It was midnight in Seoul.
Soft snow was falling from the dark winter sky, covering the quiet streets in a blanket of white. The city lights reflected on the snow, making the night look almost magical.
Roy drove his black car slowly through the empty road.
Just an hour ago, he had been standing on a bright stage, surrounded by cameras, applause, and flashing lights. Tonight, Roy had won the Best Choreographer Award—one of the most prestigious awards in the dance industry.
Anyone else would have been celebrating.
But Roy wasn't happy.
His expression remained cold and distant as he stared at the road ahead. The award trophy rested on the passenger seat beside him, but he didn't even look at it.
For Roy, success had started to feel empty.
Just then, his phone rang.
The name flashing on the screen made him sigh.
Jin.
Roy answered the call using the car speaker.
"Happy birthday, genius!" Jin's cheerful voice filled the car. "And congratulations on winning the award. I knew you'd get it."
Roy let out a small breath.
"Thanks."
Jin laughed softly. "That's it? Just 'thanks'? Come on, Roy. Today is your birthday too. You can't spend it alone."
"I'm tired, Jin," Roy replied calmly. "Another day."
"Nope. Not happening," Jin said immediately. "I'm throwing a small party at my place. Just come over."
Roy tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"I said no."
There was a short silence on the phone.
Then Jin spoke again, this time in a more casual tone.
"Oh… by the way… Kiya came back to Korea."
Roy's heart skipped for a moment.
The car slowed down slightly.
"What did you say?" Roy asked quietly.
"She's back. And this time… for good."
For the first time that night, something changed in Roy's expression.
Kiya.
The name brought back a flood of memories he had tried to forget.
Roy exhaled slowly.
"Fine," he finally said.
Jin smiled on the other side of the phone.
"I knew you'd say yes."
Roy ended the call and turned the steering wheel, changing direction toward Jin's house.
Outside, the snow continued to fall gently.
But Roy's mind was no longer on the road.
It was on Kiya.
Kiya was Jin's stepsister.
She was originally from India. After her father passed away, her mother had moved to Korea for work. There, she met Jin's father, and eventually the two got married.
At that time, Kiya was only ten years old.
Moving from India to Korea had not been easy for her. The language was different. The people were different. Everything about the new environment felt strange and uncomfortable.
But Jin was different.
He had always wanted a younger sister, and when Kiya entered his life, he was happier than anyone.
Jin was five years older than her, calm and wise even at a young age. He did everything he could to help her adjust to her new life.Their parents were usually busy with work and stayed outside most of the time. Because of that, Jin took great care of Kiya.
For Jin, she was not just his younger sister.
She was his whole world.
And Kiya loved Jin deeply too.
Anyone who saw them together would never guess that they were stepbrother and stepsister.
They looked like a real family.
Kiya was also very intelligent. Within just two years, she completely adapted to the Korean environment. She became fluent in the language and started doing very well in her studies.
Roy suddenly snapped out of his memories as he continued driving.
Then something caught his attention.
A little ahead on the road, he saw a girl standing near the sidewalk.
Next to her was a familiar bicycle.
Roy slowly stopped the car.
The bicycle had decorations and some supplies placed on it, as if she had been carrying items for an event.
The girl was wearing a black hoodie, with earphones in her ears.
She held the bicycle with one hand.
With the other hand, she gently reached out, letting the falling snowflakes land on her palm.
Roy's eyes softened.
Even from a distance, he could recognize her.
"Kiya…" he whispered under his breath.
She looked just as innocent and beautiful as he remembered.
Roy had been sitting in his car, watching her quietly for almost ten minutes.
Then suddenly, Kiya's phone started ringing.
The sound pulled her out of her dreamy moment. She blinked, returning from her little world back to reality.
She quickly answered the call, then sat on her bicycle and started riding down the snowy street.
Roy watched her leave.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
He slowly took out his phone… and took a picture of her.
Then he started his car again.
With a quiet smile on his face, Roy began following her down the snowy road.
He didn't know where she was going.
But for the first time that night…
Roy didn't feel empty anymore.As Roy slowly followed Kiya through the snowy streets, something suddenly crossed his mind.
His birthday.
And the party.
"I didn't even bring a gift…" he muttered to himself.
Roy sighed and turned the car toward a small store that was still open despite the late hour.
Inside the shop, his eyes quickly fell on something beautiful.
A grey wool muffler.
It looked simple but elegant, soft and warm—perfect for winter.
For a moment, Roy imagined Kiya wearing it.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"I guess this will do," he said quietly and bought it.
A few minutes later, Roy finally reached Jin's house.
Snowflakes continued falling gently as he walked toward the door and rang the bell.
The door opened.
For a second, Roy thought it would be Kiya.
But it wasn't.
It was Nimi.
Kiya's sister-in-law… and also Roy's good friend.
"Roy!" Nimi smiled warmly. "You're finally here. Was there any problem on the way?"
Roy shook his head and smiled.
"No, everything was fine."
The two greeted each other with a quick hug.
But Roy's eyes were already wandering inside the house.
Searching.
Looking for someone.
Nimi noticed it and chuckled softly.
"Relax," she said teasingly. "You'll see her soon."
Roy cleared his throat and walked inside.
Jin was sitting in the living room.
"Finally!" Jin said. "The birthday boy decided to show up."
They laughed and hugged each other.
After a few casual conversations, Roy tried to ask normally,
"So… where's Kiya?"
Jin replied casually, "She's decorating the room for your birthday."
Roy nodded.
Without saying anything else, he quietly walked toward the decoration room.
When he reached the doorway, he stopped.
Inside the room, Kiya was completely focused on decorating.
Colorful lights, ribbons, balloons… she was busy arranging everything carefully.
Roy stood there for a moment, just watching her.
Five years.
And yet…
She still looked the same.
Trying to hide his emotions, Roy finally spoke.
"Kiya… don't you think these things should have been done earlier?"
His voice echoed in the room.
"You're still as lazy as ever."
Kiya froze.
She slowly turned around.
The sudden sound had startled her so much that the glass decoration piece slipped from her hand.
Crash.
The glass item shattered on the floor.
Roy finished his sentence calmly.
"…and careless too."
For a few seconds, Kiya just stood there.
Completely still.
Then she slowly looked at him.
"Happy birthday… Roy."
The moment Roy heard his name from her lips…
His heart started beating wildly.
For five years…
He hadn't heard her say his name.
And somehow, hearing it now felt better than winning any award.
Roy felt dizzy with emotions.
But something felt strange.
Too calm.
Too quiet.
That wasn't normal.
Kiya and Roy had always fought with each other.
They argued, teased, and annoyed each other all the time.
But today…
She sounded peaceful.
Soft.
Roy looked at her carefully.
Did she change…? he wondered silently.
The girl standing in front of him looked the same.
But somehow…
She felt completely different.
And Roy suddenly realized something.
This reunion was not going to be as simple as he thought.?