Her Final Breath Was a Curse

[The Festival Market | 11:00 AM]

The last day of the trip finally arrived, and the air buzzed with excitement.

Ami and Soha walk side by side through the crowds, both holding fresh fruit sticks dipped in syrup.

"This is the cutest festival ever," Soha says, her eyes lighting up at a stall with bracelets.

"No kidding," Ami smiles. "It actually feels like we're normal girls, huh? Just... enjoying life."

They stop at a keychain stand. Ami picks up a tiny guitar-shaped keychain.

Soha notices. "Someone thinking of Diooo~?"

Ami rolls her eyes, blushing. "Shut up. It's cute, okay? He plays guitar."

Soha: "Mhm, sure, sure. Totally not romantic or anything."

Ami also buys two matching beaded bracelets. "These are for us. To seal the bestie deal."

Soha beams, sliding one on. "Aww. I feel honored. Wait here."

She darts off to another stall and returns holding a tiny panda plushie and a star-shaped silver pendant.

"For you," she says, handing Ami the panda.

"You're the only person I'd allow to give me something this fluffy," Ami grins.

Soha clutches the star pendant close. "And this... is for Dalen."

Ami gasps. "No way. You've got a crush? Since when?!"

"He's been talking to me for the past month. I think... he might actually like me."

Ami bumps her shoulder. "You better confess, girl. That man's voice is smooth as butter."

Soha blushes. "Stawwwp. Let me panic in peace."

They laugh together, bracelets clinking.

[ The Journey Back | 2:30 PM]

The buses wait in a line outside the festival gate. Everyone's chattering, carrying bags filled with local snacks, souvenirs, and beach-tired energy.

Soha quickly spots Dalen already seated near the window and slides in beside him. Ami smirks from behind and shakes her head.

"Bold of her," she mumbles.

With no familiar face near, Ami picks a random empty seat. She settles in, tucking her bag near her legs.

Just then, a tall guy with sharp eyes and a casually messy hairstyle drops into the seat beside her.

"Yo, seat taken?"

Ami blinks. "Well, it is now."

"Fair. I'm Saad---10-C. We're in the same year, I think?"

She nods slowly. "Ami. 10-B. I've seen you around, probably."

"Not surprising," he grins. "People usually remember charm like mine."

Ami stifles a laugh. "Right. And modesty too, I see."

He claps dramatically. "A compliment? From the mysterious girl who always looks like she's either solving crimes or writing poetry under a tree? I'll take it."

"Wow. That's oddly accurate."

"Told you I'm observant."

From across the aisle, Dio drops into a seat beside Richard and gives Ami a playful pout like a sulky puppy. Ami catches his look and nearly snorts.

* Don't be dramatic, senior, she thinks with a small smile.*

Back to Saad.

"So, what'd you think of the trip?" he asks.

Ami leans back. "Honestly? A bit chaotic, a bit sweet. Like a disaster cake with good frosting."

"That's poetic. Very 'you'."

She raises an eyebrow. "What's 'me'?"

"Mysterious, sarcastic, and possibly a secret villain. Or the main character in a plot twist."

Ami grins. "Depends on who's writing the story."

"Okay, main character. Ever thought of joining the sports club?"

She stares at him. "Me? Running after balls and sweating in the sun? I'd rather watch paint dry."

He laughs out loud. "Fair enough. But we've got an indoor badminton group too. Less pain, more dramatic racquet smashing."

"Still sounds like a trap."

"Come on, I promise I won't let you get tackled."

"Tackled? In badminton?! What kind of club is this?"

They both laugh, and even the bus air feels lighter.

"I'll take a rain check," Ami says, smiling. "But points for effort."

Saad mock bows. "Accepted. Also, if you ever get tired of brooding in corners, come find me. I run on bad jokes and snacks."

"Noted."

The engine hums to life, and the bus begins its slow roll toward the academy gates.

From the seat across, Dio watches their interaction silently, chewing gum a little too aggressively.

The bus ride ends, and Ami finally steps inside her house.

She sighs.

*Back to this circus.*

She drops her bag near the corner of her room, rolls her shoulders, and heads straight for the bathroom.

Steam rises from her shower as the warm water hits her skin. For a few moments, she just stands under it, letting the memories of the trip wash away-laughs with Soha, Dio's stupid smirks, the kiss under moonlight.

* It felt like another world. Now I'm back to the real one... where knives are never sheathed.*

After freshening up and wrapping herself in her favorite oversized T-shirt, she heads back to her room.

But something strange catches her eye.

From the slightly opened door across the hall, she sees Alia tiptoeing into her own room. In her hand-bundles of cash.

Lots of it.

Ami pauses mid-step. Her brows knit together.

* What the hell...?*

Quietly, she follows-staying behind the hallway wall.

Alia opens her drawer and slips the money inside, then glances around nervously before shutting it.

Ami's eyes narrow.

* That's definitely not pocket money.*

She retreats to her own room, slamming the door just loud enough for Alia to hear. Then she falls back onto her bed.

"She's up to something. And I'm not about to let it slide.*

[Later that evening]

Ami barely has time to finish brushing her hair when she hears her name being called---sharply.

"AMI! COME OUT. NOW."

She groans, tossing her brush onto the table.

"Ugh. Just one night of peace. Just one."

She heads to the living room where her father, Aron, and Alia stand in a semi-circle---arms crossed, expressions tense.

Dad steps forward.

"We found a large sum of money missing from Aron's drawer."

Aron glares. "Don't even try denying it. You're the only one who's been acting weird since returning."

Alia stands at the back, arms folded, pretending to look offended.

Ami blinks. Then... smirks.

* Of course. So this is the angle.*

She takes a deep breath, then dramatically steps forward.

"You're right. I took the money."

Everyone freezes.

"I knew it!" Aron shouts.

"But why?" Dad demands. "What could you possibly need that much money for?"

Ami lowers her gaze, voice trembling.

"I didn't take it for myself…"

She looks toward Alia, eyes glassy. "She said... she needed it."

Alia's mouth parts slightly.

"What?" she whispers.

Ami turns to her family, dropping the final act.

"Alia told me she... she's pregnant. She needed it to get rid of the baby. She begged me. I didn't know what to do... I just wanted to help her."

A hushed silence falls like a bomb.

Aron explodes.

"WHAT?! You're WHAT?!"

"Wait,no! No, I'm not---!" Alia shrieks.

Dad's eyes go wide. "How could you hide something so serious?!"

"I SWEAR I'M NOT PREGNANT!" Alia shouts again, voice shaking.

Aron ,"Didn't I tell you to stop hanging around those thugs?! Look where it got you!"

"I'M NOT!" Alia yells. "She's LYING!"

Dad's voice booms. "Enough. We're calling the family doctor."

Alia backs away. "You can't just---!"

But it's too late. Twenty minutes later, the doctor arrives and conducts the test.

Negative.

Dead silence again.

Dad looks at Ami.

"Then why would you say something like that?!"

Ami puts on her best "devastated" voice.

"She came to me, crying... she explained everything in detail... even the man's name, the place... she made me swear I'd protect her. How would I know it was a lie?"

She turns to Alia, face cold.

"Why did you lie to me, Alia? What did you need the money for, then?"

Aron storms toward Alia. "Is that true?! Did you lie? Where is the money now?!"

Alia's breath quickens. Her eyes dart. She tries to find a way out---but the room is closing in.

Then… she lets out a groan of pure frustration.

"Ugh, fine! I needed the money for drugs, okay?! You happy now?"

The room falls into stunned silence.

Aron steps forward, fists clenched. "You WHAT?!"

Dad stiffens, barely managing to hold back his anger.

Alia rolls her eyes. "God, why is everyone acting like I committed murder? It's just some damn cash. You all are blowing this way out of proportion."

Ami leans against the wall, arms folded, voice soft but sharp.

"Huh… drugs? Oh, Alia... That's not good."

Alia glares.

"Spare me the lecture."

[Alia's POV]

"How the hell did this bitch come up with that story so fast? I thought she was all soft and stupid. What the hell is going on with her lately...?"

Ami raises an eyebrow, expression unreadable.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to reflect on all this. Like, in family lockdown mode. Maybe even rehab. Who knows?

Aron shakes his head, still in shock. Dad sinks into the sofa, looking ten years older.

Ami quietly steps away, brushing past them.

No one even stops her.

As she closes her bedroom door behind her, she whispers to herself---

"So... how did that sympathy act taste, Alia?"

She flops down on her bed, letting out a slow exhale.

* One round complete. More to go.*