The gift was an hourglass and a record player in one. What makes it more unusual is its mechanism wherein the time of the sand corresponds how long the song is; like the hourglass controls the music. It was the perfect gift, and Lilac felt ecstatic when she found this quaint shop selling and customizing one. Thank God for her love for vintage stuff.

The shop was small—at least smaller than the other surrounding establishments—and if not for her keen eye for rustic aesthetic, she would've missed it. The kind owner was also a plus. If not for the old man agreeing to her request of making the gift in just two weeks—the product usually takes a month to finish—her planned surprise would have missed such a special gift.

She considers this gift as something that would complete the upcoming celebration. It symbolizes everything she wanted to convey to Kio; their time and memories together, and how they have grown as musicians with the help of each other. What more if he played the song? It was her recorded voice singing one of his group's ballad tracks, 'The Tale of Smeraldo.'

It has become their song and she's proud to say that she's the first person to ever hear it right after Kio finished composing it. He even sang it live for her during their first anniversary.

Their first anniversary; another one of her most beautiful moments with him. They celebrated it in a private beach, a dinner along the shore with the clear night sky above their heads. Despite his busy schedule and growing career, Kio still spent so much effort to organize the unforgettable event. Dating him has always been like a scene out of a classic Chick Flick movie.

"I must say, you have a lovely voice, young lady," the owner of the shop and the creator of the innovative product, Mr. Spencer, smiled at her from the counter. He looks like the usual European old man—thick-boned, white hair and mustache, round spectacles and kind-looking eyes surrounded with laugh lines, showing his happy disposition in life.

"Thank you," she replied, smiling.

Recording the song herself and using it on the gift was a last-minute idea. She just suddenly realized that she never sang an entire song for Kio when he would always tell her to sing more. She was quite insecure about her vocals in the first years of their relationship because in the first place, she's in charge of rap and dance in her group, but he changed that.

"Your boyfriend will love this," the old man added. He's still working on the finishing touches of the musical hourglass, she came too early.

Did I ever mention that I'll be giving it to my boyfriend, though?

"Perhaps I am right? It was just a wild guess," he chuckled, answering her unspoken question.

She smiled, "I wish he really will, and I could change his mind."

"Is there a decision to make?"

She paused for a moment, contemplating if she should tell him. But sometimes, isn't it better to share matters like this to older people? They have lived longer and experienced more, and it's not like this man would go telling others about her life. He doesn't even recognize her.

"I think he's falling out of love," she finally said.

"Ah... the thin line between falling out of love and getting tired of love," he stood up and reached for a tool, glancing at her in the process.

"What's the difference?," she asked once he went back doing his work.

"When you're tired, you can get some rest and still choose to love. When you're falling out of it, you can do nothing but let go. You should know which of the two he is going through, young lady."

She nodded in understanding, "that's why I'm getting him that," she gestured at the hourglass.

There was silence for a few minutes before the man stood up once again. This time, he brought out a gold box, a pair of scissors and, a blue ribbon.

"Let me ask you one last thing, young miss," he started while packing the product intricately. "If he truly has fallen out of love, will you regret ever meeting him?"

The answer loudly rang inside her mind with no hesitation even before she voiced it out;

"No," she uttered with a rueful smile. "If I could turn back time, I still want to meet him and fall in love with him. Even if after three years it is meant to end and hurt me so bad, I still want to experience it all over again."

The man returned her smile and nodded, putting the beautifully wrapped gift on the counter and bringing out a piece of stationary paper and pen.

"It comes with free paper and envelope where you could write a letter. Would you like a moment?"

She gratefully nodded and picked up the pen, "thank you."

"I'll be cleaning up in the back. Just ring the bell once you're finished," he gestured at the little gold bell on the side and left.

•°.⏳•.°

Once she got back their suite, it was already dark and she found Reiko and Jada already preparing dinner.

"Oh, you're right on time!," Rei happily exclaimed.

She smiled, "I'll just put these in my room and change."

Her best friend nodded before she turned around and went straight to their shared room. Going there meant passing by the other room and she can't help but hear Seo-mi talking with someone over the phone.

"I swear to God, Shin Yohan!"

Her steps faltered and eventually, she halted right in front of the door. It wasn't a secret that Seo-mi and the known RAVN leader are quite close. She even noticed how Yohan looks at her friend the couple of times both groups are together. She is also quite sure Seo-mi feels the same way. 

But knowing how mature and career-oriented the two are, she guessed they're probably content with being friends for now. Besides, they are too busy taking care of their members, maybe they had this kind of mutual understanding.

"You better talk to him! You won't even be able to imagine how angry and disappointed I am with that boy! How can you let that happen?! Oh my goodness, what the hell was he thinking?"

Lilac frowned. The immense disbelief and impatience was very obvious in the older girl's tone. She is sure Seo-mi is now walking back and forth inside the room and massaging her temples. But... who are they talking about? Did one of the boys do something again?

She remembered Hei-won and Asher's ongoing prank war and just a couple of days ago, Jada told her about Haneul 'accidentally' joining as well.

Kio? Impossible. He just had his tattoos, and it might still hurt like a bitch. He must be having some rest right now.

She just shrugged and continued on walking.

"I want to talk to him now!"

Those were the last words she heard before entering her room.

•.°⏳•°.

It was already 2AM and she's still wide awake. She guessed it's because of that triple chocolate cake Rei shared with her for midnight snack. But unlike her who's having a sugar rush, her best friend was right there on the other bed, and has easily travelled into dream land.

She can't understand what she is currently feeling. Her mind's a blank canvass—she made it that way, rather—because she didn't want to go all paranoid again and overthink. Though her emotions was an entirely different story. There was something that keeps bothering her, but she can't figure out what it is. It was both frustrating and exhausting. She just wants to sleep already!

She was reminded of the other times she experienced this and has yet again, started another round of self-pity. Gosh, she needs to stop doing this to herself.

If you want Kio to sing you a lullaby then call him! This is why he's beginning to change, because maybe you failed to express yourself more. You should adjust as well! It doesn't always have to be him.

The reprimanding is quite effective because without thinking twice, she reached for her phone and was about to unlock it when a call suddenly came. Her eyes widened, a beaming smile stretched on her face.

See? He's calling! He's actually calling right now! Oh my God.

She hurriedly accepted the call and sat up her bed.

"Baby," she whisper-shouted, glancing at Rei before getting out of bed and walking out the room's adjoining balcony. "I was just about to call you."

There was silence from the other line but he could hear Kio's labored breath, making her frown.

"Lilac," he mumbled hoarsely.

She started to tremble, "is there a problem?"

"Let's break up."