Eunwoo felt like he was getting lost in Yuna's silence. He looked into her eyes, but this time, he couldn't find the warmth he was used to.
"Yuna..." His voice trembled slightly.
Yuna lowered her head, struggling to find the right words. A thousand thoughts raced through her mind.
Minji and Hwan's presence made the room feel even heavier. The silence fed off the tension, growing thicker with each passing second.
Hwan smirked slightly, crossing his arms. "Your fans are a big threat to Yuna," he said.
Eunwoo shot him a sharp look. "What do you mean?"
Hwan turned his gaze to Yuna. "I said that your fans won't leave her alone. If you can't protect her, bad things could happen. And I also said... if even a single hair on Yuna's head gets harmed because of them... well, you figure out the rest."
Minji stiffened. "Hwan, that's enough!"
But Yuna, staring at the floor, took a deep breath. "Maybe he's right..."
The air in the room turned ice-cold in an instant.
Eunwoo's heart stopped for a moment. "Yuna, what are you saying?"
Yuna finally lifted her head and met his gaze. "This world... it's your world. And I... I don't think I ever truly belonged here."
Eunwoo tried to take a step closer, but Yuna instinctively took a step back.
In that moment, everything changed.
"Are you saying this after thinking it through?" Eunwoo's voice was hoarse.
Yuna averted her eyes. "Eunwoo, I love you. But that's not enough, is it?"
Eunwoo felt like he had never heard those words before. She was saying she loved him, but at the same time… it felt like a goodbye.
Minji quickly stepped in. "Maybe this isn't the right time to have this conversation—"
"No." Yuna's voice was firm. "I don't want to delay things anymore."
Eunwoo searched her eyes for even a glimmer of hope. But this time, he found only determination.
He took a step back.
"Is this really what you want?"
Tears welled up in Yuna's eyes as she forced a small smile. "I don't know... But right now, it feels like we don't have another choice."
At that moment, the distance between them was no longer just a few steps—it was an entire world.
—---
Hwan narrowed his eyes, silently observing the situation. A subtle smirk played on his lips as he thought:
"Wow... And this time, I didn't do anything. Turns out, this is all it took for you two to break up. Oh well, doesn't matter to me. Whatever works."
But there wasn't a single hint of amusement on his face. His expression remained neutral, almost indifferent.
Minji, sensing the heavy atmosphere, shot Hwan a glance before nodding slightly. Without a word, both of them took a step back.
"We... should leave you two alone to talk," Minji murmured.
Hwan shrugged nonchalantly and headed toward the door. "Yeah, I think you need to sort this out."
As he and Minji walked past Eunwoo and Yuna, Hwan was still quietly amused. But outwardly, he remained calm and unreadable. Minji glanced at Yuna, as if wanting to say something, but she held back.
The door closed behind them, leaving Eunwoo and Yuna alone.
Eunwoo took a deep breath. "Yuna..."
But Yuna refused to meet his gaze.
"Is this really how it's going to end?" Eunwoo asked, his voice shaking.
Yuna swallowed hard. "I don't want this to be the end. But..."
Eunwoo took another step forward, but this time, Yuna didn't move away. The physical distance between them shrank, but the emotional gap only grew wider.
"Stay with me," Eunwoo whispered.
Yuna's eyes filled with tears. "Eunwoo... Your world is so different. And I... I feel like I'm disappearing inside it."
Eunwoo desperately held onto her hands. "We can get through this together. The fans will adjust if you just hold on a little longer."
But Yuna shook her head. "Some things don't get better with time, Eunwoo. Your fans will never accept me. Right now, you and your group are at the peak of your careers. I don't want to be the reason for your downfall, just like they say."
Eunwoo's eyes darkened with pain. "Do you not love me?"
Yuna could no longer hold back her tears. "I love you," she said in a choked voice. "But sometimes, love isn't enough."
Eunwoo suddenly felt helpless. On stage, in front of millions, he could be strong. But here, standing in front of Yuna, he was completely vulnerable.
Slowly, Yuna pulled her hands away from his. "I should go," she whispered.
Eunwoo wanted to say something—anything—but the words got stuck in his throat.
Yuna turned away and walked toward the door.
As she opened it, she saw Minji and Hwan standing there. But she didn't notice them. She walked past them silently, her steps heavy.
Minji and Hwan instinctively moved to follow her, but Yuna spoke without turning back:
"Please... just let me be alone."
Minji bit her lip and stayed back. Hwan, too, tilted his head slightly, watching her with an unreadable expression.
As Yuna walked further, silent tears streamed down her face.
Just a moment ago, everything had been fine. And now, it was over.
And inside that room, Eunwoo was left standing alone.