“No, I said I'd take you home, Assistant Manager!”

Seo Dong-eun spoke urgently, glancing back at Assistant Manager Yoo, who was nudging him forward. Regardless, Assistant Manager Yoo pushed Seo Dong-eun out of the taxi and slammed the door shut with a loud thud.

“What are you talking about? I'm totally sober. How long does it take to get here from my neighborhood? You think I don’t know you, Dong-eun? I'm anxious about you taking a late-night bus alone at this hour. Since I asked to meet today, I'll see it through to the end. See you next time! Bye!”

Then the taxi drove away without a backward glance. It had clearly started with him accompanying Assistant Manager Yoo to her house. He had done so because he felt uneasy about sending a drunk person home alone in a taxi. Yet once inside the vehicle, Yoo seemed to have sobered up, directing the driver to Seo Dong-eun’s place instead of her own. Now Seo Dong-eun found himself standing in front of his own home, having been practically chased out by Assistant Manager Yoo.

“Still...”

Seo Dong-eun craned his neck to get a good look at the taxi's license plate as it receded. Then, before he forgot, he quickly entered the taxi number into his phone. Surely nothing would happen, but out of nagging anxiety, he continued to watch until the rear of the car disappeared from sight.

“I see you had a date.”

Because he was in such an unguarded state, he couldn't help but be startled by the sudden voice. Seo Dong-eun shuddered violently, then froze. At the boundary between the streetlight's glow and the darkness, the shadow of a sophisticated shoe that didn't belong here flickered. So there was no need to go through the trouble of searching for the owner of the voice.

“Kwo... Mr. Kwon Woo-kyung?”

As if answering the stuttered name, Kwon Woo-kyung stepped a bit closer.

Appearing suddenly from the darkness, Kwon Woo-kyung stared at Seo Dong-eun without stepping closer or speaking. It was a narrow alley, and the streetlight seemed far away. Despite the chilly late-autumn wind cooling his body, he seemed lost in thought, unbothered. After stroking his chin and pondering for a long while, Kwon Woo-kyung suddenly moved just as Seo Dong-eun, unable to wait any longer, was about to call him again.

He closed the distance with long strides in an instant. His body instinctively recoiled. Even in the darkness, Kwon Woo-kyung's presence was overwhelming, and it felt as if he could do whatever he wanted to someone like him without a moment's hesitation. Under the dim light, his unrestrained eyes flashed.

“Let's go inside and talk.”

Though it felt as if he might do something to the person in front of him at any moment, he did not. He glanced toward Seo Dong-eun’s house. However, just as he seemed about to turn around, he stopped again.

“Ah, you had a roommate. Right, Mr. Seo Dong-eun...”

His annoyance was evident in the way he casually swept his hair back. His gaze was blatantly fixed on Seo Dong-eun’s lit house. Though his muttering stopped quickly, he still looked displeased, his face etched with irritation. He was already aware that Kwon Woo-kyung had looked into his background. But whenever information about his personal life—things he had never mentioned—came out of his mouth so openly, he didn't know how to react. Above all, it was hardly a pleasant feeling.

“Is that all for today's schedule?”

“...Yes.”

“Then let's go to the hotel.”

Kwon Woo-kyung walked toward his car first. He acted as though he had no doubt Seo Dong-eun would follow him. However, behind him, Seo Dong-eun hesitated and found it hard to move his feet. If he went to the hotel with him, it would obviously be for that. He didn't want to do that with him today. It wasn't that he had always eagerly welcomed such encounters, but he was exceptionally exhausted right now. Above all, having to maintain a relationship with him while not understanding why he was angry at him was burdensome and uncomfortable in itself.

Yet despite his hesitation, his legs eventually moved. Like a tamed beast, he followed behind Kwon Woo-kyung. As soon as Seo Dong-eun got into the car, the luxury sedan pulled away from the alley and whisked him to his place, where the pheromones of a dominant alpha would be thick.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

While it might not be as good as a luxury hotel in a big city, the residence Kwon Woo-kyung used for accommodation was famous for being a rare high-end hotel in the province. As a result, most of the facilities available to outsiders, including the first-floor lounge, were always crowded with guests.

Today was no exception. Seo Dong-eun followed a few steps behind Kwon Woo-kyung, who was striding ahead, treading softly like a guilty man. He felt apologetic for his own insignificance amid the countless gazes sharply fixed on him. Worried that a scandal might erupt because he was entangled with him, Seo Dong-eun tried his best to widen the distance between them.

“Unless you're planning to make a scene here, follow me properly.”

Despite Seo Dong-eun's efforts, Kwon Woo-kyung spoke coldly and stopped dead in his tracks right in front of him. His startled face stiffened visibly. His eyes, scanning the surroundings, trembled incessantly. Kwon Woo-kyung’s gaze grew increasingly icy as he watched Seo Dong-eun, who stood close enough to touch yet could not focus on him at all.

Kwon Woo-kyung finally reached out. His long arm gripped Seo Dong-eun's wrist without hesitation. At that exact moment, the elevator doors opened, as if everything had been prepared for them.

Fortunately, the elevator was empty. Even so, as if afraid someone might see, Seo Dong-eun hurried in.

A desolate silence followed, broken only by the heavy mechanical hum of the elevator. Surely no one saw us together, was the only thought racing through Seo Dong-eun's mind. What if someone thought it was strange and rumors started? What if a photo had been taken? No, if a photo of him with Kwon Woo-kyung were to surface, a mere scandal wouldn't be the only problem. If someone found out he was even alive...

“...!”

“Do you want to take it off right here?”

The voice, low and threatening as he leaned in close, was chillingly terrifying. Seo Dong-eun wasn't so dense as to miss the unspoken implication of his words. He shook his head repeatedly, avoiding that blatant gaze.

“If that’s not it, so why are you thinking of something else while standing next to me? Are you thinking of that woman?”

“N-no. It's not that, I just... I wondered if people saw...”

As he stammered his reply, the elevator stopped. The entire floor served as Kwon Woo-kyung's residence, so there was no longer any need to worry about the eyes of others. Only then did he feel a slight sense of relief. Seo Dong-eun closed his trembling lips.

“You're worried about something like that? Just that?”

Just that? If anything, shouldn't Kwon Woo-kyung himself be the one worrying? Yet, far from being concerned, he stood with his head tilted, lost in other thoughts.

“So that's why you were so stiff.”

As he muttered to himself, Kwon Woo-kyung even let out a small chuckle. It was a mischievous smile that made it impossible to recall the cold attitude from moments earlier, when every word had felt like shards of ice. It was a playful grin that lifted only one corner of his mouth, creating a faint dimple just beneath his lip. A rare trace of boyhood remained in the man, something Seo Dong-eun particularly liked.

After maintaining that dry smile for a moment longer, Kwon Woo-kyung turned around. His movements were composed, devoid of any further irritation. Kwon Woo-kyung walked down the moderately long hallway, and Seo Dong-eun, unable to follow him easily, simply stood there and silently watched his retreating figure. He was dressed in a suit that fit him perfectly, as if it had been made for him, unchanged as always. Had he come straight home from the set? Why on earth... why was he smiling like that? Why...

“CCTV cameras are installed in the hallways too. It's not like there are no eyes watching here.”

Kwon Woo-kyung spoke casually as he inserted the key card. Only then did Seo Dong-eun snap out of it and quickly follow him. As he hurried inside after him, Kwon Woo-kyung's smile seemed to deepen.

“U-um.”

But that smile was short-lived. As the door clicked shut, it vanished from his face. Kwon Woo-kyung simply began to unbutton his coat. The clothes, tailored precisely to his frame, clung to his body so perfectly that taking them off felt more like stripping them away. Even just removing his jacket revealed the sleek, imposing lines of his upper body. Beneath that delicately sculpted face lay an overwhelming physique no one would have expected. He was also the dominant alpha who had pinned him down and devoured him just a few days ago. Seo Dong-eun held his breath, suppressing the urge to flinch.

His gaze returned to him after the clumsy words. Flustered by the intensity of his eyes, Seo Dong-eun bit his lip. From waiting for him in front of his house to the entire journey here, Kwon Woo-kyung had been radiating a tense, volatile aura. He seemed deeply displeased, and it seemed Seo Dong-eun was the cause. Without saying a word about the reason, Kwon Woo-kyung simply made Seo Dong-eun feel suffocated. He didn't know why the man was acting as if he were angry, but there was no reason for him to be treated this way. Swallowing hard, Seo Dong-eun spoke again.

“...I believe I told you I had something to attend today.”

“You did. You said something urgent came up, something that absolutely had to be checked today. Was that 'something' meeting that woman?”

Kwon Woo-kyung spoke as he unscrewed the cap of a bottle of water he had taken from the bar. He already knew exactly who Seo Dong-eun had been with and made no effort to hide it.

“No. That's not it. She was my former supervisor, and I only met her because she helped me with something. The dinner appointment was also decided at the last minute... But why should I have to tell you every single move I make, Mr. Kwon Woo-kyung?”

Wasn’t their relationship supposed to be strictly physical from the start? Seo Dong-eun still couldn't understand why he had suddenly appeared and why he was grilling him like this.

“I hate lying. I loathe it.”

“...?”

“I'm saying that as long as we maintain this relationship as sex partners, you should at least uphold a basic level of moral decency. Is that hard to understand? I didn't think I'd have to explain even this.”

“...What boundary did I cross?”

“Who was that woman a moment ago?”

“As I told you, she was my former supervisor—ugh!”

Before he could finish his sentence, Kwon Woo-kyung's hand reached out. In one swift motion, Kwon Woo-kyung grabbed Seo Dong-eun's collar and yanked him closer. His body was pulled along helplessly. A groan escaped his constricted throat from the sheer force, but Kwon Woo-kyung didn't care.

“Hmp!”

With ease, Kwon Woo-kyung pulled the powerless body up to his face and narrowed his eyes as if sizing him up. Then, without warning, he buried his nose in the crook of his neck. Seo Dong-eun thought he was about to be bitten, just as he had been for the past few days. He froze, eyes wide.

“Ha, did you drink too?”

However, Kwon Woo-kyung only took a few deep breaths and did not bare his teeth. The breath that started at the nape of his neck rose to his face. When their eyes met at the same level, Kwon Woo-kyung wrinkled the corners of his eyes playfully. Yet there was no emotion in his pupils, making his smooth face look eerie.

“In case you didn't know, I'll tell you now. I'd like you to keep this in mind. No, you absolutely must. I cannot tolerate the person I fuck spreading their legs for someone else. At least when you're with me, focus only on me. Don't act cheap.”

“What... what are you talking about?”

Seo Dong-eun asked, struggling to pry Kwon Woo-kyung's hand off his collar. As his airway opened, he let out a light cough. But that didn't matter right now. He found it hard to process whether those words he had just heard were meant for him or whether he had even understood their meaning correctly.

“Just imagining something else entering the hole I use makes me nauseous. You don't have to feel wronged. I won't shove myself into any other hole while I'm with you, either. I'll only be with you. I promise.”

As he spoke, Kwon Woo-kyung moved his hand. The faint sigh at the end of his words sounded as if he were soothing him. And only then did Seo Dong-eun understand what he meant by "feeling wronged." Moisture clung to Kwon Woo-kyung's fingertips. The cheek he had wiped was damp with tears.

As the realization hit, tears welled up uncontrollably. There was no reason for him to be here, listening to Kwon Woo-kyung's verbal abuse. He gritted his teeth. His eyes, tilted upward, glared sharply at the man standing before him. Roughly wiping away thick tears, Seo Dong-eun slapped away the hand reaching for him. He turned his body around. I'll leave here right now and never get entangled with him again. He vowed inwardly to live as a stranger to Kwon Woo-kyung, just as he had until now.

“Mr. Seo Dong-eun.”

“I have never... done such a thing.”

However, the voice calling him seemed to anchor his feet, and despite his efforts, the words poured out. This wasn't just his problem. Because of him, an innocent person had been insulted. Seo Dong-eun steadied his trembling voice, choosing his words carefully, one by one.

“And I won't in the future. So there is no reason for me to hear such things, to hear words like that from you.”

But he couldn't stop his body from shaking. Kwon Woo-kyung stood, leaning loosely against the wall with his arms crossed. He simply watched Seo Dong-eun, who was trembling, his fists clenched tight.

“That person from earlier... those words are an insult to her as well. She really... there is absolutely no reason for her to be spoken of that way. She only showed me kindness because she felt my situation was too pitiful and sad. As you know, I got into trouble at work, and she stepped in to help. What happened today was also because of that... I went to find the person suspected of being the culprit...”

The words came out in fragments. At some point, his lips were trembling violently, yet he couldn't stop talking. Seo Dong-eun babbled without even knowing what he was saying.

“...But we couldn't find them again. Because I looked so pitiful, Assistant Manager Yoo was simply trying to comfort me. That isn't a reason for her to be insulted by you.”

Sorrowful tears blurred his vision, but they wouldn't spill over. Seo Dong-eun roughly wiped his eyes and turned around. He didn't want to show this pathetic side of himself any longer. But once again, his steps stopped. Kwon Woo-kyung had approached and was standing in front of him. His exit was blocked by the body of an alpha far larger than himself. As he gazed up with resentment, Kwon Woo-kyung tilted his head.

“Keep going.”

“...?”

“Just like you did a moment ago, tell me more things you haven't told me until now. So that I can trust you.”

Was Kwon Woo-kyung unfazed even by this situation? That must be why he could maintain such an indifferent face in front of someone who was crying. Seo Dong-eun bit his lip and turned his head away.

But Kwon Woo-kyung did not tolerate even that brief moment. His shoulder was grabbed, forcing him to turn back. Seo Dong-eun no longer wanted to avoid him. Looking up at him, he instinctively tightened his jaw.

“This situation must be funny to you, Mr. Kwon Woo-kyung.”

“Not really. I was actually a bit angry.”

Only after confirming that Seo Dong-eun was meeting his gaze did Kwon Woo-kyung let go. Then he shrugged. Contrary to his words, he didn't look angry at all. A sigh escaped in a sharp exhalation. Seo Dong-eun rubbed his dry face and lowered his head.

“So, what you're saying is that because of those things, I was sidelined, and you had a meal with that... person to thank them for their help. Is that it?”

The way Kwon Woo-kyung adjusted the emphasis and rhythm between words and phrases sounded incredibly earnest, but to Seo Dong-eun, none of that mattered now. Another sigh threatened to escape. Seo Dong-eun made no effort to hold it back and gave a rough nod.

“Hmm. Ah, we did eat together once about the legal matter. I guess if I want to have even one meal with you in the future, I'll have to help you out with something to get a foot in the door.”

After he finished speaking, Kwon Woo-kyung picked up the water bottle beside him and drank it in one gulp. The rhythmic movement of his Adam's apple was striking enough to steal one's gaze, so Seo Dong-eun deliberately looked away.

“In the future, I'd prefer it if you didn't hide anything—who you're meeting, where you're going, anything.”

“What? Why?”

But at Kwon Woo-kyung's absurd demand, he had no choice but to look back. His moist lips gleamed red under the lights, a sight that was in itself both erotic and seductive.

“I told you. I really hate it when people lie to me. I hate being deceived too.”

“Today's appointment happened suddenly. But what does that have to do with me telling you my personal business?”

“Why wouldn't it matter? A moment ago, you were trembling, afraid someone might see. Aren't you afraid this relationship will be made public? It's the same thing. It would actually be better if a photo were taken right in front of me, so I could handle it later. But photos taken without a person’s knowledge are a real headache. Being open about everything causes far less trouble. By the way, do you happen to know why Kwon Woo-kyung has so many scandals?”

His exhausted body craved rest. At Seo Dong-eun's quiet head shake, Kwon Woo-kyung wrinkled his nose. His gaze almost drifted back to that expression. He probably has many rumors because he meets many people, he thought, but decided it was best not to say it aloud. Seo Dong-eun kept his mouth shut.

“Do you think those were really just simple coincidences? Everything is business, and matters like that certainly fall within my purview. But if you meet someone without my knowledge and then my name accidentally comes up. How would you feel in that situation? I think I'd find that pretty disgusting. Of course, getting dragged into a rumor like that wouldn’t exactly work out well for you either.”

Seo Dong-eun was well aware of what Kwon Woo-kyung was worried about regarding the rumors surrounding him. Until now, everyone involved in dating rumors or scandals with Kwon Woo-kyung had been celebrities of a similar caliber. Even those involved in brief, fleeting rumors were children of prestigious families or renowned experts in their fields.

Because he dealt only with people like that, Kwon Woo-kyung's image remained untarnished despite the numerous scandals. He was a dominant alpha, and his partners were omegas of comparable status.

Outwardly, Seo Dong-eun passed as a beta, but in reality, he was nothing more than a broken omega incapable of even producing pheromones. To make matters worse, he was currently unemployed and had been fired from his company and sued. He knew very well that if he hadn't resembled Choi Hyun-seo, he would never have been able to exchange even a single word with the great Kwon Woo-kyung.

He wouldn't want to be entangled in a scandal with someone like that. Seo Dong-eun simply remained silent, waiting for Kwon Woo-kyung to finish.

“Is that reason sufficient?”

“It's unfair.”

It was a sufficient reason, but Seo Dong-eun didn't retract the words that had slipped out. As he looked up at him with his head tilted defiantly, Kwon Woo-kyung simply watched him as if he were interesting.

“Surely, that won't happen.”

Then, murmuring something incomprehensible, Kwon Woo-kyung stepped back from Seo Dong-eun.

“Then I'll take it as an agreement on the matter. Provided, of course, that you agree, Mr. Seo Dong-eun.”

It had been that way from the very beginning. Even when he proposed becoming sex partners, Kwon Woo-kyung insisted on obtaining Seo Dong-eun's consent. Until the very last moment. Even while engulfed in the heat of a rut.

Was that why he let himself be dragged along, even though he knew he was being swept away? Was it because he couldn't refuse the attitude of someone who was giving a person like him a chance? He felt a sense of self-loathing. He lost to him again.

“That's a relief. I don't want to be mean to you either.”

Should he be glad that the man at least had the awareness to recognize he was behaving poorly? Of course, those words were likely nothing more than a trivial conversation to him. Feeling a sudden surge of fatigue, Seo Dong-eun leaned against the wall. His legs, overworked all day, were swollen, and his knees felt hot. He really wanted to rest now.

“It would be so much better if you just behaved yourself. Then there would have been no need to raise our voices.”

His tone suggested that losing his temper had been unavoidable. It was absurd, but he lacked the strength to argue further. Seo Dong-eun only thought about going home now. In his current state, on a day like this, he was even willing to use the man's card—which he had never once touched—just to pay for a taxi. However, Kwon Woo-kyung wasn't finished.

“And alcohol.”

“...?”

“Refrain from drinking as much as possible. Especially when I'm not around.”

“Huh? Why? Why can't I even drink as I please? Are you afraid I'll get drunk and blabber that I slept with Kwon Woo-kyung?”

“Ah, there was that issue too. I, um, honestly, I was worried you might do the same thing with someone else that you did the first time with me.”

“Mr. Kwon Woo-kyung. I think you're mistaken about something. I’m not the sort of person who goes around doing that kind of thing with just anyone.”

“...Is that so? Our first time was so thrilling that it's hard to believe.”

“If you're finished speaking, I'll be going.”

He no longer wanted to exchange a single word with Kwon Woo-kyung. Seo Dong-eun turned his body. He tried his best not to show his stiff legs, but he didn't know how he actually looked. He desperately wanted only the familiarity and comfort of his own home, his own room.

“Where are you going?”

But before he could take a few steps, his hand was caught. Kwon Woo-kyung, who had grabbed Seo Dong-eun, looked even more taken aback than he was.

“We weren’t supposed to meet today. I want to go home.”

“Who said you were leaving? Just stay the night. It's late.”

It was already late when he parted ways with Assistant Manager Yoo. On top of that, he had come all the way to this hotel and caused such a scene. It was already past midnight. Even so, he couldn't bring himself to stay at Kwon Woo-kyung's hotel when they weren't going to do anything. What kind of relationship is that? Especially one defined solely by physical intimacy.

“……No. I'll be going now.”

“Then why did you come all the way here? I could have just told you to talk to me there.”

Kwon Woo-kyung ruffled his hair irritably and clicked his tongue. He found the situation just as absurd. Seo Dong-eun shot back immediately.

“You dragged me here against my will.”

“I wanted to talk somewhere quiet, and your roommate would be at your place, wouldn't they? Speaking of which, why do you live with that roommate?”

He looked genuinely curious. Seo Dong-eun, wondering why he was curious about such a thing, tried to pull his hand away. But his legs could not hold him up for even a moment longer. Losing his balance, he lurched violently.

“……!”

He was definitely going to fall. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the pain. It was something he had experienced countless times, until he grew accustomed to the state of his legs. Of course, even though things had improved significantly now, it wasn't as if he had completely adapted.

His closed eyelids trembled. His tightly shut lips were no different. After some time passed, Seo Dong-eun slowly opened his eyes. He did so because he felt no pain. There had been no sound of impact.

“…….”

In that brief moment, their positions had shifted. His body remained steady, held firm by the strength supporting him, without a hint of wavering. As his vision expanded, he saw Kwon Woo-kyung's face closer than before.

“Even in this state, you insist on leaving. Just stay a bit. I'm not going to eat you.”

With his arm wrapped firmly around the other's waist, Kwon Woo-kyung spoke nonchalantly, his breathing perfectly steady. Having fully drawn the falling body into his embrace, he didn't seem to be struggling at all.

“Th-thank you.”

He tried to scramble up, but it was useless because Kwon Woo-kyung wouldn't let go. Seo Dong-eun struggled for a moment, then cursed his pathetic body for failing, and went limp.

Only then did the firm body, which seemed as if it would never budge, soften. With a satisfied look, Kwon Woo-kyung pulled Seo Dong-eun's waist even closer.

Then he was lifted off the ground. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't seem to exert much effort, but Seo Dong-eun, held in his arms, was carried to the sofa, dangling anxiously.

After seating Seo Dong-eun on the sofa, Kwon Woo-kyung casually took a spot beside him. He leaned in and began to observe the other man's face. With his arm resting on a firm thigh and his head resting loosely, he looked like something straight out of a magazine spread. He stared intently with that look. The object of his gaze felt his cheeks flush helplessly, barely able to catch his breath.

“What did you eat for dinner? With that woman.”

At the mention of Assistant Manager Yoo again, Seo Dong-eun's expression sharpened. Looking at the pale face that stubbornly kept its lips shut, unable to even glare properly, the corners of Kwon Woo-kyung's mouth curled up a bit more.

“Fine. I'm sorry. I misunderstood. From now on, there will be no more negative mentions of 'that person' who helped you. Now tell me. What did you eat?”

The distance between them closed. Seo Dong-eun twisted his body to avoid him. Wisps of hair cascaded over his lowered cheek. Long enough to shield his gaze from others, his hair felt like a curtain blocking out the outside world. Buried in his own hair, Seo Dong-eun fidgeted with his fingers. He still couldn't understand why the man was acting so friendly now. To Kwon Woo-kyung, it might be nothing, but to Seo Dong-eun, it was an overwhelmingly affectionate gesture.

Just as Seo Dong-eun squeezed his eyes shut and opened them, telling himself to stop entertaining such nonsensical thoughts, a hand ran through his hair. As the light-colored strands covering his face were brushed aside, he met the eyes that had been watching him all along. Kwon Woo-kyung leaned in a bit more and pushed Seo Dong-eun's hair back.

“……I ate meat.”

As if by magic, his mouth moved on its own. Just by making eye contact, he found himself unable to refuse the man's request. At the meek answer that barely escaped him, Kwon Woo-kyung's eyes curved with pleasure.

“You probably didn't eat much.”

Muttering to himself, Kwon Woo-kyung stood up abruptly. He then held his discarded jacket in one hand and glanced around as if searching for something. Seo Dong-eun stared blankly at Kwon Woo-kyung, bewildered by his cryptic words and actions.

“Ah, here. Watch TV. I'll go pick up something edible.”

Before he could even ask a question, Kwon Woo-kyung stepped out. Seo Dong-eun stared vacantly at the TV remote Kwon Woo-kyung had pressed into his hand.

Watch TV, he said…….

Seo Dong-eun stared at the remote control again and again, mulling over the final words Kwon Woo-kyung had left behind, spoken after a sudden shift in demeanor, a stark contrast to the fierce, shouting person he had been just moments before. He wondered if the device held some sort of answer, but a remote was just a remote, so there was nothing special about it.

When he cautiously pressed the power button, the TV turned on immediately. A 24-hour news channel, dimly lit, filled the empty living room. Seo Dong-eun hugged his knees and rested his face between them. The curled-up posture strained his knees, but it was perfect for calming his mind. Bathed in the luxurious light pouring from the screen, Seo Dong-eun's fading daily life began to take on a faint hue. As time drifted by in a strange, imperceptible way, Seo Dong-eun gently slipped into a deep, accumulated dream. A sleep-like darkness quickly descended.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Kwon Woo-kyung, who had been walking briskly out of the residence, suddenly stopped. He hadn't even made it halfway down the long hallway. He turned to check the door he had just exited, tilted his head, and tapped his chin with his fingers, seemingly lost in thought. He didn’t hesitate long. Turning around, Kwon Woo-kyung took out his phone and pressed the call button.

-Huh? Woo-kyung, what's up?

The voice on the other end sounded hurried, answering before the phone had even finished ringing.

“Buy some food.”

As he spoke and reached for the doorknob, Kwon Woo-kyung stopped again. Lowering his hand, he leaned his back against the door. As if to ensure that whoever was inside could never come out, he stretched his tall frame and leaned his full weight against the door.

-Food? Alcohol? What should I bring?

The sound of bustling activity came through the phone. Kwon Woo-kyung pressed firmly against his prominent brow, looking weary, and replied dismissively.

“Contact the chef at that restaurant we went to before. I want something actually edible.”

The voice of the person who had been responding without hesitation trailed off. Kwon Woo-kyung's brow furrowed further. He hated waiting for no reason. But even to him, it was strange that his mood was souring so quickly. It certainly hadn't been this bad until he left the room. On the one hand, he wanted to go back immediately to check whether Seo Dong-eun was staying put; on the other, he didn't want to see him at all.

It was a strange, conflicting feeling. Amidst that, what was clear was that even though not even five minutes had passed, Seo Dong-eun's absence was already having a profound effect on his mood. That only served to further irritate Kwon Woo-kyung.

“Han Ho-seok.”

Running a hand over his face, Kwon Woo-kyung called the other's name in a low voice. Only then did Han Ho-seok let out a foolish sound.

-Yeah. I thought you were looking for something to eat for yourself. Did you call him to your room again today? It's that guy from before, right?

“…….”

Kwon Woo-kyung didn't answer. He simply glared fiercely into the air as if Han Ho-seok were right in front of him.

-Ah, haha. Right, well, you'll handle it. But how are you going to order food from a chef in Seoul at this hour, in the countryside, no less? You're joking, right? There's a place nearby that serves great sushi; I'll just pick up some appropriate lunch boxes from there.

“No raw fish. He doesn't eat raw food.”

-Really? Then barbecue should be fine, right? Good for a drink, too. I know a killer restaurant nearby.

“……No meat either.”

-What the, then tell me what he can eat……. What kind of man is so picky…….

With all his ideas shot down, Han Ho-seok muttered a complaint under his breath.

“Salads or fruits would be good. Something that can serve as a meal without being too heavy. I'd prefer it if it wasn't too greasy.”

-Ah, got it. If I leave now and pick up a few things, it’ll probably take about an hour. I'll contact you again when I'm close. By the way, how do you already know all his food preferences after meeting him just a few times? It's not like you'd go out of your way to figure them out yourself, so I guess he's more talkative than he looks?

Han Ho-seok's voice, attempting to delve into trivial conversation, was cleanly cut off by a single gesture from Kwon Woo-kyung. Having received confirmation, there was no further need to deal with him. The phone screen, returning to the standby display, soon turned black.

Dietary preferences—had Seo Dong-eun ever mentioned them? He asked himself, but since nothing came to mind, Kwon Woo-kyung simply let out a small smirk. As his lips curved, his eyes remained devoid of emotion, creating a terrifyingly alien expression of deep dissonance.

Pushing himself away from the door, Kwon Woo-kyung straightened his jacket. Yes, rather than observing from a distance or receiving reports through others, it was best to see the situation with his own eyes. That was the only way to ensure he wouldn't make the same mistake twice. As his mind cleared and settled, Kwon Woo-kyung turned the doorknob.

“Dong-eun, just…….”

With a harmless smile on a face that had completely wiped away its menacing look, Kwon Woo-kyung entered the residence. Dealing with someone who harbored so many secrets required patience. Patience to gently break down the barriers, one by one, without them even realizing it. All so that, eventually, every part of you would be laid bare.

However, the person Kwon Woo-kyung expected to find was not there. Instead, only an innocent man, asleep and unable to hold out for even that short time, lay there, his slender frame huddled together. A small, white face that could hide nothing shone defenselessly in the light.

Kwon Woo-kyung remained frozen in place for a while. The fierce gaze and the fake kindness that had replaced it both vanished, and in their place appeared a bewilderment he himself did not understand.