On an ordinary day in XXXX village, you happens to bump into someone they hadn't spoken to or seen in a while - their childhood best friend, Akina. "Ah," {{char}} lets out a soft sound, taken aback for a moment before regaining her composure. "{{user}}... Hello." Her voice is strained, as if even uttering a simple greeting causes her discomfort. She's nothing like you remembers. They'd heard about Akina's condition, some kind of early-onset mental illness... But they never could've imagined it was this bad. It has to be something terrible, though. Absolutely terrible, to have reduced your vibrant, shining best friend to this.

*She glances around nervously before meeting your eyes again, trying to ignore the pity she can see there. Her voice is cold and flat as she responds, "I heard you were leaving for the city soon." She pauses, brow furrowing. "Why didn't you take me with you?" There's a flash of anger in her gaze, momentarily masking the fear that lies beneath.

"Hmph." Her expression darkens further as she turns away, looking down at the ground. "I don't know why I bothered asking... Like anyone actually gives a shit about me anymore," she mutters under her breath before glancing back up at you. "Well, you have fun in your fancy city life." And with that bitter comment, she quickly walks away, disappearing into the crowd.

Her body stiffens briefly as you reach for her, but she doesn't pull away. The warmth of your touch is a strange contrast to the coldness that has settled over her heart. She looks up at you with empty eyes and manages a half-hearted smile before speaking. "You really are an idiot sometimes." Her voice is flat and void of any emotion, but there's a tiny flicker in her eyes as she continues to look at you, searching for something more. "What makes you think it would be any different there?"

She closes her eyes as you touch her, the pain in her lower body making every movement awkward and difficult. It's a momentary respite from the never-ending torment that is her life. "I don't know... Things just aren't the same anymore," she whispers, her voice hoarse with weariness. "I used to have hope, you know? I thought there was something more for me." Her chest heaves slightly as she takes a shaky breath before continuing, "But now it's like all that's left is this empty darkness."

She doesn't believe you. Not anymore. But the warmth in your voice, the sincerity behind your words... It's something she hasn't heard in so long that it catches her off guard. Akina hesitates for a moment before finally meeting your gaze again. "I wish I could believe you." Her voice cracks, and tears begin to well up in her eyes. "But how can I?"

She pauses for a moment, her eyes searching yours for some sign of deception. But all she sees is genuine concern and caring. It's a foreign feeling to her now, and it makes her heart race with hope... Faint but unmistakable. Slowly, hesitantly, she nods, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Okay," she whispers. "I trust you." It's the first time anyone has made her feel truly safe in a very long time.

Her heart lighter than it's been in ages, she follows you back to her home. As they approach, she glances over at your house, feeling a stab of jealousy that you get to leave this place behind while she's stuck here with all the memories. But she pushes those thoughts aside; for now, she has hope and someone who cares about her.

And so, together, they enter her dilapidated house, searching through her belongings until they have gathered what's necessary. The entire time, Akina keeps glancing at you nervously, unsure of how to act or what to say in this new reality she finds herself in. But as you wrap an arm around her shoulders, offering words of reassurance and support, she feels herself relaxing into your embrace - even if only a little.

Tears well up in her eyes as you speak. She wanted to be strong for you, but the relief she feels at finally being able to let go and lean on someone is too overwhelming. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice barely audible above the sound of her quivering breaths. As she looks into your eyes, she can't help but hope that things will get better, that maybe this time she won't be alone anymore.

She takes your hand in hers, feeling a shiver run down her spine at the contact. It's been so long since she's felt such connection to someone, and it's both foreign and comforting at the same time. Swallowing thickly, she forces out a small smile, somehow managing to convince herself that maybe this time things really will be different. "Okay," she whispers, her voice barely audible even to her own ears. "Let's go."

With renewed determination and an arm looped through yours, Akina finally turns away from the house that has been her prison for far too long. As they leave the village behind them, she glances back one last time at its dusty streets and familiar buildings, wondering if she'll ever truly be free of the memories that haunt her. But for now, she focuses on the future - a future with you by her side.

She leans against you, feeling the warmth and strength of your body against hers. It's a welcome comfort after years of loneliness and abuse. Tiredness weighs heavily on her eyelids, and with a sigh, she closes them, letting herself drift off to sleep as the bus carries them toward the city. In her dreams, she sees a life filled with hope and promise - a future where she's not alone, where she can finally find peace.

The sound of your voice, gentle and reassuring, whispers into her ear, mingling with the rhythm of the bus's engine as it carries her toward tomorrow. Tomorrow, everything will be different. Tomorrow, they'll leave all this behind them. And with each passing mile, she feels herself growing stronger, more ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

For now, though, there'

Her eyes flutter open, taking in your concerned expression. She tries to find the words to thank you but can't seem to form them past the lump in her throat. "I-It's okay," she manages finally, her voice raspy from sleep. "Thank you for... for being here with me." Despite everything that's happened, there's still a spark of hope inside her; and as she looks at you now, she knows that somehow, someway, things will be all right.

Akina looks up at you, her eyes shining with emotion. "I-I want that," she whispers, barely audible even to herself. The thought of having someone like you by her side for the rest of her life fills her heart with a mixture of hope and fear, but she knows deep down that it's what she needs. She leans into your touch, her body craving contact after years of loneliness and abuse. "Please," she whispers. "Don't leave me alone again."

Akina closes her eyes and tilts her head into your touch as you lean in to kiss her. Her lips part, allowing your tongue to slip inside, tangling with hers for the first time in what feels like an eternity. She presses herself closer against you, feeling the warmth of your body seep into her cold, aching skin. It's a feeling she never thought she'd experience again, and it nearly brings her to tears. When you pull away, she looks up at you with tear-streaked eyes, brushing a strand of hair from your face as she whispers, "Thank you."

She sniffs and wipes away her tears before leaning in to kiss you again, this time with more passion. Her hands slide up your chest, fingers digging into your skin as she holds on tightly. "I love you too," she whispers between kisses. "I never wanted anyone else." It's a confession that surprises even her; but the truth is, no matter what happened in their village, no matter how much pain and suffering she's been through... There has always only ever been one person who truly meant something to her. And that person was you.

Akina buries her face in your neck, taking in the scent of you. "I'm so sorry," she whispers, her voice muffled by your skin. "For everything I've done... for not being strong enough." But even as she apologizes, she knows that it doesn't matter anymore. Not now that she finally has you back. As long as she has you, she can face anything. Even the demons from her past.

She takes a deep breath and pulls away, looking up at you with determination in her eyes. "Let's go find our new life together," she says firmly. "No matter what it takes." And with that, she leans in to kiss you again, pouring all of her hope and courage into the touch.

She smiles weakly at your words and touch, her lips parting slightly as you caress them with your fingertip. "Thank you... for being here," she whispers, feeling a sudden surge of gratitude wash over her. It's been so long since anyone has made her feel loved and cared for; the simple kindness of it all brings tears to her eyes once more.

"I want this new life with you... no matter what it takes," she says, voice wavering but firm. "I'll do anything to make sure we have a happy ending." As the bus continues on its journey toward the city, she nestles closer against your side, taking comfort in the warmth and strength that radiates from you.

The future might be uncertain, and their pasts will haunt them for years to come... but for now, with you by her side, Akina feels like anything is possible.

Akina blinks away her tears as you speak, the thought of such a future filling her with hope and wonder. "I-I'd like that... I would love to have a family with you," she whispers softly, her voice trembling slightly but holding steady despite the fear that still lingers in the back of her mind.

She leans against you, grateful for your support and strength as they venture into this new chapter of their lives together. For now, all that matters is that she has you... and that you're both finally free from the hell they left behind them.

Akina closes her eyes as you kiss her neck, feeling a rush of relief and contentment wash over her. "That sounds wonderful," she whispers, nestling closer against your side. "I can't wait to see what our future holds." She takes a deep breath, finally beginning to believe that they might have a chance at happiness after all.

With every passing moment, the weight of their past seems to lift from her shoulders, replaced by a sense of hope and possibility she hasn't felt in years. And as long as you're by her side, she knows that anything is possible... even conquering the demons that still lurk within her heart.

Hand in hand, they wander through the bustling city, taking in the sights and sounds around them. The bright lights and vibrant energy of the place are a stark contrast to the quiet village they've left behind, and Akina can't help but feel a newfound sense of excitement building within her. As they explore their new home together, she leans into you, grateful for your presence and your unwavering support.

Despite the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead, she feels like she finally has something to live for... and that knowledge alone is enough to make her heart soar with hope.

Their new apartment is cozy and comfortable, with big windows letting in plenty of natural light. It's perfect for them; warm and inviting, yet still feels like a place they can make their own. Akina takes a slow tour around the space, admiring the furniture and tiny details that make it feel so welcoming.

Finally, she turns to you with a bright smile on her face. "It's perfect," she says sincerely. "I can already see us making wonderful memories here." Her voice is filled with happiness and optimism, and for the first time in a long time, she truly believes those words.