Chapter 1
"I...lost." The haze of despair surrounded me, engulfing me.
I couldn't breathe.
How?
Why?
My brain seemed to have malfunctioned. I couldn't make sense of anything as my opponent did the customary bows. Her face grew twisted in my mind; I could almost see her smirking maliciously at me, mocking me for having ever been complacent.
I had no right to think that I could beat her.
Disappointment followed as reality struck me. A raging fire tore through the length of my throat as I choked back the hot liquid that threatened to overflow from my already blurred eyes. My palm pressed against my mouth, I took off.
Blindly, I pushed past the audience. Their faces seemed to rise above me, sneers flashing past me as disgusted mutters escaped their distorted mouths.
Who does she think she is?
Be grateful that Yumin didn't crush you any worse, you snob!
Like a frightened animal, I scoured for a hidey-hole.
Here!
A little room with its doors wide open seemed to coax me to hide in there.
I ran straight for it, only to stop.
"How disgusting." This remark that whispered its way into my ear wasn't part of my imagination. I turned, my eyes meeting with that of a stranger. Her pretty blue eyes stared at me with blatant contempt, her little mouth twisted with disgust as she sighed with irritation.
She had struck a nerve.
I felt so embarrassed. I could feel stares of disdain directed at me. I stood there for what felt like an eternity before I heard Taichi and Arata's voice in unison," Chihaya..."
No.
I couldn't possibly let them see me now.
Not after disappointing them.
Without turning back, I ran straight for the little room and locked the door behind me. Someone pounded hard against the door. Arata and Taichi were shouting my name above all the ruckus in my hair.
I couldn't really care,
Not while this cloud of dismay shrouded me.
I folded my knees and just sat there, staring. The noise in my head blocked out the majority of the noise from outside.
Stupid, stupid me.
Regret tore through me.
Can I really be the Queen?
When I am having such thoughts?
Am I even fit to try out?
These questions ricocheted in my mind as I stayed there silently. After what seemed like forever, I realised someone was talking to me.
That gentle voice… Arata.
"We'll be waiting for you. Come out when you're ready." Retreating footsteps followed and silence descended.
I had forgotten.
Even if everything were to be wrong in this world.
I still had them.
My friends who would stick by me forever.
Tears rolled down my face. I smiled past my tears as I pushed the door open.
Ok, I can do this.
Wiping my tears, I ran to meet them.