Chapter 1

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Laughter echoed through the living room as the twenty-three-year-old man refused to stop tickling his best friend.

“Okay, okay... you win, Kai” I gasped between laughs, meeting the triumphant smile dancing in his dark eyes. He’d finally gotten exactly what he wanted, he’d made me laugh.

Grinning proudly, he climbed off me and dropped back onto the couch.

“I told you Hypatia” he teased. “I know every single one of your weak spots.”

His confidence made me roll my eyes.

“Don’t celebrate too soon. You know me, but I know you just as well, Kai.”

I stood up, grabbed my jacket and headed toward the door.

“Where are you going?” he asked, checking the time on his phone. “Just stay here.”

“You already know my answer.”

I tried fixing my hair after he’d turned it into a complete mess.

He sighed dramatically before leaving his bedroom ahead of me. I already knew why, he always insisted on walking me home, even though my apartment was barely ten minutes away.

“Good thing Mom isn’t home yet” he muttered. “Otherwise she’d insist you spend the night.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

His mother had become my mother years ago. I never knew my biological one not even what she looked like. Since I was ten years old, the only mother I’d ever known was hers.

She loved me as if I were her own daughter.

Outside, we walked side by side beneath the streetlights.

One of Kai’s arms rested comfortably around my shoulders while the other disappeared into the pocket of his jacket. My own hands stayed buried inside mine, trying to keep warm.

“You have your match tomorrow, right?” I asked, even though he’d already reminded me countless times over the past three days.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “It’s going to be a tough one.”

I slipped one hand from my pocket and gently covered the hand resting on my shoulder.

“You know our university’s handball team is the best. And you’re the best player on that team. Why do I always have to remind you that you’ve been the reason we’ve won the championship for the past three years?”

He chuckled.

“Alright, alright. Stop. I already know exactly what you’re going to say.”

By the time we reached my house, I noticed he wasn’t looking at me anymore.

His eyes were fixed on the building behind me.

I knew that look.

He hated leaving me alone.

“See you tomorrow, Kai.”

Just like he always did, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against the top of my head.

“See you tomorrow, Hypatia.”

A smile spread across my face as I stepped inside.

I knew he wouldn’t leave until he saw the front door safely closed behind me.

Even after seven months had passed since my father’s death, Kai still worried every single time I was alone.

And honestly...

I was the reason for that worry, I was the reason behind his constant worry.

Those seven months had been the hardest time of both our lives since the day he walked into my classroom thirteen years ago.

I still remember that day so clearly.

The way that boy stepped into the room, his eyes moving across every student as he greeted us politely before taking the empty seat beside me.

I remember introducing myself to him, and I especially remember his reaction when he heard my name.

“Beautiful.”

That was all he said.

Even now, I still don’t know whether he meant my name or me… but what I do know is that those words sounded incredibly sincere coming from a fourth-grade boy.

That same day, we discovered that we lived close to each other.

And somehow, without even realizing it, walking to school together and returning home together became our daily routine.

That was where our friendship began.

We became inseparable.

Kai had many friends in class, and I had my own too, but I could never forget the little argument we had five months after meeting him.

The argument that taught me what true friendship really meant.

We were on a school trip, divided into two teams for a competition our teachers had prepared.

Kai was on the opposing team.

And because my team consisted of a bunch of idiots I had foolishly called my friends, we lost.

Angry and frustrated, I walked straight toward him while he was celebrating the victory with his teammates…

And I pushed him.

“Why did you do that?!” he asked, his voice filled with anger.

“You’re an arrogant idiot, and I hate you,” little Hypatia said, without even understanding what she was feeling.

“Hypatia, it was just a game,” one of Kai’s teammates tried to explain.

“Stop being childish,” Kai said, stepping closer until he was standing right in front of me.

“You’re the idiot, not me.”

“No, you are. What’s my fault if you couldn’t control your team and you lost because of your own mistake?” he snapped.

And I froze.

Completely still.

Because that was the first time anyone had ever raised their voice at me.

“Looks like she’s one of those stupid girls who cry whenever they lose,” Jan said with a mocking laugh. “My mom always says that happens because of bad parenting… and we all know Hypatia doesn’t even have a mother.”

If Kai’s anger had left me speechless…

Then Jan’s words shattered my little heart.

I fought so hard not to cry in front of them.

I tried to stay strong.

But the moment my brown eyes met Kai’s…

I couldn’t hold it anymore.

It felt as if his eyes were silently telling me that it was okay to cry.

I never expected his reaction.

Not when he suddenly pushed Jan away so hard.

“Watch your words, Jan,” Kai warned.

“Are you crazy? You’re defending her now? I’m your friend, you idiot!”

“Kai…”

He was about to start a fight with Jan, but my voice stopped him.

He looked at me and saw the way I was struggling not to break down in front of everyone.

He already knew me.

Even though he had only known me for five months, I was an open book to him.

He walked toward me, took my hand in his, and led me away from everyone.

Away from their eyes.

Away from their whispers.

Only then did I allow myself to fall apart.

I sat on the ground, crying uncontrollably, while he stood behind me, his heart aching at the sight of me hurting.

“He was right…” I whispered between my tears. “I’m sorry… I don’t have a mother to teach me these things.”

My voice trembled.

“But what was my fault if she died while giving birth to me?”

Kai slowly walked closer and sat beside me.

His hand rested gently against my back, comforting me with soft pats.

“Just go back to your friends…” I whispered, hoping he would listen.

But his next words made me realize that the person sitting beside me would become someone incredibly precious in my life.

“They’re not my friends, Hypatia.”

I looked at him.

“Friends are the people who make you feel genuinely happy. They’re the ones who stay beside you no matter what happens.”

His voice softened.

“A friend doesn’t leave someone they care about crying alone.”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“Friendship is something sacred, Hypatia. And I haven’t found anyone who deserves my friendship the way you do.”

A small smile appeared on his face.

“I know we were already friends… but I want us to be real friends. I want to be the person who always makes you feel safe, the person you can rely on.”

He held out his hand toward me.

“So… will you become my friend? The kind of friend who stays until the end of our lives?”

A small sigh escaped my lips as I lay down on my bed after changing my clothes.

That memory…

The memory that gave me someone like Kai.

Someone I could never imagine my life without.

I closed my eyes as sleep slowly took over me.

And only a few seconds later…

I was lost in the world of my dreams.

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“I don’t know… but isn’t this a little ridiculous?!”

“What do you mean?” I asked, walking beside him through the university halls toward our department, the Business Administration.

“I mean, you know that Misa wants to be with me and that she’s only using you as an excuse to get closer to me. Yet, like an idiot, you told me you agreed to attend her birthday party… and you’re even planning to take me with you.”

Kai complained, and I tried my best not to laugh.

Because if I did, I was pretty sure the arm resting around my shoulders would become the reason for my early death.

And honestly… I still couldn’t understand how someone could build muscles like his so quickly.

Handball was definitely doing something to him.

“She’s actually a kind person, Kai. She’s only trying to get your attention because she likes you. Besides, she’s always nice to me.”

He shook his head, clearly unconvinced.

“Look, why don’t you just think about...”

He suddenly stopped walking and raised his index finger at me.

“Don’t you dare say it, Hypatia.”

I blinked.

“I’m not thinking about dating anyone right now. And if I ever do… it definitely won’t be Misa.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me to catch up with him.

“Fine, don’t but I’m still going to her birthday party. You don’t have to come with me.”

I said that before walking into the lecture hall.

A few moments later, he sat beside me.

“Do whatever you want.”

I ignored his annoyed tone.

“Are you ready for your match?”

That was what mattered most right now.

Because I knew the person sitting beside me was completely in love with handball.

“I am, but you know there’s a lot of pressure on us.”

His voice became more serious.

“We’ve won this championship for four years in a row, Hypatia. And this is our last year at university… so I really want to win. More than anything.”

A smile formed on my lips as I lifted my hand and gently cupped his cheek.

“I know you can do it. You and your team will win. You just have to keep fighting for it.”

I smiled wider.

“I’ll be standing there cheering for you like always and after you win your match… I’ll reward you with something you love very, very much.”

His eyes met mine.

And I knew he understood exactly what I meant.

“I will.”

I had a feeling he would win.

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I watched him warm up with his teammates. They looked excited, nervous and determined all at once.

But I trusted them.

Especially him.

Our eyes met across the court and just like always, a smile appeared on his face the moment he saw me.

He had asked me to become his friend…

And he didn’t just become my friend.

Somehow, he had taken a place in my heart that no one else could reach.

My eyes moved away from him and landed on the girl sitting beside me.

I expected her to come.

There was no way she would miss a day like this.

Not when she had the chance to cheer for Kai and show him how much she cared about him.

I honestly felt sorry for her.

She clearly loved him so much.

But unfortunately…

He didn’t feel the same.

And that wasn’t his fault.

She simply smiled at me and I returned it.

Neither of us spoke.

Our entire focus was on him.

The match began.

And honestly… My heart became a victim of that game.

It was incredibly intense.

Every point we scored, they answered with another.

I could see the frustration growing on Kai’s face.

“God…”

The words escaped my lips when he suddenly fell after an opponent pushed him aggressively.

“Is he insane? He should be sent off.”

That was Misa’s voice.

But I wasn’t thinking about the punishment.

My eyes were only on him.

On the person lying on the ground.

On the person who looked like he was hurting.

He leaned on two of his teammates and stood up.

Then his eyes found mine.

He saw the worry written all over my face.

So he slightly shook his head and closed his eyes, silently telling me he was okay.

A few seconds later, after the team doctor checked on him, he returned to the court.

His voice echoed through the entire hall as he encouraged his teammates.

Kai loved this sport more than anything.

He had been obsessed with it since childhood.

I never understood why he never seriously joined a professional club despite all my attempts to convince him.

His answer was always the same.

He didn’t want to feel trapped and wanted to focus on his studying and after that he would think about it.

He wanted to play whenever he wanted

He wanted to enjoy every second he had the ball in his hands.

Just like now.

And then… He scored.

The goal that finally allowed me to breathe again.

The match ended.

Cheers filled the entire hall.

Everyone around me jumped in excitement.

And I laughed.

I laughed so hard while clapping for them.

“I’m going to him” Misa said.

I didn’t know how to tell her that he probably wouldn’t like it.

But before I could say anything…

A certain idiot called my name loudly.

“Hypatia! Where is my reward?!”

My body froze.

Why?

Because everyone turned to look at me.

Especially Misa.

The look in her eyes could have killed me.

I only moved my lips, silently cursing him.

Then I left the hall while he laughed.

He truly loved annoying me.

That boy Kai would never change, no matter how old he got.

Fifteen minutes passed as I sat in the courtyard waiting for him.

A small notification sound came from my phone.

I smiled immediately.

Of course, it was him.

Out of everyone, Kai had his own special notification tone.

I opened the message.

“Damn it, Hypatia. I’m not letting you go to that birthday party. Just wait… your punishment is coming.”

I frowned.

“What is wrong with him…?”

I quickly typed my reply.

“What did I even do for you to threaten me? And where are you? I’m leaving if you don’t come within five minutes.”

I waited.

Exactly five minutes later…

I saw his figure approaching.

I walked toward him until we were standing face to face.

I could tell he was still angry.

The proof was the deep frown between his brows.

So, before he could say anything…

I gave him his reward.

I stood on my tiptoes, wrapped my arms around his neck, and pulled him into a hug.

A few seconds later, his arms surrounded my waist, lifting me slightly from the ground.

“Congratulations on your win, Kai.”

He let out a deep breath, his hand moving gently through my hair.

“This reward is honestly worth everything I do to earn it.”

I laughed.

Because this had always been my reward for him.

Since we were kids.

I still remembered the first time I hugged him after he won a school competition.

He told me “Let this hug be something special between us. You’ll reward me with it whenever I do something worth celebrating.”

And from that day…

Our hugs became our own little tradition.

I pulled away and looked at him, silently hoping that he had forgotten whatever had made him send me that threatening message earlier.

But of course… I was wrong.

“So, I heard where Misa is holding her birthday party” he said, narrowing his eyes at me. “And you absolutely, absolutely are not going.”

No.

He hadn’t forgotten.

And I was the idiot who forgot to mention that Misa was celebrating her birthday at a nightclub.

“Why?” I asked. “I really want to go.”

I sighed.

“I know you don’t want to come because you don’t want to give her a hope and I understand that, but I want to experience something new. You know I’ve never been to a nightclub before.”

“No, you won’t, Hypatia.”

He turned around and started walking away.

“Come on. Let’s go home.”

I followed behind him like a puppy chasing after its owner.

“Kai, I really want to go. Why are you refusing?” I asked, trying to match his fast steps.

“Simple, sweetheart.”

He glanced at me “Because a nightclub is just a club with a prettier name. There are all kinds of alcohol there… and not only that, there are all kinds of men who won’t have good intentions.”

“And all kinds of attractive men too” I added teasingly.

The look he gave me could have pierced straight through me.

I quickly raised my hands.

“Okay, okay forget I said that.”

“Just forget it.”

We stopped beside his car.

He opened the door ready to get in, but I stayed exactly where I was.

“Hypatia get in, I’m exhausted and I want to rest.”

I shrugged casually “Then go, I’ll take the bus.”

His right eyebrow lifted.

“Really?”

“Yes.”