. Why are you shouting?”

Realizing what they’d done, they fell silent. After a long pause, Vivi spoke softly.

"Please don’t do anything this time. No matter what. We didn’t like what Mom did to you last time.”

Fear and worry trembled beneath their words.

Only then did I realize how deeply that situation had affected them.

After understanding this, a heavy weight settled in my chest.

I sighed and turned to them.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “I didn’t think about how that might affect you.”

Their eyes were filled with concern—directed at me.

“Don’t worry,” I added. “Nothing will happen.”

To ease the tension, I changed the subject.

“So… when are you two going to sleep?”

They glanced at the clock, quickly wished me good night, and hurried out.

I lay down on the bed and looked at the clock as well.

A small smile touched my lips. But it faded just as quickly.

Sadness and regret followed.

I didn’t want their childhood to become any worse than it already was.

They had already lost too much because of me.

Their words echoed in my mind.

No matter how much I tried to move forward, the past had left its mark on Vivi and Zain.

With a quiet sigh, I closed my eyes—

and drifted into a restless nightmare.