Jay and Keifer had been best friends for years.
Everyone in their colony knew that if Jay was somewhere, Keifer would definitely be nearby.
They fought.
They teased each other.
They shared food.
They walked home together every day.
But they also protected each other like family.
Jay was the kind of girl everyone loved.
She helped aunties carry groceries.
She played with little kids in the street.
She fed the stray cats near the park.
And Keifer…
Keifer always followed behind her shaking his head.
"Jay… you will adopt the whole colony one day."
Jay laughed.
"Then you will help me take care of them."
Keifer rolled his eyes.
"Why me?"
Jay grinned.
"Because you are my best friend."
Keifer never argued after that.
But there was one thing Keifer never understood.
Jay loved someone else.
His name was Yuri.
Yuri was handsome, confident, and charming.
He was also connected to Jay's father Jasfer through business.
At first Keifer didn't think much about it.
Until one evening.
Jay came running to the park where Keifer was sitting.
Her face was glowing with excitement.
"Keifer!"
He looked up.
"What happened? Did you win a lottery?"
Jay sat beside him, smiling shyly.
"I think… I like someone."
Keifer froze for a second.
Then he forced a smile.
"Oh really?"
"Who?"
Jay looked down at her hands.
"Yuri."
For a moment the wind felt colder.
Keifer looked away.
"Oh… him."
Jay didn't notice the slight change in his voice.
"He is really nice, Keifer."
"He talks so politely."
"And papa likes him too."
Keifer kicked a small stone on the ground.
"Hmm."
Jay nudged his shoulder.
"What hmm?"
"You should say something!"
Keifer shrugged.
"What do you want me to say?"
Jay smiled brightly.
"Say you are happy for me."
Keifer looked at her.
At her hopeful eyes.
At her innocent smile.
So he sighed and forced a grin.
"Fine."
"I'm happy for you, Jay."
Jay clapped happily.
"I knew my best friend would support me!"
She hugged him quickly.
Keifer stiffened for a moment.
Then slowly patted her head.
"Yeah… always."
Jay didn't know one thing.
The reason Keifer stayed silent.
The reason he forced that smile.
The reason his chest suddenly felt heavy.
Because the truth was…
Keifer had started loving Jay a long time ago.
But Jay's heart already belonged to Yuri.
And Keifer decided something that day.
If Jay was happy with Yuri…
He would stay only her best friend forever.
Even if it broke his heart.