Find the courage to do what’s right

Gavin stood patiently at the agreed meeting point, dressed in a sleek black turtleneck sweater and fitted jeans.

His tall, lean frame drew admiring glances from passersby as he waited for his client, Rika, who was running fifteen minutes late.

As he stood on the sidewalk, a talent scout approached him, offering him a chance to become a model due to his striking appearance.

Gavin politely declined, explaining that he was already committed to his current profession.

Just then, Rika came rushing towards him, her face flushed with apology. Gavin greeted her with a warm smile, and she responded by enveloping him in a tight hug.

Despite her tardiness, Rika's infectious energy and genuine enthusiasm never failed to brighten Gavin's day.

They had been working together for the past year, meeting regularly at the shopping center where Rika often sought Gavin's fashion advice.

Rika had a penchant for the classic black turtleneck sweater that Gavin was wearing, and she never failed to compliment him on his impeccable sense of style.

As they walked together, their laughter filled the air, their bond evident to anyone who saw them.

Despite their differences, Gavin and Rika shared a deep connection, forged through mutual respect and understanding.

And as they continued on their way, they knew that their partnership was built to last, bound by a shared passion for fashion and a friendship that transcended the ordinary.

"Gavin, you always look handsome as usual!" praised Rika.

Gavin smiled, placing Rika's hand on his arm. "Of course, how could you not like me if I'm not handsome?"

They walked together into the bookstore, where Rika found solace among the pages of romantic fiction.

Gavin patiently accompanied her, helping her choose books that matched her tastes and interests.

After thoroughly exploring the bookstore, they continued their journey to the knick-knack store, where Gavin carefully assisted Rika in selecting accessories to complement her look. Rika insisted on buying anything Gavin picked out, fully trusting his fashionable taste.

Not content with just shopping, they both decided to spend some time singing karaoke for an hour.

With joy, they took turns singing their favorite songs, regardless of whether their pitch was right or wrong.

Afterward, they continued their adventure by enjoying gelato at a small café on the roadside.

Under the warm sunset rays, they laughed and joked, enjoying their companionship without any worries or burdens.

Moments like these made their friendship so special, strengthening the bond between them and making every day an unforgettable adventure.

Rika recounted the story of her boyfriend, who always prioritized his passions above everything else but failed to give her the attention and affection she needed.

Gavin, on the other hand, always made an effort to provide the care and warmth that Rika's boyfriend lacked.

Feeling trapped in her five-year relationship, Rika was unsure of how to end it.

She sought Gavin's opinion on the matter.

Listening intently, Gavin replied, "If I were to give my opinion, I haven't found someone I love like that yet. I'm still focused on work and coding, so I haven't really thought about romantic relationships."

"However, I have a cat at home that I cherish deeply. When I'm busy with work, she'll just sit on my lap and sleep. She never demands to play; she just wants to be petted. If she doesn't eat enthusiastically, I immediately worry and take her to the vet."

As Gavin shared stories about Nana, Rika couldn't help but laugh while propping her chin on her hand.

She imagined how adorable it must be to see a genius like Gavin busy searching for his beloved cat, just to indulge in the ritual of pampering her.

At the same time, Rika couldn't help but feel that Nana was incredibly fortunate. Her boyfriend never went looking for her, even when she failed to check in.

When Rika expressed frustration, her boyfriend dismissed her as childish. He never wanted to waste time on what he deemed unimportant.

Every minute and second of his life was so precious and had to be spent as wisely as possible. Therefore, there was never any time for them to go on dates during their five-year relationship.

"Rika, I know you're more than capable of making the right decision. You're not foolish, just afraid of letting go of something that's consumed you for so long. It's the fear of your efforts going to waste, of feeling like a failure. But, Rika..."

Gavin's smile was warm, comforting, "nobody really cares about your failures. It's okay if things don't work out. It's okay to admit when you've made mistakes. Because, truth be told, they don't matter in the grand scheme of things."

Rika's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she attempted to muster a smile, but her trembling lips betrayed her emotions. She bowed her head, concealing her inner turmoil.

Gavin reached across the table, his touch gentle as he wiped away a tear from Rika's cheek.

"Find the courage to do what's right, Rika."

"Yeah. You're right."

Their three-hour meeting seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye, yet Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that this would be their last encounter.

Rika always booked the three-hour date package with Gavin, following the same routine without fail. But for some reason, Gavin sensed that this time was different.

"I've transferred the payment to your virtual account, and the notification went through," Rika said, displaying her phone screen. "Thank you for everything."

"Thank you for everything," Gavin echoed silently, already feeling like this would be their final farewell. He smiled and gently kissed Rika's cheek. "Until next time."

"Until next time, Gavin. You've been such a wonderful date and a great conversationalist. I always enjoy our chats. You're such a good listener and never judge my decisions, no matter how bad they may seem."

"Hey," Gavin interjected. "You're not foolish. Maybe you've made choices that were detrimental to yourself, but you're not foolish, Rika. Whoever the man is that ends up by your side, he'll be lucky. You've got to believe me."

Rika nodded slowly, a sad smile playing on her lips.

"I just wish you weren't just a date, Gavin. Sometimes, I fantasize about meeting someone unplanned and hearing those words from him."

"But I am just a host, Rika. Even though you pay for my time to accompany you, everything I say comes from genuine friendship and honesty."

They parted ways, each walking in the opposite direction without looking back. Their individual goals had been achieved.