He looked up—and for a heartbeat, everything else faded.
Asiya took one step forward.
His gaze caught hers—then dropped briefly to her hands holding the album, then slowly climbed back to her face.
Her face—soft, glowing from the concert—was the same one that had offered him sweets and laughed over spicy food just days ago.
The confidence he had on stage? It slipped, replaced by something far more familiar.
"Hey," he said, voice low.
"Hi," she replied, her voice quieter than she meant it to be.
"What's your name?" he asked, looking directly at her, pen hovering over the album.
For a moment, Asiya didn't answer.
Not because she was nervous—just because she wasn't expecting the way he asked it.
It wasn't rushed or casual.
It was genuine. Like he actually wanted to know.
"…Asiya," she said finally.
Kian repeated it under his breath, testing how it sounded then smiled.
As he was signing, she observed him. He looked… tired.
His usual bright energy wasn't there. His posture was slightly stiff, and though he was still smiling, there was something off about him.
She didn't know why that thought struck her so clearly, but she could see it.
A subtle sluggishness in his movements. The way he blinked more often while signing, as if trying to stay sharp.
She knew that feeling.
Her hand instinctively went to her bag, fingers brushing against the small pack of chocolates she had brought.
Should I? She wasn't sure.
Then she discreetly slid a small piece of chocolate forward, covering it with her hand.
Kian didn't notice at first. But when his fingers brushed against the wrapper instead of just paper, he froze for a second.
His gaze flicked up to her, confusion flashing across his face.
"You look tired," she murmured lowly.
A soft smile tugged at his lips. Then, without a word, he accepted it, tucking it under the table.
Just then, a staff member motioned for her to move along.
Kian's eyes lingered on hers.
Then, just as she turned to go, he said,
"Wait—"
She looked back.
He leaned in slightly, voice low so only she could hear. "Thank you."
She tilted her head to the side, slow and gentle, a soft blink following like a pause in the conversation. Her expression didn't shift dramatically—just a soft smile. Just a look. Steady. Quiet. Peaceful.
It was enough.
There was something in that small response that carried more than words ever could—acknowledgment, grace, a kind of warmth that didn't need to be explained. And Kian, watching her, felt it settle inside him like sunlight slipping through a curtain. A silent reply. And somehow, everything between them felt understood.
He waited a little, then ate the chocolate.
The moment they stepped out of the venue, the four cousins exploded.
Yasmine: "ASIYAAA!"
Farah: "DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!"
Mira: "I CAN'T BREATHE—"
Sana: "Did you give him something?"
Asiya: "No, I didn't. It's just your imagination. Now let's go to the car."
They huddled around her, hands grabbing her arms as they walked to the parking lot, half-screaming, half-laughing.
In the car, Farah, who had been checking her phone, gasped. "Guys, look! Someone just posted about 'lucky fans' getting last-minute VIP upgrades."
Asiya gripped the steering wheel tighter. She had been wondering the same thing.
It wasn't just a coincidence… right?
She glanced at the rearview mirror, watching her cousins excitedly scroll through their phones, analyzing every little detail. But something about it didn't sit right with her.
"I don't know," she finally said.
She had only bought regular tickets. She had checked multiple times.
And yet, somehow, their names had been randomly chosen?
She bit her lip, deep in thought.
Could it be…?
She had a feeling she already knew who the culprit was.
But she wasn't sure. Not yet.
In another car, the atmosphere was quiet at first, everyone still worn out from the concert. The streetlights flickered through the tinted windows, casting a soft glow over the group.
Ray was the first to break the silence.
"So… that was weird, right?"
Hyun woo, half-asleep against the window, cracked one eye open. "What?"
"The VIP thing." Ray sat up straighter, looking at the others. "The staff said it was a lucky upgrade, but that's kinda suspicious, don't you think?"
Jungmin hummed in agreement. "Yeah… I didn't hear about this 'lucky upgrade' before. This is the first time they've done it."
Kian: "There must be a reason why they did it. Maybe it's just another thing to attract attention. Don't overthink it."
Ray: "Maybe that could be."
Shion: "Ugh, whatever. I only want to sleep."
yu jin: "Thankfully they gave us a day off tomorrow. I'm so tired."
Kian turned back to the window. Hyun woo was looking at him, a little suspicious.
The next day
The morning sun slipped through the blinds, slicing across Kian's cheek. His phone buzzed violently on his nightstand.
He groaned, rolling over, his body still heavy with post-concert exhaustion. The screen glared at him
: Incoming Call. Manager Jung.
He swiped to answer, voice rough. "Yeah?"
"Where are you?" The tone was sharp—the kind that meant trouble.
Kian sat up, rubbing his face. "Home. Why?"
"Get to the company. now!"
The call ended.
HK Entertainment's Office, 10:17 AM.
Kian pushed through the glass doors, hood up, mask on. The receptionist gave him a nervous glance.
One of the staff—Min song—intercepted him near the elevators. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Hyung, I'm so sorry. Manager Jung asked about the VIP upgrade. I had to tell him you requested it, but I said it was random. Don't worry."
Kian nodded, jaw tight. "Thanks."
The elevator ride to the 12th floor felt like a countdown.
Manager Jung's office was all glass and cold light. He didn't look up when Kian entered.
"Sit."
Kian sat.
"Kian, You upgraded tickets." A statement, not a question.
"Yeah."
"Without telling me."
Kian blinked, trying to clear the haze in his head. "Because I didn't think it was a big deal…"
"Kian, you know that everything related to you and the other members is a big deal."
"I... I'm sorry. I only thought of it as fan service."
Manager Jung finally looked up, eyes narrowed. "Random fan service?"
"Random," Kian lied.
A beat. The manager locked eyes with him, then exhaled, leaning back. "Okay, then we're clear."
Kian stood, relieved, but the manager added, voice lower: "If it had been for someone specific… you'd tell me, right?"—as if testing him.
Kian's fingers twitched. "Yeah, of course."
"Still, next time, before doing anything tell me, okay?"
"yeah I will."
Kian walked out of the company and wandered into the streets. He didn't really mean to go out. He threw his mask and cap on. No destination, just space to breathe. He needed some time alone to think about what happened.
He knew he couldn't get closer with other people—especially females. It would only cause him problems he didn't want.
Maybe he shouldn't have done it.
And then—
Her image flickered in his mind. Singing. Dancing. Her face, her soft smile last time.
It wrecked him.
The streets of Seoul buzzed with life, but he stayed tucked in the margins—between buildings, under tree-lined paths. He moved on instinct, following the curve of familiarity without realizing it.
With a sigh, he finally looked up.
And froze.
The house in front of him… was hers.
Kian stared for a second, blinking. How the hell did I end up here?
He hadn't meant to come. He didn't even realize he had walked in this direction.
"…Shit."
He turned immediately, ready to escape before anyone saw him.
But just as he turned—
He saw her.
Asiya.
She was standing a few steps away, grocery bags in her hands, looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"Kian?"
Too late.
He stiffened, looking at her.