You Were Stolen from Me, so I Will Live for Myself

Days of Hard Work

I grip the dumbbell in front of me. The strain on my arms feels satisfying.

“Alright…ten more reps.”

Gritting my teeth, I slowly lift the dumbbell. At first, it was really tough, but now, this pain feels good.

That day when Yuki betrayed me, something inside me shattered. It feels like everything I had believed in crumbled away.

I no longer know what to believe or what to do in my life.

However, I refuse to live a life where I just sink into despair.

Even though I have no clear intention, I decided just to take action.

The first thing I decided to do is to train my body.

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At first, I thought it was hopeless.

I’ve never seriously worked out before. I could barely do a proper push-up and my abs would give out almost immediately. But even so, I never gave up.

“Just one more time…!”

My muscles screamed over and over again. Sweat poured down my body and my whole body felt like it’s burning, but the pain brought me back to reality. The time when I didn’t have to think about anything was really nice.

As I continue to train day after day, my body starts to change little by little.

My reflection in the mirror looks different from before.

“You’ve been really disciplined lately, aren’t you?”

A friend of mine that I met at the gym says so with a grin on his face.

“Well, I guess I’m not the same person I was before.”

Improving myself isn’t about getting revenge on Yuki. Instead, I want to get back at myself for being such a pathetic loser by becoming stronger.

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As my body begin to change, I naturally start paying more attention to fashion as well.

Before, I used to just wear whatever clothes I have. But now, I start to read magazines and online articles about fashion.

I want to have a simple yet mature style.

“Yuto, something about you feels different lately.”

A friend of mine from college said so in surprise.

“Really?”

“Yeah. You seem more confident than before…you’re different from how I remember you.”

Hearing that feels really good.

Because I really want to change.

Because I want to put an end to being manipulated by Yuki.

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As my appearance changes, the reactions of those around me begin to change as well.

“Hey, there’s a drinking party coming up. Do you want to come with me?”

More and more girls start talking to me. The old me would’ve gotten nervous and stayed silent.

However, I’m not that same person I used to be.

“Sounds good, let’s go.”

I start to talk more with my friends and conversations start to flow naturally. Before, I would never talk to any girls other than Yuki, but things are different now.

“You seem to be having a lot of fun lately.”

I start to hear that more often.

I finally started living for myself.

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Furthermore, I also take my first step into the business world.

“Hey, can you give me a hand with something?”

One day, a Senpai from my college approached me. He is an entrepreneur, trying to launch a startup.

“I’m interested.”

Before, I might’ve been scared and turned it down, but I’m different now. By experiencing the business world firsthand, I’m introduced to a whole new perspective.

“This is incredible, so this is how things actually work.”

Every time I gain a new knowledge, I can feel myself growing.

I’ve decided, I will definitely succeed through my own efforts.

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One day, while having lunch at the campus cafeteria, I happen to see Yuki sitting at a table across from me.

I pay no attention to her and continue eating while chatting with my friends.

Then, I suddenly feel a gaze on me. When I look up, I see that Yuki is staring at me.

…what do you want?

She looks a little surprised, and also a bit confused.

I say nothing, just smile slightly and look away.

I wonder what Yuki thinks when she sees how much I’ve changed.

But it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m moving forward on my own path.