It was the day of the moving-up ceremony—the day they would officially become second-year college students.
Everything felt like it should be a celebration.
But not for Lukas.
Suddenly, Valerie tapped Lukas on the shoulder while he was eating.
"Wha—" Lukas tried to speak, his mouth still full.
"Oh—Valerie." He quickly chewed and swallowed. "What's the matter?"
Valerie looked at him, her expression unusually serious.
"After you're done eating… go to Room 213," she said.
"U-uh… okay." Lukas nodded, confused.
A few minutes later, Lukas made his way through the hallway.
"Room 203… right?" he murmured to himself, stopping in front of the door.
"…I'm getting déjà vu."
He took a breath and stepped inside.
"Hi, Luke…"
Valerie's voice was soft—almost uncertain.
"Valerie?" Lukas tilted his head. "What's going on?"
Valerie hesitated.
"To be honest… I asked you to come here because I need to talk about something important."
Lukas straightened slightly, his curiosity growing.
Valerie took a deep breath.
"For the past few years… ever since high school, I've enjoyed every moment with you," she began.
"We even shared dates… moments together… but somehow… I still feel alone."
Lukas froze, listening carefully.
"I'm not blaming you," Valerie continued. "I believed too much in the red string theory… I forced our threads together. But now I've realized something…"
Her voice trembled.
"Even if two threads are forced to tangle… they'll eventually cut apart. And I realized… I was barely holding onto mine."
"Valerie—" Lukas tried to speak, but—
"And besides… I have to go live in France for a long time. I don't know when I'll come back."
She shook her head slightly.
"It's hard to maintain a long-distance relationship… and forcing something like this will only make it break faster."
Lukas' heart tightened.
"I'm sorry… I realized it too late. I thought we were dancing together… but it turns out our hands were only tied by a fragile string."
"No—Valerie, I love you—" Lukas said quickly, his voice trembling.
"No, Lukas…" she interrupted gently. "I know you love me… but not in the same way I loved you."
A quiet pause.
"We never even kissed…"
Lukas swallowed hard.
"I could kiss you right now… if that's what you want," he said, his voice shaking.
Valerie shook her head immediately.
"It's okay, Lukas. You don't have to force yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself—"
"Stop it." Her voice softened again. "I promise… I'll still be your friend. Me, Elliene, Arthur… everyone. If you ever need help, you can always come to us."
She smiled.
But Lukas could see it.
That smile… didn't match how she felt.
Lukas stood frozen.
His thoughts spiraled.
Did I really love Valerie?
Is kissing supposed to matter this much?
But I do love her—
"Hey… so…" Valerie's voice broke through her thoughts. "…I guess this is where I say it properly."
Her head lowered.
"I want to break up with you."
Silence filled the room.
"Is there… really nothing I can do to change your mind?" Lukas asked quietly, his face unreadable.
Valerie shook her head.
"Yeah… I'm really sorry. I tried my best… to be loved by you."
Tears began to fall from her eyes as she wiped them quickly.
"Then… when are you leaving?" Lukas asked, his voice empty, almost mechanical.
"Tomorrow."
"I—" Lukas paused.
He wanted to go with her.
"I suggest you don't come," Valerie said softly, reading his hesitation. "I'll explain everything to my parents… so let's just consider this our farewell."
She forced a small laugh.
"I also planned not to tell everyone I'm leaving the country… consider it a surprise for them, haha…"
Another laugh.
But it was hollow.
Lukas stood there, completely still.
Valerie noticed.
And decided not to prolong the moment.
"So… farewell, Lukas."
She gave him one last smile.
A smile meant to be remembered.
"F-farewell… Val," Lukas replied, stiff and quiet.
Valerie turned and left the room.
And the moment she stepped out, the smile broke.
She ran through the hallway, tears streaming down her face as she wiped them away, trying to breathe, trying not to look back.
Back in the room, Lukas remained standing in silence.
The door creaked open again.
A familiar voice echoed softly—
"Lukas…?"