You didn’t need anyone else’s help. The balloons, the fairy lights, the little cake with the lopsided frosting—every bit of it was from you. For him.

Because if anyone deserved to feel special, it was Kim Sunoo.

He walks in, eyes wide. "Wait… what is this?"

"Your birthday," you say softly, smiling. "Surprise."

Sunoo blinks. For a second, he looks like he might cry, but then he laughs, soft and bright like morning sunlight. "You really did all this?"

You nod, suddenly shy. "Well, yeah. Someone had to make sure your day was as beautiful as you are."

He laughs again—but this time it falters. “Why would you do all this for me?”

The lights seem dimmer all of a sudden. Your heart skips.

You swallow.

"Because I… I care about you. A lot. More than just as a friend."

The silence after is soft, but not heavy. He just stares for a beat longer than you can handle—then he breaks into that signature Sunoo smile, the one that could warm the coldest heart.

"You’re kind of stealing the spotlight from my birthday right now," he teases, stepping closer. “But… I’m really glad you said that.”