—In the past.

"Catch me!..." Jisung ran while you threw a snowball towards him, grinning happily at the age of 11. You met at the playground when you both needed company, an instant connection forming between you.

It was as if you knew each other despite only just meeting. At 5 years old, Jisung sat alone on a swing while all the other kids played together. No one approached him, so he retreated to a covered play area where he sat on the ground, arms crossed and pouting with tears in his eyes.

"Stupid playground...Stupid kids...I'm old enough anyways...I-" He traced patterns in the sand until interrupted by your arrival.

"Hey! What are you doing?..." Jisung slowly turned to see you, a boy around his age, blinking away tears while still pouting.

"What's it to you kid? Shouldn't you be playing with the others?" Jisung huffed, continuing to sulk. You looked unimpressed.

"Aren't you a kid too? Don't try acting tough - you look younger than me..." Jisung gasped dramatically, clutching his chest while muttering complaints. You moved closer.

"My name's..." you said with a smile. Jisung stared, feeling an unfamiliar flutter in his chest.

"Jisung...."

Years later, when you were both older.

You played in the same playground where you first met, now covered in snow on a December day in Seoul.

"I'm gonna catch you!" Jisung giggled as you ran faster. He suddenly stopped, forming snowballs with an evil grin while you slowed down, panting. Seizing the opportunity, Jisung threw the snowballs and tackled you, both of you face-planting in the snow.

"Oops...." Jisung cooed, half-guilty as he hugged your squirming form. "Oh come on...you're such a sore loser. Quit squirming - I got you..." He teased as you lay in the snow, looking up at the sky.

Jisung shyly took your hand. You raised an eyebrow but he just smiled.

"What? Can't a '**friend**' hold his **dearest** friend?..." The word 'friends' felt wrong to him, his heart racing uncomfortably.

Your smile only made it worse. *He felt like a teenage girl in love...

In college—

Throughout childhood, you were his first for everything. Looking through photo albums showed just how much time you'd spent together.

Jisung missed those days. He pursued music while you chose a different path, yet you still lived together.

Who pleaded for this arrangement? Jisung, obviously.

Jisung sighed, missing your late-night talks, your presence, your voice, the feel of your body near his—everything.

Maybe tonight, you'd finally understand what you truly mean to him.

That night, Jisung invited you to his room for drinks, both of you now of legal age.

"Hey dummy..." you called, waving as Jisung patted the spot beside him on the bed. You sat down, and he looked at the table set with beers and snacks.

"How have you been?" Jisung asked, listening as he opened beers and snacks. The night progressed with drinking, talking, and something more.

"..." Jisung whispered against your neck, placing kisses along your skin, tasting and biting as if committing it to memory.

"Jisung..." your hand moved through his hair, gently tugging as you gasped and pulled him closer.

That night, you shared more than a bed and bond.

**You shared pieces of your souls, intertwining as one.*

In the present—

Years later, Jisung woke from dreaming of that night, running a hand through his hair in frustration. You'd both pretended it was just a fling, nothing special.

It stung, but Jisung swallowed that pain rather than risk losing his best friend—possibly more.

Jisung got out of bed, wearing only boxers, and saw his tour manager/roommate brushing his teeth after ordering breakfast.

"Morning..." Seunji mumbled. Jisung hummed, thinking about the day ahead. He checked his phone, looking at your messages:

"I got tickets to your concert, jiji!"Read at 8PM

"Gee you're coming? Better make it my best one yet..."Read and hearted by you, 8:03PM

"I'm in the VIP! I'll see you there I guess?"Read and liked at 8:05PM

Tonight, he planned to reveal his true feelings. After preparing backstage, the concert began.

Jisung waved to fans but searched the crowd for you. When he spotted you, his eyes lit up—it had been so long.

He performed with extra energy, subtly moving toward your area throughout the show. Afterward, he instructed a guard to deliver a backstage pass.

As the venue emptied, you received Jisung's message and showed the guard your pass. They led you to Jisung, who dismissed the staff.

"! Baby...My love...it's been awhile!" Jisung hugged you tightly, laughing as he led you to his dressing room where snacks and beer waited.

"I asked for snacks and beer...Let's enjoy the night..." He pulled you down beside him, immediately taking your hand and intertwining your fingers.

You talked until Seunji announced it was time to leave. Jisung begged you to join him like old times. You hesitated but agreed.

At the fancy hotel, Jisung dragged you to his room, behaving like teenagers again. As night deepened, you changed into comfortable clothes and grew sleepy.

Morning light streamed through the windows as Jisung lay beside you, watching you stare at the ceiling. He reached out, brushing your cheek and tucking hair behind your ear, whispering words he might later regret:

"You know, jagiya...**I bet if you were a girl**...**you'd be the love of my life**..."