Pov Author
"My youth—"
"Don't."
Renji's voice came out sharper than before.
Anna froze for a second.
Then frowned. "What?"
"I said don't," he repeated, stepping forward.
She pulled her hand back. "Don't interfere."
"You don't even know what you're saying."
"I know exactly what I'm saying!" Her voice rose, echoing through the chamber. "I want my life back."
"And you think throwing it away will fix that?"
"It's not throwing it away if it brings everything back!"
Renji's jaw tightened. "You're not thinking."
Anna let out a bitter laugh. "Of course I'm not thinking. Because thinking got me here. Thinking didn't stop them from forgetting me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Crushing.
The presence watched.
Waiting.
"You're angry," Renji said quietly.
"No," she snapped. "I'm done."
Her eyes burned as she stepped closer to him.
"Do you have any idea what it feels like?" she continued. "To stand in front of someone who used to love you—and they look at you like you're nothing?"
Renji didn't answer.
"Do you?" she pushed.
His gaze shifted slightly.
Just enough.
And that was all she needed.
"No," she said. "You don't. So don't tell me what I can or can't give up."
A pause.
Then—
"I do."
The words were quiet.
But they landed.
Anna stilled.
Renji's expression didn't change.
But something in his eyes did.
"I know what it feels like to not be chosen," he said. "To watch people walk past you like you don't exist."
Anna's anger flickered.
Just slightly.
"I've seen it longer than you've lived," he continued. "So don't pretend you're the only one who understands loss."
Her throat tightened.
But she didn't back down.
"Then you should understand why I'm doing this," she shot back.
"I do," he said.
"And that's exactly why I'm stopping you."
Silence.
The tension snapped tight between them.
Anna clenched her fists. "You don't get to decide that."
"And you don't get to destroy yourself just because you're hurt."
"It's my choice!"
"It's a mistake."
Their voices collided.
Echoing.
Unyielding.
Anna stepped forward again, her eyes sharp, filled with something raw and unfiltered.
"Say I do it," she said. "Say I give this up and everything goes back. They remember me. They laugh with me again. My father calls me his daughter again."
Her voice shook—but not with weakness.
With anger.
"With everything I've already lost, what difference does it make if I lose a little more?"
Renji didn't answer immediately.
He just looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And for a moment—
He didn't see Anna.
He saw himself.
A long time ago.
Making the same kind of choice.
Thinking it was worth it.
Thinking it wouldn't matter.
His expression hardened.
"No," he said.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just final.
Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
The energy in the room snapped.
The presence shifted.
"You interrupt the exchange," it echoed, colder now.
"Yes," Renji replied without looking away from Anna.
"She was willing."
"She doesn't understand the cost."
Anna yanked her hand, trying to pull free. "Stop deciding things for me!"
"I'm stopping you from making a decision you can't undo."
"I don't care!"
"I do."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
Silence followed.
Anna froze.
So did he.
For a second—
Neither of them spoke.
Then she slowly pulled her hand back.
Her anger didn't disappear.
But it changed.
Softened at the edges.
"…Why?" she asked.
Renji looked away first.
"…Because I've seen how this ends."
That was all he said.
And somehow—
It was enough.
Anna turned away.
Her chest rose and fell unevenly.
The anger was still there.
The pain was still there.
But the decision—
Wasn't as clear anymore.
"…Fine," she muttered. "Then don't help me."
Renji didn't respond.
"I'll figure something else out," she added, quieter now.
The presence faded.
The room fell still again.
The deal—
Unmade.
---
The world shifted.
Cold disappeared.
Darkness dissolved.
Anna stumbled as the ground returned beneath her feet.
She steadied herself, breathing hard.
"…We're back."
Renji stood a few steps away.
Silent.
Unreadable.
Anna didn't look at him.
Not immediately.
When she did—
Her expression was different.
Still frustrated.
Still hurting.
But no longer desperate.
"…You better be right," she said.
Renji didn't answer.
---
Days passed.
Nothing changed.
And everything did.
People still didn't remember.
The world still moved on without her.
And it hurt.
It still hurt.
But now—
There was something else mixed in.
Doubt.
Hesitation.
The echo of his words.
*I've seen how this ends.*
---
One morning—
A letter arrived.
Anna stared at it for a long moment before opening it.
Gold-edged.
Carefully sealed.
Her fingers felt colder than they should.
She opened it.
Read.
And went still.
"…Engagement?"
Her voice barely came out.
"Shou Feng… and Naka."
The words didn't feel real.
For a moment—
She just stood there.
Staring.
Then she laughed.
Soft.
Empty.
"…Of course."
Of course the world didn't stop for her.
Of course things moved on.
With or without her.
Her grip tightened slightly on the paper.
Not enough to tear it.
Just enough to feel it.
To remind herself it was real.
Behind her—
Renji stood in silence.
Watching.
Not interrupting this time.
Anna lowered the invitation slowly.
Her expression unreadable.
But her eyes—
They weren't the same anymore.
Not just angry.
Not just hurt.
Something deeper.
Something quieter.
"…I see," she murmured.
And for the first time—
She didn't chase after what was already slipping away.
---
To be continued...