Zian Hausi believed that life had a very strange habit of attacking her from all directions at the worst possible time, because just when she had finally accepted that her daily routine would include chaos, unnecessary spending, random shadows, and Hajiara dragging her into public embarrassment, something even more inconvenient decided to happen.
Her best friend was leaving.
Not for a day.
Not for a week.
But abroad.
Far.
Very far.
Zian stood at the airport entrance with the same calm expression she always had, her posture relaxed, her eyes steady, her face unreadable, while inside her mind everything felt slightly… off, not chaotic, not dramatic, just quiet in a way she didn't like.
Hajiara stood in front of her with a suitcase, looking excited and emotional at the same time, while Afianxi stood beside her trying to act normal but clearly not succeeding, and Muanthas stood slightly behind them, calm as always but watching everything carefully.
"You're really going," Zian said.
Her voice was normal.
Too normal.
Hajiara nodded quickly.
"Yes! It's a big opportunity!"
Zian looked at the suitcase.
Then at her.
Then nodded once.
"Good," she said.
Inside—
Don't go.
Afianxi looked at her strangely.
"You're not even a little sad?" she asked.
Zian blinked.
"I am very supportive," she replied.
Inside—
Come back immediately.
Hajiara suddenly hugged her tightly.
"I'll miss you!" she said loudly.
Zian stood still for a moment before slowly raising her hand and lightly patting her back.
"…Don't be dramatic," she said.
Inside—
If you cry, I'll leave.
Afianxi turned away, shoulders shaking.
Muanthas covered her mouth, clearly holding back a smile.
Hajiara pulled back, wiping her eyes.
"You better not forget me!" she said.
Zian looked at her.
"…You are loud," she said.
Inside—
Impossible to forget.
They stood there for a moment longer, and then the announcement came, calling for boarding, and everything suddenly felt faster, like time had decided it didn't want to wait.
Hajiara picked up her suitcase.
"Okay, I have to go!"
Zian nodded.
"Go," she said.
Inside—
Don't go.
Hajiara waved as she walked away, turning back multiple times, smiling, laughing, trying not to cry, until she finally disappeared into the crowd.
Zian stood there.
Still.
Watching the empty space where she had been.
"…It's quieter," she said.
Afianxi looked at her.
"…You don't like it, do you?"
Zian turned.
"It's acceptable," she said.
Inside—
It's annoying.
Muanthas smiled slightly.
"You'll get used to it," she said.
Zian nodded.
"I don't want to," she replied.
Later—
Zian returned home.
And immediately realized something important.
A very important and dangerous thing.
She had more free time now.
Which meant—
Her family had more access to her.
She stood at the entrance of the living room and looked inside.
Her father, Fiang Huo, sat on the sofa reading something with a serious expression.
Her mother, Shengling, was beside him, calmly drinking tea.
Sterling was sprawled across another chair in the most uncomfortable position possible.
Huo Lou sat quietly, focused on something in her hands.
And Fiang Sheng stood near the wall, arms crossed, looking exactly like someone who had no interest in anything and yet was somehow still involved in everything.
Zian paused.
Danger.
She turned slightly.
I should leave.
"Zian," her mother called.
Zian froze.
"…Too late."
She walked in slowly.
"What," she said.
Sterling immediately sat up.
"You're back!"
Zian looked at him.
"…Unfortunately."
Inside—
Too much energy.
Sterling laughed.
Huo Lou smiled slightly.
Her father looked up.
"You went out," he said.
Zian nodded.
"Yes."
Inside—
Against my will.
Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"Did you enjoy it?"
Zian sat down.
"No."
Inside—
Absolutely not.
Sterling burst out laughing.
"I knew it!"
Fiang Sheng glanced at her briefly.
"You went again," he said.
Zian looked at him.
"…I was forced."
Inside—
By a loud human.
Her mother smiled faintly.
"You should go out more," she said.
Zian stared at her.
"…Why."
Inside—
Home is safe.
Huo Lou spoke softly.
"It's good for you," she said.
Zian leaned back.
"I disagree."
Sterling leaned forward.
"So what happened?" he asked.
Zian paused.
Where do I start? The financial loss? The suffering? The shadows?
"…Nothing," she said.
Inside—
Everything.
Sterling immediately laughed again.
"You're lying!"
Zian looked at him.
"I am protecting your peace," she said.
Fiang Sheng suddenly moved closer, leaning one hand against the wall beside her in his usual way, his presence calm but pressuring, his eyes fixed on her as if he was trying to understand something he didn't like.
"You always say nothing," he said.
Zian looked at him.
"…Because nothing important happens."
Inside—
Only chaos, embarrassment, and unnecessary suffering.
He stared at her for a moment longer.
"…You're strange," he said.
Zian nodded.
"Yes."
Inside—
And still smarter than you.
Sterling laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.
Huo Lou covered her mouth.
Even her mother smiled.
Fiang Sheng straightened slowly, clearly not amused, but also not responding.
Zian leaned back comfortably.
This is better.
Pause.
Less people.
Her mother looked at her again.
"You'll miss your friend," she said.
Zian didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…She was loud," she said.
Inside—
I already do.
The room became quiet for a moment.
Then Sterling spoke again.
"Good," he said.
"Now we get you more."
Zian looked at him.
"…That sounds like a threat."
Inside—
It is a threat.
And just like that—
Her peaceful time did not begin.
It became something else.
Family chaos.
Which, somehow—
Was even worse. 😭🔥