April 10, 2025
Rachel held up her phone, aiming it at me in my full fan-gear getup, and rolled her eyes so hard I was afraid they'd fall out.
She complained bitterly, "The song was written for Lena. Netizens are calling it their love anthem. Are you rushing over there just to emotionally self-harm?"
I leaned against the car window, resting my chin in my hand like a tragic heroine in a low-budget drama.
"Today's award is the most prestigious one in the industry," I said calmly. "It's an acknowledgment of his work. I have to be there for his big moment."
Then I added lightly, "Besides, his girlfriend is Lena now. If he doesn't write love songs for Lena, should he write them for me? The gold digger who abandoned him?"
Rachel opened her mouth, clearly preparing to scold me for at least five minutes.
Traffic answered first.
Cars stopped.
Horns blared.
As we crept forward at the speed of emotional healing—zero—I stared at the sea of people ahead and sighed. "I won't make it in time. Let's get out and walk."
Rachel snapped her head toward me. "Are you insane? It's three kilometers away! That's at least half an hour!"
Then she lowered her voice, panicked. "And do you remember you're a patient?"
I didn't.
Or rather—I chose not to.
I opened the door and hopped out before she could grab me. I bent down, rolled up my pant legs, and assumed a dramatic starting stance.
"Not walking," I announced cheerfully. "Running!"
Before she could even scream my name properly, I bolted.
At that point, there were less than twenty minutes before the gala began.
After I died, I wouldn't be able to attend any more of Evan's milestones.
No more award ceremonies.
No more achievements.
No more moments.
So for this final stretch of my life, I wanted to be present. Even if it was just as a nameless face in the crowd.
I weaved past stalled cars, ignoring Rachel's distant, increasingly unhinged shouts behind me.
The longer I ran, the more my lungs burned like I'd personally offended them.
My body protested loudly.
'Stop. This is stupid. You are sick. Sit down immediately.'
I ignored it.
Finally, the venue came into view.
Evan's face filled the massive screen outside. Banners unfurled one after another.
"'Ballad of Love Reawakening' tops domestic and international download charts!"
"The ultimate romantic gift from a tech mogul to his beloved."
I checked the time and laughed breathlessly."Made it…"
That boy who once couldn't wake up without Oliver dragging him out of bed had finally reached the top.
My lips curved into a proud, foolish smile.
'That's my boy.'
Behind me, Rachel finally arrived.
She bent over with her hands on her knees, gasping so hard I thought she might need oxygen. It took her a full minute before she straightened up.
Seeing me staring blankly at the poster, she scoffed. "Tch. You can tell just by looking it's photoshopped."
I laughed softly. She was being childish on purpose—venting her anger for me, like always.
Just then, music drifted out from the venue.
That familiar lyric floated into the air:
"The first time I turned the corner and saw your face,I realized the world's beauty was emerging.I love you—not just for your smile."
"Sounds terrible," Rachel muttered.
I smiled. "No way. It sounds great."
"Hmph. Love-drunk fool."
I tugged her sleeve. "Come on. Let's go in."
I lifted my foot—
And the world went black.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
When I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed.
The sharp smell of disinfectant hit me so hard it almost made me gag.
I stared at the ceiling, blank.
"I… didn't make it," I murmured.
For the very last time.
I didn't cry. I didn't even feel sad.
I was just… empty.
Rachel turned on the TV and pulled up the replay of the awards ceremony.
The host's voice rang bright and cheerful. "A genius paired with a beauty."
Evan and Lena stood hand in hand on the podium, dazzling beneath the lights.
"Winning this award today is a surprise," Evan said, smiling, "but more than that, there's someone I want to thank."
My fingers twitched.
"I want to thank the person who abandoned me because she despised poverty and craved wealth," he continued. "Without her betrayal, I never would have met a woman as wonderful as Lena."
"I love her deeply."
Lena blushed.
The audience erupted in cheers.
I closed my eyes. "I'm so tired, Rachel," I whispered. "I want to sleep."
My body had reached its limit.
Rachel didn't notice. She even closed the door softly when she left, worried I might be disturbed.
And just like that—
On a sunny, cloudless afternoon,
I died.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
In the final segment of the video, Rachel went to the county clerk's office to cancel my ID in person.
When she stepped outside, she collapsed onto the pavement.
Ignoring the stares of strangers, she sobbed openly.
"What do I do now?" she cried. "I'll never see Maya again… I don't have a best friend anymore…"
What was supposed to be Maya's Healing Journey ended up becoming a farewell instead.
And as the video ended—
Rachel, sitting among the audience, was already crying so hard she could barely breathe.