In the same light

CHAPTER 3: Unexpectedly

I literally screamed inside the bathroom while my whole body was soaking in the bathtub. I mean, who wouldn’t scream like that after feeling that kind of irritation? I couldn’t stop replaying what happened on the balcony. The one thing I hated seeing. The one thing I never wanted to remember.

And guess what? I saw it again.

The worst part?

He’s my freaking neighbor.

I screamed again, this time underwater. I just wanted a peaceful morning, that’s all. But no—what is this again? And didn’t I literally say last night that I wanted to meet our neighbor and maybe be friends? Yeah, never mind. Now that I know who it is, I don’t want to anymore.

“Honey, are you done? We’re about to have breakfast,” Grandma called, knocking on the bathroom door.

I immediately sat up straight in the tub.

“Ah yes, Grandma! I’m almost done,” I said cheerfully—but deep inside, I was annoyed as hell.

“That’s good. Oh, and by the way, I’ll be introducing someone to you. I’m sure you’ll like them. Alright, hurry up, okay?”

“Yes, Grandma,” I replied, and I heard her footsteps walking away.

And

Who is she going to introduce?

And to my horror,

that perverted neighbor suddenly popped into my mind.

Please. Please don’t let it be him.

While bathing, I literally started praying that it wouldn’t be him.

After I finished bathing, I quickly got ready. I wore a comfortable beige maxi dress that matched my black-and-white complexion perfectly. I looked at myself in the mirror and smiled.

Perfect, I told myself.

But while brushing my hair, I couldn’t help wondering who Grandma was going to introduce. I prayed it wouldn’t be him, because if it was, I swear I’d run out of this house. I really don’t want to see him. If our paths cross again, I might lose my composure and punch him.

Still, it’s impossible, right? Grandma probably has a lot of friends.

It doesn’t have to be him.

Yeah—let’s gaslight myself into believing that.

I smiled at my own thoughts.

Right. Positive vibes only. What I saw this morning was probably just my imagination.

Yeah. That’s it.

After I was done, I decided to go downstairs.

But while walking down, I suddenly felt nervous. I’m not usually like this, but for some reason, my chest felt tight.

When I reached the dining area—

“Oh, you’re here already,” Grandma greeted me and kissed my cheeks.

“You look so beautiful, my dear,” she said, hugging me tightly.

“Of course, where else would I get my beauty from? Obviously from you,” I said with a smile, making her blush a little before laughing.

“You little flatterer!” she teased, stepping away and turning toward the table.

I felt shocked—and relieved at the same time—because he wasn’t there.

Wait… who was I even expecting to see?

“Honey, this is Arih Ozara, our neighbor,” Grandma said as she walked towards the woman.

Arih hugged me and held my hand at the same time. I couldn’t even speak. She was beautiful—simple, elegant, effortlessly pretty.

“Nice to meet you, Serenity Riah Dawson. You can call me Aunt Arih if you want,” she said with a wide smile.

Her smile was contagious.

“Just call me Seri, Aunt Arih,” I replied, and I could clearly see happiness in her eyes.

She examined me from head to toe before smiling again.

“You’re gorgeous, Seri. No doubt! many guys will fall for you at school,” she laughed.

I forced a smile. I used to love compliments like that, but sometimes… they just don’t sit right with me anymore.

“Ah, thank you,” I said, though it sounded

more like a question.

“And I know my son will like you too. A bright and beautiful woman.”

And there it is. The matchmaking.

I smiled again, but inside, I felt fake as hell.

“Oh, and by the way, Grandma,” Aunt Arih continue

, “my child and I will be having breakfast here.”

I wondered who her child was.

“Oh yes, Seri, I’ll introduce you to my child—Haru,” Then aunt Arih smiled widely.

I paused. Child? Earlier she mentioned a son… and now Haru? Haru sounds like a girl’s name, doesn’t it?

I smiled widely at the thought.

Finally, a bestie. My first best friend here in Japan!

“I’m really looking forward to meeting her, Aunt Arih!” I grinned excitedly.

But Aunt Arih looked confused.

Did I say something wrong…?

Before anything else could happen, Grandma interrupted.

“Come on, breakfast is ready.”

Aunt Arih and I sat at the table.

“Where’s Haru?” Grandma asked.

“just outside earlier. I already said h-,oh, that's it! Speaking haru..”

I heard footsteps behind me.

My heart filled with excitement. Finally, I won’t be alone anymore here in Japan.

I can’t help planning every fun thing we’ll do together.

I smile widely and when

I stood up and turned around with my purest and beautiful smile— slowly disappearing.

And instantly regretted every life choice I’ve ever made.

Of all the people I never wanted to see again, it had to be him.

God. What did I ever do to deserve this?

“Finally, you’re here. Haru, meet Serenity Riah Dawson. And Serenity, this is my son, Haru,” Aunt Arih said happily.

My smile faded.

“And I believe you’ll be going to the same school. I hope you two become friends,” she added sweetly.

My brain shut down.

What the actual f—this can’t be happening.

And to make things worse, that pervert walked closer to me, smiling like an i***t.

“Hey, I’m Haru Ozara. Nice to meet you!” He even saluted like a soldier.

What is this?

A nightmare?

Why am I so unlucky?

Damn it.

Laughter filled the dining area. Grandma and Aunt Arih were chatting like besties, talking about adult stuff only they understood.

Meanwhile, I sat there sipping tea, already done eating. I wanted to leave so bad. I didn’t want to be at the same table as him.

He sat beside his mother, laughing like he understood everything. Sometimes, I caught him staring at me—like a stalker.

Perv and creepy? Disgusting.

If I could fast-forward time, I would.

“Honey., didn’t you want to explore the city? Haru’s here. You can ask him to come with you tomorrow if he’s free,” Grandma suggested.

NO! NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

“Ah—no, Grandma. I think I’d rather stay home,” I said shyly.

Inside, I was losing my mind.

“But didn’t you say you really wanted to go out when you arrived?” she insisted.

I almost choked.

“Ah…I- I can explore once school starts. I’ll just rest at home for now,” I said, praying she’d drop it.

“Alright, if that’s what you want,” Grandma said, sipping her tea.

Thank God.

But of course, it wasn’t over.

“Since they’ll be in the same school, Haru can accompany her sometimes. They could even walk home together,” Aunt Arih suggested.

I froze.

Why does it feel like they’re shipping us?

“Good idea! I’ll feel safer knowing Haru is with you. Starting Monday, you’ll go to school together,” Grandma decided.

NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT.

“A-ah—”

“And it’s good for you two to get closer,” Aunt Arih added.

They laughed like they just solved world peace.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

I left the table without saying anything and walked out of the house.

The moment I stepped outside, I took a deep breath. My head was pounding from frustration. I wanted to scream.

I walked until I reached the back of a house,

But

Then everything changed.

I saw a garden.

A small garden with a fountain, flowers all around, a bench, and a cherry blossom tree glowing pink.

It was tiny—but insanely beautiful. Vintage vibes everywhere.

Without thinking, I opened the gate and stepped inside.

The breeze felt amazing. The scent of flowers filled the air. Call me dramatic, but it felt like a mini paradise.

All my irritation disappeared.

I sat by the fountain, staring at it. The cherry blossom petals fell gently, sunlight hitting my face.

Peace. Pure peace.

I closed my eyes and smiled.

Suddenly, something soft touched my foot.

I looked down.

A cat.

White, fluffy, blue-eyed, elegant as hell.

I smiled and petted it. It purred, clearly enjoying it.

I hugged it, laughing when it licked my cheek.

Then it jumped down and walked behind me.

I turned—

“Yosh yosh, good boy, Maru!”

My mood instantly flipped.

He was there.

That pervert.

He picked up the cat and smile at me.

“What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?” I snapped.

“What? Me? A stalker?” he said, pointing at himself-smiling like an idiot..

“Who else would it be? Obviously you!”

“I’m not a stalker—”

“Don’t explain. I knew it. Perv and stalker. Get lost!”

“Miss—”

“Shut up! I don’t want to be friends with you. I don’t even want to see your shadow!”

“And this place isn’t even yours. I know the owner, and this garden belongs to—”

I stopped,looked around and I saw..

“OZARA.” - I said.

But… I felt something off..

“…Yes?” he said,smiling.

Wait.

Ozara? Sounds familiar..

A memory popped up in my mind a while ago, the breakfast and the …ozara.

“Haru Ozara,” I whispered, praying that I was wrong.. but..

“Yes, Serenity Riah Dawson?”

he said brightly.

My confidence collapsed.

DAMN IT!