Oh, Deja Vu

...Like the day I abadoned everything (JiU's "Murder")

JiU hums as she leans against the balcony. With the evening spring breeze blowing her hair, JiU crosses her arms as she watches the sun set over her entire kingdom.

Her senses tell her that something's off, but she ignores that feeling. If there was a time to die, it would be right now.

JiU couldn't lie to save herself, but no one dared to ask her if she was fine. She'd wait day after day for someone to ask a question that would free her wings. A simple string of words would cut JiU loose from the rope of lies and misery that she's wrapped herself in.

JiU did love you, but not like you loved her. You saw an idolized version of the JiU that was simply a ruse. JiU put on a loving mask when she was around you.

Everything about your relationship was a performance; an act that was perfected by the prettiest actress known to you. JiU didn't have the heart to tell you that your eyes should be cast upon another. She loved another, but she knew that you would only have her.

JiU can imagine the heartbreak on your face if she told you the truth. You'd cry and would probably scream at her, and she'd deserve it. You deserved someone who truly loved you the way you were.

They loved you just as you were, and JiU knew that.

JiU knew that Siyeon didn't just take you on strolls to "get out of the castle for a bit".

JiU knew that SuA didn't plan tea parties just so you could try new teas.

JiU knew that Gahyeon didn't have a good reason for barging in on you constantly.

JiU knew that Handong's smile and laughter was reserved for you and you only.

And JiU knew damn well that no friend would look at you like Dami did.

With these thoughts floating around in her head, JiU felt like she was about to explode.

Would her anger finally surface? Would she gain the bravery  that she desperately needed? Did loving someone else have to be this hard?

Perhaps that sinking feeling in her stomach wasn't such an awful thing after all.

JiU can feel her magic begin to bubble when she hears footstep approach her from behind, but she pushes it deep inside of her as JiU turns to face the intruder.

Yoohyeon stares blankly back at JiU as she clutches the dagger in her hand.

"Ah, Yooh." JiU smiles at her friend. "Have you come to kill me?"

Yoohyeon tosses the dagger in the air before catching it with her hand.

"Why else would I be in your room when no one else is around?"

Yoohyeon gives a wicked smile before continuing to approach JiU. Her heart beats along a common melody as she takes shallow yet calming breaths.

JiU knows that Yoohyeon doesn't have the heart to kill her, but seeing her friend with bloodthirsty eyes makes JiU feel guilty on a whole new level.

Yoohyeon's in stabbing range, but she pauses before delivering the final blow.

"Any last words, my princess?"

"Detente." JiU softly whispers.

Yoohyeon freezes in place as her arms come to her side. A cloud glaze falls over her eyes as she stares with no emotion at JiU.

"Drop the knife, and tell the truth." JiU commands, and Yoohyeon blankly follows her every word.

"Yes, my princess." Yoohyeon bows before getting on her knees. "What do you wish to know from me?"

"Why do you want to kill me?"

A pink tint invades Yoohyeon's eyes before fading away.

"Love."

JiU looks down at Yoohyeon.

"For whom?"

"Y/N L/N. I'm desperate for their love and affection. I've never felt like this for anyone, and I'm scared that I never will if I don't act on my feelings. I know that you will never let me have them, so I must kill you."

"Is that so?"

Yoohyeon nods before opening her mouth.

"Do you not believe me? I've spent hours planning exactly how I want this moment to go down."

JiU chuckles slightly.

"This is how you planned it?"

Yoohyeon smirks before letting out a dry laugh.

"You and I both know that only one person is walking out of here alive. There's two ways this could end. You could kill me now, and I won't have to suffer anymore, or I kill you and I get what I want."

"Do you just see life in black-and-white? What about the array of beautiful colors that lie around you?"

"I do like the color red. It represents power, hungry, love, and blood."

JiU gives Yoohyeon a disappointed look.

"That's not what I meant."

"Well, that's what I meant, so I don't know what you're going to do about. I know what you should do, however."

JiU crosses her arms again.

"And what exactly should I do?"

"Kill me." Yoohyeon hisses.

JiU turns away to look at the stars that decorate the night sky.

"No. I refuse to murder an innocent person. I'm not like you, Yoohyeon, and I never will be."

"Are you just going to keep me hostage here forever? What's your plan, JiU?" Yoohyeon yells as JiU shakes her head.

"Do you think that you could love somebody else?"

Yoohyeon looks away for a moment while contemplating an answer.

"Why would I want to? Y/N is all I've ever needed."

JiU sighs before turning around.

"I thought you'd say that."

Yoohyeon looks confused as JiU turns around and strides towards her.

"What do you mean by t-"

"Olvida."

Yoohyeon's eyes roll back into her head as she passes out on the balcony. JiU sighs before waving her hand.

"Send her back to bed. She needs the rest."

And with those words, Yoohyeon fades from JiU's sight.

JiU sighs again as she picks the knife up from the ground. She closely inspects the knife before holding it close to her chest.

JiU knows what she should do. She should run and get her parents, and she should tell them all about what happened. They'd hang Yoohyeon in an instant because JiU never lied, right?

But, for once, can't the princess who gives everything to her people be a little selfish?

JiU climbs over the balcony fence as she looks down at the ground below her.

JiU knows that this only ends one way. Life always ends in death. Sometimes, we choose when we want to go. Others, however, aren't so lucky.

JiU fixes her dress and hair as she enjoys her last few seconds in this realm. She doesn't bother to consider her friends or Y/N before jumping from the highest balcony in the castle.