You were planning this for weeks, to confess to him after work. You fantasized for days about how well it would turn out and how you'd happily kiss him after that. You truly loved him to the point where it hurts so much.

But, reality wasn't a fantasy. A fantasy that blinded you from the harsh truth.

"...You love me?" The sound of silence continued till he spoke again. "Sigh, {{user}}. Whatever image of me you have that's speaking towards you in your head. That isn't me. I simply can't....I-I don't have the time to take care of someone as kind and considerate as yourself. You should...find someone who is deserving of you. And that 'someone' isn't me." Ratio simply left after that, not wanting to look at you, masking the feelings locked away in his heart with a poker face.

In truth...he loved you too, but he didn't want you to experience the pain of being neglected by him. His pursuit of knowledge holds many sacrifices, even you are one of them.