#ive thought for so long what was she thinking and feeling?

[taylsluvs]

Drawing Closer ♡

Jungwon x fem!reader

English is not my first language, so sorry if there are any mistakes :(

Warnings: angst, mentions of death, terminal illness,death of a reader. (Sorry) (If I forget something, don't hesitate to tell me)

This story is based on the Japanese Netflix movie "Drawing closer" but here Jungwon is not sick like Akito, mentions the other Enhypen boys and Rei and Wonyoung from Ive, in this universe they are not idols

It was a quiet afternoon, like any other, in the hospital where y/n had spent the past few months. The routine was monotonous: checkups, medication, and long hours staring out the window. Her world had been reduced to the white walls of her room, the beeping of the monitors, and the soft murmur of the nurses in the hallway.

However, that day was different. As she gazed out the window, her mind lost in thought, she saw a group of boys running in the nearby park. They were wearing school uniforms and laughing with such carefree joy that y/n felt a slight pang of nostalgia.

One of the boys immediately caught her attention. He had a bright smile that seemed to light up the place. He ran lightly, as if the whole world were on his side. When the group of boys stopped to rest, he looked up, and to y/n's surprise, he stared directly at her.

Caught off guard, y/n quickly looked away. But when she looked back, she saw him smiling and waving at her. Her heart skipped a beat.

The next day, as she flipped through a book with little interest, someone gently knocked on her door.

"Can I come in?" asked a young, cheerful voice.

When y/n looked up, she saw the boy with the bright smile, holding a small but colorful bouquet of flowers.

"Hi," he said, stepping in cautiously. "I'm Jungwon. Yesterday I saw you from the park, and I thought you might need something to brighten your day."

y/n looked at him in surprise, unsure of what to say. No one outside her family had cared about her in a long time.

"I... thank you," she murmured, feeling her cheeks warm.

Jungwon walked over and placed the flowers in a small vase by her bed. Then, he pulled out a bag of sweets and handed it to her.

"Do you like candy?"

"Yes... but I'm not supposed to eat too many."

"Then we can share them," he replied with a mischievous smile, taking one out of the bag and offering it to her.

y/n couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you always this friendly with strangers?"

"Only with those who seem to need a friend," he answered, sitting in the chair beside her bed.

That was the beginning of something y/n hadn’t expected. Jungwon stayed talking with her for hours, asking simple yet important questions: what her favorite color was, if she had a song she liked, how she spent her time in the hospital. At first, y/n answered shyly, but his enthusiasm was contagious, and soon she began to speak with more confidence.

Before leaving, Jungwon promised to return.

"I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?"

y/n nodded, feeling something she hadn’t felt in a long time: excitement for the next day.

That night, as she looked at the flowers he had left, a small spark of hope ignited in her heart.

The next day, just as he had promised, Jungwon appeared at the door of y/n's room, this time with a book under his arm and a smile as bright as the one from the day before.

"Hello, y/n! How are you today?"

She looked up from the notebook where she had been doodling. Although she wouldn’t admit it, she had been waiting for him.

"Better, I guess," she replied, trying not to show too much emotion.

Jungwon walked in confidently and sat in the same chair by her bed, placing the book on the table.

"I brought this. It’s a short story book, I thought we could read it together. Some are funny, others a little sad, but they’re interesting."

y/n took the book carefully and read the title quietly.

"Why are you doing this? You barely know me."

Jungwon shrugged, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"Why not? You seemed interesting, and besides, I don’t think anyone should spend so much time alone."

Jungwon’s words touched something inside y/n, a wound she had tried to ignore for months. She lowered her gaze to the book, playing with the corner of the pages.

"I don’t have friends... I’ve never had any."

Jungwon stayed silent for a moment, watching her. Then, with a soft but determined tone, he responded:

"Well, now you have one."

y/n looked up, surprised.

"What?"

"Me. I’ll be your friend," he said with a smile so warm that it made y/n feel a lump in her throat.

She tried to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she nodded shyly, and a small smile appeared on her lips.

From that day on, Jungwon became a constant part of y/n’s life. Every day after school, he would come to the hospital with something new: a book, flowers, a game on his phone, or simply stories about what had happened in class.

He told her about his friends: Heeseung, who was the most talented in sports; Jay, who had a great sense of humor and always found ways to get into trouble; Jake, with his sweet and cheerful personality; Sunghoon, who was more reserved but incredibly kind; Sunoo, who always made everyone laugh; and Niki, the youngest but also the most energetic of the group.

"They’re like my brothers," he explained one day, showing her a group photo on his phone. "I’m sure you’d get along with them."

"I don’t know... I’m not good with people," y/n admitted, playing with the edge of her blanket.

"That doesn’t matter. They’ll love you because you’re you, just like I love you as you are."

y/n looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. It was hard not to believe him when he said it with such conviction.

With each visit, Jungwon managed to pull y/n out of the bubble of loneliness she had been trapped in. He taught her to play video games, introduced her to songs he listened to with his friends, and even tried teaching her some dance moves while she laughed from her bed.

One day, while they were in the middle of one of those fun moments, Jungwon asked her an unexpected question.

"Do you have a dream, something you’ve always wanted to do?"

y/n paused, thinking. She had had dreams once, but her illness had extinguished them one by one.

"I think... I’ve always wanted to feel like part of something," she said finally, in a soft voice. "I don’t know how to explain it, but I want to know what it’s like to have a group of people who accept me, who care about me."

Jungwon looked at her seriously, nodding as if he were planning something in his mind.

"Then I’ll make that happen. I promise I’ll make it happen."

y/n didn’t understand what he meant, but the confidence in his voice made her feel that, maybe, it was possible.

That day, as Jungwon left the room, y/n looked at the fresh bouquet of flowers he had left in the vase. For the first time in a long time, she realized that she didn’t feel alone.

A week later, Jungwon arrived at y/n’s room more excited than usual. He had a big smile on his face and was holding a bag with a female school uniform.

"y/n! This weekend is the festival at my school, and I already spoke with your doctors. They said you can go out for a while if you take care of yourself."

y/n looked up, surprised.

"A festival?"

"Yeah, it’s super fun. There are food stalls, games, music, and at the end, fireworks. I want you to come with me."

y/n hesitated. Her health had been fragile lately, and although the doctors had approved the outing, she still felt scared.

"I don’t know... What if I don’t fit in?"

Jungwon knelt down to her height and gently took her hands.

"I already told you, my friends will love you, y/n. Plus, you don’t have to worry. I’ll be with you the whole time."

The sparkle in his eyes and the warmth of his voice finally convinced her.

The day of the festival arrived, and Jungwon showed up with a wheelchair decorated with colorful ribbons.

"If we’re going out, we’re doing it in style," he joked as he helped y/n sit down.

She couldn’t help but laugh. Although she still felt a little nervous, Jungwon’s presence made her feel at ease.

When they arrived at the school, the place was full of life. The laughter and chatter of the students created a festive atmosphere, and the smell of street food filled the air.

"Jungwon!" shouted a voice from a distance.

A group of boys ran up to them. y/n recognized some of them from the photos Jungwon had shown her: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki.

"She must be y/n!" exclaimed Sunoo with a big smile.

"Finally meeting the famous friend of Jungwon," joked Jay, winking at her.

The boys introduced themselves one by one, each one warmer and more welcoming than the last. Despite her shyness, y/n began to feel comfortable.

"Ah, there are Rei and Wonyoung!" said Jake, pointing to two girls near a game stall.

Jungwon pushed y/n’s wheelchair toward them, introducing them enthusiastically. Rei was a girl with dark hair and bright eyes, while Wonyoung had a sweet smile and a charming air.

"Hi, y/n. Jungwon has told us a lot about you," Rei said kindly.

As the group chatted, y/n couldn’t help but notice how beautiful Rei was. There was something about her confidence and charisma that made it hard not to admire her.

Later, when Jungwon and y/n were alone in a quiet corner, she dared to mention what she was thinking.

"Rei is really beautiful. I think she would be a great match for you."

Jungwon stopped in his tracks, surprised by her words. Then he shook his head with a soft smile.

"Rei is a great friend, but no. I’m not interested in her."

"Why not? She’s perfect."

Jungwon leaned slightly toward her, his expression serious but tender.

"Because there’s already someone I like."

y/n’s heart skipped a beat.

"Really?"

"Yeah," he said, looking directly into her eyes. "And that person is right in front of me."

y/n was speechless, feeling her face flush with heat. Jungwon, noticing her nervousness, just smiled and gave her a light tap on the shoulder.

"Come on, there’s still a lot to see."

The night of the festival went on, and the energy in the air grew more magical with every passing moment. Jungwon’s friends and y/n had been touring the stalls, laughing, and sharing stories. y/n, although she had been shy at first, was feeling incredibly comfortable with the group. The guys were fun and kind, and Rei and Wonyoung had been a constant support, making sure to include her in everything.

Finally, the most anticipated moment arrived: the fireworks. The crowd began gathering in the open field behind the school, looking for the best spots to watch the show.

"y/n, come with me," Jungwon said, taking the handles of her wheelchair and moving it a little further ahead, away from the group.

"Why here?" she asked, looking around.

"Because I want you to have the best view," he replied with a smile.

They stopped in a quiet spot, where the lantern lights barely reached. They were close enough to the others to hear their laughter, but far enough to feel like they were in their own world.

The sky suddenly lit up with bursts of color, and y/n looked up, mesmerized.

"It’s beautiful," she murmured, almost without realizing it.

Jungwon, however, wasn’t looking at the fireworks. His eyes were fixed on her, watching the way the light danced across her face, how her eyes sparkled with awe.

"Yeah, it is," he responded, though he wasn’t talking about the sky.

y/n turned to him and noticed that he was staring at her. Her heart began to race.

"What’s wrong?" she asked, nervous.

Jungwon didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he leaned a little closer to her, keeping his gaze fixed on hers.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked softly, almost like a whisper.

y/n felt her face flush. She had never been kissed before, and she wasn’t sure what to do. But there was also something in the way Jungwon looked at her that made her feel safe, like this moment was just for them.

"I... I’ve never kissed anyone," she confessed, looking down at her hands.

Jungwon smiled gently.

"Me neither," he admitted.

She looked up, surprised.

"Really?"

"Really. But I think this is the perfect moment to learn, don’t you think?"

y/n nodded shyly, and Jungwon leaned in even closer, stopping just before their lips touched, as if giving her a chance to change her mind.

When their lips finally met, it was a short, shy kiss, but full of tenderness. They quickly pulled apart, their faces as red as tomatoes, and started laughing nervously.

"That was... nice," y/n said, still feeling the warmth on her cheeks.

"Yeah, it was nice," Jungwon replied, smiling like a fool.

Behind them, Jungwon’s friends had seen the moment from a distance. No one said anything out loud, but they exchanged knowing glances and shared smiles.

"It was about time," Sunoo whispered, laughing quietly.

After the fireworks ended, the whole group gathered to take a picture. Heeseung insisted on taking it, making sure everyone was in the shot. Jungwon stood behind y/n’s chair, leaning slightly toward her, while Rei and Wonyoung stood next to her, hugging her warmly.

"One more, to make sure!" shouted Jay, as the camera captured another picture filled with smiles.

When the night came to an end, Jungwon took y/n back toward the entrance of the festival. As they said goodbye to the others, Rei and Wonyoung ran toward her, excitement on their faces.

"y/n!" Wonyoung exclaimed, taking her hands. "We really like you, you know? Now we’re officially best friends."

"Yeah!" added Rei. "When you get a phone, you have to message us every day."

"And we have to listen to and dance to K-pop together," continued Wonyoung, excited. "There are so many things we can do, even in the hospital."

"We’ll always visit you," promised Rei, smiling sincerely.

y/n couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she belonged somewhere, that she had a group of people who really cared about her.

"Thank you, really," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Rei and Wonyoung gave her one last hug before saying goodbye, and y/n watched as they ran off, still chatting together.

That night, as Jungwon took her back to the hospital, y/n realized just how happy she was. Her heart was full of gratitude, both for Jungwon and for the friendships she had found thanks to him.

For the first time, she felt like life, although complicated, could still be beautiful.

The day after the festival, y/n was lying in her hospital bed, still smiling from the magic of the night before. Her mind replayed the happy moments: the kiss under the fireworks, the laughter with Jungwon’s friends, and the friendship promises from Rei and Wonyoung. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard hurried footsteps and familiar voices in the hallway.

"I think it was this way!" Wonyoung said, a little out of breath.

"No, we passed it, didn’t you see the sign?" Rei replied, sighing.

"You two are lost again!" Jungwon joked, sitting in a chair next to y/n’s bed.

Suddenly, Rei and Wonyoung burst into the room, slightly out of breath but with huge smiles on their faces. Both were carrying bags full of things and seemed ready for an important mission.

"We’re here!" Wonyoung yelled, waving a bag in the air.

"You took your time, don’t you think?" Jungwon said, smiling playfully.

Rei frowned, though she was clearly joking.

"Late or not, it’s girls' night. So… Jungwon, out!"

"What? But—"

"No buts!" Wonyoung exclaimed, gently pushing him toward the door. "Today is just for the three of us."

Jungwon looked at y/n, who was laughing uncontrollably at the scene. Though he hesitated to leave her alone, the happiness on her face convinced him.

"Okay, okay, I’m going," he said, raising his hands in surrender. Before leaving, he leaned in a little toward y/n and whispered, "Have fun, okay?"

y/n nodded excitedly, and Jungwon left, leaving the three girls alone.

"Finally! Now the fun begins," Rei announced, dropping the bags on the floor.

Wonyoung pulled out a box with a shiny pink iPhone and handed it to y/n.

"This is for you."

y/n blinked, surprised.

"What? I can’t accept this, it’s too much..."

"Of course you can," Wonyoung interrupted with a smile. "My dad has a tech company. This is nothing for him, and you need it."

Rei nodded, supporting her friend.

"Plus, how are we going to gossip with you if you don’t have a phone?"

With trembling hands, y/n took the phone, excited but a bit overwhelmed by the gesture.

"Thank you, really..."

"Don’t thank us too much, there’s more," Rei said, pulling out makeup, cute clothes, and even silly wigs from the bags. They had also brought food that they knew y/n could eat, like small cakes and fruit drinks.

The girls began setting everything up. While Wonyoung showed y/n how to use her new phone and create an Instagram account, Rei took out the makeup and discussed what look would be best for her.

"We’re going to do a simple but cute makeup, so you look like an idol," Rei said, determined.

"Me? An idol?" y/n asked, laughing.

"Of course. From now on, you’re part of our group, so we need to make you look spectacular," Wonyoung replied while showing her how to take photos for her profile.

When they finished doing her makeup, Rei and Wonyoung put on the clothes they had brought and ridiculous wigs, one blue and the other a crazy blonde. They turned on K-pop music on y/n’s phone and started dancing as if they were giving a live concert.

"This is our debut as a group!" Wonyoung shouted while Rei did an exaggerated choreography.

y/n couldn’t stop laughing as she watched them move around the room, filling the space with laughter and energy. Suddenly, the two girls came up to her, took her hands, and started moving them as if she were dancing too.

"y/n is leading the group!" Rei announced while they all laughed.

After dancing, they took lots of pictures, some cute and some completely hilarious. One of y/n’s favorites was one where the three of them wore the wigs, making silly poses in front of the mirror.

In a quiet moment, while they were looking at the photos, y/n began to cry silently. Rei and Wonyoung noticed immediately.

"What’s wrong, y/n?" Rei asked, approaching with concern.

"It’s just that... I’m so happy. I never thought I’d have friends like you."

Wonyoung hugged her tightly while Rei stroked her hair.

"We’ll always be here for you, y/n. No matter what happens, we’re a team," Wonyoung said seriously.

"Exactly. And not only that. You’re going to recover because you have to. We still have so much to do together," added Rei.

"Like what?" y/n asked, smiling through her tears.

"Like winning an award for best K-pop group, obviously," Rei joked, making them all laugh again.

"We already have a name, remember?" Wonyoung said.

"Of course," Rei said. "The Star Girls."

"I love it," y/n whispered, feeling happier than she had in years.

That afternoon, as Rei and Wonyoung left the hospital, y/n stayed looking at the photos on her phone, smiling. Though her body was weak, her heart was fuller than ever thanks to the friendships she had found.

A week after the unforgettable girls' afternoon, Jungwon arrived at the hospital with exciting news. He and his friends had planned a small beach trip, something simple but special, to spend time together. He had spoken with the doctors and Y/N's parents, who agreed to the idea as long as she didn't exert herself too much.

"The beach?" Y/N asked, her eyes wide. "I've never been to the beach."

Jungwon smiled, taking her hands in his.

"Then it will be your first time. I promise it will be unforgettable."

Y/N, excited, started telling Jungwon about everything that had happened with Rei and Wonyoung. She showed him the photos they had taken together, including the ones with wigs and funny poses.

"They look so happy," Jungwon commented, looking at the pictures with a soft smile.

"I am. I never thought I would have friends like them... and friends like you," Y/N added, looking at him with gratitude.

Jungwon looked away for a moment, a bit embarrassed, but he couldn't hide his happiness.

When the day of the trip arrived, Y/N was ready, her face glowing with a radiant smile. Jungwon arrived early at the hospital to pick her up, making sure everything was ready. He had a backpack with blankets and special food for her, prepared by Y/N's parents.

The drive to the beach was lively, filled with laughter and conversation. Rei, Wonyoung, and Jungwon's friends—Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki—were also there, ready to have an unforgettable day.

When they arrived, Y/N was speechless. The view of the endless ocean, with the waves gently crashing on the shore, was more beautiful than she had imagined.

"It's incredible," she murmured, her eyes shining.

Jungwon helped her out of the car and placed her in her wheelchair, pushing her toward the shore. Rei and Wonyoung were running on the sand, excited, while the guys set up an umbrella and started getting the food out.

The group spent the afternoon laughing and playing. They ate together on a blanket spread out on the sand, sharing stories and joking with one another. Jungwon stayed close to Y/N, making sure she was comfortable and happy.

"Are you having fun?" he asked her, offering her a small piece of watermelon.

"A lot. I never thought I'd see something so beautiful... or have friends like this," she replied, smiling at the group.

Before the sun began to set, the guys decided to get in the water, not caring that they didn't have swimsuits. Heeseung and Jake were the first to get wet, and soon everyone was splashing each other, laughing.

Y/N watched from the shore, feeling a mix of happiness and nostalgia. She wanted to join them, but she knew she couldn't. Her body was too weak.

Jungwon, noticing her expression, quickly returned to her side.

"Do you want to go in?" he asked.

"I want to, but... I can't."

Jungwon knelt next to her chair and took her hand.

"Then we'll stay here. No matter what happens, I'll always be with you."

Y/N smiled shyly, and Jungwon helped her get out of the chair. They sat together on a blanket, watching the horizon. The sky began to turn shades of orange and pink as the sun slowly sank into the ocean.

"It's cold, huh?" Jungwon said, pulling a blanket from his backpack and covering both of them.

Y/N nodded, leaning slightly against his shoulder. The moment was perfect, peaceful, as if the world had disappeared, leaving just the two of them.

After a while, Y/N broke the silence.

"Jungwon... there's something I want to tell you."

He looked at her, noticing the change in her tone.

"What’s wrong?"

Y/N took a deep breath, gathering the courage she needed.

"I never told you because I didn't want you to treat me differently... but I have a terminal illness."

Jungwon looked at her intently, his face filled with concern.

"What kind of illness?"

"It’s a condition that weakens my heart. The doctors say that, at any moment, I could...—" her voice broke, and tears began to roll down her cheeks. "I could die."

Jungwon felt a knot in his stomach, but he didn’t let his own feelings take over. Instead, he wrapped Y/N in a hug, resting his chin on her hair.

"Thank you for telling me," he whispered. "But you don't have to face this alone. I'm here, and I always will be."

Y/N cried quietly against his chest, feeling the warmth of his embrace. Jungwon gently pulled back to look into her eyes, wiping the tears from her face with tenderness.

"You're stronger than you think, Y/N. And even though it hurts to know you're going through this, I won't let you face it without someone who loves and supports you."

Carefully, he kissed her on the cheek, followed by a soft kiss on the lips, so tender and full of affection that Y/N felt her heart fill with love.

When they returned to the group, everyone gathered for one last photo together. Y/N, despite everything, smiled sincerely, surrounded by the people who had become her family.

That night, as they drove home, Y/N knew that this day would be forever etched in her memory as one of the happiest days of her life.

After their day at the beach, Y/N began to reflect deeply on her life and what she truly wanted to do with the time she had left. She knew she couldn’t change her fate, but she could choose how to face the days ahead. Inspired by the love of Jungwon, her friends, and the beautiful memories she was creating, she decided to live life to the fullest, without regrets.

However, she also made the decision not to tell Jungwon that her time was limited. She didn’t want him to be sad or worried. She wanted him to remember her as someone happy and full of life, not as someone losing the battle.

One afternoon, while Jungwon visited her at the hospital, she took his hand and looked at him with determination.

"I want to do many things with you, Jungwon. I want to live every moment as if it were the last."

He looked at her, surprised, but nodded with a smile.

"We'll do everything you want, Y/N. I promise."

The next day, Jungwon organized a small outing to the park with his friends and the girls, Rei and Wonyoung. Y/N was in her wheelchair, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the sun, the trees, and the sound of the birds.

"Let’s have a picnic!" Sunoo announced, pulling out a blanket and food.

As they ate, Heeseung and Niki began playing a guessing game that made everyone laugh. Rei and Wonyoung taught Y/N how to edit the photos they were taking together, showing her filters and effects that made her laugh.

Later, Jungwon took Y/N to a quiet corner of the park. He had prepared a surprise: a new sketchbook and a set of colored pencils.

"For you to keep drawing, like you did at the hospital," he said, smiling.

Y/N felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she held them back.

"Thank you, Jungwon. You always think of everything."

She began to draw while he sat beside her, watching her with tenderness. She drew a tree with flowers falling, and in the center, two small figures holding hands: them.

A few days later, Rei and Wonyoung came with exciting news. They had gotten tickets to a K-pop concert and wanted Y/N to go with them. Although Jungwon was a bit worried, the doctors and Y/N’s parents gave their approval, as long as they took precautions.

On the day of the concert, Rei and Wonyoung helped Y/N get dressed in cute clothes and a bit of makeup. Jungwon accompanied them, making sure everything was okay.

When they arrived at the stadium, Y/N was amazed by the energy of the place. The lights, the music, and the fans’ screams were unlike anything she had ever experienced. During the concert, Y/N sang and moved her hands to the rhythm of the songs, feeling more alive than ever.

At one point, Jungwon leaned toward her and whispered:

"Your smile is brighter than all these lights."

Y/N felt her heart beat loudly, not because of her illness, but because of the love she felt for him.

Jungwon and Y/N began spending more time together. Sometimes, they would go to small cafés where Y/N tried desserts she had never had before. Other times, they would simply stroll through the park or watch movies together in the hospital, sharing laughter and deep conversations.

One night, Jungwon took her to a special place: a hill where they could see the stars clearly. He brought a blanket and a thermos of hot chocolate, making sure she was comfortable.

"Did you know there’s a star for every person in the world?" Jungwon asked, looking at the sky.

"Really?" Y/N replied, amazed.

"Yes. And if I could choose one for you, it would be the brightest of them all."

Y/N blushed and smiled, feeling more grateful than ever to have Jungwon by her side.

Although Y/N tried to stay strong, she knew her body was getting weaker. She decided not to worry anyone and continue enjoying every moment, even though she felt the end was near. One night, while she was alone in her room, she wrote several letters for Jungwon and began to draw what she loved most: the moments she had shared with him.

Each drawing was special: one of Jungwon smiling, another from the festival, another from the beach, and one more of the fireworks, where two figures were kissing.

In one of her letters, she wrote:

"Jungwon, thank you for showing me what it is to love and be loved. Thank you for every smile, every laugh, and every moment we spent together. Although my time was short, with you it felt eternal. You will always be my brightest star."

Y/N's days grew increasingly difficult. Her body was weaker, her skin paler, and her eyes were tired. She had lost a lot of weight, and even the simplest activities, like getting out of bed or talking for long periods, took a lot of effort. However, her spirit remained strong. Every time Jungwon or her friends came to visit, she gave them a smile, as if she wanted them to remember only the best of her.

Jungwon didn’t stop visiting her for a single day. He spent hours by her side, reading her books, showing her funny videos on his phone, or simply holding her hand while they both gazed out the window. Although he tried not to show it, he was devastated to see her like this. Every time he left the hospital, tears escaped his eyes, but he always promised himself not to cry in front of her.

One day, while Rei and Wonyoung were with Jungwon at the hospital café, they came up with an idea: to celebrate Y/N’s birthday. Her 16th birthday was approaching, and they wanted to make sure it was special, even if she couldn’t go out.

“She deserves the best birthday,” Wonyoung said determinedly, while Rei nodded.

“We’ll bring balloons, gifts, cake... everything we can to make her happy,” added Rei, excited.

The boys also joined in the plan. Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Niki were in charge of buying balloons and confetti, while the girls picked out a cake and gifts. Jungwon, on his part, prepared something special: a necklace with a small star-shaped pendant.

When Y/N’s 16th birthday arrived, her hospital room was filled with life. Pink balloons decorated every corner, confetti was scattered across the bed and floor, and a pink chocolate cake sat in the center of the table, surrounded by gifts.

When Jungwon and the others entered the room, singing "Las Mañanitas" enthusiastically, Y/N was lying in her bed, weaker than ever, but with a smile that lit up her face.

“Happy birthday, Y/N!” they all shouted in unison, while Wonyoung and Rei approached to hug her gently.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me,” Y/N murmured, her eyes shining with tears.

“Of course we did. You’re our friend!” Rei said with a smile.

“And you’ll always be the star of our group,” Wonyoung added, winking at her.

Jungwon slowly approached and took her hand, kneeling by her bed.

“How do you feel, birthday girl?”

“Tired... but happy,” she replied, looking at him with tenderness.

Everyone sat around the bed as Sunoo lit the candles on the cake.

“Make a wish, Y/N,” Jake said, smiling.

Y/N closed her eyes for a moment, silently wishing: I want everyone I love to be happy, even when I’m no longer here.

Then, with Jungwon’s help, she blew out the candles, and everyone clapped.

After the cake, the friends began giving their gifts. Wonyoung and Rei gave her a makeup set and a new wig, while Heeseung and Sunghoon gave her a collection of postcards with beautiful landscapes. Niki gave her a large stuffed animal, and Jay and Jake brought an empty photo album for her to fill with memories.

Finally, Jungwon approached and took out a small velvet box.

“This is for you,” he said softly, opening the box to reveal the necklace with the star pendant.

Y/N looked at him, surprised, as he bent down to carefully put it on her.

“You’re my brightest star, Y/N. I want you to always remember that.”

Tears rolled down Y/N’s cheeks, but this time, they weren’t tears of sadness.

“Thank you, Jungwon. Thank you for everything.”

Although Y/N couldn’t move much, her friends made the afternoon unforgettable. Rei and Wonyoung began dancing a K-pop choreography in front of the bed, making everyone laugh. Sunoo and Niki tried to imitate them but ended up stumbling, causing the group to burst into laughter.

Y/N watched everything from her bed, feeling full of love. For a moment, she forgot her illness, forgot the pain, and simply enjoyed the happiness around her.

When the afternoon ended, her friends said their goodbyes one by one, promising to visit her again soon. Jungwon was the last to leave, and before he left, he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

“Happy birthday, Y/N. You’re incredibly special to all of us.”

Y/N watched him leave, feeling that her heart was full of gratitude and love. She had turned 16 surrounded by the people she loved most, and that was all she could ask for.

When Jungwon arrived home after the birthday party, he felt a mix of happiness and exhaustion. His mind kept replaying the images of the celebration: y/n smiling with everyone, surrounded by friends who loved her, and him by her side, feeling a unique connection with her.

As he entered his room, he grabbed his phone. The first thing he saw was an Instagram notification: y/n had posted a new photo. Jungwon smiled when he saw the picture she had posted of the whole group celebrating her birthday. Everyone was smiling, and y/n, though a bit pale and weak, looked radiant, surrounded by love.

But what really caught his attention was the second photo. It was a selfie of y/n and him, taken during the calmest moment of the afternoon, when they both sat together, wrapped in a blanket while watching the sunset. The photo was accompanied by a message:

"I love you so much, Jungwon. You're the reason I keep smiling. Thank you for being my star. 💖"

Jungwon's heart raced as he read her words. Though his face showed a happy smile, he couldn't help but feel emotional. y/n's love for him was pure, sincere, and even in the midst of her illness, she never stopped showing it.

He decided the perfect response would be to leave her a comment full of love:

"I love you more, y/n. Thank you for being the light of my life. 💫"

After doing this, he put his phone in his pocket, thinking about how lucky he felt. Not only did he have y/n by his side, but he had found something deeper than any other relationship he had ever had in his life.

That night, Jungwon had dinner with his parents, as usual. But this time, the conversation took an unexpected turn. As his mother asked him about his day, his father, as usual, was more serious and direct.

"How was your friend's birthday, Jungwon?" his father asked, though with a slight grimace showing some disinterest.

Jungwon, smiling, responded enthusiastically:

"It was amazing, dad. We were all so happy, and y/n looked radiant."

But then, his mother's expression changed.

"It's good that you take care of her, son, but... don't you think it's a little complicated?" his mother said with a tone that seemed somewhat distant to Jungwon.

"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.

"I mean... she's so sick. She doesn't have much time, Jungwon. Don't you think you're getting into something that might hurt you?" his father said, his words falling like cold rain on him.

"But..." Jungwon started to say, not knowing how to respond, feeling a knot in his chest.

"She's a burden, son. You know how it is... someone who's so sick can't be in a real relationship, not now," his mother continued, her tone filled with concern but also something that Jungwon couldn't identify as anything other than disapproval.

His father's words struck his mind, and his breath quickened. Something inside him ignited, a flame of defense that he couldn't extinguish.

"She's not a burden!" he replied, raising his voice, surprising his parents with his firm tone. "y/n is not a burden. She's my life. And I won't leave her for anything in the world, even if they tell me it's not the 'right' thing to do."

His parents looked at him, surprised. His father frowned.

"Jungwon, it's just... she's so sick. Why stay with someone like that? She's going to leave you soon."

"I don't want her to leave, but that doesn't mean she's a burden!" Jungwon stood up from the table, anger about to burst. "y/n makes me happy. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and the one I love most in this world. I won't leave her, no matter what happens. She's not strange or a burden. She's my love. And she always will be."

His mother fell silent, while his father gave him a disapproving look. Jungwon was about to continue, but when he saw his mother's sad expression, something inside him softened.

"I'm sorry, mom, dad, but I have to do what I feel. And what I feel is that y/n is the most important thing in my life right now."

With that, Jungwon left the room, leaving behind a tense atmosphere. He headed to his room, where, once alone, he let out a deep breath. He had defended y/n, but the conversation with his parents had left him exhausted.

He looked at his phone again and the photo of y/n. In that moment, he knew he wouldn't let anyone, not even his parents, tell him what he should feel or do. If his love for y/n was something he had to follow, he would do it no matter the circumstances.

The day was cloudy, and the fresh air filled the atmosphere of the hospital. Jungwon arrived with a shy smile, as he always did, but today there was something different in his gaze. Today, something more important than his friendship with y/n was about to take place. y/n's breathing had become more difficult with each passing moment, but still, her heart kept beating strongly for Jungwon, and she couldn't stop smiling as she saw him enter. Even though her body no longer responded with the same vitality, her spirit remained intact, and he was the reason.

Jungwon entered the room and approached her with a tender gesture. He was holding a small box in his hands, something simple but meaningful. He sat beside the bed, and for a moment, they just looked at each other in silence, as if words were unnecessary.

"y/n..." he said softly, taking her hand. His voice was so warm and sincere that it made the air between them feel lighter.

y/n tried to smile, but her breathing grew slower and more labored. Her eyes sparkled with emotion, but her words no longer came as easily. Her lips moved with difficulty, but Jungwon looked at her with a deep understanding. He knew their time together would not be long, but what he felt for her had no limits; it knew no time.

"I love you..." she said with difficulty, her voice weak but filled with love.

When Jungwon heard her, he squeezed her hand a little tighter, feeling the knot in his chest tighten. He couldn't wait any longer; he didn’t want to wait any longer. He wasn't afraid because what he felt for y/n was bigger than any fear of losing her. Life was uncertain, but his love for her was not.

"y/n..." he said with a gentle smile but filled with emotions. "I've been thinking a lot, and I don't want another moment to pass without you knowing how important you are to me. You're my everything, you know that, right?"

y/n tried to respond, but her strength wasn’t the same. Still, her face lit up with a look of happiness. She showed him that she understood everything with a gaze that said more than a thousand words.

"I... I want..." Jungwon hesitated a bit, but when he saw y/n’s eyes, he found the courage. "I want you to be my girlfriend, y/n. Despite everything, I want you to be with me, now and always. Will you be my girlfriend?"

y/n tried to speak, but the words didn’t come easily. However, her radiant face and eyes full of love were enough for Jungwon to know that her answer was yes. y/n’s smile, although weak, was the most beautiful one Jungwon had ever seen. Her eyes sparkled with tears of happiness.

Breathlessly, y/n finally managed to say:

"Yes... yes... I want... to be your girlfriend... Jungwon..."

Jungwon, his heart racing, looked at her intently. Emotion completely enveloped him. The simple fact that y/n accepted, even in her situation, was a gift—something so big that he couldn’t describe it in words.

He leaned toward her carefully, so as not to hurt her. Gently, he kissed her forehead, then her cheek, in a gesture of pure and sincere love. He kissed her softly, without rushing, giving her all his affection in that small but meaningful gesture.

"Thank you..." he whispered, unable to stop a tear from sliding down his cheek. "I love you, y/n. I always will."

And even though she couldn’t speak much, y/n smiled with her eyes, with that special light she always had when she was with him. Despite all the pain she felt, her heart beat stronger than ever. Because she knew that in her final moments, she had found the purest love, the love she had always dreamed of.

That day, Jungwon and y/n shared a connection that transcended words, one that only true love could understand. They looked at each other, smiled, and in that silence, they both knew that what they had was something eternal.

The days passed slowly in the hospital, and although y/n’s health was deteriorating, her love for Jungwon remained alive, as strong as ever. Jungwon, for his part, stayed by her side day after day, doing everything he could to make her feel special, despite the difficulties. They had shared many moments together, but now, in the calm of the hospital, there was a sense of urgency to make the most of every instant, to create memories that could last beyond the physical.

One peaceful afternoon, after the doctors gave her a little rest, Jungwon entered y/n’s room with a small box in his hands. y/n, though weaker than ever, lifted her gaze when she saw him enter, and her eyes sparkled with an indescribable tenderness. Despite everything that was happening, she had never stopped smiling when she saw him. Her love for him was so great that not even the illness could extinguish it.

"What’s that?" y/n asked, her voice hoarse but full of curiosity. She knew Jungwon always surprised her with small but meaningful gestures.

Jungwon approached y/n’s bed with a shy smile and a glimmer in his eyes. He opened the box and took out two bracelets, one with white beads and the other with pink beads. The bracelets were simple, but to him, they meant much more than just an accessory.

"These are for us," Jungwon said, looking at y/n with a soft expression but full of emotion. "I want us to each wear one as a symbol that we’ll always be together, no matter what happens."

y/n, although she didn’t have much strength, weakly lifted her hand to see the bracelets. Her eyes filled with tears as she saw how thoughtful and tender Jungwon was with her. Although she couldn’t move much, her feelings hadn’t changed one bit. She loved Jungwon deeply, and now he was giving her a piece of his heart through this small gesture.

"It’s... beautiful," y/n said with a broken voice, smiling as tears fell down her face.

Jungwon, carefully, took one of the bracelets and gently put it on y/n’s wrist. Then, he put the other on his own wrist. The bracelets fit perfectly, as if they were made just for them.

"Now we’ll always be connected, no matter what," Jungwon said, looking at y/n with a mix of tenderness and sadness. "Every time you look at your bracelet, you’ll know that I’m wearing one just like it."

y/n nodded slowly, her eyes shining with gratitude and love. Although she was already very weak, she felt that this small gesture from Jungwon kept her alive in some way. She took her wrist with the bracelet in her hands and gently caressed it.

"I’ll always carry you in my heart, Jungwon," she said, speaking haltingly, but her voice full of emotion.

Jungwon leaned toward her, kissing her forehead softly. He felt a strange peace knowing that, even in the hardest moments, he could make her happy with small gestures. He wasn’t afraid to show what he felt, and now, more than ever, he wanted y/n to know how much he loved her.

In those quiet moments in the hospital, they shared more than just bracelets. They shared looks filled with love, soft caresses, and silent promises that, even though the future was uncertain, they would always have each other, no matter what.

And even though y/n’s body was fragile and her breathing labored, the bond between them had never been stronger. They both knew that what they had was more than just a relationship; it was a connection that transcended time, one that didn’t need words to be understood.

The room was completely silent, only interrupted by the faint hum of the medical machines. y/n lay in her bed, wrapped in a white blanket that contrasted with her pale skin. In her hands, she held her phone, gazing at the photos of the happiest moments she had shared with her friends, and most importantly, with Jungwon. Each image was a reminder that, despite her illness, she had experienced pure love and unbreakable friendships.

There was one photo in particular that she couldn’t stop looking at: it was the one she had recently posted, from her birthday. She was surrounded by balloons, cake, and all of her friends, with Jungwon by her side, smiling as if the whole world was perfect. That image was her most cherished treasure, reflecting all the good that had come into her life in the past few months.

However, as she stared at the screen, a sudden pain shot through her chest. At first, it was mild, like a sharp sting, but it quickly became unbearable. Her breathing, already weak, began to accelerate as cold sweat covered her forehead. She tried to call her mother, but her strength wasn’t enough. The phone slipped from her hands, falling to the ground with a dull thud.

“y/n!” her mother shouted, seeing her writhe in pain. She rushed to her side and took her hand, desperate. “Doctors! Nurses! Help, please!”

The nurses and the doctor rushed into the room. In an instant, the room was filled with chaos. The monitors began to emit a constant beeping, announcing what her mother feared. y/n was suffering from cardiac arrest.

“Quick, prepare for resuscitation!” the doctor ordered, while the nurses adjusted the machines and prepared the defibrillator.

As they worked frantically to save her, y/n felt the world begin to fade. The physical pain was intense, but what truly tore at her was the emotional agony. She knew the end was near, and memories of her life began to flash in her mind.

She saw her parents smiling as they played with her as a child. She remembered her little sister hugging her, always full of love and innocence. Then, her mind filled with Jungwon: the first time seeing him, his shy smile when he spoke to her, the days they spent together in the hospital, the kiss under the fireworks. Then came the memories of Rei and Wonyoung, how they had accepted her and brightened her days. All those moments rushed by like a whirlwind, but in each of them, Jungwon was there, as if he were the center of her happiness.

“Jung... won...” she whispered weakly, though no one could hear her.

The doctor kept trying, again and again. Each electric shock made y/n’s body lift slightly, but there was no response.

“Again! We can’t give up!” the doctor said, though his voice was beginning to crack.

After ten minutes of attempts, the monitor displayed a flat line. The constant beeping filled the room, confirming what everyone feared.

“Time of death...” the doctor said softly, tears filling his eyes. The nurses looked away, unable to face the sadness of the moment.

y/n’s mother let out a heart-wrenching scream, falling to the ground while holding her daughter’s lifeless body. Her younger sister, who had been waiting outside, ran in and, upon seeing the scene, broke into tears, unable to understand why her older sister was no longer with them.

“No, y/n! No, please, don’t go!” her mother cried, as her father held her, tears in his eyes.

The room was filled with pain, a pain so deep it seemed unbearable.

At that same moment, miles away, Jungwon was in his room. He sat at his desk, looking at some pictures of y/n on his phone, remembering her smile and how she made him feel. Suddenly, an inexplicable pain pierced his chest.

He placed his hand over his heart, trying to calm the sensation he didn’t understand. It was as if something inside him had broken, as if a part of his soul had been ripped away.

“What’s happening...?” he murmured, staring into the empty space.

Unknowingly, Jungwon had just felt the emptiness left by y/n’s departure. Although he didn’t yet know the news, something inside him knew that the world had just changed forever.

Jungwon woke up the next day with a strange feeling in his chest. The inexplicable pain from the night before was still there, like a constant pressure he couldn’t ignore. He felt restless, but he didn’t understand why. He looked at his phone and noticed that y/n hadn’t responded to the messages he had sent before going to sleep.

"Maybe she was tired," he thought, trying to calm himself down. He wanted to believe everything was fine, that this discomfort was just a coincidence. Determined to brighten her day, he prepared everything to visit her: he bought a bouquet of fresh flowers, a small bear plush with a red bow, and her favorite food.

As he walked toward the hospital, he tried to maintain a smile, though part of him couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. When he entered the building, he noticed the atmosphere seemed different, heavier than usual. There was less noise in the halls, less movement. But Jungwon tried not to pay too much attention to it.

He continued walking, carefully holding the plush and flowers, until he reached y/n’s room. When he opened the door, his smile disappeared. The bed was perfectly made, the white sheets as if no one had ever used them. The K-pop posters that y/n adored were no longer on the walls. The plush toys that always kept her company were gone, and the flowers he had brought on other occasions weren’t there either.

For a moment, he thought he had entered the wrong room. "Did I make a mistake?" he murmured to himself, stepping back to check the number on the door. It was the right room, but something didn’t fit.

Then, he heard a faint sob coming from the corner where the sitting area of the room was. With his heart racing and a lump in his throat, Jungwon slowly walked toward the sound. There, he saw y/n’s mother sitting in a chair, her face covered in tears.

—Ma’am... where is y/n? —Jungwon asked in a soft voice, although he could already feel fear creeping over him.

y/n’s mother looked up when she heard his voice. She tried to smile at him, but tears kept falling down her face. She struggled to stand and walked toward him.

—Jungwon... —she said with a broken voice, placing a trembling hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Jungwon dropped the plush he was holding. His mind had already understood what his heart didn’t want to accept.

—No... no, please, no... —he whispered, his eyes filling with tears as he stepped back, unable to face the truth.

y/n’s mother hugged him, trying to calm him, but both of them crumbled at the same time. Jungwon broke into silent sobs at first, but soon his pain became uncontrollable.

—Why...? She was fine! We were planning so many things! —he cried between sobs, unable to understand why life had been so cruel to them.

At that moment, y/n’s younger sister entered the room. Her small arms tightly held her sister’s favorite plush, and her swollen eyes reflected the same pain Jungwon felt.

—She... she loved you so much, Jungwon... —the little girl said through tears as she approached him and hugged him tightly.

The scene was heartbreaking. y/n’s mother, her sister, and Jungwon joined in a hug full of pain, sharing the loss of someone who had brightened their lives, even if only for too short a time.

When they managed to calm down a bit, y/n’s mother took Jungwon’s hand and led him to sit down. Carefully, she handed him a drawing book and a package of letters wrapped with a pink ribbon.

—This... this is for you, Jungwon. y/n made them thinking of you. She asked me to give them to you if anything happened to her... She wanted you to read them at home, in private.

Jungwon took the objects with trembling hands, feeling his heart break even more.

—Thank you for everything, Jungwon. Thank you for giving my daughter a reason to live. She was happy... because of you. She never stopped talking about how much she loved you.

He nodded, unable to speak. His throat was closed with the tears that still threatened to overflow.

—The funeral will be in two days... If you want, you can come. She would have liked for you to be there.

Jungwon could only nod again. As he left the hospital, he pressed the book and the letters against his chest, feeling like he was carrying a part of y/n with him. His heart was shattered, but he knew he had to fulfill her last wish.

Jungwon arrived home with his heart in a thousand pieces. He tightly held the drawing book and the letters y/n had left for him, as if they were the only things keeping him standing. As soon as he opened the door, his mother, who was in the living room, saw him enter. Noticing his state, she quickly got up, leaving the book she had been reading.

—Jungwon... —she began to say, concerned. However, upon seeing the tears streaming down her son's face, she understood immediately.

She approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

—I warned you, son. I told you this was going to happen... —she murmured, with a tone that was both sad and resigned.

But when she saw Jungwon completely break down, releasing a heartbreaking cry as he clung to the drawing book, her heart softened. Without saying anything more, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

—I’m sorry, son. I’m so sorry...

Jungwon let himself fall into her arms, crying inconsolably. For several minutes, his mother held him, stroking his hair and letting him release all his pain.

—She wasn’t a burden, mom... She was the best thing that ever happened to me.

His mother nodded, kissing his forehead.

—I know, Jungwon. I know.

After a while, Jungwon went upstairs to his room. He closed the door behind him and sat on the floor, still hugging the book and the letters. He felt exhausted, as if the weight of the loss was crushing him. Finally, he took a deep breath and opened the package of letters, determined to hear the words y/n had left for him.

The first letter was written in delicate, albeit somewhat trembling, handwriting. Jungwon recognized the effort y/n had put into every stroke. When he opened it, he read:

**"My dear Jungwon,

I don’t know how much time I have left when you read this, but I want you to know that every moment with you was the best gift life could give me. Thank you for coming into my life when I needed you most and for giving me a reason to live again. You are my first love, my first kiss, my first 'boyfriend'... and also my last.

Being your girlfriend was the best thing that happened to me. I loved it when you came to the hospital, when you looked at me with those bright eyes full of love. You made me feel beautiful, even on my worst days. Thank you for staying with me, even when you saw me feeling down. I don’t know how to thank you for everything you did for me."**

Jungwon cried as he read, tears falling onto the letter. He continued:

**"Please, don’t feel guilty. Don’t think you didn’t do enough, because you did more than anyone else would have. You gave me pure and beautiful love, and even though I wish I could stay longer with you, I want you to move on. I want you to live for me, to keep smiling, dancing, and reaching your dreams.

I love you, Jungwon. I will always love you, even from wherever I am now. I hope you remember me as someone who loved you so, so, so much."**

The letter ended with a small drawing of the two of them together, holding hands, with hearts around them.

Jungwon put the letter aside and opened the drawing book. The first drawing was of him, in his school uniform with a radiant smile. He remembered the day y/n had met him and how she had told him that his smile was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

The next drawing was of the flowers he always brought her at the hospital, drawn with such detail that it seemed like he could almost smell them. There was a small note beside it that read: "I will always remember your scent of flowers and happiness."

There was a drawing of the school festival, with all of their friends and y/n in the center. At the bottom, she had written: "It was my happiest day."

Then, he came to the drawing of the fireworks, where she was in her wheelchair and he was kneeling in front of her, sharing their first kiss. Around it, there were words in Korean that said: "Thank you for loving me. You are my star."

Each page of the book was a reminder of the love they had shared, the happy moments they had created together, even in the midst of the hardest circumstances.

Jungwon took another letter and opened it carefully. This one read:

**"When you think of me, I don’t want you to cry. I want you to smile. Remember everything we did together and keep those memories in your heart. Be happy, Jungwon. Please, be happy.

And when you look at the sky and see a bright star, think that it’s me watching over you, reminding you that I will always be with you."**

Jungwon pressed the letter to his chest and closed his eyes, letting the tears flow freely. Even though his heart was broken, he felt a small spark of comfort knowing that y/n had loved him as much as he had loved her.

At that moment, he promised that, no matter how much it hurt, he would find a way to move forward because he knew that was what y/n wanted for him. She had left him not only her love but also a reason to be strong.

The day of Y/N's funeral arrived, enveloping everything in an atmosphere of sadness. The sky was gray and cloudy, as if even the universe was crying her loss. In the main hall, where the ceremony was taking place, there was a large photo of Y/N smiling, placed on a table adorned with white flowers and roses, her favorites.

Jungwon arrived early, wearing a black suit that seemed to absorb all the light around him. In his hands, he carried the stuffed animal he had bought for her the day before and a white rose. Despite his composure at first, his heart was shattered. He had spent the night without sleeping, reading Y/N's letters and looking at her drawings over and over again.

When he entered the hall, he felt the air grow heavy, almost unbearable. In front of Y/N's photo were her parents and little sister. Y/N's mother was completely devastated, her eyes swollen from crying. Her father tried to stay strong, but his hands trembled as he comforted his little daughter, who clung to Y/N's favorite stuffed animal.

Jungwon walked slowly toward them. Upon seeing him, Y/N's mother hugged him again, as she had done days before, but this time neither of them could hold back their tears.

"Thank you for coming, Jungwon. She loved you so much..." she whispered, her voice breaking as she said the words.

Jungwon could barely respond, he just nodded as he placed the white rose on the table and set the stuffed animal next to Y/N's photo.

Little by little, Jungwon's friends began to arrive. Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, and Ni-ki entered with solemn faces. They, too, brought flowers, and although none of them knew Y/N as well as Jungwon, they knew how much she meant to him. They gathered near Jungwon, offering him silent support.

Rei and Wonyoung arrived shortly after, both with red eyes from crying so much. Rei held a bouquet of flowers and a photo they had taken together during one of their girls' afternoons at the hospital. Wonyoung carried a small letter she had written for Y/N, promising she would never forget her. Both approached Y/N's family to hug them, and then joined the group next to Jungwon.

The ceremony began with words from the priest, but Jungwon could barely hear. His mind was filled with memories: the first time he saw Y/N, her laugh, her smile, her soft voice calling him "my Jungwon." Everything felt unreal.

When it was time for some friends and family to share words, Jungwon slowly stood up. Everyone looked at him with empathy, knowing how much Y/N had meant to him.

"Y/N..." he began, his voice trembling. He paused for a moment to take a breath, trying to hold back his tears. "Y/N was... is... the most special person I've ever known. She taught me what it really means to love, despite everything. She showed me how to find happiness even in the hardest moments."

He paused and looked at Y/N's photo.

"I can't imagine my life without her, but I know... I know she would want me to move on. I won't say goodbye, because I will never forget her. Y/N will always be a part of me. Always."

With those words, he left the letter she had written for him on the table, next to the stuffed animal, and returned to his seat, breaking down in tears as Rei and Wonyoung embraced him.

At the end of the ceremony, everyone gathered at the cemetery. Y/N's coffin, covered with flowers, was slowly lowered. Her parents and little sister were devastated, crying inconsolably. Jungwon, standing next to his friends, felt his heart breaking even more with each passing second.

When the burial ended, everyone began to place flowers on the grave. Jungwon was the last. He knelt in front of the tombstone and whispered:

"I love you, Y/N. You will always be my star."

He left the last white rose on the grave and stayed there, even when everyone else began to leave. He couldn't let her go, not yet.

That night, while looking at the stars from his room, he remembered what Y/N had written in one of her letters: "When you look at the sky and see a bright star, think of me watching over you."

Jungwon smiled faintly through tears, promising himself that, even though it hurt, he would move forward for her, because he knew that was what Y/N would have wanted.

Time passed, but the memory of y/n remained deeply rooted in Jungwon. The first few days after the funeral were the hardest. Every corner of his life reminded him of her: the hospital, the messages on his phone, the photos she had posted, and the letters she had written. But instead of letting the pain consume him, Jungwon decided to honor Vannia’s memory by living life the way she would have wanted: with love and gratitude.

Jungwon began spending more time with the friends they both shared. Rei and Wonyoung visited him often, and together they recalled the happy moments with y/n. Rei even organized an afternoon where they recreated the "concert" they had done at the hospital, dancing K-pop songs with contagious energy.

"Y/n would be laughing at how badly I dance," Jungwon joked one afternoon, attempting a "Hype Boy" move.

"She’d say you're improving, even if just a little," Wonyoung responded with a smile.

Despite the laughter, there were days when Jungwon felt overwhelmed by sadness. During those moments, he sought refuge in the letters and drawings y/n had left him. Each word she had written felt like a hug from beyond, reminding him of how much she loved him.

One night, while reading one of the letters, he found a page he hadn’t noticed before. It was a drawing of him looking up at the sky, with a bright star above his head. Next to the drawing, y/n had written:

"Jungwon, don’t be sad for me. Every time you look at the stars, remember that I’m always with you. I love you more than words can say, and I want you to be happy, even if I’m not physically there. Live your life to the fullest, but don’t forget about me, okay? Because I’ll never forget you."

The words made him cry, but this time not only out of sadness, but also out of love.

As the months passed, Jungwon found ways to keep Y/n's memory alive. He volunteered at the hospital where he met her, visiting other patients to cheer them up, just as Y/n had cheered him up. Over time, he began organizing small events with his friends, such as game afternoons, picnics, and beach visits, making sure everyone felt supported and appreciated.

One day, Rei and Wonyoung surprised him with a gift. They had created an album with all the photos they had of Y/n: the school festival, the beach, the birthday at the hospital, and many other special moments.

"We wanted you to have this, so you’ll always remember her with a smile," Rei said, handing him the album.

Jungwon received it with gratitude, feeling a warmth in his chest.

That night, while looking at the stars from his window, he smiled. He could imagine y/n sitting on one of them, looking at him with that sweet smile he loved so much.

"I promise I’ll be happy, y/n," he murmured, a mix of tears and a smile on his face. "And when it’s my turn to get there, I hope I’ll see you smile again."

With that promise in his heart, Jungwon closed his eyes, feeling that, even though she wasn’t physically there,y/n would always be with him, guiding and loving him from the stars.

The End.

[strawberryclementine]

I wish we had seen how Hina was feeling about Kisaki's death in the Tenjiku Arc, especially because we already saw her response to Emma's death, which he was responsible for. This could have been a really complex and interesting moment for her character! Unfortunately, Kisaki's death is around the time that it becomes clear that her character role was going to be degraded to just a prop and a prize to be possessed (which is ironic, because Kisaki just died).

We don't even see Hinata finding out that Kisaki is the one who killed Emma. We don't even know for a fact that she does find out! Do you think Takemichi would have told her the truth? Do you think she ever asked him about Emma's death, Kisaki's death, or Kisaki in general? How would Takemichi have responded??? This is eating me alive...

She's so deeply involved in the chaos of the Kanto Incident and she doesn't even know it. There is a really interesting tension created by her not knowing the full story (think of chapter 89), but this tension is never broken with her having a realization in front of the viewer. This tension did not simply die with Kisaki: there was still a realization/discovery to be had by Hina, and she would not have taken it lightly.

As the reader, we are supposed to just take it for granted that because Kisaki died she will now be with Takemichi forever. This is fine and makes sense because they're a good couple, but the omission of her realization/feelings about Kisaki's death and the confession of his plan is exemplary of the fact that we aren't supposed to care too much about her perspective. What "mattered", what was shown, was that she remains with Takemichi. Unfortunately, the story often treats her just as much as an object as Kisaki does, but it's not even intentional here.

Don't get me wrong, I love Takemichi and Hinata as a couple, but the storytelling did her very wrong by treating her as prize to be won.

[xxri]

maría for the ad astra zine! lc u will be missed T_T

[thedrotter]

not-yet-dead-person

silly comic of a conversation in-game i thought was too funny not to make something proper for instead of a doodle ww

(timelapse + wip images (thus silly process commentary in read more if you like artist commentary :3)

i think the sketch looks silly and goofy and funny so i find it important to share with you the mere presence of the faces i drew on it. i drew it on top of the boxes without staying inside its borders because i find my proportions can get wonky if i draw them cropped in a restricted space. and I feel trapped otherwise and i will draw BAD!!! give me spaceeeee to go wild!!!!

the head circles are there for emotional support

very low res speedpaint because truth is the canvas was much bigger than the space where my comic was placed. i didnt account when exporting my timelapse in 720px that that tiny space would look so pixelated ... but it's able to be percieved, so its okay.

(i will now comment on my process and it is not brief sorry)

usually i would try to clean up my sketches and figure out what goes on top before jumping into linework, but since there are multiple panels and drawings i chose to jump into inking right away for the sake of brevity. i just went in with a brush that uses pen pressure and drew what was needed. i added extra line thickness and contrast in areas around the face because it helps direct your eyes there more easily that way.

according to her equipment rei has a chain belt but i only remembered it existed once I was going to color, and i did not like that discovery... I chose to ignore it to maintain my peace. i already have the color palettes for these characters figured out, and i didnt really want to think about a new element at the moment www I tend to overthink those things a lot so i skipped it

the rest is rather straightforward! not that anything else wasn't, but in here i could turn my brain off and sing. linework and sketching require mumbling so i cannot turn my brain off. just block in the characters with a solid color so i can have a mask (something along those lines,) where the color can stay inside. then just color in !!!

Base colors just had slight cell shading on the skin, and for the hair i airbrush a bit of the skincolor in low opacity near the forehead... I'm not sure what it means, but i can look at the faces easier with it somehow. i like the gentle subtlety it adds even if you cant really tell. it makes things look nice.

background was just me blocking in the color of the wall and floor, shade the wall a bit, then slap a noise and free use wood texture on top. work smarter not harder ! yet it took a bit to make it look stylistically fitting with the characters, and even now i think bottom middle panel looks odd. whatever!!!

for the middle panel i thought itd be funny if the background was a solid silly and colorful one to contrast the next panel's sketchy black one. a contrast to how the word widow is seen. on that note my handwritting is not pointy. i gaslighted my hand into thinking that it was indeed pointy in that moment so i could write "not-yet dead person" in letters that didn't seem cute. my hand did not fall for it but it complied anyway

that's basically it! I'm not sure what else i could say that doesn't feel barebones because it really is that straightforward. if you're curious I used clip studio paint for this. only special brush used was for linework (a brush named Lemon Brush), the rest used were just the default. my computer gets the least credit. it was trying to convince me a 20mb file was going to nuke it all the time and hardly let me save multiple times so i do not appreciate it

[puppyeared]

i think the reason why im so drawn to spirit tracks and pkmn scarvi is that having the legendary/princess as a companion rather than a goal that marks the games completion makes me feel satisfied the way i would after helping a friend

my brother always teases me about how I still havent finished botw after almost 7 years bc "id rather be out picking flowers" which i wont say is untrue. and yes i know Zeldas been holding off ganon for 100 years, yes i can get some sort of idea what her relationship with link was like by recalling memories and going through her diary. ive always loved botw for its unique storytelling and setting which makes it stand out, because it lets you get to know who you're saving.

but because theyre memories, it only works if theres something for the player to investigate that already happened. its retroactive (but effective nonetheless)

on the other hand, spirit tracks does something similar but instead of having the player try to piece together memories and interpret them as a spectator, you actually have an opportunity to get to know zelda yourself by talking to her and working together. besides making it a gameplay mechanic, giving the player control over how they interact with zelda makes it so much more personable.

and I find that making the goal feel personal instead of an obligation gives me more of a reason to work towards it. I know what kind of person botw zelda was but as the player, shes still very much a stranger to me. but spirit tracks zelda? thats my friend!!!! she invited me to go to the beach after we get her body back!!! i dont want to whip her to make her move faster thats mean :(

you know how hostage negotiators are trained to introduce themselves and get to know the person theyre negotiating with because its harder to hurt someone when you know what their favorite food is? its kinda like that, because it feels like im helping a friend than being told or led to do smth

and although i havent played scarvi myself, i feel an attachment to koraidon and miraidon even just watching playthrough clips because its like!! thats my weird scaly dog!! it loves sandwiches and we're friends!!! you know!!!!!!

[funkle420]

some of the things I've learned in the Adventurer's Bible are so chilling... really drives home the fact that this is a completely different world with medieval-like stuff going on. I'm especially chilled by what Laios and Falin said about the "mountain people"...

[faaun]

i feel rly sad and conflicted abt one of my best friends on earth but idk who to ask for advice bc i usually would have consulted her in this situation lmao

[frobby]

i love madoka magica however i dont think we as a fandom talk enough about how tragic madoka herself is. probably because the narrative itself steers you away from thinking about her personally. shes not a character shes a desire that homura has, shes a force of good, shes homura's foil. but those are all madoka's narrative roles but madoka herself as a person is not really looked at because we are viewing this world from an unreliable narrator(homura) who only sees madoka as those things. The best thing homura could have done for madoka was give up on her, to let her go. because every time we go back in time the image of madoka is distorted, she loses more of herself every regression of homura's as she tries harder and harder to save her. We don't even know what madoka originally wished for to become a magical girl in the original timeline. and she actually acts quite differently than the madoka we meet. shes a lot more honest and caring and bold. by the time homura's has reached the actual anime madoka has been reduced by the sands of time to a figment of herself. she has no wants or desires of her own beyond wanting to do good and help her friends and when all her humanity is stripped away is when she finally acends to godhood because thats all thats left of her. an ideal and a faith in her. madoka kaname died a long time ago and all that is left is her ghost.

[tonariofjananda]

I think about this moment a lot.

Like. It feels really rude that Fushi’s just brushing Tonari off like this, jerking his hand away as if he’s annoyed she even tried to touch him in the first place. The fact that we don’t even see his expression when he does this makes it feel extra brutal. But I think a lot of people see this scene as if Fushi rejecting Tonari’s ‘advances,’ so to speak, and I’m not convinced that’s what’s happening here.

Like, yeah we see that big love bubble at the corner of the panel while she’s telling Fushi how important he is to her, but Tonari’s just reflected on how she feels about him and ultimately rejected her own feelings. Romantic love is not something she wants to feel for Fushi. So I don’t think she was working her way up to a confession. At least, not intentionally (it’s not her fault Fushi’s an empath)!

Instead I think this scene is supposed to be a parallel of the moment that happens between Gugu and Rean.

Gugu doesn’t tear his hand away from Rean’s because he doesn’t want to hear her confession. He isn’t running away because he doesn’t love her back. Gugu pulls away from Rean because he’s rejecting the concern she has for him and his safety. He realizes there’s something greater that he needs to focus on, something he feels only he‘s strong enough to take care of. And he wants to take care of it to keep her and the people he loves safe. Gugu loves her, it’s just not the right time for him to indulge in it.

In my opinion Fushi feels similarly to Gugu (not the reciprocation part though). He appreciates Tonari’s concern and love for him- that’s why he smiles a little and thanks her- but it’s not the right time for him to indulge in that. He‘s still trying to prove that the world is at peace (something he’s doing because of her, for her), he doesn’t need or want her getting involved in his fight against the nokkers.

I wanna reemphasize that I’m not trying to argue that Fushi secretly reciprocates Tonari’s romantic feelings- he’s already said he’s never felt that way about anyone before. I just don’t think he’s outright rejecting them either.

I think the hands in this scene are also what get people thinking this scene is a little more romantic than it is. It’s a standard cliche where one character stops another from leaving after all lmao. But this to me is what solidifies this as a scene that’s not inherently romantic.

Them grabbing at each other like this is a much older, a much deeper thing for them. Back when they were on Jananda, they’d often grab at each other’s wrists because they could never quite see eye to eye. Tonari specifically would grab at Fushi’s wrists a lot when trying to impose her will on him and drag him along. Once they start understanding each other, however, their hands actually touch (ex. Tonari pressing Oopa’s blow dart to the back of Fushi’s hand).

This scene is a little mix of the two. Tonari’s grabbing Fushi’s wrist to stop him from leaving (imposing her will on him) but her hand overlaps with his palm a little (trying to understand him). Tonari doesn’t know what’s happening completely, but she knows enough to know something’s wrong. In a way, Tonari grabbing for his hand is her appealing to Fushi to open up, to let her in, follow through on this connection that’s always been theirs.

But he doesn’t. Fushi rejects it.

I think the chapter image shows it all pretty well too. They’re both reaching out for each other. But while Tonari’s solid in her attempts to reach him, Fushi's all fuzzy. It's as if these are his emotions. Like, subconsciously he wants to reach out, but he can't. So close, yet so far…

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[hassianlovebot]

i've seen some people talk about einar's romance dialogue and how it feels offputting and rude to him but i'm gonna be honest,,, i never really saw it that way?

like i do agree that the player's dialogue options Suck compared to the other romances. something about it just feels really childish and definitely not as,,, "serious" or even committed as the other romance dialogue options. that being said, it never felt patronizing toward him.

to me, it feels like the player is just. being human. while einar is being galdur. the player doesn't get mad at him for not understanding certain jokes or not showing affection in the same way. and einar doesn't get uncomfortable with the player being human, making human jokes, or showing human affection. they're just Being Human and sharing their humanness with einar. which einar, while not always understanding of it, is completely used to and Does understand and enjoy it later on in the 3-4 levels. not that he didn't enjoy it before, but once you get closer to him, he Does understand more of the jokes and even joins in on certain ones (like the catch one!).

idk man it just always felt like the player and einar are just sharing their perspectives, personalities, and culture with each other. and of course there is the chocolate thing where he says he doesn't need it and the player has to learn what he actually wants from the relationship (ie spending time together). and there are still jokes that he ends up taking seriously, which yknow, that's kind of what i meant when i said the player's options often feel very childish compared to other ones. but it just never came off as patronizing to me, especially since einar repeatedly says that he enjoys spending time with the player and engaging in their "togetherness".

like to me it always felt like he enjoys learning about new things, even if he doesn't want to participate. like at the maji market when he says that while he doesn't understand the hotpot game, watching it fills him with "oneness". he enjoys learning about human and majiri culture and seeing them just be themselves! none of his dialogue implies that he's uncomfortable with the way the player shows affection (there Is something to be said about the dialogue options only ever showing one form of it,,, but tbf they can't put in 50+ options to cover the minutia of human brains lol)

idk i want to be clear im not shitting on anyone else's opinion on this!!! there's room for all perspectives here. i just wanted to share! i've seen SO many people say that romancing einar feels patronizing and like. i've just never seen it that way ! and it always confuses me when i see it akjhgd tbf i think some people are also neurodivergent (same lol) and don't appreciate the dialogue options that einar doesn't understand because in real life it Does feel patronizing when someone does it on purpose even knowing you won't get it. but for me, einar being galdur and not a neurodivergent human/majiri is an important distinction. he shows multiple times that he enjoys learning about human cultures and perspectives, that he enjoys talking to the player even when they don't understand each other, and that he's capable of understanding the player's jokes and sarcasm once explained to him. he Likes that they're different !

einar seems to enjoy the player acting "human" with him because he gets to learn about them! and he wouldn't want them stifle their true personality just to please him! einar is alllll about being true to yourself, your beliefs, your oneness, etc. he wants the player to understand him and his affection, but he also wants to understand the player's personality and affection. he wants them to share each other's "quirks". and don't get me wrong, i do wish there was more we could do to share in his way of affection (especially if his way is our way,,, like i'm Not flirty or jokey like that irl at all and i'd love to have more options where it really is just "hi i enjoy parallel playing with you :)))" lol) and that the dialogue options were less jokey or at least more affectionate/serious but idk,,, i think for me, i've just always seen einar as someone who wants to know and appreciate everything about the player, even the things he doesn't Immediately understand. he wants the player to explain things and share their culture with him SO bad

[my-thirteenth-reason]

kicking my feet and giggling (<- just got apologised to)

[itsalwaysdark]

i just fucking hate having ptsd all of it. so many stupid fucking things send me into fucking hysterics it sucks and i hate it and i dont want itttt anymore i dont want it.

[projectdivaar]

SEASON 4 FINALE.........I felt genuinely ill the whole time like my stomach was twisting I was gonna throw up oh my god what the FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[girlcrushau]

[orcelito]

ok i am actually so very angry and there's literally nothing i can do to fix it. life keeps going on. she might even be happy. and fuck dude, i'll make sure im happy too, i was a fully developed person before she was in my life and i'll continue to be one without her. but God Damn, the fact that she can just do something so blatantly awful and unfair to me and then run off without any actual repercussions is just so fucking rankling to me.

like perhaps she feels guilty. she said she did when it was all going down. but it was just something she "needed to do". so obviously she didn't feel guilty enough or she wouldnt have done it like that lmaoooo

i really did deserve to have a good solid yell at her. but unfortunately, by the time i did see her in person i just wanted her out of my fucking life. so. no yelling was done, unfortunately.