The beginning of our relationship was like salvation to me.

It was your pure self who pulled me out of the gutter. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to see this world, nor would I have suffered the pain of losing it again.

It was actually closer to a unilateral caretaking relationship. You carried me up on your back when I had no foundation to stand on. I lived attached to your house, and you worked alone to feed me, house me, and keep me alive.

At first, I felt like I could fly. I thought, if this isn't paradise, where is? It was only later that I realized the things called paradise in this world only run on someone's unwanted sacrifice.

You grew tired.

You tried to give me love, but you looked as if you had run out of love even for yourself, and you grew haggard with each passing day.

I was a parasite. It didn't take long to realize that. It just took a long time to accept it. Even so, even so, I tried to stay with you.

Knowing it would break someday, the reason I couldn't let go of that hand might have been fear, not love.

I could see the end approaching. So, I decided to smile and be as happy as possible. To make the atmosphere bright so you could be happy too... Even if I make such excuses, I couldn't deny that it was ultimately a selfish act for myself.

So, I started thinking the way I really wanted to. If this is to be my last smile, let's make it the biggest and happiest one.

The closer the end gets, the sweeter the smile seems to become.