Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Third Person's POV

Kyle has many good memories of the boarding house’s rooftop. However, it would be hard for him to consider today’s arch as a good memory. He knew it would be unworkable.

“After days of avoiding me, finally, you beckoned me to talk,” Ryan said.

He did avoid her. He was frightened to face the truth, and until the end, Kyle wanted to fight.

Kyle handed a box to Ryan, murmuring, “Take this.”

There was an apple logo in the box, and it’s easy to figure out what’s inside. Still, Ryan asked, “What’s this?”

“Cellphone. You were having a hard time using your old phone.”

Ryan turned pale. If only Kyle has no feelings for her, she will accept his gift.

“This is expensive,” Ryan uttered.

Kyle chuckled as he scratched his head. "Hey, don't worry. I did not spend a dime. I…”

‘He won it through the contest’ is what he wanted to say. But in the end, he twisted the words hanging at the tip of his tongue.

“A raffle. I got it from a raffle at the festival. Aren’t I lucky?”

“That’s crazy! Why would they give away an expensive item like this for a raffle?”

Looking down, Kyle continued, “I am not… sure.”

“I see. But well, Kyle, I cannot accept this.”

He looked back and saw her handing the box back.

“I really can’t,” she added.

The fine forehead wrinkled as Kyle opened his mouth to answer, “If you are thinking that I am giving you that because I like you, then please don’t. We were friends. As your pal, I wanted to give you something you needed. Aren’t you the only one I can count on if I forget to close the gas stove?”

Somehow, those words made Ryan smile. She really loves him… as a friend.

“And also, I avoided you because I figured out you have feelings for Slyvester. How childish.”

“Kyle,” was the only thing she could reply.

“I was scared to hear it directly from you. I told myself that whatever happens, I won’t give up. That’s how much I love you, Ryan. And yet, this selfishness was like a double-edged sword. The more I kept it with me, the more I got hurt. I don’t like to see you sad, and for us not to talk all day. I hate it when you call my name in a sorrowful damn way. It pained me to imagine living like this with you forever.”

Ryan pursed her lips. His eyes, as if they were whipped with thorns, came closer to hers.

“I dated before,” he said with a voice that could soften a maiden’s heart. “But I think this is really really the first time I fell in love.”

"..."

“I am happy to experience true love, Ryan. Thank you so much.” He drew a sharp breath. Brushing his bangs up, his response returned. “But I can’t steal your happiness. If you really like Slyvester, then I will support the two of you.”

Tears fell down from Ryan’s eyes. Oh how she wanted to suppress those tears! But she failed.

On the other side, Kyle kept the smile on his lips.

“Don’t think I’ll move on that fast. In my past relationship, I was always abandoned. But this time, no one abandoned each other. I can be your friend while still loving you. Is that okay?” Then he offered a high five.

While crying, Ryan smiled at him and gave him a high five.

“So, accept my gift. Okie? If you don’t, I’ll take it back and give it to others.”

“I will accept it! Thanks!”

"Good," he chuckled then tapped her head. "You have morning class, right? Go on and prepare.”

“Oh right! I have to go now!”

Ryan dashed away, but she came back and looked at him.

“Kyle.”

“Yes?”

"Thank you."

Thank you.

The women who dumped Kyle before only left “Sorry” as their parting gift. There was only Ryan who thanked him.

"Hmmm," he murmured then smiled.

With one last wave of her hand and teary eyes, Ryan left Kyle on the rooftop.

Standing alone, Kyle saw the need to show his true self. He felt the drowning water that was only up to his ankles. The physical liquid wasn’t there. Wasn’t visible. But he was drowning in pain and sorrow.

He looked up and tears fell from his eyes.

“Damn, I really love her,” he sobbed, clenching his hand on his chest. His shoulders elevated up and down as he cried there out loud.

No one would see him.

No one would hear him.

Only heaven knows that Kyle wasn’t a coward. He didn’t give up on Ryan. Because someone cannot fight for true love when he’s alone. And Kyle knew that Ryan was wearing armor with another knight on her side.

** **

Chaylen walked to the kitchen. He’s wearing round reading glasses, which he does not usually wear. He thought there was no person in the boarding house aside from him, but shocked to see Kyle in the kitchen.

“Oh? Chaylen,” Kyle called his name first.

Chaylen stayed still while looking at Kyle’s swollen eyes. Vice versa, Kyle also noticed Chaylen’s swollen eyes behind his round glasses. It was bizarre for Chaylen to feel embarrassed but he felt it anyway.

“You didn’t go to class?” Kyle tossed a question.

“Yeah. I felt to lazy to attend my classes. And you?”

“I’ll go later.”

“Ahhh. I see. Oh, right, I saw you in the contest yesterday. I was so shocked to see you joined the contest, lol.”

Chaylen tried to lighten up the moon, but Kyle only set his eyes on the floor with a grimace. Yet, Chaylen could not complain.

He was as heartbroken as Kyle. The feeling was too much for him to handle, as if he was walking without thoughts in his head, leaving only Ryan’s name.

‘If things went like this…’

‘What if I did this…’

He was full of ‘what ifs’, which was very futile. And Chaylen knew, based on Kyle’s reaction, that they were experiencing the same thing,

‘If only we did not like the same woman, I might have ask Kyle the best way to move on. Or maybe, I will ask him to drink with me.’

But if they get drunk, Chaylen fears he and Kyle will shout the same person’s name while crying.

“You have a mail, Chaylen. I forgot to tell you,” Kyle’s response returned after a long time. He pointed at the bunch of white envelopes on the center table in the living room.

“Is it a love letter?” Chaylen asked.

“Nope. I picked out all the love letters because I know you guys won’t even bother reading them.”

‘Then, who will send me a mail?’ Chaylen asked inwardly. He was about to walk toward the living room, but the devil blocked his way.

“Your eyes are soggy. Did you get dumped?” Asked Vincent while wearing his socks.

Chaylen felt his blood boiling. He tried choking Vincent’s neck, but the fast guy dodged his attack. Then Vincent looked at Kyle.

Vincent stopped as he noticed that Kyle’s eyes were swollen too. Chaylen waited for Vincent to tease Kyle, however…

“I’ll go now,” Vincent said to Kyle.

‘He won’t tease Kyle? Where’s the justice?’ Chaylen complained inside his head.

Vincent could tease Chaylen, but he was ready to play ignorant for Kyle!

“It is still not time for your class,” Kyle brought up.

“Yup. But I am craving Takoyaki. So, I’ll go now. Bye.” Vincent waved to Kyle but grinned at Chaylen before going out of the door.

‘That bastard,’ Chaylen murmured under his breath.

Chaylen isn’t giving up on Ryan. But he was excited to see Vincent get dumped by her.

‘Just you wait. If Ryan dumps you, I’ll laugh at you real damn hard,’ Chaylen vowed his revenge.