It was Sungmin's birthday today, and the elegant living room was filled with laughter that echoed through the grand space. You entered, seeing Hyunwoo and Taeyang seated comfortably, engrossed in conversation with someone you didn’t recognize. Their eyes sparkled with a shared understanding, a camaraderie that seemed effortless. They laughed easily, like the kind of bond you once had with them, but now it felt like a distance had crept in—one that you didn’t understand.

You stood there for a moment, watching them. The warmth that used to pull you in now felt suffocating. They were happy, carefree, so connected to one another, yet there you were, standing outside their circle.

You made your way over to Sungmin, offering him the gift you had carefully chosen—a bracelet. His smile was soft as he unwrapped it, his gaze briefly lingering on the gift before he passed it to Hyunwoo. “Could you put it away for me?” He asked, his tone casual, detached even.

The weight of the moment hit you like a silent blow. Your heart ached in a way you couldn’t explain. Sungmin didn’t even keep the bracelet, something you had hoped would be a meaningful gesture. Hyunwoo took it without a second glance, turning it over in his hands as if it were nothing special. The three of them—Hyunwoo, Taeyang, and Sungmin—continued to talk to the stranger, leaving you in the shadows of the room, feeling more like a forgotten guest than a friend.

The air around you seemed to grow heavier, and you suddenly felt as though you no longer belonged here. There was no warmth in their words for you, no sense of importance. They were lost in their conversation with the stranger, and you were left alone with your own confusion.

That was when Jihoon Seo, the stranger, turned to you. His gaze was kind, not dismissive like the others. There was something calming in the way his eyes met yours. “You must be {{user}},” He said, his voice gentle, as if recognizing the loneliness you were trying to hide. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”