---

Jungkook had spent weeks lurking in the shadows, feeding his obsession in silence, watching Sera’s every move from a distance like a predator caged just beyond the glass. But now, the news hit him like a fatal blow—she was getting engaged. To him. To Ethan. Jungkook’s blood boiled as he read the article on his phone, hands trembling with fury. His vision blurred, heart pounding like a war drum against his ribs. The woman he had claimed as his—in his mind, in his fantasies, in the depths of his darkest desires—was about to be publicly bound to someone else. The idea was unthinkable. Intolerable. Impossible.

His breath turned ragged as he began pacing back and forth in his studio, veins burning with suppressed rage. No, he thought. She’s only engaged—not married. There’s still time. Still time to make her realize who she belongs to. His teeth clenched. His jaw ticked. She was just confused, lost in the illusion of comfort Ethan gave her. That wasn’t love. It wasn’t real.

He was real.

He was the one who watched her laugh when she thought no one was looking. He was the one who memorized her routine, who knew the scent of her perfume better than she did. He was the one who burned for her, who worshipped every inch of her from afar. Jungkook’s delusion sharpened, merging with his superiority. He was Jeon Jungkook—an untouchable name, a legend, a man with everything. Money. Fame. Power. No woman had ever rejected him. Why would Sera be the first?

A dark, arrogant smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as the storm in his chest gave way to something colder—calculated. Once she hears me… once she sees how much I love her, how deep this runs, she won’t say no. She can’t. She just needs a push. A taste. A reminder of what it feels like to be mine. He’d already marked her soul. She just didn’t know it yet.

And now? He was done hiding. It was time to step into the light… and drag her into his darkness.

Jungkook sat slouched in the chair, his jaw clenched, fingers running restlessly through his tousled hair as he stared blankly at the wall.

His mind was a storm.

"How do I make her say yes? How do I make her believe I’m the only one who’ll love her like this—like she’s the only thing that matters?"

His chest rose and fell in frustration. He had never felt this helpless before. Jungkook—the man who always had control, who always had answers—was now a desperate lover, aching for a single word from the woman who had unknowingly consumed his soul: Yes.

He thought about candlelit dinners, rooftop views, fireworks spelling her name, secret beach setups under the stars. He even considered learning to play her favorite song on the piano just to propose with it in the background. "No, no… it's not enough," he muttered, balling up another piece of paper and tossing it to the floor.

But it wasn’t just about the proposal. It was about making her feel safe, desired, and irreplaceably his. He imagined dropping to his knees in front of her, not because it was tradition—but because that’s what she deserved. A man brought down by love, surrendering himself completely.

"What if I write her a letter… one that tells her everything—every damn emotion she’s made me feel since the day I met her?"

He stood up suddenly, pacing the room like a man possessed. His heart thudded in his chest as if her answer depended on how fast he could think of something perfect.

"I can’t lose her. I won’t. I need her to see that no one will ever love her like I do… not even herself."

Jungkook was no longer just thinking of proposing. He was preparing a vow—a silent, desperate promise to give her everything, if she’d just say yes.

The moment the idea struck Jungkook, his breath hitched—this was it. The perfect plan. The only plan worthy of the woman who had unknowingly made a home in the heart of a man the world called untouchable.

A starry night.

Of course. She loved stargazing. He remembered how her eyes would light up every time she looked at the night sky, as if she could speak to the stars, as if they understood her better than anyone else ever could. That was her escape, her peace… and now, it would become the backdrop of the most important question of his life.

A slow smile crept onto Jungkook’s lips, wide and filled with wonder, the kind of smile only she could bring out of him. He could already see it in his mind—her standing there in that quiet, secluded spot she always went to when she wanted to be alone with the universe. The sky above them would be littered with stars, infinite and soft, just like his feelings for her. And beneath that eternal blanket of night, he would fall to one knee and give her a universe of his own.

“She doesn’t even know,”

he whispered to himself, a quiet laugh escaping his lips,

“how she turned my world upside down just by walking into it…”

He would tell her everything. How her laughter echoed in his mind even during the loudest concerts. How her silence brought him more peace than any cheering crowd. How, despite being surrounded by millions, it was her who caught the attention of the superstar. Her, with her stargazing eyes and guarded heart, who had made him feel like just a man—raw, vulnerable, and hopelessly in love.

“I’ll tell her how she entered my world like a calm storm,” he thought, “turning everything chaotic yet beautiful.”

Jungkook’s heart beat faster with excitement as he began planning every detail—the fairy lights hidden among the trees, the soft blanket where they’d sit together, the telescope he’d bring so she could look at the stars one last time as a single woman. Then he’d turn her face toward him… and ask her to be his forever.

He wanted everything to be perfect. Because she was his everything.

In that moment, Jungkook wasn't the global idol adored by millions. He was just a man, hopelessly in love, praying the stars she loved so much would bless his desperate, beautiful wish. And with trembling hands and a heart full of hope, he began to bring his dream to life—one glowing detail at a time.

. His fingers hovered over the screen of his phone, the name

“Sera” glowing faintly. The room was silent, . He chewed his bottom lip, his brows furrowed in hesitation. What if she doesn’t pick up?

His thumb trembled slightly, but he finally tapped the call button. As the dial tone rang in his ears, his heart raced faster than ever. Each beep echoed in his chest like a countdown to rejection.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side…

Sera was curled up on her couch, a warm blanket around her legs, a book resting in her lap—though she wasn’t really reading. Her phone lit up beside her.

“Jungkook calling.”

Her brows rose in surprise, her heart pausing for a beat. Jungkook?

She stared at the screen, hesitant for a moment. What could he possibly want now?

Still, her fingers moved on their own. She picked up.

"Hello?"

---

Jungkook’s breath caught the moment he heard her voice. It was like a fragile melody from a memory he’d tried so hard not to break. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and then, gently—almost like a whisper—he spoke.

"Sera…"

Sera blinked, surprised at the way he said her name. It wasn’t commanding, like she remembered from before. It was… soft. Like it was laced with something deeper. A long-lost emotion.

“Jungkook…”

she responded, her voice even and polite.

“How are you?” There was genuine concern in her tone, quiet and careful.

“You sound tired… are you okay?”

---

And just like that, Jungkook’s chest tightened. This. This is why he loved her.

She was fucking so caring. Even after everything—after the silence, the distance—Sera still asked about him like he mattered.

There was no malice in her tone. No judgment. Just warmth.

So fucking innocent. So genuine.

He didn’t deserve her, but still, she cared. And that simple act was enough to twist his insides with guilt and longing all at once.

---

He took a slow breath.

“I… I needed to talk to you,”

he said, his voice almost pleading.

“Can we meet? I’ll explain everything—everything I’ve been keeping inside.” He quickly added, “Please, Sera. Just once. I’ll send you the address. Just come… I really need to see you.”

There was silence on the line for a moment. Jungkook held his breath. He could hear the sound of her shifting, maybe thinking, maybe doubting. That pause lasted only a few seconds, but for him, it felt like an eternity.

“…Okay,” Sera finally said, softly. “I’ll come.”

---

Jungkook blinked in disbelief. His heart erupted in his chest like fireworks. A rare, small smile tugged at his lips—a real one, one that hadn’t touched his face in weeks. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply like a burden had just lifted off his shoulders.

“Thank you,” he whispered, voice rough with emotion. “Thank you, Sera.”

In the silence that followed, all Jungkook could think about was how finally… something might change. Hope, faint but persistent, sparked again in his darkened world.

---

The moment the call ended, Jungkook didn’t waste a single breath. He shot up from his chair, his heart pounding like war drums in his chest. A wild kind of energy surged through his veins—hope. The kind he hadn’t felt in what seemed like forever.

Sera had said yes. She was going to come.

And he wasn’t going to let this chance slip through his fingers.

He had made a decision. He was going to propose to her.

Not with grand gestures or an audience. No—Sera wasn’t someone who needed the world watching. She was quiet. Gentle. Thoughtful. And she deserved something as pure and untouched as her heart.

So he chose an isolated place, hidden on the outskirts of the city—a small hilltop with a breathtaking view of the stars above and the sleepy city lights below. It was silent. Peaceful. Intimate. The kind of place where hearts could speak without words.

As he stood in the middle of that empty clearing, imagining her there, Jungkook’s chest swelled with emotion. He could already picture her wide, surprised eyes reflecting the stars… her soft lips parting in disbelief as he knelt before her. He wasn’t just nervous. He was desperate. Desperate for her to know how much she meant to him. How much he’d changed. How much he loved her.

He paced back and forth, running his fingers through his hair, checking every tiny detail again and again. A soft blanket laid out on the grass. Lanterns flickering gently in the breeze. A small box in his coat pocket that felt heavier than his entire world.

It wasn’t about perfection. It was about her. About the way his soul quieted when she spoke. About how just hearing her voice reminded him he still had something worth living for.

And tonight, under a starry sky with only the moon to witness it, he was going to ask her the one thing his heart had been screaming for—

“Will you be mine?”

---

The day had finally arrived.

Jungkook stood silently under the vast expanse of the night sky, his eyes fixed on the winding trail below, watching for any sign of her. The chilly evening breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves like nature’s own music, while overhead, stars shimmered like a thousand tiny witnesses to what he hoped would become the most beautiful memory of his life.

His heart was a storm—laced with excitement, desperation, and an undercurrent of fear. What if she didn’t come? What if she came but turned away? But more than anything, he hoped. Hoped she'd see the truth in his eyes. The raw sincerity in his heart.

The place he’d chosen wasn’t random. It was sacred. A secluded hilltop that overlooked the entire city, far from the blaring horns and chaos of life. Up here, it was quiet. Just the two of them. Just his love and her presence.

He had transformed the clearing into something almost magical.

The path leading to the heart of the hilltop was lined with small glass jars glowing with candlelight, flickering like fireflies caught in an eternal dance. Fairy lights were strung between the low-hanging tree branches, their soft golden hue bathing the area in warmth. At the center, a circular canopy stood draped in sheer white fabric that fluttered in the wind, its pillars wrapped in vines and fresh roses in shades of blush pink and ivory. Beneath it, a soft white carpet lay atop the grass, scattered with petals.

A small wooden table, rustic yet elegant, sat beside the setup, holding a silver tray with two glasses and a bottle of chilled sparkling juice. Everything was simple, yet every piece whispered effort, care, and thoughtfulness. Nothing was extravagant—but it didn’t need to be. It was perfect. Because it was for her.

Jungkook stood amidst it all, dressed in a black turtleneck and a long gray overcoat, something refined yet comfortable. One hand was tucked in his pocket, nervously fingering the velvet box he’d been carrying all day, while the other rubbed the back of his neck, trying to ease the tension building there.

He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he looked up at the night sky.

The stars were brighter tonight. Or maybe he was just seeing them differently—because tonight, everything felt like it had meaning. Each light above seemed like a silent promise, shimmering with hope.

And beneath those stars, Jungkook waited.

Waited for the girl who had unknowingly carved herself into the deepest parts of his heart.

His eyes flicked again toward the trail.

“She’ll come,” he whispered to himself, gripping the box a little tighter. “She has to come.”

His heart beat faster with every passing second.

Because tonight, under this starlit sky, he wasn’t just going to confess.

He was going to give her his whole heart.

-

Time seemed to slow as the breeze picked up, rustling the petals scattered on the grass. Jungkook’s gaze remained fixed on the trail, his heart drumming erratically in his chest. Every passing second felt heavier, the silence louder.

Then—he saw her.

A silhouette appeared at the curve of the trail, gently lit by the glow of the candle jars. As she came into view, the breath caught in Jungkook’s throat.

Sera.

She walked with quiet grace, her hair loose and flowing down her back in soft waves that shimmered beneath the fairy lights. She wore a simple, cream-colored dress that hugged her gently, moving like water with every step. There were no jewels, no makeup to hide behind. Just her. Radiant, unbothered, real. And in Jungkook’s eyes, she looked like a dream the stars had crafted just for him.

His heart skipped.

His pulse quickened.

God, she was beautiful.

He almost couldn’t believe she had actually come.

Sera’s steps slowed as she reached the last stretch of the trail. Her eyes scanned the setting in front of her—every glimmering light, every rose-laced detail, the circular canopy swaying gently with the wind—and suddenly, her breath hitched.

Something… wasn’t right.

A chill slipped down her spine, making her arms fold across her chest despite the soft warmth of the night. Her gaze wandered to the glowing lights strung above, to the petals underfoot, to the way everything looked too perfect. Like a scene from a romantic movie. And she wasn’t the kind of girl who walked into fairytales.

A strange pressure built in her chest, the kind that made it hard to breathe for a moment. Her heart thudded a little harder, a little faster. The wind felt colder now. Her instincts whispered something she couldn’t ignore:

Turn back.

Go home. Don’t walk into this.

But she didn’t.

Instead, she clenched her fists at her sides, trying to calm the storm inside her. Maybe this wasn’t what it looked like. Maybe Jungkook had called her here to talk, to say something important, something urgent. Not… this.

Still, the setting made her uneasy. The romance of it all was unmistakable, and the possibility of what might happen next sent warning bells through her chest.

But then her eyes met his.

Jungkook was standing under the canopy now, illuminated by the golden lights. His eyes sparkled, soft and hopeful, his lips tugging into a nervous smile the moment their gazes locked. He looked… vulnerable. Not the confident idol she’d seen on stage, not the composed man everyone admired.

Just a boy… waiting for her.

Sera swallowed hard and took a breath to steady herself. No assumptions, she told herself. Just hear him out.

With hesitant steps, she finally crossed the last few feet between them, her heels crunching softly on the gravel.

“Hi,” she said, her voice just above a whisper, not trusting it to be any louder.

Jungkook’s lips curved into something tender.

“Hey,” he murmured, his voice low, warm—and filled with something she couldn’t quite place.

Still, that feeling in her gut remained.

Something was coming.

And she wasn’t sure she was ready for it.

—

The soft murmur of the night surrounded them—crickets singing in the grass, a distant rustle of wind through trees, and the faint twinkle of fairy lights above that seemed to hold their breath, waiting for what would unfold beneath them.

Jungkook stared at Sera, his heart lodged in his throat. This was the moment he’d rehearsed in his mind a thousand times. But now, with her standing in front of him, no script could capture what he truly felt.

He took a slow step forward, careful—delicate—like he was approaching something fragile.

“I’m not good at things like this,”

he admitted, a soft chuckle escaping him as he glanced at the ground before returning his gaze to her.

“I can sing in front of tens of thousands of people. I can smile at cameras and give interviews like it’s second nature. But standing here in front of you… my heart’s thumping so loud I’m scared you’ll hear it.”

Sera blinked, unsure what to say, her fingers curling against the fabric of her dress.

Jungkook took another step, his eyes never leaving hers.

“The first time I saw you,”

he began, his voice steady but quiet,

“was at my concert.”

Sera’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She hadn’t expected that.

“You were standing somewhere in the middle section,”

he continued, eyes soft with memory.

“I don’t even know why I noticed you among thousands of screaming fans… maybe it was the way you weren’t screaming. You were just watching. Calm, like you were really listening—like the music meant something to you.”

Sera’s lips parted, a trace of surprise in her expression.

“I thought it was nothing. Just a passing glance,”

Jungkook went on.

“But when I met you backstage that day something about you... I don’t know. It stayed. You didn’t look at me like everyone else does. You didn’t talk to me like I was… Jungkook,”

he said, gesturing vaguely to the sky as if referencing the weight of his fame.

“You talked to me like I was just a guy.”

He smiled slightly, more to himself than to her.

“And that messed with me.”

Sera stood still, caught in the sincerity of his words.

“I didn’t know a simple conversation, a simple smile, could make me feel things I haven’t felt in a long time,”

he confessed.

“Your innocence, your honesty… the way you’d call me out when I was being ridiculous. You saw through the image, through the glitter. You saw me. And that’s when I knew.”

He looked down for a moment, collecting his thoughts, then lifted his gaze back to hers.

“I fell in love with you, Sera.”

Her breath caught audibly in her throat, her eyes widening. The weight of his words hit her like a wave, and she instinctively took a step back. Her brows furrowed as confusion—and disbelief—washed across her face.

“W-What?” she finally managed, voice small, stunned.

“I know this might feel sudden to you,”

Jungkook said quickly, not wanting her to retreat further,

“but it wasn’t for me. I’ve felt this for a while. And I tried to push it down, thinking it was just infatuation. But it’s not. It never was.”

Sera’s gaze shifted away, her chest rising and falling faster now, trying to process the flood of emotion, the confession, the reality.

He took one last step, st