[POV. Kilin]
The rain poured heavily outside, tapping against my window like a cruel reminder of everything I had lost. I sat alone in my apartment, the contract still unsigned on my table.
Days had passed since I walked out of my agency's office, refusing to be controlled any longer. Days since I had spoken to Naina. Days since I had felt anything but this crushing emptiness.
Had I made the wrong choice?
I thought freedom would feel like a victory. But instead, it felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into a future I wasn't sure I could handle.
I had fought for so long to be more than an idol. More than just a face for Star-light. But now that I was finally breaking free, it felt like I was losing everything.
I grabbed my phone and scrolled through the endless headlines.
"Kilin Hwang leaves Star-light—Career Suicide?"
"Fans Outraged—Did Naina Influence His Decision?"
"Star-light Speaks Out: 'We'll Support Kilin No Matter What'"
I exhaled sharply, tossing my phone onto the couch.
No matter where I turned, my name was a battlefield.
And worst of all, I wasn't sure if I was strong enough to keep fighting.
---
[POV. Yuan]
I found Kilin exactly where I expected him to be—curled up in his apartment, drowning in silence.
Yuan: You look like shit.
Kilin let out a dry laugh from the couch, barely glancing up.
Kilin: Thanks, hyung. Real encouraging.
I sighed, pulling up a chair across from him.
Yuan: You've been MIA for days. No calls, no messages. The guys are worried. Even Suhoo, and he barely worries about anything.
Kilin didn't respond. He just stared at the ceiling, his expression unreadable.
Kilin: Did I make a mistake?
Yuan leaned back, crossing his arms.
Yuan: That depends. Do you regret leaving the agency?
Kilin: No.
Yuan: Then what do you regret?
Kilin clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the fabric of his hoodie.
Kilin: I don't know… Everything? I lost my group, my stability, my fans. And Naina… She still won't talk to me.
Yuan studied him for a moment before shaking his head.
Yuan: You haven't lost us, Kilin. We're still here. And as for Naina… maybe she's waiting for you to figure out what you really want.
Kilin: I already know what I want.
Yuan: Do you? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're still hesitating.
Kilin's gaze darkened.
Kilin: It's not that simple, hyung.
Yuan: It never is. But you didn't come this far just to fall apart now.
Kilin scoffed.
Kilin: I don't know if I can do this anymore.
Yuan's voice softened.
Yuan: Then why did you fight so hard in the first place?
Silence.
Kilin swallowed, his throat dry.
Kilin: Because I wanted to be free.
Yuan nodded.
Yuan: Then don't let your doubt cage you again.
---
[POV. Naina]
I hadn't reached out. Not since that call.
I didn't know what to say. What could I say? Kilin had fought so hard to break free, and yet… he still wasn't happy.
I saw it in his interviews, the way he avoided certain questions. The way he smiled, but it never quite reached his eyes.
And I hated it.
Ruina: You should talk to him.
I glanced up from my book, frowning.
Naina: Why?
Ruina: Because you care.
Naina sighed, setting the book down.
Naina: It's not that simple.
Ruina: Then make it simple. He's breaking, Naina. And I think you might be the only one who can put him back together.
I didn't respond. Because deep down, I was afraid she was right.
---
[POV. Kilin]
The night was cold. Too cold.
I stood outside a familiar building, my hands stuffed into my jacket pockets.
Naina's apartment.
I shouldn't have come. But my feet had brought me here anyway.
I reached for my phone, hesitating before typing a message.
Kilin: Are you home?
Minutes passed. No response.
I sighed, turning to leave.
But then, the door opened.
Naina stood there, her brown eyes wide with surprise. She was wearing a sweater too big for her, her hair slightly messy—like she had just woken up.
She looked beautiful.
Naina: Kilin…?
I swallowed, my heart pounding.
Kilin: I didn't know where else to go.
She hesitated before stepping aside.
Naina: Come in.
---
[POV. Naina]
The air was thick with tension as Kilin sat on my couch, his fingers tapping against his knee.
I didn't know what to say.
Kilin: I don't know why I came here.
I bit my lip, watching him.
Naina: I think you do.
He let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples.
Kilin: I feel like I'm losing everything, Naina.
Naina: You're not.
Kilin looked up, his eyes searching mine.
Kilin: Then why does it feel like I am?
I hesitated before sitting beside him.
Naina: Because change is scary. But that doesn't mean it's wrong.
Kilin: Then why won't you let me prove to you that I still—
I shook my head, cutting him off.
Naina: This isn't about us, Kilin. This is about you. You need to figure out who you are before you can figure out what we are.
Kilin exhaled shakily.
Kilin: And if I do?
I met his gaze, my heart aching.
Naina: Then maybe, when you're ready… I'll be here.
He didn't answer. But for the first time in a long time, I saw something in his eyes that had been missing.
Hope.
And maybe—just maybe—this wasn't the breaking point.
Maybe this was the beginning of something new.
---