A Perfect Cage

The weight of expectation settles on your shoulders like a heavy cloak. Everyone sees you as "the nice girl," the talented music student, the one who plays the harp just as her father demands. But inside, you're a tangled mess of anxiety and sadness, longing to be seen for who you truly are.

Tonight, at Luisa's party, you try to shed that skin, dressed in clothes your friends picked out. Standing in front of the mirror, you scrutinize your reflection, the insecurities magnified by your own anxious gaze. Jenny, your best friend, tries to reassure you, but her own struggles with body image only highlight the different burdens you both carry.

As the party gets louder, the pressure to fit in becomes unbearable. You escape to the back patio, seeking fresh air and a moment of peace. But even here, you're not alone. A cloud of cigarette smoke signals the arrival of the last person you expected to see, especially alone – Ren Mori.