> I just wanted to see who had covered my eyes, so I reached to remove their hands.
As soon as I touched them, they let go.
And there she was—appearing in front of me with a gentle smile, one so fragile it could shatter in the dark at any second.
My mind was overwhelmed. Why now? What is she trying to say? Why her?
"I'm hungry. Aren't you?" she asked. "Let's go get something to eat."
Her lips smiled, but her eyes… her eyes were enjoying the way she was unsettling me.
This girl—who'd appeared from nowhere and pulled Souh away from me—wanted to talk.
I turned to walk past her without a word, but she grabbed my wrist.
"Please," she said with a frightening smile.
I didn't care anymore. So, I went with her.
"Souh doesn't smile anymore these days," she continued. "Did you two fight?"
"He's never talked to me about anyone. So when he mentioned his dear friend… I was surprised.
How long have you known each other?"
I didn't want to answer, but her stare pierced through me.
"…Since we were kids," I said.
She stopped walking. "Since you were kids?" She laughed.
"So you know too," she said with a cold smile.
"Know what?" I asked.
Her eyes widened. Then she laughed again.
"I see… So he still hasn't told you. I might be the only one who knows."
Then she looked right at me and said,
"Hey Kai… If one day he can't smile anymore, promise me you'll cry in his place. Stay with him—even if he doesn't want you to."
Her words stunned me.
But I knew—even if I asked her more questions, she wouldn't answer.
The road ended, and the restaurant appeared.
Suddenly, her tone changed.
"Let's go eat."
We entered, and she spoke of her friends, favorite songs… as if the dark conversation never happened.
A waiter came and served meat and drinks.
After eating, she stood up and whispered behind my ear,
"Kai, you love Souh, don't you?
You're a good boy… I don't want you to get hurt.
So, for your own sake, stay away from him.
Or I'll tell him myself."
Her voice was cold. My body froze.
It was the second time something had shaken me like this.
But… it's not true, right? Why does the thought of Souh knowing scare me so much?
"Please… don't tell him," I begged.
"I'll think about it," she replied and started walking away.
But then, she muttered under her breath—
"Souh is leaving… tomorrow."
Her voice was low, but sharp.
My heart stopped. Why like this? Why now?
I ran out of the restaurant. I had to see Sia. I needed to know.
It felt like the road had never been longer. My steps quickened—faster and faster—until I was out of breath.
I reached Sia's classroom and threw the door open.
"Sia, I need to talk to you!"
Everyone stared. My face turned red.
Sia walked out with me.
"Sia… is Souh leaving?" I asked with a trembling voice.
"Tomorrow, 8 AM sharp," she said coldly.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "When will he be back?" I asked softly.
"I don't know," she said with a sorrowful smile.
"But if someone wants to say goodbye, they might still catch him before he leaves."
I said goodbye and walked home, knowing Souh wouldn't want to see me.
I decided to just watch him leave—from a distance.
That night, the sky fell into darkness, the city bathed in artificial lights.
No birds. Just silence.
I unlocked the door. No one was home—mom was on a night shift, dad at work.
I hung my coat, dropped my keys by the lamp, and collapsed onto my bed.
I stared at the ceiling. Everything from today kept replaying.
I closed my eyes, but sleep wouldn't come.
Time crawled until the sky turned gray.
4 AM.
"What a beautiful summer day… but not for me."
I whispered.
I left the house and walked toward Souh's.
I was so lost in thought, I didn't notice the time pass.
Suddenly, I found myself standing near the forest, in front of his house.
It was 7:50.
I stayed hidden. I didn't want him to see me.
Then I saw a black car pull up.
The door opened—there he was.
Dressed in a black shirt and brown pants, backpack on his shoulder.
As he walked toward the car… I whispered to myself,
This time, I'll just be his friend.
---