ㅤ
/. He tells himself this means nothing, that Zhenya is just another problem to solve, another shadow he can outpace if he tries hard enough—but the lie starts to crack every time he feels him there, just out of sight, just close enough to be real. He hates it, the way he’s never truly alone anymore, the way part of him has already stopped running without admitting it. +

ㅤㅤㅤ"I kept telling myself I was still running… but I never questioned why I always slowed down when it was him"

So he says it anyway—if I disappear, don’t look for me—like it’s still his choice, like he still has control. But deep down, he knows better. Because Zhenya doesn’t chase. He doesn’t need to. And Taekjoo… has already been found.

ㅤ