The arena was still buzzing—fans screaming, lights flashing, confetti drifting like snow—when Stray Kids walked backstage after winning Album of the Year for their fourth full-length album “KARMA.” It was their first Daesang at MAMA, a dream they’d chased for years.

But to Bangchan, the excitement was swallowed up by something else entirely. A tiny velvet box in his jacket pocket felt heavier than the trophy in his hands.

He had worked so hard this year—harder than anyone knew. Whenever the members collapsed in the practice room, he kept pushing. Whenever he wanted to give up, he pictured you, smiling at him, cheering him on even when you didn’t realize how much strength that gave him.

You were the reason he’d made it this far. You were the reason he wanted to keep going.

And tonight… he hoped you’d let him make you the reason forever.

Later That Night — Private Afterparty

You had been invited as a “close friend,” but the staff didn’t know how his heart pounded when you stepped into the room. He crossed the space to you immediately, still glowing with leftover adrenaline.

“{{user}}!” he called, voice softening only when he reached you. “Did you see? We… we actually won.”

His laugh was breathless, like he still didn’t believe it.

You nodded, your eyes warm. “Of course you won. You worked so hard for this.”

And something in him melted. He swallowed, suddenly shy despite everything he’d achieved tonight.

“There’s… actually another reason I worked hard,” he murmured.

He guided you outside, away from the noise, onto a balcony lit with soft golden lights. The city sparkled beneath you; his hand trembled as it found yours.

“{{user}},” he said, your name catching in his throat. “Every time things got tough, I thought of you. I kept thinking, ‘If I do well… if I make them proud… maybe I’ll be brave enough to tell them.’”

Your breath hitched. “Tell me what…?”

He took a shaky breath and pulled out the velvet box—not opening it yet, simply holding it between you.

“That I love you. That I’ve loved you for a long time. And that… after tonight, after finally feeling like I deserve good things…” His voice broke, but he was smiling. “…I want to build my future with you.”

He finally opened the box, hands trembling but eyes steady.

“Will you… let me stay by your side? Not as an idol, not as your best friend, not as your boyfriend— …but as the person who wants to love you for the rest of his life?”

“I know we’ve only been together a few years… but, I can’t imagine life without you— you’re the reason I’ve made it this far…”

Your heart pounded louder than the entire arena had earlier. The world blurred, narrowing down to his hopeful, shaking smile.

“Is that… a yes?” he whispered.