After he finished speaking, a long silence fell between us. It wasn't awkwardness, but a deep stillness—one where both of us clearly understood everything that had just been said, yet didn't need to say anything more. I stood there, not knowing how to begin, not knowing how to continue the conversation, because anything I said at that moment could change everything.
He was the one who broke the silence first. His voice remained the same—gentle and clear.
"It's okay if you don't accept my feelings. But wherever you are, whoever you're with… you must respect yourself."
That made me pause.
"You must not lower your worth. I won't allow you to lower yourself in front of anyone. Not even in front of me."
I looked at him. His gaze was steady—not the kind of look someone gives just to say something lightly, but the gaze of someone who truly believes in what he is saying.
"To me… you are like a star. High above, always shining in my life. I don't want to see you lower yourself for anyone."
At that moment, a conflicting thought rose in my mind. I wondered how someone like him could exist—a man who was already accomplished, already strong, yet could say such things with such certainty. I didn't know whether it came from logic or emotion, I only knew it touched me deeply.
He didn't stop there. He asked,
"This time, you won't let yourself be the one who suffers anymore, right."
I nodded.
"Of course not."
He gave a small nod, as if that was the answer he wanted to hear.
"Good."
Then he continued,
"We can still stay in touch."
"I can still check on you, right."
I let out a soft laugh, but tears fell again. A strange feeling—lighter, yet heavier at the same time.
"Idiot."
I said quietly.
"Why wouldn't we."
I looked at him.
"It's just… feelings… we can't talk about them."
I took a breath.
"But to me, you are still someone I deeply respect."
"And someone who deserves to be fully loved."
He didn't say anything, just reached his hand out. I looked at it for a second, then placed mine in his. We held hands—not tightly, not for long, just lightly, but enough to feel each other's warmth.
We stood facing each other, then both smiled. A gentle smile, not forced, but inside me, everything felt heavy. I looked into his eyes and couldn't deny one thing—I was standing in front of a man anyone would want in their life. Not just because of his appearance, not just because of his success, but because of the way he loved, the way he saw, the way he stayed.
I found myself wondering—if I had someone like him beside me, loving me like that, how beautiful life would be. But right after that thought appeared, I stopped it. I didn't dare let it go further.
We both looked up at the sky. The stars shimmered faintly, not too bright, but enough to be seen. He spoke softly,
"You're like that star."
"The brightest one in my life."
"To me, you're not just a point of light."
"You are something truly precious."
I smiled lightly, trying to ease the heaviness in the air.
"I never knew you could say things like that."
He smiled too.
"It's because I'm standing in front of you."
Such a simple answer, yet I didn't know what to say after that.
He looked at me, then continued,
"But seeing you lower your standards… I truly don't want that."
"Because I always hope… if it's not me, then it should be someone better than me."
That made me unable to respond. I only replied lightly,
"He's a good person too."
I said.
"He has ambition."
He didn't argue. He just leaned slightly closer to me.
"Then… do you dare to make a bet with me?"
I was surprised.
"A bet on what?"
I looked at him.
"You're different today."
He didn't answer that, just continued,
"If this time… lowering your standards still doesn't bring you happiness… I want that chance."
I froze. The way he spoke wasn't like him. It wasn't passive waiting—it was clear, deliberate initiative.
Normally, he would never speak like that. But today, he was direct. No detours, no hiding. As if he had decided that this time, he would no longer just stand still.
He continued, his voice still calm but firm,
"A woman who lowers her standards… rarely finds true happiness."
I didn't answer. Not because I didn't want to, but because I wasn't sure. I just smiled faintly, as a way to avoid it.
"I will be happy."
I said, though even I didn't fully believe it.
He nodded.
"Then go ahead… try it."
"Try the price of lowering your standards… I still hope you'll be happy."
In that moment, I stood beside him, looking up at the sky, but inside me, everything felt heavy. I knew exactly what I was feeling. I wanted to turn back, wanted to say yes, wanted to stop all the things I had been avoiding, wanted to step toward him clearly.
I wanted us to be more than this.
But I couldn't.
Not because I didn't want to…
but because I didn't dare.
Message of Chapter 42
Sometimes we clearly know what we truly want, but the fear inside us is greater than that desire, making us choose to stand still instead of stepping forward.