Her Final Breath Was a Curse

The final term days slip by quickly, and the halls of the academy begin to echo with laughter tinged in nostalgia. The seniors are preparing for graduation.

Ami sits near the window in her classroom, staring out into the courtyard. Summer light bathes everything in gold.

Soha, sitting beside her, peeks over her shoulder. "Already thinking about it?" she asks gently.

Ami nods, trying to force a smile. "I guess it just hit me. Dio... he'll be leaving soon. A whole new life waiting for him."

Soha tilts her head, studying her friend. "You're happy he's alive though, right?"

"Of course," Ami whispers, fingers tightening on her pen. "More than anything. That's why... I should be the one to step back now."

Soha frowns. "You always do this, Ami. Always putting others first. What about your feelings?"

Ami shrugs. "They don't matter. He deserves to be free. To start fresh."

Soha reaches over and gives Ami's hand a squeeze. "You deserve happiness too, you know. You've already given him a second chance. Maybe now it's time to think about what you want."

Ami doesn't answer, but she looks out the window toward the future---both bright and uncertain.

Graduation Day

The campus is buzzing. Students in matching gowns walk with excitement, laughter echoing through the halls. Teachers prepare speeches, and friends take endless pictures.

Ami stands by the garden wall, adjusting her school blazer. Her heart pounds. Dio is just a few feet away, laughing with his friends, his graduation sash casually slung over his shoulder.

He catches her eye and waves.

Ami walks over, her smile soft. "Hey, graduate."

Dio grins. "You came."

"Of course I did. How could I miss your big day?"

"You better take a picture with me then. I'll treasure it when I'm old and wrinkly."

They take a photo---his arm slung over her shoulders, both of them smiling under the sunlight.

Soha, watching from nearby, whispers to Saad, "They look good together."

Saad " Bruh, nah."

Later that evening, a party is held at the school. The rooftop is lit with fairy lights, speakers playing soft music, snacks and drinks everywhere. Laughter echoes under the stars.

Ami tries to keep a distance, watching Dio mingle with his batchmates. But then she feels a tap on her shoulder.

"Come with me," Dio says.

Before she can answer, he gently takes her hand and guides her through the corridor.

They enter a quiet music room, empty except for the soft hum of the party outside. Dio walks in first and turns, smiling.

"Now it's just us."

"What are we doing here?" Ami asks, slightly breathless.

He lifts her off the ground with a small laugh.

"Dio! Put me down!"

"Not until you promise not to run."

"I'm not a puppy!"

"Sure you are. A grumpy one."

He carries her gently places her on one of the benches.

"What are you doing?!" she yelps, blushing.

"You always run away from serious conversations," Dio says with a grin, kneeling in front of her. "So now, you can't."

He opens a can with a soft hiss, takes off the metal cap, and suddenly bends down on one knee.

"Dio, what are you----"

"Let me talk."

He holds up the cap like it's the most precious thing in the world.

"I know this isn't a ring. And I know this isn't a proposal. But, Ami... will you be mine? Just... just give me a chance. You don't have to decide now. I just want to know if I have a place in your heart."

Ami's heart skips a beat. She slides off the bench slowly and stands in front of him.

Her hands rise on instinct, brushing against his cheeks. Her fingers curl softly behind his ears, cradling his face as if it were something fragile.

She leans in gently, placing a soft smooch on his lips, so tender it could've been carried away by the wind.

It feels like something she's waited lifetimes to do.

She pulls back, tears brimming. "You should find someone better than me. I'm... I'm not worth it."

Dio's eyes widen, his voice firm. "You don't get to decide that. I want you. Not someone better."

Ami shakes her head, stepping back. "You have a future. You should chase it without anything holding you back."

And before he can say another word, she turns and runs out of the room.

The Next Day

Dio is gone. The seniors have departed for their new universities.

But there's no farewell between them.

Ami walks to class, her expression unreadable.

Soha walks beside her quietly. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Ami lies.

*Now that he's free. Alive, unchained. That's what matters.

I should focus on myself too. *

She looks up at the sky. "It's a new chapter."

But somewhere deep in her chest, a quiet ache lingers.

Still, she keeps walking forward.