Only one? [male Chaeyoung x TWICE]

(5) truth

[backstory]

Chaeyoung's time in Japan as an exchange student had been one of the most significant chapters of his life. It was a prestigious private school, the kind where the tuition alone could sustain a family for years. Chaeyoung had only managed to enroll because of a full scholarship, awarded for his exceptional academic performance and outstanding performances in activities.

When he first arrived, the other students treated him as an outsider—a quiet boy from Korea who didn't quite fit into the world of luxury and privilege that surrounded them. But Sana had been different. Minatozaki Sana was the kind of girl who could light up any room she walked into. With her warm smile, boundless energy, and undeniable charm, she was adored by everyone.

But what set her apart was her genuine kindness.

"Hey, you're the new guy, right?" Sana had said one day, catching Chaeyoung alone in the library during lunch. "Chaeyoung, right? Can I sit here?"

Chaeyoung had looked up from his book, startled but grateful for the friendly face.

"Uh, sure." From that moment on, they were inseparable. Sana became his guide in the unfamiliar world of the private school, showing him around, introducing him to people, and helping him navigate the subtle, often unspoken rules of their elite peers.

But it wasn't just Sana helping Chaeyoung. In her bubbly demeanor, she carried her own struggles—expectations from her wealthy family, the pressure to always be perfect, and the loneliness that came with constantly being in the spotlight.

Chaeyoung, with his calm and grounded presence, became her listener and venter. He listened when she needed to vent, offered quiet, soothing words when she was overwhelmed, and never treated her like the spoiled princess everyone else assumed she was.

Their bond deepened over time, built on a foundation of mutual understanding and trust. They'd spend hours after school in quiet corners of the campus, sharing their dreams and fears. Their bond was something no one could stand by. It was like a perfect harmony.

"I'll always have your back," Sana had said one evening, her voice soft but firm as they sat on the school rooftop, watching the sunset.

"No matter what." Chaeyoung had smiled at her, his usual reserved expression softening. Sana was everything he wanted to protect at all costs.

"Same here. Always." They made a promise that day: to stick together, no matter what life threw at them.

But life, as it often does, had other plans...

One day, without warning, Chaeyoung had disappeared. No explanation, no goodbye—just an empty desk in the classroom and a void in Sana's heart.

She'd searched for answers, asking teachers, classmates, anyone who might know what happened, but the responses were vague.

"His family moved back to Korea," someone had said.

"Something about financial troubles." close.

"Maybe he couldn't keep up." lies. The truth was far more devastating.

Chaeyoung's father had passed away suddenly, leaving his family in financial ruin. They could no longer afford to stay in Japan, even with Chaeyoung's scholarship covering his tuition. The funeral and the arrangements that followed had been a whirlwind, leaving no time for farewells.

Chaeyoung had wanted to tell Sana, to explain everything, but how could he? He couldn't bear to see the pain in her eyes, and a part of him felt ashamed—ashamed that he couldn't keep his promise, ashamed that his circumstances had forced him to leave the one person who had truly cared for him in Japan. As much as he wanted to, he just couldn't face Sana right now.

As years passed, they were left with no contact.

Since he came back to Korea, Chaeyoung threw himself into his studies, trying to move forward, but memories of his time with Sana lingered. He often wondered if she hated him for disappearing. Or that she had already moved on from him. From their promise.

For Sana, the betrayal cut deep. She couldn't understand why Chaeyoung had left without a word. She replayed their moments together over and over in her mind, clinging to their promise even as bitterness crept in. Years passed, but Sana never truly let go. And now, as she prepared to enroll in Chaeyoung's university, the pain and anger she'd buried for so long resurfaced, mingling with a fierce determination.

"Chaeyoung," she whispered to herself, clutching the small charm bracelet he'd given her years ago, still intact on her wrist. "You left without saying goodbye. But this time, you won't get to leave me behind."