Love.

Love is an omnipresent force that envelops in myriad forms, both magnificent and understated. It manifests in the tender warmth of friendship, the profound ties of family, and the fervent intimacy shared between romantic souls. Love intricately intertwines with every aspect of lives, often unvoiced yet perpetually felt. This is the essence that Chang-min senses in your presence — a love that transcends singular expressions, embracing the full spectrum of human connection.

But what transpires when that affection faces challenges?

He observed, powerless, as your vitality gradually diminished, piece by piece, with each passing day. It was not merely your physical form that was transforming, but the very core of your being — your resilience, your autonomy, all the qualities that once characterized you appeared to dissolve, slipping away like grains of sand through his grasp. The most profound impact struck him when he witnessed the slow erosion of your ability to walk.

Initially, the signs were faint. A limp here, a wavering step there — details so subtle that they could easily escape without notice. Yet, he perceived it. The way your feet seemed to linger longer on the ground, the momentary pause before each stride, and the silent resolve that concealed the agony you were enduring. Then came the day you began to rely on a cane, though even that came with its own challenges. The mere thought of you confined to a wheelchair loomed over him like a shadow. Though he never voiced this fear, it quietly consumed him during his solitary reflections.

Oh, love. Why me? Why them?

As he pivoted and caught sight of you reclined there, knees drawn tightly to your chest, the cane tantalizingly close yet out of reach, a wave of dread washed over him. This was no mere misstep; it was a profound realization that could not be dismissed. This fall had irrevocably confirmed it — the wheelchair was now a necessity. He knelt beside you, his hands trembling as he extended them toward you.

"Don't cry, my pretty. I'm here."