As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, Polaris found herself standing before her parents’ grave. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest, but the cool evening breeze felt almost refreshing, urging her to breathe deeper.She knelt before the headstone, her heart racing with a mix of fear and determination. “Mom, Dad,” she began, her voice trembling as she laid her hand against the cold stone. “I’ve been thinking a lot about everything—the pain, the secrets, the way Anne is trying to manipulate me. I feel like I’m losing myself in all of it.”Polaris took a deep breath, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. “I’ve realized I can’t keep going like this. I need to take a step back, to find myself again. For a while, I think I need to leave.”The words hung in the air, and for a moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over her. “I’m sorry if this feels like I’m abandoning you. I know how much you wanted me
Hero Ayashi adjusted his glasses, their familiar weight grounding him as he leaned over his desk, a stack of scientific journals sprawled out in front of him. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft glow over the small study he had created in his room, and his mind was already fully awake, buzzing with excitement.At seventeen, Hero had accomplished more than most would in a lifetime, his first Nobel Award won at fourteen, a flurry of accolades in science, literature, and debate. Still, he felt there was always something new to uncover. He pulled out his notebook, flipping through pages of neatly sketched diagrams and densely written notes.*Today’s goal,* he thought, *is to crack the behavior of neural networks under stress.*It was ambitious, even for him, but Hero liked ambitious. It was what made every day feel like an opportunity to unearth something new.The quiet morning air was disrupted by a gentle knock on his door, and Hero looked up to see his grandfather, Jinro
Hero threw himself into his studies, hoping the mountain of books, tests, and competitions would drown out the memories of Polaris—the spark in her laughter, the way her curiosity matched his, the way he’d felt alive around her. For days, he tried to convince himself that his future was already set and that Polaris was a distraction from his duty.Each time he passed her in the hallway, he’d keep his gaze forward, his jaw set. But the avoidance tore at him; every time he saw her from a distance, his heart ached. And she… she simply mirrored his silence. Polaris didn’t confront him or try to understand what was going on. She just quietly pulled back, slipping into a distance that felt like a barrier he couldn’t cross.As the weeks went on, Hero found himself wandering to the places they’d spent time together—the library, the art rooms, even the quiet corner in the garden. He wanted to feel that same warmth, the ease of being around someone who saw the world as he did. But in her absenc
Hero sat across from Mr. Yamamoto in a sleek, spacious office overlooking the city. The setting sun cast a warm glow across the skyline, but all he felt was cold. Papers, sample wedding themes, and potential guest lists lay spread across the table, each one pulling him deeper into a future that wasn’t his.Mr. Yamamoto, seated across from him, was speaking animatedly, outlining the details of the upcoming ceremony. “Hero, we’ll be inviting numerous key figures from both business and political circles. This marriage will be more than just a family affair—it’s a union of influence and legacy. We need everything to be perfect.”Hero nodded automatically, his gaze drifting to the floor. In his mind, he was anywhere but here, imagining instead the quiet days spent with Polaris—those fleeting, precious moments when he could let his guard down and be himself. Her laughter, her curiosity, the way she listened, as if he was the only person in the world…“Hero?” Mr. Yamamoto’s voice cut through
The tension was thick in the air when Hero met Anne at lunch. She had been quiet for a while, but now, there was a certain urgency in her eyes that he couldn’t ignore. He hadn’t expected her to approach him today, especially not with the lingering unease from the previous evening still fresh in his mind. But there she was, sitting across from him, her expression set in a way that told him this wasn’t just another conversation about the wedding or their future.“Hero,” she started, her voice low and serious, “I need to talk to you about something important.”Hero looked at her, his chest tightening. He could feel his mind straying to Polaris, as it had for the past few days. There was still a mess of emotions tangled up in him, but he had to push them away, to focus on his responsibilities. “What is it?” he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.Anne hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her gaze steady but heavy with concern. “I know you’ve been… spending time with Polaris.”
Hero sat in his room later that evening, his mind spinning in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Anne’s words echoed in his ears, the weight of them heavier than he cared to admit. It was impossible to push away the realization that she was right about one thing—his life was changing. The choices ahead weren’t simple, and with each passing day, they seemed to grow more complicated.He stared at the desk in front of him, his books scattered across the surface, as if studying would distract him. But it wasn’t working. His eyes kept drifting to the small photo frame on his desk. It was an old photo of him and Polaris from the school festival last year, before everything had gotten so complicated.Polaris was laughing in the photo, her eyes bright and filled with a carefree joy. Hero could still remember the moment it was taken. He’d been standing beside her, and when she looked at him, her smile had been so genuine—so unlike the guarded expressions he often saw on her face now. The ph
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
“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 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