Slicing Me Open
Quilton offered me money to help me settle down, but I was too young and unwilling to accept a handout.
Thus, Quilton followed me every day, handing out flyers and collecting bottles in the snow. He'd get so cold that his nose would run uncontrollably.
Later, when my stepfather tried to steal my tuition money, Quilton got stabbed while trying to protect me.
In his daze, he said only one thing. "Let me protect you."
After that, it felt natural for me to get together with him.
I had once vowed to build a good life on my own, but later on, Quilton gave me that life instead—so much so that I ended up thinking Quilton was utterly devoted to me.