A parting message from the waves

Chapter 4: When Morning Comes…

It’s not surprising that we are now stepping into one of the most crucial phases of our lives — the graduation exam. Everyone is sharpening their knowledge, focusing inward, pushing themselves toward personal goals. During this period, knowledge becomes everything. It not only fuels our dreams but helps make them real.

I never thought this phase would feel so light for me. I had received a great deal of support beforehand — and that lifted much of the pressure off my shoulders. I felt calm, even optimistic. That is, until one moment changed everything.

I cut off contact with you.

Not because I stopped caring, but because you didn’t value the voices of those who cared about you — especially someone like me, who had stood by your side for years. I wasn’t trying to cause trouble. I only wanted to protect you. I told you what others had been saying about your girlfriend — that she was chasing attention more than love. I shared everything, even details that made me uncomfortable to speak about, because I believed you deserved to know the truth.

Yes, I believed my friends. But I also believed in you — believed you would understand why I told you. In love, people often choose their partner above all else. I understand that. But choosing someone doesn't mean turning a blind eye to what’s wrong. If I were in your place — even if I had someone — and they were in the wrong, I would have had the strength to let them go. Even if it hurt. Even if it broke me.

That’s why I chose to walk away from you.

And in that moment, it felt like everything I’d been holding onto vanished. I had nothing left to hope for. I had entered this high school because of you. I had poured my energy into winning awards, participating in every activity, excelling — just to prove to you that I was capable. That I was someone worth noticing.

But the words I longed to hear from you never came. You praised me, yes. But it was polite, distant. Never what I truly needed.

Disappointment built slowly, like waves lapping against a crumbling shore. I started to wish I could erase you from my world. Start fresh. Build something just for me — a future where I no longer had to chase someone just to be seen.

This time, I lost.

You won — not because of love or effort, but because you succeeded in making someone feel so disappointed, they had no choice but to walk away. Maybe no one can truly step out from your shadow. It’s large, lasting. I leaned on it when trying to find someone new, hoping for a similar warmth — but that was a mistake.

You’ll always be in my memory. But only as the boy from 10th grade — 15 or 16 years old. That image is etched in my mind, unchanging, no matter how many years pass. Even if I fall in love again. Even if I walk beside someone else for the rest of my life.

Because that summer, I loved blindly.

Only to find myself forever unrequited.

Unable to speak aloud the words I buried so deeply —

For the boy I once cherished.