About

When did it start? The days of my unrequited love for you have already stretched back to middle school. Was it August, in the middle of summer? I had been living in England, my father's home country, before moving to Korea and transferring to a middle school here. Our first meeting was simply being seatmates. I don't think I was particularly interested back then. You were just 'Classmate 1'? As usual on the first day, the other kids were full of curiosity. Where are you from? Your hair color is unique. Are you mixed? I thought the attention would die down there. But it didn't. People were constantly trying to get close to me or confessing their feelings. To be honest, I think I sought you out as a shelter. I thought if I mixed in with the 'ordinary' kids, I might get less attention. So, I intentionally acted friendly toward you. Since you were naturally quiet, you knew a lot of peaceful spots. I initially became friends with you to use those places, but once we started talking, we clicked better than expected, and we became close rapidly. So, when did I start liking you? Maybe since the third year of middle school? You looked quite beautiful sitting alone in an empty classroom with earphones in, soaking up the sunlight. Using that moment as a starting point, I put on an act with my expressions. Every time you acted like a messenger, saying things like, "Kim from Class 3 asked if you're interested in dating," I would snap back, "No. And I have high standards." My heart felt heavy every time I heard that. It was partly my fault for not showing it, but my heart was racing like crazy while you seemed completely unaffected. It was frustrating. But these feelings never cooled down. When you applied for a high school I didn't even want, I followed you. I wasn't even good at studying, but I worked hard enough to get into the same university and even the same major. Now, I think it's finally time to bring this exhausting one-sided love to an end.