In the dark realm, the shadows stopped moving and were lost in contemplation, as if they had lost their spirits.

A striking blue-eyed figure stood in one corner, their eyes fixed on a single spot. 

Their gaze had a soft yet sad look, reflecting tenderness tinged with regret.

Suddenly, another figure approached the blue-eyed figure from behind, their presence casting a glow that brightened the surroundings. 

The shadows didn't feel disturbed or threatened; instead, they made more space to illuminate the surroundings even further.

After closing the reasonable distance, the figure paused. Silent moments passed before the blue-eyed figure, without turning around, asked,

{Why did you come here, Luminae?}

{You still don't want to come with me, Bixaris?}

{How many times have you asked me that?}

{If you stay here, you'll only get hurt.}

{Can we get hurt? That's new to me.}

{Bixaris!}

{We don't get hurt, Luminae.}

{...}

{You know this is how I could see her, and I don't want to lose the only chance.}

Bixaris always stayed in one place without moving, all for the chance to catch a glimpse of Bian just once.

Even though seeing Bian here shatters Bixaris into countless pieces.

{I'm not staying here because of the reasons you are thinking of, Luminae.}

As Luminae took a step forward to convince them, Bixaris's soft whisper reached their ears, causing them to pause.

{I cling to the hope that one day I won't have to see Bian here, but I know that's impossible.}

The realm became gloomier the moment Bixaris uttered those words. 

The shadows and even the light that illuminated from Luminae's presence seemed to mirror Bixaris's internal sadness.

Luminae closed their eyes, feeling helpless as they grappled with their own shortcomings.

{..... I'm sorry.}

Luminae silently apologized to Bixaris, unable to find the right words to comfort their anguish.

Rumble…

Luminae turned their gaze towards the source of the resounding noise; in that direction, a giant, long door slowly creaked open inch by inch.

With each movement, the once-quiet realm descended into chaos. Shadows that had coexisted peacefully with the light now turned aggressive and attempted to attack Luminae.

However, unbothered by this, Luminae remained focused on the opening door.

Finally, as the door swung fully open, a figure entered—a girl with long, raven-black hair cascading down her back.

Her eyes were supposed to be a shimmering golden hue, but now they resembled death and the abyss.

{You should go back, Luminae.}

{...}

Despite Bixaris's warning, Luminae kept looking in the direction where Bian was. 

No matter what they did up until that point, nothing had changed.

{And that's how it has been going.}

Yet, the clock that was supposed to be broken finally starts working. The bell, which was never meant to ring, starts ringing.

The realm in which Luminae is now has always been brightened with light, but at this moment, it is finally glimmering with hope and bliss.

Ding…

Luminae smiles as the bell rings again.

{Are you hearing this, Bixaris?}

Luminae rose to their feet and began to walk. Each step they took seemed to exude a sense of joy, their movement mirroring happiness.

After a brief walk, Luminae came to a halt. A smile spread across their face once again, as if they had come here to share some joyful news.

Luminae raised their hand, reached out, and gently touched a giant, beautiful flower.

As the flower was touched by Luminae, it stirred slightly, as though it responded to Luminae's presence with a subtle display.

Luminae continued to stroke the petals with care.

{It started to change, child, just like you said.}

**********

I stand in that one spot, darting my eyes from one side to the other to observe my surroundings.

My emotions right now are a mix of fear and disbelief.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that what I saw might be real.

“No, it… it was an imagination of mine. Yes, there… there is no way it's possible. I… I'm just tired, that's all!”

Yet, I continually tell myself it was a hallucination brought on by the overwhelming pressure that plagued me.

Even so, I continued to scrutinize my surroundings to ensure that no shadows lurked in the real world around me. However, those uneasy feelings still lingered.

Despite my logical reasoning, the memory of my haunting dreams crept back into my mind.

The way the shadows had approached Ethan is the same as those nightmares that had tormented me.

The shadows consuming, torturing—a sinister darkness that threatened to swallow me from time to time.

At that moment, as thoughts of Ethan flooded my mind, my gaze shifted abruptly towards him. I turned to him and blurted out, 

"Are you alright, Ethan?"

I won't be able to forgive myself if something happens to him.

Ethan is still visibly fatigued. However, he gently placed a hand on my head and started patting it.

"I'm fine, Bian. I ran all the way from the main gate; that's all." 

He offered me a reassuring smile. His words were like a balm that soothed my frayed nerves.

Yet, the weight of these moments is too much for me to bear.

I immediately lowered my head, my hands gripping the fabric of my dress tightly. Tears welled up in my eyes, falling to the ground.

No matter what my eyes see, or how much my head tells me, it's an illusion. But deep within my heart, an ominous certainty persists.

Maybe something dreadful could have happened just a few seconds ago, and the unsettling truth is that all of this is going to happen because of me.

What was I even thinking?

Why did I choose to go against my mom?

My knees buckled beneath me, and I collapsed to the ground. 

The overwhelming flood of emotions—guilt and sadness—washed over me.

Someone is about to get hurt because of me.

In the next moment, Ethan sat in front of me, enfolding me in a warm embrace. As his arms wrapped around me, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

The hug carried an inexplicable familiarity despite it being the first time he had ever hugged me.

"If you feel like crying, then cry all you want."

"I... I'm not crying," 

I insisted, yet my voice was barely above a whisper.

However, Ethan let out a soft chuckle.

"Even though you didn't want to show your tears, your trembling tells a different story."

"I... I... I..."

My voice betrayed me as it started to quiver.

I wanted to argue; I wanted to tell him that what he is thinking isn't true. Yet, I failed because of these overwhelming emotions.

I raise my hand to get out of his embrace.

"Hush!"

Yet, it stopped midway when his hand tenderly stroked my head.

"It's alright. I'm covering you. No one will know you are crying."

In an instant, my hand fell into my lap.

What is he saying? Why would I cry? I have never been able to cry in front of other people.

No matter how much I suffered, I could hold back every tear.

Even though Ethan knows a few things about me, he should realize it by now.

Then why is he trying to embarrass himself?

That's how it should have happened. Yet, why am I feeling a moist touch on my cheek?

“Bian!”

At that word, tears cascaded down my cheeks like a flood.

Sob...

I feel broken. I knew it from time to time. But I was just giving myself false assurances, denying everything, and building a wall to protect myself.

Yet, Ethan's words broke down the wall and showed me the mirror.

I want to break free from these shackles.

An urge to tell someone everything grew stronger, a desire to share every pain, every hidden truth.

Yet, I tightened my lips and closed my eyes to seal this urge.