Akane stood on her balcony, looking up at the sky.
"This world was never meant to be the same for everyone."
A single star lingered above—alone, trembling, slowly losing its shine.
She wondered if even the heavens abandoned what no longer mattered.
Inside her room, she lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
*People say God exists… but where is He?*
Tears traced their way down her face, not in anger, but in exhaustion.
*When crimes happen, when someone is breaking silently, where does God stand?
Even humans—flawed and fragile—reach out to help those who suffer.*
She clutched a pillow against her chest.
*I can't understand the concept of God,* she thought.
*Crimes are committed in His name, yet goodness appears where humans no longer believe in Him.*
"If God exists, He is not kind.
If He is kind, then He is not watching.
And if He is watching—then suffering is not a mistake, but a decision."
She stood up and walked toward the table, her body heavy, her thoughts heavier. She poured herself a glass of water.
"When crimes happen, the world does not pause.
The sky does not fall.
God does not descend."
She drank, the water cold against the fire in her chest.
"Only humans scream.
Only humans bleed.
Only humans help."
She swallowed the last mouthful slowly.
"Even powerless humans possess the kindness to help others," she whispered,
"yet they say God can do anything—and still He cannot silence the cry of a baby."
"People claim God tests those He loves.
But what kind of love demands blood as proof of loyalty?
What kind of justice requires children to suffer so heaven can remain pure?
And why should heaven be cleansed with the blood of childrens?"
She closed her eyes.
*I prayed endlessly,* she thought.
*And now I understand.
Prayer was never a bridge to Him—
it was a lullaby meant to quiet fear.
A way to kneel instead of resist.
To wait instead of act.
If God existed, the word suffering would never have been created.
If suffering exists, then God is a lie.
And if He allows it, then He is not worthy of worship—only fear.*
A realization settled heavily within her.
"Perhaps God is not a savior, but a spectator.
A silent witness who calls free will a gift,
then hides behind it while the innocent pay the price."
Her voice hardened.
"Then He is crueler and uglier than humans themselves."
"Because there are thousands of gods," she said quietly,
"yet not a single one comes to help.
But among ten humans, at least two will step forward."
And in that truth, she found something, something honest.
*God is not a creator.
God is a concept—
designed to keep the powerless obedient
and the powerful unaccountable.
That is why He still exists.*
"God was invented the moment humans realized no one was coming.
Yet even now, humanity waits for a savior who never existed— still they wait for salvation—while the world burns around them."
"They kept their eyes on heaven, unaware that the fire had already reached their feet."
Silence filled the room.
The weight of those thoughts pressed down on her chest, slow and suffocating. Her breathing steadied, exhaustion overtaking anger. The world outside remained unchanged—no answers, no signs, no divine interruption.
Her eyes closed, not in peace, but in surrender to fatigue.
And in the quiet darkness, with unanswered questions echoing softly in her mind,
"Mom, tomorrow is my birthday."
she finally fell asleep, with tears.
The next day…
The classroom buzzed with murmurs and excitement; everyone seemed to be in a cheerful mood.
But Yukino felt her heartbeat grow louder with every passing second.
*Today they'll sing the happy birthday song…
How am I supposed to sing along?
What if… I don't sing at all?*
Her thoughts spiraled as she imagined what might happen.
Yuji glanced at her from across the room and scoffed.
"Look at her, acting all high and mighty."
"Yeah," Haruto replied coldly. "That's exactly why I walk away whenever I see her."
Without warning, Yuji walked up to Yukino and said sharply,
"I hate you. You and Aizuki are the same."
Yukino flinched. Her body stiffened as she shook her head, trembling, unable to say a word.
But this was her worst moment.
Sachi noticed immediately—something was definitely wrong.
*What's going on with her?
She's standing there… thinking… shaking her head…
Now she's standing again. Is she lagging?
Did her brain get stuck on repeat?*
But he had another plan.
He walked over to the bench behind her and began copying her.
He stood completely still for four seconds… then shook his head four times.
He repeated it again, perfectly serious.
The moment everyone noticed, smiles spread across the classroom.
Within seconds, the place was filled with laughter.