Extra Chapter 1: Zee

​When Zee received the call from Net, he was fastening his seatbelt, preparing to start the car and head home. The passenger seat, once reserved for only one person, was now occupied by a stuffed cat.

​The mall event Zee attended had just ended. Lean and weary against the seatback, he felt a lingering reluctance to return to that empty apartment—a place where traces of the past remained undisturbed. There was the toothbrush he had bought for Nunew on the very first night the boy stayed over, and the teddy bear Nu had forgotten in the bedroom in his morning rush to work.

​Those small things were constant reminders of the boy who was once his.

​"P'Zee, are you done with work?" Net asked the moment the call connected. "Nunew is at my restaurant."

​Zee froze for a moment, then managed a calm, low "Mm." Little did he know, that simple response would act as a fuse for Net.

​"What do you mean, 'Mm'?" Net sounded so frantic his tongue nearly tripped over his words.

"This is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. Get over here now!"

​Without waiting for Zee’s hesitation to clear, the tanned man abruptly hung up. Net didn't believe for a second that Zee could resist the mention of Nunew’s name. He knew his senior’s stubborn heart all too well.

​Just as Net predicted, about half an hour later, Zee appeared at the restaurant looking exhausted. He didn't look comfortable; Net could see the tension weighing heavily on his shoulders. For a split second, Net felt a pang of guilt for forcing Zee into this meeting. But then, thinking better of it, he realized the die was cast.

​It was time to give his close senior a chance to face the music.

​Net pointed toward a turn leading to a row of private dining rooms.

​"I left the door slightly ajar to mark the spot."

​Net patted Zee’s shoulder and quickly made his exit. The restaurant owner hadn't forgotten his mission to check on the cake Yim had left in the fridge.

​Zee walked alone, his eyes searching for the half-open door Net mentioned. He could hear faint sounds of playful bickering echoing from somewhere—likely his destination. Yet, his mind was a blur of uncertain grey and white.

​By the time Zee’s consciousness caught up with his actions, he found himself standing in the doorway of a medium-sized dining room, with three pairs of eyes fixed on him. Perhaps out of habit, the moment his gaze met those clear eyes, the words slipped out.

​"Hello, Nu."

​Nunew nodded and smiled at him, his eyes curving into crescents.

​In contrast to Nunew’s natural composure, Tutor and Yim looked far more awkward. They were sitting side by side, while Nunew sat opposite them, leaving one empty chair currently occupied by a heavy paper bag. Zee was debating whether to ask for that spot when Yim suddenly lunged over to claim it with lightning speed. Not only that, the mischievous boy waved Zee over to sit with them.

​"P'Zee, come sit over here," Yim said, pointing to the chair next to Tutor. "I have some questions for Nunew about his studies, so I’m moving here for convenience."

​Zee glanced at Tutor, who simply scratched his head with an air of feigned innocence. Under the watchful eyes of the three boys, he walked over and took his seat. It was obvious Yim was intentionally keeping him away from Nunew. Though Tutor remained silent, Zee could feel him breathe a sigh of relief as Yim snatched the seat next to Nunew.

​Perhaps due to Zee’s presence, the lively atmosphere from moments ago turned somber. Tutor focused on his meal, scooping food for his two friends, while Yim pretended to ask about Chinese learning tips to distract Nunew. Zee didn't mind being excluded from their group dynamic; he was too busy admiring the boy sitting across from him—the one he hadn't seen in so long.

​Unlike his impression from months ago, Zee could tell that the current Nunew was living happily. A smile always graced his lips, and it wasn't forced. In those round, dark eyes, Zee caught glimpses of a shimmering light. His complexion was healthy, his lips soft and full. No matter how Zee looked at him, he felt only an aura of gentle happiness.

​He looked just like the "Nu" who used to affectionately call him "Hia" in those distant days.

​Since Zee had arrived near the end of the gathering, it wasn't long before Tutor stood up to call the server for the bill. Nunew leaned his head on Yim’s shoulder, his eyes half-closed as he rubbed his full stomach. From the savory dishes prepared by Net’s chef to the cake Yim brought, everything had been delicious.

​Seeing his best friend about to doze off on his shoulder, Yim straightened Nunew up.

​"Nunew, have you called P’Tee to pick you up yet?"

​At the mention of P’Tee, Nunew woke up a bit. The boy rubbed his eyes and reached for his phone. But before he could press the call button, a deep, warm voice from across the table struck his heart.

​"Can I take you home, Nu?"

​The room fell into a dead silence. Not only was Nunew stunned and Yim shocked, but even Zee himself was startled by his own words. He lowered his head awkwardly, not daring to look the boy in the eye. Zee knew he no longer had the right to make such a request.

​Just when Zee thought Nu would explode in anger or give a cold refusal, he heard that familiar, soft tone.

​"Then I’ll have to trouble you, P'Zee."

​Beside him, Yim stared at Nunew, unable to believe his ears. He was about to interject when his best friend held him back. Nunew whispered something into Yim’s ear; a few seconds later, Yim nodded, grabbed the paper bag, and bolted out. He was looking for someone to settle the score with.

​The room was left with just the two of them, facing each other in the quiet air.

​Seeing that Zee had no intention of speaking, Nunew finally took the initiative to break the barrier.

​"Do you have something you want to talk to me, P'Zee?"

​Zee lifted his head, his gaze instinctively meeting the face of the boy he once knew. All the words stored in his chest transformed into a single sentence.

​"I didn't expect you would still be willing to talk to me."

​The other appeared surprised by his words. But immediately after, that expression turned into a soft, faint chuckle.

​"Why wouldn't I talk to you?"

​Nunew’s nonchalant attitude left Zee at a loss for words.

​That’s right, isn't it?

​The Nunew Zee knew wasn't one to hold grudges easily like others. Deep in his chest was the softest heart Zee had ever felt. Despite all the hardships, Nunew had always been like a small sun, trying to spread warmth to everyone.

​Including him.

​"I thought..." Zee’s large hand traced along the table, tentatively covering Nunew’s small hand. "You must hate me so much?"

​The warmth, both foreign and familiar on the back of his hand, made the boy shiver. Yet, he didn't pull away immediately.

​"I did," Nunew’s voice caught in his throat. "Of course I did."

​To be abandoned by the person you love most at your most desperate moment—who wouldn't hate? Regardless of how he later understood the reasons for that day, and recognized Zee's efforts to make amends, Nunew couldn't pretend as if nothing had happened.

​Wounds are created; no matter how one tries to heal them, the scars remain.

​"But, thinking it over..."

​Nunew smiled, even as the figure of the man before him began to blur.

​"I still find that I love you more than I hate you."

​He gently uncurled the large hand and slowly withdrew his own, leaving Zee staring blankly.

​It was late; it was time to go home.

​The drive from the restaurant to Nunew’s house wasn't particularly long, but for Zee, it was enough to keep him happy for the rest of his life.

To be the one driving Nunew home. To see him in the passenger seat. And to witness him clutching the stuffed cat tightly as he drifted off to sleep.

​He was content.

​The car rolled to a stop in front of a house Zee was once quite familiar with. He turned off the engine and unfastened both their seatbelts. Nunew was a bit dazed from his short nap and took a few minutes before finally getting out.

​"Thank you for taking me home."

​Zee looked at him for a moment then lowered his eyes, making no move to respond verbally. Instead, he stepped forward at a steady pace.

​When the familiar scent of perfume hit his nose, Nunew realized the distance between them had closed without him noticing.

​Zee’s calloused fingers toyed with a stray lock of hair, meticulously tidying it bit by bit. The familiar gesture caused Nunew’s body to freeze instinctively, his breathing turning erratic and his heart racing out of control.

​"All done."

​Nunew lifted his eyes to the man in front of him, feeling an emotion that couldn't be put into words. To hide it, he could only take a small step back.

​"Then... I’m going inside."

​The confusion and panic on Nu’s face contrasted sharply with the somber, sad look in Zee’s eyes. Zee took a pained step back. Only when he saw that Nu was less tense did he speak softly.

​"Can Hia ask you for just one more thing, Nu?"

​The other was a bit surprised but tilted his head, waiting. Zee spread his arms wide and looked at him tenderly.

​"Can Hia give Nu a hug?"

​A hug in place of a confession never given, and a belated apology.

​Nunew stood frozen for a long time. Finally, as if reaching a decision, he took a deep breath. In his comfortable sneakers, the boy stepped forward and embraced the man he loved so deeply.

​With all his courage and lingering attachment.

​Until Nunew’s figure disappeared behind the door, Zee remained in a daze. He sat in his car, staring fixedly at his two arms that had just held that small form.

​Like a slow-motion film, Zee’s mind continuously replayed the moment that lingering warmth left his embrace. He instinctively looked toward the house where the little sun belonged, only to feel a sharp pang in his chest.

​In the end, the shattered sound swallowed deep within his heart still lost.

​"Goodbye, Hia."

​It lost to that gentle farewell.