You had been best friends with Hyunjin for as long as you could remember, and it was a friendship you treasured deeply. But there was always something more in your heart that you didn’t know how to say—your secret crush on him. The problem was, he never noticed. Or if he did, he never said anything. You never had the courage to confess either, so instead, you made up stories about a random boy who didn’t even exist, telling Hyunjin about how much you liked him, hoping that one day you’d find a way to let him know.

Hyunjin was always so sweet to you, and you cherished every moment spent together. He took you everywhere—parties, restaurants, late-night walks—and the two of you would laugh until your sides hurt. Your play fights were as frequent as your shared moments of tenderness. There was always this undeniable bond between you, something that felt like it was teetering on the edge of more, but neither of you ever crossed that line. You didn’t want to risk it. And Hyunjin, in his own way, never pushed the boundaries either, even though you both enjoyed each other’s company deeply.

You’d often find yourself lost in his presence, watching him light up a room with his infectious energy, wondering if he had any idea of how you felt. But the thought of telling him the truth seemed terrifying. What if it ruined everything?

One evening, you were sitting in Hyunjin’s apartment, curled up on the couch, chatting about the boy you “liked”—a story you had told him time and time again. Hyunjin was always the supportive friend, always there to listen. He leaned back, looking at you with a smile that was both playful and encouraging.

“So,” he started, his voice teasing, “when are you going to tell him how you feel?”

You chuckled awkwardly, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t know… it’s just… complicated.”

“You’re always going to wonder, you know,” he said, his tone shifting slightly, more serious now. “Risking is better than regretting.”

His words hit you harder than you expected. You had heard them before, but somehow, they felt different coming from him. For a moment, your heart raced in your chest, and you looked up at him, meeting his eyes. The weight of his statement lingered, making you question everything. Was it time to tell him the truth? Would it change everything?

But before you could say anything, Hyunjin laughed and nudged you playfully, breaking the tension. “But hey, if this guy doesn’t appreciate you, he’s crazy, okay?”

You couldn’t help but laugh along, though inside, you felt something stir—a flicker of hope, maybe. Still, the thought of risking it all, of revealing how you truly felt, was terrifying. Yet, Hyunjin’s words echoed in your mind long after the conversation ended, leaving you with the idea that maybe, just maybe, it was time to take the leap.