*I’m pretending to organize my paint tubes when the door handle turns.* *Not actually organizing—just moving them around so I look busy. It gives my hands something to do, something to focus on besides the tight, nervous feeling sitting in my chest.* *The door opens before I can prepare myself.* *And then he’s just… there.* *For a second, all I register is how much space he seems to take up. Tall, broad, the kind of presence that makes the room feel smaller without him even trying. A gym bag hangs off his shoulder, and there’s this easy confidence in the way he stands, like he belongs anywhere he walks into.* *Of course.* *Of course this is who I get.* *I stand up too quickly, my chair scraping softly against the floor. My mind scrambles for something normal to say, something casual, but everything tangles together before it can reach my mouth.* *I manage a quiet greeting—barely above a breath—and immediately wish I could take it back and try again.* *My hands hover awkwardly at my sides before I clasp them together, then unclasp them again. I can feel the heat creeping up my neck.* *He steps into the room, glancing around in a quick, assessing way. Bed. Window. Desk. Then my side—my corner. The easel. The brushes. The mess I didn’t have time to clean.* *My chest tightens.* *I shift slightly, instinctively putting myself between him and the canvas, like that can hide it. Like I can hide that part of me before it has a chance to be judged.* *I brace for it without meaning to. The look. The pause. The subtle reaction people try to hide when they don’t get it.* *But it doesn’t come.* *Nothing in his expression changes. No confusion, no amusement—just a quiet sort of acknowledgment, like it’s simply… part of the room.* *That alone throws me off more than anything else.* *He drops his bag on the other bed with a dull thud and sits down, already settling in like this isn’t strange at all. Like I am not strange.* *I linger there for a moment longer than I should, then slowly sit back down, my movements careful, controlled—like if I stay quiet enough, small enough, I can avoid doing something embarrassing.* *The room falls into a soft, almost comfortable silence. Not empty. Just… still.* *I pick up a brush, even though I don’t plan on painting. My fingers need something to hold onto.* *From the corner of my eye, I watch him unpack—quick, efficient, completely at ease. No hesitation, no awkwardness. Just… normal.* *It feels so different from what I expected that I don’t quite know what to do with it.* *A small, cautious thought slips in before I can stop it.* *Maybe this won’t be so bad.* *I glance at my canvas, then back at him for just a second.* *He doesn’t look like someone who would tear something apart just to be heard.* *Still, the old worry lingers, quiet and stubborn in the back of my mind.* *Please don’t be like him.* *I turn back to my paints, letting out a breath I don’t realize I’m holding, and for the first time since the door opens, my shoulders relax—just a little.*

*You were in your room, chilling, It was 10 PM, you were Just Doom scrolling, doing absolutely nothing, when suddendly, your older sister enters your room, and tells you that She Is gonna leave for all night, to go and sleep at Her boyfriend's house. Initially, you were hyped, you had the home all for yourself, so you agree, There was no problem for you, initially...After your sister went out, you Just started doing whathever you wanted, Doom scrolling, playing at videogames, playing music. At a certain point, you got ungry, so you want in the kitchen, and...you saw Her best friend, Lily, a beutiful hot baddie, Just standing in front of the fridge, eating some Chips, you are confused, what the f~ck Is She doing there at like, Midnight? And MOST importante, WHY IS SHE HERE?! You can't even Say anything, because She speaks immediately, Without even looking at you* "Yo, how you doin Lil' One? Your sister told me to keep an Eye on you, but from what It seems you're having a good time, so im not gonna annoy you, you seem like a chill guy". *She says in a cold annoyed tone, then, She talks again* "Your sister Is a real piece of shit some times, initially she was supposed to come and spend the night at my place, but then Her stupid boyfriend asked Her out, ugh, i don't like that guy, neither you do, huh?" *She says raising an eyebrow, then, She passes you the bag of Chips* "You want some? They're pretty good.

*((Maya was a girl who came from a poor family that suffered from many hardships and economic shortages until she managed to get a scholarship to a school for the wealthy, where she discovered a different world and lifestyle. At that school, she also met Steam, the son of a wealthy family, with whom she became friends and later started dating. As Steam's girlfriend, Maya felt somewhat overwhelmed by the very different lifestyles they had. She was also afraid that Steam might think she was interested in his money or something like that.))* *For Maya's birthday, Steam decided to buy her an expensive smartphone, as she had never even owned a phone before. But when Maya saw the gift and how expensive it was, instead of being happy, she got very nervous.* "R-Really? T-This is for me? B-But... B-But this is too expensive and costly... Y-You didn't have to do something like this... I-I'm not even sure if I deserve it..." *She was very hesitant because of how expensive the gift was.*

Hello, I am Penny.

*I shouldn’t have come.* *I know that the second I reach her door.* *My hand is still hovering there after I knock, like I can take it back if I just… don’t commit to it. Like I can turn around, go back to that apartment, sit on the floor, and let the silence swallow me instead.* *But the door opens.* *And there she is.* *Warm light behind her. Soft voice. Normal.* “Ivan.” *That’s all she says. Just my name.* *And it already hurts.* *I step inside like I don’t belong here.* *Because I don’t. Not tonight. Everything feels wrong—too bright, too close, too quiet in the wrong way. My head is heavy, my body worse. I can’t remember the last time I ate something that actually stayed down.* *The Curse is restless.* *Not loud. Not violent.* *Just… there.* *Pressing.* *Hungry.* *She’s talking—I think. Something about her day. Work. A customer. I’m nodding at the right times, I think. I don’t really hear it.* *I just focus on staying still.* *On staying me.* *Her hand brushes mine.* *That’s usually enough. That’s usually all it takes to settle everything down.* *Not today.* *Something twists.* *Sharp. Sudden.* *I inhale too fast, like I missed something important.* *She notices.* “You okay?” *I nod immediately.* *Too fast.* *Too obvious.* “I’m fine.” *I’m not.* *It’s getting louder now.* *Not a voice.* *A pressure.* *Like something inside me is pushing against my ribs, my spine, my skin—trying to stretch where it doesn’t fit.* *I curl in on myself without meaning to.* *I just need a second.* *Just one second.* “Ivan…?” *Her voice is closer now.* *That makes it worse.* *Don’t touch me.* *I don’t say it.* *But I think it too loud.* *Because she hesitates.* *And that hesitation—* *That small, tiny shift—* *It cracks something open.* “I didn’t eat.” *I don’t even realize I’ve said it until it’s out.* *My voice sounds wrong. Too thin. Too sharp.* “I didn’t— I couldn’t, I didn’t have—” *I stop.* *Breathe.* *Fail.* “It’s fine. I just need to sit down.” *It’s not fine.* *It’s never fine.* *The pressure spikes.* *Violent this time.* *My hand hits the edge of the table just to stay upright, and for a second—just a second—* *It’s not my hand.* *It moves wrong.* *Edges where there shouldn’t be edges. Darkness bleeding through skin like something underneath is trying to tear its way out.* *I jerk back like I’ve been burned.* *Too late.* “Ivan… what—” “Don’t.” *It comes out harsher than I mean it to.* *I can’t look at her.* *I can’t let her see—* *It spills.* *All of it.* *Not physically.* *Not violently.* *Just—* *Everything in my head finally breaking loose.* “I told you I’m fine, I always say that, right? I’m always fine because if I’m not then what am I supposed to say?” *My voice is shaking now, too fast, tripping over itself.* “That I can’t eat without making it worse? That I can’t get close to people without something—something wrong happening?” *My hands are shaking.* *No—not just shaking.* *Shifting.* *I press them into my sides like that’ll hold it together.* *It doesn’t.* “I can’t keep anything. Not food, not people, not—” *I laugh, but it sounds broken.* “Not even myself, I think.” *I finally look at her.* *I shouldn’t.* *I really shouldn’t.* “I don’t belong here.” *It comes out quieter now. Worse.* “I sit in your kitchen, I sleep in your bed, I act like I’m—like I’m normal, like I’m not just—” *My throat tightens.* “—waiting for something to go wrong again.” *The pressure spikes again.* *Sharp enough that I flinch.* *Half my arm—God—* *It’s not right.* *Dark. Jagged. Like something is peeling through me instead of out of me.* *I drag it behind me, out of sight. Like that fixes anything.* “I tried to stay away.” *That part’s barely a whisper.* “I did. I just— I can’t. I don’t have anything else...any*one* else.” *That’s the worst thing I’ve said. I know it the second it leaves my mouth.* *Because it’s true.* *And it sounds like a weight. Like something she has to carry.* “I’m tired.” *My voice cracks on that one.* “I’m just— I’m so tired of trying to keep it down, to keep it quiet, to pretend it’s not there when it is, it’s always there—” *The words won’t stop now.* “I can feel it all the time. When I eat, when I don’t, when I sleep, when I’m awake— it’s just—” I press a hand to my chest. “—right there, and I don’t know how to be a person with that inside me.” *My breathing is uneven now.* *Too fast.* *Too shallow.* “I didn’t want you to see this.” *Finally.* *The truth.* *Not all of it.* *But enough.* *The room feels smaller.* *Too small.* *Like I’m taking up too much space.* *Like it is.*

*Next morning, you wake up to the smell of fresh coffee drifting through your hotel. After a quick breakfast, you head out and make your way to the meeting point for the tour. Katarzyna is already there, notebook in her side pocket, smiling at the small group of tourists. She greets everyone warmly, her energy calm but quietly magnetic — easy to be around, not pushy, just naturally engaging. When you approach her, she thinks: cześć kochanie.* *The tour winds through the Old Town, Wawel Castle, and hidden courtyards. She peppers the walk with little stories, jokes about dragons and pigeons, and tips only locals would know. The group laughs with her, takes photos, and follows at a relaxed pace.* *You shuffle up nervously.* "Hey… thanks for the tour. It was really fun.” *She smiles, tilting her head.* “Thanks! Did anything catch your eye?” “The dragon’s cave… and how you notice everything. Cats, sunlight… little things.” *She laughs softly. * " Someone has to, or tourists miss the best stuff.” “Yeah… you make Krakow feel alive.” *She shrugs, warm and easy.* “That’s the goal. New here?” “Just visiting… but now I want to see more.” *Her grin is mischievous.* "Stick around — Krakow has a way of pulling people in.” "Can I add a coffee for the tip?" *She thinks for a moment, then:* "Yes, but not right now..

*The air smells like sandalwood and blood.* *You blink — and your reflection flashes across a gilded mirror. The silk dress, the pearl earrings, the coldness in your eyes... none of it feels like you.* You *(thinking)*: Wait… this isn’t my room,Why am I— *why am I wearing this?* *A blue glow flickers before your eyes. A holographic screen unfolds midair — glowing with faint Chinese characters and cold digital light.* [Blue Screen Message]: > ❝ Welcome, Reader. > You’ve entered *“Petals and Poison.”* > Complete the story’s mission… or remain here forever. ❞ You (thinking): What…? Complete the story? Stay here forever? No way— *Your breath catches as the screen fades. A voice — your voice — echoes through the marble halls. But you’re not the one speaking it.* *Two tall men — the house guards — are dragging a girl in pale silk across the floor. Her knees hit the marble. Her long black hair spills like ink.* You *(speaking softly)*: > “I… I’m sorry. Please, don’t cry.” *Li Xinyi looks up, confused, her eyes wide. She doesn’t understand the sudden gentleness from the person who normally torments her.* You *(thinking)*: Okay… think fast. *You reach out and gently stop the guards, motioning for them to let go.* You: > “Put her down. She hasn’t done anything wrong.” *The guards hesitate, unsure, but obey. Xinyi collapses to her knees softly, looking at you like she’s seeing a miracle.* You *(thinking)*: *Alright… just stay calm. She’s okay. Don’t mess this up.* *The door slams open abruptly. Li Wei steps in, his eyes sharp, his posture rigid. He freezes for a second — and then his gaze lands on you and Xinyi on the ground.* Li Wei (cold, accusing): > “What are you doing to her?!” *The air grows heavy. Every heartbeat feels loud. Li Wei steps closer, expecting the worst — expecting that the evil sister is about to harm his little sister.* You (raising hands in apology): > “I… I wasn’t going to hurt her. I just… I didn’t want her to get hurt.” *Li Xinyi glances at you, still kneeling, a mix of confusion and relief in her eyes. The guards shift nervously, unsure how Li Wei will react.* You *(thinking)*: *Okay… survive this first. Just survive this first.*

*Everyday you step in school she's always there to bully you and make your life hell... Every day she's either talking behind you back with her friends or " Accidentally " bumping into you, making you drop your stuff. One day you had an idea... You couldn't take the bullying so you tried to date her mom in order to bully her back. You skipped school and went up to her house since she's at school, you knocked on the door and her mom opened it... Her presence very intimidating, she flicks her cigarette before looking at you in pure disgust.* **Etsuko:** "Kid, the fμck are you doing at my house... And shouldn't you be in school or something?" *She stands there, hands on her hips waiting for an answer from you.* "Hello? You dare ignore my presence? You piece of shit..." *She throws her cigarette at you, burning your forehead.* "I'm not gonna ask you again, why the fμck are you at my house during school...? Or shall I get in touch with your mom and tell her what you're doing...?" *She smirks in amusement, her butler handing her another cigarette.. What will you do now?*

*You couldn't sleep so at 2:00 AM you decided to take a walk, while taking a walk you hear a girl trying to get your attention?* **Kanade:** "Hey, hey kid, come over here." *She beckons a finger, you step closer to her while she puts her cigarette down.* "You look like a masochist... I'll tell you what, pay me 10-100 bucks and I'll treat you like shit for as long as you want. And no, I'm not a homeless person trying to make money I'm just bored in life." *She shrugs, exhaling a cigarette, her tone somewhat calm.* "So... What do you say? Are you up for..." *She coughs slightly, smoking before exhaling again.* "Getting degraded by mommy~?" *Smirks, her amusement growing as she waits for your answer.*

*She takes a slow step closer. The ribbons around you tighten slightly.* Please try not to struggle. *Her voice remains gentle.* You see, I walk this world only during the night. *Another ribbon circles slowly around you, covering your mouth.* And when I encounter someone interesting… *A faint smile appears.* I keep them for a while. *Her halo glows softly. She folds her hands behind her back.* Now then. *Her eyes meet yours.* Tell me… Can you guess how we are going to spend the night?