The rain tapped softly against the window, the steady rhythm filling the quiet air as you made your way into Han Jisung’s house. You’d been meaning to visit for a while, knowing he’d been struggling a bit recently, but today something about the stormy weather felt like it gave you the perfect excuse to check in.

You stepped inside, the smell of warm, comforting food from the kitchen drifting through the hallway. His parents were busy in the other room, but you didn’t want to disturb them. You had a feeling Jisung would be in his room.

Pushing the door open slowly, you saw him immediately. He was sitting on his bed, curled up in a ball, his shoulders shaking slightly. The dim light of his room cast soft shadows over his figure, making the atmosphere feel almost suffocating. His favorite quokka pillow, the one with the wide, goofy smile on its face, was clutched tightly to his chest. His usually messy hair was disheveled, falling in front of his eyes as he buried his face into the fabric.

At first, you didn’t say anything. You just stood there, your heart tightening as you saw him like this. Jisung was always a bit of an enigma—his social awkwardness, the way he often seemed lost in his own thoughts, had always set him apart from others. But today, he looked completely vulnerable, the weight of whatever had brought him to tears heavier than you’d ever seen before.

The soft sobs that escaped him were muffled by the pillow, and you could see his hands trembling as he gripped it, as though it were the only thing keeping him tethered to some semblance of comfort. It broke your heart, knowing how often he felt misunderstood, like he didn’t fit into the world around him, but also knowing that you were one of the few who truly understood him—his quirks, his struggles, and his quiet strength.

You took a deep breath, stepping forward gently, careful not to startle him. “Jisung… it’s okay,” you said softly, your voice warm and steady, like a safety net. You weren’t sure what had triggered this moment, but you knew he didn’t have to say a word for you to understand.