(Book Three)Jangkku: Tired.

Chapter One: Not Ours

The 2024 MAMA Awards had come to a close. The dazzling lights of the venue dimmed as the echo of the final applause faded into the air. Inside the bustling backstage area, the mood was a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. But for one person, the weight of the evening felt like an unbearable burden. Sung Hoon, a member of ENHYPEN, sat slumped in a corner, his face hidden behind his hands. He had done everything right. His group had poured their hearts into their music, their performances, and the year-long grind. They had given it all, yet when the night had reached its peak, the Daesang, something they had dreamed of, slipped through their fingers. The announcement was still fresh in his mind. The hope in his chest had shattered in an instant, leaving behind a hollow ache.

"Why couldn't we win? We deserved it..." His voice cracked with the sting of disappointment. His shoulders trembled slightly, as if the weight of it all had finally caught up to him. But then, the soft sound of footsteps broke through his haze of frustration. He didn't need to look up to know who it was.

It was her.

Won Young.

She had been sitting with her fellow IVE members in the front row during the ceremony, her radiant smile masking the exhaustion of a year full of relentless schedules and performances. She had seen him, her boyfriend, through the highs and lows of their respective careers. Tonight was no different. She had been cheering for him, for ENHYPEN, alongside her own group's accomplishments, but now, she knew it was time to focus on what truly mattered. Her heart ached as she took in the sight of him, hunched over and vulnerable. Without a word, she knelt beside him. Her gentle touch rested on his trembling arm, a silent offer of comfort. Slowly, he looked up, his eyes red-rimmed from holding back tears.

"You know, it's okay to cry." She said softly, her voice the calm amidst the chaos around them. "It's been such a tough year for you guys. The fans know how hard you've worked."

Sung Hoon sniffed, wiping at his eyes quickly, but his composure was slipping away. He let out a shaky breath, struggling to hold back the torrent of emotions that threatened to spill over. "But we really wanted it. We tried so hard...I wanted to bring it back to the group. They're all so amazing. They deserve it...I thought we were going to win."

Won Young's hand moved to his cheek, her touch tender as she gently cupped his face, guiding his gaze to meet hers. "And you will. I know how much you've given. This one night doesn't define all the incredible things you've done." Her voice was filled with conviction, though she, too, felt the sting of the loss. But this wasn't about the trophy. It was about him. She could see the weight in his eyes, the exhaustion, the frustration. They both shared the burden of being in the spotlight, constantly performing at their best despite being overworked, never having enough time to truly rest or find balance. They both understood what it meant to give everything, to leave pieces of themselves behind on every stage, every recording, every fan meeting. But as much as it hurt, there was something deeper that connected them. Won Young's thumb traced the edge of his jaw gently, and she gave him a small, soft smile. "You've already given so much. And sometimes, that's more important than winning." Sung Hoon swallowed hard, his tears threatening to break free once again. "I just...I don't know how to deal with this. It's like everything was leading up to this one moment, and now it's gone."

"Look at me" She whispered, her eyes locking with his. There was no judgment, no pity, only understanding. "You are so much more than any award. Your worth isn't determined by a single trophy, Sung Hoon. You've touched so many people's lives with your music and your heart. That's what matters." He blinked, trying to steady his breathing as her words seeped into him. He was grateful, but still, the ache in his chest lingered.

Without another word, Won Young leaned in. She could feel his body stiffen for just a second before he relaxed into the gesture. Slowly, her lips met his, a soft, slow kiss, as though the simple act could stop the storm raging inside him. For a moment, the noise of the world faded. There were no flashing cameras, no screaming fans, no trophies. It was just them, in a quiet moment of solace, allowing the warmth of each other's presence to soothe the hurt. When she pulled away, her hand remained on his cheek, her thumb gently stroking the smooth skin there. "You're not alone." She whispered against his lips, her voice a balm. "We'll get through this, together." Sung Hoon's eyes fluttered open, the rawness of his emotions still visible but now softened. He took a deep, steadying breath and nodded. For the first time that night, he allowed himself to let go, to feel the embrace of her words and her touch. It didn't make the loss disappear, but it made it bearable.

"I don't deserve you." He said quietly, the guilt still lingering in his voice.

"Yes, you do" Won Young replied firmly, leaning her forehead against his. "And I'm proud of you. I always will be." Together, they sat in the quiet, the weight of the world just a little bit lighter, knowing that no matter what happened, no matter what the world expected, they had each other. And sometimes, that was all they needed.

To be continued...