The sunlight hitting your face was the first thing you registered as soon as you woke up. The bed you were on was soft but you had been lying on your left side that your arm and neck felt incredibly stiff. Opening your eyes, you saw floor-to-ceiling glass windows that encompassed an entire wall. You could see the Han River from a distance. As if your heart jumped right out of your ribs, you sat up abruptly and saw that you were in a minimalistic-looking bedroom. Aside from the bed, you could only see a handful of furniture inside the white-walled room. The thing that caught your eye was an interesting piece displayed on the wall opposite the bed. You recognized the work by Anish Kapoor. The purple reflective piece was definitely the art that made the otherwise simple room look aesthetically-pleasing.   Standing up from the bed, you noticed you were still wearing your outfit from last night sans the shoes. A glass of water was on the end table and you gingerly drank it in one go. Then you noticed an oil painting of an old woman's face half-hidden and peering in-between two heads. You had seen it somewhere before and you were sure it was made by a Scottish artist but couldn’t remember the name.  You walked towards the window and admired the view of the city on the other side of the river. The highway was right below the hill the building was upon and the view triggered something in your memory.   And then it hit you.   !   He would sometimes post pictures parts of his house on Instagram and you just knew... Feeling incredibly anxious, you grabbed your bag from the chair beside the bed and you went into a long and narrow hallway.  Checking your watch, you saw that it was only five past seven in the morning. The dark wooden floors felt cold beneath your bare feet because of the air-conditioning. You went around looking for a sign of someone awake. You absolutely had no idea where you were going and you had to do your business. You sighed in relief when you found the bathroom right next to the bedroom. After the call of nature, you washed your face and gargled as you admired the expensive-looking bathroom. You went out to locate where Seung Hyun was. It was Sunday and you hoped he had no schedule this early so that you could properly apologize.   Why is this house so big?   Another long and narrow hallway beside the glass windows greeted you when you turned right. It only took a few steps when something made you gasp. The infamous Kohei Nawa sculpture stood at the center of the small room—and the atmosphere made the place look like a gallery instead of a house. Actually, his house looked like a gallery. Carefully, you circled the large PixCell-Deer which looked incredibly majestic standing there. You controlled the urge to touch the round crystal glasses that made up the whole sculpture.   “It’s nice to see you again, Seung Hyun-ssi.” His deep, almost mocking voice suddenly spoke from behind that you lightly jumped in surprise.   Turning around, you saw Seung Hyun holding a cup of coffee with that stoic look on his face you always found bothersome.   “So you actually had no plans of telling me you’re here at all.” He continued and then sipped his coffee. You couldn’t help but feel extremely embarrassed as he kept his gaze on you.   “Good morning to you, too.” You smiled sheepishly as you moved away from the sculpture which probably cost more than your entire life savings… and triple that as well.   “You didn’t answer me.” He was definitely pissed. Why would he be?   Heaving a sigh, you walked towards where the windows were and Seung Hyun now stood a few feet beside you. “I’ve been busy… and I know you’re extremely busy. I didn’t want to bother you.”   “You could’ve still told me.” He said quickly and you could see he did look upset.   “And why were you upset last night?” You reminded him since he still hadn’t answered your question.   “I still am.” He said sharply and your lips turned down since he was being difficult.   “Why?”   Seung Hyun moved to stand in front of the glass windows and then looked at the Han River. After sipping his coffee, he took one glance at you before focusing back on the view outside.   “I had a lot of free time this month since I’m going to be very busy starting September. And then you suddenly appeared out of nowhere and the other members got to know before I did. As far as I remember, you’re closer to me than them. We could’ve spent time together since you got here.” He replied casually and you were not expecting that reason at all… not even in the slightest.   It took you quite a few seconds before you could say anything. “So you wanted to spend time with me?”   Seung Hyun nodded and you still couldn’t believe he was being so candid. There you were, inside his house, and you heard those words coming straight out of his mouth. Inexplicable warmth filled your chest as you smiled.   “Are you hungry? I made breakfast.” He changed the topic so quickly and then he was leading you to his kitchen.   The place was as pristine as what you were able to see on his Instagram posts. One could definitely see his love for art inside his own abode and the pieces you saw made your eyes widen in amazement. Aside from the ones you had seen earlier, there was a hanging mobile by Alexander Calder, large abstract paintings by Gerhard Richter and Mark Grotjahn, and many others—from art pieces to furniture, Seung Hyun’s eye toward art and how he incorporated these in his home definitely impressed you. Suddenly, you missed the apartment you had in Cologne and then thought about how you still had to furnish and design your new apartment soon.   “Francis Bacon in your kitchen.” You said lightly once you saw the three sequential paintings hanging on his kitchen wall.   Seung Hyun smiled then as he poured coffee into another mug and then gave it to you. You rarely drink coffee since it always made you feel dizzy but you thought it would be impolite to refuse the owner of the house. And then he gave you a plate with a fried egg sandwich on it. You could see cheese and slices of tomatoes in between.   “You made this?” You asked and he simply hummed. You cracked a smile imagining him making this so early in the morning. “It looks delicious. Thank you.”   “I only slept for four hours. Thanks to you.” He said when you were eating at the kitchen island with him sitting in front of you.   “What did I do?” You asked innocently even though you already knew that whatever he was going to say wouldn’t make you feel any less mortified.   The corner of Seung Hyun’s lips curled up as he leaned his elbow on the counter and propped his chin on his hand. A look of amusement crossed his features and you had stopped chewing.   “You were speaking nonsense when the driver asked for directions. So we had no choice but to bring you here since we technically live in the same district.” His smile turned into a full-blown grin and then he chuckled. “And then you suddenly woke up when I was carrying you in the hallway. You didn’t say anything but you went straight to my bedroom and slept there.”   “Your bedroom?” The shock in your voice made him laugh. You tried to rack your brain in remembering what happened but you couldn’t. You were drunk and incredibly sleepy and those were never a good combination.   “I must’ve thought I was in my own house.” You muttered as you buried your face in your hands.   “It was my first time to sleep on the couch.” Seung Hyun continued and you felt even more embarrassed. “You shouldn’t drink when you go out. You’re a terrible and boring drunk and other people suffer.”   After cringing at his honest words, you suddenly found yourself laughing at what he just told you. You laughed until tears sprung into your eyes and your stomach hurt. Seung Hyun watched you—his face even more amused than before.   “I’m so sorry.” You said after you had calmed down. Wiping the tears with the back of your pointer fingers, you finally got a hold of yourself and met Seung Hyun’s gaze. “I’m sorry for being a terrible and boring drunk… as you very nicely put it.”   He shrugged and then motioned for you to continue eating. You did and you felt more relaxed now that the somewhat awkward tension between the two of you dissipated.   “But I really apologize for causing you trouble.” You said sincerely once you were done eating. “Even the last time I got drunk and you and Hong Il-ssi had to take me home. I’m sorry... and thank you as well… for looking out for me.”   Seung Hyun narrowed his eyes. “Who else would look out for you?”   That gave you a pause and you didn’t know if you would feel offended or not. “I usually take care of myself well. But I don’t know why, of all instances, I’m always caught in unfortunate situations when you’re around.”   “So you’re blaming me?” His eyebrows rose up and you suppressed the urge to laugh.   “I’m not! It’s just that you must think I’m incredibly foolish and helpless by now.” You chuckled then.   Seung Hyun tilted his head to the side and his gaze became stronger in a split second. “I don’t. I’ve always thought you’re interesting.”   “Interesting? In a good way, I hope.”   “I don’t make friends easily and I’m completely bad at keeping in touch with people.” He was speaking so seriously you felt that tension appearing again. “So I’m sorry if I haven’t been a good friend.”   Friend… what a bittersweet word.   “Eh? Why are you apologizing?” Seung Hyun put his pointer finger on your forehead.   “Wake up, agassi.” He smiled and you were still confused. “I was the one who didn’t make an effort to contact you. I realize that now and I’m sorry.”   “I didn’t contact you, too!” You reasoned and he laughed then.   “I completely understand why you didn’t.”   “You do?” You asked in surprise and he nodded once. Did he really buy that ‘I don’t want to bother you.’ reason?   Seung Hyun looked at his watch and then stood up to put his mug on the sink. That was when you noticed he had already showered and was dressed nicely in a dark blue button-down shirt and black slacks. “The driver will be here soon. I’ll drop you off at your place.”   “You have a schedule today?” You were curious since they just had their anniversary concert last night.   “I’m going to spend the day with my family.” You tried to help him put your plate and mug on the sink but he was quick to do it himself.   “That’s nice. Your nephew watched the concert, right?” You saw the pictures of his nephew watching the concert last night on your way to the after party.   “He met the members and he was so excited. He already knows how to sing Loser and Bang Bang Bang.” Seung Hyun’s voice was warm and soft and you realized that was what he sounded like when talking about his family. “He’s gotten so big though. I think I’m really getting old.”   “Kids grow up fast.”   He received a message on his phone and then he led you towards the basement which was a parking lot and you saw the black sedan from last night. The driver greeted you and you did the same. Finally, you were able to give the exact address to the driver. Once the car exited the gate and into the street, you marveled at how big his villa was.   “You have a wonderful house.”   “It’s nice to spend my rest days there… away from people and real life.” He was texting on his phone and you busied yourself looking at the other houses in the village.   “Does it get lonely though? Living alone in such a big house?” You asked without thinking but Seung Hyun replied without any hesitation.   “At times… but I do invite friends over. And I always have my wine with me.” He smiled that smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.   “Well, I know how it feels like to live alone. I’ve been living alone since I was in college. It can get crazy at times but there’s nothing more peaceful than me on my bed listening to music and just doing nothing.” That made him chuckle. “And I can do anything I want without anyone judging me.”   “And what are those?” He asked curiously and you started thinking of the things you do at home.   “I can sing as loud as I can, dance like crazy, leave my laundry on the floor, cook anytime I want… but that happens rarely since I can’t cook to save my life. But I’m learning now. I tried to cook kimchi jjigae the other night and it was bearable. Hmm… what else?” You rambled on and Seung Hyun was just listening to you. “So I can eat anything whenever, wherever… Binge-watch movies and dramas and laugh and cry… And I can walk around —“   I didn’t just say that…   You looked at Seung Hyun and he was holding back a smile and you felt like your head would explode in embarrassment. “You didn’t hear anything.”   “I did.”   “See? I always make a fool of myself when you’re around.” You sighed but couldn’t keep the shy smile on your lips.   “You’re the only one who thinks that. You’re just being yourself.” He nudged your side. “So you were saying that you walk around at home…”   “Yah!” You clasped your hand over his mouth and he laughed as he tried to move away. Even the driver was chuckling.   He held your wrists and grinned—the corners of his eyes crinkled in delight. “Don’t ‘yah’ me. I’m older than you.”   “I don’t care.” You pulled back then and you felt your heart thumping so wildly against your chest. You felt extremely happy.   “Daesung sleeps . We always about it.” Seung Hyun just couldn’t drop the topic.   “As I’ve heard.”   “I do that sometimes as well.” Y