Kian’s POV

After we took the prize off the stage, Sun walked over to me with a beaming smile. "Oh, Kian, you're seriously good at literally everything!"

Before I could answer, Senior Moon stepped up beside him, blinking in surprise as he looked at Kai. "Kai! When did you get back to the country?"

"Just two days ago," Kai replied, his voice calm and steady.

"And you didn't even give me a call?!" Moon shook his head with a slight grin. "Come on, let's grab some good cocktails... or wine works fine, too."

"Anything is fine," Kai said smoothly.

The two of them walked over to the bar counter to order their drinks, leaving me standing there with my mind spinning.

He came back two days ago?!

A sudden, sharp knot formed in my chest. He had been back in the city for two whole days, yet he hadn't bothered to send me a single text or call. Why would he, though? What was I even expecting? Back then, he only spent time with me to boss me around and train me. He probably didn't even consider me a real friend. There was no way I actually mattered to him...

While I was drowning in my overthinking, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

I turned around to see Sun grinning at me. "So... he comes back and immediately becomes your dance partner, and you guys even win the game together! That was seriously outstanding!"

I let out a long, heavy sigh. "He's just a monster... forget about him. Tell me about you two now. Are you guys officially dating or what?"

Sun shook his head slightly, a faint blush creeping up his neck.

"Why not?!" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"We're... still figuring things out," Sun murmured softly.

I shook my head, chuckling. "You've already graduated, man, and you're still figuring it out?! You better make it official soon, or someone else is going to sweep your handsome Alpha right off his feet!"

"You shut up, okay?!" Sun huffed, nudging my arm defensively. "You'd better find yourself a sweet-looking partner instead! It would be much better for you, you know?"

"I told you a hundred times, no!" I retorted with a grin.

"What are you two arguing about?" Senior Moon's smooth voice interjected as he walked back over to our table, carrying a tray of drinks.

"Nothing," Sun replied quickly to Moon, turning toward me with a reassuring smile. "We should go grab some soft drinks, Kian. Let's go."

Before we could even take a step toward the refreshment counter, a couple of girls from our college rushed over to our table, their eyes bright with excitement. "Kian! Come with us! We want to introduce you to someone really special!"

"Who is it?" I asked, taken aback.

Without giving me a chance to decline, two of them gently grabbed my hands and began dragging me across the crowded bar floor. I instinctively glanced back over my shoulder—and my heart skipped a beat. Kai was sitting on the leather sofa, holding his glass, literally glaring at me with a cold, intense dark stare that could cut through stone.

The girls led me toward a spacious VIP booth near the lounge. Sitting there was a famous TV singer! I stood there for a second, genuinely stunned to see a celebrity up close. We greeted each other politely, shaking hands, and chatted for a bit about music and vocal techniques.

Standing there engaged in a effortless conversation with a high-profile artist, a quiet realization hit me: I’ve really changed so much.

In the past, talking to strangers freely like this would have terrified me. I would have been terrified of making a mistake or having people mock me behind fake smiles. But look at me now—confident, articulate, and completely unphased.

They always say that whatever challenges you face in life are lessons meant to build your strength, and that was exactly what happened to me. And truth be told... Kai was the one who made me this way. It was true that he had been brutally harsh and unrelenting during those training days, but thanks to him, I wasn't afraid of anyone anymore. People respected me for my talent and character, not just my looks or background.

Yet, despite all my personal growth and confidence, my heart felt heavy.

All I really want right now is to spend some time with Kai...

I knew that once this night ended, we might never cross paths again. I’d be taking up a full-time job at a corporate firm, getting swept away by the hustle of adult life, while Kai would be managing his family's massive business empire. He was already so busy that he didn't even have time to hang out with someone like me anymore. That was probably why he hadn't bothered informing me when he landed two days ago.

"Kian? Kian!"

A girl in front of me waved her hand, snapping me out of my thoughts. "What happened? You suddenly stopped talking mid-sentence. I called your name three times!"

"Ah, I'm sorry," I said, offering an apologetic smile. "You guys carry on without me. I'm going to go see what Sun is doing."

She nodded warmly as I bowed slightly and navigated my way back through the dimly lit party crowd toward our booth.

Sun, Senior Moon, and Kai were all sitting around the low glass table, sipping their high-end alcohol. As soon as I slid into the empty spot on the leather sofa, Sun leaned over and grinned.

"So... who was it that dragged you away?"

"Just a singer," I replied , settling into the cushion. "One of our classmate's friends brought him along as a guest."

"Oh man," Sun chimed in with a grin, leaning over. "I told you, you should seriously start a relationship with a good-looking woman while you're at it!"

I flicked a quick glance toward Kai before looking back at my glass. "I'll think about it later."

Senior Moon chuckled, swirling his drink. "Kian, I've heard so much about you from Sun. You really should find someone good soon, or there won't be anyone left, man."

I just offered a polite smile in response, picking up a glass to take a slow sip. "I should probably head out now. My mom will start worrying—it's getting late."

"It's only 9 PM!" Sun protested, checking his phone.

"It's still late enough," I said, standing up from the booth. "I should get going."

I said my goodbyes, stepped out into the cool night air, and began walking toward the nearby bus stop. But before I even reached the shelter, a familiar dark, sleek car pulled up right alongside the curb, blocking my path.

The passenger window rolled down smoothly. "Get in," Kai said.

I hesitated for a beat before opening the door and sliding into the leather passenger seat.

As soon as I clicked my seatbelt, Kai started the engine and merged back into the evening traffic. "So... what Sun was talking about back there," he began casually, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Are you actually planning to get into a relationship with someone?"

"I haven't really thought about it," I muttered, looking straight ahead. "Honestly, I don't really feel like being in a relationship with anyone right now."

Kai glanced at me briefly. "What's next for you, now that you've graduated?"

"Get a good job," I answered simply. "And build a quiet, comfortable life with my mom."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"

I turned my head to look at him, slightly puzzled. "What else would there be?"

A faint, unreadable expression passed over Kai's face before he let out a low breath. "Nothing. It's a good thing you've finally learned to speak up, though. You're not sitting there like a mute anymore, leaving every single question I ask unanswered."

"People can change," I replied defensively.

"I can see that pretty clearly," Kai murmured softly. "And it's good. It's not a bad thing at all... So, which company are you thinking of interviewing with?"

I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts. "Maybe KM Limited would be good. It's the most popular one right now, with branches all over the world and an incredible reputation. I'm planning to submit my resume there first."

"Good," Kai said.

Then, the car quieted down for a second before his voice cut through the silence again—sharper this time.

"Now... can you tell me the truth? Why did you cry the second you saw me tonight?"

My hands clenched into tight fists in my lap, and I quickly turned my face toward the side window, staring at the blurred city lights rushing past.

A sudden surge of irritation and anger boiled up in my chest—partly at myself for being so foolish as to cry, and partly at him. We weren't even official friends or anything close to it! Yet here I was, foolishly holding onto pathetic expectations, secretly hoping he would come straight to find me the moment his plane landed from England!

It's complete bullshit, I told myself bitterly.

"Something just got into my eye," I muttered coldly, keeping my face turned away. "It stung really badly."

Kai let out a short, quiet breath. "Oh... I see. So your eyes are working totally fine now?"

"Hmm," I grunted. "Totally fine."

Before another word could be spoken, the car smoothly slowed to a halt right in front of my house.

"We're here," Kai announced softly.

I nodded quickly, unbuckling my seatbelt without waiting another second. "Thanks for the ride."

Without looking back at his face or meeting his eyes, I opened the door, stepped out, and hurried straight into the house, locking the door firmly behind me.

Standing in the quiet entryway of my dark living room, my heart was hammering violently against my ribs.

Why am I acting like this all of a sudden? What is wrong with me?