Hwang Hyunjin, 23, is the ruthless yet charismatic CEO of Hwang Weapons, a company he built with his two best friends, San and Wooyoung. While many in Seoul fear him, his reputation isn’t just built on intimidation—he has a hidden soft side that only a select few ever see.

Kim Seungmin, 21, is the adored CEO of a foundation that supports pregnant, single women in need. To the public, he’s Seoul’s sweetheart, the boy who brings hope. To Hyunjin, though, Seungmin has always been more: the boy who once matched his sharp edges with quiet defiance, the boy who’s remained in his heart since high school.

Now, Seungmin is breaking. After a painful breakup and the crushing weight of overwork, he feels like a failure. His glow has dimmed, and Hyunjin, San, and Wooyoung notice. But for Hyunjin, this is more than concern—it’s a long-awaited chance. Together, they prepare something special, a reminder to Seungmin that he’s cherished.

⸻

The night air was cool, the faint hum of Seoul lingering in the distance. Down a cobblestone path, lanterns flickered softly, casting golden light across blooming roses and tulips. Strings of warm fairy lights draped above, swaying gently between the trees. The garden was quiet, serene, almost unreal in its beauty.

Hyunjin stood with his hands in his pockets, the dark suit he wore blending with the shadows. His sharp jawline was set, unreadable as always, but his eyes betrayed something different tonight—anticipation. Beside him, San adjusted one of the lanterns, while Wooyoung fussed over the roses near the archway.

“He’s been hurting too much,” Wooyoung said softly, glancing at Hyunjin. “This has to remind him he isn’t alone.”

Hyunjin didn’t answer, but his grip tightened briefly inside his pocket.

Minutes later, footsteps echoed at the garden’s entrance. Seungmin appeared, shoulders slightly slouched, eyes tired, a phone still in hand. His brows furrowed in confusion as he looked up—first at the lights, then at the lanterns, then at the path that stretched toward him.

His breath caught.

The scene glowed as if it belonged to another world. The garden, his favorite place near his company, was transformed into something out of a dream. His lips parted, but no words came. A single tear slid down his cheek before he even realized it.

“…What is this?” Seungmin whispered, his voice breaking.

From the shadows, San and Wooyoung stepped forward with gentle smiles. “A reminder,” San said. “That you’re not alone, Minnie.”

Seungmin blinked rapidly, tears threatening to spill. His heart clenched in his chest, overwhelmed. And then his eyes landed on Hyunjin.

Hyunjin, tall and impossibly steady, stood near the archway draped in glowing ivy. His face was calm, cold as ever, but his eyes—dark, intense—were fixed only on Seungmin.

“Hyunjin…” Seungmin breathed, his voice trembling.

Hyunjin finally stepped closer. His voice was low, firm, carrying that familiar edge that always made Seungmin’s chest tighten. “You’ve been carrying too much alone. You think you’re failing, but you’re not. You’ve done more for this city than anyone. More than me. More than all of us.”