The dream

**In one of the offices, papers were scattered everywhere, and the sunlight had begun to fade, leaving only a single ceiling lamp to illuminate the space.** 

A man in his fifties sighed, a broad smile on his lips as his eyes gleamed with focus. He twirled a pen between his fingers while holding a student's paper in his other hand. 

**"Bill… Zack's son…"** he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. 

He pulled out his phone from his pocket, scrolling through his contact list until he found the name he was looking for. Unbeknownst to him, invisible black threads had begun wrapping around his body… 

**"Hello, Mr. Zack. It's been a long time..."** he spoke, his voice carrying an eerie undertone, as the light in his eyes slowly dimmed. 

Somewhere else, another man picked up his phone, a small smile forming on his lips. 

**"Hello, Principal. So, how did it go?"** 

The principal placed his pen atop Bill's paper and replied calmly: 

**"It was a bit more than I expected, to be honest… He's a smart kid, but all he really needs is a little guidance."** 

Zack gazed up at his ceiling, contemplating those words. 

**"From what you're saying… do you think he has a chance to win all three competitions this year?"** 

The principal's eyes widened slightly in surprise. 

*(Even if he were a genius, winning three competitions would be a challenge—especially with her there...)* 

After a brief pause, he responded: 

**"Maybe he can… maybe he can't. I admit he's smart, but winning them all will be tough."** 

Zack's smile faded, a trace of surprise flickering across his face. 

**"Why do you think that, Principal?"** 

The principal stroked his beard, gazing out of his office window. 

**"Mr. Zack, there are three competitions: the first is mathematics, the second is writing, and the third—recently added—is chess."** 

**"Yes, I know that..."** 

*(You're a terrible liar. I bet you just heard that for the first time.)* 

The principal sighed before continuing: 

**"His chances of winning the mathematics and writing competitions are uncertain because we have a truly gifted girl who has already reached the national level in both. As for chess, it all depends on how quickly he learns..."** 

Zack's lips curled into a strange smile as he listened. Then, in an instant, the light in his eyes vanished—just like the principal's. 

**"Alright, thank you, Principal. Just make sure to keep an eye on that child for me… and don't forget our agreement. No matter what happens, break him without mercy."** 

**"No need to worry, Mr. Zack. It will be done as you wish. Until next time..."** 

The principal exhaled deeply, setting his phone aside. A look of anger darkened his face. 

**"You neglected that child and made him miserable… and now you want to break him even more?"** 

His words carried a trace of sorrow and pity as he placed a hand over his face, lost in thought. 

A ten-year-old boy… losing the light in his eyes, his smile fading away… What a cruel life. 

When the principal spoke to him, he hadn't sensed a single shred of emotion in the boy's voice. His facial expressions remained utterly unchanged. 

**"I hope things get better for you someday… You truly don't deserve this, little one."** 

As a principal, it was his duty to guide students and help them with their problems. But no matter how much he thought about it, he knew that the boy's biggest problem was his own family… and there was nothing he could do about that. 

Even when he had tried reaching out to him, the child never let anyone in. 

Locking up his office, the principal headed home, his mind occupied with thoughts about the upcoming competitions. But suddenly, something strange happened—something that made him stop in his tracks. 

In that moment, all of his thoughts vanished, as if erased from his mind. 

Only one thought remained: **Break the child.** 

--- 

Elsewhere, Zack sat at his desk, gripping his head. His face showed signs of frustration, yet at last, the light had returned to his eyes—as if he had just awakened from a deep hypnosis. 

**"Why now? After all this time…? For ten years, I never gave him a second thought. So why is he suddenly occupying my mind? What's happening to me?"** 

Something felt off. The boy was still just a child… So why was he developing these conflicted feelings toward him? 

It was as if something—or someone—was manipulating his emotions. 

*"I don't hate anyone. Your existence or absence means nothing to me."* 

That one sentence kept echoing in his mind throughout the day. 

Those words alone were enough to make anyone realize the depth of suffering that boy had endured… 

And the worst part? They were utterly devoid of meaning. 

**"Why do I feel like something is wrong…?"** 

Zack let out a heavy sigh, pressing his hands against his head. 

**"Is this pity? Or frustration? Should I start checking on him from time to time?"** 

For the first time, Zack considered making a decision based on his emotions—something he had never done before. 

It was unsettling. 

He had never cared about the boy's suffering or the hardships he had endured. But now, he found himself feeling a growing resentment toward himself for what had transpired over the past years. 

*"Is there really a chance to fix things between us?"* 

Shaking his head, Zack forced himself to focus on the stack of documents before him. 

**"Alright… Let's put this aside for now. When I see him next time, I'll find out what's really going on."** 

With that thought, he redirected his attention to the unfinished work piled up on his desk. 

***********

*Bill's Pov*

"Haa…choo!"

Damn it… Is someone talking about me behind my back?

"Are you okay, Bill? You look a little pale..."

That familiar, beautiful voice beside me—the only one who ever seems to worry about me.

"I'm fine, Elena. I just think someone is talking about me behind my back, mocking me or something."

To emphasize my point, I pinched her cheek.

"Why are you always so mean to me?" she said, feigning disappointment and sadness.

"Because your mouth is too big. You should learn to shut it."

She glared at me for a moment, but her anger quickly faded, replaced by her usual bright smile.

"So, Bill… tell me, what made you change your mind and decide to participate?"

"I realized that you wouldn't be able to get first place. So, I decided to participate and win it myself."

Maybe she'll believe that lie… It's better than telling her the painful truth I live with.

"E-Excuse me, Bill…"

A timid, hesitant voice interrupted our conversation from behind.

Elena and I turned to see the speaker, and we recognized her instantly.

"You… What do you want from us? Isn't your path in another direction?"

The girl was catching her breath, while Elena gave me a strange look.

**"I-I just wanted to thank you for helping me this morning… Thank you very much!"**

That… was unexpected. Did she really come all this way just to thank me? Didn't she already do that this morning?

**"Alright, you've thanked me. You can go now. See you."**

I turned away and started walking, but the girl's face darkened with sadness, and I had a feeling she was about to cry.

Elena suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping me from leaving, her expression filled with anger.

**"What?"**

I asked, confused. As far as I could tell, I hadn't done anything wrong.

**"Why are you treating her so harshly? At least accept her gratitude properly!"**

I sighed as I listened to her words. Didn't I already accept her thanks just now and earlier this morning? Besides, all I did was deal with a bunch of annoying idiots because I felt like it.

**"It was nothing. That group of fools annoyed me, so I dealt with them. That's all."**

The girl wiped her tears, removed her glasses, and showed a small, shy smile.

**"I-I'm Carla… from the same class as you."**

We already knew that. It seemed like she needed help with something again.

**"Nice to meet you! I'm Elena, and this heartless, gloomy guy here is Bill."**

Even though what Elena said might be true, Carla bowed slightly.

**"Nice to meet you both… I just wanted to ask… are you going to participate in the competitions?"**

Elena flashed a proud smile and lifted her nose high in the air.

**"Of course! This year, I'm going to win! And also, he's participating too."**

Looks like I got myself a spokesperson…

Since I wasn't particularly interested in the conversation, I barely paid attention. But it went on for nearly half an hour, with them laughing and enjoying themselves, while I occasionally threw in a few words here and there.

Elena, being the social butterfly she was, could befriend anyone in an instant and hold conversations without fear or hesitation. I was proof of that.

Carla, on the other hand, was the complete opposite—shy and reserved. I had never seen her talk to anyone before, yet she seemed to enjoy chatting with Elena.

But what really caught my attention was that this girl was the one who had been securing first place in competitions for the past two years. A certified genius.

And just like before, I saw them—those invisible black threads wrapping tightly around them, constricting them.

No matter how hard I tried to understand it, I couldn't reach any conclusions.

Especially that voice I had heard earlier… filled with hatred, resentment, and bitterness.

It was enough to shatter my eardrums… and my mind itself.

Before I even realized it, I might have gotten myself involved in something dangerous. Or maybe… I was simply on the verge of insanity.

I didn't know which it was.

But I couldn't just brush this off anymore. There was something wrong—either with me… or with this entire world.

**Maybe… I'm the only real one here. The only one moving with true free will.**

Lost in my thoughts, I eventually realized that Carla had gone home, and at the same time, Elena had arrived at her house.

I retraced my steps, my mind racing with worry. Worry so intense, it felt like my head was about to explode.

**What the hell is happening to me?**

I kept asking myself that question until I finally entered my room.

In an attempt to escape from my thoughts, I drifted into sleep, hoping—just this once—not to see any nightmares.

But this time… instead of a nightmare, I had the strangest dream anyone could ever have.

A woman's voice—soft and gentle, like a soothing breeze caressing the ears…

"Bill… you must cross the line… You must save us… or at the very least… save her."