By July 2, 2023, the world was trying to move on, but the wounds of April were still raw. The tragic loss of Ji-ho (Kaien) on the 19th and his funeral on the 22nd had left a hollow silence in the K-pop world. Lucian had canceled his concerts, his eyes reflecting a sadness that no amount of stage makeup could hide.
When he finally appeared at the SmartAranetaColiseuminManila for the "Bundles of CHArm" fan meeting, the atmosphere was heavy with love and sympathy. Alara stood in the front row, her heart aching for him. She held the Pop-up Memory Book and the celestial painting she had finished months ago—gifts that had sat in her room as silent witnesses to her own tears.
During the interaction segment, Lucian walked toward the edge of the stage. He looked tired, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. But then, he saw her. The girl with the midnight eyes was there, standing in the Manila heat, just as she had been in Seoul and Tokyo.
When it was her turn to approach, Alara didn't say a word. She simply handed him the intricately crafted book and the painting. Lucian took them, his fingers brushing against hers. As he opened the first page of the pop-up book and saw the 3D scene of their group's debut, his breath caught. He looked at the painting—himself standing among the stars, looking peaceful and whole.
"You made these?" he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Alara nodded, her eyes shimmering. "For you. So you remember that even in the dark, you are a star."
Lucian clutched the book to his chest. In that moment, surrounded by thousands of people, he felt a connection he couldn't explain. He looked at her, really looked at her, and for the first time since April, a genuine, soft light flickered in his eyes.
"Thank you, Aurora," he said, using the name he had given her in his mind.
He didn't let her go immediately. He leaned in closer, whispering so only she could hear, "Don't disappear tonight. Meet me where the moon hits the water."
Alara felt a chill of excitement and fear. She had crossed the line from being a fan to being his sanctuary. As she walked away, she saw him hand the gifts to his personal assistant with a strict instruction: "Keep these safe. They are the most important things I own."