Mei POV:
"I'm home."
I announced cheerfully to no one in particular. It was perfectly normal for my family. No matter what happened or what day it was, no one would greet me when I returned home. And no one would care.
I slid the shoes off my feet and stepped into the dark, empty living room. Even through my cardigan, the air felt like ice, sending a slow crawl of goosebumps down my arms. Luckily, I was already used to it, so I hardly noticed.
I quickly scanned the room. Despite the darkness surrounding me, I clearly made out the shadowy silhouettes of empty bottles scattered across the floor. At the center of the wreckage sat a hunched figure at the dining table.
Based on the rhythmic, heavy snores, it was safe to assume he was asleep.
I let out a quiet, weary sigh.
Again... huh.
I held my breath and carefully made my way up the stairs without making a single sound.
My house was laid out in a way that I had to walk by my parents' room to get to mine.
As I reached the upstairs hallway, the chill of the living room vanished, replaced by a stale, suffocating stillness that made every breath feel like it was crushing my lungs.
I glanced down. A faint ray of light stretched across the floor from the crack of the bathroom door connected to my parents' room. From inside, I could hear the sound of running water—and muffled sobs.
Mom is crying again...
Not wanting to linger any longer, I hastily turned around and slipped into my room, quietly closing the door behind me. Once I did, I leaned against it and slowly slid down to the floor, with a deep, shuddering breath.
"Finally…"
I pulled my knees close to my chest, wrapped my arms around them, and hid my face between them. The smile I had worn the entire day slowly faded away into the darkness, leaving behind... nothing.
"What a pain..."
After a few moments of silence, I pushed myself off the floor and began to change out of my uniform. I moved with agonizing care, peeling my sweater and shirt away to ensure the fabric didn't brush against my skin.
Just as my shirt rolled down my arms, the door suddenly burst open. The room was immediately filled with a foul, pungent odour that threatened to burn my nose.
I tensed, my heart stopping—but I didn't turn around.
"Ah, hello, Mei. I didn't know you were home already."
What a terrible liar…
I carefully adjusted my throat, preparing for the voice I wanted to use. Staring at the darkness in front of me, I replied in a cute, surprised tone.
"Ah! Hello, Uncle. I didn't know you were awake."
I hurriedly pulled my shirt back on. In my rush, the fabric caught onto my skin, sending a piercing, burning sting across my arms, but I didn't react in the slightest.
Uncle chuckled bashfully as he scratched the back of his head. His skin produced an eerie, disgusting scraping sound as his nails dug into his flesh.
"Hahaha! I was asleep. That is, until I heard that you came home…" His laughter slowly died down as his voice took on a slightly deeper hum. "Hey, Mei… are you busy right now?"
The moment he said those words, my heart hollowed out, as if I was becoming one with the darkness of this house. Yet my cheerful voice never wavered.
"Sorry, but I'm kind of tired today. I have a busy week ahead of me since the sports festival is coming up, so I won't be free for a while."
I paused, steadied myself, and added with a slight, sharp, cold edge to my tone. "You know how it is, I don't want to disappoint Father."
I turned around and locked eyes with him. My lips were still curved upward in a smile, but my gaze was dead and frozen.
I heard him let out a soft, frightened gasp as he took a step back. "Y-yeah! You're right. We don't want to upset your Dad or anything. Try your best, Mei! I'm counting on you…"
Uncle quickly turned around and closed the door on his way out, leaving me alone once more.
It should have been something to celebrate, but I remained completely still, staring at the now closed door.
One. Two. Three seconds passed. But I still didn't move. My eyes remained wide. My smile stayed fixed on my face. And yet... a singular tear slid down my cheek.
I... I can't do this anymore…
I tightly clutched my chest, struggling to regulate my breathing. It felt so unbelievably hollow that it... hurt. It didn't make sense. It shouldn't have made sense. But it was there.
This type of pain… hurts far more than any physical pain ever could.
Please… go away.
I tightly clenched my teeth, tears streaming into my mouth with a salty sting. It was a silent prayer—one that would never be answered.
Please just go away!
My legs suddenly gave out from beneath me, sending me tumbling to the floor. I caught myself with my arms, the impact sending a sharp jolt of agony through my entire body.
I bit down hard on my lip, suppressing a cry.
After a few seconds, the urge to scream slowly faded.
I opened my mouth and gasped desperately for air. "Hah… Hah… Hah…"
The pain in my arms gradually receded, and in its place... only nothing remained.
I slowly pushed myself back to my feet. My mind was blank. My body was numb.
Please… just give me something…
Suddenly, a faint glint caught my eye from the corner of the room. I slowly turned my head toward it. Even in the shadows, I knew exactly what it was.
After all... I always left it there.
…Enough.
I quietly removed my shirt again and stepped toward the corner of my room. With every step I took, a sense of relief filled the hollow in my chest.
I reached out my hand closer and closer until something cold stung my palm.
Please… save me this time…
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
I've had enough.
End of volume 2: A friend.