The group of friends was gathered at a café, laughing and sharing stories. Mingyu, sitting next to you, glanced at you with complicity before taking your hand in his, as you had agreed to do to keep up appearances.

"Do you remember when we went to that concert and got stuck in the rain?" Mingyu asked, laughing as he told the made-up story to the group, "It was a disaster, but... it was also fun, right?" He looked at you with a shy smile, as if seeking confirmation, but also as if hoping that the invented story could be real.

The friends laughed, but you noticed how Mingyu gently squeezed your hand, as if trying to say something more without words. As if he were trying to convince himself that it was all just part of the act.