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No Plagiarism!VYHewKIzDJbU1HKYT6R6posted on PENANA Sorry for the delay in uploading the chapter.8964 copyright protection172PENANAyPcuS3bzTb 維尼
I had some issues.8964 copyright protection172PENANAelB8yVlFkc 維尼
I promise I won’t be this late again for such a long time. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAQLN07jmiDS 維尼
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Please ignore any mistakes, and share your thoughts with me.8964 copyright protection172PENANARSZf5NrNTW 維尼
(◍•ᴗ•◍) ❤ 8964 copyright protection172PENANA5uS72VFA57 維尼
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Enjoy ^_^8964 copyright protection172PENANA6xYmkZzzHx 維尼
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We have to seize the opportunities and live the moment. Because we don't know, maybe it's the only and last chance.8964 copyright protection172PENANAkiPWrMfmi3 維尼
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Time passes quickly. 8964 copyright protection172PENANApUDDcYALH5 維尼
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A phrase we often repeat... when we sit with ourselves and drown in the depth of our memories... We might recall small details that no one else remembers... because they were an unforgettable part of us... making us feel as if a long time has passed... yet at the same time, it passed so quickly. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAE6v0OyiYeX 維尼
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As if all those long years were just yesterday. 8964 copyright protection172PENANA2YhMi35O1p 維尼
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And thinking this way while flipping through the pages of our memories indicates one thing... it shows our maturity and deeper understanding of life, as thinking starts to take up more space in our lives. 8964 copyright protection172PENANADgHtz1ygs0 維尼
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We pause to reflect on our past selves, our younger souls.8964 copyright protection172PENANARrMG1uaGzV 維尼
And here, the meeting with them differs from one person to another. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAWiZLkvziV7 維尼
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Some have a gleam in their eyes, longing for the past and wishing to return to their old selves... perhaps because they were happier or more confident. 8964 copyright protection172PENANA9l9nXncijX 維尼
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Some gaze with confidence, seeing the achievements they never thought they could reach. 8964 copyright protection172PENANA66XucxXCia 維尼
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Some see no difference at all between their past and present selves and may not even feel that time has passed. 8964 copyright protection172PENANABegw7wpPPX 維尼
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And then... some do not like either version of themselves... seeing both as stained with darkness, without features. 8964 copyright protection172PENANALq4AnnbyUJ 維尼
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Thus, life brings changes that no one expected, but they often come as a reaction to an action or an event. 8964 copyright protection172PENANA3InLPlskxT 維尼
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However... while we cannot change the past because it is gone... we can work on creating and achieving what we want in the present, which will become the past for a future that is yet to come. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAgUxYTuLKz6 維尼
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So, we must work to ensure that the changes happening to us are for the better by seizing opportunities. 8964 copyright protection172PENANA5442gkxrfs 維尼
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Speaking of opportunities, Eileen decided not to close the doors in Arthur’s face and to give a chance for... friendship? She didn’t know, but she decided to move forward and let time decide the fate of the world created by the meeting of their worlds... their opposite and contradictory worlds, like light and darkness... 8964 copyright protection172PENANAKtQE0o38WI 維尼
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But so far, the atmosphere between them was calm and comfortable for Arthur. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAqCPlNHq6aN 維尼
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As for Eileen, despite making her decision, she was still afraid of what might happen in the future and what fate had in store for them. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAe3NqueyINz 維尼
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But why all this fear of relationships and such pessimistic thinking? Everything has a reason... So what could be the cause of this fear and anxiety? 8964 copyright protection172PENANAY1rXpNksl8 維尼
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No one knows...8964 copyright protection172PENANAaS26xM0mlU 維尼
Except for Eileen... 8964 copyright protection172PENANA089zsXATTd 維尼
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Returning to the notion that time passes quickly, here is December, about to lower its curtains to bid us farewell and bring a new year—8964 copyright protection172PENANABHwG0og8LQ 維尼
To create new memories and cherish the old ones. 8964 copyright protection172PENANAVhXyXRd0Ub 維尼
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And speaking of change and memories,8964 copyright protection172PENANASXKEhSEkGF 維尼
Who would have expected that this December would bring many new things into Eileen’s life? 8964 copyright protection172PENANAY9WNMQOoew 維尼
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Warm and bright things?8964 copyright protection172PENANAjcofQomB8X 維尼
Or rather, to be more precise—a bright person... 8964 copyright protection172PENANAxt3KBR1dXq 維尼
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Lately, the sun boy had become close to our heroine, accompanying her to work in the morning and taking her home in the evening—8964 copyright protection172PENANAgEpc3WBkSJ 維尼
On his bike or on foot together.8964 copyright protection172PENANAVutbV4Efpk 維尼
And they often spent weekends wandering around......8964 copyright protection172PENANAbYMoyiv9N0 維尼
And most of the time, silence was their third companion.8964 copyright protection172PENANA61SlRIgKJ1 維尼
But it wasn’t an uncomfortable or awkward silence...8964 copyright protection172PENANAlMNL6SJJIw 維尼
It was that peaceful and reassuring silence—8964 copyright protection172PENANAElxt6fCNdS 維尼
Where each was immersed in their own thoughts yet felt the presence and warmth of the other nearby...8964 copyright protection172PENANAtwKlxoheyD 維尼
Knowing they were not alone, which dispelled the gloomy and lonely air of walking alone.8964 copyright protection172PENANAg6c5sPMs4j 維尼
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Thursday, December 20
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7:30 AM
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Arthur waited at Eileen’s doorstep so they could walk together as usual, humming his familiar tune while gazing at the dark clouds, his hands tucked into his pockets due to the cold weather.
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He turned with a smile when he felt light taps on his shoulder.
He knew it was Eileen’s way of catching his attention.
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«Good morning. Did you sleep well?»
«Good morning... Not really...»
«I’m sorry about that. I hope our walk before work will lift your mood a little.»
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Before Eileen could reply, Arthur took off his scarf and wrapped it around her neck.
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«It’s really cold today. Wear this... Why didn’t you dress warmly? You’ll catch a cold.»
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Eileen said nothing. She lowered her head, shuffling her shoe against the ground, practically drowning in her oversized coat and the scarf wrapped around her, covering half of her face—leaving only her nose and eyes visible.
She looked utterly adorable.
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Arthur interlocked their hands and tucked them into his pocket before starting to walk, with Eileen beside him, making no comment about what he did.
After all, it wasn’t the first time he had done this.
It seemed to have become one of his habits, a habit Eileen found warm and endearing.
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After a few minutes, Arthur stopped at the bridge overlooking the river.
Eileen stopped as well, lifting her head to look at his face.
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He was gazing at the sun, still in its early rise, its rays reflecting in his blue eyes and finding their way through his golden locks.
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He remained still, watching the sky... while Eileen watched him.
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Until he turned his face, locking eyes with her—falling into the depth of her dark irises... and Eileen sinking into the ocean of his blue gaze.
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Staring into each other’s eyes had also become a habit—
A habit where they found comfort, peace, and many unspoken questions...
And a lot of feelings as well...
Complex yet sweet emotions for both of them.
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«I'll be busy for the next few days... Sorry, I won’t be able to walk with you or take you to work... So... I hope you take care of yourself and stay safe on your way.» Arthur started, without breaking eye contact.
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«That’s okay. People get busy with work sometimes... Um, take care of yourself too... and don’t overwork.»
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Eileen’s voice came out soft and slightly hoarse from her long silence.
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«Thanks for your concern... But Eileen, I don’t work yet... I’m still in university.»
«You’re still studying?!» Eileen spoke in surprise.
«Yeah... Medicine... It takes more years of study.»
«So, you want to be a doctor.»
«Mm, yeah, I guess... Anyway, let’s go before we’re late.»
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Arthur said his last sentence after tapping Eileen’s cold, red nose.
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They resumed walking quietly, each lost in their thoughts, until they unknowingly arrived at the company building.
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Arthur pulled their hands out of his pocket, but before Eileen could separate them, he tightened his grip and said—
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«... Umm... Are you free on New Year’s Eve? ... I mean, if you don’t mind... What do you think about going out and having some fun around the city... buying some things and gifts... you know, what people usually do at the start of the year with their friends?»
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Eileen focused on every word he said—until he reached the word "friends."
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Did Arthur really consider her a friend?
That was new to someone like her...
She didn’t know whether to be happy—since she had no friends—
But why did she feel a little bad about it?
These were new emotions she was experiencing for the first time...
Like... disappointment?
But why?
No one knows.
Not even Eileen...
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«What people do with their friends?»
«You don’t want to?» Arthur tilted his head slightly, lowering himself to her eye level.
«No... Actually, I don’t mind... I want to.»
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Arthur smiled widely, his angelic dimples appearing.
«Alright then, it’s a deal. No backing out, okay?»
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Eileen nodded in agreement, then released their hands and waved at him before heading toward the entrance.
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Arthur watched her until she disappeared inside, then left—excited about their upcoming meeting, happy to have taken the first step in this relationship.
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As for Eileen, she couldn't quite understand her tangled feelings.
But she couldn't deny that she was looking forward to New Year's Eve—
For the first time in a long while.
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End of the chapter176Please respect copyright.PENANAVHpXWadMTD
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Thank you for reading and for your support.176Please respect copyright.PENANAkovKTkvEPp
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♡With love♡176Please respect copyright.PENANAlM3KyU7QTQ
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