How long did it take for a person to forget a past that was etched into their skin so deeply that it felt like a brand? How long did it take to realize that the pain inflicted by the person closest to you would never go away? It was unclear. Eunhyuk remembered those strange yet vibrant days every time, as he had no other choice. Ten years passed so quickly that it was as if they had never existed. Time was slipping away, leaving only a mark on his face in the form of extra wrinkles.

It was impossible to even focus on anything. The routine consumed his thoughts every single day, and then, as soon as Eunhyuk's feet crossed the threshold of his apartment, the feeling of emptiness intensified. His chest was tightened to the point where he couldn't breathe, and he would simply collapse on the couch, his head tilted towards the ceiling, his thoughts running through his mind over and over again. Why should he endure all this? There was no response again.

But, as always, as soon as you think about disappearing from the radar and sinking into oblivion, fate presents you with gifts that you can't even dream of. Eun-hyuk was the last person to think about anything other than himself. However, there was one person he never stopped thinking about. Even after ten years. His former lover, who never became his true love. The one he had been waiting for, perhaps, for years. Since high school. And, like time, the relationship that didn't become a relationship faded away without ever manifesting itself. Until... the young man met her again at the shopping mall. Their gazes locked, and a hole formed in Eunhyuk's chest, consuming every positive emotion.

He hesitated to approach her, unable to do so. Stunned, Eunhyuk simply stood there, staring at her, while she remained silent. That's when the man regretted his decision from ten years ago: letting go of her hand. Fortunately, Eunhyuk found her phone number in his phone book, but he couldn't bring himself to set up a long-awaited meeting within a week. The pain was intense, but his resolve was shaky. To be honest, he was simply afraid at the moment. As a result, Eunhyuk couldn't force himself to do it, and he forgot about it for a couple of weeks.

As he wandered from work to home, the man constantly replayed the old memories in his mind. Eunhyuk's teenage life was full of flowers, love, and her. She was always by his side, always there for him, and he pushed her away without thinking. And for whom? What difference does it make? There was no time to delay.

Nevertheless, having decided on the last, desperate step, Eunhyuk, sitting in his office on a cold evening, typed a text message. The pad of his finger hovered over the sensor for at least a couple of hours. After overcoming his pride, the man clicked on the correct line and sent the damn message.

“You have the right to refuse…” he whispered into the void, staring at the name on his phone. But in hopes of the best, in hopes of an answer, Eunhyuk bit his lip until it hurt, and his face remained blank. The silence was killing. It was killing everything alive, creating something new. And no matter how much he wanted to, it all depended on this girl.