The Girl Who Cries Diamonds

Chapter 1. In the Shadows

In the dimly lit room, seventeen year old Shikyo Kanashi sat cross-legged on her narrow bed, surrounded by walls adorned with posters of her favorite manhwas. The vibrant colors and fantastical stories offered her a fleeting escape from the harsh reality of her daily life. She yearned for the adventures and happy endings she could only find within the pages of those comics.

Outside her sanctuary, the lavish apartment complex echoed with the sounds of her family's indifference. Shikyo's parents, consumed by their pursuits, had little time or interest in their eldest daughter. Ever since her little sister, Kuroi, had entered their lives, Shikyo had become invisible, her existence seemingly forgotten.

As the youngest child, Kuroi was showered with attention and affection. Her parents doted on her, creating a life of luxury and privilege. Shikyo couldn't help but feel the sting of rejection, as if she were an unwanted intruder in her own home.

Her parents had assigned her the smallest space, barely large enough for a twin mattress. It served as a constant reminder of her insignificance in their eyes. But it wasn't just the physical space that made her feel small; it was the emotional weight of being the family's housekeeper that crushed her spirit.

While her parents indulged in nights out and fine dining, Shikyo was left behind to clean and organize everything. It was an unspoken expectation that she would take care of the household chores, as well as her sister's every need. Neglecting her duties meant going hungry, as her parents used food as a form of control.

Her relationship with Kuroi was strained at best. Kuroi saw her older sister as nothing more than a maid, criticizing her appearance, her room, and every aspect of her existence. Shikyo couldn't understand how her parents had created such a demanding and entitled child. Kuroi's obsession with materialistic things and her inflated sense of superiority left Shikyo flabbergasted.

Amid this suffocating environment, Shikyo found solace in her love for manhwas, mangas, and games. They were her constant companions, offering an escape into a world where justice prevailed and dreams came true. Within the pages of her favorite stories, she found hope and a sense of belonging that was absent from her own life.

Her gaze drifted to the latest manhwa on her bedside table, its colorful cover beckoning her to dive into its pages. Shikyo's eyes glazed over with longing as she imagined herself as the heroine, wielding powers beyond imagination. In those moments, she could forget the pain of her reality and dream of a life that was truly her own.

As the evening wore on, the sounds of her family's return filled the apartment. Shikyo's heart sank, knowing that her escape from reality would soon be shattered by their presence. She braced herself for the onslaught of demands and criticisms that awaited her.

"Shikyo, where are you?" Her mother's voice carried through the apartment, dripping with disdain.

Shikyo took a deep breath and rose from her bed, pushing aside her fantasies for a moment. She straightened her black hair, adjusted her clothing on her frail body, and opened the door to confront the world that had forgotten her.

With a sigh, she stepped out into the luxurious living room where her parents and Kuroi were gathered. Her mother, Eriko, an elegant woman with perfectly coiffed hair, looked up from her fashion magazine, her lips curled in irritation.

"Finally decided to join us, Shikyo?" Eriko's voice was laced with annoyance.

Shikyo lowered her eyes and nodded. "I was just... catching up on my schoolwork."

Her father, Hiroshi, a successful businessman in his fifties, barely spared her a glance as he checked his stock portfolio on his tablet. "Make sure you finish it quickly, or no food. We have guests coming over tomorrow, and the house needs to be impeccable."

Kuroi, a petite girl of with long, dyed golden hair, was sitting on the plush couch, engrossed in her latest designer clothing catalog. She looked up, her obsidian eyes narrowing at Shikyo. "And don't mess up my room this time, you bitch. I can't stand your sloppiness."

Shikyo bit her lip, holding back the frustration that threatened to boil over. She nodded meekly, a knot of resentment forming in her chest.

Eriko waved a dismissive hand. "You're dismissed. We have more important matters to attend to."

Shikyo retreated to her small closet of a room, the emotional weight of her family's indifference pressing down on her dainty shoulders. The suffocating silence enveloped her, broken only by the soft sobs escaping her trembling lips. She longed for the escape offered by her beloved manhwas, where she could be the hero of her own story, even if only in her imagination.

Desperation welled up within her as she gazed at her reflection in the dusty mirror. Tears streamed down her obsidian eyes, stark reminders of the family she had grown to resent. She loathed her eyes because they carried the same hue, the same legacy of indifference and cruelty.

She covered her eyes with trembling hands, disgusted by the deep black hues that mirrored the very people who had caused her so much pain.

She needed to leave, she had to.

Shikyo unknowingly took her first step towards a destiny that would defy her family's legacy.