During his youth, Aydin's happiness was Arely.
Aydin, an orphan, met Arely during middle school.
At that time, Arely, who was the initiator of the sports club, was struggling to recruit new members. Whenever she had a free moment, she would search the entire school for talent. Finally, on the basketball court, she saw the spirited young boy.
"Aydin, can you join our sports department?"
The boy, who had just won a basketball game, was drinking water with his head tilted back.
When he looked down, the girl was standing in front of him, smiling brightly.
"No." He didn't plan to join any clubs during high school.
Aydin liked sports only because they helped him stay healthy, and it was also related to his future career plans. To achieve his goals, he had a heavy academic load in high school.
Seeing the girl's disappointment, she said nothing more.
Aydin never thought he couldn't bear to see someone look so disappointed.
The girl just frowned slightly, her eyes losing their previous sparkle. He instantly regretted his words.
"Actually... actually, I can join."
"Really? That's great!"
"I'm Arely. 'A' as in apple, 'rely' as in rely."
Clearly, she was as cute as an apple, Aydin thought to himself, annoyed at his own foolishness.
After that, they recruited new members together, organized activities, studied together during holidays, and were even playfully called a perfect match by close classmates.
But Aydin felt unworthy of someone as wonderful as Arely.
The night before he was to report to military school, he realized the strict management and the distance between his school and Arely's would separate them greatly.
"Aydin, will you come back?"
Aydin looked at the girl, who seemed like the first time they met, and he was at a loss for words, his throat dry.
Seeing the boy's long silence, Arely thought he wouldn't return.
Heartbroken, she didn't think much and hugged Aydin tightly.
The sweet fragrance and softness of the girl's embrace caught him off guard.
"I... I will come back."
Hearing his sudden stuttering, Arely thought he was just comforting her.
She shouldn't cry; Aydin was about to take steps toward his dream. How could she make it difficult for him because of her reluctance?
Realizing her immaturity, Arely quickly tried to release her arms from his waist, but Aydin hugged her even tighter.
"Arely, I..." Aydin's tongue felt tied.
Arely looked up to see his flushed face. She raised her head, standing on tiptoe, grateful she had just learned to wear high heels.
The girl had her eyes closed, her lips pressing against his jawline.
The cool yet real touch of her lips on his chin made fireworks explode in Aydin's mind, his arms around her unsure where to place themselves.
Arely jumped out of his embrace and ran away.
The summer night air was still hot and stuffy.
Aydin stood there, dumbfounded, her words echoing in his ears: "I'll wait for you to come back."
*
Three years flew by. Aydin excelled in university and became good friends with Rylee.
One winter break, Aydin finally returned to City A. Over the past few years, he had spent every holiday either in training or military internships, and hadn't been home for two years.
Coincidentally, Rylee, also from City A, ran into Aydin that summer as he was struggling to decide on a gift in a mall.
Rylee helped him choose, and a week later, the three of them dined at a small tavern Aydin had loved since childhood.
That was the first time Rylee knew his friend had someone he cherished deeply. Aydin was a rough-around-the-edges guy, but he was meticulously attentive to Arely.
Rylee watched Aydin rinse her utensils, ask if she could have cold drinks, pour her beverage, and carefully pick out fish bones.
Being shy, Arely blushed throughout, occasionally asking about their university experiences.
*
After graduating and joining the military together, Aydin naturally became Rylee's good partner. The two of them graduated at the top of their class with high honors.
They went on countless missions, and during the 319 International Anti-Drug Operation, Aydin shielded a group of people from child soldiers carrying bombs with his own body.
The mission was extremely difficult. Rylee watched Aydin fall into a coma with severe injuries, his only words being, "Take care of Arely for me, don't let her be sad."
Thus, Rylee never informed Arely of Aydin's death.
But the truth cannot be hidden forever.
