"Do you have anything planned for this weekend, Kiana?"

"Hmm?"

She turned towards the source of the voice, seeing no one there. Confused, she turned her gaze downwards, spotting someone awfully close to her. She then quickly backed away in surprise.

The figure in question still stood in place, confusion spreading across her face.

"...so?" They continued to ask.

"...Sorry, I haven't figured it out yet." Kiana says, her voice reluctant in tone.

Her answer didn't satisfy the person, as annoyance crept up onto their face.

"Again? You're not going to lay in your house again now?" The femine voice tiredly says, puffing a sigh.

"I-I'm not ok? Really, I won't!"

"That's what you said last time. I tried calling you, but I guess you were too busy gaming all night to even notice."

"That's…eh…" She rubbed her head, unable to come up with a refute. She really didn't intend to stay up for so long, but when she went to properly close her curtains, she realized the day was already bright!

But admitting that would probably anger her more, instead she just diverted her eyes away, praying that the awkward tension would pass. Besides, Liliya may be harsh and direct with her words, but she forgives quite fast so long as you don't push her too hard.

Right on cue, the blue-haired girl closed her eyes in annoyance, and uttered.

"Really, you keep being like this, and soon you're gonna run out of friends to play. It's a miracle that you still have any, you know?"

"I-I know, but you don't have to stab me where it hurts."

"If you are hurt by it, then why not do something about it? Hiding away in your room is the last thing you should be doing."

"Ugh! You're right. I get it, alright?" She tugged on her shirt, her expression heartbroken.

Like many times, Liliya's words hit their mark. She never held back her thoughts, and while a lot of it may come out as overly uncaring of others feelings, Kiana knew better. It was simply her own way of helping others, by pointing out exactly their flaws.

….Though now that I thought about it, Liliya has only ever been like this to me…

Kiana wanted to change for the better. Of course she did, why wouldn't she? Not only would it stop the girl from nagging her every day, her life would just be easier. It wasn't exactly difficult either, she hasn't always been a shut-in like she is now, so she at least understands common sense in conversations.

So why isn't she?

As she pondered, different thoughts flowed through her mind.

Her parents, whose job left them unable to properly take care of her as much as they could, always away and always busy.

Her eldest sister, Sirin, had already moved away from their home for a long time now, and would only ever come back during special occasions. Though the times that she did have been getting steadily shortened, till the point that she couldn't recall the last time they ever spoke directly to each other.

Her second oldest, Bianka, was the only one that she was closest to. Despite moving away as well, the two still kept in contact, and she would still occasionally go out with her. Yet, despite that, she never seemed to truly connect with her sister, in spite of her desire to. She always felt like someone held the two apart, but what that could be she could never figure out, nor did she want to ponder about too much. She didn't want to sour the times Bianka went out of her way to talk to her.

"...so what is it?" Lily's voice rang beside her, her tone suddenly shifting into a softer one.

She turned to look at her, at her friend's face. She wanted to give her an answer. She wanted to give her reasons for her own self-isolation. She wanted to.

"I…I don't..know." Yet this was all she could muster.

"..." Lily gave a blank expression, not giving any answers to her. Instead, she simply turned her head away, and walked in silence.

The two continued their journey like that, eyes not meeting each other once, sharing the same unbroken null. One walked not knowing what to say next, and the other in contemplation. Yet both continued to stay silent.

"Huh…this is…odd."

She stood in front of a long empty road, where the path was so narrow that no cars would be able to pass. It was a place where she had found after many searches, and became her most used route to get back home, yet for some reason, the path was closed off today.

"It says here that a construction is being held." Lilya voiced, looking over to a sign placed in front of the road.

"I guess that would make sense, but it seemed so quiet…" Kiana says.

"Well, maybe they just got off? They don't work till midnight, you know." The other girl seemed nonchalant, unbothered by such a predicament.

"I get that, but I don't even see anything. Doesn't seem like anything is under construction." She peeked over the sign, observing the road in front. The buildings were all intact, people were even seen walking in them, as few as they were.

"Either way, you shouldn't cross this way, at least until they take off the signs. Besides, we have other paths to go anyway."

"I guess you're right…"

"Then let's get a move on then."

As the girl sets off on another way, Kiana took another glance towards the sign, her mind deep in thought. Call it instincts, or perhaps just a wild feeling, but she couldn't help but sense something odd. Regardless however, she gave up on trying to find its meaning, and quickly followed her friend.

Never noticing a lone figure, standing and watching them.

"...Hey, Kiana."

"Yeah?" She turned her gaze over to her friend, walking along the sidewalk. They were currently on a different, more crowded road, but the streets were still light in people, and vehicles were scarcely seen.

"...I'm sorry." Lily muttered.

"Eh?"

"For what I said earlier."

"N-no wait, hang on! Why are you saying sorry for that?!" She flung her arms wildly, her expression being in confusion and in shock. She rarely ever sees her friend look so guilty before, it's the few things that scares her more than her sharp remarks.

"I shouldn't have said something so personal. Knowing how things are for you, it was a distasteful thing to remark on my part. For that, I am sorry." She lowered her head as she spoke, her eyes pointing downwards.

"Ehhh…" She looked on in shock, before rubbing her head.

"It's…not really a big deal. Really, it's not, so um, you don't need to say anything like that."

"Really?" She gave a stern look.

"Yeah, and you were right anyways. I've been doing nothing but lazing around and playing games all the time. I…can't even remember the last time I properly went out." Kiana looked away, her expressions unable to be seen by Liliya.

"If anything, I should be the one to apologize for being such a bad friend." She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly, turning her gaze to the ground.

"I'm…not sure why I even take up your time anymore. Knowing how troublesome I often be, it must have been so rough for you. Really, I'm a horrible friend." Her voice began to wander off as she continued, her mind falling into a similar notion.

She was grateful to have a friend, someone that willingly sticks with her no matter how different or reluctant she is to everything. Yet…at the same time, she had always hated how it felt. How she always seemed to be dragged around like a sandbag. How she will always refuse her offers to go anywhere unless she is forced to. How she always acted aloof to the girl. She hated herself for it, for being such a stubborn and problematic person.

When did she become like this? She couldn't recall anymore, it's been so long now. Her memories with anyone were far and few between, with some she wasn't even sure if she truly experienced it. She doesn't want anyone to burden themselves with her incompetence to change, her inability to do anything right for herself. It was the least she could do to not disappoint anyone. She doesn't want to disappoint anyone.

If it means that Liliya could have more time to herself, to be able to do what she wants. If it meant that she could have the spare time to spend it for herself. To not constantly worry after and pester over someone, to not always be disappointed as she tries to pull me out of my harmful habits. If it means that she could have a better life, without me…then I would gladly-

"Agh!"

A thundering pain struck onto her head, driving her to kneel onto the ground. Holding her head, she looked up, only to be more horrified at what she saw.

Liliya stood tall, her fist held where her head had been, her face saying more than any words. Her eyes were intense enough to pierce her soul, causing shivers to run down her spine.

"You goddamn idiot." She grunted in frustration, causing Kiana to flinch in response.

"L-liliya?" She mumbled.

"Why do you always think of such horribly depressive things all the time? Seriously, it's getting on my nerves." She narrowed her eyes at the young woman.

"If you think being a little sand bag for me to drag around is enough to scare me away, then you better come up with a better idea. Cause it's quite annoying seeing you try to act like one."

Kiana spluttered at that.

"W-what do you mean by that?"

"What I mean!" She lowered herself towards Kiana, looking at her straight in the eye.

"Is for you to stop acting like you deserve to be alone."

Reaching her hand out, she gently placed them onto Kiana's cheeks, a stark difference between how brash she was before.

"Stop trying to think that you are unwanted. Stop trying to believe that you are useless. Stop trying to act like you're nothing but a burden to others. Stop pretending that you aren't loved by someone." She firmly says, her palms slightly shaking.

"You have your own problems, but that in no way makes you any less of a friend to me. I didn't want to be with you because I pitied a person. I wanted to be with you because I want to see you as my friend, but even more importantly, so that you can see yourself better."

"See…myself?" Kiana's slow mind caused her friend to sigh.

"You have a really messed up way of looking at things, so much so that it makes me feel sick to the core." Kiana flinched at that, as if the words had struck her very being.

"So I'm gonna make sure that you can see things clearer, no matter how long that would take me. And that starts with you."

Her friend continues, unperturbed. "You aren't a bad person, Kiana, and you certainly aren't a bad friend either. But the only way for you to see that is for you to look past your flaws, to find what you see as good within you. No one can do that for you, not even your family. You just have to believe in yourself." Liliya said her words with conviction, as if she was commanding her to etch every word into her soul.

Kian's mouth agape, nothing was spoken. Her eyes focused on Lily's face, holding onto her cold yet gentle expression. She had seen this face so many times now, that she almost forgot. How could have she forgotten? That day…

The day she saw her near the end of the classroom, sitting by herself.

The day she held a thought. A thought that no parent would want to hear from their daughter.

The day that she chose to talk to her, bringing her far and away from the path she would have regretted going. The day that Liliya saved her.

She could never forget that day.

"...heh."

"Heh?" Her friend sounded so indignant, caught off-guard by the sudden chuckle. But before she could say anything else, Kiana's chuckle erupted into a full laughter.

It was a loud laugh, more pronounced and visceral than she had ever laughed. It was like a scream, held together through sheer will and self-restraint, now finally being allowed to escape from its tight bindings. It was powerful, it was palpable in strength, but most of all…it was free.

A release of everything that she's been holding in ,of everything that has been inside her head for so long. The shame she felt. The self-inflicted guilt she carried, and the buried pain she kept so hidden, all of it was being released.

It was natural for her eyes to feel blurry at that. It was natural for her voice to be shaking, and her body trembling through every attempt to cover up the shakiness in her voice and the tears threatening to leak out at every moment. It was natural for her to feel like this, at least just for this moment. To be true to her own feelings, even for a little bit.

Liliya kneeled in sheer flabbergasted, completely taken aback of what was happening. For a moment she was worried that she might have broken the poor girl, but it didn't take long for her to realize something else.

"...You really are a handful now, aren't you?" She smiled at her, before wrapping her arms around the now crying girl.

Despite every passing person staring at them in confusion, Liliya did not care. She only stood in silence, letting Kiana indulge in her slothfulness. Just for this moment.

"Seriously, that totally freaked me out."

"Mmm, sorry about that." The girl hummed a little tune, all the while waving the concern of her friend off.

"I thought you went mental from that display. Are you sure you're fine there?"

"I am. Really, I am now. I just needed to let out some steam, that's all." Kiana says, a genuine smile plastered on her face.

After that little debacle, people were starting to swarm them asking if she was ok. Luckily Liliya managed to pull them both away, but she probably won't be able to go down that street anymore without being remembered as that crazy girl who laughed so hard the entire neighborhood heard it.

Yet despite that, she was still visibly happy with the outcome, much to Liliya's dismay.

"...well, you at least seem better now so I guess that was worth the trouble." Lilya sighed seemingly annoyed, yet she could not hide the little smile creeping up on her face again. Kiana noticed that and smirked.

"Ehhh? You seem quite happy…did hugging me felt that nice?" She felt a bit flustered saying that, but the reaction she got was worth it, seeing her friend's face lit up in red.

"Don't make me kick you to the ground." Hiding her embarrassment, Lily proceeded to pull the girl's face, causing her to wince in agony.

"Bu-but you are happy now aren't you? Why are you hurting me!" Kiana muttered in pain, her eyes about to leak again, before Lily let go of her.

"I am happy." She simply replied.

"So why pinch me?"

"That stupid grin of yours, I hated it."

"That counts as violence against your friend! That was way too strong of a reaction for something like that!"

"Hmph, next time don't act so smug." The girl then turned her focus away, ending the conversation as the winner, much to Kiana's bafflement.

Seriously, you're way too confident in your demeanor…

"With that said, next time if you wanna go nuts like that, just give me a heads-up, alright?"

"I can't exactly control something like that now can I? I wasn't expecting myself to break down like that at all."

"Then just expect the unexpected."

"You…you just have a solution for everything don't you?" She pointed towards her.

"Naturally. If I didn't, then it would be hopeless for you."

"You sound like a mom now…"

"What's that?" Lily glared, making her flinched.

"N-nothing! I said nothing!"

"Good."

And so, the two then continued their journey in silence, with Liliya confidently walking in front. Kiana sighed at her friend's attitude towards her, but it couldn't be helped anyways, she was just that stern to her.

Somehow though, she felt relaxed, more than she ever has been. Her body felt lighter than before, and she can think a bit clearer now. It's almost like a miracle, but she knew that it wasn't. She cherished this feeling in her heart, wanting it to last for longer.

"Hmm? Oh." Noticing something, Lily looked down onto herself, before pulling out a small phone.

"Mmm...hai hai, alright alright, I get it. I'll come over as soon as possible. And don't get that order again alright? I don't want to get another stomachache." She then ends the call, a familiar voice was on the other side before it was cut out.

"Was that Rozy?" Kiana asked, to which Lily nodded.

"Yep, and she's pestering me to go to this restaurant she found a few days ago. Really though, she better not call the same order as last time."

"That so?" They come to a stop. Liliya turned to look at Kiana.

"Well, I guess this is where we part ways then. Are you alright from this point on?"

"Mhm, don't worry about it. I can take care of myself." Kiana reassured her friend, gesturing for her to go her way.

"That's the scariest thing I have heard from you..." She gave a nervous remark, but then sighs.

"Just...promise me to get better, alright?"

Gazing at her, Kiana gave a soft smile.

"I'll try."

A breath of relief was heard.

"That's a start. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Mm, see ya."

And so, the two promptly part ways, each going on their own paths.

"It's getting dark already? Today feels shorter than usual." Kiana remarks, gazing up towards the clouds.

The road ahead is mostly empty by now, with fewer people passing by, and practically none in vehicles.

I guess I'll buy something for dinner then. Can't be bothered to try and cook anything. She thought to herself.

She has been learning how to properly cook her own meals for months now, but no matter how hard she tries, it always comes out plain or painfully overseasoned. There were even times where she couldn't muster the courage to eat some of the things she made and had to shamefully throw them away.

"I guess I just don't have the skills for it huh..." she muttered to herself, her eyes drifting downwards.

"...what exactly...am I good at really?"

A question she had thought to herself so many times, and each time the answer was the same. Nothing.

What she was ok at, others in her family were better. What she thought she could improve, only ends up causing more problems to herself and others. Even when she tries to do things alone, she always somehow pulls others into her mess.

Nothing she did ever felt like it would work, and on the rare occasions that it does, others have done so much better. Her efforts were so minimal and non-consequential, she often wonders if she was ever really needed in anything.

That simple thought quickly led her down a spiral, with each little thing piling up more and more and helped to form an image of herself. Of a Kiana who was no good in anything. Who simply was just a worser replacement for what came before. She was simply just another use-

"Promise me that you'll get better alright?"

"...Mmmmmm!"

She slapped her cheeks in quick succession, causing it to swell in response. This was her way of punishing herself.

Bad Kiana. Bad! You made a promise, so you better keep it. No more of this!

She can't let herself be down like this. Not again, not after all of that. She will do better, no matter how unlikely that is, for a promise was made, and it would be a promise that she is determined to keep.

And so, rubbing her head to keep her thoughts from swaying, she continued moving forward, until reaching a certain building.

"Ah, a convenience store. I can get something in there."

She then paced herself towards the entrance. As the automatic door swung open, a person loomed over her, their body blocked by the amount of bags covering them from head to waist. Suddenly, as if they could no longer bear the weight, the bags began to drop to the floor.

"Whah!"

She ran over to the falling figure, barely managing to catch the dropped bags. After she was sure that nothing was broken or destroyed, she turned towards the figure.

"Are you ok?" Kiana asked.

"...Mmm, I'm alright. Thank you for that." They replied, their voice soft and gentle.

She was a woman who seemed to be in her mid twenties, wearing business attire. Her hair stretched down to her waist, nicely kept as light reflected from her deep blue hair. She seemed to be quite a serious looking person, but Kiana couldn't feel any of that, instead she could only gaze at the woman's face.

A soft, almost motherly expression was present on it. Her sharp eyes hid a sense of tiredness behind them, yet still her gentleness shone through.

That face then tilted their heads.

"Is there something wrong?" She asked.

"..Ah! No no, I'm so sorry!" She ended up staring at her without realizing. She internally slapped herself in embarrassment.

"Ah, alright then. Thank you for that." The woman bowed slightly in gratitude.

"It's no problem, though that is a lot of stuff to be carrying." She took another look, noticing the many bags surrounding the woman. A lot of bags.

A lot for one person for one person as well.

"I was buying all this in preparation for someone, but since it was such a sudden event, I just had to get everything in order by tonight."

"Is that so? They must be really special for you to buy all this."

"You would be correct." She places her hand to her chest as she lets out a soft smile.

"Though, I admit I do not have the right strength to bring all of this with me, so I will just have to do it by rounds."

"Mmm…ah."

Start off with something small.

"I could help you carry half of it?"

Surprise swept through her expression as Kiana said those words, but quickly a small smile followed.

"Are you sure? I don't want to stall for your time…" The woman seemed reluctant to take up her offer, so Kiana quickly reassured her.

"It's alright, I'll be glad to help!"

Even if it's just the little things. Even if it doesn't make much of a difference, I still want to help.

"Mmm…well, if you insist." The woman hummed, handing Kiana some of the bags.

"Here, you can carry half of this."

"Ok, where do you wanna bring this?"

"I parked my car somewhere down this alley, so you just need to carry it towards it."

"Alrighty!" Kiana then promptly walked down the alley, carrying bags in both her hands.

Observing the cheerful girl, the woman's lips spread wider, until a grin completely took over her beautiful face. She quickly coughed into her hands however, forcing herself to calm down. She was so close now, it would be a shame to blow it all away now…

"What are you planning to do with these?"

"I intend to cook some meals that I believe would be quite fitting to that person's taste. It would need to be freshly bought in order to preserve the best quality."

"I see, so that's why you bought so many ingredients. How many days are they going to stay?"

"Mmmm, I might run out of all this before they go."

"Are they staying forever or something? Otherwise they must be a really big eater."

"I suppose you could look at it that way." The woman lightly chuckled.

The two continued to converse as they walked through the dark alley, illuminated by nothing but small lamb lights on the sides of the road. The journey was awfully dead and scary, so Kiana decided to chat with the woman to fill in the silence.

She managed to learn quite a bit about her from their short exchange. What job she did and where she worked. Her favorite food and drink, even more specific things like her taste in fashion. She found it odd how the woman seemed so readily to answer her questions, given how quickly she responds to each one, but she didn't pay any mind to it.

"What's your name by the way, Miss?" Kiana asked, noticing a slightly twitch in the woman's lips. She didn't pay it much attention however.

"It's Mei. Raiden Mei." The woman answered.

"It's really nice talking to you, mis-"

"Please, you can just call me Mei. And yes, it is a pleasure talking to you." She cut off her words, before turning her attention towards the front.

"Ah, it seems we have reached our destination."

She then sped up towards her car, taking out her keys as she opened the driver's seat. Carefully placing down her bags, she then opened up the trunk, motioning Kiana to come to it.

She nodded, before quickly putting down the heavy bags. Placing it neatly in a corner, she smiled to herself.

"You seem happy." Mei says.

"Mmm, I guess I am." Kiana chuckled, rubbing her cheeks.

"...This was nice. I'm glad that I was able to do this."

"I'm also happy to have met you tonight, Kiana. You certainly have brightened up my day."

"That so? Guess we both got something out of it heh."

"Indeed."

The two then gave a smile to one another. A small little coincidence it was that they met on this very night, but she was thankful that they did. She was still uncertain on what she wanted to do tomorrow or the day after, but she was at least reassured that she could at least be of help. To give someone the assistance that they might need. To simply make their days just a little bit better. Just like how her friend did for her.

Mmm, I guess I should thank her properly tomorrow.

Kiana thought to herself, before turning her attention back to Mei.

"Well, I'll be going now, Mei. It was nice kno-...eh?"

Her mind went blank.

"I'm also happy to have met you tonight, Kiana."

…My name. I haven't told her my name, so why does she-?

A simple thought, yet it harbored such intensity. Such a simple notion, yet it immediately set off every possible warning her body could communicate to her. It was so natural that she couldn't properly pick up until now, but her mind was quickly scrambling itself together, as her eyes darted behind her.

Gazing down onto the dark corner of the alley, there the woman stood. Her body enveloped by the dim moonlight, revealing herself to her. Yet Kiana could not see anything else.

For all that was in front of her….was a twisted smile, etching itself across the woman's face, as her eyes pierced through her very soul. She could not move, she could not struggle, she could not call for if the very face of this woman has completely shackled her mind and body, as she watches for hands not of her own, slowly wrapping around her face.

Kiana Kaslana's memory went blank after that.

AN: Hey there, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I suppose calling this chapter 2 wouldn't be true since it's a prequel, but oh well. It took a bit of me to think of what to take the story next, but then I realized that aside from Mei, I really haven't gotten an idea on the other characters. So this is my way of making up for the blunder, defining the characters in this new world, and who they are as people.

I hope I was able to portray Liliya and Kiana's friendship in a convincing way, as odd of a pair those two are. I'm not exactly sure why I picked her to the one, but I suppose it would work itself out as I go along. Besides, I liked writing their interactions so fuck it kewk.

As for when the story would continue properly, I'm wondering that myself. Real life has been picking up for me, and I might not have as much as I used to, heck even now I'm barely managing my increasingly dired schedule. But I will do my best to deliver the next part of the story in the best way that I can, and hopefully, you will enjoy it when I do.

Anyhow, this is it for me, and I shall see yall in the next one. Bye!

PS: This fic is sponsored by Houseki no Kuni. Go read it, for me.