Yu POV

Since then, we have been inseparable.

We hang out almost every day.

I don't even care if I need to visit the brothel and tarnish my image.

If it means that I could meet her.

I don't even care.

Feelings developed fast. I fell too hard for her. I never saw her as anyone else did. She was precious to me. She had a vision, a dream for her future. She's different from any girls in that brothel.

Even different than any normal girl.

I swore to her that I'll bring her out from there one day. Though it might be impossible, I did what I could. I supported her when she decided to enroll in night school so she can go to law school. And taught her many things that she might not know in the real world.

But as people always said, good things will end soon.

It's just... For me, it's too soon.

***

Flashback

Yu ran across the street when he saw the girl walking on the other side of the road. She walked so fast, he was almost unable to catch her. But, his determination bluffed his body to move fast.

He needs to talk to her!

“Hey...”

“Yu? What are you doing...?”

“Ama, I need to talk to you. Don't you ever avoid me!” Yu pulled her to the side of the road, where no one noticed them.

“I- I'm sorry, Yu...”

“Hey, I don't mind if you reject my proposal. But, at least we can be friends, right?” asked Yu. The man watched her anxiously.

Two days ago, he confessed his feelings toward Ama. He thought the girl will accept the proposal, judging by the way she treated him and how close they are. They were already together for almost a year. Yu thought the time had come for the next step.

Bad news. She rejected him.

But, it's fine for him. As long as they remained friends. It's just after the proposal Ama acted differently. She avoided him almost all the time.

“Sorry, but I don't think we can be friends...”

“But why?”

“Actually... I met someone...”

The world collapsed in front of Yu.

“Someone? Why you haven't told me? At least, let me know who is the lucky guy so I can congratulate him!” Yu tried to draw a smile, but only he knew how painful his heart was now.

“I... I'm sorry. I should tell you before... But, I'm afraid that I will lose you... As a friend,” Yu bit his lip.

“Hey, you know I will always be your best friend! Nothing will change, right?” he held her shoulder and made her look at him.

“Actually... I... Wanna tell you this. But, I don't know how to...”

“What's wrong?”

“I don't think we can be friends...”

“What the fuck did you say, Ama? You must be joking, right?” Yu gave her a helpless laugh. The girl stared at him with tears in her eyes.

“I'm sorry, Yu...”

“No! You and I will stay friends no matter what! I can understand if you reject me. But, no one can take you away from me!” Yu couldn't even control himself again.

“My boyfriend knew about us,”

“That makes things much easier! That means, you already told him about us. Not a big deal, right?”

“He hates the idea of us being friends. Boy and girl...”

“Since when did you have such discriminating thoughts?” asked Yu. He pulled back, staring at the girl who stood in front of him.

She changed. She's not the same girl that he used to know.

“Yu, you know who I am before. Am I right?”

“So what? I have no problem with that!”

“You don't understand. My boyfriend...”

“Don't address him like that in front of me!”

Ama shut herself when she saw how upset Yu was. She wanted to explain things properly so she won't hurt Yu. It seemed if she used any wrong word again, it will be the end of them.

She needs Yu as a friend.

“He still thinks that I am who I used to be. So, he asked me not to get close to any men except him,”

“He still thinks that you whoring around. He doubts you,” Yu squints his eyes. This is not a good sign. That man is toxic to Ama.

“I can't blame him for that. I mean, I came from that place...”

“Ama, if he loves you, he will never make you feel like this. You deserve better than him!” Ama stared at Yu. She slowly drew a smile on her face.

“He treats me well. Don't worry. He makes me happy!” her smile got wider.

Yu knew. She's not happy. However, knowing Ama after so long, she must have her reason to bottle up things from him.

And he had no choice but to respect her decision.

“Fine. If you're truly happy, I am happy for you as well. Though maybe we will never see each other again after this, I just want you to know that you will always be my friend,” Yu caressed her cheek softly. A soft gesture of saying goodbye.

Forever.

He left Ama, silently sobbing alone. With his heart shattered, Yu has sown a determination to move on fast. So, one day he can be a great man that Ama can be proud of.

Who knows, she will open her eyes and make a detour to him.

***

I worked so hard in my life. Studying while improving my lifestyle. I spent my time learning about myself. Rather than being heartbroken, rejection is a good motivation for me. I became a dream man for every girl in the school.

But my heart never moves on from Ama.

I work hard for her.

She's my ultimate goal in life.

I will grab her no matter what.

Even by means, I need to kill anyone who tries to stop me. That's how much I love her.

I got all sunshine in my life and set up the goal. Life seemed easy for me at that time.

So that's what I thought.