Nothing in Aria's life had ever truly belonged to her.
She had always felt like an imposter—someone pretending to live a life that wasn't hers. Until the age of eight, she lived in an orphanage. Then, her current parents adopted her—not because they wanted her, but because they had lost their real daughter. Aria always felt like a replacement, a fragile keepsake meant to fill a void. She wasn't adopted out of love, but out of loss.
She had no identity of her own. No authenticity. If her classmates liked something, she liked it too. If her older brother said something was cool, she accepted it without question. Even with food—when her parents said she looked like she'd enjoy a certain dish, she convinced herself she did.
Nothing truly belonged to her—not her taste, not her thoughts, not even her preferences.
She wasn't extraordinarily beautiful—just plain. Average. She blended into the sea of people, never standing out. People often said, "If you don't have beauty, make it up with intelligence." But she didn't have that either. She wasn't the worst in class, but she was definitely near the bottom. A forgettable student—neither teachers nor classmates paid much attention to her.
Except for one thing.
One feeling that was entirely hers. One truth that belonged to no one else.
Her love for Dr. Ichiro.
She always called him "Dr. Ichiro," never just "Ichiro." It felt too personal. Too sacred. She had loved him for ten years. And for once in her life, this love was hers alone. No one had influenced it. No one had pushed her into it. She had chosen it, and she was proud of that.
At twenty, she finally gathered the courage to confess, even though she knew he was in love with the most beautiful woman on earth.
But bravery got the better of her.
She bought eight yellow roses and went to the hospital where he worked. She found him in the lobby—tall, radiant, and warm, like the sun itself. He walked toward her, smiling gently—the kind of smile meant for a little sister, not a woman in love.
"Hey, kiddo. What's up with the roses? You did makeup too? Trying to look all grown-up?"
"I only applied a little," she mumbled.
But in truth, she had full makeup on—applied clumsily by her own inexperienced hands. Instead of enhancing her beauty, it made her look older, like a middle-aged woman trying too hard. Still, she wore a beautiful yellow dress. It was her favorite color, and she thought it might make her look brighter, more confident.
"Do you like roses?" she asked nervously. "I picked the most beautiful ones."
She held out the bouquet.
"Well, I don't hate them. This is the first time I've received roses from someone."
"Then get used to it," she said, trying to smile. "Because you can expect more from me."
Ichiro chuckled softly. "Alright, kiddo. But what's the occasion?"
She looked up, her hands trembling. "I have something to say. A confession. I... I like you. No, I love you. I'm in love with you. And I don't expect anything in return. I just needed to tell you. If I didn't, it would stay inside me like a volcano ready to erupt."
Ichiro stood frozen, baffled. The little girl who used to run around without a care in the world was now standing before him in full makeup, a yellow dress, and a bouquet of roses—confessing her love.
Before he could say anything, she turned and ran.
Her yellow dress disappeared into the evening sun, like a fading flame.
Later that night, Ichiro called her.
"Aria… you're just confused right now. When you go to university, you'll meet many people. Better people. Right now, you think it's love, but… you don't even fully understand what love is. I adore you, but—like a little sister—"
Before he could finish, she cut him off.
"I understand, Dr. Ichiro."
Then she hung up.
They never spoke of it again.
Ichiro went on treating her like a little sister. And Aria tried to bury her feelings deep in her heart.
But two years later, that same pain returned—burning hotter than ever.
Because Ichiro was about to propose to the love of his life.
He was glowing with happiness, shy yet excited, as he showed the ring to Aria's brother—a huge diamond sparkling with promise.
"Good luck, buddy. You're finally getting married!" her brother cheered.
"Thanks, bro," Ichiro said with a nervous laugh. "I'm so anxious about the proposal."
It was the first time Aria had seen the calm, composed Dr. Ichiro so nervous—and it wasn't because of her. It was because of another woman.
But life doesn't always go as planned.
Two days before the proposal, Amy—his beloved—broke up with him and left for abroad.
And soon after, Ichiro got into a terrible car accident.
An accident that would change everything.
Forever.