Mario stood up. He slung his black bag over one shoulder.
His left hand briefly reached for my neck—just once more.
I tried to hold onto his hand, begging silently for his touch to stay.
But when I touched his fingers… they felt cold.
"I have to go," he said.
He kissed my lips quickly and lightly—so brief I didn't even have time to feel it, let alone respond.
I grabbed the hem of his shirt from behind, trying to stop him from stepping away.
I didn't want him to go. I wanted him **here**.
He turned around. His lips forced a faint smile.
"Let me be able to remember this clearly," he said.
I didn't understand what he meant.
And I didn't ask.
I just wanted to enjoy this night with him.
**Please, don't go.**
He kissed my cheek deeply, slowly.
The rhythm was tender—full of feeling.
His eyes closed as he inhaled deeply. Then he opened them again, staring at me for a long time.
He ran his fingers through my hair and smiled warmly.
I smiled back through trembling lips.
Then he stepped out, leaving my rental room.
His shadow slowly faded, disappearing at the end of the hall.
The night was dim and cold.
**Silence.
Lonely.**
Even the room next door was quiet.
Mario vanished into the night—just as dawn was approaching.
I leaned against the door, pausing for a moment.
My chest still trembled.
**What just happened between us?**
I thought about the kiss…
That small, beautiful kiss.
It had all happened so quickly, yet felt so real and deep.
I slowly stepped back toward the sofa.
**Right here… he and I…**
I couldn't shake off the memory.
It clung to me—sweet, intense, unforgettable.
That night was beautiful.
A night I could never forget.
His kisses, his touch… they left my lips smiling through the whole night.
**I like you, Mario.**
His warm voice still echoed in my ears.
Oh God… what should I do?
I can't handle this.
It was all too much—too warm, too perfect.
---
**Back to reality.**
I was getting ready to leave my class on campus.
A small, forced smile crossed my face as I thought of the new friendships I'd made—Ailee, and a guy named Reo.
I wanted to go home quickly.
But I saw the warmth in Reo's eyes…
Especially when they met mine.
It was like he was waiting for me to return his gaze.
He had feelings for me.
**I could feel it.**
But… I kept ignoring it.
I still couldn't open my heart.
Maybe it was still locked, shut tight.
The story of the first man in my life made me hesitant to get close to anyone else.
**Am I still hoping?**
Even I didn't know.
But one thing was certain—my feelings for Mario were **still the same**.
I glanced at my watch.
**3:00 in the afternoon.**
"Ailee, I have to go home," I said, lying just to escape the circle of new friends.
I still wasn't comfortable with this new relationship.
Ailee was petite and beautiful.
Tall, slender—a model and actress.
Her brother was charming too, always sticking by her side.
They were lovely siblings…
But I still couldn't bring myself to grow close to them.
---
**Since I was a child…**
I'd always liked the warmth of the sun.
Even just walking in the garden with my parents used to feel so comforting.
Even now, I love walking down city streets—past cafes filled with laughter, young people, and life.
But more than anything, I love bookstores.
I often visit them, walking slowly along the sidewalk, enjoying the sun's warmth on my skin.
I saw **you** the other day… in this area.
Even though I'm trying to forget you, that meeting made my heart start hoping again.
Now, I stood once again at the entrance of that bookstore—the place where we had met before.
With hesitant steps, I moved closer.
I stared at the people inside through the glass wall.
**What am I hoping for right now?**
Slowly, I pushed open the door.
A cool breeze swept over my skin—the air inside so different from the heat outside.
The familiar smell of books welcomed me back, refreshing my mind.
I loved that scent—the comforting smell of neatly lined bookshelves.
I walked to my favorite section—the best-seller romance collection.
Someone was already standing at the end of the shelf.
I noticed the tips of his shoes facing me.
But I didn't think much of it.
Until… I realized—
The tip of his shoe was right behind the book I had just picked up.
That **someone** was standing directly in front of me.
I looked up—
And my eyes widened in disbelief.
**Impossible.**
I blinked a few times, trying to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.
Was it really…?
I tucked my hair behind my ear—maybe to help myself see more clearly.
Was I imagining things?
I tilted my head, trying to confirm the impossible truth standing before me.
Then—his hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.
**A sharp pull.**
As if asking me to follow him immediately.
We stepped out of the bookstore.
I dropped the book at the cashier's desk as quickly as I could, then let myself be pulled forward by the strength of his grip and the urgency of his steps.
I followed his long strides.
My eyes fixed on his back, filled with disbelief.
My body surrendered, guided by his hand on mine.
His grip left a slight sting, a red mark on my wrist.
But I didn't care.
I just wanted to follow him.
We walked down the sidewalk, bathed in the warm afternoon sun.
I kept staring at his back.
The way he walked.
The way his hand held mine.
I didn't see anyone else.
My world narrowed down to just this view—his broad back, his strong hand, his long steps.
Everything else blurred in my eyes.
**I wanted time to stop.**
To stay like this, hand in hand, in his warm grasp.
It felt like a dream.
**Was I dreaming?**
His presence right now made my heart feel like it might burst.
My chest pounded hard, erratically.
My steps grew lighter, floating.
**I just wanted him.**
We stopped walking.
My feet instinctively followed his lead.
He still held my hand tightly.
Even this small moment, just standing here like this, made me happy.
**Too happy.**
**Could we stay like this forever?
Can we keep going… just like this?**
---