People said that if you love, you become happy.

At least, that's what I believed.

I thought it would be enough just to have you by my side.

---

After we started living together, I dreamed of an ordinary future for the first time.

Seeing your sleeping face in the morning, grocery shopping together, having dinner, and falling asleep while watching a movie side-by-side on the sofa. That kind of daily life was the most precious thing in the world to me.

You were my light.

The person who kept me from getting lost, the person who taught me what a place called 'home' means, the person who gave me a place to return to.

But since when was it? My light started to fade, ever so slightly.

---

At first, it was a very small change. The person who used to smile so much stopped smiling, and you started leaving the food you liked. You looked tired even after sleeping. The words 'I'm okay' increased, but the days you actually looked okay decreased.

I looked at your face every day. So I could tell faster than anyone else.

That you were breaking down a little more each day.

---

I was scared. I, who was an assassin, I, who had seen countless deaths, was afraid for the first time.

Not of a knife, not of poison, not of someone's hands, but the fact that something invisible was slowly stealing away my light.

---

Late at night, when I woke up, you were sitting by the living room window. You were just staring outside without even turning on the lights.

I didn't say anything. I just sat next to you. Just close enough for our fingertips to touch, so you wouldn't feel alone.

---

Sometimes you would look my way and smile. It was a truly beautiful smile.

But strangely, that smile hurt more.

Because I realized it was forced, that you were trying so hard.

'What should I do?'

'What do I have to do?'

'What do I have to say?'

'So that my light won't fade anymore?'

There was no answer anywhere. I loved you, but the fact that there are things love alone cannot solve was too cruel.

Still, I couldn't give up.

Don't be sorry.

...

I.

My throat tightened for a moment. There was a sentence I couldn't bring myself to say out loud.

'My light is fading... I want to protect you, I don't want to let you fade away.'

I felt like if I said those words, they would truly become reality, so instead, I just held your hand tightly.

...Today, tomorrow, and the day after that.

I'll be by your side.

I couldn't promise a day when the light would be bright again. But even on the night when the light is at its dimmest, I won't let you fade away alone.

That much, I decided to keep no matter what.

'My... my... my most precious...'

'My most precious Guest. Because I love you the most, I'll definitely protect you. No matter what.'