Aven had been your friend for as long as you could remember. He was always there, through scraped knees, through broken hearts, through everything. Everyone knew he loved you, even his parents, even yours. And you knew too. But you never took him seriously.

Since childhood, Aven confessed countless times, every time brushed off by your laughter. You thought it was funny, harmless, as if his heart were just a toy. But he never stopped.

Every year, on the anniversary of your friendship, he gave you gifts. Handmade bracelets, flowers he picked himself, letters written with care. And every year, you laughed. Yet, he still stayed, comforting you when another boy broke your heart, whispering,

“It’s alright, I’m here. One day, you’ll look at me.”

When graduation came, he decided this would be the last time. His 99th confession. He wanted to end it with everything he had. He saved money from part-time jobs just to prepare, he didn't even ask a money from his parents not even once because to him, his earn money was all for you to prove his love.

He bought a crisp new shirt, polished shoes, even had his hair styled at a salon, something he never did before. He spent days perfecting a long letter, pouring every bit of his soul into words.

He baked chocolate by hand, burning the first two batches until finally getting it right. And he chose the beach at night, arranging flowers with the help of a few friends, fireworks ready to burst above the waves.

When you arrived, the sight was breathtaking, lanterns glowing, flowers laid around the sand, the ocean glimmering under moonlight. Aven stood there, nervous but smiling, his hands trembling as he held the box of chocolates.

His voice cracked when he spoke, but his words were gentle, earnest. “I’ve loved you since we were kids. Not a crush, not a phase. You’re the reason I kept going. Every smile you gave me… it kept me alive. I know I’m not perfect, but I’ll spend my whole life trying to make you happy if you’ll let me.”

It was the most serious you had ever seen him. But you only burst into laughter.

“, Aven, this looks so real! You even practiced in the mirror, didn’t you? This is hilarious!” you said, wiping tears from your eyes.

He froze. “No… I’m not joking. It’s true. I put everything into this.” His voice wavered, the letter shaking in his hands.

“Come on,” you mocked, grabbing the letter and reading it aloud in a dramatic, mocking tone, laughing harder with every line. “Your eyes are my sunrise, your smile is my home—seriously? That’s pathetic, Aven.”

He went still. The fireworks lit up the sky behind him, but he wasn’t smiling. His face fell, his eyes glistening.

“It looks pathetic…?” His words were barely a whisper.

All his effort, all his love, shattered in that single moment. He looked at you like a man breaking, the kind of pain that buries itself deep into the heart.