The hallway outside Tian's apartment was quiet.
Katie stood nervously in front of the door, clutching the food container her mother had prepared.
For a moment, she considered turning around and going home.
Maybe coming here was a mistake.
Maybe Tian was perfectly fine.
Maybe she was worrying for no reason.
Before she could change her mind, the door slowly opened.
Tian stood there.
The moment Katie saw him, her heart sank.
His hair was messy.
His face looked pale.
And his eyes carried a tiredness she had never seen before.
"Tian..."
He blinked in surprise.
"Katie?"
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Katie held out the food container.
"My mom made this."
Tian glanced at the bag.
Then back at her.
"You came all the way here for this?"
Katie immediately looked away.
"N-No."
Her answer came too quickly.
Tian raised an eyebrow.
Katie cleared her throat.
"My mom told me to bring it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I see."
He accepted the food carefully.
"Thank you."
Katie nodded.
But something still bothered her.
The closer she looked, the worse Tian seemed.
His voice sounded weak.
His movements were slower than usual.
Without thinking, she spoke.
"Wait."
Tian paused.
Katie hesitated.
Then finally asked:
"Are you okay?"
For a moment, Tian simply stared at her.
The hallway became silent.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"Are you worried about me?"
Katie froze.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"W-What?"
The question caught her completely off guard.
Tian continued looking at her.
Waiting.
Katie immediately looked away.
"That's not what I meant."
"Really?"
His voice carried the slightest hint of amusement.
Katie's cheeks turned red.
"I just thought you looked sick."
The smile in Tian's eyes softened.
For a brief moment, neither spoke.
Then Tian looked down.
"I'm fine."
Katie wasn't convinced.
Not even a little.
But before she could argue, Tian stepped back toward the apartment.
"Don't worry."
Katie tightened her grip on her bag.
How was she supposed not to worry?
He looked exhausted.
Yet he was standing there pretending everything was okay.
As the apartment door slowly closed, Tian looked at her one last time.
"Thank you for coming, Katie."
The door clicked shut.
Katie remained standing in the hallway.
Her heart felt strangely heavy.
Because for the first time...
She realized she truly had been worried about him.
And maybe...
Much more than she wanted to admit.
The restaurant was quiet that evening.
Katie sat at her usual table, absentmindedly stirring her drink while staring out the window.
Her father noticed immediately.
He had been watching her all night.
"Do you like that boy, right?"
Katie nearly dropped her glass.
Her eyes widened.
"D-Dad!"
A knowing smile appeared on his face.
"You've been looking worried for days."
Katie lowered her gaze.
The image of Tian flashed through her mind.
His tired face.
His pale skin.
The way he looked when she last saw him.
She clenched her hands together.
"Dad..."
Her father waited patiently.
"He hasn't come here recently."
"Hm?"
Katie hesitated.
Then quietly admitted:
"He looks sick."
Her father leaned back in his chair.
"Dad, he looks like he has a fever."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Her father sighed.
"Fever? It's fine."
Katie looked up.
"He's a young man. He'll take care of himself."
"But—"
Her father cut her off gently.
"Don't think about going there again."
Katie froze.
"I'll be watching you."
Her cheeks immediately turned red.
"Dad!"
He simply smiled.
A smile that said he already knew everything.
Katie looked down at the table.
Her heart felt heavy.
She wanted to see Tian.
She wanted to make sure he was okay.
But now...
Even her father had noticed.
"...Okay, Dad."
The words left her lips.
But deep inside...
She knew she was still worried about him.
And no matter what anyone said...
She couldn't stop thinking about Tian.