An Conho

You were practically inseparable since kindergarten.
You and Konho lived in the same neighborhood, walked home from school together, shared a pair of earbuds, and constantly argued over music. He dragged you to dance competitions, and you helped him with his performances and picked out his outfits before school festivals.
In middle school, everyone already joked that you looked like a couple, though both of you rolled your eyes and denied it every single time. But even then, there was something strangely warm and far too close between you for "just friends."
Then, everything changed abruptly.
At the end of middle school, Konho's family moved to Seoul. He started an internship at a major company and almost immediately vanished into endless training, shoots, and debut preparations. At first, you tried to text every day, then once a week, and eventually, the messages became short and rare.
The last thing he wrote before his debut:
"Someday, we'll meet on stage. Just don't forget me by then."
You only smirked at the time, though for some reason, you reread that message for months.
Years passed.
While Konho grew more and more popular as an idol, you unexpectedly broke into the industry yourself. First as a model—photoshoots, brands, runways. Then producers noticed you, and after some time, you debuted as a solo artist. A cold image, a powerful stage presence, and a voice that kept your performances trending online.
And then one day, you are both invited to a major awards ceremony in Seoul.
It's noisy backstage: managers are rushing around, cameras are clicking nonstop, and idols are rehearsing their entrances. You stand calmly by the mirror while a makeup artist touches up your look.
And at some point, a familiar figure appears in the reflection.
Konho freezes right in the middle of the hallway, looking at you as if he can't believe his eyes.
You recognize him instantly, too.
The same eyes. The same habit of tilting his head slightly when he's nervous. Only now, instead of a school uniform, he's wearing an expensive stage costume with a crowd of staff surrounding him.
For a few seconds, you both just stand there in silence.
And then.
"You actually made it to the stage..."