[Kei]
After the last concert.
The roar of the crowd still echoed faintly through the walls — like waves refusing to calm even after the storm.
Kei sat alone in the dressing room, shoulders slumped against the chair. His hair clung to his forehead, sweat sliding down along his temple. His chest rose and fell unevenly, trying to return to a normal rhythm after hours under blinding lights.
The door creaked open.
A security guard stepped in, holding something carefully between his fingers.
"Sir, there's a letter from you."
"Leave it on the table." Kei replied. His tone impatient, a stark contrast to the dazzling star who sang on stage just hours earlier.
"... yes, sir." The security guard left right after he delivered the letter.
"Fans these days... can't even give me a break." Kei muttered under his breath, irritated.
But it's still cute... at that thought, a small smile spread across his face.
He took the letter from the table, the white envelope was decorated with uneven stickers, some even peeling slightly on the sides.
Kei opened it.
"I LOVE YOU" The words filled the page in capital letters, written fast — almost aggressively — the pen marks pressed so hard the ink bled slightly into the paper.
Kei scanned through the letter and hm-ed.
He leaned back against his chair, the legs creaking softly as he tilted it just enough to balance on two legs. The paper crinkled faintly between his fingers.
I KNOW YOU PROBABLY WON'T READ THIS
BUT I STILL WANTED TO SAY IT
You are very very really really handsome and good at singing. I love you!!
DO YUN-RA.
That's all? Heh, I just wasted 15 seconds of my life.
He tossed the letter onto the table, where dozens of others already rested in a messy pile — pastel envelopes, stickers, glitter pens, hearts.
All the same.
Honestly… he was disappointed.
For a second, he had thought it would be different. Something strange, or bold, or ridiculous enough to actually reach him.
But in the end, it was just another handsome and good at singing.
"…As expected."
After a while, Kei stood up, grabbed his jacket and pushed through the exit door.
He didn't even bother with telling his manager where he was going. Besides, all he would get is a:
"No, you'll blow your cover."
Kei walked along the street and sat down on a bench, resting the back of his head against the bench.
The sky was scattered with stars, but none of them blinded him the way stage lights did.
No cheers. No cameras. No expectations.
Just silence.
For once... he felt at peace.
"You haven't changed." He knew that voice before the words reached him.
That voice felt like home — and he hated that feeling.
"Jeong Kei-Un, i told you that you can always come back to me when you're exhausted"
Kei's jaw tightened before he even turned around. Why did she have to appear now of all times?
"Ji Run‑Seo," he said flatly. "I told you to leave me alone."
A soft laugh slipped from her — not surprised, not hurt.
"You only say that when you're tired, " Run-Seo added, "you'll come crawling back to me before you realize it."
He finally looked at her.
She stood beneath the dim streetlight like she had been there for a long time, hands folded behind her back, expression calm… but familiar.
Kei stood up and walked straight toward her, leaning down until he reaches her face.
"Leave me the fuck alone. And I'm not asking."
And with that, he walked away.
☆☆☆
It was a rainy day.
They were walking by the park, hands loosely intertwined.
"I missed you so much."
The voice was soft — warm enough to melt the rain from his shoulders.
Ji Run-Seo.
Kei exhaled, tension leaving him instantly.
"I missed you too"
She watched him quietly, eyes gentle.
"Guess what?"
Run-Seo opened her bag and pulled out a small black box. "I got us matching necklaces. You've been busy practicing… so I kept waiting for the right day."
Inside lay two simple silver pendants.
Not flashy.
Not noticeable.
Easy to hide.
"It's beautiful," he said, smiling — a real one, not the practiced kind he used outside to look nice.
She fastened his necklace herself, fingers brushing the back of his neck.
"There," she murmured. "Now no matter where you go… you won't forget."
Kei laughed softly. "It's just a necklace."
Run-Seo's smile didn't change.
"I know."
Her thumb rested lightly over the pendant on his chest.
"But you'll still wear it, right?"
He didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, of course."
☆☆☆
At the dorms.
The hallway lights flickered weakly above them as Kei caught her wrist.
"No."
"Don't leave."
Run-Seo didn't turn around.
"Let go of me."
His grip tightened instead.
"Please… Run-Seo, Don't leave me."
For the first time since he met her, her shoulders went rigid.
"You don't need me," she said quietly.
"You just don't know how to stand alone."
He shook his head, voice breaking. "That's not true."
She pulled her arm free.
"You said you'd stay until I debuted."
"I did."
"Then why—"
"Because," she cut in, finally looking at him, "you already chose them."
Silence.
"You chose the stage,"
"You chose being loved by everyone."
Her eyes trembled — but her voice didn't.
"There's no place left for me."
Tears blurred his vision. "I can have both."
Run-Seo stared at him for a long moment.
"No," she whispered.
"You only come to me when you're tired of pretending."
She threw the necklace she had on the ground.
"And I won't be your hiding place anymore."
She stepped back.
"You ruined my life, Kei."
The door shut.
He didn't move — only the sound of his breathing remained in the empty hall.