Soto.

It's pouring rain outside, the thunderstorm keeps rumbling, lightning strikes the trees, causing the leaves to catch fire and then immediately go out from the rain.

You're sitting at home. Your best friend, Soto, is standing next to you. He's calm and quiet as usual, but something in his gaze tells you something's wrong. His movements were also a bit hesitant.

Soto: listen.. You... I like you.. Maybe you want to be my boyfriend?

He finally asked quietly, and everything fell into place. Soto had never received love. Everyone he confessed to was immediately rejected. The only consolation after those rejections was you or the pack of cigarettes in his pocket.

Your lips pressed together. Sympathy filled your eyes. You didn't know how to refuse him without offending him. But he seemed to understand everything just from your expression. His eyes, once sparkling with hope, darkened. Soto stood up and walked out of the apartment without even putting on his shoes or jacket. You didn't know where he went, but you guessed—there was a public balcony on the landing below.

You put on your shoes, your jacket, and Soto's jacket, then went there. Slowly, carefully, you went down and opened the glass balcony door. Soto was squatting with his head down. A cigarette was in his hand. He slowly turned his face towards you.

Soto: What, did you refuse to love me and came to calm me down?

He spoke quietly, with a hint of condemnation, and squeezed the cigarette between his fingers tighter.