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“You’ve idealized me. It’s doesn’t have to be a sunshine type,” I continued in a calm, wise tone, as if giving a lecture. “I’m not your goddess. I’m not something that will heal you.”

“You are.” he cut me off like a stubborn child. “I have no expectations of you; you’re already good for me as you are.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Then I’ll try to understand, Mina. I always did. Please… talk to me. Make me understand what’s wrong.”

“Everything is wrong, Raymond. Can’t you see? You can’t save something that was never real.”

I don’t want to live in this labyrinth anymore.

“Real?”

Now, he was looking at me like this on the day he first came to our home as a caretaker robot. This specific gaze was there, I fed him strawberries.

Cold, distant, dangerous. Unfortunately, the little Mina hadn’t realized this. Maybe it was all her fault.

“You think we’re not real…? What did I tell you yesterday…” He attempted to stroke my cheeks, but I drew back and refused to glance at him. “Didn’t I say you’re my real?”

“But you’re not. You’re a liar. A few months ago, I didn’t even know who you are. I thought you were a stupid robot. It’s so… ridiculous.”

“You forgave me.”

I lifted my head, my gaze cold. “But you never stopped lying me. You’ve been playing me the whole time. And now my father? Tell me, what’s next, Raymond? What else is going to come out tomorrow? When am I ever be able to trust you?”

“I only did it so you wouldn’t get hurt…”

Hurt? You’re the only one left in this world who can hurt me, Remi.

“You don’t get to decide that. How can a relationship be real if it’s not built on trust? It’s like… you’ve been in love with a ghost of me this whole time. Without ever truly seeing me. Do you even understand that?”

I searched his face expectantly, yet I couldn’t decipher his reaction. I retreated a step.

“Then I’m leaving—”

“No. No, Mina. We can fix that. You’re not thinking clearly.”

My timid demeanor disappeared, I scoffed. “Now I’m not thinking clearly? Oh, Raymond… I’m such a ridiculous crazy woman, right? It must be hard to keep up with me. Now I pity you.”

“Mina!”

As I walked briskly down the corridor, then into the hall, I sensed he was coming after me. There were no hands grabbing my wrists as I’d feared, but he was still behind me. I rounded on him.

“Stop following me.”

“I’m taking you home. We can talk about whatever you want in your room.”

“You think that’s going to fix everything?”

He didn’t answer, and I kept walking. My steps faltered for a split second, but my pace quickened. He called my name over and over, but I pressed forward, deaf to his cries. I stepped outside, desperate for fresh air, yet I still felt as though I couldn’t breathe. The world itself was closing in around me. I let out a long, shuddering exhale.

“Mina, stop!”

I stopped, not because he told me to, but I couldn’t find the strength to go any further. My cheeks, face, eyes, fingertips… my skin was burning, but I somehow forced myself to stand.

Why are you giving me all the responsibility? It’s so hard, so hard, I can’t breathe!

“It’s over!”