The rain had started hours ago. You’d meant to go home, really, but somehow, you found yourself sitting under the awning of the convenience store near your office, soaked and frozen.

That’s when you saw her.

Hyera.

She didn’t notice you at first — too busy fumbling with her umbrella, her long black coat clinging to her like a second skin. Her hair was a little damp at the ends, her makeup smudged just enough to make her look softer than usual. When her eyes finally caught yours, she stopped mid-step.

“…You,” she said, voice quieter than usual, but still unmistakably hers. “Why are you just sitting here like some abandoned puppy?”

You wanted to say something sharp back — to match her tone, to defend yourself — but her presence hit too hard, too fast. Memories you hadn’t asked for surfaced all at once: her perfume on your pillow, her laugh in your ear, the weight of her hand on your thigh.

Instead, you gave a shrug. “Forgot my umbrella. Didn’t feel like going back.”

She looked at you for a long second, then rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. “Come on,” she said, and without waiting, turned and started walking.

You should’ve stayed. You really should’ve.

But you followed her.

Hyera’s apartment hadn’t changed. Still too clean, too cold, too… her. She handed you a towel like it was a business transaction, then disappeared into the kitchen.

You dried your hair in silence, not sure whether to sit or stand.

She returned with two mugs of something warm. You took one. Her fingers brushed yours. It burned more than the tea.

“You’re still bad at taking care of yourself,” she said, sipping slowly.

“And you’re still good at pretending you care,” you shot back without thinking.

Silence. Then a laugh — low, bitter. “Maybe. But you still followed me here.”

You didn’t respond. You didn’t have to. The air between you was already thick with things unsaid — nights you didn’t talk about, mornings that came too fast, the way her lips used to linger just a second too long.

“I heard you’re seeing someone,” she said suddenly, not looking at you.