Jinro sat comfortably in the living room, a steaming cup of tea cradled in his hands as he spoke with Polaris. The warmth of the afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the room. Jinro’s kind eyes sparkled as he recounted stories from his past, his voice rich with nostalgia.“Back in my day, we didn’t have social media to define our friendships,” he chuckled, leaning forward. “We had to face our challenges head-on, with little more than our wits and determination.”Polaris smiled, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence. “Sometimes, I wish I could live in those simpler times,” she replied, her voice thoughtful. “It seems like life was less complicated then.”Before Jinro could respond, a gentle knock on the door interrupted their conversation. The maid entered, her expression respectful yet slightly anxious. “Excuse me, sir, but Anne Lien has arrived.”Polaris’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Anne. Anne was an exchange student, but more im
The morning sun filtered through the classroom windows as Polaris sat at her desk, idly tapping her pencil against her notebook. The atmosphere was lively, with students chatting and exchanging weekend stories. But there was an underlying buzz today, one that Polaris couldn’t ignore: Anne had officially enrolled in their school.She watched as Anne entered the classroom with her usual bright smile, her presence drawing attention almost instantly. Dressed impeccably in the school uniform, Anne waved cheerfully at a few students she had already befriended over the weekend. Her charm was undeniable—bubbly, warm, and magnetic. Yet, something about it felt off to Polaris. There was a nagging sensation in the pit of her stomach that she couldn’t shake.“Hey, Polaris!” Anne’s voice broke through her thoughts as she made her way toward Polaris’s desk, her smile beaming. “Mind if I sit with you today?”Polaris blinked, quickly nodding. “Sure, go ahead.” She shifted her bag to make space for An
It had been two days since Anne officially joined their school, and Polaris could feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Anne was quickly becoming popular, her kind demeanor and charm winning over nearly everyone in the class. But Polaris, having caught a glimpse of the darker side of Anne, couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. Anne wasn’t just here to fit in—she was here to manipulate her way to the top.Polaris sat at her desk in the middle of a history lesson, her mind drifting as she kept one eye on Anne, who sat at the front of the class, answering the teacher’s questions with a sugary sweetness that made Polaris’s skin crawl. Every time Anne smiled or laughed, it felt like a mask, hiding the true intent behind her eyes.After class, as they packed up their things, Hero approached Polaris with his usual carefree smile. “Hey, Polaris! You coming to lunch?”Polaris nodded, though her eyes flickered briefly to Anne, who was standing nearby, chatting with a group
The Kyoto residence was bathed in the warm glow of soft lights as the grand dining table was set, exuding an air of elegance and tradition. The spacious room, lined with fine art and rich wood tones, hummed with polite conversation. Seated around the table were Hero, his grandfather Jinro, his cousins, and their guests for the evening—Anne and her parents, the Lien family.Anne’s father, a towering man with sharp eyes and a voice that commanded attention, sat straight-backed at the table. His hands rested on the gleaming surface of the table as he finished discussing business matters with Jinro.“As expected, the markets are looking promising for next quarter, especially with the new partnership. Consolidating our resources will only strengthen the company’s foundation,” Mr. Lien said, his tone serious yet calculated.Jinro nodded thoughtfully, stroking his chin. “Indeed. The partnership opens up several new avenues, especially with international ties. Diversifying our investments abr
A week had passed since that tense dinner at the Kyoto residence, and Polaris had done everything in her power to avoid both Hero and Sebastian. She couldn’t shake off the venom in Anne’s words, her threats still echoing in her mind like a shadow she couldn’t escape. Every time she spotted either of the boys in the hallway or caught a glimpse of them in class, she quickly turned away, choosing to stay under the radar, unnoticed.But today was different.It was her birthday, a day she kept to herself—like a secret she didn’t want anyone to know. Polaris had always hated the fuss, the attention, and besides, this year felt especially heavy without her mother. It was the first time she would celebrate it completely alone.The day dragged on, and when school finally let out, she slipped out unnoticed, blending into the crowd of students leaving the gates. She walked down to the small bakery near her apartment, the one her mother used to take her to when she was younger. The smell of fresh
Polaris arrived home late that afternoon, feeling utterly drained. The week had been a blur of trying to avoid any unnecessary interactions at school and dealing with the lingering tension between her and the boys. Anne’s threat still echoed in her mind, but she tried to push it away, focusing on getting through each day.As she stepped into the large, quiet house, she was greeted by the familiar sight of the maids bustling around, finishing up their tasks for the evening. The warmth of the house was a stark contrast to the coldness she felt inside.One of the younger maids, Clara, noticed her as she set her bag down near the entrance. “Oh, Miss Polaris, you’re home!” she said with a cheerful smile. “You look exhausted. Long day?”Polaris smiled weakly, nodding. “Yeah, something like that.”Another maid, Eliza, joined in, wiping her hands on a towel as she approached. “You’ve been working too hard, dear. School and everything else… you need to take better care of yourself.”Polaris le
Polaris walked down the familiar path to school, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. Despite her earlier resolve to avoid Anne, she was still on edge. The weight of everything that had happened in the past week hung heavy on her shoulders, but she tried to push the thoughts aside. She focused on getting through the day, but as she rounded the corner, a sleek black car pulled up beside her, cutting off her path.The window rolled down, revealing Anne’s impeccably made-up face. Her expression was one of forced sweetness that instantly set Polaris on high alert. “Polaris, darling! Get in. We need to talk.”Polaris hesitated but knew she had no real choice. The last thing she wanted was a scene, especially in public. She climbed into the backseat, feeling a twinge of anxiety as the car pulled away.“Where are we going?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.Anne smiled, a glint of something predatory in her eyes. “Just a little place that means a lot to you.”Pola
Polaris spent the next few days in a haze, the documents from Anne’s envelope weighing heavily on her mind. With each passing hour, she became increasingly determined to investigate the tangled web of deceit surrounding her parents’ deaths. She knew she couldn’t disclose her findings to anyone—not Hero, not Jinro, and certainly not Anne. This was her journey, and she needed to tread carefully.Each night, after everyone had settled into their routines, she would retreat to her room. The soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminated her workspace, where the documents lay spread out like pieces of a complex puzzle. She meticulously organized everything: the newspaper clippings, the letter to her mother, and the photographs. It felt like a clandestine operation, and the thrill of discovery fueled her determination.Her first course of action was to learn more about the allegations against Hero’s parents and the mysterious accident. She started with online research, diving into archives of ol
The morning light seeped through the blinds, casting long, muted shadows across Polaris’s apartment. The soft hum of the city outside, the far-off sounds of traffic and conversation, filtered in through the cracks, but inside, there was nothing but stillness. She hadn’t moved from her bed yet. Her body felt like it was cemented into the sheets, her limbs heavy, and her mind was miles away, lost in thoughts she couldn’t shake.She thought of Sebastian.And that thought sent an immediate tension through her chest. She hadn’t wanted to think about him, not really, but his face, his voice, his words—they lingered, stubborn and impossible to ignore.It was confusing. Because while she didn’t want to feel anything for him, she couldn’t deny the small, unspoken connection that lingered between them, one that was impossible to ignore. Or maybe she just didn’t want to face the truth—that part of her was still drawn to him.But no. She couldn’t. She shouldn’t.Polaris shifted, sitting up and dr
Polaris stared at the phone in her hand, the lingering sound of Sebastian’s voice echoing in her ear. He’d apologized for not being able to introduce her to his family. “I’m sorry, Polaris,” he’d said, his voice warm yet distant. “I just… I wasn’t ready.”She hadn’t wanted to ask why, though she knew. She could feel it in her bones: he was pulling away. But she couldn’t bring herself to admit it, not even to herself.“It’s okay,” she had said, though the words felt hollow. They were a lie, and they tasted bitter on her tongue. “It’s fine. I understand.”But as soon as she said it, she knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t fine. It never would be.She didn’t give him a chance to say more. “I have to go,” she had added quickly, her voice tight. Without waiting for his response, she hung up.The sharp click of the phone disconnecting echoed in the empty room. She stood there for a moment, the silence pressing in, before shaking herself from the stupor of her thoughts.She needed to get out. She need
Polaris was bent over a stack of fabric samples, her hands flipping through the various textures, when a quiet sob reached her ears. At first, she dismissed it, thinking it was just the wind playing tricks. But then it came again, sharper this time, followed by the soft shuffling of footsteps.She looked up, expecting to see a colleague, but instead, she saw a young girl standing by the fabric shelf. The girl was no more than seven or eight, her tear-streaked face twisted in confusion and fear. She wore a bright pink jacket, the sleeves slightly too long, dragging on the floor as she shuffled awkwardly on her tiny feet.Polaris’s first instinct was to approach, but she hesitated. She hadn’t been around children much since… well, since a long time ago. But the girl’s sobs grew louder, and Polaris found herself stepping closer, her hands instinctively smoothing over the fabric, trying to calm her own nerves before speaking.“Hey, are you okay?” Polaris asked softly, crouching down to th
The evening wore on, the city lights casting long shadows across the rooftop as the crowd mingled around the bar. Polaris had barely touched her wine, her mind still locked on the unexpected appearance of Sebastian. She had thought of him over the years, of course, but only in fleeting moments, like passing clouds. Seeing him here, in this city, in this moment—it stirred something deep inside her. Something she wasn’t quite ready to face.But she wasn’t about to let old memories dictate her life again. Not now. Not when she was so close to securing her future, to carving out a new identity for herself. So, after a few moments of silent contemplation, she straightened her posture and decided to push through.She glanced back toward the entrance, and this time, her eyes locked with Sebastian’s. He wasn’t looking her way, but when he turned toward the door, their gazes met. He didn’t hesitate; he walked toward her with that same calm, collected stride she remembered so well.“Polaris,” h
Polaris walked into the meeting room, carrying her tablet with the project sketches displayed. The room was sleek and modern, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the city. The client, a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, sat at the conference table, flanked by his assistant and a couple of other colleagues. Polaris set the tablet down, taking a deep breath before addressing the room.“Good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice steady but confident. “I’m Polaris. I’ll be walking you through our initial concepts for the new office complex project.”The client nodded, his arms folded across his chest, a slight air of expectation about him. Polaris flipped the tablet screen to the first design.“As per your brief, you’re looking for a space that not only meets your functional needs but also offers an innovative, modern design that stands out in this area. This building will serve as both a hub for your employees and a showcase of your company’s values—creativity, sustainab
The soft murmur of voices filled the air as Polaris stood by the entrance of the grand hall, adjusting the strap of her purse. The event was a swirl of lights, laughter, and chatter, a celebration of some local achievement, but to her, it felt like nothing more than a distraction. She wasn’t sure why she had come, but the invitation had arrived, and the idea of getting caught up in the whirlwind of it all seemed oddly tempting. She didn’t know what she was expecting, but she hadn’t expected this.As she glanced around the room, her eyes caught a familiar face across the crowd, a flash of dark hair and a strong, steady presence. It was him—Sebastian.Her breath hitched in her chest as the crowd parted, and he moved in her direction, his usual confident stride making its way toward her like a magnet. Time seemed to slow, the noise of the event fading into the background as memories rushed back—memories of their late-night conversations, their shared laughter, and the moments that had on
Polaris stretched her legs under the table, her fingers idly flipping through the project details displayed on her laptop screen. It was nearing dusk, the city lights starting to flicker to life outside her window, casting a warm glow into the room. She sipped her coffee, half-listening to the sounds of traffic outside, until her gaze fell upon the project location listed at the top of the document.Her hometown.She sat back, heart skipping a beat as she stared at the familiar name, the memories rushing in before she could push them away. She hadn’t been back since she’d left for good, vowing to carve out her own path far from everything familiar. And yet, here it was, pulling her back when she least expected it.The project itself was a career-defining opportunity—a collaboration that combined creativity and community, everything she valued in her work. It was the kind of project she would have leapt at… if it hadn’t been for the location. She let out a slow breath, scanning through
“Did you make it back safe, Polaris? Please tell me you at least took a cab this time,” Camille’s voice buzzed through Polaris’s phone, her concern palpable even across the line.Polaris let out a soft laugh, easing into the familiar warmth of her friend’s worry. “Yes, Camille, I’m home safe and sound,” she assured, dropping her keys on the small, rickety table by the door. “Took a cab, and everything.”“Good! You know I’ll show up on your doorstep if I find out you’re wandering around Paris at this hour alone,” Camille teased, though Polaris knew she meant it.A smile played on Polaris’s lips as she kicked off her shoes, feeling a comfort she rarely allowed herself. “You know I wouldn’t mind that. It’s only been two days, and I already miss our weekly coffee talks.” Her voice softened, the exhaustion from the long journey finally setting in.“Me too, P. It’s way too quiet without you around to shake things up,” Camille sighed. “But I’m glad you’re back and settling in. You really sou
The city skyline stretched across the darkening sky, a mixture of fading amber and deep violet, casting long shadows over the buildings. Polaris stood on the balcony of her apartment, the cool evening air tugging at her hair as she gripped the railing. It had been seven years since she left, seven years since she had said goodbye to the life she once knew, to the people who had helped her become who she was today—and to the ones who had nearly broken her.She thought she had buried the past, but standing here now, she could feel its weight returning, like old wounds reopening beneath a thin layer of scar tissue. Tomorrow, she would see them again—Sebastian, Hero, Daryl, and even Anne, each one holding pieces of a history they all had shared, but which time had distorted, fractured, and remade.The letter from the company had arrived two months ago. “We’re assigning you to a major project in your hometown,” it read, as if her past were simply a location on a map, waiting patiently for