After the press conference, Han went to take Chaewon back home.
He was happy, slowly walking while softly singing his favorite song, Winter Bloom by Nexon.
When he reached backstage, he saw Chaewon laughing with his members, joking around just like Han had always seen them do on screen.
He stood there, watching from afar, mesmerized by the scene. A smile appeared on his face—until a realization struck him hard.
That was the moment he realized: Chaewon didn't need him anymore. His smile slowly faded.
The feeling of being needed had filled the empty space in Han's heart.
Seungmin had never truly depended on him. Sometimes Han felt Seungmin didn't really need him at all—Seungmin was someone you could rely on, not someone who leaned on others.
Even with his dad, it was always about work, about being used, never about being truly needed.
Chaewon had given him that feeling. And now, it was slowly slipping away again.
Han sighed, took a deep breath, and sent Chaewon a text.
But Chaewon never took the phone out of his pocket.
That small action broke Han down.
He left him there and went home.
Lying on his bed, a text finally came:
Han, I'm staying here and will come home tomorrow. Don't forget to eat. The food is in the fridge—take it out and heat it.
Han stared at the phone, then thought, Will he ever come back home?
He didn't reply. Instead, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.
When he woke up, he went to the mirror. The reflection—and the clock behind him—killed him inside.
It was 11:17 a.m.
He quickly changed his clothes, brushed his teeth, and left the room, only to see the house was empty—just like his heart.
At the university, he ran into class. Jiwoo was already there.
"May I come in, ma'am?" Han asked politely.
Jiwoo replied coldly, "No. You may leave, sir."
But Han stepped in and apologized. "I'm sorry, please let me take the class. My attendance is already very low."
Jiwoo looked at him with a dark glare.
"You should change your habits, Joon jihan. Only for today, I'll let you take the class—just this time. From tomorrow, this behavior won't be allowed. It's been one month and you're still the same. You're a disappointment. Go sit in your seat."
Han stood there quietly, taking her words in. They broke him down, but he didn't argue.
He sat down, eyes filled with tears. Still, he refused to cry. He rubbed his eyes, took deep breaths, and held it in.
When the class ended, everyone left, except Jiwoo who remained.