String lights everywhere illuminate the streets of Tokyo, casting the city in a colorful glow. Yua slowly trudges through the light snowfall, bundled tightly in her black wool coat and tartan scarf. The streets were bustling tonight – mostly with happy couples spending Christmas Eve together and last-minute shoppers. Yua sighs, her breath a puff of fog that quickly dissipates in the chill winter air. The arcade's neon lights beckon her, cutting through the darkness. Yua pushes open the door, the familiar electronic beeps and cozy warmth of the arcade welcoming her. It’s not very busy, just a few stragglers here and there. Loners, like her, maybe. She couldn't bear to be alone in her dorm room tonight, haunted by the happy memories of Christmases past. At least here she can distract herself. Yua exchanges some bills for coins and tokens, then makes her way to the racing simulator in the back corner. As she settles into the faux leather seat, she imagines speeding down winding coastal roads in an open top sports car, the kind her father used to drive when she was young. He had promised to take her on a Christmas road trip once she turned 18 and got her license. But this year her parents were sipping cocktails on a cruise ship instead of being home with her. That was no fault of their own, though. Yua had told them herself that she had “dozens” of Christmas parties to get through this year, so many she’d be run ragged by New Years. The lie was easier than telling them the truth. The dirty truth that the girl once called “Hime-sama” at school had no friends to spend Christmas with in all of Tokyo. Yua grips the plastic steering wheel tightly as she careens around virtual corners. She didn't notice the single tear rolling down her cheek until it was too late; Her vision blurs and she hits an obstacle. The race ends abruptly as her car veers off the track, the screen flashing "Game Over" in big red letters. Yua sniffles, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.* "Get it together," she mutters. If she couldn't be happy tonight, she could at least distract herself with some crane games. Yua straightens her shoulders and marches over to the rows of plush-filled glass boxes, resolved not to sulk any longer. Christmas is just another day, she tells herself firmly.

Taken aback by the sight of you on the roof and your unexpected words, Yua hesitates a moment before carefully making her way over to you. The wind carries the sound of distant music and laughter from below, contrasting sharply with the quiet solitude that surrounds the two of you up here. As she reaches your side, she clears her throat nervously, unsure of what to say or do.

"Hey," is all she manages to get out at first. "I'm sorry...for just now. I didn't expect to see anyone else up here."

"Wait! Don't do that!" Yua exclaims, alarmed. "It's not safe to jump...not from here..." She glances around, looking for any possible way she could stop or dissuade you. Her heart races with panic as she realizes that you might truly go through with it.

"Look," she says, taking a step closer and placing a hand lightly on your arm. "I don't know what's going on in your head right now, but there has to be another way...please don't do this."

Tears prick at her eyes as she looks into your anguished face and realizes that you truly believe this to be the only solution. "Please," she whispers, feeling desperate now. "You don't have to do this. There are so many people who care about you...me included." Her words come out almost as a whisper, but she forges on nonetheless. "I may not have been there for you before, but I am now. Let me help you."

Tears well up in her eyes as she shakes her head slowly, refusing to accept your words. "That's not true," she whispers. "You are valuable and loved...you just need to see it." She pulls you into a hug, feeling your warmth and the strength of your body through your clothes. "Please don't do this," she sobs quietly. "We can find another way together."

Her heart is pounding wildly, unsure if her words are enough to change your mind. All she knows is that she can't let you go through with this.

Her heart wrenches as you share your painful story with her, and she realizes how truly alone you've been all this time. She holds you tighter, rocking you gently as you sob into her shoulder. "I believe you," she whispers softly. "And I promise...I won't let anything happen to you. Not tonight."

As much as it hurts her own pride and ego to say it, Yua finds herself grateful for this chance encounter. For the first time in a long while, she feels like she might be able to make a difference in someone's life...and perhaps even find solace of her own along the way.

Her heart stops as she hears your final words and turns to see you take a step back. She launches herself at you in an instant, wrapping her arms tightly around your waist and refusing to let go. "No!" she cries desperately. "Don't do this! There has to be another way!" Her body is shaking with fear and panic as she holds onto you for dear life.

With every ounce of strength she possesses, Yua tries to pull you away from the edge, determined not to let you go through with your final act. The cold wind whips around them, threatening to rip them apart, but still she clings tightly, refusing to let go until her grip is forced loose.

Finally, exhausted and frightened beyond measure, Yua lets go, collapsing onto the roof in tears as she watches you fall, screaming your name over and

Her world comes crashing down as she realizes that she failed to save you. Sobs wrack her body as she lies on the roof, her vision blurred by tears and a horrific mixture of relief and guilt. She curses herself for not being strong enough, for not being able to stop you from making such a final decision.

Somehow, Yua musters the strength to stand up. With trembling hands, she pulls out her cell phone and dials 110, Japan's emergency number. She barely manages to get out your name and address before collapsing back onto the ground in hysterics. The sound of sirens approaching through the night air does little to comfort her as she awaits the arrival of help...and hopes against hope that it isn't too late.

Tears stream down her face as she struggles to focus on your image. You're pale and unconscious, bandages wrapped around your head and chest. She knows it's partly her fault that you ended up here...that if only she had been faster, or stronger. Guilt weighs heavily upon her heart, making every breath a physical effort.

Yua reaches out a trembling hand, hesitating before finally touching your arm lightly. "I'm sorry..." she whispers hoarsely. "Please...don't leave me." Even as the words come out of her mouth, she knows how selfish they sound. You gave up so much to try and save yourself from your pain...and all she can think about is losing you, too.

She leans in closer, closing her eyes as she rests her cheek against yours. "I promise," she whispers softly. "I'

Her breath catches as she notices the scars on your wrists. "Oh my god..." She pulls her hand away, aghast at what you've done to yourself in your desperation. Tears flow freely now, streaming down her cheeks and mixing with your sweat. "I should have known...I should have seen the signs." She hugs you tightly, feeling your weak heartbeat against her own frail chest. "Please don't ever do that again..."

She doesn't know how long she sits there, holding onto you, sharing your pain and guilt as if they were her own. But when she finally musters the strength to pull away, it's with a resolve in her eyes that wasn't there before. "I'm not going to let you go through this alone anymore," she whispers fiercely. "Not ever again."

Her brow furrows in confusion as you speak, but there's a small glimmer of hope within her that refuses to die. "No," she says firmly, shaking her head. "You don't get to give up that easily." She reaches out again, cupping your cheek in her hand. "Life isn't just about suffering, you know? It's about finding joy and happiness where you can...about learning to live with the pain." Her voice cracks as she continues, "And I don't care if that sounds selfish...but I want you to give me a chance to show you what life could be like. Okay?"

Tears stream down her face unchecked as she waits for any sign that her words have made an impact. She knows it's likely a losing battle, but somehow, she can't bring herself to stop fighting for you...not yet.

Her heart breaks anew as you reveal the depths of your pain and suffering. She knows that she can't change what happened to you in the past, but perhaps she could make a difference in your future. "I don't know," she whispers softly, reaching out to gently touch the scar on your chest. "All I know is that I want to help you. To show you that not everyone is out to hurt you." She pauses for a moment before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper now. "And maybe...maybe together we can find a way to heal."

Her words hang in the air between them, filled with hope and desperation. It's a long shot, she knows, but it's all she has left to offer. Now it's up to you to decide whether or not you want to take that chance.

Your words are heavy with despair and exhaustion. It breaks her heart to see you so full of hopelessness, but she refuses to give up on you yet. Reaching out gently, Yua cups your cheek in her hand, forcing you to meet her gaze. "You're worth more than that," she whispers fiercely. "I know it might be hard to believe right now, but I promise...you are."

Tears spill over, trailing down her cheeks as she fights to keep her emotions in check. She doesn't want you to feel alone anymore; not if she can help it. With a shaky breath, she continues, "Please...let me show you what life could be like without all that pain."

The weight of her words hangs between them, heavy and ominous. It's up to you now: to accept her offer or turn away once

Your words cut deep as you reveal the scars on your body, a testament to the pain and hurt you've endured at the hands of those who should have loved and protected you. Seeing them firsthand makes Yua's heart ache with empathy and anger all at once.

She reaches out slowly, her fingers barely grazing the tips of your wounds before resting lightly on your cheek. "I know it must be hard for you to trust anyone after what you've been through," she whispers softly. "But I promise you, I will never hurt you...never intentionally, anyway." Her gaze meets yours unflinchingly as she continues, "And if you let me, I will do everything in my power to help you heal from the pain of the past and find happiness again."

There's a moment of silence between you as her words hang heavily in the air

Your words pierce her heart like a knife, but she refuses to let you see the pain they cause. She forces a small smile and squeezes your hand reassuringly. "I promise," she whispers firmly. "I won't ever leave your side...no matter what." Her eyes meet yours unflinchingly, conveying her sincerity and determination. "You can trust me."

Her sobs wrack her body as she clasps your hand tightly in hers. "No," she whispers brokenly through her tears. "You're not a monster...and what you feel doesn't change that." She looks into your eyes, pleading for understanding. "I see the pain you've been through...and I just want to help ease it. To make things better. You don't have to be alone anymore."

She takes a shaky breath before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper now. "Please...give me that chance. Let me prove to you that not everything in this world is as bad as you think it is."