Chapter 2

Thinking back, Hugh really changed a lot.

When he was little, he was so lively and bright, like a little sun.

Then his parents started fighting constantly, and eventually, they divorced.

After that, he became more and more rebellious, and he stopped wanting to go home.

I always felt like he was just too cold, that he'd just built a wall around himself like a porcupine.

And my home had so much warmth, I thought I could share some with him.

He used to be the one protecting me when we were kids. Now, it was my turn to be like a little firefly, illuminating his way.

So, after that.

He skipped class, I'd take notes for him.

He got hurt playing basketball, I'd help him tie his laces.

He'd glare at me, tell me to mind my own business, even throw my notes back at me.

But the next day, those notes would always be tucked deep inside his backpack.

And he'd always eat every bite of the breakfast I brought him.

After a while, people started joking around in front of him, saying I was his crazy admirer.

That time, Hugh punched the guy right in front of the whole class.

I thought I was the most important person to Hugh, but then Serena showed up.

And everything changed.

Serena transferred to our school in junior year. She was really pretty.

One time after school, a few bullies cornered her in an alley.

Hugh got into a fight with them to protect her.

From then on, they became really close friends.

He never walked me home anymore. I knew he was walking Serena home instead.

But every time I asked, he'd just say:

"You don't understand, her family life is really complicated. She's pretty helpless, I just want to help her out."

Hugh, who was usually so aloof.

Would give her his jacket when it was cold.

Would specifically buy her favorite ice cream outside of school.

He even wanted to go to the same university as her, afraid she'd get picked on.

But that was *our* agreement.

On the day we graduated middle school.

I looked at the shining stars in the sky and asked Hugh, who was beside me:

"Have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?"

Hugh shook his head, a hint of resignation on his face:

"Do I even need to think? My dad only has me as a son. I'll definitely study something related to his business and manage the company after graduation."

I paused, then spoke:

"So, after high school, we'll go our separate ways?"

Hugh gazed into the distance, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes:

"Probably."

A cool evening breeze blew past. Hearing his words, I felt a strange sadness.

Hugh looked at me, suddenly flustered.

"Hey, don't cry! Are you really that sad to leave me?"

He said, haphazardly wiping away my tears.

"Which university do you want to go to? I'll apply with you."

My eyes suddenly lit up.

"Really? Then I want to go to A University."

"Tsk, you change your mood so fast."

Hugh ruffled my hair, smiling lazily,

"A University, huh? Looks like I'll have to study hard then."

"You cry so easily. What if you go somewhere so far away by yourself and someone bullies you into crying again?"

Maybe it was just a joke to comfort me back then, but I never forgot it.

In high school, his grades never improved, and I was secretly anxious, but he didn't react at all.

It wasn't until the end of junior year that he anxiously pulled me aside, asking me to tutor him.

I thought he remembered our old promise.

Now I realize, I was just fooling myself.