Extra Scene, Act 1, Chapter 9 (Ada’s POV)

It was supposed to be just fun.

Just a silly, insignificant fling between two adults to blow off some steam from all the stress destiny had thrown at them. For Ada, that’s exactly what it was, and she thought MC was on the same page.

Until now.

Ada stays silent for a few moments, her brain taking its sweet time to process what MC just said. Her mind blames the drink she had earlier, but that's a cheap excuse since she hasn’t had a drop of alcohol in a month and a half—a new record she's proud of and still improving.

No, the reason is something else.

I want more than just fun with you, Ada.

MC’s words echo in her mind. More than just fun? Ada wonders what more she could offer beyond that. But the way MC looks at her… that tenderness, vulnerability, affection.

Ada knows. And as she connects the dots, she instinctively pulls away to put a considerable distance between them.

"Oh," she says initially, the playfulness and excitement evaporating as her expression crumbles along with her posture. "Oh..."

"Yeah..."

"I... I had no idea. Since when?" Ada asks, nervously rubbing her neck. Her voice is almost a plea for understanding. A part of her waits for MC to laugh and say, 'Fooled you!'

But that moment doesn't come.

"Does it even matter?" MC eventually replies.

“Not you, sweetie. Please, tell me I’m not going to hurt you of all people.”

But she already has, and Ada knows it. She’s already hurt one of the most important people in her life, and if she hadn’t been so selfish, she would have realized it sooner.

"This will be the last time I hurt you, MC, I promise," she tells herself, though a sliver of uncertainty eclipses her initial determination. "I just hope you can forgive me."

Of all the promises Ada has made to herself, this is the one she most wants to keep. And the one she’s not so sure she can achieve.

Ada looks into MC’s eyes—those eyes that deserve to shine with joy every second of their life and not suffer because of someone like her—and she tells them the truth. A truth that hurts Ada as much as it hurts MC.

Or is she being selfish again?

The only thing Ada can think about, aside from all the reproaches she’s throwing at herself, is how good a drink would be after this.

“Fuck the record.”