NEW - NOIR EXTREME WRESTLING

(Previously - Part XI - The Sum of All Cruelty)

21:44 Hana_Jeong: When I open my eyes, the blurred shapes slowly resolve into a flurry of motion and flashing emergency lights. A constellation of faces hovers above mepo lice officers, firefighters, and paramedics. Mai, my kind Vietnamese neighbor from down the hall, stands near the edge of the chaos with her boyfriend, looking pale and shaken. They had noticed my front door left wide open when they walked past, stepped inside to check, and immediately called 911 when they found the carnage. "What do you feel? Do you have pain?" a paramedic's voice asks, cutting through the ringing in my ears. The shock and trauma crashing over me are so overwhelming that my brain short-circuits. For a terrifying few minutes, I forget how to speak English entirely, my native tongue rushing in to fill the void. I sob panicked, incoherent fragments in Korean while they shine a penlight into my eyes and check my vital signs. After a tense examination, they determine I am physically out of danger, though battered and dangerously weak from blood loss and shock. "I'm ok, please, I'm ok," I manage to force out in a ragged whisper, desperate to make them stop, desperate just to be left alone in the wreckage. A police officer steps forward, clipboard in hand, his expression grim. "Who did this to you? Do you remember anything?" My voice trembles violently at the mere thought of her name. A cold wave of terror washes over me; if I file a formal complaint, what happens when she finds out? Will she finish what she started? Paralyzed by fear, I hold back the full truth for now. While the officers question me, the firefighters sweep the apartment, checking for any remaining hazards from the small fires Lauren had set before leaving. They advise me to come down to the precinct to file an official report whenever I feel strong enough.

21:44 Hana_Jeong: Eventually, the room clears out. Mai stays behind just long enough to heat up a simple bowl of food and gently ask if I want to stay at her place for the night. I shake my head, whispering a weak refusal. I can't burden anyone else, and I can't bear the thought of moving. When the last of them finally leave and the heavy silence settles back over the loft, I sink deep into the surrounding darkness, curling inward as the tears finally take over until exhaustion pulls me under once more.

 

21:58 Sara_León: Three days have passed since my match with Hana, and I still haven't heard a thing from her. I understand that she probably needs time to process everything that happened, but after that reconciliation, I'm still uneasy because of the lack of messages and... any signs that she's alive. Lauren's occasional presence in the locker rooms at Noir only makes me even more nervous. I know you live together, and if it weren't for the hatred I have for her, I would have gone to ask her already. But everything changes the moment I receive a notification on my phone. An email addressed to the entire N.E.W. roster saying that you've been fired from the company. I freeze completely, and without thinking twice, I start calling your cell phone. One... Two, three, four, five times. You don't answer. So I head straight to your apartment, my heart in my throat. When I reach your door, I find it closed, so I start ringing the doorbell. Once... Then again, and again, unable to get the thought out of my head that they might have fired you for no apparent reason, without even telling me. "Hana!!" I start shouting, without stopping pressing the doorbell. "Hana!! It's me!! I'm Sara!! Open up!!"

22:09 Hana_Jeong: I was dead to the world, curled up on the scorched, battered remains of my sofa, when the aggressive ringing of the doorbell cuts through the silence like a knife. "Fuck..." I groan, my whole body erupting in a fresh wave of agony. My first instinct is to stay completely still and pretend there's nobody home. I don't want anyone to see me like this. But when I hear your voice echoing through the hallway frantic, terrified, calling my name. I know I can't hide. Dragging myself off the cushions is a slow, agonizing exercise in torture. Every muscle aches, my ribs scream with every breath, and my bandaged, newly butchered scalp throbs mercilessly. I shuffle toward the entryway, each step feeling like walking on broken glass. Slowly, I unlock the door and pull it open just enough for you to see me. I keep my head bowed, completely unable to look you in the eyes, ashamed of the wreck standing before you. The moment the door clicks wide, the last of my fragile control shatters, and I immediately burst into heavy, silent tears.

22:11 Sara_León: "Hana?..." I leave the question hanging the moment I see your silhouette appear through the crack in the door. You look... different. The door slowly opens wider, letting me see the state you're in, leaving me completely frozen. Then you burst into tears. For a few seconds, I'm unable to move, as if I believe I'm hallucinating and, with the blink of an eye, my usual Hana will be standing in front of me again. But you don't disappear. You're still there, crying silently, ashamed, with your hair ruined, injuries all over your body... "What...?" I begin to ask, but as I gradually become aware of the situation, my instincts slowly fall into place. I step inside your apartment and gently but firmly close the door behind me, leaving us alone together. Then I walk over to you, wrap both arms around you, and pull you tightly against my chest, not knowing what the hell is going on but knowing exactly what I have to do. "Shhhh... I'm here... You can cry..." My eyes begin to wander around the room, slowly taking in the devastation. "Go ahead and cry. I'm not going anywhere..."

22:14 Hana_Jeong: I collapse against you, laying my head heavily on your shoulder as I cocoon myself in your warmth. The moment you pull me in, the ice around my heart finally cracks. I know I'm safe here. You are holding me just like you used to back in Japan, wrapping me in that same fierce, unconditional protection that always made the world feel manageable. Even though our ages are almost identical, you have always been the older sister I needed, the one who stood between me and the storm. For ten unbroken minutes, I don't try to speak. I don't have the words, and the sheer weight of what happened is too massive to articulate. I just cry letting out every drop of accumulated terror, grief, and humiliation that I've been holding inside. My shoulders shake with every sob as I soak your shirt with my tears, entirely silent except for the ragged hitch of my breathing, trusting you to simply hold the pieces of me together while the world outside waits.

22:16 Sara_León: I hold on to you. I hold on to you as if my life depended on it. I let you soak my shirt, lean against me, and I don't loosen my arms. I wrap you up and pull you close without asking you any questions, letting the minutes pass while I slowly gather my thoughts. I take in the devastation, a thousand scenarios come to mind, though one question keeps returning to my head over and over again. Where's Lauren? Still, my curiosity can wait. It seems as though you've needed this hug for months. I only got your friendship back three days ago. It's worth it. The moment I feel you beginning to relax, I finally dare to whisper, "Would you like a glass of wine?"

22:23 Hana_Jeong: I don't say a word in response to your offer. Instead, I reach out with a trembling hand, grabbing yours and weakly pulling you further inside the apartment, guiding you toward the battered, half-burnt remnants of the sofa. A tiny, hysterical breath catches in my throat, forcing a small, dry laugh out of me despite everything. "It's the first time you visit my place," I manage to murmur, the dark irony hanging heavily in the ruined room. As we reach the sofa, I quickly sweep a hand across the cushions, frantically shoving a scattering of sedative and anxiolytic packets out of sight beneath a pillow, desperate to hide the evidence of how close I came to ending it all. "No, thanks," I whisper when you ask about the wine. I swallow hard, gripping your hand tightly as I try to summon every ounce of courage I have left to say the words that have been choking me since you walked through the door. "Lauren is no longer here," I manage to force out. The moment her name crosses my lips, the fragile wall I was holding up shatters completely. The tears return with a vengeance, hitting me in violent, heaving waves. I double over, burying my face in my hands as my whole body shakes. "She killed me inside, Sara," I sob, the raw agony tearing right through me.

22:24 Sara_León: I keep my expression as neutral as I possibly can, but the alarm is written all over my face when I see your movements, the anxiolytics and sedatives, and hear your breathing. A needle of guilt pierces my soul. I should have come sooner. Much sooner. Then you mention Lauren, and every muscle in my face tenses. Your last sentence is enough to make me visibly flush with barely restrained fury. My first instinct is to shout, "I told you so," but the truth is that not even I imagined she could go this far. Then I remember that I told you that, if that day ever came, I'd be there for you. I move to you quickly as soon as you double over and bury your face in your hands. I wrap my arms around you and gently force you to sink to the floor with me, settling you across my lap and cradling you as though you were a little girl, letting you curl up into the fetal position. "I'm still here, Hana. I'm not going anywhere..." I tell you, unable to find better words. "I'll stay with you tonight. Or come back to my apartment with me if you'd rather. I'm not going to leave you alone." Not a chance, I think. The sight of you is heartbreaking, and I curse myself for having been so SPINELESS about this. For letting you stay with Lauren despite everything, because I was afraid you'd stop talking to me. My anger becomes more and more visible, but my focus is on making sure you know that I'm still here for you, that nothing bad is going to happen to you while you're with me.

22:27 Hana_Jeong: "I know you warned me," I sob, my voice cracking under the immense weight of my own regret. I press my face against your chest, letting out a ragged breath. "Please... I don't want to be a burden for you. I'm ok here, this will pass." Even as I say the words, my entire body betrays the lie. I am shaking violently, shivering despite the warmth of your embrace, completely incapable of surviving another night alone in this tomb of memories.

22:28 Sara_León: I gently stroke your head, my hand trembling with helplessness and rage, speaking to you only in whispers. "Not even I could have imagined something like this... This is my fault for pushing you away. I abandoned you. I'm sorry. But I'm not going to abandon you this time. I'm taking you with me, even if I have to drag you there. You can't stay here." A thousand questions are trying to force their way out of my throat. I want to ask if you know why Noir fired you, but it doesn't feel like the right moment. I gather my patience and place a gentle kiss on your forehead. "It's over, okay? It's over now. You're with me."

22:32 Hana_Jeong: No matter what happens, I know that in this cruel, twisted world, I will always have a sanctuary in your arms. Just that simple, steady truth infuses a tiny, stubborn spark of strength back into my broken bones. I lift my head slightly from your chest, wiping at the wet tracks on my cheeks with the back of my trembling hand, trying to find my voice through the remaining sobs. “No, Sara, please don’t say that, it’s not your fault,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I’m a grown up. All the red flags were there since day one, and again... I was too stupidly naive to believe that everyone is good in this world.” A heavy, suffocating silence falls between us for a second as the weight of my own blindness settles over me. Then, my eyes accidentally catch the glint of silver on your wrist. I look down at your watch, and the blood instantly drains from my face. “Fuck…” I gasp, panic spiking sharply through my veins as I scramble backward, wincing as my bruised ribs protest the movement. “I have a training session at Noir tonight.”

22:46 Sara_León: "Hana... have you checked your e-mail?" It is clearly that you are unaware of what's going on. 

22:50 Hana_Jeong: I stare at you, completely blank, my brain desperately trying to process words that refuse to make sense. "What??" I push myself up from the floor, ignoring the sharp, protesting stabs of pain in my ribs and the raw thumping of my heart. Stumbling through the debris of the ruined living room, I frantically search for my phone among the cushions and shattered glass until I spot it glowing faintly on the floor. I pick it up with trembling fingers. The screen is flooded with notifications dozens of missed calls and unread messages. Swallowing hard, I bypass them and open my email app. Right at the top is a mass message sent to the entire roster. My eyes scan the cold, formal lines: "Dear all, we hereby inform you that wrestler Hana Jeong was released from her contract. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors." My heart hammers wildly against my ribs, a sickening lurch of panic suffocating my lungs. Barely breathing, I back out of the roster email and tap on the second unread message, this one sent directly to my personal inbox from the Noir general manager.

22:52 Sara_León: I stay a short distance away, watching you and giving you time to process the new information. I bite my lip, not really knowing how to react. Leaning against a table, I begin to walk slowly toward you. "I... thought you already knew..." I say, brushing my hair away from my face. "That's why I came to see you. As soon as I got the email, I called you several times, but you didn't answer, and I got worried. I never imagined I'd find you... like this... much less that you didn't know."

22:54 Hana_Jeong: I let my legs give out, sinking heavily back onto the ruined sofa. I drop my head down until it almost touches my knees, burying my face and gripping my hair tightly with both hands as if I can physically hold my splitting head together. My entire life has crumbled into dust, and the sheer speed of it is dizzying. The last time I felt this hollow, this completely abandoned, was years ago in Spain when my ex-boyfriend packed his bags and left me stranded. But this pain is infinitely worse. This time, I am physically shattered, my sanctuary is a trash heap, and I am standing completely jobless and alone in the middle of New York City. I take a long, shuddering, ragged breath, letting the cold air burn my throat before I finally look up at you, my eyes completely dead and defeated. "It's over, Sara," I whisper, the words tasting like ash. "I'm going back to Korea. I don't know what to do. She completely trashed my life."

22:54 Sara_León: I walk over to you and crouch down in front of you, my knees pressing against yours, and take your hands in mine. "Hey, I know you don't want to talk... but you have to start giving me more information. I still don't know what happened. You can't just go back to Korea. Does the email say why they're firing you?"

22:54 Hana_Jeong: I let out a harsh, bitter breath, my fingers trembling as you take them in yours. I pull my knees up closer to my chest, staring down at the floor between us. "They didn't give a real reason in the official statement," I whisper, my voice cracking as fresh tears spill down my cheeks. "Just the usual corporate garbage about 'future endeavors.' But... but when I look at the other message from the board..." I swallow hard, the lump in my throat so thick it's choking me. "Lauren... Lauren sent them something. Or she did something while I was unconscious. A formal complaint, or... or photos, or lies about what happened here. She set me up to look like the volatile, dangerous one, and Noir bought it. They cut me loose without a second thought because it’s easier to throw me away than deal with whatever narrative she spun." I squeeze my eyes shut, letting out a ragged sob. "I have nothing left, Sara. No job, no apartment worth staying in, and no face left to show in this city. How am I supposed to stay here?"

22:55 Sara_León: I listen to you intently, never taking my eyes off you, barely containing my anger as you speak. I don't even try to hide it. Simply forcing myself not to interrupt you takes half of my attention.

22:55 Hana_Jeong: I wipe my face with the sleeve of my oversized shirt, my voice dropping to a fragile, broken whisper as I start from the beginning. "It started building up months ago," I confess, the memories washing over me like cold water. "Even back on our road trip, there were signs. Little cracks. But I ignored them." I pause, letting out a shaky breath before looking down at our joined hands. "She grew obsessively jealous of our bond our sisterhood. She couldn't stand the idea that I looked up to you and admired you above everyone else. It drove her crazy. She wanted to use me as a pawn to get to you, to get her hands on your title, but when I couldn't or wouldn't play along the way she wanted..." My lower lip trembles, and I look back up, meeting your gaze directly, my eyes shining with absolute devastation. "After you defeated me in our match... she snapped completely. She came here. She tore everything apart. And I'm certain she used whatever lies or influence she had left with the board to get me blacklisted and kicked out of Noir before I could even defend myself." A bitter, self-loathing tear slips down my cheek. "I really liked her," I whisper, my voice cracking under the weight of the betrayal. "At some point, I genuinely believed she was a good person, that she was a true friend. But... no. I was completely mistaken."

22:58 Sara_León: My hands tighten around yours, and when you finish speaking, I slowly nod. I notice that some of your injuries have already been treated, so I assume you've at least received medical attention. "Tell me you've told the police all of this. Because if you haven't, I'm going to do it myself right now."

23:03 Hana_Jeong: "Yes, the police were already here," I whisper, my voice hollow and defeated. "But do you really think they are going to do anything? Her family is rich, and even though she was disinherited, she still has connections, money, and power. I’m just an immigrant wrestler from Korea. I’m a no one." I shake my head, a heavy wave of hopelessness crashing over me. "No, Sara. She won, and I have no strength left to fight back." I drop my chin, looking down at the scarred floorboards between us. With a trembling finger, I point toward a dark corner of the room where a mountain of debris lies scattered. "Look down on the floor. My memories, my photos... our photos, torn into a thousand tiny pieces," I sob, the tears spilling over again. "What can I do against a hatred like that? She didn't just break my things; she erased me."

23:05 Sara_León: I turn my head toward where you're pointing, then look back at you. I squeeze your hands, trembling with rage, until I finally let go and stand up, my voice completely firm and authoritative. "First of all, you're coming with me. You're going to live in my apartment, and I'm not accepting any arguments. And not one word about going back to Korea—not until you've recovered." I take a step back, pulling out my phone and starting to type something. "And second... I'm not the police, and there's not enough money in the world to stop me. So that miserable bitch is going to find out who she's messed with..."

23:06 Hana_Jeong: I reach out and catch your hand, my fingers wrapping weakly around yours to stop you. "Don't do anything, Sara," I plead, my voice laced with genuine panic. "I'm sure she pulled strings to try to hurt you or kick you out too, but you are the champion. Don't do anything reckless that could give them an excuse to strip you of your title belt. It's what we fought for, and you know more than anyone how hard it is to get to the top." Despite the crushing weight in my chest, a small, fragile warmth begins to thaw the numbness inside me. Just having you here makes me feel just a little bit less alone, and my overloaded brain slowly starts to reboot, trying to find a foothold in the chaos. I shake my head, looking around the devastated room before meeting your eyes again. "I can't leave this place, Sara," I say, my voice growing a fraction steadier. "If I run away now, she wins completely. I need to clean everything up... and try to rebuild a new home, right here."

23:07 Sara_León: I remain tense, processing your words and realizing that you're right. Or at least partly right. I delete what I was typing and angrily throw my phone onto the couch before listening to you and nodding. "You're right, yes... good call. But you can't do this right now, and especially not on your own. Come stay at my apartment for a few days. Let your wounds heal, process everything that's happened, and then, if you still want to, I'll help you rebuild this place. What do you say?"

23:08 Hana_Jeong: A soft, watery smile finally breaks through the tears on my face. I reach out and grab your hand gently, squeezing it tight. "Ok..." I whisper, the tension in my shoulders easing just a fraction. "Thank you. How could I live without you, 언니 (onni)?"

11:57 Hana_Jeong: I assured Sara that I was feeling a bit better after her visit, and I finally accepted her offer to move into her place. Looking around the wreckage, I realized I couldn't spend another night trapped within these walls. Right as Sara stepped out, my landlady called to check if I was alright. She told me she had already contacted insurance to cover the property damage, so I didn't need to worry about the broken fixtures. Fortunately, the lease was solely under my name and not Lauren's, whom the criminal complaint had been filed against. I told her through a tight throat that I simply couldn't live here anymore, and we reached a friendly termination agreement on the spot. Even though Sara offered to come back and help me pack, I needed to do this part alone. The floor was covered in the shattered pieces of my life: my diaries ripped to shreds, personal photos stomped on, drawings ruined, and books torn from their spines. I knelt down with a heavy trash bag, scooping up handfuls of the shredded paper. It felt like the old Hana was lying dead right there on the floor. Lauren had killed her. As I picked up the jagged, torn pieces of my family photo, I broke down, unable to contain the tears streaming down my bruised face. With shaking hands, I carefully gathered every scrap of the picture and placed them inside a small wooden box that had somehow survived Lauren's fury. After five exhausting hours, the loft was finally cleared out, packed, and arranged as best as it could be. I stood alone in the empty, hollow room, pulled out my phone, and typed a simple message to Sara: It's done.

17:10 Hana_Jeong: I called a taxi and gave the driver the address you had sent me. With me, I carried in a small satchel only the few meager items that had survived Lauren's onslaught: a couple of pieces of jewelry and an old picture of the two of us that I had tucked away as a bookmark. When I arrived at your building, I stood outside your apartment, took a deep, steadying breath, and rang the doorbell. As the door swung open and you looked at me standing there bruised and hollowed out, I gave a faint, apologetic smile. "Sorry to show up like this," I said quietly, looking down at my rumpled, torn outfit. "These are the only clothes I have left."

17:19 Sara_León: I've spent the last few hours at home, tidying everything up and trying to make a rather small apartment livable. My head is spinning, trying to process all the information about what happened and trying to manage my hatred toward Lauren. I keep checking my phone every second, worried about having left you alone. The image of the pills so easily within your reach has left me brutally uneasy, and several times I'm about to call you to make sure you're still okay, but I try to remember your insistence on being left alone to pack up and manage to stop myself. When you finally knock on the door, I open it wearing a pair of sweat shorts, a loose, slightly worn T-shirt, and flip-flops. Relief spreads across my face when I see you, and I smile when you speak to me. I hold out both arms and wrap them around you, hugging you as I usher you inside, kissing your cheek and whispering: "Thank you for coming. Welcome..." Then I pull back a little, close the front door, and show you the living room, where I've made up a temporary bed on the couch. "I'll sleep here tonight. I've made up my own bed for you to sleep in. Sorry, it's not a very big apartment and I never have visitors, everything happened so quickly..." I take you to the bedroom, with clean sheets but still decorated and arranged in my own style. "You'll sleep here tonight, tomorrow we'll figure things out and talk about how we're going to organize ourselves. You have a bathroom here... And hey, anything you need, just tell me, okay? Please, seriously. Anything. Make yourself at home"

17:34 Hana_Jeong: When your arms wrap around me, the heavy knot in my chest breaks, and my dark, bruised eyes shine, completely wet with fresh tears. "Thank you, Sara," I whisper, leaning into your embrace for just a second longer before stepping inside. I look around your cozy apartment, taking in the sheets neatly folded on the sofa and the quiet warmth of a real home. When you try to guide me toward your bedroom, I gently place a hand on your arm to stop you, shaking my head. "Please, Sara, no. I can sleep on the couch just fine. Truly. I... I don't even deserve any of this after everything," I murmur, my voice cracking slightly. A faint, bittersweet smile tugs at the corner of my lips as I look around the room. "Besides, this place looks like a palace compared to that tiny shoebox we used to share in Tokyo." The mention of our past sparks a memory through the haze of exhaustion. "Speaking of Tokyo..." I reach into my pocket, my bruised fingers carefully pulling out the small, slightly crumpled printout. "This was one of the few things that survived." I hand you the picture the silly, candid Photo Booth pics we took together in the Tokyo subway all those years ago, capturing two younger, happier versions of us before the world got so complicated.

 

17:41 Sara_León: I stop and look at you tenderly, giving you space to speak, although you don't know me very well at all if you really think you're going to convince me to make you sleep on the couch. I take the photo in my hands and gently stroke it, as if I could touch the memories. It all feels so far away... And yet, I still have you here, by my side... Getting through a difficult situation. I bite my lower lip and hand it back to you, making you press it against your chest. "Keep it... I have my own memories from that time, this photo belongs to you..." I tell you softly, as if cradling you with my voice. And I continue in the same tone: "And I don't give a damn whether you want to sleep on the couch or whether you think you don't deserve whatever it is. It's my apartment and my rules, and tonight you're sleeping in my bed, and tomorrow is another day. And right now you're going to take those clothes off and have a shower. I've left some loose-fitting clothes on the bed for you, tomorrow we'll go shopping."

18:45 Hana_Jeong: I look down at the photo pressed against my chest, feeling the warmth of your hand over mine, and a faint, genuine smile finally breaks through the exhaustion on my face. Your stubbornness hasn't changed a bit since Japan. I look up into your eyes, my voice soft, hesitant, but filled with a quiet longing for the comfort we used to share. "Why don't we just sleep together in the bed? Like we used to do on those stormy nights in Tokyo... staying up late, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and talking about absolute nonsense? I guess I need that kind of therapy"

18:50 Sara_León: I keep looking at you, undecided. I run my tongue over my lips, glancing away for a second before fixing my gaze on you again with a hint of concern. "You need to rest, Hana..." I begin to say, narrowing my eyes slightly as I study you. Tonight you really need me to be that Sara. "...But yes, of course... Take a shower and come to bed, I'll lie down with you. We'll be a little cramped, but I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. I promise."

19:35 Hana_Jeong: "Thank you, sis," I murmur, the word carrying a weight of gratitude I can barely express. After a long, warm shower that finally washes away the grime and the cold chill of that empty loft, I pull on the soft, loose loungewear you left out for me. The fabric smells clean and comforting it smells like home. I shuffle into the bedroom and slide under the blankets beside you. The moment my head sinks into the pillow and you settle in next to me, the sheer, crushing exhaustion of the past days hours pulls me under. My eyes shut, the world goes black, and I sleep like a rock.. deep, unbroken, and uninterrupted for nearly twelve straight hours.

19:41 Sara_León: I let you stretch out on the bed and settle in beside you, cuddling you and letting you feel my presence. It doesn't take me long to realize that you've fallen completely asleep, so I get up quietly, turn off the dim lights in the room, and close the door, leaving you to rest peacefully. It's then... And only then... Once I know you're safe, once I'm certain you're resting and you'll be okay... That I sink to my knees in front of the couch and break down in silent tears, releasing all the tension from the day. Today I almost lost you again, and this time forever, but I managed to make everything turn out okay, so I allow myself the luxury of letting it all out through my own tears, releasing the tension and managing to bring a little order to my thoughts and feelings. Tomorrow morning you'll wake up and we'll have to keep working. I settle onto my couch and curl up, still sobbing a little, trying to calm myself down until I finally manage to fall completely asleep

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19:49 Hana_Jeong: Even in the depths of that heavy sleep, I had felt you cuddling me before you slipped away. It was a warmth I hadn't felt in so long pure empathy, care, and the quiet reminder that I still had value as a human being. When my eyes finally open to the morning light, I push myself out of bed. My body aches, and I wobble slightly on my feet as I pad softly down the hallway. Peeking into the living room, I see you curled up asleep on the couch, exhausted from carrying the weight of yesterday. Instead of waking you, I turn toward the kitchen, a place where you know I'm always happy even when I cause food disasters. Moving quietly so I don't disturb your rest, I search through your fridge and cupboards. I set the small dining table, whip up some warm eggs, and chop whatever fresh fruit you have into a colorful salad, letting the quiet routine ground me for the first time in months.

20:08 Sara_León: For the first few hours I can't even sleep, and when I finally do it's too late, so I spend much of the morning deeply asleep, which gives you time to wake up before me after having slept for 12 hours. It's the smell of the eggs that finally wakes me up. My whole body aches; I think I slept in a bad position. I get up, limping a little, and peek into the kitchen, only to see you making breakfast. I make a disgusted face that I really don't mean to make, more because of how awful I feel in general than because of you. My eyes wander over the table and then turn to you, surprised and grateful, and then the beginnings of a smile appear on my lips. "Oh, Hana... You have no idea how much I've missed you..." I say, unable to finish without letting out a little laugh

00:03 Hana_Jeong: "Hola chica," I say, forcing a playful grin despite the dull aches shooting through my ribs and shoulders. I set the spatula down and watch you stretch out the stiffness from that awful sofa. "Oh, you had a rough night all because of me... Why didn't you just stay in the bed, you stubborn thing? Jesus," I tease gently, shaking my head as I slide a warm portion of eggs and fresh fruit onto a plate for you. I pull out a chair and place the steaming dish on the table, leaning in with a familiar, teasing glint in my eyes. "I definitely believe you missed me... I mean, have you seen the tragic state of your fridge? Complete poverty," I laugh softly, crossing my arms. "Don't forget you're a champion now, Sara. You have to eat accordingly, and lucky for you, your personal chef just moved in.". we finally sit in the table and start to eat. "I'm tryin to see some positivity in all that happened... an opportunity to change... "

07:16 Sara_León: I blush a little when you mention the state of my fridge, tilting my head back and letting out something between a groan and a sigh as I slump into the chair with lazy movements. I smile when I see that teasing glint in your eyes, having missed it enormously, and slowly regaining faith that you'll be okay living with me. We start eating and you bring up what happened. I nod ever so slightly, without stopping eating, as I murmur in an almost casual tone: "Hana, less than 24 hours ago you were lying in your apartment completely wrecked and with absolutely nothing. I don't want you dwelling on it anymore, just focus on recovering here with me, give yourself at least a week or two of peace. It's all still too fresh and you're not thinking clearly." I pause and fill my mouth, taking a few seconds before speaking again, this time with tension in my voice and my hands trembling. "As for me, I'm going to talk to Lauren today and explain a few things to her about friendship..." My eyes flare up in that way you knew so well when I lost my mind in Stardom, with a determination and fury that might even scare me if I weren't so certain about the order in which I want to break that bitch's bones. "I'll challenge her to a no-DQ match, and then she won't be able to escape from me."

15:14 Hana_Jeong: I reach across the small table, gently squeezing your trembling hand to pull your attention away from that red haze of fury. I look straight into your eyes, my expression steady and serious. "Please, Sara," I say softly. "I thought a lot about this in the comfort of your shower and during the quiet hours before dawn. You're right: I need peace right now. I need to heal and recover, and the last thing I want is for you to get entangled in this mess because of me." I tighten my grip slightly, pleading with you to understand. "Lauren has so much influence with the General Manager. You can't put yourself in her crosshairs. You have to protect your championship, Sara. That title is everything you struggled for since day one and worked so hard to reach here. Don't risk throwing it all away for revenge." I slowly let go of your hand and look down at the table, my voice dropping to a quiet, cold certainty that carries a dangerous weight. "In fact, Sara... when the time comes, it has to be me dealing with her."

 

16:36 Sara_León: I press my lips together as you speak, staring intently at you as though I might look away at any moment. I nod slowly and finally avert my gaze when you let go of my hand, listening to your final sentence. My response comes straight from my throat without me even thinking it through first: "You'd better, Hana. I understand that you're the one she hurt and you see this as your fight, but if you put yourself in harm's way again and she hurts you again, I swear there won't be a single fucking corner of Noir where Lauren can hide from me."

17:10 Hana_Jeong: "I know you always have my back, sis," I murmur, offering you a small, grateful nod. I reach over to give your forearm a reassuring squeeze, looking right into your fierce, protective eyes with quiet resolve. "I promise you: I am going to heal, I am going to get strong, and I will prepare myself to confront her. When I step in front of Lauren again, it won't be as a victim. It will be to end this on my own terms."

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16:46 Hana_Jeong: The following week, I focused entirely on healing myself and trying to move forward. As a small retribution for all the kindness you showered on me and for restoring the dignity I thought I had lost forever I gave your entire apartment a deep, profound cleaning. I scrubbed every corner, organized everything, and crammed your fridge full of fresh, healthy food. I know how insane your schedule is as champion, with so little free time, so taking care of the house was the absolute minimum I could do to say thank you. In the meantime, I stuck strictly to my recovery. I pushed through my daily workouts and did my yoga to regain my flexibility and strength. I even decided it was finally time to take care of my hair and buy a few new clothes. I went to the hairdresser you recommended to me. At the very beginning, sitting in that chair, I felt a wave of sadness watching my hair get cut and styled it felt like letting go of the last piece of who I used to be. But slowly, as the stylist worked, I started to fall in love with the woman reflecting back at me in the mirror. I was no longer that gentle, clumsy girl who naively expected to find kindness and goodness everywhere. I saw someone sharper, stronger, and ready. I was sitting in the living room, eagerly waiting for you to come home so I could show you the new look, when my phone buzzed. It was a message from the seamstress: My new wrestling gear is finally ready.

21:04 Sara_León: It should have been an intense week... But I underestimated how easy things can become when someone who loves you is waiting for you at home. I bought a mattress and made room in the bedroom to put it on the floor, right next to the bed. Whenever I looked into your eyes, I could still see a trace of that pain that made me fear for your mental health, but little by little I began to see how your mannerisms, your smile, and even your voice were growing tougher. Very subtly, and without ever ceasing to be the adorable Hana who takes care of me, but I saw your pain beginning to heal. We went clothes shopping and spent an exhausting and incredible afternoon deciding what the new Hana would wear. I recommended a hair salon so they could fix the mess Lauren had made of your hair, and I insisted that you go as soon as possible. I was dying for you to see how good you could look with short hair. When I finally got home, I opened the door and stared at you with my mouth hanging open. "Hana, you... you went... You look... Wow... You look incredible..."

15:28 Hana_Jeong:

15:31 Hana_Jeong: I blush, feeling the warmth rush to my cheeks as I look at you standing in the doorway. "Thanks... I really feel... lighter..." I step forward and gently grab your hands, looking straight into your eyes. My voice drops, sounding entirely genuine, grounded, and honest. "I couldn't do anything without you, sis. Seriously." A soft, playful spark breaks through my expression, and I give your hands a little tug. "And guess what... my new pro wrestling gear is finally ready for me to try on at the seamstress! Do you want to come with me?"

15:36 Sara_León: I tilt my head and pout at your second sentence, but when you offer to have me come with you, my expression turns sad as I hold onto your hands, massaging your knuckles. "Thanks, Hana, but I... I don't know if I can go..." I look into your eyes gravely, letting my words sink in and the disappointment build a little in your expression, only to gradually break into a smile with a mischievous glint in my eyes as I pull you toward me. "I'm kidding, silly!! Of course I'm coming with you!! I have to make sure you look properly badass, right??"

15:44 Hana_Jeong: Saturday morning, taking full advantage of your weekend off, we head over to the seamstress's atelier. "Okay, I'm going to put it on first, and then you give me your honest opinion," I say, keeping a completely serious face. As much as I’m trying to embrace this new, tougher version of myself, some things never change my clumsy nature is still very much intact. I manage to snag my foot on the edge of the changing curtain twice before stepping inside. After a few minutes of quiet rustling, the young seamstress steps back to double-check a couple of final stitches and smooth out the fabric. Satisfied with her work, she smiles and pulls the curtain open. I step out under the fitting room lights, hands resting on my hips as I look over at you. "So...?"

 

15:47 Sara_León: I stand up as soon as you come out, and look you up and down, nodding repeatedly with very subtle movements and a very serious expression. "You really... look like a different person... It's a far cry from your usual style, but... wow, I think it suits you... Do you have matching boots?"

15:53 Hana_Jeong: "Mm-hmm," I say, turning side to side to admire my silhouette in the long mirror. "And I bought a brand new pair of kickpads to go with it." I spin back around to face you, a genuine, confident smile spreading across my face. "I'm going to wear this for my comeback."

15:58 Sara_León: I walk around you a little to get a good look at you, murmuring, "Yeah... Black and dark red, so that bitch's blood will blend nicely into the outfit, not a bad idea..." Then I step closer and take your face in both hands, tilting your head up slightly and looking straight at you, searching those dark eyes as I shake my head gently and whisper, "I know what happened to you has left a wound that will take a long time to heal, Hana. I know you, and I know you're making a huge effort to hide it and keep me from worrying, but I want you to know one thing. I'm incredibly proud of you. Of the woman you're slowly becoming, and of the resilience you're showing. Okay?"

16:06 Hana_Jeong: I bow my head in front of you, letting the weight of your words settle deep in my chest. Slowly, I raise my chin, a single hot tear spilling over my eyelashes and trailing down my cheek. My voice trembles, but every word comes out entirely raw, emotional, and honest. "My biggest inspiration and my greatest role model is standing right in front of me." I reach up and gently place my hands over yours on my cheeks, holding your gaze.

16:10 Sara_León: I look at you tenderly, letting your ever-sweet words settle in my heart, and once I've taken them in, I sigh and give you a little pat on the cheek. "By now, you should know perfectly well that I'm not exactly the best role model, sweetie..." I give you a mischievous smile and pull away from you, taking one of your hands and kissing the back of it. "However, even if you don't want to admit it, I'm afraid sweet Hana will never leave you, sis"

16:41 Hana_Jeong: I look at you softly, the warmth in your words filling the quiet space of the atelier. "You are my older sister... my unnie," I say gently, a warm, genuine smile breaking across my face. "So for me, you will always be the best in the world." I squeeze your hand right back before leaning in, my tone softening into something quiet, promise-bound, and fiercely loyal. "And sweet Hana will always be here for you. Always."

(TO BE CONTINUED)