"Do you remember our first meeting, Riyu?" I asked, trying not to catch him off guard. But I knew deep down that I had to do it, even though it broke my heart.
"Yup, I saw you in our university's auditorium. Your beauty captivated me instantly. I was a shy young guy who mustered the courage to approach you, but it seemed like you weren't interested in dating at that time. So, I tried to befriend you..." Riyu reminisced, sitting beside me on the swing.
"You're right, haha... I wasn't into dating back then because I wasn't ready to move on. I was still stuck in the past, unsure of how to move forward," I confided in him.
Riyu smiled, and I appreciated his genuine nature. "I am here, waiting for you until you're ready. I will help you heal your heart," he assured me.
I shook my head, and his smile began to fade. "Sorry, Riyu, but I've come to realize that you're not meant for me. I truly appreciate you, but I can't see myself falling in love with you," I gently told him.
His eyes filled with sadness, then turned into a burning rage. "Because of that guy?! He will only hurt you again! Why can't you see that I genuinely love you? I will cherish you and give you everything!" he exclaimed, transforming into a different person before my eyes.
His gaze became piercing, as if he was about to explode. He grabbed my arm tightly, his grip nearing the breaking point. Luckily, I managed to stop him.
"Let go of me, Riyu! What the hell! I already said I'm in pain!" I shouted, as if his actions were causing me physical agony.
"You will never escape from me again," Riyu declared, his words laced with madness. Fear consumed me, and my heart raced. He had lost control.
I was on the verge of losing hope. No matter how many punches and kicks I threw, he was stronger than me. He tried to force me into his car, but I wasn't foolish enough to go with someone like him, someone with a loose screw.
Then, someone came to my rescue. Logan, the one who saved me, pulled me away from Riyu's grasp. He delivered a powerful punch to Riyu.
"Who the fuck are you?" Riyu shouted, about to retaliate, but his dizziness and injuries were evident.
"Who the fuck am I? I'm the one who will protect my girl," Logan retorted, standing up for me. With him by my side, I knew I was in a safe place.
"So, you're that guy? Do you think I'll give Krystal to you that easily?" Riyu arrogantly taunted.
"What's happening to you, Riyu? Are you going crazy? You're not the person I used to know," I pleaded, hoping he would return to his former self. He was no longer the friend I used to hang out with.
He shook his head, his anger etched on his face. "Because you hurt me again, twice. The man I love left me alone on cold days; that's why I hate winter! That's why I hate being alone! I thought you were falling in love with me too, but it seems like you just used me! You can't do this to me, you can't leave! I thought I had someone I could call mine," he cried, staring off into space.
I felt sorry for him, but I was also scared. "I'm so sorry," I said, acknowledging my own faults in everything that transpired.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," I explained, my strength waning.
"Then love me," Riyu demanded firmly. But I quickly shook my head.
"It would be unfair to both of us. Riyu, you're a perfect guy, kind-hearted and capable of love. You will find someone whom you'll love, and who will love you back," I told him, making a difficult but honest decision.
Logan led me away from that scene, aware that I couldn't bear to see Riyu in that state any longer. In that moment, fear and pain overwhelmed me.
Logan opened the door of his car and guided me inside. He took the driver's seat, securing my seatbelt. Throughout the ride, silence enveloped us. I never expected things to unfold this way tonight.
I knew I would struggle to sleep. Getting to truly know a person takes time, doesn't it? I couldn't envision myself in a relationship with Riyu now that I had seen his true nature. Regret washed over me, as we had a good friendship that I wished we could maintain. But given Riyu's feelings, it seemed unlikely. I couldn't fathom his pain, but it didn't justify his actions. Logan was right—he was partly a victim, but he also acted like a culprit.
Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by mixed emotions, I eventually succumbed to sleep. When I woke up, I felt a heavy sensation, accompanied by a fever. Perhaps I had spent too much time in the snow last night. An overwhelming heaviness weighed on me, and a harsh cough racked my body. I loved winter, but this was the worst.
I coughed, realizing I needed to call Alice, asking her to bring medicine and food. I needed a quick recovery, as I couldn't afford to neglect my responsibilities in the business field. Dialing Alice's number, I patiently waited for her response. After a few rings, she finally answered.
"Hey there, what's up? We have no work at the office today," she informed me, then suddenly remembered. But it was good that she reminded me.
"Actually, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Can you bring me some food? Just porridge and some medicine. I caught a cold," I requested.
"What? Why? Maybe you spent too much time outside in the snow," she speculated, hitting the nail on the head.
"Well, I met Riyu, and I didn't expect all the events that unfolded." I recounted the events of the previous night and how Logan had saved me.
"Wow! I didn't know Mr. Perfect had a dark side. Take note, there's a reason for what happened with Logan. It doesn't excuse Riyu's forceful behavior toward you. It doesn't make any sense. Good thing you found out about his true nature quickly," she commented, leaving me chuckling.
I sighed, coughing in pain. "Where are you right now?" I asked her, while pouring water into my tumbler.
"Oh, speaking of which, I won't be able to come because we're in Busan with your brother. I'll call Logan to take care of you. Bye!" she hastily ended the call. That girl, always in a rush!
It didn't take long before there was a knock on the door, or rather, the doorbell. I decided to open the door, and there he stood, carrying soup in a plastic container. He seemed slightly out of breath.
"Why do you seem so out of breath?" I asked him, coughing, feeling the pain intensify. It was a sharp, throat-tingling cough. I adored winter, but this was the worst part.
"Hey, you should be resting in bed," he scolded me, though a smile played on his lips.
"I wouldn't be able to open the door if I were lying in bed," I reasoned.
He chuckled. "You know what? You're burning up with a fever, but you still manage to crack jokes... here, let me guide you."
Leading me to the kitchen, he supported me as I struggled to walk. This weakness felt unbearable.
"Sorry, I didn't have time to cook, so I bought some soup outside. Maybe it's because of what happened last night that you caught a fever." Of course, that was the most plausible reason for my current condition. I hated myself.
"No need to remind me," I replied, finding the taste bitter.
"Okay, but eat first, and then take your medicine. You won't get better right away," he advised, concerned for my well-being.
"I know. By the way, Logan, I have something to tell you... I'll explain why Riyu and I fought last night," I said, noticing how he leaned in attentively. It was clear he was eager to hear what I had to say.
"I told him that I still hadn't moved on from him, so I didn't want to continue our dates. That's why he became violent last night," I explained, my voice laden with honesty.
A smile formed on his face, but he also appeared deep in thought. "I don't know whether to be happy that I found out you still have feelings for me or be angry because of what that immature kid did to you," he expressed, causing me to laugh.
"But it doesn't mean we're okay now. I'll be honest with you. I'm still scared. Terrified of entering a relationship ever since you broke my heart, compounded by what happened with Dad. It's something I can't forgive, no matter what... So, you need to regain my trust and respect first. Yes, I love you, but I've learned that love alone isn't enough when the foundation of a relationship goes beyond that," I confessed, relieved to get it off my chest.
Throughout my words, Logan maintained a satisfied smile, as if he were truly content with what I had said.
"You know what, since I met you here in Azura, I've witnessed your growth and transformation. You've become more mature, evolving from a girl to a woman. You've learned and carried the weight of your past," he commended me, his words flattering me to no end.
"I had to. I had a lot of baggage when I left the Clayland. There were numerous reasons to change."
Yet, there was one thing that hadn't changed.