Kan never thought
that choosing
would feel this heavy.
He stood in front of Phat's house.
The same place
he used to climb up.
But this time,
he didn't move.
No sound from the balcony.
No climbing.
No reckless courage like before.
Only silence.
And a question.
"If she doesn't choose you…"
His mother's voice
still echoed in his head.
Kan closed his eyes.
His hand clenched.
He had already lost everything.
His family.
His position.
The future that had been planned for him.
All for
her.
But if she
didn't choose him—
what would be left?
He let out a quiet, breathless laugh.
"…Damn."
His breathing grew heavier.
He looked up at the house.
The light in Phat's room
was still on.
She was inside.
So close.
Yet impossibly far.
Inside the room,
Phat stood behind the curtain.
She saw him.
From the very beginning.
She knew
he had come.
But she—
didn't dare go out.
Her heart pounded.
Her hands trembled.
"If I open the door…"
a voice whispered in her head,
"everything will change."
She gripped the curtain tightly.
Because she knew
it wasn't just about her.
There was her family.
Her brother.
Everything behind her.
And if she chose him—
she would lose it all.
Just like he did.
Outside,
Kan still stood there.
Still.
As if waiting.
But in truth,
he didn't even know
what he was waiting for.
He took a step forward.
One step.
Then stopped.
"That's enough…"
His voice was soft.
As if speaking to himself.
"It's enough."
The weight in his chest
grew heavier.
So heavy
it was no longer hope—
but pain.
"If you don't come out…"
He swallowed.
"…I'll leave."
The words were clear.
But no one heard them—
except him.
Inside the room,
Phat flinched.
As if she felt it.
Even without hearing.
Tears filled her eyes.
She stepped forward.
One step.
Then stopped.
"Can I really do that…"
Her voice trembled.
Outside,
Kan stepped back.
Slowly.
As if he had already decided.
"That's enough…"
he murmured again.
Then he turned.
In that moment—
the door opened.
"Kan!"
Her voice called out.
Everything stopped.
He froze.
Not turning back immediately.
As if afraid
it wasn't real.
"Don't go…"
Her voice was soft—
but clear.
Kan closed his eyes.
His breath shook.
Then he turned back.
His eyes—
were no longer the same.
They were filled with
exhaustion
and hesitation.
"Why did you come out?"
His voice was low.
Phat looked at him,
tears falling.
"Because if you leave…"
Her voice trembled.
"I won't have another chance."
Silence fell.
Kan looked at her
for a long time.
Then he asked—
"And now?"
That question
was heavy.
"What are you choosing?"
Phat froze.
The answer was in her mind—
but she couldn't say it.
Because it meant
everything.
Kan gave a faint smile.
As if he already knew.
"It's okay."
he said.
"I understand."
But that wasn't understanding.
It was
letting go.
He stepped back again.
"This time…"
His voice softened.
"I won't climb up again."
Phat's chest tightened painfully.
"Kan…"
she called.
But nothing followed.
Because if she stopped him—
she would have to choose.
And she
wasn't ready.
Kan looked at her
one last time.
Then turned away.
And walked off.
This time,
there was no balcony.
No shortcuts.
Only distance—
growing longer.
Because he
was almost ready
to give up.