There comes a time when one stops chasing the light—and accidentally finds a heart that makes one want to stay.

Autumn leaves fell slowly along the sidewalk, swirling before finally touching the ground like a secret never to be spoken.The air felt cooler than usual, carrying the scent of wet earth and roasted coffee from the small cafe on the corner.

No one knew that meeting that day would change the course of the lives of two people who were both used to hiding their hearts.

---

I rarely walk alone without a hat and mask. But that morning was different. A practice schedule with the Seventeen members had just been canceled because one of the thirteen members had the flu.For the first time in weeks, I—the leader who should always seem strong and organized—had some unscheduled free time.

Fall has always been my favorite season. There's something about the deep orange and red hues that makes the world seem slower.

I stopped in front of a small bookstore I'd almost never seen before. Its glass windows were filled with displays of novels with warm brown and gold covers. My hand reflexively opened the door.

A small bell jingled softly.

And that's when I saw you.

A woman stood by a shelf of literature, your hair loose and your long cream coat on. Beside you, a small girl clutched a picture book with sparkling eyes. You laughed softly—not the fake laugh I often hear on variety shows—but an honest, warm, and slightly tired laugh.

I don't know why I keep staring at you.

Maybe it's because you look different from the people I usually surround myself with. No admiring glances, no whispers, no stealthy phone calls.

Just serenity.

And as the little girl jogged along, she accidentally bumped into me, dropping the book in my hand to the wooden floor.

“Ah! Sorry, Uncle!” she said, panicked.

Uncle?

I almost laughed.

You immediately approached, bending down to pick up the book that had fallen along with me. Our fingers touched briefly.

Warm.

Soft.

And too real to ignore.

That split second should have been normal. I touch people often—shakes, high-touches, fan signings. But this was different. No cheers. No cameras. No artificial distance.

“Forgive my daughter,” you said softly. “She was too excited.”

Daughter.

so you're married

For some reason, something in my chest felt strange as I realized this. And for some reason, before I could answer, my eyes moved first.

To your hand.

A small movement. Almost unconscious.

But quite obvious.

Your fingers are slender, but...no rings.

Empty.

My chest warmed with something illogical. Something that shouldn't have grown from just one glance.

There is no ring there. Does that mean—

I looked up, afraid of being caught staring too long. And when our eyes met, I realized—you saw everything.

There's no accusatory tone on your face. No overly awkwardness.

Just a calm stare that made me feel like a teenager who had just been caught keeping a little secret.

“I’m fine,” I finally said, my voice lower than usual.

More honest.

I'm still holding the same book as you. We're too close.We're too close. The faint scent of paper and your soft perfume mixes with the autumn air coming through the door.

I'm used to looking at thousands of people at once from the stage. But standing this close to just one person felt much more nerve-wracking.

There was no ring.

And for reasons I didn't want to admit, that small fact felt like the beginning of something.

Outside, the leaves continued to fall.

Inside, for the first time in a long time, I don't want to be a leader. I don't want to be someone who has to look certain.

I just want to stand in front of you a little longer.