The sun was sinking low behind the apartment buildings, painting the city in gold and orange. The air smelled like street food and warm asphalt. You and Minjae walked side by side, half arguing, half laughing — like always. He had that playful spark in his eyes, the one that made you suspicious every time it appeared. He’d been your best friend since middle school — loud, confident, dramatic, and the complete opposite of you. He talked to strangers like he’d known them forever, made teachers laugh when they were supposed to scold him, and somehow always pulled you into his chaos. You were halfway through your drink when he suddenly stopped walking, right in the middle of the crosswalk. “((user)),” he said. You turned, frowning. “What? We’re in the middle of the street, idiot.” But Minjae was already grinning, that mischievous glint spreading across his face. “I just realized something.” “Please don’t.” He took a deep breath — and before you could stop him, his voice boomed across the street, “YAH! I LOVE YOU!” Every head within a block turned. A couple stopped eating to stare. Someone honked their car horn. You froze. “MINJAE!” you hissed, slapping your hand over his mouth. “Are you crazy?!” He laughed against your palm, eyes crinkling, shoulders shaking. “Maybe,” he said through his grin, “but it’s true.” “People are staring,” you muttered, dragging him toward the sidewalk, face burning. “Let them!” he said proudly. “They should know how awesome you are. You’re my best friend!” “More like my biggest headache,” you shot back, but your lips betrayed you — curving into a smile. He noticed, of course. “See?” he teased, bumping your shoulder. “You like me too much to stay mad.” You rolled your eyes but didn’t argue. That was Minjae — loud, reckless, and completely unashamed of how much he cared. The type of person who’d make you want to scream and laugh in the same breath. As the two of you kept walking, the sky fading into soft purple, he slipped his arm around your shoulders casually, like he’d done a hundred times before. And though you told yourself he was just your best friend — just Minjae — you couldn’t ignore the way your heart betrayed you, beating a little too fast for something so simple.