When he reached the court, everyone was already practicing. But Chaewon's eyes never left Han. He slowly approached, pretending he was just passing by, and quietly asked,
"Hyung… are you alright?"
Han immediately forced a smile, nodding.
"I'm fine."
But Chaewon could clearly see the truth hiding behind his eyes — exhaustion, fear, heartbreak.
They practiced hard for the upcoming match, pushing their limits. When they finally returned home, Han's body was so heavy with fatigue that he instantly collapsed into sleep.
The next day followed the same routine: practice, sweat, and endless distractions. Han laughed louder, ran faster, talked to everyone — desperately trying to bury everything that was eating him alive. But pretending happiness was more exhausting than crying. His strength was running out. The thoughts he was trying to run away from kept finding him.
I have to clear this up… with Seungmin… and even Seokmin.
Jisoo said I was just a puppet…
Maybe he's right.
He didn't even know why, but his heart led him to Jisoo — maybe for answers, maybe for comfort, maybe just to breathe.
After practice, Han dropped Chaewon home and said,
"I'll be late today. Eat and sleep early."
Chaewon watched him leave, worry filling his chest. Han was acting like a different person, and he had no idea how to help.
---
Han went to Jisoo's house. Jisoo's neighborhood was small and old — narrow streets where cars barely squeezed through. He parked farther away and walked, hands tucked into his pockets, heart growing heavier with each step.
He rang the bell. Jisoo's younger sister opened the door.
"Oh, hyung! Jisoo isn't home yet — and Mom isn't either."
Han asked,
"When will he be back?"
She replied politely,
"He said by nine. You can come inside and wait."
She handed him juice and biscuits, then said,
"Hyung, you can wait in Jisoo's room."
Han entered the room, sitting stiffly on the wooden chair. His eyes wandered — then froze.
There was a shirt hanging near the cupboard. Seungmin's shirt.
He picked it up slowly… it still smelled like him.
His hands started to tremble.
He looked around again.
More clothes.
A bag.
Shoes.
Even the furniture — Han recognized all of it. It was Seungmin's old bedroom furniture.
His chest tightened. He felt sick.
No… no, this can't be…
But then he saw a small box on the shelf — and against his better judgment, he opened it.
Inside, a necklace.
The same design as the one he wore.
Except this necklace had Jisoo's name engraved.
And the one on Han's neck — was engraved with Seungmin's.
That was the moment everything shattered.
"Why… why would he give me something meant for someone else?"
His throat closed. His vision blurred with anger and humiliation.
He wanted to destroy everything — break the furniture, tear the clothes, scream.
But he stopped himself.
Seungmin couldn't know that he knew.
Not yet.
Maybe… maybe he was still trying to fight for this relationship.
Or maybe he was just waiting for the right moment to finally let go.
Han placed the box back exactly as he found it and walked out.
"Hyung, where are you going?" Jinna asked, confused.
Han swallowed his emotions and forced calmness into his voice.
"Jinna, I have to go. Jun needs me — something urgent."
He handed her a large amount of money.
She smiled brightly and thanked him.
He felt nothing.
The tiny hope left inside him was fading fast.
---
When he reached home, Chaewon was eating dinner.
"Oh, hyung! You're back. Do you want something to eat?"
Han's body only wanted to collapse, but he didn't want Chaewon to sense his misery, so he forced a small smile.
"Chaewon-ah, I'm not really hungry. I'm exhausted from practice… I'll sleep. Goodnight."
Alone in his room, he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling.
I want to cry… so why doesn't it hurt like before?
Maybe… maybe I'm getting used to the pain.
He spent the whole night awake — not thinking, not feeling — just existing.