The night was unusually quiet.
Rain tapped softly against the window of a dimly lit bedroom. The curtains swayed slightly in the cold breeze coming from the half-open window.
Kim Taehyung sat alone on the floor of his dark room. The lights were off, leaving only the pale glow from his phone illuminating his face.
His eyes were red.
In his trembling hands was his phone.
On the screen… was YN's photo.
She was smiling brightly in it, her eyes shining with warmth.
Taehyung stared at the picture like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
Taehyung (whispering painfully):
"Why…?"
His voice cracked.
Taehyung:
"Why was it never me?"
Another tear fell.
He clenched his jaw, trying to hold back the emotions choking his chest.
Taehyung:
"I loved you so deeply… I gave you everything I had."
His fingers trembled as he touched her face on the screen.
Taehyung:
"But to you…"
His voice dropped to a hollow whisper.
Taehyung:
"I was just a friend."
The word friend felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
His grip tightened suddenly.
CRACK.
The phone screen fractured under the pressure of his fingers.
Taehyung stared at the broken screen silently.
His expression slowly changed.
The sadness in his eyes darkened into something more dangerous.
His lips curved into a twisted smile.
Taehyung (whispering):
"I won't lose you."
His voice was quiet… but filled with determination.
Taehyung:
"Even if I have to tear the whole world apart."
Just then—
Knock.
The door opened slowly.
Taehyung's mother stepped inside.
The moment she saw the room, she froze.
Books were scattered across the floor.
A chair had been knocked over.
The mirror on the wall had a small crack running across it.
And her son…
Her once cheerful son sat on the floor with empty, hollow eyes.
Her heart dropped.
Mother (softly, worried):
"Taehyung…?"
Taehyung quickly wiped his tears and stood up.
In seconds, the darkness in his expression disappeared.
His usual charming smile returned.
Taehyung (light tone):
"Mom?"
She looked at the broken phone in his hand.
Mother:
"Taehyung… what have you done to yourself?"
For a moment, he didn't answer.
Then he casually tossed the broken phone on the bed.
Taehyung (smiling):
"Nothing. Just dropped my phone."
But his mother wasn't convinced.
She could see it.
The pain hiding behind his smile.
Yet before she could say anything more—
Taehyung walked past her.
Taehyung:
"I'm going to sleep. Goodnight, Mom."
The door closed quietly behind him.
And once again…
The room fell silent.
Morning – College
The next morning, the college campus buzzed with life.
Students filled the hallways, chatting and laughing as they headed to their classes.
Inside the classroom, YN sat at her desk, flipping through her notebook absentmindedly.
Her mind was somewhere else.
Suddenly—
The classroom door opened.
And Kim Taehyung walked in.
His usual confidence had returned.
His hair slightly messy, his hands in his pockets, his expression calm and carefree.
No one would ever guess what kind of night he had just endured.
His eyes scanned the room.
They immediately found YN.
A small smile appeared on his face.
He walked toward her desk.
Taehyung (teasing):
"Yah, Miss Hot-Head."
He leaned casually against her desk.
Taehyung:
"Where's your boyfriend today?"
YN looked up, slightly annoyed.
YN:
"None of your business."
Taehyung smirked.
Before he could reply, another voice joined in.
Lee Tina approached them with a bright, cheerful smile.
Lee Tina:
"Hey YN… how come I never noticed you before?"
She tilted her head playfully.
Lee Tina:
"You're really amazing."
She clasped her hands together excitedly.
Lee Tina:
"Can we be friends?"
Taehyung's expression immediately darkened.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Taehyung (coldly):
"She already has enough friends."
He gestured toward the door.
Taehyung:
"Get lost."
YN frowned instantly.
YN (annoyed):
"And who gave you the right to decide that?"
She turned toward Tina.
YN:
"Sure. Let's be friends."
Lee Tina's smile widened.
Lee Tina:
"Aww, yay!"
She waved happily.
Lee Tina:
"See you later, babe."
She walked away cheerfully.
As soon as she left, Taehyung leaned closer to YN.
His voice was quieter now.
Taehyung:
"YN… don't trust people so easily."
YN sighed, irritated.
YN:
"What do you want from me?"
Taehyung looked genuinely hurt by her tone.
Taehyung:
"Why are you suddenly so cold to me?"
His voice softened.
Taehyung:
"What did I do?"
YN bit her lip.
Because she knew the truth.
Taehyung made her heart race.
Whenever he was close, she felt something she couldn't explain.
And that scared her.
Because she loved Suho.
Blaming Taehyung for her confusion wasn't fair… but pushing him away felt easier.
She sighed softly.
YN (small smile):
"I'm sorry. My mood was just off."
Taehyung's tense shoulders relaxed.
Taehyung (gentle):
"It's okay."
He hesitated for a moment.
Taehyung:
"Can I ask you something?"
YN nodded.
YN:
"Yeah?"
Taehyung took a deep breath.
For the first time, his voice sounded serious.
Taehyung:
"If we met in another life…"
YN blinked in surprise.
Taehyung continued quietly.
Taehyung:
"Would you choose me?"
YN stared at him.
YN:
"What…?"
Taehyung's gaze didn't waver.
Taehyung:
"Not as friends."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
Taehyung:
"As something more."
The classroom noise faded into the background.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
YN didn't know what to say.
So she stayed silent.
Taehyung slowly pulled out his hand.
His pinky finger extended toward her.
Taehyung (softly):
"Promise we'll meet again?"
YN hesitated.
Something about the moment felt strangely important.
After a few seconds…
She lifted her hand.
And hooked her pinky with his.
YN (quietly):
"…Promise."
Taehyung smiled.
But his smile carried a sadness she didn't notice.
Because deep down…
He knew.
Even if they met again…
It might still never be him.