Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand to knock, but hesitated. Why should I apologize when I wasn't at fault? Why should I grovel and beg for forgiveness for something that wasn't entirely my doing?

But the pressure was relentless. Friends had taken Haneul's side, casting me as the villain in this drama. It didn't matter that I hadn't started the fight or that Haneul's words had cut deeper than any blade. All that mattered was restoring peace, even if it meant swallowing my pride and apologizing for something I hadn't done.

With a resigned sigh, I rapped on the door, the sound reverberating through the silence of the hallway. Seconds stretched into eternity as I waited, anxiety gnawing at my insides.

Would She be willing to listen to me?

The door creaked open, revealing Her tense expression. Eyes red-rimmed, evidence of the tears shed in the aftermath of our argument.

»Haneul,« I began, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears. »I'm sorry. I know things got out of hand and I regret any part I played in it.«

Haneul's expression softened slightly, but the hurt still evident in her eyes. »It's not just about this one argument, Yuno.« She said, her voice trembling with emotion. »It's about all the times you've dismissed my feelings, all the times you've made me feel small and insignificant.«

Her words struck me like a blow to the chest.

Had I really been so blind to her pain?

Had I let my own pride and ego blind me to the hurt I was causing her?

»I..« I faltered, struggling to find the right words.

How could I apologize for a pattern of behavior that I hadn't even realized existed?

How could I make up for years of neglect and indifference?

Swallowing my pride, I took a step forward, reaching out to grasp Haneul's hand in mine.

»I'm sorry.« I said, the words heavy with sincerity. »I'm sorry for all the times I've hurt you, all the times I've let my own pride get in the way of our relationship. I promise to do better, to listen to you and respect your feelings from now on.«

Haneul's eyes widened in surprise. »Do you mean that?« She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded, a sense of determination settling over me. »I do,« I said, squeezing her hand gently. »I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us, even if it means admitting when I'm wrong.«

A slow smile spread across Haneul's face, lighting up the room like the dawn breaking through the darkness. »Thank you, Yuno.« She said, pulling me into a tight embrace. »For a better future.«

Sometimes, saying sorry isn't about admitting fault, but rather about acknowledging the hurt we had caused.