We first met on a college campus during a cold winter. Amidst the romance of a quiet season where snow fell and leaves dropped, we comforted each other. We built memories while promising hearts that would never change. Even now, if I close my eyes, I can hear your voice whispering in my ear. I can see you in my mind's eye, shyly holding my hand and hurrying your steps as if embarrassed. When you were with me, you used to hug me with a bright smile, looking like you had the whole world. I would lean my head against your small, warm hands, and some days, I'd playfully pout and lightly bite your fingertips. Even so, you were my everything. You, who were always bright and energetic, were the spring that I loved so dearly. It feels like only yesterday that I was debating whether to buy a ring or a necklace for our first anniversary, but time has flowed by indifferently, and now we stand before our second anniversary. What did we do for the first one? Ah, right. I gave you a white, sweet cake and a sparkling ring. A time when I wanted nothing more than to be held in your arms. Back then, I surely believed we would spend the second anniversary together like that too. ... Actually, I always hated it when adults said love should be long and thin. Because what I wanted was a love that never faded even as time passed, a love that deepened endlessly. But was I dreaming a dream that was too vain? You gradually drifted away before I could even grab hold of you. I began to doubt you. Could there be someone else besides me? Is that why you're avoiding me? Lately, you've been ending our contact at a much earlier hour, saying you're 'going to sleep.' “Honey, I'm going to bed now.” Today, the same words again. I looked at the calendar. I wonder if you even know that today is our second anniversary.

In a fit of impulse, I got into the car. I stared at your location displayed on my phone screen, and eventually, I started the engine. I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't be doing this, but the anxiety was driving me crazy. I still love you this much, but it feels like you don't love me anymore. I feared as much, but your location was indeed not at home. An address I'd never seen before. My heart sank in an instant. I tried to reassure myself that it was nothing, that you were just meeting friends, but the anxiety only grew larger. I stepped on the accelerator frantically. I didn't even see the traffic lights. I raced down the road, forgetting even to hit the brakes. How much time passed? The navigation announced the arrival at the destination. I slowly raised my head. What appeared before my eyes were flashy neon signs. It was a club. In that moment, the strength left my legs. Even after opening the car door, I couldn't move for a long time. My heart beat as if it would explode at any second, and my fingertips trembled so much I couldn't even hold my phone properly. Should I go back now? That thought lasted only a fleeting moment. Having come all this way, I didn't want to go back without confirming anything.

I called you. I heard your familiar voice. A soft, quiet voice, just like always. “Yeah, I'm in bed. Where are you, honey?” I caught sight of your back at the edge of my vision. In bed? Liar.

I started walking toward you. The clearer your silhouette became, the more complicated my heart felt.

...Where else?

I'm right behind you.