A shrill voice pierced the air.
"Saige!"
A woman's in her late 40's panic echoed from the base of the stairs, her eyes wide with fear as the small figure of a girl rushed down each step, determination and frustration written all over her face.
"Mommy! Big brother stole my belt!" the girl huffed, cheeks puffed in protest. "How am I supposed to go to my Taekwondo lesson?"
Her mother met her at the foot of the stairs, crouching so they were face to face.
Concern shadowed her expression.
"Princess, didn't the doctor say you need to stop these intense activities? It's not good for your heart."
"But, Mom… I want to!" Saige pouted, crossing her arms tightly, her tiny foot tapping the floor in defiance.
Just then, her older brother descended the staircase, a playful glint in his eye, mischief lighting up his grin.
"Sai, I'll take your place and win all the awards. Don't worry—your brother's got you. Every trophy I earn is for you."
"I don't want your trophies!" she snapped, her eyes burning with a fire that didn't match her fragile body. "I want to earn them myself!"
Mayari Saige Reigo had always been like that—a girl who hated defeat more than anything. Gifted beyond her years—taekwondo, music, dance, skating, quizzes, even board games—she excelled at everything. She had the soul of a warrior and the heart of an artist.
But her body… her body betrayed her.
And that truth hurt her more than any opponent ever could.
That thought clung to her like fog as she turned and stormed back to her room. The door slammed just hard enough to say— I am not okay.
Inside, she collapsed into her chair, elbows resting on the desk, chin in her hands. She grabbed her sketchpad, her pencil moving in restless loops as her thoughts drifted further away.
A sound of a Knock can be heard on Raya's bedroom door
But she couldn't hear the knock at first.
Only when her frustrated scribbles turned into deep circles carved into the paper did she finally notice it.
She stood, dragging her feet toward the door—and opened it to find her brother.
"Sai… can we talk?"
"No." She began to close the door, but his hand stopped it just in time.
"Wait—ow! Hey, that hurt!" he winced, clutching his hand.
Concern instantly replaced her anger.
"Are you okay? Why would you do that? It's your fault!" she scolded, her voice laced with panic.
But he only chuckled softly.
"Sai, I know you love taekwondo. You love skating. You love all of it. But please try to understand why we're doing this. Mom and I… we're scared. Last time, it was almost—"
He didn't finish. He didn't need to.
He gently held her hand.
"Mom will cry again, you know," he added teasingly, lightening the mood. "I meant what I said. Every win is for you."
He paused.
"But what if… you try swimming? I heard it's good therapy. Maybe that could be your new sport?"
Something shifted in her eyes.
"Swimming?" she whispered, a spark returning to her face. "Let's do it! I want swimming lessons!"
His grin widened.
"Then start preparing. I'll tell Mom. But no more sulking, okay? You're ten now. No more crying."
"Okay!" she beamed, bouncing on her toes.
"I'm heading out. It's Saturday—so finish all your homework!" he called as he walked away.
"I will!" she replied, pretending to be annoyed.
He waved as the door closed behind him, and she waved back with a small nod.
Alone again, Saige returned to her desk. She tore out the page she had ruined and set it aside. Her hand steadied as she lifted her pencil once more.
This time, she drew something different—a tree.
Rooted.
Growing.
Just like how her life will be.