The clock ticked past midnight, but Ayu lay wide awake in her bed. The ceiling above her seemed endless, her thoughts bouncing around like restless birds.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow she would finally meet him.
Her hands tightened around the pillow she hugged to her chest. For weeks, she and Luv had talked about everything—dreams, scars, stupid jokes, secret fears. Sometimes it felt like he was the only person in the world who saw her clearly.
But still… what if reality was different?
What if he looked at me and felt disappointed? What if I'm not what he imagined?
She rolled onto her side, staring at her phone on the nightstand. Their last message still glowed on the screen.
Luv: "Don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll be there. I'll protect you."
Ayu: "Even if it's dangerous?"
Luv: "Especially then."
She smiled faintly, though her chest felt tight. There was something about his words—simple, steady—that made her feel safe. And yet, a quiet fear lingered in the back of her mind.
People had let her down before. People had betrayed her. Why should he be any different?
But somehow… she believed him.
She got up and walked to the mirror. Her reflection stared back—black hair falling over her shoulders, pale skin that seemed almost too fragile, eyes that sparkled even in the dim light. She pressed her palms against the desk, leaning closer.
"You can do this," she whispered to herself. "You're not that weak girl anymore. You're stronger now."
Still, her voice trembled.
The thought of tomorrow filled her with both excitement and dread. Meeting Luv could change everything—or it could shatter the fragile bond they had built.
She sighed, turning away from the mirror. No matter what, she had already decided: she wouldn't back down.
As she slipped back into bed, Ayu closed her eyes and let herself dream—not of betrayal, not of loneliness, but of something she had almost forgotten existed.
Hope.