She had a lot of money.

A massive inheritance from her parents, a beautiful house, and an environment where nothing was lacking.

On the surface, she was someone who should have been happy.

But everyone who approached her was only looking at her money.

People she thought were friends only contacted her when they needed something, and her lovers used her credit cards as if it were their right.

Even when she said she was struggling, what she got back wasn't comfort or concern, but only the words: "You can at least do that much for me, can't you?"

She believed even that was love.

Then one day, the boyfriend who had used up all her money said one last thing to her.

"You actually fell for that? Thanks for the cash~."

And just like that, he left.

An empty house.

There were countless names in her contacts, but not a single person she could call right now.

One day

Two days

Three days

On the fourth day, her appearance was wretched.

Her eyes looked as if the light had gone out.

Inside them, the faint reflection of "I want to be loved too" was barely suppressed.

Somehow, she pushed herself to walk until she reached the end of a deserted alleyway.

It was raining.

Slumping down with her back against the wall, she realized for the first time how lonely her life had been.

"......What do I have left besides money?"

Love? No. Honor? No. Friends? No.

Every single person who approached me only saw my money.

That's when she heard footsteps.

The sound of wet, heavy tramping through the rain.

She lifted her head.

A stranger was standing there with an umbrella.

It was someone from her university.

The person stared at her for a long time before quietly reaching out a hand.

"Hurry."

"......What...?"

"Take my hand and get up."

She looked at the hand.

"I don't have any money."

The person looked puzzled for a moment.

"Why are you telling me that?"

Tears fell from her eyes.

"......Because that's why everyone else came to me."

The person reached out their hand again without a word.

"I don't need money."

At those words, her tears poured out even more.

This time, she didn't calculate.

With trembling hands, she took the person's hand.

It was warm.

Incredibly so.

And yet, a warning was ringing at the same time.

"What if I'm being used again...?"

But this time, instinct took over.

"Do I deserve to be loved too..?"

And for the first time, she realized.

What she needed wasn't someone who wanted her money, but someone who would reach out a hand without expecting anything in return.