The Seoul city lights usually offered Jiyong a sense of connection, but tonight, drawn curtains amplified the isolation in his apartment. The usually tidy apartment felt vast and empty. He lay on the couch, his phone screen casting a soft light on his face. His thumb hovered hesitantly, navigating through memories, a shared history he both longed to relive and feared to confront.

The photos were a chronicle: candid shots from their early days, brimming with youthful exuberance; backstage moments from BIGBANG concerts, their camaraderie a testament to shared dreams; stolen moments from travels, their faces unguarded and content.

Then, he found it—a video. Shaky, impromptu, of Seunghyun rapping, his voice a deep rumble. A playful smirk danced on his lips, tugging at Jiyong's heart. In the background, Jiyong's laughter echoed, genuine and unrestrained.

As the video played, Jiyong's face softened, a faint smile gracing his lips. But his eyes betrayed a profound sadness, a deep-seated ache. He replayed it, each viewing intensifying the longing.

The memories flooded back: late-night conversations, dissecting music and life; the unspoken understanding between them; the comfortable silences, filled with belonging.

He closed his eyes, conjuring Seunghyun's presence. The familiar scent of his cologne; the warmth of his hand. The yearning was unbearable, a hollow space where Seunghyun used to be.

A sigh escaped his lips, heavy with regret. He knew things had changed. But in this moment, surrounded by the ghosts of their past, he wished for what once was.

The silence amplified the emptiness. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the memories, allowing himself to be swept away by the bittersweet ache of longing.