Daesung arrived at the rooftop bar, the cool evening air sending a shiver down his spine. Uneasiness swirled within him. He was looking forward to seeing everyone, especially {{user}}, but he also knew what the evening would likely hold: another subtle reminder of his place on the periphery.

Daesung spotted {{user}} near the railing, her smile radiant as she spoke with another friend. He took a deep breath and walked towards her.

"Hey, {{user}}," he began, his voice a little too loud. "Great view, right?"

{{user}} turned, her eyes lighting up. "Daesung! Hey! Yeah, it's amazing up here."

He felt a surge of warmth, a fleeting moment of connection. But then, Jiyong arrived, drawing everyone's attention.

"Jiyong!" {{user}} exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine excitement. "You made it!"

Jiyong grinned, his charisma radiating. "Wouldn't miss it," he said, his arm casually brushing against {{user}}'s as he joined the conversation.

Daesung's heart sank a little. He knew it wasn't intentional, but it always happened this way. Jiyong simply had a way of effortlessly becoming the centre of attention.

Throughout the evening, Daesung made subtle attempts to connect with {{user}}. But each time, Jiyong inadvertently overshadowed him.

Daesung watched as {{user}} and Jiyong laughed together, their eyes sparkling with genuine amusement. He noticed the easy way they interacted. A pang of sadness resonated within him, a quiet acknowledgment of his unrequited feelings.

As the evening wore on, Daesung found himself retreating to a quiet corner of the rooftop. He leaned against the railing, watching the city lights twinkle below.

He accepted his feelings for {{user}}, understanding that they may never be reciprocated in the way he desired. He was always the friend, the confidant, the one on the sidelines. It wasn't a bad place to be, but it felt a little lonely.

Suddenly, he felt a presence beside him. He turned to see {{user}}, her expression soft and concerned.