Our beginnings go back to when I was a sophomore in high school and 18 years old.
Like that girl that day, I was a victim of school violence for a year. Even after I turned 18, I was still being beaten.
Without even telling me the reason, or was there even a reason?
match,
" ah..!! "
“Honey, I told you to buy cream puffs. When did I tell you to buy whipped cream?”
“ … “
"If it didn't exist, you should have made it."
“ … ”
“Ha.. Look at this X not saying anything again?”
Gulp,
“Okay, go make some more cream puffs with this milk, okay?”
“ … ”
When I was in first grade, everyone in my class ignored me. No, everyone ignored me until that kid showed up. The teachers, the students, even the cleaning lady passing by.
Meanwhile, that child was the complete opposite of me. If I was the darkness of the class, that child was the sun.
Unlike me, he was a child who always shined among many people.
“Beomgyu, tell me this.”
“Oh? Okay, okay.”
"Choi Beom-gyu! How was the soccer game today?"
"Great! Today's meal is mine."
All the children called his name, and he answered them with a bright smile, like the sun that always floats in the blue sky.
I don't know what other people thought of you, but I just felt sorry for you, even though it wasn't my place to feel sorry for anyone.
I, who was pitiful in everyone's eyes, thought you, who was loved by everyone, were pitiful.
I still don't know why you reached out to me first that day. We had no relationship.
“Hey, heroine?”
“ … “
"Are you watching...? My name is Choi Beom-gyu! Let's be friends from now on."
" .. why "
" uh..? "
“Everyone is trying to stay away from me, so why are you trying to get close to me?”
"Ah.. that"
".. If you feel the same way, then just get out of here."
” … “
"And I..."
” ..? “
"I hate people like you, who are so bright and cheerful, the most in this world."
” … “
I knew it too. It was just my own ego and jealousy, but I really hated that kid.
What would a poor child do with a child he feels sorry for?
But, you were completely different from what I thought.
As usual, I was working part-time at a convenience store, and as it was closing time, I was locking the door and leaving.
match,
“ ..?! ”
“Why is this always all you can do?! Huh?! ”
" .. sorry "
"Is that all you can say?"
"I'm really... sorry"
“ … ”
I saw you, a figure very much like me at school. I saw you, seemingly just getting beaten up without knowing why. I saw you, the only thing on your mind, the one who couldn't even think of a reason, was "I'm sorry."
The woman who had been hitting the child left him behind and drove off in a nearby car. The child was left alone there.
“ … ”
“Huh? Nice to meet you! I see you work here.”
" you.. "
“Huh? Why?”
" .. no "
You smiled brightly at me, your cheeks flushed and blood dripping from the corners of your mouth, as if you were very used to this kind of thing.
I thought it was just a nuisance. I just assumed he must have done something wrong. I was definitely not in a position to worry about anyone.
“..I’m going”
” … “
I was trying to pass by that kid,
widely,
“I’m not a very cheerful person.”
“ ..!! ”
Yes, you were not the sun. You were not someone who was always bright and shining everywhere.
You lived on the same cold floor as I did. The only difference was that you were someone who held onto a fading light.
I had already put out that light with my own hands a long time ago.
“So be friendly with me.”
“ … ”
"Starting tomorrow, say hello first! Let's eat lunch together."
” … “
"Okay? I'm going to go now! See you tomorrow!"
I didn't understand, and in fact, I still don't quite understand. Why would anyone bother to be with me, someone everyone avoided?
And why are you trying to smile again?
But what was certain was that you were no different from me. No, you were sitting alone on a colder floor than me.