For Gyu, it was a big change.
The one who didn't want to see his face just a week ago…was the same one who had spent the night taking care of him.
Gyu didn't remember everything clearly, but he believed the person he begged—not to leave, not to go—
the one who remained…
wasn't Kaven.
It was Garam.
But for confirmation he looked to kaven
Who was busy talking to Terry.
"I really ran there, and goal. I'm sure I'll be the chosen one in those six players."
"A mouse having cat dreams!" Ben snorted.
"If I had known you hop like a rabbit, i would have caught you in the cage."
Kaven laughed hard while Terry strangled him.
"By the way i didn't see you for days, where you were?"
Gyu also heard earnestly, as he was looking for his response too.
Kaven glanced sideways and gave only a small smile.
Terry and Ben understand the reason behind, shut their mouth.
But Gyu's heart didn't listen, he turned his head only to watch Garam looking at him with indifference.
For a second, Gyu wondered if he imagined the warmth of that night.
If maybe fever had painted kindness where none existed.
But the indifference in Garam's eyes wasn't cold— it was controlled, forced, as if he was holding something back, afraid it might spill out if Gyu came any closer.
The class ends.
Garam walked past the hall, the bag slung over on his shoulder, he heard the calling but still he didn't stop.
"Garam!" Gyu held his shirt hem, stopping him in the mid-step.
"You came that night." His eyes searching for the answer "You stayed there."
Garam flinched a bit, he didn't think he would remember.
"Yes I stayed" he said planely. His throat is too cold to tell any lies.
"And— it meant nothing." He removed Gyu's hold from his hem.
"You could have left me... but you didn't. Why?" A hope flickered in Gyu's eyes.
"I couldn't." The word blurted out before Garam could think off to stop.
"I just... couldn't see you burning there." He muttered.
"You don't owe me anything." Garam said regaining coldness.
"I know, but, still want to thank you."
"So say it and End it."
"i know you hate me, hated my presence but still you were there when i didn't know whom I needed the most. it means a lot to me."
The word hate came out too softly. That it breaks something in Garam. though he used this word to hurt him from time to time.but after hearing it from Gyu's own mouth his heart aches in different ways.
"Thanks for being there, thanks for not leaving me. Even though you didn't do it for me."
"Yes, I didn't do it for you." Garam muttered, more like convincing himself. Fearing losing his composure, he turned away.
"Then for whom?" Gyu asked, voice determined.
"You pushed me away but won't let others come close to me. You caused me pain, but in that you suffered too. You hate me but was also the one running to save me in the rain. even when others can do too."
"Shut up"
"Can't live under one roof but won't leave my side, spend the whole night taking care of me."
"You are giving me hope, Garam! It's a rope for my belief."
"I said shut up!"
"Why not admitting it? You worry for me, you care...you do. even when you don't want to."
"I don't." Garam shook his head
"I can't, i shouldn't." He breathed.
"Yes I came, You laying there...unconscious in that ground wasn't the sight i could ignore. I couldn't stop myself.
I ran before I knew but it wasn't for you."
He Gazed at him.
"You want the answer, I came for this face, this face kept me there. I stayed cuz that face was dying for four days."
"I can't do it anymore, the gaze you held reminds me of her, I'm trying to not see her in you. But it's not in my control, in everything you do I only see her.
"Don't make it harder for me. It's hard to control."
"Then don't control" Gyu abruptly said.
"What?"
"Stay there, if you feel her in me.. turn to me, see me more."
"We both will come out of this hard time. It would take time... but don't burden your heart."
"You see her in me then give me a chance to show you who I am""
"Know me too"
"No, i don't want to." He took his step back.
"You are nothing. Just nothing." Garam shook his head, his finger clutching the edge of his cuffs.
"You are a coward" Gyu spat angrily.
"She's dead, you were with me. You grew up with me then what's the problem."
"It's been more than two years since you came to know the reality." Your parents have accepted why you can't."
"I do not want to talk to you, get lost!"
Garam angrily spat. He stopped his hand from shoving him off."
But Gyu didn't move. His expression is painful.
Garam sighed.
"You won't listen." He extends his hand.
His own hand was shaking, the feeling of breaking apart enveloping his heart.
But he needed to show the reason behind his denial.
"—Let's start from the beginning, i don't know you and you don't know me either."
"Hi, I'm Garam."
Gyu was taken aback, he hesitantly took his hand, "...Gyu."
Garam takes his hand back. And flat-smiled.
"you can't even take your own name right."
And he walked away—
feeling his heart, strangely, a little lighter.
Gyu's failure in his attempts meant more to him.he felt he had escaped something terrifying.
Accepting him, stings him differently.
And he wasn't ready for that.
Not now.
Not yet.
So walking away…
lying to himself…
pretending he didn't care…
It kept the memory intact.
It kept the past untouched.
It kept him safe.
And that illusion—fragile as it was—
was enough to make his heart feel light for a breath.