By the time Leo wrapped up his schedule for the day, it was nearly two in the morning. Exhausted, he got into his private car, ready to head home for some much-needed rest. The past two weeks had been a relentless cycle of work, leaving his body completely drained.
The car cruised down the empty streets. Leo leaned his head against the window, hoping to catch a short nap, but sleep refused to come. Instead, he found himself staring at the streetlights, their soft yellow glow offering a strange sense of warmth. Yet, despite that, the emptiness inside him only grew deeper.
Ever since he heard her gentle words that day, he had developed a habit of gazing at streetlights after finishing work. It was as if her smile was reflected in their glow, and every time he saw them, the loneliness in his heart eased just a little.
He had rewatched her episode so many times that he had nearly memorized every frame. The sweater that once carried her warmth had long since turned cold, yet he couldn't bring himself to wash it. Every little detail about that girl—her radiant smile, her presence—stirred something in him, a feeling just as intense as when he first started chasing his dreams.
Letting out a sigh, Leo stared blankly out the window, lost in thought. Suddenly, a familiar alleyway came into view, and he froze.
By the time he snapped out of it, the car had already driven far past it. His heart pounded as he called out urgently to his manager.
"Stop the car!"
Caught off guard, Jong Suk slammed on the brakes and turned to Leo with wide eyes. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"You go home and rest first. I'll find my way back."
Without waiting for a response, Leo hastily grabbed his belongings and jumped out of the car, leaving Jong Suk sitting there, stunned.
"How are you even going to get home? Where the hell are you planning to go at this hour?"
But the car door had already shut with a decisive thud, cutting off his manager's protests. Jong Suk could only sigh in frustration before reluctantly driving away.
Leo, on the other hand, started walking back toward the apartment complex where Ahn Hae lived. He wasn't sure what he was hoping for—maybe a chance encounter if she was still out. But even if that didn't happen, just standing outside her building felt like enough to lessen the loneliness eating away at him.
Looking up at the towering structure, most of the windows were dark, their occupants already fast asleep. Only one window remained lit.
Was that… hers?
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. He felt like a complete stalker.
Still, for some reason, the mere thought of being near her filled him with an unexpected energy—like he had just downed a strong cup of coffee, jolting his body and mind awake.
He stood there for so long that his legs started going numb. Realizing he had no reason to stay any longer, Leo took a deep breath and turned to leave, silently scolding himself.
This is the last time. This is just a fan-and-idol relationship. That fleeting moment from before… it's over.
But then—
"Leo!"
A familiar voice cut through the stillness of the night, piercing straight into his heart and shattering his resolve.
At that moment, Leo knew.
That girl… she would shake up his entire life. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.
As he turned around, his expression was filled with guilt—like a child caught sneaking out past curfew. He hurriedly searched for an excuse, trying to justify his presence there. But before he could even open his mouth, Ahn Hae suddenly dropped to the ground, curling into herself, her frail shoulders trembling.
Leo froze.
She was crying.
She didn't even know if it was out of fear or relief. All she knew was that the moment she recognized him, the tears wouldn't stop.
Leo panicked, unsure of what to do. He awkwardly fumbled with his hands before hesitantly stepping closer to her.
The air was freezing, each breath forming wisps of white mist. His fingers were so cold they felt numb. But as he watched the fragile girl shivering in front of him, he forgot all about the cold.
Without hesitation, he slipped off his coat and draped it over her small frame.
Something about this scene felt strangely familiar, and before he knew it, a faint smile tugged at his lips. Sitting down across from her, he reached out and gently patted her damp hair.
Time passed in silence.
Only when Leo was nearly frozen to the bone did Ahn Hae finally stop sobbing. Still, she refused to lift her head.
"I'm sorry, Ahn Hae," Leo's voice was hoarse from the cold.
She shook her head fiercely, still burying her face in her arms. "Why are you apologizing?"
"For scaring you by showing up like this."
"Damn right, I was scared to death!"
Her blunt response made Leo wince.
"I was just… taking a walk. I happened to pass by and remembered this was where you lived, so I stopped for a bit… just wondering which floor you were on."
The first half was a lie. The second half was the truth.
"I was afraid I was seeing things. If it wasn't you but some creep instead, I'd be dead by now."
"I'm really sorry. Please, look at me. Are you that mad at me?" Leo exhaled another cloud of misty breath.
The small figure still refused to budge, shaking her head stubbornly.
"I look awful right now."
Leo let out a soft chuckle.
"But, Ahn Hae…"
"Hm?"
"…I'm freezing."
"…."
* * *