Long ago, the girl committed a crime.

The entire world conspired to hide it, heedless of her wishes.

And so she lived on.

She lived in peace, without a care.

She never aspired to be happy.

She never desired to atone.

She simply didn’t know what she should do. That’s all.

That was why—I extended a hand to her.

I never thought about what the results might be. I never even noticed the precipice just ahead.