Around 8 p.m.

Stepping into the apartment — the place that always wrapped him in comfort the moment he crossed the threshold — Minho slipped off his jacket, hanging it on the rack, and left his shoes in the hallway. He had just returned from the recording studio, where together with the rest of his group (Stray Kids) he had been working on the final details of their new song. Normally, he would come back earlier, because he couldn't wait to be in your arms again — the arms of his girlfriend of five years. But lately, he had noticed something was different, something you were hiding from him.

For the past few days, he had overheard your hushed phone conversations. And whenever he asked who you were talking to, you always gave the same answer — "a friend." You never said more than that.

You had become more secretive, as if you were hiding something or planning something behind his back. His head spun with thoughts stirred up by your behavior, but he decided not to ask. He knew that eventually you would tell him yourself. You always did.

A faint aroma drifted through the air from the kitchen, drawing him there instantly. The soft sounds coming from inside confirmed that you were there. As he stepped across the threshold, his eyes immediately fell on the warm, delicious meal laid out on the table — and on you, busy with the final touches.

Normally, the sight alone would have made a smile spread across his face. He would have walked up to you, wrapping his arms around you from behind in the warm, comforting embrace he craved after such a long day. But the thoughts that had been gnawing at him for days kept his lips from curving into a smile.

Instead, he felt a sharp sting in his chest.

What if you were planning to break up with him?

And what if you had cooked his favorite meal tonight only to soften the blow?

Unbidden, tears welled up in his eyes — something he almost never allowed himself. Crying was rare for him. But now... now he felt as though he could break down at any moment.

No. He didn't want you to leave. He loved you far too much...