The doorbell rang.
Mark groaned from the couch without even opening his eyes.
"Who's ringing at this hour...?"
Jiwoong was busy sorting laundry and pretended not to hear it. From the bathroom, Chaewon's voice echoed through the apartment.
"Someone open the door!"
No one moved.
The bell rang again.
Hanbin finally sighed and pushed his laptop aside. "Fine. I'll get it."
Outside, Han was already losing patience. He glanced at the closed door and shifted awkwardly on his feet.
Maybe I should just leave.
Nobody's opening the door anyway. I'll tell Jun I came, nobody answered, and then I went home. He can't be angry about that.
The thought made him smile faintly. He turned around, ready to leave.
Then the door opened.
"...You're the one ringing the bell?"
Han froze.
His eyes landed on Hanbin, and for a moment his brain completely stopped working.
Hanbin.
Actually Hanbin.
Not through a screen. Not in a livestream. Not in a video.
Standing right in front of him. The world tilted. And everything went black.
When Han slowly regained consciousness, his head felt strangely heavy.
"Where am I...?"
His voice came out weak and confused. As he opened his eyes, he realized his head was resting on Hanbin's lap.
Jiwoong was standing nearby, fanning him with a rolled-up poster. Mark sat on the armrest of the couch, yawning dramatically as if the entire situation was inconveniencing him.
And then Han's gaze moved further.
Chaewon stood a few steps away wearing a bathrobe, his hair still wet from his shower.
"...Should we take him to the hospital?"
"Yes," Chaewon replied immediately. "I'll call an ambulance."
Hanbin raised a hand.
"He's fine. He's just in shock."
Chaewon frowned.
"Then why isn't he waking up?"
Mark immediately smirked.
"Oh? Someone's worried."
Chaewon shot him a glare.
"When I fell down the stairs, you told me I'd be fine in two days. But suddenly this guy faints and now you want an ambulance?"
"Shut up."
Hanbin leaned down slightly.
"Han."
His voice was calm and gentle.
"Wake up."
Slowly, Han stirred again. His eyelids fluttered open. This time he didn't faint. Instead, tears immediately filled his eyes.
Everyone froze. One tear rolled down his cheek. Then another. And suddenly he was crying.
Not quietly. Not trying to hide it.
Like someone whose emotions had finally reached their limit.
Chaewon's expression softened instantly. He crouched beside him, all traces of irritation gone.
"Han."
His voice was much quieter now.
"Are you okay?"
Han nodded weakly.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
Another shake of his head.
"Do we need to go to the hospital?"
Han wiped at his eyes with trembling hands.
"No."
His voice cracked.
"I'm okay."
Nobody spoke.
Han looked at each of them one by one.
Then he laughed softly through his tears.
"I just..."
His lips trembled.
"I never thought I'd actually meet you guys."
The room fell silent.
"You can't even imagine how much I love you. You're the reason I'm still alive right now."
Nobody knew how to respond. The words settled heavily over the room.
Chaewon lowered his eyes. For the first time, he realized how much pain Han had been carrying.
And how much Nexon had truly meant to him.
Mark quietly handed him a box of tissues.
Jiwoong brought him a glass of water.
Hanbin disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with a bowl of noodles.
No one teased him.
No one laughed.
They simply stayed with him.
About fifteen minutes later, Han was sitting on the couch eating noodles while everyone gathered around him. His eyes were still red, but he looked much calmer now.
Mark waited until he finished swallowing before speaking.
"So... why are you here?"
Han froze.
"Oh."
His eyes widened slightly. He had completely forgotten. Quickly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Then he stood up.
Everyone looked at him curiously.
Han turned toward Chaewon.
Chaewon tilted his head.
"What is it?"
Han held the paper out with both hands.
And suddenly looked far more nervous than he had when he fainted.