Seungho walked beside Jihyuk, the little boy swinging their joined hands happily as he licked at his ice cream. The sight was oddly nostalgic, bringing back faded memories of another time, another place, another Jiwon who had once been just as carefree.

"This is the best ice cream ever!" Jihyuk declared, taking another big bite and then immediately wincing. "Ahh! Brain freeze!"

Seungho chuckled, shaking his head. "Eat slower next time."

Jihyuk pouted, rubbing his forehead. "I was just too excited!"

They continued their slow walk, talking about little things—Jihyuk’s favorite school subject, his least favorite vegetables, and his dream of becoming someone ‘cool’ when he grew up. Seungho listened quietly, adding occasional remarks, though he found himself more focused on the way Jihyuk’s eyes sparkled when he talked.

Before long, they arrived in front of a modest-looking house. But the moment Seungho saw Jihyuk’s expression shift, something inside him tensed.

"Jihyuk?" he asked, lowering his gaze to the child’s suddenly stiff posture.

Jihyuk immediately hid his emotions, forcing a small smile. "Thanks for today, Mister Seungho! It was fun!"

Seungho didn’t like that smile. It wasn’t like the bright, genuine ones from before. This one was hollow, forced—like a mask.

"Jihyuk—"

"Bye-bye!" Jihyuk quickly waved before dashing inside.

Seungho stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door with an uneasy feeling in his gut. Something wasn’t right.

As soon as Jihyuk stepped into the house, the sharp sound of a glass bottle shattering against the wall greeted him.

"You little brat! Where the hell were you?!"

Jihyuk barely flinched as his mother staggered toward him, the overwhelming stench of alcohol burning his nose.

"Didn’t I tell you to come straight home after school?!" she slurred, her red-rimmed eyes narrowing dangerously.

Jihyuk kept his head down, knowing better than to respond.

Before he could step aside, she grabbed him roughly by the arm and dragged him inside, throwing him toward the living room where his father sat slumped in his usual chair, his fingers lazily rolling an empty bottle of liquor across the floor.

The moment Jihyuk landed on his knees, his father let out a cruel chuckle. "Took your sweet time coming home, huh?"

Jihyuk bit his lip, remaining silent.

A second later, something warm and slimy splattered against his head, sliding down his small face.

The smell of spoiled food filled his senses.

"That’s your dinner," his father sneered. "Go on, eat it."

Jihyuk clenched his fists, staring at the mess dripping onto the floor. His stomach was empty, but not enough to make him eat like this.

He knew there was no escape from this. No matter what he did, it was always the same.

He was never wanted. Never loved.

Not by them.

His mother scoffed, crossing her arms. "Tch. Acting all high and mighty now? Where’d you go today, huh? Out playing pretend with your imaginary friends again?"

Jihyuk’s lips parted, about to say something—but he stopped himself.

For the first time in a long while, he had spent a good day with someone. Someone who actually talked to him. Treated him like a real kid.

Someone who had held his hand and told him his eyes weren’t creepy.

Jihyuk lowered his head, pressing his lips together tightly as he clenched his fists.

He wouldn’t let them ruin it.

He wouldn’t let them take this one good thing away from him.

Jihyuk's small body trembled as he ran, his bare feet pounding against the cold pavement. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but he didn't stop. He couldn’t stop.

The echoes of his parents' shouts faded behind him, swallowed by the night.

For the first time, he felt free.

But freedom came with a cost.

His stomach twisted painfully, the lack of food and exhaustion finally catching up. His vision blurred, his knees buckling beneath him. He stumbled into an unfamiliar street, gasping for breath. He was scared—he didn’t know where he was—but at least… at least he was away from them.

A small smile barely formed on his lips before darkness pulled him under.