##At the Balcony
The sunset was beautiful.
Not the dramatic kind you see in movies—no blazing reds or overwhelming golds—but the quiet kind. Soft orange bleeding into lavender. A sky that looked tired, yet gentle, like it had seen too much and decided to rest anyway.
Jack and I sat on the balcony, each holding a warm mug of coffee. Steam curled upward, dissolving into the evening air. Below us, life continued as if nothing in the world was broken.
Birds fluttered past, heading back to their nests. Children laughed somewhere nearby, their voices light and careless. People walked home with slouched shoulders and tired eyes, keys already in hand, minds already drifting toward dinner and rest.
Innocent.
Normal.
For a moment, it almost hurt to watch.
"So," I said quietly, breaking the calm, turning toward Jack. "Tell me about yourself."
Jack leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle over the other, coffee balanced easily in his hand. He looked far too relaxed for someone with the kind of past he hinted at sometimes.
"Tell what, honey?" he replied, smirking.
I rolled my eyes. "Don't start."
He chuckled.
After a moment of thought, I asked, "Um… do you have any siblings?"
Jack's expression softened instantly.
"Yep," he said. "One brother. Four years older than me and one year younger than you."
I hummed. "Name?"
"William. Will for short," he said casually, then added far too quickly, "Single—"
"Alright, alright!" I cut him off, laughing. "I just asked if you had siblings, not to marry your brother, hahaha!"
Jack laughed too—but I noticed it then.
The way his smile lingered.
The way his eyes drifted somewhere else, somewhere far behind the sunset, like he was replaying memories he didn't talk about often.
Seeing Yuri's brother… seeing Jack's brother…
Nope.
Totally different.
Sob… sob…
"So," I asked softly, curiosity winning over common sense, "where does he live?"
Jack's smile faded.
Just like that.
"I was ten," he said slowly. "His best friend came and took him. Said he had something important to discuss."
He swallowed.
"But he—" His voice cracked, tears rolling down his cheeks before he could stop them.
I immediately set my coffee down and moved closer. "Hey, it's alright. You're still here. You can still take his revenge, you know."
He blinked at me.
"Wait," he said. "What do you mean?"
"What do you mean what?" I frowned. "Your brother died—"
"Oh my god, Nam." He cut me off instantly, half-laughing through his tears. "Not everybody is dead."
I froze.
He wiped his face and shook his head. "He just… never came back. He's missing."
"Oh."
"…Oh."
I looked away, embarrassed. "Okay. Okay. Sowrry. Meh."
Jack laughed, shaking his head as he took another sip of coffee.
"You remind me of my best friend," he said suddenly. "She died when I was in secondary school. Her name was Eli."
I turned toward him again. "Oh… I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay," he replied softly. "Actually… I should thank you."
I blinked. "Thank me? For what?"
He turned to face me fully. His light green eyes reflected the dying sunlight, calm and sincere in a way that made my chest ache.
"Thank you for coming into this world," he said. "Thank you for surviving long enough to meet me."
I didn't realize it at first.
Until my vision blurred.
Until my throat closed.
I was crying.
Jack stood up instantly. "Hey—hey. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."
I stood too.
Then I did something I hadn't done in years.
I rushed forward and hugged him.
Hard.
Tight.
All the tears I had held back for eighteen years finally spilled, soaking into his shirt as I cried without restraint. Loud. Ugly. Honest.
"There, there, honey," Jack murmured, patting my back gently, brushing my hair with steady hands.
After a while, I pulled away, wiping my face quickly.
"I'm sorry I made you worried," I said. "It's just… no one has ever said those words to me before."
Jack smiled warmly. "It's alright."
I hesitated, then blurted, "Can we be besties…?"
He burst out laughing. "Did you just blush, my lady?"
"Stop!" I groaned. "That phrase is ancient. LOL."
Then—
A soft laugh.
Not loud. Not long.
Just a breath of sound that slipped out before it could be stopped.
We both turned.
Yuri stood near the door.
She was laughing.
Her laugh was soft. Gentle. Almost shy.
"You both…" she said, tired eyes smiling. "Are born for each other."
Jack leaned toward me, whispering, "She laughed, right?"
"Yeah," I whispered back. "I think so."
Yuri went quiet again.
Jack leaned even closer. "Rule number one."
"What?"
"Never mention this. Ever."
I nodded solemnly. "Agreed. She'd deny it till her last breath."
Yuri cleared her throat sharply. "I'm going to sleep now. Don't disturb me unless it's necessary."
"Yes, ma'am," Jack and I replied together, saluting.
The door clicked shut.
Jack exhaled. "Well."
"Well," I echoed.
"Did we just unlock a secret level of Yuri?"
"No," I said softly. "We just saw the part of her she doesn't want anyone to see."
That shut him up.
For once.
-----
##At Night — Jack's Apartment
I was scrolling on my phone when—
buzz.
A notification.
Noah: Party at my apartment! :)
Jack: FINALLY! Hurrah!
Nam: Yesss!! So happy woohoo!!
Anna: Oh! Okayy! :)
Fu Geng: Ok. But why?
Nam: Omg you insecure guy just don't ask—
Another message popped up.
Noah: It's Yuri's birthday. She's turning 22.
Nam: OMG LOVE YOU FU GENG! That was a nice question LMAO.
Anna: HAHAHAHAHA.
Jack: OMG Nam 😂
FuGeng: Uh. 🙄
I rushed upstairs and shook Yuri awake.
She got ready quickly—black high-waisted trousers, a soft gray knit top tucked neatly in, silver earrings, hair tied low and clean. Simple. Elegant. Very her.
Now Jack was also ready, to take her to Noah's home.
And oh my God.
He wore a navy-blue button-down with the sleeves rolled up, black trousers, watch gleaming softly on his wrist. Hair styled just enough to look effortless.
I was dying.
I jumped out of the shower late as usual.
"Sorry!" I said, grabbing my bag. "You guys go first!"
"But it's not safe—" Yuri began.
"Take your time," Jack said smoothly, already pulling her toward the door. "Let's not disturb my queen."
Door clicked shut.
Yes.
That was the plan.
I got dressed—cream-colored sweater, black jeans, white sneakers, coat slung over my shoulders.
Taxi.
Noah's house.
------
##At Noah's House
The place was insane.
A large modern house with glass windows, warm lighting spilling out, a garden out front, balcony upstairs, rooftop access.
Luxury without being cold.
Inside, Anna and Fu Geng were decorating—fairy lights, balloons, banners.
I rushed to the kitchen.
Noah stood there cooking.
Pasta. Fried chicken. Sushi rolls. Cupcakes. Salad. Juice. Soda. Cake.
"You're insane," I said.
He laughed. "She deserves it."
-----
8 PM
Ding dong.
Lights off.
Door opened.
Yuri stepped in.
Confused.
Then—
"TA-DAAA!"
Party poppers exploded.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YURI-SAN!"
She jumped like she'd seen a ghost.
We laughed.
"Just cut the damn cake," I said. "I'm hungry."
"はい (Okay)," she replied quietly.
She blew the candles.
A tear slipped.
I smiled softly.
Rooftop — Later That Night
(Note: they all changed their clothes to comfy ones)
The wind picked up as night fully settled in, cool and gentle, carrying the faint scent of smoke and grilled meat across the rooftop. The city lights below shimmered like a scattered constellation, glowing softly against the dark sky. Somewhere far away, traffic hummed—steady, distant, alive.
Jack flipped a skewer with practiced ease. "If this burns, I'm blaming Fu Geng."
Fu Geng scoffed, arms crossed. "You're the one who said 'more fire equals more flavor.'"
Noah laughed, brushing sauce onto the meat. "You two argue like an old married couple."
Jack gasped dramatically. "Excuse you, I have standards."
"Lies," Fu Geng replied instantly.
The girls sat a few steps away on a low bench, plates balanced on our laps. Anna was scrolling through photos, already posting stories. I leaned back, letting the cool air brush my face.
Yuri sat beside me, quiet as always.
She wore a dark blue cardigan over a simple white top, hair loose tonight, strands catching the light when she moved. She looked… softer. Less guarded. Like the armor had been set aside—just for today.
"You okay?" I asked gently.
She nodded. "I'm not used to this."
"To what?"
"People remembering," she said after a pause. "People celebrating."
My chest tightened.
Anna leaned over. "You deserve it, you know."
Yuri looked at her, surprised. Then she gave a small nod. "Thank you."
Jack suddenly shouted, "FOOD IS READY!"
Everyone rushed over like starved animals.
We ate standing up, laughing, stealing pieces off each other's plates. Sauce smeared fingers. Someone dropped a skewer. Jack mourned it like a fallen soldier.
"This is the best birthday," Noah said proudly.
Yuri froze. "It's not your birthday."
"I know," he said easily. "But seeing you smile is enough."
She stared at him.
Then—very quietly—she smiled again.
Jack elbowed me sharply. "DID YOU SEE THAT?"
"I SAW," I whispered back.
Yuri pretended not to notice, focusing very hard on her food.
Later, when the plates were empty and the grill cooled, we gathered closer, sitting on the floor, backs against the railing. Someone turned on soft music from their phone. Nothing loud. Nothing dramatic. Just background noise to let the night breathe.
Anna leaned against Fu Geng, teasing him about how stiff he looked in photos. He muttered complaints but didn't move away.
Jack lay flat on his back, staring at the sky. "You ever think about how weird life is?"
I snorted. "Only every day."
"No, seriously," he said. "One day you're just… existing. And then suddenly you're here. With people. On a rooftop. Celebrating someone's birthday like it matters."
Yuri glanced at him. "It does matter."
Jack smiled without looking at her. "Yeah. It does."
Silence settled—not awkward, not heavy. Just real.
I looked at Yuri then. Really looked.
Her shoulders were relaxed. Her eyes weren't scanning for exits. Her hands weren't clenched. For the first time since I'd met her, she looked… safe.
And that scared me.
Because nothing good ever stayed safe for long.
"Make a wish," Anna suddenly said, nudging Yuri.
"I already did."
"Another one."
Yuri hesitated, then closed her eyes anyway.
I watched her face soften, lips parting slightly as if she was afraid to even think the words too loudly.
When she opened her eyes again, she looked… steadier.
"Done," she said.
Jack sat up immediately. "What did you wish for?"
She stared at him flatly. "If I tell you, it won't come true."
"Worth a try."
"No."
I laughed. "She's right. Don't ruin it."
Yuri stood slowly, moving toward the railing. The city reflected faintly in her eyes.
"I didn't wish for happiness," she said quietly.
Everyone looked at her now.
"I wished for strength," she continued. "Because happiness fades. Strength stays."
Jack's expression softened. "You already have it."
She shook her head. "Not enough."
Something in her tone sent a chill through me.
I stood and joined her, resting my elbows on the railing. "Hey," I said softly. "Whatever happens… you're not alone anymore."
She looked at me.
Really looked.
Then nodded once. "I know."
Behind us, Noah cleared his throat. "Okay, emotional moment over. Who wants cake round two?"
Jack shot up. "ME."
Fu Geng sighed. "Of course."
We laughed again. Loud this time.
But somewhere beneath it all—beneath the lights, the food, the smiles—something lingered. A quiet tension. Like the universe was watching. Waiting.
-------
Narrator:
Some nights feel like gifts.
Moments borrowed from a kinder timeline.
Where laughter isn't forced, and smiles aren't lies.
But the thing about borrowed moments—
is that they always have to be returned.
And when they are…
they usually come back stained with fire.
Maybe Yuri felt it.
Maybe Selena did too.
Or maybe none of them wanted to admit it yet.
Because for tonight—
they chose to stay.
To laugh.
To celebrate.
And sometimes…
that's the bravest choice of all.
End of Chapter.
(Another coming TMR!)