I've been having nightmares recently. It's so strange, I used to simply dream about Konna, but now I have nightmares about her. It's like my world has been flipped upside down.

It's almost like she knows I'm afraid, I haven't really seen her recently though. Ever since I went to Akane's place for the first time, I haven't seen Konna. It's strange, I've also been talking to Akane a lot more recently, apparently, she's been seeing Konna more and more.

Saiko too, she's reached out to me, but I haven't exactly spoken to her properly, I'd say a simple 'Hi' or 'Hey' and move on. She seems more down too, it makes me feel bad, but I feel like I don't have a choice.

Konna's presence after her death has become normal, and cold too, I remember when I was with Akane, and she touched me. I didn't see her after that night, though, and that was weeks ago.

Akane said she's been receiving more and more injuries during her sleep, which concerns me, it's like Konna is angry at her, which Akane already suspected. This is the main reason I'm distancing myself from Saiko, I don't like the idea of Konna knowing about Saiko.

If my former love met my new one, what would happen? I don't really want to know, and I don't plan to either, I just hope Saiko's doing fine.

...

As snow fell to the ground, I simply watched from my window, it was winter now. I had picked up visiting Konna's grave again, ever since that night with Akane. I knew the truth, I knew about what Konna did, and yet, I felt as if that piece of me that returned when I saw Konna again was gone. It's not like I chose to stop talking to her, her spirit just stopped showing up.

As the sun set, I put on my coat and walked out the front door, and with every stop I took the snow beneath me was crushed.

Walking, alone, down the sidewalk I realize how beautiful the seasons are. It always intrigued me, how each of the seasons had their own aesthetic, but with all the drama recently I had lost touch.

As snowflakes fell, and as dead trees lined the sidewalk, once lush and green, I find it all so beautiful. I like to think the weather sometimes matches me, or my life in general.

It was cold.

...

I stood in front of Konna's grave, the marble structure covered in white. As I stared at her name carved into the stone.

Konna had always meant so much to me, of course, she was my first love. But I always wondered if there was a deeper meaning behind my feelings for her, or if there was an explanation as to why I loved her.

I used to think love was one of those things where you just enjoyed someone's company, or when you liked the feeling, someone gave you.

But now, standing here, in the snow, cold, and alone, I realize that it really isn't about any of that. I mean, it is and can be, but love in its purest form is something I cannot explain.

I remember feeling it when I held Konna's hand and said, 'I love you' for the first and last time. It sucked that we didn't have that much time together, I experienced love for the first time, and it was stripped from me. I always felt robbed of a lifetime with Konna, I wonder if we would still be together if she was alive. I mean, we're probably still together in her eyes, or at least in her soul.

My thoughts were interrupted by soft footsteps approaching me.

I turned around and saw Saiko, her dark blue hair covered by a white beanie. She wore a white coat, too.

"Saiko?"

I said, surprised by her sudden appearance.

"You come here often."

She replied, our eyes meeting as she walked closer to me, standing beside me.

Her eyes moved to Konna's grave.

"I'm assuming she has something to do with it."

My eyes widened a little, I hadn't told Saiko about Konna or her spirit left, which is kind of strange to leave out or not discuss, but it was mostly because I haven't been talking to her a lot recently.

I opened my mouth to speak, but she spoke before I could.

"She's the girl in my dreams."

I blinked, confused. Saiko has been seeing Konna in her dreams?

"Huh? Why is she in your dreams? I doubt you knew her."

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"I didn't, but I know she knew you."

She opened her eyes and gazed at me.

"She's in my dreams, killing me, proclaiming her undying love for you."

Saiko's eyes seemed very empty, like she was unfazed.

She spoke again.

"It's that or she's in the background of my dreams, simply watching. It's scary, I've never really remembered my dreams before, but now, they're so vivid, almost like memories even."

I didn't know how to respond, Saiko's piercing gaze not helping. Her face was stunning, admittedly, and I know that's probably what I shouldn't be thinking about right now.

"We haven't spoken in a while."

Saiko said, her gaze diverting from my face to Konna's grave.

"I know, I'm sorry, I didn't want you to know about her."

I shook my head.

"I mean, I didn't want her to know about you."

Saiko sighed, her eyes not leaving Konna's gravestone.

"I guess it was for nothing, then."

I sighed, she was right, I was pushing her away for nothing.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

Saiko's eyes diverted from the grave to me, our eyes meeting again.

She turned her body to face me, and I already knew what was going to happen next, I wanted to push her away and say no.

But instead, I took her in my arms.

"I've been waiting for this."

"Me too."

Our lips connected, and the feeling I had missed for so long finally returned.

I wanted to savor the moment, but Konna's glowing red eyes in the distance horrified me.

...

Konna looked at me, and I got lost in her features. The way her dark brown hair fell behind her, the way her eyes shined whenever she looked at me.

The scene was all too perfect, the way the sun made her hair glimmer, the way the green trees swayed in the park.

"Do you promise?"

Konna said, her red eyes meeting mine.

"Yes, I promise."

Konna smiled and giggled, she held her hand out, and I grabbed it, intertwining our fingers.

"I love you."

"I love you too, we'll be together forever, right?"

"Of course."

And as she slipped the silver ring onto my ring finger, our love formed a curse.