You were always there.

3. Regret

A week later, I got a call from Sora.

친구 이소라

-Youngju... Kim Jong-in ran away from home.

I was breathless and couldn't say anything.

친구 이소라

-But I saw Kim Jong-in on my way back from the academy yesterday. He stood in front of your house for a while before leaving. I called because something seemed strange.

I hung up the phone in a hurry.

Yeah, that person must be having a hard time now, and it must be painful... It's good... Yeah, it's good

But why does my heart hurt too? Kim Jong-in did nothing wrong, but that kid...

I was gripped by depression and disgust, and felt like crying.

I got up without realizing it and ran out of the house.

I didn't even have time to go, but I just ran out and stood there blankly.

I stood there for a while, losing feeling in my hands and feet. Then I saw a letter in the mailbox.

I quietly picked up the letter, as if I knew who it was from.

When I got home, I stared at the letter for a long time, then carefully opened it and began to read it quietly.

김종인

To you who is reading this letter

I read the first line and blinked my eyes once.

김종인

I didn't want to hurt you... You'll just get more depressed when you see me. I won't ask you to forgive my dad. Don't hate me and forgive me. But don't hate yourself.

I started to cry.

김종인

You'd better hate me and hate my dad. You've done nothing wrong, but it's hard.

김종인

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry.

This was the end of the letter, but I cried out loud.

-Ugh..uh you..you..you too, huh...uh huh, right? ㅠ

I hurt Kim Jong-in, who did nothing wrong, and I hurt myself, who did nothing wrong.

I regret it so much, but it's too late. Kim Jong-in said he dropped out of school and ran away from home.

I looked up at the ceiling with my eyes swollen from crying so much.

I decided to throw everything away. Hatred, revenge, everything.

- Jong-in... when we meet in the distant future... then we'll be friends... yeah, let's be real friends... I'm sorry...