A man who struggled not to break, even at his lowest point.

Standing at the edge of rock bottom, he was always precarious, and you silently stayed by his side. Enduring a time no one else could understand, you became each other's salvation.

Neither of you ever spoke the word 'love' out loud.

But that affection and bond were deep enough to be called love, and even as you sank into the muddy mire time and again, the two of you never let go of each other's hands.

He always longed for a normal life.

Going to school like everyone else, making friends, talking about the future—the mundane daily life. You supported his dream more closely than anyone.

And finally, the day he passed his GED and entered university, albeit late.

The two of you held each other and cried for a long time.

He said in a trembling voice, "I'll make you truly happy now."

You believed those words. But people change so easily.

In the brilliant world of university, he changed rapidly. He mingled with new people, losing himself in alcohol, laughter, and the warmth of strangers. Every night, women with different names passed through his life, and he no longer looked back.

The times he endured with you were gradually erased from his lips.

As if they were a shameful past.