"Han, what are you doing here?" Jisoo asked instantly, panic slipping through his voice.
"Oh— I came to see Seokmin. The door was open, so I walked in." Han glanced around. "Where is he?"
Seungmin answered before Jisoo could speak.
"He went to a business dinner with Dad."
Han nodded. "Oh. Then… Jisoo? Why are you here? I thought you two broke up."
Jisoo's eyes shook. "Jihan… I'm leaving. Take care."
He rushed past Han, not daring to look back.
Seungmin watched the door slowly close, suspicion tightening his face. Maybe Han heard something. But when Han turned toward him, he smiled brightly — too brightly.
"Han, come in," Seungmin said carefully. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Actually… I'm hungry. Can you cook something for me?"
His smile stayed on, but his eyes held a quiet storm.
Seungmin stiffened — he wasn't good at cooking — but he still answered,
"I can try. If you want me to."
"That would be nice," Han said, settling on the couch and turning on the TV.
Inside, his heart twisted:
Why isn't he asking about the laptop? I stole it. That laptop must have everything. Yet he doesn't even care. His plan must be more important than me.
He wanted to cry — scream — break something.
But he held the smile.
From time to time, he looked over his shoulder, watching Seungmin struggle in the kitchen like a clueless child.
And he smiled again.
Pretending.
Eventually, Seungmin came with a plate.
"I made fried rice."
Han took a bite. Then another.
Seungmin watched him like a scared puppy waiting for approval.
"It's good," Han said gently.
Seungmin tried a spoonful—
and nearly gagged.
"What? Why is this so terrible? I followed the recipe exactly— Han, stop eating. I'll order something."
"It's not that bad," Han insisted.
"You tried so hard. I should appreciate that."
Seungmin still hovered nervously.
"Please. Just let me order—"
"No," Han said, smiling softly. "I want to eat what you made."
So Seungmin sat close, watching silently, guilt filling his eyes as Han forced every bite down.
When the plate was empty, Seungmin finally spoke:
"Stay tonight."
Han froze.
He had never asked that before.
"…Okay," he answered, even though every cell in his body screamed to run.
He changed into night clothes and stepped back out. Seungmin was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at him with an unreadable expression.
"Come here," Seungmin murmured.
Han walked closer. Seungmin pulled him into a tight embrace — desperate, trembling.
"I want to show you something," he whispered, voice soft but heavy.
Panic hit Han.
Is he going to break up with me? No… I must end things first. He doesn't get to leave me.
Seungmin made him sit on his lap.
"Han… can I kiss you?"
Han swallowed. Smiled.
"Seungmin… I'm tired. I want to sleep."
Shock flickered across Seungmin's face — betrayal, hurt — but he buried it beneath a tiny smile.
"Okay. Then let's sleep."
They lay down. Seungmin wrapped himself around Han from behind — a warm, protective back hug Han once dreamt of countless lonely nights.
But now that he finally had it…
his heart shattered.
Silent tears soaked his pillow.
He cried into the arms of the person hurting him the most.
Eventually, sleep stole both of them.
After a long time, Han felt rest — but he didn't know whether peace came from Seungmin's embrace…
…or from crying himself empty.