I also received chocolates from LEONIDAS in Belgium, sent from Tokyo, with no sender information. The cocoa butter was smooth and rich, but I could no longer taste the sweetness.
One day, my bicycle chain broke, and I pushed it back to my apartment, taking an hour. The next day, while preparing for repairs, I found it had already been fixed, even the brake lubricated.
That day, I stood in the bacterial cultivation room, lost in thought.
I knew who had done this, but I didn’t understand why—was he trying to make amends or had he simply become accustomed to being good to me, as I had to his kindness?
Noticing the lights go out in the building across the street, I realized it was already one in the morning. I walked out of the lab, removed my protective gear, and stood at the elevator door, surrounded by silence and the smell of disinfectant. I crossed my arms, feeling a chilling wind.
The elevator arrived, and I stepped forward but quickly stepped back upon seeing Ye Zhengchen inside in his white coat, which looked so incongruous against the dark, gloomy night.
I looked at him deeply, feeling a sense of longing. We were just a step away, yet I could only watch as the elevator doors began to close. He quickly pressed the “open door” button, revealing expectation in his eyes.
Neither of us moved, maintaining our stance. I glanced at the black seagull watch on his wrist, its second hand ticking. I secretly tugged at my sleeve behind my back.
Time stood still until the elevator’s warning sound rang out, piercing five times… then he let go of his hand.
The heavy door closed between us, like a fate that would never open again.
Tears fell as I covered my face, overwhelmed. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go in; I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to control myself from telling him: I miss him! I want to hold him, even if just for a second.
The elevator opened again. I lowered my hand and walked in. By the time I saw him standing there, it was too late – too late to get out, too late to wipe my tears, and too late to cover the white watch on my wrist.
