Syena was born on that island, surrounded by the endless blue sea and the warm embrace of a small, close-knit community. Her childhood was simple yet filled with laughter, adventures with her friends, and her parents' love.
When she was five years old, Syena became a child actor. She started with small commercials, then moved on to minor roles in television series. Acting became an escape for her, a world where she could be anyone but herself. Her talent grew, and with each role, she felt a sense of purpose, a glimmer of something greater waiting beyond the horizon.
For the first eleven years of her life, everything was peaceful. Until one day…
It began subtly—small arguments between her parents that escalated over time. Her father, once a hardworking and kind man, started drinking heavily. His voice, once full of warmth, grew sharper, and his presence became a looming storm in their home. Night after night, he and Syena's mother fought, their voices shaking the walls. Yet, despite the growing tension, Syena's world remained relatively untouched. She still played with her friends, smiled, and held on to childhood innocence.
Then came the night that shattered everything.
No one knew what had come over her mother, what darkness had consumed her heart. But in the dead of night, with madness in her eyes, she struck her husband down. Syena had been awake, peering through the doorway, frozen in horror as she watched her father fall. His blood painted the wooden floors, and his last breath filled the silent air.
And then, her mother turned to her.
The gleam of the weapon in her hand was seared into Syena's memory. For a moment, she thought she would die, that she would meet the same fate as her father. But before the blade could reach her, the commotion drew the attention of their neighbours. They broke into the house, pulling Syena away from her mother's grasp. She was saved—but at what cost?
Her mother was taken away, and locked in a mental hospital, while Syena was left trembling in the ruins of her former life. She had no family left, or so she thought.
Then, the Fiolera family arrived.
Her mother had once been part of a noble lineage, but she severed ties with them long ago. Upon hearing of the tragedy, the Fiolera family came to see if there was anything they could salvage. When they learned that their estranged daughter had a child, Syena, they hesitated.
They had abandoned her mother, and cut her off from the family name. Would they now take in this child, this living reminder of their past mistakes?
In the end, they did. But not out of love.
They brought Syena into their home, but she was never truly accepted. To them, she was an illegitimate child, a stain on their prestigious name. They never called her family, and they never embraced her. But because she carried Fiolera's blood, they clothed her, fed her, and sent her to school.
Yet, she remained an outsider.
The vibrant girl who had once danced along the shores of her island was gone. In her place was a silent shadow, a child who barely spoke, who carried the weight of nightmares in her eyes.
Syena was alive, but was she truly living? Her only saving grace right now was her aspiration to be an actress. It was the only thing that still gave her hope, the one passion that kept her moving forward. Though the world around her remained cold, she found warmth on the stage, in the fleeting moments when she could become someone else—someone free.
"Great job, Syena! Barely any NGs today."
Syena's assistant approached her with a bright smile as she stepped off the set. The lights had dimmed, the cameras had stopped rolling, and yet, Syena felt like she was still trapped in a performance—one she couldn't escape from.
"Um…" she mumbled, barely making a sound.
Her assistant sighed but remained cheerful. "Come on, cheer up a bit! Even the director thinks highly of you despite your age. Do you know how many actors have been praised by him? You can count them on one hand!"
Syena only nodded slightly, her gaze fixed on the floor. The compliment barely registered in her mind. Praise didn't matter. Awards, recognition, admiration—they all felt distant, like echoes in an empty room.
The assistant hesitated, shifting awkwardly. No matter how hard she tried to lift the mood, it wasn't working. Syena remained silent, wrapped in an invisible fog of exhaustion and detachment.
"Let's just go home."
Finally, words escaped Syena's lips, quiet yet firm. She didn't want to linger. The set, the people, the artificial warmth—it all felt suffocating. The home wasn't much better, but at least there, she didn't have to pretend.
Her assistant gave a small nod, understanding that nothing she said would change Syena's mood. Together, they walked away from the set, the bright lights behind them fading into the distance.
At home, Syena was greeted by her cousin, Yukari, who lounged on the couch with a playful smirk.
"Oh? You're actually home today? I thought you'd never step foot in this place again. Isn't your cosy little apartment more to your liking?"
Syena didn't respond. Without so much as a glance at Yukari, she walked past her and headed straight for her room.
Before she could reach the stairs, however, a boy stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Yukari-neechan just greeted you. Why are you ignoring her?" he demanded, his tone sharp with irritation.
Syena barely acknowledged him, but before she could brush past, Yukari chuckled.
"Yuya, don't bother her. Just let it be," she said in a lighthearted tone, waving a hand dismissively.
"But, Yukari-neechan—" Yuya started, clearly displeased.
"I said leave her be." Yukari cut him off smoothly, then tilted her head as if piecing something together. "Besides, both of you will be attending the same school starting tomorrow, right?"
A flicker of realization crossed her face, and her smirk deepened.
"Ahh… So that's why you're here today," she mused.
Yuya blinked before turning back to Syena with a scowl.
"So that's it? You're actually going to live in the school dorms?" Yukari stretched lazily and then grinned. "Yuya, be a good little brother and help our sweet little sister prepare her things for the move."
"Why would I?" Yuya scoffed, crossing his arms.
"No need," Syena muttered flatly, finally speaking.
Yuya shot her an annoyed look, his irritation bubbling over.
"Yuya, stop it," Yukari warned her voice still playful but carrying an undertone of authority.
Yuya clenched his jaw before looking at Syena with barely concealed disdain.
"Tch. You're lucky," he muttered, his voice laced with resentment before turning away.
Syena didn't react. She simply walked past them both, heading for her room in silence.