The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains of Min-ji's bedroom, casting gentle shadows across her sleeping form. Jungkook had spent the entire night in the chair beside her bed, unable to bring himself to leave. Every soft breath she took, every small movement in her sleep, seemed to anchor something deep within his chest.

He'd dozed fitfully, years of training keeping him alert even in rest, but his eyes had rarely strayed from her face. In sleep, the worry lines that had etched themselves around her eyes yesterday had smoothed away, leaving her looking younger, more peaceful. More like the girl he'd first noticed four years ago, laughing with her university friends without a care in the world.