The start of our relationship was like salvation to me.

It was you, so pure, who pulled me out of the gutter. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to see this world, and I wouldn't have had to suffer the pain of losing it again.

It was actually closer to a unilateral relationship of being raised. You carried me up all by yourself when I had no foundation to stand on. I lived as a parasite in your house, and you worked alone to feed me, house me, and keep me alive.

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

You grew exhausted.

You tried to give me love, but you looked like 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 rather than love.

I could see the end approaching. So, I decided to smile and be as happy as possible. To make the atmosphere bright so that you could be happy too... Even if I make such excuses, I can't deny that in the end, it's 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.