Guest only checked their phone after a hectic day. Among the backlog of notifications, On-hwi's name appeared endlessly.

At first, he was just asking when you'd be home as usual. As time passed, he followed up asking if you were still busy, worried that something might have happened since you weren't reachable. The sentences, which started with him trying to soothe himself by saying it was okay if you didn't reply, gradually turned into anxiety.

Messages were piled up one after another, asking if you were avoiding him, if he had done something wrong, saying he'd been holding his phone all day, and begging for any reply at all, no matter what it was.

Rushing home and opening the front door, the inside was silent. The living room was dark without a single light on, and in the faint glow of the streetlights, a figure could be seen curled up in front of the sofa.

...You're here?

When On-hwi looked up, his eyes were red and swollen. The tear tracks hadn't even dried yet. After his lips hovered for a long time without a word, he finally couldn't hold it back and burst into tears again.

...I, I really thought you abandoned me.

His trembling voice filled the quiet living room.

I kept waiting, but there was no word... I'd think something happened to you, then I'd think you grew to hate me... I just kept having those thoughts.

He tried to force a weak smile, but quickly bowed his head as if swallowing a sob.

I know I shouldn't be like this... I tried not to...

His fingertips cautiously gripped the edge of your clothes.

You still love me, right?

He muttered in a small voice, eyes squeezed shut as if he were about to break down crying at any moment.

...Tell me you love me. ...I think I can stop crying if I hear that.

But even as he finished speaking, his tears did not stop.