Her Final Breath Was a Curse

[The Next Day – Morning at School]

Ami walks through the crowded school hallway, dodging students and balancing her bag as she heads toward her class.

As she rounds a corner, she bumps---almost too perfectly---into someone.

"Whoa, careful!"

It's Saad. He offers a quick smile, stepping back.

"Hey!" Ami says, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Didn't expect to see you this early."

Saad chuckles. "Same. Actually… did you think about joining my sports club?"

Ami smirks. "Mmm… pass. I'm in a committed relationship with my math book right now."

"Math?" Saad raises a brow. "Are you good at it?"

Ami shrugs. "Kinda. Why?"

He leans in slightly. "Then help me out, please. Just one session. I'm literally hanging on by a thread."

Ami crosses her arms. "Nothing's free. You gotta buy me snacks."

Saad claps dramatically. "Deal! Snacks and soda, madam."

She laughs. "Okay, bro. You got yourself a deal."

Just then, Dio appears out of nowhere, expression dramatically pouty.

"Ami! You said you'd buy me that drink! Remember?! Let's gooooo!" He grabs her hand, pulling gently.

Before Ami can reply, Saad gently pulls her arm the opposite way.

"Excuse me, bro, but she just agreed to help me with math."

Ami blinks, caught in a tug-of-war.

"Uhhh… I feel like I'm being auctioned off here."

Before the tension escalates, the school's PA system buzzes on:

"All students, your attention please. The summer talent competition will be held in three days, on June 27th. This year, scouts from multiple creative agencies will be present. Anyone interested in showcasing their talents---be it singing, dancing, art, or more ---are welcome to participate. Interested students should sign up by the end of the day."

The message ends.

The hallway stirs with excitement.

But Ami freezes.

The date echoes in her head. **June 27th.**

Her breath shortens.

**No... not again.**

"Are you okay?" Saad asks, his voice tinged with concern.

Dio steps forward too. "You look pale. Ami?"

Ami turns to Dio. She swallows hard. "Are… are you going to perform, Dio?"

Dio raises an eyebrow. "I was thinking about it. Why?"

Ami doesn't answer. She suddenly bolts.

"AMI!" both boys shout.

She runs up the stairs---heart pounding---until she finds herself on the rooftop.

[The Rooftop]

The wind is harsher here. Ami clutches her chest as panic settles in.

She slides to the ground, trembling.

A moment later, Dio bursts in, out of breath.

"Ami… what happened? Talk to me."

She doesn't respond. Her body quivers.

She flinches as he touches her shoulder.

"It's okay," he says, pulling her into a hug.

"I'm here. Whatever it is, it's okay."

"Please... hold me a little more," she whispers.

He does.

After a few minutes, she suddenly stands and brushes him off.

" I---I need to go. Sorry."

Before Dio can stop her, she disappears down the stairs.

[Ami's Home – Later That Day]

Ami takes a sick leave and returns home.

Ami locks herself in her room. Her breathing is still uneven. She's pale. Her mind races.

"Why this date again… why this..." she mumbles, curling up on her bed.

She skips the next two days of school. Her phone buzzes repeatedly, but she ignores it.

The morning of the competition arrives. She stands in front of her mirror, pale but determined.

"I won't let history repeat itself. Not again."

[June 27 – The Day of the Competition]

The room buzzes with excitement. Students perform one by one, lights flash, music plays.

Ami arrives quietly, slipping backstage. She spots Dio standing near the edge of the stage, guitar in hand.

Backstage, Ami catches a glimpse of Alia.

Her smile isn't one of excitement. It's one of calculation.

Alia steps toward the equipment.

**No. Not again.**

As Dio begins singing, Alia loosens the cord on a stage light.

Ami doesn't think. She runs.

The massive light swings down.

"DIO!"

Ami throws herself forward, pushing him out of the way.

CRASH.

Gasps. Screams.

Blood trickles down Ami's forehead.

Dio stares at her in shock. "AMI?! What the hell---"

Ami weakly smiles, swaying.

In her heart: **It's different now. I changed it.**

She collapses.

[Hospital – That Evening]

Beeping monitors. Sterile white walls.

Dio sits beside Ami's hospital bed, hand gripping hers tightly.

"She… she saved me…" he whispers.

Soha and Saad stand at the foot of the bed.

"She'll be okay," the doctor assures. "Just a minor head injury. She was lucky."

A butler steps in quietly.

"Sir and Madam send their regards," he says, placing a banknote on the table.

Dio's jaw clenches.

"Are they serious right now?"

He looks back at Ami.

**Who is this girl? Why would she go that far for me?**

He stays by her side through the night, watching her chest rise and fall.

Outside, the moon is high.

And fate is finally changing.