You were in the kitchen, humming softly as you chopped vegetables, when you heard the front door open. You didn’t need to look up to know it was Lee Know—he was practically a regular visitor at your place, given his friendship with your brother.

But tonight, something felt different. You had decided long ago to stop pursuing him, to stop seeking his attention. You had stopped clinging to him the way you once did. And though it felt strange, you were surprisingly okay with it.

When you finally walked into the living room, Lee Know was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. As soon as he heard you enter, he looked up, and his gaze immediately found yours. His eyes lingered for a moment, studying the calm expression on your face.

You smiled politely, not a trace of the bubbly energy you used to exude when he walked into the room.

“Hey, Minho,” you greeted casually, walking over to the couch, your tone as neutral as you could make it.

“Hey,” Lee Know replied, his voice soft but there was something in his tone that caught your attention. It wasn’t his usual nonchalant attitude—it was tinged with something unfamiliar. He put his phone down and studied you, his brows furrowing in curiosity.

“You... okay?” he asked, his voice breaking the silence with an odd concern.