When I opened my eyes, the only thing I could see was darkness.
"We're safe."
"Wake up… Please…"
"Forgive me…"
A sharp pain coursed through my body. Somewhere in the distance, a gentle voice echoed in my ears. My head throbbed in rhythm with those voices, which kept repeating over and over in my mind.
The door opened, and a woman walked in. Her figure was hidden by the darkness; the only thing I could see was a pair of glowing, unsettling purple eyes staring straight at me.
"Oh? You're awake?"
Her voice was hoarse, yet carried an almost cloying sweetness. Pleasant—and deeply unsettling—given the situation I was in.
I don't know who I am.
I don't know where I am.
"Who are you?"
The woman froze instantly. Her eyes trembled, filling with a storm of conflicting emotions before settling and locking onto me even more intensely than before.
"You don't remember?"
"No."
Even concealed by the darkness, I could see her lips twist into a smile—half happy, half sad.
"My name is Mika. I'm your girlfriend."
I was left speechless. That soft voice sounded so unreal, so fake. And yet, for some reason, I felt that those words were as real and sincere as they could possibly be.
The headache I'd been feeling seemed to multiply with that confession from a woman I didn't recognize.
Who is this girl?
Before I could bring my hands up to my head, I noticed something. My arms hurt—and they were completely wrapped in bandages, like a mummy's, or something similar.
"What is this?"
She seemed to notice my gaze and hurried to explain, almost as if stating a simple fact:
"Don't worry about it. You're always getting hurt. I have to take care of your injuries."
A chill ran down my spine as I examined my body more closely. I was completely wrapped in bandages, some of them stained with blood.
But what frightened me the most was the woman standing motionless beside me, her eyes scanning every single expression on my face. There was an indescribable mix of sadness and joy in her gaze.
As if my memory loss made her happy… and sad at the same time.
"Do you know who I am?"
I was curious. I didn't remember anything—not even myself. All that came to mind were fragments: shopping lists, food, weapons. Mika didn't seem trustworthy, but right now, she was all I had.
"Me?" She tilted her head, a smile dancing on her lips, as if the question delighted her. "You're Mike. A name that matches mine, don't you think? We really were made for each other—we even have similar names. Are you happy knowing your name is so similar to mine?"
Mika's words spun around in my head… They sounded suspicious, but I felt they were true, so I didn't question her further.
A heavy silence settled between us. Mika was anxiously waiting for my answer, so I was forced to say something.
"Yes… I like knowing our names are similar."
"That's great!" she exclaimed, her voice mixing relief and happiness.
I tried to sit up, enduring the searing pain that shot through my muscles and bones. Seriously—what did I do to end up like this?
"Oh no." Mika gently pushed me back onto the bed. "You can't get up, dear. You need to rest to recover."
I looked at her hands pressed against my chest, her touch lingering longer than necessary. I almost thought I heard a soft gasp—but maybe I was imagining things.
"Mika… you can let go of my chest now."
To be honest, the coldness of her hands against my body felt like it was freezing me from the inside. As if she were stealing my inner warmth…
"Ah… you prefer it that way."
She murmured to herself and slowly withdrew her hands, her fingers lingering for just a second longer while her eyes remained locked on mine.
Terrifying.
I tried to look around, but the darkness was a cloak smothering my vision. The only thing piercing it was Mika's intense gaze.
Eyes that seemed never to blink.
"Don't you get bored staring at me like that?"
It was starting to make me uncomfortable. The way she looked at me… It felt like my soul was being dissected and analyzed.
"No," she whispered quickly. "It's never boring to look at you. I could do it all day and never get tired… I never get tired of you."
"…"
I don't know whether to feel happy or terrified by that confession.
My instincts are screaming at me to run, but that's impossible in my current state. And I don't think she'd let me get up anyway.
I need to test the waters.
"Mika, could you contact my mother?"
Mother. I don't remember much about her—only that she was important to me, and that I love her very much…
Where is Mom?
In the darkness, Mika's eyes narrowed for a brief instant—so fast it almost felt like my imagination.
"Dear…" Her expression darkened. "Your mother won't be able to see you… She was… She went on a trip, yes! She went traveling and won't be back anytime soon."
I didn't let my suspicion show. Coming from this girl, I didn't trust that information. In fact, I didn't trust any of this.
Once again, everything was suspicious.
This girl.
My shattered body.
My lost memories.
Everything so far was suspicious.
Maybe my imagination was running wild. Or maybe…
Maybe I was kidnapped. Or maybe I just had an overactive imagination.
Either way, I was hungry—and it's not like resisting right now would change anything.
"D-Dear Mika… I'm hungry. Do you have something to eat?"
I stuttered a little, but managed to ask gently, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
Her smile widened, and her answer came immediately:
"No problem. I'll prepare something special for you… something you love…"
Without another word, she left. Her footsteps made no sound—it was as if she had simply vanished into the shadows.
I was left alone in the dark, silent room.
The sensation was strange… It felt like I was sinking into a dark limbo, and the bandages on my body were hands dragging me downward.
Moving was difficult. I couldn't even see in this darkness—so how was I supposed to get out?
Besides, that girl would probably never let me escape.
"Mikezinho, I brought your favorite food."
Speak of the devil…
She returned without making a sound, her steps as light as a feather. I hadn't even managed to organize my thoughts during her brief absence.
I looked at the triangular piece of dough on the plate she was holding. There were toppings on it, but overall, it didn't look appetizing.
"This is pizza. You loved it when we used to eat together."
I frowned.
"I don't know what that is."
"Come on, try it." She smiled meaningfully. "You'll like it—just like you always did."
She brought the "pizza" to my mouth. I didn't want to eat it and turned my face away, keeping my mouth closed.
"What's wrong?" She tilted her head, staring at me with a piercing gaze. "Aren't you hungry?"
"I—"
I stopped myself. How could I explain that I didn't trust her—or anything she brought me?
"I know!"
A chill ran down my spine. She smiled even wider, her eyes growing even more unsettling.
Did she realize something?
"You're shy?"
She laughed smugly.
"What?!"
The sound slipped out before I could stop it.
"Yes… yes…" She nodded and whispered to herself. "My scared little kitty can't handle being fed by such a beautiful, perfect, and dazzling girl like me."
Beautiful?
I don't even know what you look like!
"You have to eat, dear."
Her hand touched my face, her cold fingers strangely tender. They traced my cheek until they brushed against my lips.
"Open your little mouth for me… You don't have to be shy."
I obeyed, slowly parting my lips. She smiled at my compliance and placed the pizza into my mouth.
It tasted bland as I chewed—like flavorless dough.
"Is it good?" she whispered.
"It is…" I forced a smile. "…Wonderful."
"That's great!"
Her eyes sparkled as she smiled in satisfaction, stepping back slightly and humming happily. I watched her stand there with the plate in her hands, showing no intention of leaving.
"M-Mika… could you turn on the lights?"
I asked quietly.
"Of course!"
She flipped a switch on the wall.
The sudden light blinded me for a moment. My vision blurred, unable to focus on anything. Only after a few minutes could I clearly make out the shapes around me.
The walls were pink, decorated with occasional teddy bear designs. There was a white vanity and a matching wardrobe, both covered in childish stickers.
But what drew my attention the most was the figure standing near the door.
A tall girl with long violet hair and intense purple eyes. Her skin was pale—so pale one might wonder if she suffered from some terminal illness.
Yet none of that diminished the captivating charm of her face. It was the kind of face that made people unable to look away.
She was right… She's beautiful.
"Silly… Don't stare at me like that… You'll make me blush."
She said, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, though the delight in her eyes made it clear she was enjoying the attention.
"Is this room yours?"
I asked, looking away toward the pink walls.
"No… this room is ours…" She approached with light steps. "After all… we're dating. Everything I have is yours—and you are mine."
I could feel Mika's gaze sharpen, as if she were displeased by the sudden loss of attention.
Then her last words registered, and I stuttered:
"W-What did you say?!"
"Hahahaha…" She laughed sweetly, covering her mouth to hide the wide smile forming on her face. "I meant that we're dating, so we should share our things…"
That's not what you said! And why are you smiling like that?!
That's what I wanted to say—but wanting doesn't mean being able to. Especially not in my current situation. So I simply agreed:
"Okay…"
She seemed suspicious, her eyes lingering on my face longer than necessary.
Her unreadable expression sent chills through my body. It felt like being stared down by a predator—as if the slightest mistake could cost me my life.
I did my best to keep my expression neutral, hiding my fear and nervousness.
"Mikezinho…" Her voice was sweet, clashing with the intensity of her gaze, which felt like it was dissecting me alive. "Are you hiding something from me?"
My body began to tremble. My breathing grew unstable, and a bone-chilling cold seeped into me. It was terrifying how she could do that with just a look.
My mind went blank. I didn't know what to say—or what to do.
"I-I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Why am I apologizing…?
I don't know. It just feels like the right thing to do when every other option disappears.
"Dear…" A pair of cold arms wrapped around my head. "You don't need to apologize… Just don't do it again. I'm opening my heart to you, and I want you to do the same…"
!!!
Mika was suddenly right beside me, smiling sweetly.
My blood ran cold, and a single question echoed in my mind:
When did she get there?!
"Mikezinho…" Her tone was more serious than before. "What upset you? You can tell me. I'll make sure to change…"
Change…
I didn't fully grasp the implications of that word, but I answered quickly:
"I'm just a bit confused… I want to be alone for a while to organize my thoughts."
"How did I not realize this earlier?" Mika murmured softly. "My Mikezinho must be confused and scared by all this sudden information… I'm such a terrible girlfriend for doubting you. What kind of girlfriend doesn't trust her own boyfriend?!"
What's wrong with her now?
Is she… arguing with herself?
"I'm sorry for interrupting your recovery, dear." She released me, caressing my cheeks one last time before stepping away from the bed, her eyes shimmering with sadness. "I'll leave you alone."
She exited the room, closing the door behind her. But just as I thought I was finally alone, her voice echoed from the other side of the door:
"Mikezinho, don't make any sudden movements. If you need anything, just call me—I'll come running."
Now I don't know if she really left or if she's standing right outside the door, waiting for me to call her.
That thought alone is deeply disturbing…
Let's assume the feeling that she's standing there is just my paranoia.
Escaping should be my main objective.
Mika has already proven how unstable she is. These injuries on my body might have been caused by her—and the bandages look professionally done, which means she has experience with this.
And who gets happy when the person they love loses their memory? Even if she was sad too…