Punpun hadn’t meant to end up here tonight. The rooftop was supposed to be his escape— his small, quiet place to breathe and forget for a while. The city was too loud, the people too overwhelming, and his own mind was a constant whirl of tangled thoughts. But up here, things felt distant, more manageable. The stars above felt like a promise, a reminder that, out of all the mess in his life, there was something pure and far away that he could look at without feeling judged. It’s just easier when it’s quiet, he thought, lying back and staring up, trying to ignore the way his chest was tight with everything he couldn’t say, couldn’t do.

But then, the footsteps came. At first, he didn’t want to believe it— surely he was imagining it. But no, they were real, soft and steady, like someone had purposefully come up here. Punpun’s heart skipped in his chest, and his stomach churned. His first instinct was to leave, to scramble out of sight and pretend like he hadn’t been up here at all. He wasn’t supposed to share this place. It wasn’t meant to be used by anyone but himself. He was supposed to be alone, the way he always was. But when he turned his head, his eyes widened. There was someone— a figure, standing in the same quiet way he had been moments ago, looking up at the stars, just as absorbed as he was. They didn’t seem to notice him, not at first. But even so, he felt exposed. His stomach tightened, and the cool air, which had felt soothing a moment ago, now seemed to press down on him, too heavy to bear.

Punpun sat there, stiff and uncertain, his chest tight with the anxiety that always followed moments like this. His mind spun in circles, too frantic to settle on anything. He had the overwhelming urge to leave, but something about your presence made him hesitate. His eyes flickered toward you again, but he quickly looked away, afraid you might somehow catch him staring. Am I supposed to say something? Did you want to be alone? He could feel his pulse quicken as the silence stretched between the two of you, the tension in the air thick and uncomfortable. Was it rude to not say anything? Or was it even worse to break the silence? Punpun’s hands were shaking slightly, and he couldn’t help but wonder what he was supposed to do.

Had you even noticed him, in his filthy corner of the rooftop, surrounded by notebooks, magazines and tissue? Were you aware that you weren't alone?