When morning came, Yuna's eyes were still swollen. She hadn't slept. The room felt suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on her. Minji had prepared breakfast, but Yuna didn't have the strength to take a single bite.
"Eat at least a little." Minji looked at Yuna with sad eyes. "You didn't sleep all night. You can't keep doing this to yourself."
Yuna picked up her fork but only poked at the food before putting it down again. "I have no appetite..."
Minji sighed but didn't push further. They sat in silence, eating.
Until the doorbell rang.
Minji narrowed her eyes at the door. "Who could it be this early?"
Yuna didn't answer, but her heart pounded. Could it be him?
Minji opened the door, and Eunwoo was standing outside.
His face was tired, dark circles visible under his eyes. It was clear he hadn't slept either.
"I need to talk to Yuna."
Minji hesitated, glancing back at Yuna, who was frozen in place.
"Yuna..." Eunwoo softened his voice and took a step forward.
But Yuna quickly stood up and turned away, heading to her room.
"Please, don't run away from me!" Eunwoo's voice was full of pain.
Minji stood by the door for a moment before sighing and stepping aside. "I'll be in the kitchen. Talk it out."
Eunwoo gave her a grateful look before rushing after Yuna.
Before she could shut the door completely, he heard her muffled sobs.
When he entered, he saw her sitting on the bed, face buried in her hands.
"Yuna..."
He approached her slowly.
"Please, give me a chance. We can get through this together. I'm ready for this, Yuna."
Yuna lifted her head. Her eyes were red. "Eunwoo… Why are you here?"
"Because I won't give up."
Yuna sighed. "I don't want to ruin your career. Nova is at its peak right now and—"
"Forget about me!" Eunwoo interrupted. "The most important thing to me is you."
Yuna shook her head. "Don't say that. If your fans hear this, they won't forgive you."
Eunwoo's eyes burned with determination. "Let them not forgive me. But if I lose you, I will never forgive myself."
Yuna averted her gaze, taking a deep breath. Her heart was pounding so loudly that it seemed to echo in the silence of the room.
"Eunwoo..." Her voice trembled, but she was firm. "Stop insisting. This has no future."
Eunwoo's brows furrowed. The pain in his eyes made something inside Yuna ache, but she didn't let it show.
"What do you mean it has no future?" Eunwoo took a step closer. "Why are you giving up so easily?"
Yuna turned to look out the window. The sun was rising, but to her, everything still felt dark.
"I'm not giving up, Eunwoo. I'm just... being rational."
Eunwoo took a deep breath. "Rational? So, giving up on us is rational?"
Yuna closed her eyes. "Yes."
The air in the room grew heavier. Eunwoo's silence felt like a noose tightening around her throat.
Finally, Eunwoo's voice came out in a whisper.
"Do you love me?"
Yuna's breath hitched.
"Answer me, Yuna."
She turned to face him slowly. His eyes were searching for answers, but she couldn't bring herself to say the words.
Eunwoo took another step forward. "If you don't love me anymore, I'll stop here. I won't chase after you again. But if you do—" His voice cracked. "Then why can't we fight for this together?"
Yuna looked away. Her heart ached.
"Eunwoo... I—"
She finally shook her head. "Loving... loving so much isn't always enough."
Eunwoo's eyes widened. "Are you really saying this?"
Yuna sighed. "Yes. This world won't let us be, Eunwoo. Your fans, the media, your company... they'll keep building walls between us. And you... you'll get exhausted trying to break them down. At some point, you'll regret it."
"I'm telling you, I won't regret it!" Eunwoo's voice rose before he quickly composed himself.
He took a step back, clenching his fists.
"I would risk everything for you."
Yuna smiled. But it was the kind of smile that belonged to someone breaking inside.
"I know. That's why... I'm letting you go."
Eunwoo's breath caught.
"I don't want you to sacrifice that much for me." Yuna's voice was soft but firm. "So… please, leave."
Eunwoo stood frozen. He could barely hold himself upright.
For a long moment, he didn't speak.
Then, he bowed his head slightly.
"Fine."
He slowly stepped back.
But when he reached the door, he stopped.
Yuna wasn't looking at him.
Eunwoo wanted to see her face one last time, but he didn't have the courage.
He opened the door.
He glanced back one last time.
And then, the door closed behind him.
Yuna sat on her bed.
Tears slid down her cheeks in silence.
But this time, she didn't sob. Because she had made her decision.
In the end… they had truly broken up.
But that didn't mean Eunwoo would give up.
And Yuna knew that.