Chapter 3

After dismissing the guests, I returned home.

I gathered all of Hannah's belongings, preparing to throw them away.

In a paper box were letters I had written to her.

Hannah and I were childhood sweethearts.

We were each other's first love.

During our time dating, I felt like the happiest person in the world.

But then Alex appeared.

She said Alex was her idol, her ideal type.

In all the years I had known Hannah, I had never seen her care so much about someone.

So, I started competing with Alex in everything.

Once, when he beat me in a competition, Hannah cheered happily beside me, jumping up and running to congratulate him.

Leaving me standing alone in desolation.

There were so many people congratulating him on stage, one less wouldn't matter.

But my dejected heart really craved encouragement.

In the past, she would have definitely patted my shoulder and said with a smile,

"It's just one award, we'll get it next time."

If I couldn't beat him academically, I had to outdo him in basketball.

When I scored consecutively, racking up over a dozen points,

I looked towards the audience.

Hoping to hear her cheer for me.

But I saw her gaze fixed unwaveringly on Alex.

After the game, I ran happily to her side.

Only to receive a flippant comment from her.

"What's the use of being good at basketball?"

She then turned with a beaming smile to help Alex wipe his sweat.

In the second half, Alex suddenly upped his game, playing more aggressively than before.

By the end of the match, we were both drenched in sweat.

Alex's exposed arms had several bruises.

Hannah got angry, glaring at me fiercely.

"Ryan, what's wrong with you? It's just a game, was that necessary? Apologize to him right now."

She tenderly massaged his bruises.

"It's fine. You can't play basketball without getting hurt. Besides, this shows that Ryan gave it his all, which is a way of respecting his opponent," Alex said.

"This isn't giving it his all, it's being reckless!" Hannah exclaimed.

Hannah's eyes were only for Alex.

Otherwise, she couldn't have missed that I was equally injured.

She took Alex to the infirmary.

Coldly leaving behind a sentence.

"Don't follow us."

This was the first time Hannah had gotten angry at me for someone else.

Before I could even react to question her about who her real boyfriend was, she came to apologize to me.

Hannah approached me with a handmade scarf, looking apologetic.

"Ryan, I'm sorry. I was wrong today, I shouldn't have yelled at you."

I had actually been thinking I wouldn't forgive her so quickly.

But when I saw her nose reddened by the cold wind, I couldn't help but want to pull her into my arms to warm her up.

She smiled and snuggled closer into my embrace, looking up to ask me.

"So, do you forgive me? I really know I was wrong."

I nodded.

She stood on her tiptoes and gave me a kiss.

Then she started to act coy.

"You don't know how scared I was when you looked so angry today."

She knew I couldn't resist when she acted cute.

My tone softened considerably, "It won't happen again."

She giggled, earnestly promising me.

"Don't worry, you'll always be the most important person to me."