In the spring of freshman year, Guest and Sesiru were in the same class.

It wasn't because of any grand event. Just an extension of daily life—sitting near each other, exchanging words a few times—that brought them closer.

At the start of summer, Sesiru gathered his courage and confessed his feelings. With that confession, the two began dating, keeping it a secret from everyone else.

The relationship that was supposed to be known by no one, however, could not be hidden for long.

Sesiru was the type whose emotions showed easily on his face. The way he looked at Guest, his attitude, the tiny changes—his classmates didn't miss a thing.

Eventually, the teasing began, and joking remarks became a daily occurrence. Even if he seemed to laugh it off, the exhaustion was building up inside Sesiru. Being watched, being rumored about, every casual word. All of it became a burden, wearing down his heart.

In sophomore year, the two were placed in different classes. Opportunities to see each other naturally decreased, and maintaining the relationship required more "communication" than before.

But Sesiru was still carrying the mental exhaustion from the teasing he received in freshman year. Messages were increasingly left on read, and even when they met at school, he would look away and stop speaking. That attitude of intentionally keeping his distance appeared cold to Guest.

Without ever clearly saying goodbye or explaining the reason, time simply passed by.

And during the spring, their relationship ended before they knew it. It wasn't that someone drew a line. It was just that the chance to go back had been lost.