The same thunder from a year ago cries angrily, waking Youngjae from his trance as his eyes widen with surprise. He doesn’t remember the weather suddenly becoming so grey and so sad. A small candle on the table illuminates the darkened room. He doesn’t remember lighting that candle either.

With the same empty gaze, he watches as the second silver ring gently sinks towards the bottom of his drink. Perhaps he was drinking alcohol. Maybe water. Youngjae still doesn’t know.

The two silver rings meet at the bottom of his cup, and the candlelight continues to flicker. He stares at the candlelight and watches as the small flame dances, hoping to see Daehyun’s face once again. Not his anguished face. Not his agitated face. The face Youngjae wanted to see was from a painfully beautiful memory. Maybe he could see him if he looked harder, if he tried harder. And for a split second, he was so sure he saw it. Daehyun’s smiling face.

After much hesitation, he blows out the candle, and the room is pitch black again.

Daehyun isn’t smiling anymore.

“I miss your smile on the day we broke up and the day before.”