The story begins in the year 2044.
Zen had just started his junior year in college. He was excited to meet new people and make fresh memories. His dream had been to join his favorite teacher's class, but somehow, he ended up in a class even the teacher didn't want to teach.
Still, Zen found light in the situation. Toward the end of his freshman year, he had met a group of students: Yu, Kain, and Jen(Yu's twin sister)—people connected to the class he had originally wanted. Meanwhile, in his assigned class, Zen grew close to Tim, Anya, and May.
Out of everyone, Zen felt closest to Yu. They weren't dating, but the bond seemed different… special. Then, two days before Valentine's Day—maybe feeling a little bold—Zen asked Yu to be his Valentine. She accepted.
Zen hadn't expected a gift—he rarely received any—but on Valentine's Day, Yu gave him two whole packets of candy imported straight from the UK. (They lived in the US.)
He was stunned.
Yu: "Didn't expect a gift?"
Zen: "Yeah… but thank you!"
Yu: "No problem."
What Zen didn't realize, and what he would learn far too late, was that Yu wasn't the friend he thought she was.
She would share stories about how her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her—but always left out important details. Others around Zen tried to warn him but stayed silent, afraid he wouldn't take it well.
That silence cost him dearly.
As the months passed, Yu began to subtly control who Zen talked to, tried to sway his career path, and constantly inserted herself into his lectures, friend groups, and events. She would call him, often under the guise of venting about people "hitting on her" or guilt-tripping him into staying close.
The breaking point came in December.
First, she forced the planning of a gift exchange way before the school had even announced one—pressuring teachers to reveal dates and causing unnecessary trouble.
Then, while Zen was on a long-anticipated trip to South Africa to visit friends, Yu continued her guilt trips, texting and calling him even when he barely had time to speak with anyone.
Yu (in her usual soft voice): "Zen, you've barely talked to me this holiday. Why?"
Zen: "I barely talk to any of my friends when I'm overseas. The only one I've talked to is Andres—because we've got business to handle."
Yu (almost about to cry): "Just… please remember to text me."
Zen: "Okay."
It was around this time that Zen started hearing more from people he trusted—friends, classmates, even teachers—warning him about Yu's manipulative behavior.
When sophomore year started, Zen made the painful decision to cut contact. Yu didn't take it lightly. She kept trying to reel him back in through guilt and emotional manipulation. Zen finally had enough and reported everything to his base teacher, Mrs. Carly, which led to a mediation case.
A little backstory: their friendship had blurred lines—at a sports event the previous year, Zen had kissed Yu, which complicated things even more.
In the meeting:
Carly (Zen's base teacher): "You both know why you're here. I'll let Yu start."
Yu: "I didn't start the friendship—it was him. He was clingy at first, and then I became clingy."
Carly: "Zen, your turn."
Zen: "I don't remember everything vividly from the event, but what I do know is that after that, Yu tried to push the friendship into something more. She would ask things like, 'Can you wait for me to finish senior year before we start dating?' I stayed in the friendship thinking it was just friendly. Also, for the gift exchange, she planned it all; I just went along."
Carly: (sighs) "Looks like girls have a better memory than boys, huh? Listen—this is messy. Yu, men have no emotions. You are not to talk to him again or involve yourself in his relationships. If either of you cross that line, it will go to the Disciplinary Committee. Understood? Case dismissed."
Afterward, Zen had a final conversation with Ben, Yu's class teacher:
Ben: "I'm sorry, Zen. I didn't step in sooner. I just didn't want to get involved and make things messier."
Zen: "It's okay, sir. I understand. But it still hurts… especially hearing Mrs. Carly say, 'Men don't have emotions.' How could she say that when she's married? This system feels so unfair."
Ben: "It is unfair, son. But don't let it change you. Act as the alter servant you are and keep moving forward. Focus on what you're called to do. Become the valedictorian, like you've always dreamed."
Zen: "Will do, sir. Thank you."
Ben: "You're welcome."
⸻
With this crushing wave of betrayal and heartache, Zen stood at a crossroads.
Would he allow this to break him—to define his future?
Or would he rise, stronger than ever, using the scars of his past as armor for his dreams?
The path forward wouldn't be easy.
Pain has a way of leaving invisible bruises that only time—and resilience—can heal.
But one thing was certain:
Zen was no longer the naive boy who believed that every gift, every smile, every hug meant something pure.
He was becoming something new.
Something unshakable.
The journey to greatness had just begun.