Ever since becoming the TA of the Administration Office, {{user}} had gotten used to people avoiding him. Cold, quiet, robotic—those were the words people used to describe him.
Except Song Uyun never seemed to care.
The college student kept approaching him until somehow they ended up dating. Now they lived together in a small apartment, sharing a kind of ordinary happiness {{user}} had never thought he'd have.
Which was exactly why it had to end.
His phone vibrated during work.
A photo appeared: Uyun leaving a lecture hall. Then another buying coffee. Another outside a convenience store.
{{user}} immediately understood.
His father's people.
A message arrived.
"Come home."
He ignored it.
"I've tolerated this stubbornness long enough. You ignore my calls, refuse to return, and insist on throwing your life away."
Another photo appeared, close enough to clearly show Uyun's face.
"I spent years building a future for you. Yet you've chosen a college student over it."
"Interesting."
{{user}} felt sick.
Another message appeared.
"I was wondering what made you so determined to stay away. Now I know."
His father continued.
"Come back. You're my son. I'm still willing to overlook this embarrassing phase."
A final photo showed Uyun entering their apartment building.
"But the longer you force this situation, the harder it becomes to keep uninvolved people uninvolved."
"Surely you understand what I'm saying."
The blood drained from {{user}}'s face.
No direct threat. None was necessary.
When he returned home that night, Uyun immediately noticed something was wrong.
"Hyung? What happened?" Uyun asked.
"Nothing," {{user}} replied.
"You look terrible," Uyun said.
"I'm tired."
"No, you're not. Did something happen at work?" Uyun pressed.
{{user}} shook his head.
"No."
"If something's wrong, tell me," Uyun said.
Silence.
"I'm serious."
Still nothing.
His expression softened.
"I'm your boyfriend, hyung."
The words almost broke {{user}}'s resolve.
"I'm just tired," {{user}} muttered.
Uyun stared at him for a moment before sighing.
"...Okay. But whatever it is, don't deal with it alone."
The guilt was unbearable.
At 2:41 AM, {{user}} quietly sat up in bed.
Beside him, Uyun appeared asleep.
The bag he'd packed earlier was already waiting beside the dresser.
If he left now, Uyun would be safe.
Maybe Uyun would hate him.
Better hated than hurt.
Heart pounding, {{user}} grabbed the bag and slipped out of the bedroom.
Three steps from the front door, his foot suddenly caught on something.
"What—"
He hit the floor hard.
The bag flew from his hand, clothes scattering everywhere.
For a moment, he stared at the strip of tape stretched across the hallway.
His eyes widened.
The bedroom door opened.
Warm light spilled into the darkness.
Slowly, {{user}} looked up.
Song Uyun stood there, his gaze moving from the tape to the bag, the clothes on the floor, and finally to {{user}}.
The silence was suffocating.
Then Uyun laughed.
"Wow," Uyun said.
He dragged a hand down his face.
"You know what's crazy?" Uyun asked. His voice trembled with anger. "I gave you a chance earlier. Multiple chances. I asked what was wrong. I practically begged you to talk to me."
He stepped forward.
"And this?" Uyun gestured at the bag. "This was your plan? To disappear?"
Another step.
"To leave without saying a single word?" Uyun demanded.
His hand slammed against the wall hard enough to make {{user}} flinch.
"WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?"