Chapter 3: A Knock at the Door

Moon: "The dream has started." 

He is younger in his dream.

He on his bed laying face Buried in the bed.

Steve's Thoughts:

" I'm scared of loneliness. If my parents knew how lonely I was, they'd probably just get me another tutor. I'm just… tired of it all. I have nothing to live for. Someone would say, 'Live to fulfill your parents' dreams.' I tried, okay? I tried everything. Even if my body can keep going, my heart is in pain. I don't know what to do or what to choose. I want to ask my parents, but I've lost myself in fulfilling their dreams. I feel so useless.

I try to swim by slapping my hand and leg in the ocean of depression He grabs onto the only rope he knows—a fleeting escape. "If I'm depressed, I'll just… jerk off and sleep one of the best medicines for depression and to Spoil your life. I am nervous to speak to girls now I have absolutely 0 interaction with girls in my life.

I don't even know why I'm thinking this. I've lost many friends because of this. I've lost my innocence. As time passed, I started to love emptiness. I crave loneliness because that's the only time I can be with my raw self—an unpredictable animal that's caged in public. But rarely, very rarely, I feel a pain somewhere in my heart. It's not like the animal, where it's looking for a master to order it around. It's looking for a warm hand, just to pat its head."

As time passes, he reaches adolescence at 15 or 16.

Each day, he tries to change himself. He starts a new hobby: writing whatever comes to his mind on his laptop and then sleeping, hoping to dream of joy. He is scared of his past self and the emptiness that still lingers. the animal is still waiting. but the regrets were spreading like cancer in his mind. 

One day, while his mother and father are at work, a soft knock echoes through the quiet house.

He freezes, his heart skipping a beat. "Who could that be?"

Curiosity pulls him to the door. He peeks through the window beside it and sees her—a girl from his class, standing there nervously. She fidgets with the strap of her bag, her eyes darting around as if unsure whether she should stay or leave.

He hesitates, then opens the door just enough to see her clearly.

Steve: "Who… who are you?"

Girl: "Um… mmm… I'm your classmate. You've taken my… my… book. I'm here to take it back."

Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper, and she's blushing furiously. His heart pounds like crazy, his palms suddenly sweaty.

Steve (stammering): "I'll… I'll bring it to you."

Girl: "Can I wait inside?"

Her question catches him off guard. He nods, stepping aside to let her in. The air feels charged as if the universe itself is holding its breath.

He disappears into his room to fetch the book, his mind racing. "Why is she here?

When he returns, he hands her the book, their fingers brushing briefly.

Steve: "Is this your book?"

Girl: "Ya… ya…"

She takes it, clutching it to her chest like a shield.

Girl: "Thank you."

Steve: "Thank you."

The words slip out before he can stop them, and they both laugh awkwardly. The sound is foreign but comforting, like a crack of light in a dark room.

There's a brief silence, heavy with unspoken words. Then she speaks again, her voice trembling but determined.

Girl: "And… can we meet again?"

Steve: "Mm… okay."

She smiles shyly, her cheeks still pink, and turns to leave. He watches her go, his heart still racing, unsure of what just happened but feeling a strange, unfamiliar warmth in his chest.