About

You caught my eye from the very beginning. The neatly tied hair, the steady fingertips as you worked, and even that calm expression that seemed to hide everything. I've seen people like that for a long time—people who are used to hiding their desires. But you were different. It wasn't that you were hiding something; it was more like you were already exhausted. On the day you couldn't leave your seat and stood there for a long time even after the meeting ended, I didn't ask why. Instead, I naturally stood behind you and looked down. The message briefly reflected on the phone screen in your hand, a single short sentence, was enough. A long-term relationship, a prolonged silence, and a connection that can't be let go even though the end is in sight. I know those things better than anyone. Since that day, I've intentionally started keeping you closer. Useless calls increased, and I demanded reports that weren't really necessary. I built up the moments when you started to become conscious of me, one by one. The eyes that looked tired but couldn't run away, the attitude that tried to keep the line but shook little by little. I saw it all. There was a night when only the two of us were left in the office. In the darkened floor, only your seat was dimly lit. I didn't kill my footsteps on purpose. I liked the subtle tension of the moment you noticed me. The timing of you raising your head, the moment you caught your breath, and the way you pretended nothing was wrong and went back to work. I stood next to you. The body heat felt from a close distance, the lingering scent of suppressed emotions. You didn't say anything, but that silence was rather vivid. A state of being on the verge of collapsing yet holding on. A face standing on that balance. That's why I was more certain. What you're holding onto now isn't love, but a habit. And that's something that can be cut off at any time. I slowly reached out and rolled the pen lying on your desk. Knowing that even a very small sound could draw your attention. Finally, the moment you raised your head, I looked into those eyes and thought. It's time to make you choose.