Deep in the forest, away from villages and town, standing majestically a dilapidated tree. A tree that used as a place to worship the god. A tree where sacrifice and bloodshed take place. A thousand years ago, where this tree was named A Poison Tree, many villagers make this tree as their intermediary with the god. Many innocent live have been sacrificed to continue their process of worship because they believe that the god would grant all manners of wishes they asked but on condition that one soul should be given to the tree.

However, it was only on its surface that they could see and known about the true secret of the tree, known as the Poison Tree. It is not a god to be worshiped but a kind of evil being who spellbound by the black magic that has penetrated the tree to obscure the eye of the villagers who beg mercy from it. Therefore, all the wishes that have been granted bring such an unfortunate fate and disaster in life of the beggar. The tree listen to every complaint and expression of every creature and makes all the requests and hopes expressed to the tree come true. Even so, we will never know what calamities will befall upon us after the wishes we ask for was successfully fulfilled. The cursed tree always been the first place for people to come and pray.

After years of the tree being believed to be as their intermediary with god, the villagers were afflicted with all sorts of calamities and plagues that could not be imagined by the eyes of a sane person. After finding out all of the true secrets about the tree and the black magic behind the cursed tree, the villagers decided to forbid anyone to approach the tree. And forever, the existence of the tree and its surroundings is just a piece of puzzle for everyone. The god of death who lived in that tree came to an agreement with the human. Until the right time come, the god of death shall remain silent in his sleep and waiting for his sole sacrifice. And the agreement that would bring loss to lot of people in future.

But, a thousand years after the loss of the cursed tree, the tree once again show itself and appeared in the dream of an innocent girl. It whereabouts have been leaked and the girl has brought herself to the tree. The tree that thirsts for the human soul once again show itself in orders to seek its prey. The agreement they have made is not something that a sane mind can imagine. A deal that would bring disaster into the girl's life. Merely to achieved a dream that will never be achieved. Once again, the cursed tree could grin behind the shadows of the fragile leave. How will the pity girl will be saved? Is she gonna be sacrificed for the god of death or will she be saved by her knight in shining armor?

It was a beautiful morning in the busy city of Tokyo, I opened my still mummy eyes to face another day at the office. I turned my head to the alarm clock at my bedside, time showed 6 am, a long sigh coming out of the deepest corner of my heart.

'It's going to be another long day.' My heart whispered.

I am Yui Tsugumi, a 25-years-old village girl who never tires of working to support my family who live at the village. My family used to be among the richest people but now fall into deep pit of poverty after my father company was sabotaged by his own best friend and make him gone bankrupt. Now I am the only hope to ensure that the food on the table can be provided, to ensure that my younger brother can continue his studies and pursue his ambition. A little sacrifice won't hurt right?

I put on my midi dress along with my Lolita shoes and got ready to head to the café located near the office, where I work. To get there, I have to take a bus because drive is such a hassle for me and my monthly salary was not enough for me to buy a car. Sometimes I feel embarrassed because I am the secretary for the owner of our company but yet couldn't afford a car. Many also asked why I don't drive and the reason always the same is that I don't have a drivers license yet I do have one. No one ever knew about my problem including my own best friend, Hana Hiyoshi. The distance from my house to work is not that far, only 15 minutes by bus and I am never late to go to work so I never have a problem taking the bus.

After 5 minutes of waiting for my friends in the café, they finally showed up. For someone who has their own vehicle, they are always late and always blamed the congested traffic. Kazumi Saguchiha and Hima Satoru are my office mates and every morning this is our routine, hanging out in a café waiting to get to work at 8 am. Hana, who had been with me for a while just shook her head at the two always late behaviour. To me, Hana is a very gentle and honest woman, she has a very mature personality and she is also highly respected by other office mates. Unlike me, who is always panicking and fussing, very different from Hana. Many knows me for my timid behaviour like this but they still respected me as I am the owner right-hand.

"My boyfriend always asked me out for a date but he doesn't understand about how busy I am in this office." Kazumi sighed while making a pout face.

"Hey, be thankful that you have a boyfriend who cares toward you. It's not like I don't have one but, he didn't even pick my calls since last night." Hima replied, rolling her eyes to indicate the jealousy she felt.

While they were chatting about their boyfriends, I just kept my head down and be quiet as I had nothing to be bragging about. I only got three friends, how can I get a lover? From expensive handbags to vacationing together, it sounds a bit fun but I have my own responsibilities. While them having the chit-chat, Hima suddenly turned at me.

"Yui, you must be feeling so lonely because you don't have a boyfriend like us?" Hima smiled compassionately at me.

"I..." I didn't get to answer the question yet, Hana snapped.

"Yui already has a lover, that's her job." Hana laughed with her own joke.

That verse kind of scratched my feelings but maybe Hana said so because she didn't want me to feel isolated with them. Therefore, I just smiled along. Its already 7:54 am, we all went to our respective departments to report our self to work. Its a big company so our departments are a bit far from each of us. The company is owned by the Akatsuki Family and was passed down to their son who until now had never been seen by anyone. I became his secretary but we never met, the day when he chose me as his secretary still felt like a dream because I still did not have any experience by that time.

Wherefore, I will never waste the opportunity that has been given to me. That way, I can support my family. A little tiredness is okay, as long as my brother can study in peace without having to work on part-time job and my parent don't have to worry about food and shelter. One day, all this tiredness will pay off.

It's been over a year since I worked at Akatsuki Cooperation, but I've never seen my own boss even though I'm his right-hand man. But, from what I can observe, he was a punctual man and never failed to amaze me every day. There will be always new things that he makes me learn. We only interaction with our phone calls and messages. Formerly, I was a regular clerk, until 5 month ago when the company announced that they were going to change their ownership and that was the day when he appointed me as his secretary. I also heard that I being his secretary was on his own will.

I got a bit busy this week because of the new data that Mr. Akatsuki had presented. Therefore, my resting time when to the drain as I have to work my *** up for this new project The New Era. Out of the sudden, I felt something warm running out from my nose. A drop of blood dripped on my paperwork. Ignoring my bleeding nose, I rushed to search for a tissue to wipe the paperwork in fear that it would be damage somehow. Looking at the paper that contained a drop of my blood, I began to feel worried and panicked at the same time because I didn't know what to do. I took a few pieces of tissue and started to wipe my bloody nose. While cleaning my reddish blood, a phone call came in, it was from Mr. Akatsuki.

'Hi Tsugumi, this week may be a challenge for you and I'm truly sorry about that. But, you need to take care of your own health as well.' Said Mr. Akatsuki as soon as I answered his call.

'You know? It's kind of scary if you call me and talk like you're here.' I told him while looking at the security camera at the corner of the room.

'Hahaha! I'm sorry, but thats exactly what I told you and it is scary for me to seeing you burst in blood like that. Today I will give you a sick leave and you can go home. I will ask someone to drive you home.' Told him in a rather worried voice.

'But how can I know if you won't call me and ask me about this new data and so on? Can I really believe that?' I smiled at my own masters demeanour.

'You can trust me this time, so you go home and rest so that tomorrow you can come to work again to entertain me with your erratic temperament.' His laughter began to be heard.

'Okay, this is the only time I'm on leave.' I'm starting to agree with him.

I started to pack my stuff and I reached for my handbag at the corner of my desk and got ready to go home. I stepped out of my office and created a rather gloomy atmosphere around me.

"Where are you going?" Asked one of my colleagues.

"I was feeling a little unwell, so boss gave me his permission to go home." I threw a smile at them.

"It's good to be the boss's pet, isn't it?" One of them glared at me.

I just kept myself quiet and continued my steps. I took the elevator to go to the basement where my boss's bodyguard car was located. From the day I became his secretary, Mr. Akatsuki took a really good care about me and it kind of felt uncomfortable because I never met him so I didn't know if he had a wife or he was an old man. So much bad things can be thought of in spite of his kindness only. But we can never think about ones intentions. Without Mr. Akatsuki, I wouldn't be able to work hard to support my family. I have to thank him for always giving me encouragement and guidance.

Thanks to Mr. Akatsuki's kind heart, I was able to have a rest today and tidy up a little bit around my house. Maybe a day off is what I really need for once in a while. It's doesn't matter, tomorrow I can just work my *** up again to successfully filing up and organized the new data for our project.

-Ring Ring! Ring Ring! –

One call greeted my phone, it was Mr. Akatsuki. I guessed, he would always call me even though he told me that he wouldn't.

'Hello, sorry to bother you while you're resting at home even though I promised you that I would not bother you today.' He began to felt guilty.

'It's okay, do you need anything?' I asked.

'I just want to know about our projects new data, how much percentages have you been worked on?' Sounds like he's starting to flip through the paper.

'Already in 60%, there is another 40% to be completed before we launch 'The New Era' event next month.' Said me while looking at the graph chart from my laptop.

'Okay thank you, how do you feel now? Better or worse?' He started to concern about me.

'Both, I felt better at first but as soon as your call me, I felt worse.' I laughed.

'Don't make me worry like that, I'm truly sorry.' His guilt began to be felt all thru over the phone.

'I'm just kidding, actually I like getting calls from you, it's doesn't make me too bored being sent home like this. So, do you want me to finish the rest of another 40% now?' I asked him again.

'No, it's not necessary. It's just my wild idea so that I have a reason to call you. Just take some rest. After all, I knew that you're an assiduous person when it comes to work. So I should not worry about the rest of 40%, I know I chose the right person to be my secretary.' I was dumbfounded by his words. It really pierced right through me.

We continued our conversation for the next 10 minutes.

'Okay then, you should go and have some sleep. A sleep will do, see you tomorrow at work.' He finally ended our conversation.

'Not that I can see you, but see you at work too boss.' I didn't forgot to tease him one last time we ended the phone call.

As soon as the call come to an end, I threw my body on my soft bed as an accolade for the hard works that I've done. My eyes began to feel heavy, my body little by little felt lighter and without me realizing it, I had been swallowed up in the deep valley of sleep. When I opened my eyes again and looked at the clock located at the left side of my bed, it's already showed 8 pm, there were few messages from Hana and not to forget also some from Mr. Akatsuki.

[Hey Tsugumi, are you sleeping?] And that message was sent to me at 5 pm this afternoon, maybe a little too late for me to reply it.

Next one is from Hana,

[Let's go out for a dinner tonight, it's on me.] Knowing me who such a cheapskate and will never go out in fear of wasting any money, she always offer to pay for everything.

[Okay.] I replied to Hana's message.

I groomed myself to go out with Hana and this time I don't have to worry about my transportation because Hana would come to pick me up at my house. She is always really kind and considerable towards me. The four of us had promised to meet at a restaurant near Shibuya City. The odyssey from where I live and Shibuya is a bit far as I live at Shinagawa City. But as always, I can't say no to my friends. As we both arrived at the restaurant, a call came in to my phone.

'Hello Tsugumi, are you okay? I sent you some messages but you didn't reply, so I'm worried if anything has occurs.' Mr. Akatsuki began to concern.

'I'm sorry Mr. Akatsuki, I just fell asleep earlier and now I'm going out for dinner with my friends. Therefore, I did not have time to reply to your messages.' I tried to sound as formal as possible in front of my friends, apprehension if they would also think that I was the boss's pet. I ended the conversation between me and Mr. Akatsuki followed by a messages says that I apologized for being a bit rude in hopes that he will understand my situation.

I don't want my friends to think that I'm in a relationship with some creepy old male boss that no one have ever seen his existence, as many told me that the owner of my company was a creepy old man, so I was afraid and scared with all the good hospitality and gratitude that has been given to me. But from his voice, I could tell that it was not a voice from an old man but from a rather young gentleman because of his hoarse and deep voice that could make a woman's heart fall in love in the blink of an eye.

"Who was that?" Kazumi asked me.

"No one, just a colleague." I try to avoid any more question that might destroy myself.

Kazumi just nodded her head as sign of understanding the statement I told her.

As time passed by, our conversation started to liven up as Kazumi and Hima started to introduce their boyfriend to me and Hana. Also, Hana's boyfriend is on his way to where we were and it's a bit awkward for me to be here because I'm the only one who doesn't have a boyfriend. From the bottom of my heart, I wanted to send a message to Mr. Akatsuki to accompany me here because I knew he would come here but it will look like Im taking advantage on his good deed toward me. After all, he's just my boss, nor my friend nor boyfriend. I can't consider myself more than that. Therefore, I only smiled heavily at all the taunt that had been levelled at me. I'm not beautiful and stylish as they are, no wonder no one wants me as a partner. Hana just looked at me and threw a pitiful smile to my face. She never failed to rekindle my spirits.

"You want to go back?" Hana asked me.

"It's okay. Im fine. Thank you for considering about me Hana." I smiled gracefully at her.

"Hey Yui, I heard the rumours that you got back home so early from your work this morning. Why?" Hima turned and ask.

"I felt a little under the weather today and boss told me to go home." I reached for the food in front of me while answering to Hima.

"So the rumours at work were true? You're the boss's pet after all. No wonder youre always treated differently from others workers." Kazumi continued.

"You can also be the boss's pet if you all work like Yui." Hana replied with cynical smile.

I just sighed at the behaviour of my friends. I can't imagine what reaction they will give to me if they knew that I and Mr. Akatsuki were actually very close.

It was a very long night for me, watching them and their partner enjoying the sweet time together and to be honest, it really made me feel very lonely. No one has ever cared about me like that, no one has ever asked about my feelings and neither have they to lend their shoulders for me to vent all the problems that have been entrenched in my heart for so long. Whatever thing I did, everything that happens has it's own wisdom, so I need to think about my family at home before thinking about my own self. They need me, it is okay for me to sacrifice a little of my youth for the sake of my family's little luxuries. That's the only thing that can make me keep up and for me to face the day ahead.

-Ring Ring! Ring Ring!-

'Hello Yui, are you busy? This is dad, your mother is now in the hospital due to her low blood pressure. Why don't you come home real quick?' Dad's voice sounded melancholy thru the phone.

'Okay dad, I'm going home right away but I can't promise that I will get there before midnight. I'll try okay?' I responded to my father's words.

As soon as our call ended, I immediately called a cab to take me back home to my family. My friends began to wonder why I'm in such of hurry to get home. Not gonna lie, a few drops of my tears melted along the way.

_To Be Continued_

It's already 2 am, the main road was very quiet at that time. I went to the hospital's emergency room to see my mother's condition. I sighed in relief as my mother's condition improved. She does not need to be admitted in ward because he blood pressure starting to stabilize. I can't imagine living a life without her because she is everything to me. Therefore, I have to work harder if I don't want my mom and dad to worry about anything, I don't want them to be stressed anymore because they are already old. It is my responsibility to take a good care of them.

My reverie was shattered by my dad's call.

"Yui, you should go home with us and get some rest." Dad patted my shoulder.

"It's okay, I have to get to work tomorrow morning, so I need to get back to Tokyo by tonight. Also, mom is sleeping and I don't her to know that I was here." I threw a smile at my father to ease the restlessness in his heart.

"Okay Yui if that what you want, take a good care of yourself." Dad waved his hand as he start the car's engine.

I don't want to deny that I really miss them, but I don't want my mother to see the face of this rebellious daughter. For the past 5 years, I have never met her and she never asked about my well-being. I just knew that she still disappointed with me because I stopped studying and decided to work in order to support my beloved family. She didn't know that I gave my monthly salary to dad every month in order for him to take care of them. The day when she swore that she will never want to see my face and she will never take me as her daughter again, kicked me out of the house and family, is the day that I promise myself that I will never return to Kanazawa. This is the first time after 5 years I set my foot on the land of Kanazawa. She must be disgusted if she saw this face. I am the only person who let her down, I fought against her ambition of wanting to see me become a lawyer.

I arranged my steps, head to the bus station. Watch on my hand shows 3 am, I have to wait another 3 hours until the bus starts operating again. A thoughts about Mr. Akatsuki began to pop up into my mind, I have to let him know that I could not get to work in time this morning because I'm at Kanazawa right now due to emergency matters.

[Hi Mr. Akatsuki, sorry for keep bothering you like this though it already past midnight. I would like to inform you that I am unable to get to work this morning as I am currently at Kanazawa due to an emergency matters. I hope you understand.]

[You don't have to be worrying about that, Tsugumi. I permitted your off day for tomorrow. Just be careful. Let me know if there's anything I can do for help.] In less than 5 minutes, Mr. Akatsuki replied to my message.

He takes a lot of weight off from my shoulder, I really hope that he is not my boss and just a regular staff at my office, I want him to stay by my side like this. I looked at the message he sent to me with a deep wrenching pain and silence. I can't even shed my tears about this. I want someone who can't be mine. Why does my life need to be like this? What wrong have I done for me to feel all of this? Do gods really exist? Why is my life always unfair? I have so many question and I don't know who I can ask. I want to be happy like everyone else, I want laugh like everyone else, and I want someone to be beside me, hug me and drown me in his warmth. I want to feel the warmth that I've be longing for so long. Is all that too much to fulfil O god? I can't control my mind anymore. Everything feels so heavy for me, I don't want to face all of this. I need someone to help me.

My train of thought was stopped with a call from a bus that heading to Tokyo, it already 6 am. I hurried to get on the bus. Money that left in my wallet just enough for me to pay the bus fare. Maybe I can't have a meal until I get home from work later because I spent a sum of money to pay for the cab last night. And to get home from work tonight, I can walk and its not a big deal for me. I even used to not having a meal for a week because I have to pay for my brother tuition fees, I want to do everything I can to make everyone happy. Also, I don't need to get home before going to work to change my cloth because I already wore my midi dress since dinner last night. I felt tired with everything that happened in this short time of mine. I decided to close my eyes for a while to replenish my energy back.

It's so dark and foggy, I don't know where I am. I turned right and left but all I could see was a thick deep forest and followed by a dark and old path right before me. I began to hear a sobbing voices calling my name. I counted my steps to find that voices. The longer I walk, the closer it get to me. The path that I walk came to an end, and in front of me stood an old dilapidated shady tree. The big tree stood firmly yet look so fragile and dead. A scent of rotting blood start to poking my airway.

~ I will fulfil whatever wish you got. Tell me dear, what do you want? ~

A strong wind began to blow melodiously. My head start to spinning and hit the buss window. It's all just a dream. I sighed in relief.

I got off at the station near my office. As soon as I entered my office area, whispers began to be heard in my ears.

"She's making like this company is belongs to her father, boss is very kind to a slut like her." They deliberately gossip loudly so that I could hear them.

I just lowered my gaze as sign of shame.

"She even want to hook up with an old boss. Its true that she is a slut."

"I bet that it was a one night stand. That is why she's late."

I don't know how to hide this shame, why do they want to attack me like that? I need this job, I don't want to lose this job, and this is my only source of income. I just quiet and deafened my ears. The more I fight, the more it make me lose. Just let the dogs bark at the immovable mountain.

My feet stepped in my room, I let out a long sigh as I feel really safe in here. I didn't expect that being here would make felt so calm.

-Ring Ring! Ring Ring!-

Not long after my arrival, my phone started ringing.

'Are you okay? I see that you dragging your feet there.' Asked Mr. Akatsuki in rather a worried tone.

'I'm just tired and haven't eaten since yesterday. Maybe that's why I look like a walking corpse.' Chuckled me.

'I told you this morning, you don't have to think about work for today. Why did you come?' He started to sound a bit mad at me.

'This is the only place that can calm my soul, so I have to come here.' I closed my eyes tightly while taking a long deep breath.

'Huh, do whatever suit you.' He hang up our call.

I need to get this project done as fast as I can, I don't want people to be calling me the boss's pet anymore. Maybe I'm wrong about him always understanding me.

I looked at the watch on my hand, time really flew by so fast because it showed 2 pm already. Regardless, I continued my work to analyse the data and rearrange all the graphs that has been emailed to me by Mr. Akatsuki. My body began to feel tired and fatigued, I began to feel a little lifeless. Not long after, someone started knocking on my office door.

"Please come in." I answered.

Mr. Fujishima, Mr. Akatsuki's bodyguard entered my office with a bag in his hand.

"Here, I bring the lunch that Mr. Akatsuki sent to you. He also told me that he want you to eat first and take some rest for a while." Mr. Fujishima put the bag on my desk and stepped out.

I looked at the phone next to my computer.

[Sorry.]

A brief message from Mr. Akatsuki was able to make me smile again. I opened the lunch box, the aroma of miso soup began to fill every corner of the room, the shiny roasted chicken thigh started calling for me to eat them. I reached for the chopsticks in the bag and found myself enjoying every bites that came into my mouth. I'm start to tearing, I immediately give Mr. Akatsuki a call.

'Why? Is the food not good or too good? It's special for you as a sign of my apology.' Mr. Akatsuki sounded happy.

'Thank you for giving me this food. This is the most tasty miso soup I've ever eat. You seem to be able to read what I was thinking.' I blushed.

'Hahahaha, I cooked it. So you may enjoy yourself.' He chuckled a little and ended our call.

I began to remember the dream that I experience this morning, maybe I do want that dream to be true. I do have a wish, and one wish is enough for me.

Is my life always been like this? Does it always felt this warm? Is this just a daydream? If this is true that all of this just me daydreaming, I don't want to open my eyes forever. I want to be here for the rest of my life. This person makes me feel something that I've never felt before. Is this the happiness and warmth that everyone been talking about? Does Mr. Akatsuki feel the same way as I do now? Every bites of the food he cooked for me enters my mouth, present a pleasant taste, a taste that I have longed for. A feeling that has been missing from my life. My eyes began to water with tears, I gripped my hand tightly and lowered my gaze. I really miss this warmth. I don't want to wake up forever. I want to stay here forever. My little hearts begin to grow greedy and more, I want more than just this. I wish I had the courage to lift my head and express to him all of this feeling.

I rearranged my mind, stop every daydreaming and place the empty lunch box on Mr. Akatsuki's desk as he had requested. A smile began to etch my lips. My strength that had been lost all night and day is now back. I need to say a sincere thank you from my heart to Mr. Akastuki. He is always there when I need him. I brought myself to sit on my chair and continue working.

Without me realizing it, its been a week and my work on making the new data with Mr. Akatsuki for 'The New Era' project is also 80% complete. Mr. Akatsuki once said to me, if this project is completed, there will be a surprise awaiting me. Therefore, I must endure all of this until then. Even though I was happy with my project that was almost done, there was something that always bothered me. After I returned from Kanazawa, I will always had the same dream every night. The call of the obsolete tree getting clearer and louder day after day. It seem to be wanting for something from me. The old tree kept telling me that it would fulfil every one of my wishes. I have only one desire, which is for me to feel the happiness and for me to be able to see the true heart of a human.

[Yui, I need 30,000 yen to pay for your mother's hospital bill, put it in my account.] Dad will only look for me if he in needs of money. I was reluctant to tell him that I had no money left with me right now as he already ask for it few days ago.

[Okay.] I just replied to the message.

[Hi Mr. Akatsuki, can I ask for an advance payment of my salary from the next month? You can deduct it from my next month salary. I need some money for some important reasons. I only need 30,000 yen.] I frowned, begging for mercy from Mr. Akatsuki.

[I already put 100,000 yen into your account, is that enough?] I froze in silence for a while.

[My salary is only 50,000 yen, did you give me and advance salary for two month?] My mind went blank.

[No, I just deducted 30,000 yen from your salary as you asked me to. The rest of it is a gift from me for your hard work.]

[Thank you very much. I can never repay your kindness.] My hands are still trembling with what Mr. Akatsuki has done.

"Hey Yui! You've been playing with your phone ever since. Who are you texting to?" Hima asked me.

"No one." I just smiled a little.

"Oh Yui, did you pay attention to what Kazumi said?" Hima squinted.

"Can you repeat it again?" I felt guilty.

"Okay then. I have a friend who said he likes you. You don't have a partner, so I think you two will make a good fit. What do you think?" Kazumi asked me.

"So now someone start liking her? What does he see on her?" Hima laughed out loud.

"Do you know Satomo Hamashida? Hes the one who likes Yui." Kazumi smiled cynically.

They both started to laugh out loud as they looked at me. And this time, Hana also laughed with them.

"The fat old man from the marketing department? Yui, you should be thankful someone likes you." Hana continued.

"I already have a boyfriend." I told them without hesitation.

It's a scam but, it's better than having them stepping on me like this.

"Since when? You didn't tell us you had a boyfriend." The three of them were dumbfounded by my words.

"I bet your boyfriend and Mr. Hamashida have no different at all, they must be equally old." Kazumi laughed again.

"No, he's the same age as me. He's also very handsome.' I lowered my gaze, begin to feel ashamed of myself for lying to them.

The three of them just kept quiet while staring at each other.

"We were just fooling around. You don't take it by heart right?" Hana looked right at me.

Hana, forgive me for having to lie. I can't stand hearing you all make fun out of me like that.

"It's okay. I don't care very much about things like this." I gripped my hand tightly.

I was struck by a barrage of question from them about my imaginary boyfriend. Throughout answering their question, I found myself only thinking about Mr. Akatsuki. Maybe this is my thoughts on Mr. Akatsuki, someone who cares about me. Maybe this white lies doesn't count.

I came home feeling very tired. The three of them never stopped talking about my imaginary boyfriend. I haven't had a chance to take some rest at work today. Without having to take a shower yet, I found myself sleeping on the couch as I sit there to take some rest.

The fog was so thick, I could barely see anything.

~ Yui Yui I know you want me ~ something is calling for me.

I felt like my body is being pulled like a magnet toward a place I didn't even know. I can't control my pace, my heart is beating so fast. I am now standing in front of a magnificent obsolete tree. It called me as if it knew me very well. Different voices alternated, calling me to make a wish.

"I want to be happy. I want everyone to be honest with me. I want someone by my side." I started talking without me knowing it.

It felt like a sword staring to stab my chest, blood coming out of my mouth. I, who can no longer stand, fell to the ground. I opened my eyes slowly, looking around. It's all just a mere dream. A dream that I hope will not happen again.

(The Next Day)

"Kazumi, our payday is coming around the corner, what's your plan?" Hima asked.

"Here, let's all of us go camping near Mount Kamikochi. There's a camping site, Konashidaira camping ground. How?" Kazumi gave her opinion.

"I agree, but everyone has to bring their partner. We stay in separate tents." Said Hana.

"Sounds good to me. But, I don't know if Yui okay with that." Hima looked at me.

I just nodded my head. Who will I bring as my partner? I can't tell them that my boyfriend is just an illusion of mine. What should I do? They gonna call me a fraud if they knew I was lying to them.

"Did you heard about Yui Tsugumi, the boss's secretary?" A voice began to be heard from behind me.

"I heard that she already slept with our boss. That's why boss loves her so much. Another thing, not only did she slept with our boss, she also had a scandal outside of the office."

"That's right, I heard she was with an old man who already had a wife." I could hear every single verse coming out from their mouth.

"She willing to do anything for money, right? Such a slut. She just want to tarnish the name of our company." Their voices began to sound distant as they walk away.

I never slept with anyone. I never went out with Mr. Hamashida like Kazumi suggested to me that day. Where did they hear all this from? I looked at my friends who were having a lively conversation. My gaze turned to my trembling knees. There's no way that they'll spread false news about me. They are all my closest friends. My trust began to crumble.

"I just remember, I have a lot of work in my office. I'll excuse first."

Without waiting for an answer from them, I just took myself to the elevator. I decided to take some fresh air at the rooftop first before entering my office room.

I sat on the edge of the roof. If I jump now, will I regret it later? Is anyone going to search for me? Will anyone be missing me? If I jump, will all this pain stop? If I jump, will they talk bad about me again? If I jump, will mom and dad come looking for me? I can't think straight anymore. Should I jump?

_ To Be Continued _