"Mom! I need help!" I called out, desperation thick in my voice as I stared at the disaster on the kitchen counter.

My mom walked into the kitchen, her expression exasperated. "What's wrong this time?" she asked, crossing her arms as she took in the scene.

I looked at her with pleading eyes, holding out the bowl of cream like it was a lifeline. "Help me decorate this!"

With a sigh, she walked up next to me, grabbing the bowl from my hands. "Why didn't you just buy one from a bakery? You've turned this kitchen into a war zone for a simple cake!"

I glanced at the cake, grimacing. It was a lopsided mess—uneven layers tilted dangerously, threatening to slide off. Frosting clumped in some spots while other areas were completely bare. Sprinkles, meant for decoration, were scattered across the counter like confetti from a failed party.

"A homemade cake is more valuable than one from a pastry shop," I argued, biting my lip anxiously as I watched her assess the situation. "Just... save the cake, Mom."

Mom rolled her eyes but set to work, grabbing a spatula. "Alright, let's see if we can make this thing look somewhat presentable." She smoothed the frosting, fixing the uneven cream with ease. "You should do these things for your girlfriend, not a friend."

I hesitated, fiddling with the hem of my apron. "A friend is... just as important as a girlfriend, okay? I want to cheer him up since he's been down lately."

"Hmm..." She shot me a knowing look as she worked. "Important enough to make you destroy my kitchen, apparently."

I groaned, ignoring her teasing as I grabbed the container of sprinkles. "I'll clean everything, I promise. Just help me finish this."

Mom chuckled, shaking her head. "Fine, fine."

As she worked her magic, the cake slowly began to look less like a catastrophe and more like something resembling a birthday cake. A small, proud smile crept onto my face as the mess transformed before my eyes.

"Here you go," Mom said as she put the bowl on the countertop.

I grinned, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Mom."

"Make sure to clean the kitchen before you leave!" she warned before leaving the kitchen.

"Alright..."

The cake now stood tall and proud, its layers neatly aligned and covered in a smooth, even layer of creamy frosting. The once-bare spots were carefully concealed, and the sprinkles were artfully arranged, adding a festive touch. It looked almost professional, with just enough homemade charm to make it clear that it was crafted with love.

You better give me a decent reaction, Kim Haru!

*****

After I rang the bell, I stood behind his door with the square paper box in my hands, the cake resting securely inside. Haru had moved out of his parents' house three weeks ago, renting a small flat apartment for himself, becoming independent.

From behind the door, I could hear muffled music and the sound of voices—laughter and chatter mixed together.

It seems he has guests... I thought, shifting on my feet as I waited. Maybe I should've called before coming here...

The door swung open, and Haru appeared in the doorway. His loose, curly brown strands framed his forehead, and he was dressed casually in a beige T-shirt and navy blue linen pants. His expression shifted to surprise as his eyes landed on me. "Myung?" he said, his tone light with curiosity. "What's up?"

The sounds of laughter from inside the apartment grew louder for a moment, and I could make out distinct voices—boys and girls.

I looked at him, feeling a sharp pang of sadness in my chest. "You have guests over?" I asked, doing my best to keep my voice indifferent.

"Uh... Yeah..." Haru scratched the back of his head awkwardly, glancing briefly over his shoulder before looking back at me. "They're from the same department as me and want to celebrate my birthday, so..." His words trailed off, the door still held only half-open.

"Ah-uh," I murmured, nodding stiffly. "I won't bother you guys then. I just came by to give you this." I extended the box toward him. I should leave; he probably doesn't want a dropped-out friend with no money to meet his other friends. No one does...

Haru began to speak, perhaps trying to convince me, "You're here anyway, so just come in—"

I wrestled with the ambiguity of his words; I couldn't tell if Haru was genuinely asking me to join them or if he was just being polite. If he truly wanted me there, wouldn't he have invited me in the first place? Maybe I was overanalyzing everything—that's what an overthinker tends to do—but ever since my cousin's wedding, Haru had been acting strangely. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't stop myself from obsessing over it.

"Haru, what's going on?" A girl's voice interrupted. She stepped into view, standing beside Haru. Her presence caught me off guard—a polished appearance, radiant confidence, the kind of girl you'd expect to see by his side.

A new girlfriend, huh?... I glanced at the box in my hands, my grip tightening slightly. "Get this, my hand is getting numb," I said, cutting him off as I thrust the box toward him. He took it, his brow furrowed, but before he could say another word, I added sharply, "Happy birthday, by the way. See you later."

Stupid me, thinking he was depressed and lonely... I turned away, walking quickly down the hallway toward the elevator, each step weighed down by disappointment. Is that why he's been acting so distant lately? My chest tightened with each passing thought. I knew something was off—that maybe he was struggling with school or life—but it turns out he's just been busy with other people, not me.

"Myung! Wait a sec!" Haru's voice called after me, his hurried footsteps echoing down the hallway.

I reached the elevator and pressed the button, keeping my gaze locked on the closed silver doors in front of me. When the soft chime announced the elevator's arrival, I stepped inside without looking back. The doors began to slide shut, cutting off the sound of Haru's approach, but before they could fully close, his arm shot through the gap, forcing them open again.

Haru stepped in, slightly out of breath, the paper box with the cake still clutched in his hands. His expression was a mixture of frustration and confusion.

"Why are you leaving like that?" he asked, his voice edged with irritation.

"I thought you were alone." I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, refusing to meet his eyes. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Oh, shut up!" Haru huffed, exasperated, running his free hand through his hair. "You're not intruding! You never have been. Come on, let's just go back inside—"

"I'm tired today," I interrupted, my tone clipped. "Maybe another time."

Haru reached out and grabbed my chin gently, tilting my head up to force me to look at him. His eyes were filled with something I couldn't quite decipher—concern, guilt, maybe both. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," I muttered through gritted teeth, still feeling the weight of emotions I couldn't quite place. Why am I so overwhelmed?

Haru sighed, dropping his hand but not his gaze. "I didn't tell you because... I know you get uncomfortable around strangers. I thought you'd prefer not to come."

I let out a hollow laugh, bitter and sharp. "Uncomfortable? Or embarrassed?" I reached up and gently pushed his hand away. "It's fine, Haru. I get it. It's your decision who you want to spend your birthday with. I'm not complaining. We can hang out another time. Just go back."

Haru's brow furrowed, confusion flickering into frustration. "Embarrassed? Why would I ever be embarrassed by you?"

"I'm a loser after all..." I scoffed, staring at him. "Isn't that why you're avoiding me?"

"No!" He moved as if to grab my shoulders, his hands raised slightly, but he hesitated. Letting them fall back to his sides, he sighed deeply, his voice softer now. "I think you're misunderstanding something here. Let me kick them out, and we can talk—"

"I told you I'm tired." My voice was calmer this time, though still laced with exhaustion. "I'll go home, you go have fun. There's no need to ruin your birthday over something stupid." I forced a small smile, though it felt hollow.

Haru's jaw tightened. His gaze bore into mine with unrelenting intensity. "Then come and join us. If you leave now, I won't be able to enjoy it." His voice softened but carried a firm resolve. "It's my birthday wish."

I sighed in defeat, the tension in my shoulders loosening just slightly. "Fine..."

Haru's lips quirked into a relieved smile as he motioned for me to follow him back to the apartment. As the elevator doors slid open, a flicker of warmth fought its way through the heaviness in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, things weren't as they seemed.

*****

CONTINUE IN PART TWO...