24H | SEVENTEEN

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The morning sun hovered low over her bed as Rumi zipped up her duffel bag. The room was unnervingly tidy, stripped of warmth nothing left but folded clothes, and luggage. Rumi signed, in twelve hours she'd be on flight back to India. Her eyes roamed over the space one last time, the half‑closed curtains, the untouched chair by the window, the quiet hum of the heater. Everything felt still, like the room itself was holding its breath, waiting for her to leave. A gentle knock sounded against the doorframe.

"You're packed already?" Rumi turned to find Youngjae leaning against the wall, his expression calm.

"Mostly," she said, forcing a small smile. "Didn't think I'd actually finish before breakfast."

Youngjae nodded, exhaling. "Have you talked to him?" Rumi's fingers tightened on the zipper. She hadn't. Since that day, Rumi had tried her best to make things better but...

"I don't know oppa. If I should anymore." She sighed. "Feels like I'm hurting him more." Youngjae walked over and placed a steady hand on her shoulder. "It's not like I don't know what he feels. Even I don't want to leave him, oppa," Rumi continued, voice softer, thinner. "But I know I can't stay. And I know I can't expect him to be understanding... to wait for me." Her breath trembled at the end, and Youngjae's grip on her shoulder tightened not to hold her back, but to hold her together.

"Rumi," he said gently. "You should talk to him before you leave." Rumi lowered her eyes. "I know." Youngjae nodded once, understanding settling between them. "You're planning to visit them, aren't you?" Rumi hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Let's go," he said softly. "I'll drive you there."

Rumi took in a deep breath as the manager pressed his card to the Rumi took in a deep breath as the manager pressed his card to the sensor. The light blinked green, and the practice room door clicked open. "Go ahead," he said gently. "They're on break." Rumi nodded, clutching the strap of the bag a little too tightly. "Thank you." The manager stepped aside, leaving her alone with the quiet hum behind the door. She pushed it open. Music thumped softly from the speakers, boys scattered around the room, stretching, some gulping water, teasing each over nothing. It was messy, loud, unmistakably them.

"Eo ige nuguya?" Jeonghan asked noticing her walk in. "Did you forget your way today?" He teased making Rumi chuckle.

"Mwoji? Mwoji?" Hoshi rushed towards her peeping into the bags she was holding. "Coffee." He looked up at her in surprise. "You bought coffee for all of us? Wow? What is this? Did you win a lottery?" Rumi rolled her eyes. "Pass the cups, will you?" Hoshi clicked his tongue dramatically. "Yedera! Rumi brought coffee for everyone!" He announced, already distributing the cups like a proud kindergarten teacher.

"What's the occasion, noona?" Chan asked, glancing up as she passed him his cup. "Nothing special-"

"You're leaving tonight, aren't you?" Seungcheol's voice cut cleanly through the noise.

The room stilled. Rumi froze; the last cup halfway extended toward Joshua. Hoshi stopped mid-sentence. Someone turned down the music without being asked. The sudden quiet felt too loud.  Rumi forced a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Eo."

"What? This soon?" Joshua asked. "I mean you did tell us that you're going but this soon?"

"Yeah, I thought it was in month or so?" Minghao asked.

Rumi shook her head. "Nah. It's tonight. I have things I need to take care of." She said it lightly, like it didn't matter. Then she moved toward Wonwoo. "Coffee?" she offered. Wonwoo stared at the cup for a second too long, jaw tight, eyes fixed somewhere past her shoulder. He took it without a word, without looking at her. It hurt. Him being this quiet hurt more than if he'd raised his voice, more than if he'd snapped or accused or demanded explanations. That, she could have handled. But this...It felt like he was already letting her go. And that thought lodged painfully in her chest.