Kind's Pov
The bottle tipped. Pink milk splattered across Win's crisp white shirt, the liquid dripping down his torso like melting candle wax.
"Hey!" Win jolted back, his chair screeching against the floor as he shot to his feet.
Kind froze, his fingers still curled around the bottle. "I—" His voice caught in his throat. "I didn't mean to." He scrambled to his feet, grabbed a tissue, and dabbed at the spreading stain.
The milk bled deeper into the fabric, darkening, sinking in like it belonged there.
Win's fingers wrapped around Kind's wrist, firm but not forceful. "Kind, stop it," he muttered, tugging his arm away. "You're making it worse."
Kind swallowed, staring at the mess.
With a sharp inhale, Win peeled his shirt off and tossed it into Kind's arms. "Wash it. Bring it back tomorrow." His voice carried the weight of an order, but his eyes flickered with something softer.
Kind's throat tightened. "Okay, sir."
Win's jaw clenched. "Hey, don't call me that."
Kind blinked up at him. "But you—"
"You broke a friendship rule," Win interrupted. His lips curved slightly, but his gaze held steady. "And now you have to pay for it."
Kind frowned. "Friendship rule?"
Win crossed his arms. "No 'sorrys' or 'thank yous' between friends. You said sorry. So now you have to wash the shirt right now."
Kind exhaled, shaking his head as Win turned toward the door. His footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Kind had no choice but to follow.
CHAPTER: NIGHTFALL
The sky burned red at the edges, the last streaks of sunlight swallowed by the creeping night.
Kind and Win strolled through the nearly empty school corridors, their footsteps light against the tiled floors.
"Hhhha," Win yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Sleepy?" Kind asked, watching the way Win's lids drooped, his movements sluggish.
"Umm." Without warning, Win let his head fall onto Kind's shoulder. His weight was warm, solid.
Kind stiffened. "Hey, get up—you're heavy."
Win sighed dramatically. "Okayyyy."
Seconds passed. Win's hand dipped into his pocket, pulling out his phone. The screen lit up, painting his face in cool blue light.
Then—
"Oh, sh*t." His posture snapped upright.
Kind barely had time to react before Win took off.
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you later." The words were thrown over his shoulder, then—gone. Just like that, Win disappeared down the street.
Kind exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
[So I'm alone now.]
"Need someone to walk with you?"
The voice came from behind. Smooth. Unrushed.
Kind turned. Jun stood there, hands stuffed into his pockets, his expression unreadable.
"Umm," Kind said, shifting slightly.
Jun tilted his head. "You're Kind, right?"
Kind nodded.
Jun let out a short chuckle. "And I am—"
"Jun," Kind interrupted.
Jun's eyebrows lifted. "How do you know my name?"
Kind shrugged. "My friend told me." A pause. "Also, thanks for helping this morning."
Jun waved it off. "Please don't mention it."
They fell into step together, their pace slow. The quiet between them wasn't heavy, wasn't awkward. It just was.
Kind's eyes flicked to Jun's wrist. A sleek silver watch caught the streetlight, its surface gleaming.
"Nice watch," he murmured.
Jun glanced at it, then smiled. "My mom gave it to me for my birthday."
The word struck something inside Kind. Birthday.
His steps faltered. His fingers curled slightly, his nails pressing into his palm.
Jun noticed immediately. "Kind?"
Kind's breath hitched.
Jun placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "What happened?" His voice was softer now, patient.
Kind forced a small smile. "Nothing. Just… my birthday is coming up."
Jun's face brightened. "Really? When?"
"January 2nd."
Jun let out a low whistle. "Right after New Year's. That's soon."
Kind only nodded. The conversation felt lighter than the thoughts swirling in his head.
They reached the school gates faster than Kind realized.
Jun grinned. "Okay then, see you tomorrow."
Kind hesitated for a beat before lifting his hand in a small wave. "Bye."
Jun turned, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. But as he walked away, his shoulders tensed, and he ducked his head slightly—like he was hiding something.
Kind turned in the opposite direction, letting the night swallow him whole.
[He isn't as bad as Win says he is.]
CHAPTER: HOME
The house was silent when Kind stepped inside.
Not the peaceful kind of silence—the hollow kind.
He placed his bag down with deliberate slowness, listening for any sign of movement. Nothing.
The kitchen light hummed softly. A sticky note clung to the fridge door, slightly curled at the edges.
He peeled it off.
"Dear,We, including your sister, are going to a party.Food is on the table. Warm it up and go to bed after 9 o'clock."
The paper crinkled slightly in his grip.
[Here we go again.]
The fridge door shut with a dull thud as Kind grabbed a bottle of water. His dinner sat untouched on the table, neat and prepared—like a meal meant for someone else.
The rice was warm against his fingers, but as he took the first bite, it tasted like nothing.
Kind stared at the screen in front of him, his reflection dimly visible in the black TV.
His chest tightened.
It wasn't the food. It wasn't the silence.
It was the feeling. The knowing. The ache of being left behind.
The loneliness settled in like an old companion.
A lump formed in his throat. His fingers gripped the spoon, then loosened. He pushed the plate away.
His feet carried him upstairs before he could think too much.
His fingers found Hope on the shelf before he could feel too much.
And like always, the book swallowed him whole.
For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist.
When he finally looked up, his chin resting against the hardcover, the silence had grown deeper.
His gaze drifted to his desk.
A small pouch lay in the corner, barely noticeable.
Something pulled at his chest.
He reached for it, his fingers brushing against the fabric before he picked it up.
The zipper slid open.
Inside, a single SIM card.
And a letter.
His breath caught.
The silence around him stretched thin.
And then—everything changed.