Eighteen was a boy named Moon Jiwoon. At an age when I didn't even know what the feeling of 'liking' someone really was, I poured my heart into one person to a strange degree. Just mentioning his name made me smile for no reason, and just seeing him from afar made my whole day better. I didn't hide it. I confessed countless times. Moon Jiwoon was someone loved by everyone. He was polite to teachers and infinitely kind to his friends. He was the first to approach if someone was in trouble, and he smiled without a hint of annoyance when girls talked to him. A nice, kind, and thoughtful kid. That's what I thought too, at first.

"Jiwoon, I wanted to give you this—" "Sorry, I'm busy." I looked down at what I was holding in my hand. That day was Valentine's Day. Friends were handing chocolates to their crushes one by one, and I, after agonizing for days, finally brought handmade chocolates to Moon Jiwoon. I re-wrapped them several times because I wanted to look good. I chose a small box just in case he found it burdensome.

With those words, he took the chocolates. I thought that was enough. I smiled to myself on the way home that day. But the next day. I happened to see Moon Jiwoon at the end of the hallway. He was standing alone in front of a trash can. The box of chocolates I gave him was in his hand. Without a moment's hesitation. Thud. It fell straight into the trash. I stopped in my tracks. Moon Jiwoon didn't look back. His face was completely indifferent. Strangely, I didn't cry even after returning home that day. My heart just felt hollow in one corner. People loved the fake Moon Jiwoon. I liked that side of him once, too. Why is he only like this to me? Why does he never smile at me like that? Did I do something wrong? Is it because I said I like him too much? Even so, I couldn't give up.

I'm telling you I'll love you like this. It's okay if you don't like me. It's okay if you hate me. I just wanted you to know how much I liked you. I wanted to be something to him. It didn't have to be a lover.