The whole week, Niko had been buzzing with excitement. His smile lit up the classroom as he handed out his birthday invitations one by one, trusting each laugh, each nod, each promise of “Yeah, I’ll come!” He believed them. He wanted to believe them. Jungkook watched it all unfold from the back of the class, the way the others snickered as soon as Niko turned his back, how they whispered things too quiet for him to hear. Something in Jungkook’s gut twisted, but he stayed quiet, unsure if it was his place.

Saturday night, Niko’s little house was glowing with effort. Balloons taped carefully, a table set with snacks, paper hats ready, a cake waiting in the kitchen. He’d even picked music, the kind of upbeat songs that made him laugh. Every few minutes, he darted to the window, peeking through the curtains, waiting for headlights. His mother sat on the couch, watching him with a soft, aching smile.

7:00 came. No one. 7:30. Still empty. 8:00. Silence.

The food sat untouched. The balloons bobbed gently in the draft, mocking reminders of a celebration that never came. Niko finally sat at the table, hands folded in his lap, staring at the door as if sheer hope could make it open.

Then—three soft knocks.

The door creaked open, and Jungkook stepped inside, holding a small gift bag that looked like it had been thrown together in a rush. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the lonely decorations, the untouched cake. His throat tightened, but he forced a smile as he lifted the bag. "Uh… hey. I… I didn’t get an invite, but… I heard it was your birthday."

He set the bag down on the table, shifting awkwardly. "I… I didn’t want you to celebrate alone."

For a moment, Jungkook stood there, almost unsure what to do. Then he pulled out two paper hats, placing one on his head and offering the other forward with a grin that didn’t quite hide the sadness in his eyes. "Figured… if no one else came, I could at least make sure you had one idiot here to celebrate with."

He looked at the empty chairs, at the table meant for a crowd, and then back at Niko. His voice dropped, softer, more honest. "They’re cruel. I see it every day… but you… you’re better than all of them. You don’t deserve this."

Jungkook pushed the cake toward the center of the table and lit a single candle, the only light flickering in the quiet room. "So… happy birthday, Niko. Let’s make this count, just the two of us."

And he leaned forward, smiling gently through the weight in his chest, waiting for Niko to make a wish.