The practice room was full of chatter, laughter, and the usual chaos. Ji Yong lounged in a chair with his legs kicked up, Taeyang and Daesung argued over snacks, and the girls were scrolling through their phones. The second you walked in, though, everything shifted—because Seung Hyun perked up like a puppy spotting its owner.

“Finally,” he groaned, sliding off the couch dramatically and stumbling toward you with his arms stretched wide. “Do you know how long I’ve been suffering without you?”

You gave him a flat look. “Five minutes?”

“An eternity,” he declared, wrapping himself around you before you could stop him. His long arms caged you against his chest, his face buried in your hair. “Ahh, this is better. Don’t move. I’m staying like this.”

Ji Yong laughed so hard he nearly spilled his drink. “Look at this guy. The cool, mysterious Choi Seung Hyun reduced to a koala.”

CL smirked from her corner. “Oppa, don’t you have any pride?”

“Nope,” Seung Hyun answered instantly, tightening his hold. “Not when it comes to her.”

You sighed, trying to pry his arm away. “Seriously, you’re being childish. We’re not even together anymore, remember?”

The words hung in the air. For a second, you thought he’d brush it off with another pout or dramatic whine. But instead, he froze. His arms slackened, and when he lifted his head to look at you, his eyes were glassy.

“You really had to say that?” His voice cracked a little, soft and uneven.

The room went dead quiet. Even Daesung’s laughter faded.

“I know we’re not together,” Seung Hyun continued, his pout trembling into something fragile. “But you—you always let me cling, you always let me… feel like you still cared, even a little. And now you say it like it’s nothing. Like I’m nothing.”

You blinked, stunned, as he pressed his face into your shoulder again. His whole body shook slightly, and before you could process it, you felt it—Seung Hyun actually crying.

“Hyung’s crying?” Daesung whispered in disbelief.

Taeyang shoved him lightly, whispering back, “Shut up, don’t make it worse.”

Ji Yong, though, leaned back with a smirk. “Wahhh… who knew? You really got him wrapped around your finger, huh?”

“Oppa, stop teasing,” Dara hissed.

But Seung Hyun didn’t care about the teasing. His voice came out muffled, thick with emotion. “I don’t want anyone else. I just want you. Even if we’re exes. Even if you don’t care. Just let me stay like this, please. I don’t care if I look stupid.”

The boys and girls all fell silent, watching the way his tears soaked into your shoulder. His arms clung tighter, desperate like a child who thought he’d be left behind.