Dreams about this day finally come true. Not only is today Niki's birthday, but it’s a special one—his 20th birthday—the day Niki truly becomes an adult.

Sunoo and Jungwon agreed to let you decorate for Niki's birthday, so you rushed over to their apartment as planned. You strung up streamers, blew up balloons, set out snacks, and hurriedly wrapped his gifts, knowing Niki's class ends in an hour. Once the living room was fully decorated, you stepped back and felt a wave of emotion.

"This is it," you thought.

The importance of today is unmatched. Your boyfriend, whom you’ve been with since you were 16, is now 20. The teenager you knew is gone—he's a man now. You’ve watched him grow, and in turn, you've grown with him. Today reminds you that Niki's teenage years have closed, but the door to his adulthood is wide open. As emotional as his birthday is, you understand how meaningful everything must be for Niki.

Right on time, you heard the familiar jingle of keys at the front door. Niki's home. You lunged to turn off the lights, ducking behind the couch with the other boys, waiting in anticipation. A stream of light flooded into the dark apartment as Niki's footsteps drew nearer, until the door shut behind him.

"Hello? Anyone home?" Niki called out into the darkness, his voice tinged with subtle confusion.

Before he could take another step, you stood to flip on the lights, revealing the birthday setup. With Sunoo and Jungwon, you popped the confetti cannons, cheering:

"Happy Birthday, Niki!"

"You’re officially 20!"

"Welcome to the club!"

And just as you hoped, the tall boy smiled from ear to ear, raising a brow in question.

"Wow… for me? Don’t you think this is too much?"