The city was quiet, too quiet for a place that never really sleeps.

The rain was falling softly, like the sky was whispering secrets.

I stood on the rooftop of our building, the one we always used for late-night rehearsals, private talks, stolen kisses.

And then I saw her.

She was there.

Soaking wet, arms crossed, her eyes lost somewhere far away.

The 4° member of huntrix.

My girl. My light. My beautiful, strong, broken-hearted hunter.

I didn’t even know she’d come.

I thought she’d never want to see me again. But something about her being here — in the one place that used to feel like ours — made my chest ache in ways I can’t describe.

I walked over, slow like I didn’t want to scare her.

Truth is, I was scared. Not of her power, not of her blade… but of the way she might look at me again.

Like I’m the enemy.

“Princess”

I said gently.

She didn’t turn around.

Just stood there, letting the rain wash over her like it could erase everything I’d hidden.

“You lied to me”

she said, voice low. Not angry. Just tired. Hurt.

I nodded.

“I did.”

Finally, she faced me.

Her eyes weren’t full of fire like I expected.

They were full of questions. Doubt. Pain.

“Why?”

There it was. The question I kept trying to answer in my head all night.

I had a thousand excuses, a million fears… but none of them felt good enough. So I told her the truth.

“Because I was scared. Of losing you. Of what you’d do if you knew what I really am.”

She stepped closer.

“You’re a demon.”

I didn’t flinch.

“Yes. But I’m also the guy who memorized your favorite boba order. Who held you when you had a nightmare. Who kissed your forehead before every show. That wasn’t a lie.”

“But you didn’t give me the choice.”

she said, eyes burning now.

“You let me fall for you without telling me what I was falling into.”

That hit harder than anything. Because she was right.

“I never wanted to hurt you, love.”

I whispered.

“I just wanted time. Just a little more time before everything changed.”

She looked past me for a moment, like she was trying to decide if she could still trust the world. Then she asked something I wasn’t ready for.

“Did they know?”

I didn’t have to ask who they were. Rumi. Zoey. Mira.

I hesitated.

“Yes.”

Her breath hitched.

That betrayal cut deeper than anything I’d done.

Because they were her sisters. Her family. The people she trusted the most. And they didn’t tell her either.

I reached for her hand.

She didn’t pull away… but she didn’t hold me back.

“I still love you.”

I said.

“Even if I’m something you were taught to fight. Even if this makes everything harder. My heart is still yours.”

She closed her eyes for a second.

The rain dripped from her lashes like tears.

When she opened them, she whispered

“I don’t know what to feel.”

“That’s okay."

I said.

“You don’t have to decide now. I’ll wait. I’ll fight for you, if I have to. I’ll protect you… even from myself.”

She finally let me hold her.

Just for a moment.

Just long enough to remember what we were before the truth came out.

And even if that moment ends soon… I’ll carry it forever.