Chapter 82

### Chapter 82: Fragment (1)

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#1

—Chirp, chirp…

On a bright weekend morning.

Miu’s day began with a feeling of extreme discomfort, one that wouldn’t easily dissipate.

“……”

The ceiling, which she was already getting used to, came into view. Normally, she would have regained her composure by blinking a few times, but today was different.

Even though sunlight streamed in through the well-lit window, she had no desire to get up. All she wanted was to sleep a little longer. A moment of unacceptable laziness took over her heart.

More surprisingly, even though Miu was aware of this, she didn’t make a single move to get up.

Miu blinked her sleepy eyes and turned her head slightly to the side. It was very bright outside. It wasn’t the pale blue of early dawn. She raised her arm to her forehead and sighed softly. How could this be? Her circadian rhythm was completely off.

‘…I kind of expected it.’

Her fine brows furrowed. Her elegant black hair, which usually flowed smoothly, was now somewhat disheveled.

Miu’s disheveled appearance, which she usually maintained with impeccable poise, was a rare sight, visible only at this time of day.

Perhaps the cause was the excessive strain she had put on her body the previous day. But that wasn’t it. While the aftereffects were certainly evident all over her body, she had experienced countless grueling training sessions that pushed her to her limits.

By channeling her energy and taking sufficient rest, her body would quickly return to its normal state.

So, there was only one reason.

She should have fallen asleep immediately after training.

But that didn’t happen yesterday.

She couldn’t fall asleep at all, and even when she tried to force herself to drift off, her consciousness would stubbornly resurface. Her shoulders, arms, and thighs screamed in pain, yet her eyes remained wide open. In the dark room, she lay under the covers, trying to breathe, but Miu couldn’t fall asleep.

‘Today… I’ll rest.’

It wasn’t until around 4 a.m. that she finally fell asleep, and she thought that would be the end of it. But even in her dreams, she was tormented.

Her situation was pitiful. Was this really too much? Quality rest was so important.

She sighed inwardly, rolling over in the soft blanket. She was so tired, and she thought about just closing her eyes until lunch, but—

‘Ah, really…’

She still couldn’t fall asleep.

There are times when your body is extremely tired, but no matter how hard you try to close your eyes, sleep just won’t come. It feels like you’re on the verge of deep sleep, but you can’t quite get there, and that state of consciousness is frustrating.

So, let’s see who wins. If I’m really that tired, I’ll fall asleep on my own. The body is honest. She furrowed her brows and kept her eyes closed for about thirty minutes.

“Aah!”

A scream echoed through the early morning, and Miu abruptly sat up in bed, irritated.

#2

“…Phew.”

Cold water splashed on her face.

To alleviate this dirty feeling, she first washed her face without hesitation.

Drops of water fell from the end of her jawline. Without using a headband, water also dripped from the ends of her side and front hair. She lifted her head in front of the lit bathroom sink.

She was slightly in a bad mood. She was annoyed. Yet, the Miu in the mirror was calm. She stared at the mirror with her lips tightly pressed together.

For a moment, it seemed like she was in a daze, but negative thoughts inevitably flooded her mind. She smiled bitterly. Only the corners of her mouth twisted slightly.

Even to herself, it was a cold, bitter smile. Disgusted, she turned her head away from the mirror and gently patted her face with a towel.

—Sorry, Miu.

“……”

As her vision was suddenly enveloped in darkness,

Miu tightly gripped the towel in her hand.

The cold water had somewhat cleared her mind. That’s why it was more of a problem.

Yesterday, she didn’t know what to do, and if she continued like that, she felt she would be consumed by negative thoughts. So, she just swung her sword.

From early morning to late night. Except for the time she ate to replenish her energy, Miu’s hand always held a sword.

As a result, her palms were covered with significant calluses. She already had them, but they became even more hardened. They were slightly red. Surprisingly, no blisters formed. To be precise, they did form, but they burst immediately and quickly healed. This is why Miu could endure more intense training than others.

‘Today too…’

Miu took a deep breath and removed the towel from her face.

She hung it up, and it swayed. She started to take off her pajamas. She had only intended to wash her face, but a shower seemed better.

Her completely white, lean body was revealed. She left her clothes outside and turned on the shower in the spacious bathroom. Ssssh. A strong stream of water gushed out in multiple directions.

Water pooled between her collarbones and trickled down. She was hit by the cold water, which was bone-chillingly cold.

Miu lowered her head with the shower still running. Her wet hair obscured her expression.

Her eyes were not closed, but the surroundings were eerily quiet. This was Miu’s personal space, and no one else existed here except for her.

But a voice was clearly heard. Miu eventually closed her eyes in fear.

‘…How much more pain do I need to endure?’

Ironically, she thought this.

If I’m in this much pain, shouldn’t it be enough? Isn’t it time to stop? I already know it won’t work. So, why not give up and live your own life? What are you so afraid of? It’s pathetic.

You’ve done well so far. You’ve just closed your eyes and done it without worrying about the consequences.

This attitude is not like you at all…

In the end, all you want is a future where you’re not hated by Ezio. Dragging on in this state will only cause you pain.

No, it will be the same for Ezio.

The current Ezio would find it hard to accept such a twisted situation.

She wiped her face, which was soaked with water.

She had already made up her mind long ago. Perhaps from the moment she received the letter, she had been thinking this way.

I can’t live without Ezio.

Despite the major events that have happened, Miu is still Miu. If there’s something she wants, she will do whatever it takes to get it. The only exception is Ezio.

Because she failed.

If there’s something she wants, she always gets it. She has never failed.

But Miu failed for the first time. She didn’t get all of Ezio, and in the end, she lost him. She could have had him. I threw it all away. I didn’t even know it was what I truly wanted. I ended up with a conclusion I never wanted. It was truly the worst.

‘…What should I do now?’

She needed to make a more definitive decision. She placed her hand on her chest and thought of Ezio. He was the one who made her heart beat again.

So, even though their relationship was over, she couldn’t let him go. Was it because of the bond they shared? Or because the memories of their days together, filled with satisfaction, were too numerous? It was hard to say.

The one thing she was sure of was that she still loved Ezio.

Ezio, no—

“……”

He had already moved on. How ugly is it to beg on your knees for someone who has already left? There probably isn’t anything uglier.

Many couples break up and get back together repeatedly, but for Miu, who was experiencing a breakup for the first time, such examples were of no help. This was a matter between him and her. Even if someone gave advice, the one who had to solve it fundamentally was herself.

They say time heals a broken heart.

But what if your ex-boyfriend is in the same class?

It’s impossible.

There were still too many lingering feelings.

The thing she had barely hidden was brought up again by Ezio, whom she hadn’t seen in months after deciding to dedicate her life to the sword. If she hadn’t seen him again, she might have been able to forget him and focus solely on the sword.

Before the memories could blur like a watercolor, she met Ezio too soon. This was one of the reasons why Miu’s heart became even more complicated. She met her ex-boyfriend unexpectedly before time could heal her.

It was nothing but a cruel twist of fate and a joke of destiny.

That’s not all. Ezio had recently lost his recent memories. He had forgotten the words that were decisive in the breakdown of their relationship. What should she do in such a situation? Should she pretend nothing happened, hide her guilt, and try to get along well again?

No, Miu’s personality wouldn’t allow that. She was selfish and had to be honest with herself above all.

In other words, she couldn’t lie to Ezio, knowing it would eventually be exposed.

So, what should Miu do?

The answer was already decided.

She still liked Ezio. She couldn’t live without him.

On the other hand, Ezio had given up on Miu. Maybe not now.

No matter what happened, Miu had a choice.

Should she try to win back his heart? Or should she let Ezio go and move on? She had to judge what was right and wrong, but for now, she had the option to choose.

Before making any of those choices,

Miu had to talk to Ezio first.

You can’t see what’s behind a door without opening it. You can imagine, but that’s all. Miu had to open the door.

If she wanted to lead the relationship to the future she desired and free herself from the trauma that plagued her every night, it was right to seek his forgiveness.

What should she do to seek forgiveness?

It’s obvious, isn’t it?

If it’s something she has to do,

don’t hesitate and just do it.

That’s how she has lived her life.

“……”

The water stream gradually subsided. Drip, drip. Miu, who had turned off the shower, lifted her head and opened her eyes.

‘…I can do this. Miu.’

She felt a bit more clear-headed.

#3

Miu’s mindset had undergone a slight change.

Although she hadn’t fully made up her mind, she wouldn’t avoid Ezio blindly from now on.

Even if standing in front of him made her breathing unstable due to trauma, she had to face it and fight, not just avoid it out of fear.

She was dressed in casual clothes, not her uniform. She wore loose white boxy T-shirt over training pants and had her hair tied up comfortably. She walked as she pleased, regardless of how others saw her.

While walking through the afternoon courtyard, many seniors greeted her, but she answered them briefly and appropriately as usual and continued on her way. It didn’t seem like she planned to change this aspect.

—Whirr…

After lunchtime, Miu visited the library for the first time in a while. She planned to rest today, as she had thought in the morning. This was one of the small changes.

Of course, she would pick up her sword again in the evening. To maintain her skills, she had to keep her edge sharp.

As she entered the library, a slight smile formed on her face at the familiar smells. It wasn’t noticeable. Miu walked through the quiet first floor of the library and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

Swish. She walked, running her hand over the spines of the books. She turned a corner and saw the words “Modern Literature 01.” As she naturally moved towards it,

“…?”

Tap, tap.

Something poked Miu’s back. It touched a somewhat sensitive spot, so she quickly turned around. Looking down,

“W-Why aren’t you ignoring me…?”

Sasha was there, muttering with wide eyes.

“Ah, hi…? Why are you here…?”

“……”

What? It’s you again. More importantly, if you’re in the library, what else would you be here for? Obviously, to read a book.

Miu finished her thoughts but didn’t say them out loud. As usual, she turned her head away from the annoying person.

I was trying to read quietly. It’s a bit difficult if there’s someone chattering nearby. I hope they don’t disturb me.

Leaving Sasha there, Miu picked out a book to read. It was a new release. The author of a book she had enjoyed reading had published a new one. It was a mystery novel, just like the previous one.

Miu took the book and looked around for a table. Suddenly, she remembered the existence of private study rooms and thought about going downstairs. If not, that person would definitely be a nuisance.

Thinking this, she turned around.

‘…?’

Sasha was still standing in the same spot where she had met Miu. Her sky-blue twin tails hung limply, and her small stature, which made her seem younger than her age, remained the same. But the energy that usually made her bounce around Miu was gone, and she was fidgeting, clutching the hem of her frilly skirt.

When their eyes met, Sasha quickly turned her head away.

What are you doing? I was going to ignore you anyway, but I didn’t expect you to follow me. It was quiet, unlike usual. Maybe it’s because of the library. It’s a good thing she knows to be quiet.

‘If she doesn’t disturb me… I don’t mind.’

Chin. Miu glanced at Sasha and sat down at a table with her book. She opened the cover and, after a moment, glanced to the side.

Sasha was still standing there.

When their eyes met again, Sasha jumped in surprise and this time hid behind a bookshelf. One of her twin tails was still visible.

After a moment, Miu turned her attention back to the book, but for some reason, one side of her face felt hot.

…At first, she thought Sasha would disturb her with words, but now she was using a new method. She’s making it impossible for me to rest properly.

With a small sigh, she closed the book. It seemed she needed to set some boundaries.

Miu walked up to Sasha. A gasp was heard from behind the bookshelf, and Sasha’s sky-blue hair disappeared from Miu’s view.

“……”

“……”

But she hadn’t run away. Soon, Miu found Sasha frozen behind the bookshelf.

“Um, well… That is… Sasha….”

Sasha rolled her eyes and put her hand on her chest. Miu looked down at her coldly, silently. I have no intention of being friends with you, so don’t be a nuisance. She wanted to draw a clear line.

Miu was about to say this but swallowed the words at the last moment.

“…The other day, I wanted to apologize….”

“……”

The other day?

Miu raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know what Sasha wanted to apologize for, but she listened silently.

“Sasha was… really, really annoying, right? I just wanted to be friends… I wanted to play with you… and I didn’t know how to make friends with someone my age….”

“……”

“I’m sorry if I annoyed you a lot… I won’t do it again….”

Sasha finally sniffled and lowered her head.

‘…Hmm.’

The strange behavior from a few days ago. So that’s what it was. Miu thought for a moment.

I don’t like noisy people.

But if she understands, things might be different.

“Don’t do it again. I came here to read, so don’t disturb me like usual. Got it?”

“…!”

She kept her original words to herself and said this.

Sasha’s eyes widened. When she responded, her body trembled, but even though Miu’s tone was cold, it was much softer than expected. Sasha was genuinely happy that Miu had reacted to her words. She nodded quickly.

“Y-Yes, I won’t! S-So, does this mean… Sasha is forgiven?”

“I don’t even know what you need to be forgiven for.”

It wasn’t entirely wrong. She usually treated Sasha as if she didn’t exist. But then… Ah, Miu’s eyes widened slightly.

The other day, when Sasha grabbed her arm, Miu had spoken coldly out of frustration. Was Sasha apologizing for that? She hadn’t really cared, and even if Sasha hadn’t mentioned it, Miu’s attitude towards her would have remained the same.

Sasha’s eyes sparkled as she asked Miu.

“D-Does this mean you forgive me?”

“Think what you want. …And, if you don’t annoy me, there’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”

“Y-Yes, I won’t! Sasha will try to be friends with you normally…!”

“I don’t particularly want to be friends. Remember that.”

Miu’s cold words shocked Sasha for a moment.

But she shook her head and said firmly.

“T-Then Sasha will try harder! Sasha will try to be a helpful friend to you….”

“Got it. Please lower your voice. This is a library, you know. Each of these things is annoying me.”

“H-Huh. I’ll remember from now on….”

“I really….”

That’s enough. Miu sighed, annoyed.

At that moment,

“Seems like you had a problem. Did you solve it?”

“…Huh?”

From nearby, on the stairs leading to the second floor of the library, Ezio appeared. Miu, who had turned around, was startled and held the book to her chest.