Lulu Lu had never been this happy before.
Like a child finding the longed-for toy in their Christmas stocking—so overjoyed she nearly lost herself.
This had to be a full mutual confession.
Absolutely.
Their feelings were confirmed; two loving hearts now without distance.
“This is… so wonderful! So wonderful!”
Tears welled in Lulu Lu’s eyes. She lifted Lily Liu’s hand, pressed it gently to her chest, and offered a sweet smile:
“Lily, let’s adventure into a new world—together! Just us two!”
“Mm!”
Lily Liu nodded but avoided eye contact, gaze fixed on her own hand, tightly held by Lulu Lu.
Lulu Lu watched her quietly. Emotions swirled, deepened, then surged into an uncontrollable flutter.
“Hey… Lily…”
She released Lily Liu’s hand, then cupped her cheeks, voice hazy:
“Shall we… do something fun together?”
Lily Liu sensed danger instinctively but didn’t resist. “Lulu… what do you want to do?”
“Cooking.”
Without hesitation, Lulu Lu leaned in and kissed her.
Lily Liu sighed softly and passively reciprocated.
…
…
Preparations were easier than expected.
No need for restraining items—no large suitcase, no sleeping pills—so packing flew by.
Just money, masks, hats, Lily Liu herself, and a chosen destination.
Lulu Lu settled on Black Rose City, west of the White Lily Republic.
Its safety wasn’t as good as Orange City, but not terrible.
Crucially, it housed the Republic’s largest slum—or rather, a true lawless zone.
Local forums showed skyscrapers rivaling Orange City’s downtown, bustling streets, crowded markets.
But also darkness: unclaimed corpses roadside, violent graffiti, masked figures flaunting guns—common sights.
A paradise for those hiding. With money, life stayed comfortable.
Yet Lulu Lu knew: a girl like her must disguise well there. Show weakness? She’d be torn apart without a trace.
Calm and focused, she prepared. Lily Liu watched silently, never interrupting.
Every step done by Lulu Lu alone. Lily Liu merely observed.
Soon, ready.
“Lily, let’s go.”
Bag slung over her shoulder, Lulu Lu extended her hand.
“Mm.”
Lily Liu nodded, took it, and they walked toward the door.
Her hand trembled slightly. Lulu Lu assumed it was shared excitement for the new future—nothing more.
They stepped out of the house, through the garden, into the open.
Dusk. Fading amber light burned its last breath; the sunset stained crimson like blood.
Per plan, a waiting car would take them to the station.
Then—Lily Liu yanked her hand away.
“Lily? What’s wrong?”
Lulu Lu reached again.
Slapped aside—hard.
Frozen, Lulu Lu met Lily Liu’s gaze.
“Lulu… I’m sorry. I lied.”
Lily Liu removed her mask. A mocking smirk played across the face Lulu Lu adored:
“I never thought you’d be this naive. Your little head still surprises me.”
Understanding crashed over Lulu Lu. Rage flared—but she choked it down. She needed to know why.
“Lily… was it all an act? Why not escape during the shower?”
Lily Liu snorted. “Think I’m as foolish as you? I didn’t know if the bathroom was another trap. Only outside am I safe.”
“Why… Lily, why lie?”
“Why?” Lily Liu’s face twisted in disgust. “There hasn’t been a ‘why’ since you kidnapped me.”
“I can’t forgive you. For the kidnapping. For trampling my dignity and calling it love. For everything these two days.”
“But… you said you loved me! You said you’d try with me, Lily—you said it!”
Lulu Lu’s voice cracked, near collapse.
“…Maybe the old me loved you. But not now. Never now. Free again… I don’t need to love you anymore.”
Lily Liu turned away, repeating the words like a mantra, voice trembling.
Then she shook her head, face icy.
“You thought your speech was moving, didn’t you?
You thought I was won over—ready to flee with you to a new life?”
“…It was just your self-deception.”
“Lily…”
Why?
How did it come to this?
The light vanished from Lulu Lu’s eyes.
Why deceive me?
“Alright. I admit I failed.”
Calmly, Lulu Lu spoke: “Your bag’s still inside. I’ll fetch it. Let’s part cleanly.”
Confused but feeling safe outside, Lily Liu nodded. “Mm.”
Minutes later.
Lulu Lu approached, bag in hand—then hurled it aside.
The mask fell. A sharp kitchen knife gleamed in her grip; madness flooded her eyes.
One stab—toward her beloved’s neck.
Caught off guard, Lily Liu blocked instinctively. The blade sliced deep into her forearm.
Shock froze her. Pain screamed. She forgot to run.
Unhinged, Lulu Lu kicked her down, straddled her, knife aimed at her throat.
“No, Lulu, no—”
No hesitation. She stabbed.
Warm liquid splattered Lulu Lu’s face—sweet, familiar.
Just like Lily Liu’s scent.
“Lily… why were you so disobedient?”
*Stab.*
“Hehe… hahahahaha…!!!!”
*Stab.*
“Why! Why! Why!”
*Stab.*
“Why lie to me?!”
*Stab.*
“Why break your vow?!”
*Stab.*
“Why say you loved me…?”
Crimson streaked her cheeks. Giggling maniacally, she stabbed again and again—until nothing remained.
Then she cradled the fragments of her childhood friend…
And kissed them deeply.
