Rina’s past

As the door to their shared room closed behind them, Yuki and Rina stood in a moment of silence, taking in the cozy space. The soft light illuminated plush bedding and inviting furniture, creating an atmosphere far removed from the challenges they'd just faced.

"Wow," Rina breathed, her eyes wide as she walked further into the room. "I can't believe we get to stay here."

Yuki chuckled, still feeling the weight of the day's events. "I know, right? It feels unreal."

Rina sank onto the edge of the bed, letting out a sigh of relief. "After everything we've been through, this is a dream come true. I almost forgot what it feels like to relax."

"Same here," Yuki admitted, taking a seat in a nearby armchair. He glanced at her, noting the way she seemed to momentarily lose herself in the comfort of the room. "It's nice to have a break, especially after that last challenge."

"Yeah," Rina replied, her voice softer now. "I didn't think I'd make it through. I've had my share of tough situations before, but this... this is different."

Curiosity piqued, Yuki leaned forward slightly. "What do you mean?"

She hesitated, then looked up, meeting his gaze. "I've been through a lot in my life. My family... it hasn't been easy. I've always felt like I'm carrying everyone's burdens. Coming here was supposed to be a chance for a fresh start, but now..."

Yuki sensed her vulnerability and felt a tug at his heart. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm just glad we're safe for now."

Rina took a deep breath, her gaze drifting to the window as if searching for something beyond the glass. After a moment of silence, she turned back to him, her expression shifting. "But... I think I do want to share. It might help."

"It's okay. Take your time," Yuki replied gently.

She nodded, gathering her thoughts. "I've always felt this pressure to take care of everyone in my family. My parents, my younger brother... they've faced their struggles, and I've always tried to be the strong one."

Yuki leaned in, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

As she spoke, Rina's expression softened, a hint of nostalgia mingling with sadness. "When I was a kid, things were different. My family was close, happy even. But then, my dad lost his job, and everything changed. We went from being comfortable to struggling just to get by."

A distant look crossed her face, as if she were reliving those moments. "I remember one night, I was in bed, listening to my parents argue in the living room. My mom was crying, saying she didn't know how they'd pay the bills. I felt so helpless, so small. I wished I could do something to fix it."

Yuki watched her intently, sensing the weight of her memories. "That sounds really hard."

"It was," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I took it upon myself to be the caretaker. I started working part-time jobs while still in school. I'd come home and try to lighten the mood, make dinner, anything to help. But I was just a kid, and I couldn't fix what was broken."

Tears glimmered in her eyes as she continued. "Then my brother got sick. He had a serious illness that required constant care and attention. I felt like I was drowning. Every day was a struggle, balancing school, work, and my family. I didn't have time for friends, let alone for myself."

Yuki's heart ached for her. "I can't imagine how tough that must have been."

Rina nodded, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I thought if I worked hard enough, I could make things better. But it only got worse. My parents' relationship crumbled under the stress, and I was caught in the middle, trying to hold everything together."

She paused, taking a moment to regain her composure. "When I received the mail informing me about The Unbroken Game, I thought it might be my chance to escape. To find a place where I wouldn't have to carry everyone's burdens anymore."

Yuki could see the vulnerability in her eyes, the strength it took to share her story. "You're so brave for doing all that. It must have taken a lot of courage to leave everything behind."

"Sometimes it felt like the only option," Rina admitted. "But now, being here, I realize I can't run from my past. I have to face it, no matter how difficult."

Rina blinked, wiping away the remnants of her tears. "I'm sorry for unloading all of that on you. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

Yuki shook his head, a warm smile breaking through his seriousness. "No, don't apologize. I think it's important to talk about these things. I'm here to listen."

Rina looked grateful, but a shadow of doubt flickered across her face. "I just didn't want to overwhelm you. I know we're both going through a lot."

"It's okay," Yuki reassured her. "We're in this together, right? You don't have to carry everything alone."She nodded

She nodded, her expression softening. "Thanks, Yuki. It helps to know I'm not the only one with burdens."

Curiosity sparked in her eyes. "What about you? Why did you join The Unbroken Game?"

Yuki hesitated, glancing down as he collected his thoughts. "I guess I was looking for change. My life felt stagnant after a rough breakup and feeling stuck in a job that wasn't going anywhere. I thought maybe this would be a chance to... reinvent myself, you know?"

Rina leaned closer, her interest piqued. "That sounds tough. Was it a recent breakup?"

"Yeah," Yuki replied, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. "It was pretty rough. I mean, who breaks up with someone over a text message?"

Rina raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Wait, seriously? A text?"

"Yep! It was like, 'Hey, Yuki, I've been doing a lot of thinking. I don't think we're right for each other anymore. I need to move on. I hope you understand.' I mean, come on! At least give me a call or something," he said, chuckling at the absurdity of it all. "I felt like I was in a bad rom-com."

Rina laughed, her earlier tension easing. "That's brutal! I can't believe it. It sounds like something out of a sitcom."

"Right?" Yuki continued, grinning. "I thought we were doing well. I guess I was just too busy planning our next adventure while she was busy planning her escape."

"Hey, at least you have a good sense of humor about it," Rina said, her eyes sparkling. "That's impressive."

"Thanks! I figured if I don't laugh about it, I'll just end up crying, and I'm not a big fan of crying over text messages," Yuki said, his smile infectious. "But it did make me rethink a lot—my choices, my direction."

Rina nodded, her expression softening. "I can relate to that feeling of uncertainty. It's hard to face those kinds of changes."

"Exactly," Yuki said, appreciating the connection growing between them. "Joining this game felt like a way to escape that feeling. Who knew I'd end up in this crazy situation instead?"

Rina smiled warmly, recognizing their shared vulnerability. "You're stronger than you think, Yuki. We all are, just by being here."

The air between them shifted, a subtle understanding forming as they sat in the cozy room, surrounded by the comforts that felt almost surreal given their circumstances. They realized that sharing their stories was a step toward building a bond—one that could help them face the challenges ahead.