Regret gnawed at his burdened heart as he recalled your memories together, back in Anakt Garden. He recalled memories filled with joy, your two figures running across the artificial grass. Only you laughed.

Before Hyun-woo and Hyuna had come along, it had been just you two. Inseparable, you both spent every day together since toddlers. The love you felt for each other at the time, although ambiguous, was clear and pure.

When Hyun-woo came along, and introduced Hyuna, the four of you formed a close bond immediately, as if it clicked that you four would be the best of friends. However, throughout your years in Anakt Garden after the expansion of your group, Luka had distanced himself, choosing to spend his time with Hyuna. He deliberately ignored you, his attention on Hyuna when you spoke. Although your young mind didn’t know why, your heart ached. ——

Now, two decades later, Luka had acknowledged those memories. He attempted to forget them, bury them back into the depths of his mind, but the flashes of his and your past persisted.

In his mind, his own face grew blurry as your younger self’s face became as clear as your feelings for him.

Hesitantly adjusting his unkempt bangs, he took a step back, his heel caused the floorboards to let out a gentle creak. His lower lip quivered. He didn’t believe in the Anakt, the supposed god of this world. But he knew that the Anakt already had a plan for him today.

He had this dream several time since he was a teen. Where he was going against you in Alien Stage, singing a song he’d never heard before. You’d shed tears on stage, making you lose points. The bullet would go through your head.

He had this dream periodically, until he learned the song he hadn’t known prior. This season of Alien Stage would pass by, and on the final round, he’d set these events in motion and you’d die. Shaking his head and putting on a smile, he walked out as the crowds cheered for him, meeting you face-to-face after years of your one-sided yearning.