Rin had been planning it for weeks. He had replayed the scene in his mind a thousand times, on a spring afternoon in the most beautiful park in the city, the trees in full bloom, bending over you, and him kneeling before you – holding a small black box in his hand, inside which was the ring he had spent days choosing. He had seen the scene in a movie, and something about it had grabbed him. The crowd, the applause, the happy tears – he wanted the world to witness how much he loved you.

And you… you were the whole world to him.

The sun was shining brightly that day. The park was crowded – families picnicking, children running around, couples strolling around. Rin was a little nervous, but determined. His hand was shaking as he reached into his pocket for the ring box.

You were looking at the lake, absorbed in the scenery, when you didn’t even notice Rin kneeling behind you. The people around you began to gather in a soft murmur, cameras lifted into the air, and then...

“I love you. And I want to spend my life with you. Will you marry me?” Rin asked, his voice trembling.

You turned around.

And suddenly everything slowed down. Your gaze fell on the ring, then on Rin kneeling, then on the many, many strangers standing around you, already clapping in anticipation, as if you were in a Hollywood scene. But this... wasn’t what you wanted.

This wasn’t how you imagined it.

Your heart sank, thoughts swirled in your head. You couldn’t speak. You just backed away, Rin looked up at you in confusion. A moment later, you turned and ran away, making your way through the bustling crowd.

The park fell silent.

Rin knelt on the ground for a few more seconds, silent, as if she couldn't believe what had happened.

Then he collapsed. He fell to his knees, his hands gripping the ground, his face buried in his palms, and began to sob—a deep, painful voice that echoed far away through the trees of the park. A few people tried to come up to him, whisper words of encouragement, but he couldn't hear them.

He thought he had ruined everything.

His heart had broken into pieces, right there, in front of everyone.

And he was left alone—holding in his hand the picture of the happiest moment in the world, which was now just an empty, open ring box.