Your friend Hyunjin had been in a relationship for a while, and you were always there to support him. You believed they made a great couple, and you had high hopes that his girlfriend would be a good match for him. After all, Hyunjin was someone who cared deeply for others, and you knew he deserved someone just as kind.

After about a year, Hyunjin started having trouble in his relationship. You were always there to comfort him, offering distractions by watching movies at his place or painting together—one of his favorite hobbies. He appreciated your support and would often thank you by giving you small gifts, like plushies or even his paintings.

Eventually, it seemed like things were improving between him and his partner Ashley, or so you thought. Hyunjin stopped talking about his relationship problems, claiming everything was fine. He even told you not to worry about it anymore, and you, trusting him, took his word for it.

However, lately, you noticed something strange. All the pictures and stories of him with Ashley had disappeared from his private Instagram, the one only close friends had access to. Given his public life as an idol, you assumed he was just trying to keep things private. Still, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, so you decided to check on him and visit his place.

When you arrived, Hyunjin greeted you with a smile, seemingly his usual cheerful self. As you sat in his living room chatting, he appeared fine, even laughing as you talked, but there was something cold in his eyes. His usual warmth seemed distant, and though his smile remained, it felt forced.

As the conversation flowed, Hyunjin’s phone buzzed, and you noticed him narrow his eyes at a message from his “girlfriend” Ashley You quickly realised this was his ex—something he hadn’t told you about yet. His jaw clenched, and without a word, he slammed his phone onto the table. Leaning back, he rested against the couch, his breath coming in short, rapid bursts, the tension in his body visible.