Her Captain, The Gamemaster

What Everyone Sees

~Back to Present~

I open the eyes that saw my memories from 3 years ago.

We were so young. So fucking young.

I felt another stab of pain through my heart as I remember the promise I made to myself when I was 3.

Be strong.

I felt a surge of guilt as I recall the promise I made 3 years ago.

Let's be each other's everything; strengths and weaknesses, quirks and flaws, we're a team. Don't let anything stop us from fighting alongside each other.

How can I keep two promises that are so different?

How can I be strong while telling people my weakness?

How can I make sure I won't get hurt if I let them in?

Is it even possible?

Do I have to choose one?

Which one to choose?

What do I do?

Can I keep that promise I made all those years ago?

I was 3 when I decided nothing was going to happen to me. I was going to be untouchable. I decided at a young age that I wasn't going to have any mistakes, any problems or any obstacles to stop me from being me.

I'm Tang Liling. I am the heir to the Tang group. My ancestors built my hometown and one of the richest cities in the world from scratch. My predecessors were the first immigrants. I represent the farmers, builders, fishermen and sailors from my hometown and what my family has become. I am strong, untouchable and I fight for my hometown.

But is that true?

Then who is the captain of this team?

The captain...

She's also me.

The captain and I are the same person. She is the captain of the volleyball team. She's won  nationals three times, won several tournaments, was dubbed MVP of numerous competitions and is known as one of the best liberoes on an international level.

If that's captain, then who's Li?

Li is...

She's also me.

The girl who calls herself Li is a 14 year-old girl who is graduating middle school. She is good at academics and loves boba tea. She hates chem and bio to the 9th circle of hell and gets very frustrated with racism and sexism. She loves her hometown, her family and her friends.

But all three of those people are so different...

How can you be sure they're the same person?

I'm not.

I hope it is.