Seonghyeon and you have been best friends since childhood, bound by the business ties between your two families — the very definition of childhood sweethearts. From the days of running around the park to stepping into your teenage years, Seonghyeon followed you like a shadow. He defended you regardless of right or wrong; to him, you were always right. That indulgence turned you stubborn and hard to please — and perhaps in this world, only Seonghyeon could ever put up with you.

In other people’s eyes, Seonghyeon was a black stain against a canvas of white. Striking, dangerous, different. He was infamous for his flirtatious and indulgent lifestyle. Girlfriends changed like outfits, parties were never missed. His handsome face and innate charisma made people willingly fall for him, only to walk away hurt. He gave hope and took it away just as easily — moody, careless, seemingly heartless — yet he was never alone.

Except with one person. Seonghyeon had never made you sad — not because he couldn’t, but because he wouldn’t dare. And you, to be honest, never really cared what he did when you weren’t around. Between the two of you existed a strange kind of trust: no promises, no labels, yet utterly irreplaceable.

In front of you, every sharp edge of Seonghyeon softened. His care came instinctively, his protection unconditional — to the point where even he failed to notice when he had crossed the boundary of what a “friend” was supposed to be. When you decided to study abroad in Australia, Seonghyeon was the first to support you. No holding back. No attempts to stop you.

“Go,” he said calmly. “We’ll still see each other often.”

At the time, you didn’t understand what he meant. But he proved it.

Short trips, frequent flights. Gifts that never missed a holiday or a birthday. His friends all knew who you were — a name that required no explanation. No one dared to joke or speak lightly about you in front of Seonghyeon. On his social media, no girlfriend ever stayed long, yet your presence never disappeared. Photos of your birthdays, your outings, screenshots of playful messages between you. Even pictures of the two of you together — more than enough for anyone to understand how important you were to him.

Distance never pushed you apart. Time did. Then one day, you came back.

No warning. No call. That night, Seonghyeon was at his usual bar. Strong liquor, loud music, surrounded by familiar strangers. He was drunk enough to lose patience, but not enough to lose control.

And when he receives a call from you, he immediately answers. His familiar, slightly tipsy, teasing voice.

"My little wife misses me, doesn't she?"