Arthur walked aimlessly down the road, tears streaming down his face. His heart felt shattered, broken by the one person he had come to trust—Nora. He had even started to like her, something he now regretted deeply. The setting sun cast a golden hue over the street, but Arthur found no beauty in it. Instead, he felt a growing desire to simply disappear. His trust was destroyed, and worst of all, he had been foolish enough to reveal Luna's identity to Nora.
As his thoughts spiraled, a car sped past him, coming to an abrupt stop a few feet ahead. Nora stepped out, her eyes locking onto him from across the footpath. Arthur's chest tightened at the sight of her. He couldn't bear to face her—this person who had betrayed him so completely. Without a word, he walked past her, quickening his pace.
"Arthur, wait!" Nora called after him, her voice trembling. He didn't stop.
She caught up to him, desperation in her voice. "Please, stop! Just… look at me. You've always been my friend-it was never just an act."
Arthur halted, but his back remained turned to her. "What's the point?" he said coldly. "I don't want to see your face again. I might get fooled by your sad eyes—just like before." Nora's voice wavered as she asked, "Can we talk? Please, just let me explain."
Arthur clenched his fists. "Explain? I'm too dumb and innocent, right? I'm afraid, I'll probably start believing whatever lies you come up with next."
He turned to face her finally, his eyes red with anger and sorrow. "I have just one question," he said, his voice hard. "Who are you, really?"
Tears welled up in Nora's eyes, and she mumbled something under her breath. But Arthur, now furious, shouted, "Enough with the act! Just answer the question!"
Nora flinched at the harshness in his voice, tears streaming down her cheeks as she finally spoke. "I'm… I'm the daughter of the president of Innovators, a big businessman" she whispered. "And… Max is my older brother."
Arthur let out a bitter laugh, mixed with sobs. "So, that's it, huh? You must've had a great time deceiving a guy like me. A guy with no parents, a guy who's too foolish to see through your lies. A guy who just follows his sister around, thinking kindness will fix everything."
He took a deep breath and glanced at her one last time. "Goodbye, Nora. I hope I never see that innocent face of yours, the one that deceives everyone."
Arthur turned and began walking away, but Nora, crying harder now, followed him. She grabbed his shirt, begging for forgiveness. "Please, Arthur, I'm sorry."
He stopped at a crossing, waiting for the light to change, but he refused to look at her. His voice was cold and detached as he said, "Let go of my shirt, Nora. This is my fault for being kind—for believing you. I've caused trouble for my sister because of it. Luna… she trusted you because of me. And now… now she'll probably hate me."
Arthur's voice cracked as he continued. "And if Luna starts hating me… she might abandon me. She won't want someone who causes her trouble by being so naïve. If that happens… I don't have any reason to live anymore. I'll just disappear."
The signal turned red, and just before crossing, Arthur spoke again. "I have one last thing to say."
Without turning back to her, he whispered, "I liked you, Nora. But my love… it was a mistake. Unlike other love stories that start with a misunderstanding, mine was a lie from the very beginning."
He paused, his face a mixture of sadness and regret. "I thought I could make my dream a reality. But the truth is, my love for you was just a mirage—something I chased for so long, only to find out it never existed."
Nora's sobs grew louder. "Arthur, please don't go! I'm sorry!" she cried, but Arthur shook his head. "Let me go, Nora," he said softly. "I'm too soft-hearted—just like Luna always said. That's why I'm standing here crying like a child."
As they stood there, the light turned green, and the cars began to move. Arthur took a step forward, but Nora, still clutching his shirt, refused to let go. He pulled his shirt free from her grasp and said, "The more you try to hold onto me, the more suffocated I feel. Please… just let me go."
Nora, defeated, released his shirt and turned away, walking back to her car. Arthur watched her leave, sadness etched on his face as her car disappeared onto the distance.
Ignoring the rush of traffic, Arthur stepped onto the road. A small schoolgirl appeared beside him, oblivious to the traffic.
Arthur noticed a car speeding toward them, the little girl was unaware of the danger. Without a second thought, he pushed the girl to safety. She fell onto the footpath unharmed, but a sickening crash echoed through the street.
The girl looked up, her eyes wide with fear, and saw Arthur lying on the road, blood pooling around him. The cars screeched to a halt, drivers rushing out in shock.
Arthur's eyes fluttered open, a faint smile tugging his lips. "I guess Luna was right… I really am too soft-hearted," he thought, before his eyes slowly closed and he lost conscious.