The next day, Leo returned to his high school.
The weather was hazy, and the sky looked dull and quiet—just like his mood.
After break time, Leo sat alone on a bench in the school grounds. No one came near him.
He looked up at the sky, his eyes filled with emptiness.
"When will this pain stop…?" he whispered to himself.
"This sharp pain in my chest… it feels like it's slowly killing me."
Students passed by, but no one spoke to him. They only whispered from a distance.
Everyone talked about him…
…but no one truly came to him.
Leo stood up slowly and walked back toward his classroom.
In the hallway, two girls noticed him.
"Hey… it's him," one whispered.
"I feel so bad for him," the other said. "Poor Leo…"
"Yeah… but no one even talks to him."
Leo heard their voices, but he didn't react.
Inside the classroom, he sat quietly, staring out the window as the clouds moved slowly across the sky.
"Why does everyone keep talking about it?" he thought.
"I just want to leave this place…"
Later that evening, Leo returned home.
As he walked through the corridor, he suddenly heard voices coming from the living room.
It was Werren's father, Mr. Miles, speaking with a man named Mr. Fred.
"Mr. Miles, we really need to take action now," Mr. Fred said seriously.
"The company's condition is getting worse day by day… ever since Leo's father passed away."
Leo froze.
"What will we do, sir?" Mr. Fred continued. "And who will take over his position? Leo is still in high school…"
Mr. Miles sighed.
"Yes… I know. We'll have to figure something out."
"But sir, what about now?" Mr. Fred asked.
"I will handle it myself for now," Mr. Miles replied.
"But you're already very busy—"
"We don't have another option," Mr. Miles said firmly.
After that, they left the house.
Leo stood silently in the hallway.
He had heard everything.
"The company… is struggling because of Dad," he thought.
A feeling of guilt filled his heart.
"Maybe… I should help."
Years passed.
Leo graduated from high school.
And just as everyone had expected… he took his father's place in the company.
Inside the office, Mr. Fred smiled.
"It's really good to see you here, Leo."
Mr. Miles nodded.
"Yes… we needed this."
Leo stood quietly, now part of a world far different from his school days.
He had changed.
He was no longer just a quiet, distant boy.
Now, he carried responsibility.
One day, Werren came to meet him.
"It's good to see you here, Leo," Werren said.
Leo nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"Do your best," Werren added before turning and walking away.
Werren was also working in the company. He was known for being extremely talented.
He had completed his studies quickly and joined the company at a young age.
He was always busy.
Always working.
Always serious.
Later, Mr. Fred spoke to Mr. Miles.
"I must say, sir… Werren is truly talented. At such a young age, he's already handling so much responsibility."
Mr. Miles smiled faintly.
"Yes… I've always known that."
Inside his office, Werren sat quietly, focused on his work.
Hours passed.
When he finally stepped outside, employees greeted him respectfully.
But Werren didn't even notice.
He didn't have time for anything.
Not even for himself.
"Ah… I'm tired," he thought.
Then suddenly, another thought crossed his mind.
"I hope Leo is okay now… I hope he's recovered from everything."
Just then, a voice interrupted him.
"Werren… how are you?"
Werren turned around.
It was Seth, his rival from another company.
"What are you doing here?" Werren asked coldly.
Seth smirked.
"Oh, me? Your father invited me."
"For what?" Werren asked sharply.
Seth crossed his arms.
"I guess you don't know… your company is not doing very well, Werren."
Werren's expression darkened.
"So what? Why did my father call you?"
Just then, Mr. Miles arrived.
"Seth," he said calmly, "thank you for coming."
Werren looked shocked.
"You called him?" he asked. "Dad, we don't need his help. He's not someone we can trust."
"And why didn't you tell me about this?"
"You weren't here," Mr. Miles replied. "You were busy elsewhere."
"But still—" Werren said angrily, "you should have told me!"
He turned toward Seth.
"We don't need your help. You can leave."
Before Seth could respond—
"That's enough, Werren," Mr. Miles said firmly.
Werren froze.
"I called him here to talk," his father continued. "Don't behave like this."
Then he turned to Seth.
"Let's go."
They walked away together, leaving Werren standing there.
Werren clenched his fists.
He was shocked.
And angry.
Very angry.