Min-kyu wasn’t the same anymore.

The light in his eyes had dimmed, his smile long forgotten.

He sat on the couch like a ghost of himself, staring at nothing.

The silence around him was loud, suffocating.

A knock echoed through the empty apartment.

His heart dared to hope... but his mind whispered the truth.

Still, he got up slowly and opened the door.

It wasn’t Ha-joon. It was his little brother—Han-joon.

"Hey..." Min-kyu’s voice was hollow.

"Hi. Can I come in?" Han-joon asked softly.

Min-kyu just nodded and walked back to the couch.

Han-joon looked around, his face tightening.

He walked into the kitchen. Dirty dishes were piled high.

"How long have these been here? You know my brother hated mess."

Min-kyu didn’t look up. "That’s not your problem."

"Why are you here, Han-joon?" he asked, voice flat.

"Mom and Dad were worried. They asked me to check on you."

"You see me, I’m fine. Now leave."

"Fine. I’ll wash the dishes and go."

Min-kyu sighed. "Do whatever you want."

At the door, Han-joon paused.

"Check your phone, Min-kyu. People care. Don’t disappear."

He left, and silence returned.

Min-kyu picked up his phone for the first time in weeks.

Messages flooded in—from friends, family...

And then, one audio file.

From Ha-joon.

His hand trembled as he tapped i

Ha-joon’s voice filled the room.

"Hey, sleepyhead. If you’re hearing this, it means I’m gone."

"But don’t cry, okay? I’m not gone gone. I’m still in your tea mug, your socks, that dumb plant we couldn’t keep alive."

"You were my best thing. You gave me love, warmth, and reasons to laugh."

"So now, I’m giving you one last reason—to live."

"Promise me you’ll wake up with the sun. Promise me you’ll smile again."

"Please, Min-kyu. Keep living for both of us."

"I miss you so damn much, Ha-joon... but I’ll try."

The End.