Helen woke up, got dressed, brushed her hair, and headed to school for breakfast.
Her best friend ran up and playfully smacked her on the shoulder.
Best Friend: "Helen, what did you have for breakfast today?"
Helen: "Ack! You always do that—I almost choked on my food!"
"Always?"
Best Friend: "So, have you confessed to your crush yet?" she asked with a teasing smile.
Helen froze for a moment, her cheeks flushing red.
Helen: "Stop teasing me. You know I'm introverted… I'm fine just keeping things the way they are for now."
Just then, her best friend's boyfriend arrived.
Best Friend: "Alright, I'm heading off now. See you later!"
Helen: "Okay, bye-bye!"
"There she goes again."
Helen got up and walked to class. As always, she was met with the usual crowd of rowdy students—some who stood out, others who blended into the background.
She sat down at her desk, deep in thought.
"What a prime spot—right in front of the teacher's desk! In summer, the breeze from the window keeps things cool. In winter, it's warm and cozy. But it's also lonely… since no one ever talks to me."
Lost in her own mind—
Ding, ding, ding!
"Class already? Ugh, here comes another session of torture. No one actually listens, and even the teacher knows it. You can see it in her exhausted face as she struggles to teach while keeping the class in order."
Suddenly, a burst of laughter filled the room. It wasn't like the usual chatter. It was chaotic, yet oddly cheerful and full of life.
Helen turned to look at the doorway. There he was—the one person who brought light into her dull world. The person she had secretly liked for so long.
"Finally, he's here. Looks like Sacium is a bit late today. But as always, he's so full of energy… such an optimistic person. Someone like him could never like someone like me."
Then—
"Boo!"
Sacium startled Helen, making her jump.
Her heart pounded as he stepped closer.
Sacium: "Why do you always look so deep in thought~? Oh, wait—never mind. You're always like that!"
He grinned and held out two small cakes.
Sacium: "By the way, the candy you gave me yesterday was good, so here! Take these."
Helen took the cakes, turning away shyly.
"Honestly, I don't even know why I like him. His fashion sense is nonexistent, and he's not even that handsome. But still… I can't deny it—he brings so much joy to my boring world."
She sat there, lost in thought until the school day ended.
Back home, she watched her parents cook dinner after a long day of work. They saved every penny just so she could continue her education.
She wanted to quit school. She wanted to help them. But she also didn't want to let them down.
Feeling suffocated, overwhelmed, and utterly alone, Helen crawled into bed—ending yet another day in an endless loop.
Time kept passing, each day blending into the next. She wanted to escape from this reality. She had even considered ending it all.
But then, there was Sacium.
She envied him.
Despite his small frame, he was strong—his body was well-built. He played games, worked out, and still managed to score high grades.
She wished she could be like him…
---
Then one day, Helen arrived at school just like always.
As she sat in class, a wave of dizziness hit her. She felt herself falling—
Darkness.
When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on the floor of a strange room. The walls were yellow. The lights above glowed white.
Helen's breath quickened. Panic set in.
Helen: "What… what just happened? Where am I? Where is everyone?!"