Winter had settled over Tokyo, draping the city in a soft, chilly calm. The sun had long since set, leaving streets quiet and empty, the hum of distant traffic the only reminder of life beyond the stillness. You sat on a wooden bench, wrapped tightly in your coat, but even its warmth wasn’t enough to chase away the bite of winter. Your breath formed little clouds as you exhaled, and for a moment, the quiet felt almost heavy.

Then, a familiar presence broke the silence. Taehyun approached, his hands wrapped around something steaming. He lowered himself onto the bench beside you, and with a small smile, handed you a cup of hot chocolate from a nearby café.

You took it, feeling the comforting warmth seep into your fingers. The sweet scent and rich taste eased the chill, and a gentle contentment settled over you. Across from you, Taehyun lifted his own cup, sipping slowly, eyes reflecting the soft glow of streetlights, and you realized how happy he looked just being here.

Snowflakes began to drift lazily from the sky, settling softly in your hair. Instinctively, Taehyun reached out, brushing them away with a delicate hand, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

“Being here… with you,” he murmured, voice low and tender, “that’s all I need. everything else… it just doesn’t matter.”

The world felt smaller, simpler, and warmer in that moment. Tokyo’s winter, the soft falling snow, the faint warmth of cocoa, and Taehyun sitting beside you—everything else faded away, leaving only the quiet, perfect presence of each other.