Chaewon sat on the couch, eyes fixed on the clock.
It's already 12 a.m. Why isn't he back yet?
He stood up and pressed his ear against the wall, trying to hear any sound from Han's apartment. But silence.
He went to the terrace to check if Han was outside, but no one was there.
Maybe he's just sleeping in his room… I'm thinking too much.
Still restless, Chaewon stepped out and knocked on Han's door before quickly running away to hide. No one came out. He tried again—this time pressing the doorbell hard and holding it for long before running to hide again. Still no answer.
Frustrated, he returned to his room and lay on his bed, turning side to side.
Why can't I sleep? Should I call Jun and ask him to check where Han is?
Ringing…
Why isn't he picking up my call? He really told me I could call him anytime.
Chaewon sighed. Ya, Chaewon… let's just go down, buy a drink, and come back.
At the store.
Han.
He was sitting on a corner chair, head resting on the table, a half-empty beer bottle in one hand.
Chaewon stepped closer.
"Hey, new boy, don't touch him." The shopkeeper called out. "He looks cute, but he's a tough guy. If you wake him up, he'll beat you. Leave him. He'll go to his room when he feels like it."
Chaewon shook his head. "Sir, he's my friend. If he beats me, it's fine."
The shopkeeper frowned. "You know him? How?"
"He's a senior in my basketball club."
"Still, boy… I wouldn't recommend you get close to him."
Chaewon's voice lowered. "But if I leave him here, he'll get sick."
He approached carefully, leaning forward before daring to touch him. Softly, he called out:
"Han… Han… Han, it's me, Chaewon."
Slowly, Han lifted his head. His tired eyes met Chaewon's, and for a moment, they were just five inches apart. Both stared, as if the world had disappeared. Chaewon could hear Han's faint breaths, feel the pounding of his own heart. The tension was unbearable. Chaewon quickly turned his face away.
But Han stretched his arm, gently holding Chaewon's face, forcing him to look back.
"Do you still hate me?" he whispered.
"No… I don't."
"Then why aren't you coming to basketball practice?"
Chaewon hesitated but than his lips curved into a faint smile, a spark in his eyes.
"Did you miss me?"
Han's breath caught. Before he could answer, his head fell forward, collapsing onto him.
"Han! Han, are you okay?" Chaewon shouted in panic.
In a low voice, Han murmured, "Yes… I'm just tired."
Without hesitation, Chaewon lifted him up. "Let's get you to your room." His arms wrapped firmly around Han—one on each side—as he carried him slowly back to the apartment.