Sara agreed to therapy almost instantly. Sam and Zero didn't think much of it, but Alexa knewbetter—she could tell Sara was pretending. She wasn't actually convinced by the idea of therapy;
she was just acting like it made sense. The truth was, she agreed only because she didn't want totrouble her friends anymore. She was tired. And the guilt—of dragging the people she lovedthrough so much pain—was starting to eat at her.But how could she have known... that life still
had more in store for her?If Alexa hadn't reached in time that day... Sara wouldn't be alive right
now.Sara didn't know whether to laugh... or cry. ____________________________________________________________________________- Maera had just returned from a bath. Sim was sitting quietly on the bed, watching her.Maeraglanced at her, raising a brow at the odd intensity in Sim's eyes."What?" she asked with a teasingsmile, "Why are you staring at me like that?""Nothing," Sim replied playfully, "You just look... really handsome right now."Maera blinked in surprise, "Oh? And what's with all the
compliments today?"She moved toward the large window in the room, towel-drying her
hair.Suddenly, Sim wrapped her arms around Maera from behind."Oi, Sim—what's up?" Maerachuckled."I just... don't want to be away from you tonight," Sim whispered, "Stay close tome... just for tonight."Maera's heart skipped a beat.Sim was holding her tightly around the waist, standing close enough that Maera could feel the heat of her breath against her neck.Simbegantopress slow kisses against Maera's neck, her warm breath sending shivers down Maera's
spine.Maera's breathing grew heavier, her heart racing.She closed her eyes, tilted her headback, and let herself feel it—just breathe.Encouraged by Maera's reaction, Sim grewbolder. Her kissesmoved from Maera's neck down to her waist... then to her hands.Sim rose slowly, turned Maerato face her, gripped her hair from behind, and pulled her even closer.Then, she captured Maera'sbreath with her lips.They kissed—fiercely, desperately.Maera wrapped her arms around Simandkissed her back like she couldn't get enough—as if she'd devour her.Both had their eyes closednow.Maera couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed Sim by the waist, pushed her onto the bed, andclimbed over her.Their breathing was fast, restless."You're not going anywhere tonight," Maeramurmured, voice low and intense.Her gaze was dark and focused on Sim, like she was
intoxicated... possessed.She leaned in, eyes locked, hungry.Sim slid her hands under Maera's
shirt, her touch soft and slow.Maera kissed her forehead first—gently.Then each eyelid.Thenthetip of her nose, before brushing hers against Sim's.Finally, she captured her lips again—this timesofter, deeper.Maera was losing herself now—completely.She leaned in deeper, this time placingher lips along Sim's collarbone...Sometimes kissing, sometimes biting—hungry, unrestrained.Their fingers locked tightly together.Then Maera reached out and turned off thebedside lamp.Sara had agreed to therapy—but only on the surface. Deep down, she didn't believeshe really needed it.She thought, "No therapy can fix this. Only Maera can take this pain
away."But still, she said yes.Because she didn't want to trouble her friends anymore.After
booking an appointment with Dr. Rika, Sam walked into Sara's room where she and Alexa werebusy playing tic-tac-toe.The sight of them made Sam smile without even realizing.He walked
toward them slowly, casually, his hands in his pockets."I've booked Sara's appointment," hesaid, stopping in front of them. "Tomorrow at 10:00 AM. You'll be seeing Dr. Rika."Sara's face went
pale.She didn't know why... but an odd fear crept into her chest.Something heavy. Unexplainable.Just then, Zero burst into the room—practically exploding with excitement."YO!!!Sam, you little punk!! LOOK AT THIS!! I FINALLY BEAT YOU AT TETRIS! HAHAHA!
MY LIFE IS COMPLETE!!"He was bouncing with joy.Sam's face fell immediately. "Noway. That's impossible. You cannot beat me, I'm the Tetris hacker!""Oh really? What are you, thePrince of PixelLand?" Zero raised an eyebrow with a smug look."Dude, your big bro just ownedyou. OWNED."Sam, trying and failing to act cool, huffed: "You're overreacting. It was just abadround.""Yeah, sure," Zero smirked. "Bottom line—you lost. Time to pay up. Fork over the 1000yen!"He stretched out his hand like Sam owed him money from a bank loan.Sampulled a
dramatic, tragic face. "You literally eat with my money every single day. That 1000 yen is
basically mine anyway.""Nope! Doesn't work like that! A deal's a deal!"Zero insisted, arms
crossed, grinning wildly.Sam had no choice. Beaten and broke, he sighed and handed over the1000 yen like a defeated lover.He slumped onto the couch like a heartbroken poet, grievinghisloss.Zero was already shouting, "Party's on me tonight!"Sara and Alexa watched the whole sceneunfold and burst into laughter."These two will never change," Sara said, laughing like anoldgrandma.Even Sam, trying hard to stay annoyed, couldn't help but laugh too.Maera &Sim–Morning Scene:Sim's eyes fluttered open.She found herself still wrapped in Maera's arms, heldtightly like something precious.She smiled softly and brushed her hand gently over Maera's
fingers.Carefully, she began to pull away... but Maera's grip only tightened."Oi... Mae... let mego, I need to use the bathroom," Sim whispered, trying not to wake her fully.But Maera still
didn't let go.Sim struggled a bit, finally managing to free herself, and sat up on the bed.Just as
she did, Maera reached out and pulled her back again."Just stay for a little while longer..." shemumbled sleepily, her voice low and heavy with dreams."No, Mae, you get up too! You'll belate!"Sim stood up, now fully awake and bossy."I'm going to freshen up and make breakfast. You better be down soon."Before Maera could trap her again in a sleepy hug, Simdartedoff tothe bathroom like a soldier escaping capture.Sara was ready to meet Dr. Rika.She stood infront
of the mirror, letting her gaze quietly scan her own reflection.Dark circles hung beneath her
eyes.Her eyes themselves—sunken, tired—looked like they had witnessed too many storms.Her
body...Just bones now.A fragile frame wrapped in fading skin, more shadow than girl.Therewassomething haunting about her stillness—like someone who had already said goodbye to theworld... but was still here, somehow.Breathing.Barely.Each bone was starting to show, andbecause of the weakness, she couldn't walk properly—she was staggering. Looking at herself, she felt a dull sadness rise within. She thought to herself, Maera... look at me... this is what
you've done to me.That moment flashed in her mind—when Maera had kissed her to helpher
breathe properly. Unconsciously, her hand touched her lips. She wanted to feel those momentsagain.Just then, Zero entered the room."Ready, Sara?" he asked.Sara gave a faint smile andnodded, walking along with him toward Dr. Rika's office.While walking, she said,"Hey Zero... can you get me a coffee, please? I haven't had my favorite one in days...""Of course, Sara. Head
to the room, I'll catch up. Just take a right from here, okay?""Okay," she replied with a smileandwalked ahead.As she reached near Dr. Rika's room, she paused to wait for Zero.Zero, whohadgone to get the coffee, saw Sam sitting at the café, still sulking and downing coffee after coffee, mourning the loss of his 1000 yen."I... I mean how could I lose... The God of Tetris, defeatedbya noob...?"Sam was loudly muttering in shock.Zero spotted him and completely forgot about
Sara's coffee—an idea lit up in his head to mess with Sam."Bro, you're not the god of Tetris
anymore—you're the dog of Tetris. And who're you calling a noob, huh? Have some respect for
this pro player, okay?"ZERO, you little rat! How dare you call me a noob! I'll break your skull!"Sam shouted."Pfft, listen to him talking like he's drunk. And dude, you've been guzzling coffeelike it's beer—15 cups already, and it's hot as hell outside!" Zero laughed loudly."And OHSHIT—coffee! I had to bring it for Sara! I'm dead—grandma's gonna eat me alive!"He jumpedup dramatically and rushed off to get the coffee, while Sam—who was just about to grabsomething to throw at him—was left fumbling.Sara waited for ten minutes, then knockedandentered the room."Hello... Madam Rika. I'm Sara..." she said hesitantly. She was nervous."Oh, Sara, dear. Please, come and sit," Dr. Rika's voice was soft and gentle. She had a very kindaura.Sara sat beside her on the couch.Moments passed in silence.Sara, with her head lowered, was fidgeting with her fingers, trying to prepare herself to speak.Dr. Rika gently asked,"Sara, think of me as your friend. You can tell me anything, dear. I'll listen. And everything saidinthisroom stays between us. Now tell me—what pushed you so far, sweetheart?"Hearing this, Saralooked up. Tears had already started rolling down her cheeks."Doctor... I... I'mvery disturbed. I
feel like I'm breaking from the inside..."Zero had arrived with the coffee but stopped at the
door—the lock hadn't latched properly, so he could hear everything.He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but... something told him he needed to hear this.Sara was crying and speaking."Why me, doctor?Why does it always have to be me?" she wept.Dr. Rika slid the tissue box toward her andgentlysaid,"Sara, tell me the whole story clearly. Only then can I help you."Sara took a tissue, wipedher tears, and began,"It wasn't just love—it was ishq. Seven years ago, when I had my first dayof college...I used to be a bully-type girl till high school. But when I entered college, I changed. Ibecame obedient, focused on my goals, and kept moving forward.Everything was going well... until last year, when Maera entered my life.She was into sports, kind of tomboyish. Like
everyone else, I used to say she wasn't a good girl. I avoided her.But only until... until I met her
in person.She... she was light in my dark life. She came to me when I had no one.The first timewe talked, my entire perspective shifted.She was so charming... and soft-hearted. She caredabout everyone..."She cared about everyone.Being close to her brought a strange kind of peaceand happiness I had never felt before.I still remember that day in September—there were veryfew girls in class, most had gone off to sports or other activities. Only five or six of us
remained.She was sitting alone... and I don't know what came over me, but I walked over andsat
beside her. I started talking.She always stayed a bit reserved around me... but there was
something about her. I just... wanted her to talk to me.I wanted her to see only me.I wantedtobethe only one reflected in her eyes.I wanted to hear her voice... just her voice...And just like that, in the middle of some random conversation, I said to her,"Everyone likes you... I really like
you..."She smiled when she heard that.I still remember that smile—it was the first one meant for
me. It was a response to my words.Sara laughed through her tears—lost, as if peeking intoawindow from the past."And then?" Dr. Rika asked softly."And then... I started spending moreand more time with her.Whether it was lunch break or a free period, I was always with her.Andslowly... she started getting closer to me too.She started giving me attention...And then... Amaraentered my life.And she took Maera away from me."Amara was in first-year commerce, andMaera was in second year.But Maera started spending time with her instead.I don't knowwhat
she had that I didn't...I started getting jealous of Amara.And that's when I realized...I hadfallenin love with her.But I didn't know... I had fallen in love with her so deeply.To make her jealous, Istarted spending time with my deskmate.But...God, I was such a fool.Now when I look back—I
can only laugh at myself.Love really does blind you.That's probably why I didn't realize...that I
didn't even exist in her world.Sara paused for a moment.A tear rolled from her left eye.She
smiled, full of pain.Dr. Rika sat silently, carefully observing every shift in Sara's
expression.Then Sara began to speak again—"I tried so hard to get her attention.But nothingworked.It's not like she was ignoring me completely—She did talk to me.But not like before.Shefelt distant.And I couldn't handle that distance.I started asking God for her...Crying in myprayers... begging for her...And I didn't even realize how far I was sinking.When it finallyhit
me—that Maera didn't care at all—I stopped putting on that act with my deskmate.I thought...If
you love someone,you should be near them.And that...was the biggest mistake of my life.I
started becoming like her.I started dropping everything she didn't like.Makeup, jewelry, lipstick, hairstyles, new dresses, heels—everything that made me feel like a girl—I gave it all up.Becamesimple.Plain.My entire family was shocked to see the change in me.Even they asked what
happened to Sara.Why had I changed so much?I always gave the same answer—"People's
priorities change."But the truth was...I had changed myself completely for Maera.And in theprocess...I forgot who I was.I forgot what my dreams were.Why was I even studying? What for?Iused to go to college just to see Maera—not to study.Even if I saw her froma distance...it
brought me peace.Her presence felt warm.Even today, I can still feel the touch of her
hands...And whenever Amara didn't come to college—those days felt like a festival for
me.Because on those days, Maera was all mine.Just mine.But suddenly... she'd change.At times, she'd act like she didn't even know me.Still, it didn't matter to me.I just wanted her.No matter
what.When she told me,"I'm your savior..."Why??Why did she say that?!Why did she give mefalse hope?!Sara broke down, her words shattered by sobs.Outside the room, Zero froze as helistened.It felt like the ground beneath him was slipping away.He clenched the now-cold coffeecup in his hands—so tightly... it cracked.Zero wasn't someone who cried easily—but today, hedid.He never imagined...that this loud, bold, grandma-like Sarawas carrying so much paineveryday.And now—he had to hear the full story.Tears rolled down his cheeks.His eyes burnedredwith the weight of holding it all in.Inside the room, Sara sobbed uncontrollably.And then, between those tears, she spoke:"Why did she kiss me that day?Why did she breathe life intome?Why did she care so much?Why did she play this game with me...if she never even lovedme...?Hic... hic... hic...I loved her with everything I had.Even after all this—I could never hate
her.I just...can't forget the pain...The pain I felt when I found out—Maera already had someoneelse in her life.Simi.And she loved Simi with everything inside her.If that was true...whydidn't
she ever tell me?Why did she toy with my feelings?!Why?!I felt like my heart had shatteredintopieces.And from every broken piece—blood was flowing.But...Even if my heart breaks intoathousand shards...Until my final breath—every single piecewill keep loving Maera.Always.Andthen...on our last day of college...She acted like...like there was no room for me in her world.LikeI didn't matter.She didn't even look at me once...I hope Alexa never finds out about any of
this,Sara whispered under her breath.Outside, Zero could barely stand anymore.His knees weak, his chest heavy—he slowly staggered toward the cafeteria,leaning against the wall for
support.Back in the room, Sara's sobs had turned into relentless hiccups.Dr. Rika began togrowconcerned.She reached out and gently placed a hand on Sara's trembling one.Her voice was calm. Soft. Firm."Listen to me, Sara...Your love was real. Pure. Strong.But don't destroy yourself
because of it.If you don't want to look at anyone else,that's okay.You don't have to.But please—don't ruin yourself like this.You should feel some peace in knowing...that the person youloved... is happy.Maybe not with you—but still... she's happy.And in life, we don't always get everythingwe want.But if we choose to be grateful for what we do have...those blessings start to
grow.When you start being thankful...When you try to move forward—and breathe againunder
the open sky—You will feel better.Believe me.Just... try once.Let yourself breathe.Let that paininside you come out...Don't let it rot you from within.""Don't suppress it," Dr. Rika continuedgently."Let the pain out. Sing it, write it, turn it into music... or speak it to someone.Becauseaslong as we keep drinking our own poison,it starts to harm us from within.Try spitting that poisonout, Sara.Start a new life.Rediscover yourself.Figure out what you want.Maera... she's your
past.But you are responsible for building your present—for the sake of your future.No matter
what hurdles lie ahead.And remember...when love turns to poison,it can become deadly.But if
you treat that poison as just another challenge—like all the other challenges life throws at you—Then moving on will become easier.Do you understand what I'm saying?"Sara... smiled.Asoft, almost weightless smile.She hadn't expected a single therapy session to make her feel
this...light.When Zero reached the cafeteria, Sam was already sitting there—waiting just for
him.The moment he saw him, he called out,"So you're finally here. Now it's time to settle thescore."But the moment Sam looked at Zero's face...All of his teasing stopped.Zero looked... smoked out—hollow, like something had burnt inside him.Sam grew concerned.Because
normally, Zero wasn't the type to get shaken easily—He was the chaos, not the one undone byit.But today... his face said something was very wrong.Worried, Sam stood up and caught himbythe arm."Oye, Zero! What happened to you?!"Zero sat down in the chair across fromhim, silent.For a long while, he said nothing.Then finally, in an unusually serious tone, he
asked:"Where's Alexa?""She ran into an old friend," Sam replied. "She's with her right now.Why?What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost."Zero stared at the table, voice flat."I went tobring Sara some coffee. Took it to Dr. Rika's office.""The door... it wasn't fully locked.AndI—"he paused,"...I heard everything.Everything Sara told her."Sam's smile faded.
"...Then what?" he asked, barely above a whisper. Zero's voice cracked. "Sam... she cries every day..." He looked away, fists clenched on the table. "Every single day. For Maera."
"Every word she says... every tear..." Zero shut his eyes tight. "I didn't get it, Sam. We wereall
laughing... with our stupid jokes, dumb games... and she... she was breaking herself apart fromthe inside." Sam was stunned into silence. The usual mischief in his eyes was gone—replaced by somethingsharp and heavy. "You're saying... she's still in love with Maera?" Zero nodded, jaw tight. "So much love... that she erased herself for her. Amara, Simi... I heardeverything. Every damn thing." He gritted his teeth. "And you know what... Maera even became her blood savior. She gaveher
life for her... and then just left, like nothing ever happened." Sam swallowed hard. "...So now what?" Zero looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "Now... now I can't leave her alone." His voice turned cold. "And neither can you, Sam. This isn't a joke anymore. Sara needs us. Shedoesn't even know... that someone actually cares." Sam stayed silent for a long beat, then finally said, "Does Maera know all of this?" Zero's face darkened. "I don't know... but if she doesn't—then I'll tell her everything myself."TO BE CONTINUED...