The balcony
had never changed.
It was still there.
The same height.
The same quiet.
It had once been
their secret.
But tonight,
it would no longer be the same.
Phat stood by the window.
Her fingers lightly touched the wooden frame.
Her heart pounded.
Because she knew—
tonight
would be the last time.
Not the last time they would meet.
But the last time
of "secrets."
Footsteps sounded below.
Not sneaking.
Not climbing.
But the steps of someone
who walked in openly.
She turned—
and saw him.
Kan.
Standing in front of the house.
Not looking at the balcony.
But looking up at her.
Directly.
Nothing left to hide.
Her heart trembled.
He didn't call her name.
But his eyes did.
Just like before.
Just like every time.
She opened the window.
Slowly.
The night breeze flowed in,
bringing every memory back.
The sound of climbing.
Soft laughter.
Words that should never have been said.
Everything
started here.
And tonight,
it would end here.
"You're not climbing up anymore?"
she asked softly.
Kan gave a faint smile.
"For the last time,"
he said.
"Can I climb up once more?"
Her heart skipped.
"For real this time."
No explanation needed.
She didn't answer.
But she stepped aside.
Leaving the way open.
Just like before.
Kan gripped the edge of the balcony
and climbed up.
Like always.
Effortless.
Steady.
But different.
Because this time,
there was nothing to hide.
He stepped inside.
Standing right in front of her.
Close.
Like the first time.
Like every time.
But heavier.
"Really the last time,"
he said softly.
Phat looked at him,
her eyes trembling.
"The last time of what?"
Kan smiled.
"Of hiding how I love you."
Her chest tightened.
Silence fell.
But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was filled with everything
they had never said.
"I thought about giving up,"
Kan said.
"The night you told me not to come again."
Phat closed her eyes.
Tears gathered.
"I was really about to leave,"
his voice softened.
"But I couldn't."
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
"Because you were still here."
His hand touched her heart.
Light—
but certain.
"And I'm still here too."
He took her hand
and placed it on his chest.
"I can't run from this."
Her breath trembled.
"Kan…"
her voice was soft.
"I hurt you."
He shook his head.
"You were just scared."
"And I was scared too."
He gave a faint smile.
"But I made my choice."
His eyes didn't waver.
"I choose you."
Tears fell freely.
She didn't hold them back.
"But everything will fall apart…"
her voice trembled.
"My family…"
Kan nodded.
"I know."
"I already lost mine."
Silence.
"And you?"
That question
was the heaviest.
Phat looked at him
for a long time.
As if her entire life
was in this answer.
Her breath shook.
Her hands clenched.
Then she spoke.
"I don't want to lose anything anymore."
His heart paused.
But she continued.
"I've already lost my parents."
"I almost lost myself."
Tears fell.
"And I almost lost the person I love…"
She lifted her head.
Met his eyes.
"I don't want to lose anything anymore."
Silence—
before the next words came.
"Including you."
His heart pounded instantly.
"Phat…"
"I choose you."
Those words—
clear.
With nothing hidden.
Kan froze.
As if his mind stopped for a moment.
Then he smiled.
For the first time—
without forcing it.
"Are you sure?"
he asked,
as if he still couldn't believe it.
Phat nodded.
"This time…"
her voice trembled.
"I won't let you go again."
Those words broke everything
that once stood between them.
Kan stepped forward.
Faster this time.
As if he couldn't hold back anymore.
He pulled her into an embrace.
Tight.
But gentle.
As if confirming
she was really here.
Phat held him back.
Just as tight.
As if afraid
he would disappear again.
"This time…"
he whispered by her ear.
"I won't climb your balcony anymore."
She laughed through her tears.
"Good."
"Because I'll walk through the front door."
Those words
made her heart shake.
Not from fear—
but from
the future.
Kan pulled back slightly.
Looking at her.
Close enough
their breaths touched.
"This is the last time,"
he said.
"of hiding."
Phat nodded.
"The last time."
Their lips met.
Slowly.
Clearly.
Not a secret.
Not rushed.
But a choice.
From both of them.
The night breeze passed by.
The balcony was still there.
But its meaning
was no longer the same.
It was no longer a place to hide.
But the beginning
of a love
that no longer needed to be hidden.
And this time—
they didn't cross that distance in secret.
They walked through it
together.