Scene: Rooftop – Late Afternoon
Areum sat alone on the rooftop, wind brushing through her hair. Her usual neat braid was coming undone. Her eyes, once so clear, now shimmered with frustration and confusion.
> "Why is everyone acting like I'm the fake?"
"Why does Rael know things I never told anyone?"
Behind her, the rooftop door creaked open.
Rael stepped through.
"You're in my seat," she said softly, like a joke—but with a bite.
Areum stood slowly. "Why are you doing this?"
Rael tilted her head, smiling.
"Doing what? Being better?"
---
Scene: Flashback – Days Ago
A locker opens.
A notebook is gone.
That same day, Areum is accused of cheating.
Another day, a teacher coldly reprimands her for skipping class—though she had been present.
Every time, Rael was nearby.
---
Back to Rooftop
"Why do you want to be me?" Areum asked, voice shaking.
Rael's expression flickered—almost like a glitch.
"I don't want to be you," she whispered.
"I am you. Just perfected."
The air turned cold.
Rael stepped forward, voice icy:
"You're the prototype. A flawed one. They'll see that soon."
Areum clenched her fists.
> "Even if that's true… I'd rather be flawed and real… than perfect and hollow."
Rael's smile vanished.
---
Scene: Training Hall – That Night
The MC sat cross-legged in silence, reviewing tournament brackets.
He looked over to see a shadow outside the window—Areum.
Bruised. Shaken. But eyes burning with clarity.
"I'm ready," she said.
He simply nodded.
---
Final Panel: A Countdown Overlay
3 Days Until the Tournament.
Four names.
Four fates.
And one stage to settle it all.
---