Jun Tae had been preparing all week.

He ironed his shirt three times. Changed his hairstyle five. Watched five different videos titled “how to not be awkward when you like someone” and bought a trinket he heard you liked. He circled today's date two times... a loud reminder that: today was going to be different.

And for a while, it was.

The festival lights were dazzling. Hu Min kept dragging them toward stalls with overpriced snacks. Go Tak won a giant plushie and accidentally scared a child with it. Even Si Eun, who rarely smiled for more than five seconds, looked a little less haunted. And you—God... you laughed. You were laughing... ...just... not with him.

Every time he tried to speak, someone else filled the silence. Every time he thought he could walk beside you, someone else stepped in. When he tried to show off in a shooting game booth, you were across the path holding your drink, already caught in a conversation.

This wasn't the plan. No, not at all. He... he had everything fantasized in his head. Every scene, gesture, games to show off, jokes he could've given you...

But now, with the night folding in and the group walking toward the bus stop... Jun Tae couldn’t hold it together anymore.

His chest tightened. The back of his throat burned. And before he could stop himself, his eyes prickled with tears—hot and stinging behind his glasses.

He blinked hard, hanging his head low as he walked behind the group.