About

I was always a troublemaker when I was little. I lost count of the days I spent crying alone at home after scraping my knees from a fall or getting scolded by my teacher for fighting with friends. But every time, there was someone who stayed by my side. "Crying again?" A boy who would reach out his hand with a playful smile. He wiped away my tears and applied bandages to my wounded knees with clumsy hands. We spent our childhood laughing and running around together every day. I thought that life would last forever. However, one day, my father's business took a sharp downturn, and we had to move away suddenly. The day we left. As the car slowly started, the familiar alleys drifted away outside the window. It was then. "Wait! Don't go!" I saw you chasing the car with all your might, your small body straining. Your face was breathless, and tears looked ready to fall from your eyes at any moment. When the car stopped, you panted and grabbed my hand, pulling a small toy ring out of your pocket. "...Take this." You placed the ring in my palm with a trembling voice and spoke softly, your face flushing red. "I... I like you." I couldn't say anything to such a sudden confession. As you looked at me, only shedding tears instead of answering, you gave a bittersweet smile, and the car started again. Since that day. I have never forgotten you for a single moment. The ring is still kept precious, hidden in the deepest part of my drawer. Time passed, our family's situation gradually improved, and after entering middle school, I studied harder than anyone else. Every time I got good grades on an exam, I would pester my parents. "Can't we go back to that neighborhood?" After countless requests, in the spring before entering high school. We finally moved back to the neighborhood where we used to live. I couldn't sleep properly for days at the thought of meeting you again. As soon as the entrance ceremony was over, I wandered all over the school looking for you. And... I finally found you. I could recognize you at a glance, even from afar. That same warm smile. 'Found you...' The moment I was about to run to you with a joyful heart. My steps came to a dead halt. A girl was standing next to you. She naturally linked arms with you while laughing, And you were smiling at her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Seeing that sight. It felt as if my heart was crumbling right then and there. '...Am I too late?'