“Woo-kyung.”

Kwon Woo-kyung had been keeping his eyes fixed on the script for a while now.

“Manager Yoon called.”

“Did he?”

“Who is that person?”

Kim Dong-a chose his words carefully, picking a topic he thought Kwon Woo-kyung might be interested in, and only then did he manage to catch Kwon Woo-kyung’s gaze.

“Woo-kyung. The person at the hotel…”

“Kim Dong-a.”

Immediately after leaving the hotel, Kwon Woo-kyung had returned to the filming set. There wasn't enough time to go back to his family home in Seoul and then come back here. He didn’t need to stop at the hotel, nor did he have the luxury of doing so. Nevertheless, Kim Dong-a could easily guess why Kwon Woo-kyung had returned to the hotel.

From the fact that Kwon Woo-kyung now had a permanent target to more intimate and specific testimonies. It was true that Kim Dong-a had decided he needed to see Kwon Woo-kyung’s face, if only because of the rumors spreading in secret. But he never imagined they would be at the accommodation together. The moment he saw that 'someone' at the hotel, Kim Dong-a's intuition told him quite a lot.

“What are you curious about?”

Kwon Woo-kyung couldn't be unaware of the reason why Kim Dong-a had burst into his quarters without a word. Nor could he be unaware that Kim Dong-a had confirmed through his manager that there were no gaps in Kwon Woo-kyung’s schedule.

They were inside Kwon Woo-kyung’s van. Kwon Woo-kyung, who had tossed his script onto the seat beside him, looked uncharacteristically tired. Fatigue didn't suit someone like Kwon Woo-kyung. Alphas possessed superior physical strength and stamina compared with other secondary gender traits. It went without saying that dominant alphas were even more exceptional. Therefore, such a look was something Kwon Woo-kyung could easily fabricate if he wished. Nevertheless, Kim Dong-a examined Kwon Woo-kyung with a face full of concern before finally letting out a sigh.

“I had a feeling, but was Hyun-seo really alive? That person was really Choi Hyun-seo…”

Kim Dong-a brushed back his hair anxiously. Judging by the tone, he must have already suspected it, Kim Dong-a must have seen that damn photograph, just like his father. What would Seo Dong-eun say if he knew his identity had been revealed so easily by a single blurry photo? Of course, the fact that Kwon Woo-kyung, who had known about the photo for a long time, hadn't done anything about it played a large part.

Kwon Woo-kyung leaned back lazily in his chair and watched Kim Dong-a. His appearance, often described as cold, seemed to lose some of its boredom as anxiety crept in.

“What about it?”

But he quickly grew tired of the circular conversation. Kwon Woo-kyung turned his body back.

“What do you mean, 'what about it'? Kwon Woo-kyung! It’s Choi Hyun-seo. Don’t you know what that kid did back then? Or how he died? Because of that incident, the guilt you felt…”

“Kim Dong-a. What are you trying to say?”

Kwon Woo-kyung asked back indifferently, checking his appearance in the van's rearview mirror. The facts Kim Dong-a was pointing out were already meaningless to Kwon Woo-kyung the moment he became certain of Seo Dong-eun’s identity. Thus, they naturally failed to evoke any emotion.

“You said he’s Seo Dong-eun now. Seeing as he even changed his name, it seems he intends to live on while erasing what happened back then. But with a kid like that… Does he even know that you know everything? What are you planning to do?”

“What do you mean, 'what am I planning'? And why do you care? Dong-a. You just need to keep filming the movie well, like you are now. Flatter the old man so he stays happy. You’ve been doing a good job of that.”

“That’s…! Are you seriously planning to let this escalate? Kwon Woo-kyung. You weren’t the only one who suffered because of what happened then. You know that, right? They said Choi Hyun-seo died back then. To think he was alive and living as a different person… If the Assemblyman finds out, he’ll be swept up in it again, just like back then. Is that what you want?”

“We’ll have to wait and see about that. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”

He wasn't getting through to him. Kim Dong-a scrutinized Kwon Woo-kyung, who remained expressionless throughout. Judging by his attitude, it was clear that Kwon Woo-kyung intended to push forward despite having known everything for a while. The production of ‘Untitled’ was proceeding according to Kwon Woo-kyung’s will, and Kim Dong-a was not unaware of why he was forcing the filming of that movie, even to the point of overexerting himself. Knowing why he himself was needed for that project, he had still lent his strength to Kwon Woo-kyung.

Kim Dong-a’s lips parted, but he was unsure what to say. What to ask, what not to ask. All he was certain of was the premonition that Choi Hyun-seo would be a piece on the chessboard, just like himself.

“But Woo-kyung, I’m staying by your side knowing everything. What about Choi Hyun-seo, who probably knows nothing…?”

Nevertheless, he couldn't swallow his words and spat them out because he had seen Kwon Woo-kyung’s gaze as he looked back at 'Choi Hyun-seo', who called himself 'Seo Dong-eun'. Kim Dong-a had watched Kwon Woo-kyung for a very long time. He had watched his past and his dark side as well. He could even be certain that he knew him better than Assemblyman Kwon Tae-seok did. Even for someone like Kim Dong-a, that face was unfamiliar. Although he knew it was better to keep quiet for now, his lips finally opened because he had grown impatient.

“Ho-seok said Seo Dong-eun is a beta. Even if he’s recessive, an omega can’t perfectly act like a beta.”

Probably because of what happened then, something went wrong with his pheromones. He didn't finish the sentence, but Kwon Woo-kyung surely knew exactly what Kim Dong-a meant.

Ten years ago, the recessive omega Choi Hyun-seo, who had been staying with Kwon Woo-kyung for some time, suddenly vanished one day. And a short while later, news arrived that Choi Hyun-seo had died. They said it was an accidental death. However, those who knew about the incident whispered that even if he hadn't met with an accident, there was no way Choi Hyun-seo would have been fine. Kim Dong-a himself knew exactly what had happened at that villa on the night Choi Hyun-seo disappeared. There was no way Kwon Tae-seok would have left such a cumbersome nuisance in that state alone. In any case, Choi Hyun-seo’s end was practically sealed.

“But he was alive… He was living with his pheromones broken.”

Surely, he wasn't still being toyed with by those emotions from ten years ago. At that time, Kwon Woo-kyung was in the period when his pheromones first manifested, so everything was unstable. He had believed without a doubt that it was the truth. Until Kwon Woo-kyung finally tracked down Choi Hyun-seo. Kim Dong-a was on edge, impatient, wondering how far things had gone awry.

“Dong-a.”

At the sound of the voice calling him affectionately, Kim Dong-a looked into Kwon Woo-kyung’s eyes, feeling quite flustered. With just a few fragmentary facts, Kim Dong-a had made an amazing level of accurate deductions. Kim Dong-a was one of the few people who knew almost all of Kwon Woo-kyung’s major history, including events from ten years ago and even earlier. That was why he was useful. Of course, that wasn't the only reason.

“You know why I like you, right?”

The whispered words, spoken with a tilted head, drifted through the air like a humid warmth. Kim Dong-a stood still as if frozen. Even at the light touch of a hand on his shoulder, he could only swallow dryly.

“Woo-kyung! Rehearsal!”

Han Ho-seok, who had deliberately stepped outside, knocked on the van to signal that filming was about to begin. Kwon Woo-kyung still hadn't taken his hand off Kim Dong-a’s shoulder. Glancing toward the door and then back at Kim Dong-a, Kwon Woo-kyung continued speaking as he gently caressed his shoulder as if massaging it.

“Let’s just keep doing what we’ve been doing. Don’t have unnecessary thoughts.”

Kim Dong-a, his throat dry, had no choice but to nod slowly. The reason Kwon Woo-kyung liked him. No, 'like' was the wrong word. Kim Dong-a knew very well why he was kept close, yet he couldn't leave Kwon Woo-kyung’s side. Kim Dong-a stared blankly at Kwon Woo-kyung as he headed outside. He could feel a burning heat emanating from the spot where he had been caressed, where they had touched.

“…He was alive.”

He had tried not to be greedy anymore. Just like now, he thought it would be enough to be by Kwon Woo-kyung’s side, regardless of the reason, and that things would gradually get better. He surely thought it could be that way.

“Choi Hyun-seo.”

He should have died, so why was he still alive? Clasping his hands, which had been trembling slightly for a while, Kim Dong-a examined every detail of his reflection in the car window. As always, his expression showed little emotion. How had he come this far? How had he protected this position? He couldn't back down now. There was nowhere left to retreat.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Kwon Woo-kyung stretched leisurely. He rolled his neck from side to side, his gaze fixed on empty space. He hadn't intended to hide Seo Dong-eun’s existence in the first place. If he had, he wouldn't have stood by and let such a photo be taken or let it circulate online. As he had guessed, the fly that had been lured in was indeed from his father’s side.

“The old man is being too hasty.”

He seemed to be anxious. A smirk escaped him, and Kwon Woo-kyung couldn't suppress his laughter.

“Woo-kyung, over there.”

Meanwhile, Han Ho-seok, who was beside him, gestured with his eyes toward the entrance of the filming set. Gu Chang-hoon was approaching almost at a run.

“What is it?”

Gu Chang-hoon was supposed to be guarding Seo Dong-eun. That decision was made as soon as it was realized that the atmosphere around Seo Dong-eun was unusual.

“I’m on my way back after deploying three additional men. He’s nearby.”

Gu Chang-hoon, who approached quickly, bowed and spoke immediately.

“What?”

The voice asking back was murderous. Seo Dong-eun should have been staying quietly in his quarters at this time. He had definitely seen him early this morning before leaving, and there had been no mention of going anywhere today.

“After leaving the hotel this morning, he visited the house where he used to live. His roommate stopped by for a while, and they spent time together before parting ways thirty minutes ago.”

“Why are you only reporting this now?”

“My apologies. It seems there was a mistake.”

This wasn't something that could be called a mistake. Han Ho-seok, immediately sensing Kwon Woo-kyung’s aura becoming menacing, stepped forward as if to block the two from view. Staff members were busy moving around in preparation for filming. Since he didn't know where rumors might leak, he had to be careful at all times.

“Sigh. So where is he?”

“I’m told he took a narrow path to get out of the nearby alley. Since it’s such a cramped space, they thought he might notice if they got any closer, so I’ve stationed the boys at the entrance and exit of that path. They plan to follow him as soon as he moves.”

“But why are you here?”

“Well, it seems Wi Du-hong has returned.”

“What?”

This was why Gu Chang-hoon had appeared to report in person. After Wi Du-hong vanished, Kwon Woo-kyung had deployed his organizational network to find him. But Wi Du-hong had never once been caught in that net. Indeed, Kwon Woo-kyung acknowledged his exceptional ability, even as a bastard who would lick someone else’s feet if there was money in it. His funding had all been cut off anyway, and he was a wanted man. Wi Du-hong’s life was so full of illegalities that any charge brought against him would be plausible. So Kwon Woo-kyung was fully prepared to take him out the moment he showed his face anywhere.

But he had the audacity and fearlessness to appear around Seo Dong-eun again.

“Based on his last known movements, I think it’s too early to jump to conclusions, but it seems he might approach Seo Dong-eun directly. Oh, and I think the culprit in the traffic accident ten years ago you mentioned earlier can also be identified. As you expected, it seems the accident happened at the entrance to Hwa-pyeong Villa.”

“……”

After finishing the rest of his report, Gu Chang-hoon covered his face with a mask and strode away, just as he had appeared. Wi Du-hong had revealed himself. Kwon Woo-kyung chewed on that thought as he turned around. For a moment, his gaze drifted past the foot of the hill behind the filming set. Filming was about to begin. Kwon Woo-kyung began to organize his thoughts as he warmed up.

“Try to contact Seo Dong-eun.”

Those were the words Kwon Woo-kyung left with his manager just before going into filming. And for about ten hours, until filming was finished, Seo Dong-eun remained unreachable.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Was it because he had learned the truth? This house was no longer uncomfortable, and the fear of being alone had lessened. Seo Dong-eun sat alone in the dark room without even turning on the lights. Occasionally, the sounds of people outside and noisy cars seeped in through the window frame, but that was all. Silence and gray dust filled the space where the owner had neglected the house.

'Kwon Woo-kyung knew from the start why Choi Hyun-seo had to be by his side. It wasn't just once or twice that Kwon Tae-seok pulled tricks to make his son's manifestation happen. He had a seizure every time, and you were the last one. Back then, you asked why I kept asking you to tell me what was happening in that house, right? Because it was strange. It was weird that Kwon Tae-seok would specifically look for an orphaned omega, and a recessive one at that. There had been no such conditions before. Then it’s obvious, isn't it? The reason he specifically needed an orphan. It wasn't just going to be a matter of using you and throwing you away.'

'And then you bolted. Kwon Woo-kyung manifested as a dominant alpha. Do you know what happened after that? Kwon Woo-kyung went crazy and raised hell. Even Kwon Tae-seok hadn't expected that. He was running wild, incomparable to the seizures he'd had from pheromones before. That’s why Kwon Tae-seok even made up fake evidence that Choi Hyun-seo was dead. Of course, even then, Kwon Tae-seok was looking for Choi Hyun-seo behind the scenes. Because he had to get rid of him. A man who acted like a true educator in front of everyone was actually using an orphan with no parents for his son's manifestation and then trying to kill him. Giggle. It seems Kwon Woo-kyung did his own investigation. He knew. He even came to find me. I told him that it was true, recessive omega Choi Hyun-seo’s pheromones had dried up because of him and he’d kicked the bucket, but that we’d held a good funeral so he shouldn't feel guilty—and he hit me for that? Seeing a mere eighteen-year-old kid lose his mind like that was terrifying. I understood then why Kwon Tae-seok went as far as lying to erase Choi Hyun-seo. That was the time. When you went from Choi Hyun-seo to Seo Dong-eun. You cried your eyes out back then, asking if you really had to go that far. But if you hadn't done that, you would have been caught and killed by either Kwon Tae-seok or Kwon Woo-kyung a long time ago.'

'So, Hyun-seo. Huh? Kwon Woo-kyung knew everything from the beginning. He knew that Choi Hyun-seo kicked the bucket because of him and that you’re living like this now, even changing your name—he’s using you. Why would he keep you around? Think about it carefully. Dong-eun, you know you still owe this President a debt, right?'

'Kwon Woo-kyung only thinks about getting revenge on his old man. That Chun-il family is a rich, dysfunctional mess. Getting swept up in it was just bad luck. Ptooie. Damn.'

When he was hovering between life and death after the traffic accident, it was Wi Du-hong who ultimately found Choi Hyun-seo. Until then, he had never heard it directly from Wi Du-hong’s mouth, but he had suspected it. The reason Wi Du-hong had shackled him, even burdening him with debt. The existence of Choi Hyun-seo had truly become an absolute trump card for Wi Du-hong. Using that as leverage, Wi Du-hong had obtained many things from Kwon Tae-seok. It was all thanks to Kwon Tae-seok’s power that Wi Du-hong, who used to crawl in the back alleys, was able to take on a legal guise and be called 'President'. In exchange, Wi Du-hong had thoroughly erased Choi Hyun-seo, but he had ultimately kept Seo Dong-eun by his side. It was obvious that this was just in case.

Disparate events fell into place like a puzzle. Just as Wi Du-hong had said, he only now understood, and only now saw. What his existence meant to them.

Only Seo Dong-eun had hoped Kwon Woo-kyung wouldn't be like that. But from the moment they met again, Kwon Woo-kyung had known everything. Kwon Woo-kyung was no different from Wi Du-hong. If everything Wi Du-hong said was true, to Kwon Woo-kyung, Choi Hyun-seo was just a blade to be used for revenge and evidence of that deed. That was all it was.

Since he must have already known Seo Dong-eun was Choi Hyun-seo, he must have given him that aphrodisiac for omegas. That’s why a heat cycle had suddenly started right after he drank.

“…Manager.”

Even in that incident, there was ample evidence to raise suspicion. Seo Dong-eun blinked in the empty space, which had become completely submerged in darkness so that nothing could be seen, and caught his breath. Nothing was left to him now. His daily life was torn apart, and the path back was long and arduous. Was this what Kwon Woo-kyung wanted? Did he want to thoroughly destroy Choi Hyun-seo, to destroy Seo Dong-eun?

Perhaps, as Wi Du-hong said, he had just been unlucky enough to be caught in the blade aimed at Kwon Tae-seok. But since the outcome was the same anyway, such self-questioning was nothing but a useless exercise.

Seo Dong-eun hunched over, clutching his phone, which had been turned off for a while and had grown cold. He leaned forward until his forehead touched the floor, curling into a ball. Three to four. That was the number of watchers Wi Du-hong had said Kwon Woo-kyung had placed on him. His phone was likely being monitored as well. Wi Du-hong had said he would find him on his own and told him to wait until then before vanishing.

What did he plan to do once he showed up? Right, was it now Wi Du-hong's turn to take revenge on Kwon Woo-kyung? A hollow laugh escaped him, but the meaningless sound died before it could even properly form.

Sitting still in the quiet surroundings, he felt like the air flow was turning into sound, as if he were submerged in water. He just wanted to fall asleep like this and never wake up. Seo Dong-eun closed his eyes. Whether open or closed, the darkness was the same.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

Thud, thud, thud.

A persistent noise repeated itself. Every time his consciousness began to fade, the sound seemed to wake him. Since he didn't particularly want to get up, Seo Dong-eun remained motionless, waiting for the moment to pass. This was an old apartment building with poor soundproofing, so there was no rule preventing noise from other units from being heard in his room.

Crash! A single explosive sound was followed by the thump of something hitting the floor. He must have fallen asleep again, curled in a circle. The sound, heard through his ear pressed against the floor, was much more distorted and exaggerated than it actually was. It sounded like footsteps. Seo Dong-eun finally opened his eyes. The footsteps stopped right in front of him.

“…….”

The room was just as dark as it had been before he fell into his light slumber. The floor against his body was just as cold. Only this man was different. He wasn't even surprised anymore. To Kwon Woo-kyung, who had found him without fail, the question of 'how' would mean nothing.

“Seo Dong-eun.”

From his inverted, tilted perspective, Kwon Woo-kyung's knees came into view first. Following the texture of his tautly pulled clothes, his thigh muscles were tightly tensed. Why was he kneeling? Seo Dong-eun blinked repeatedly.

“Dong-eun.”

This time, the voice sounded a bit closer. Kwon Woo-kyung's hand slipped under his shoulder. With a light tug, his powerless body was lifted, and their eyes finally met.

“Why are you here?”

With eyes accustomed to the dark, he could see the man in front of him quite well. His features, catching the light from outside, glowed dimly.

“I couldn't get a hold of you.”

Despite the rebuking tone, his expression was soft. Even though he was talking to himself, Kwon Woo-kyung didn't seem to expect an answer.

“……What?”

But when Seo Dong-eun parted his lips, the man leaned in without hesitation. The man’s distinctive, heavy scent washed over him.

It hurts…….

“……!!”

His neck, which he had barely been holding up, suddenly slumped. As soon as he spoke, heat surged through his body as if it had been waiting. Although his consciousness was blurring, he didn't lose his senses completely. The touch of the hands lifting him up was excessively vivid.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

In the car on the way back, the setting sun poured in from the front. It stung so much that Seo Dong-eun had to turn his head away. Considering he had left the apartment at dawn, quite a bit of time had passed before returning to the hotel. Seo Dong-eun stared out the window, his face pressed against the glass. The car drove at a constant speed, and the passing scenery and changing views shifted in a similar manner. In the peak of winter, lonely roadside trees brushed past.

“Get some sleep. We still have a long way to go.”

It was Kwon Woo-kyung's car, and he was driving it himself.

“……Yes.”

At his submissive answer, he felt a gaze settle on his cheek and eyes. Seo Dong-eun obediently closed his eyes. He wasn't sleepy anymore, but it didn't matter.

He didn't bother asking how Kwon Woo-kyung had found him. He had never mentioned going home, yet both Seo Dong-eun and Kwon Woo-kyung remained silent about it, as if they had made a pact. Even though he guessed the man was heading toward the hospital, he didn't stop him, and now they were on their way back to his hotel. Everything felt meaningless.

Kwon Woo-kyung already knew that Seo Dong-eun was an omega. Therefore, it was pointless to try to hide it.

As the wheels slowed, the vibration transmitted to his body through the seat faded as well. Seo Dong-eun slowly opened his eyes. It was the hotel's underground parking lot, now a familiar sight.

“A friend—my roommate—said he was stopping by the house for a moment, so I went with him.”

His opening his mouth was purely impulsive. Even though it wouldn't matter if he didn't say anything now, there was no reason to break his promise to inform him of his schedule in advance.

“But why were you like that, alone at night? Without turning on the lights. In that cold place. Weren't you scared?”

Kwon Woo-kyung asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt. When Seo Dong-eun didn't move an inch, it looked as if Kwon Woo-kyung were completely enveloping his body.

“It was a little like that at first, but it was better than I thought.”

“……I see.”

That was it. Kwon Woo-kyung didn't press him any further about why he hadn't told him in advance or why he hadn't returned to the hotel.

“Your phone was off.”

However, as they entered the residence, he checked his phone. The cold phone was still off, sleeping in Seo Dong-eun's pocket.

“It's old, so it turns off on its own sometimes without me knowing.”

“Dong-eun.”

“Yes?”

After seating Seo Dong-eun on the sofa, Kwon Woo-kyung, who sat beside him, suddenly reached out. The inside of the residence was very warm, as the temperature had been turned up beforehand. His cheeks, which had been cold, turned red as the temperature changed. Tapping them with his fingers, Kwon Woo-kyung continued.

“I'm going to finish filming soon.”

“……Yes.”

“The crank-up will take a bit longer, but for now, the filming here will be completely finished in a few days.”

Then, this relationship, which had begun with the end already known, should also come to a close. To begin with, staying at this hotel made no sense. If so, regardless of what sentiments or emotions Kwon Woo-kyung had for him, Seo Dong-eun had to leave. Because that's what he had decided to do.

“How about going to Seoul with me?”

“……?”

“You don't have a job here anyway, and there's probably no reason you absolutely have to live with that roommate. There's no need for you to stay here, is there? Or is there some other circumstance I don't know about that prevents you from leaving?”

If it had been just a few hours earlier, when he still suspected nothing, how would he have received such a proposal from Kwon Woo-kyung? Would his vain hopes and expectations have grown a bit more, or would his suspicions have deepened?

“I am……”

Therefore, Seo Dong-eun didn't know what kind of reaction to give him now. If he couldn't answer easily before because he was so surprised, he couldn't answer now because it was difficult to guess the man's intentions.

“Why are you making such a proposal to me?”

“I just thought it would be nice if you came with me. If you go with me, you'll have many more opportunities than the kind of work you're doing now. I can look into things for you if you want.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm someone who can do that.”

Conversations with Kwon Woo-kyung were always like this. He always gave vague answers, but he never gave the wrong ones either. Yes, Kwon Woo-kyung could certainly do that. Seo Dong-eun just felt the reason was important. Whether he was trying to do something else through him, or whether his existence had some use to him.

“……But I……”

“Think about it. We still have a few days. I have a general idea of what you're worried about, but there's nothing to be overly concerned about. And it won't be much different from your current life.”

Let's eat something first. With that, Kwon Woo-kyung stood up. It was truly not much different from usual. The only thing that had changed was the way he looked at him.

To begin with, what side of himself had Kwon Woo-kyung shown to Seo Dong-eun? Even that was vague. Seo Dong-eun watched Kwon Woo-kyung's back as he headed toward the kitchen. He quietly gripped the phone in his pocket, still turned off. Its texture felt very bleak.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

“You're taking a break from your part-time job because you're not feeling well, but you're still going to meet a friend?”

When Kwon Woo-kyung summarized the situation in one sentence, Seo Dong-eun felt a bit embarrassed and only nodded while scratching his forehead.

“You remember the doctor told you not to overexert yourself, right? He said a mild cold could progress to pneumonia for you. Take your medicine regularly. If you feel anything's wrong, contact me—no, go to the hospital first.”

“……Yes.”

“Dress warmly. Don't take the bus; take a taxi. Let's see how long you can go without using the card I gave you.”

Kwon Woo-kyung, who nagged until the very end, lingered at the entrance for a long time, as if something was still unsatisfactory. In front of him, Seo Dong-eun silently endured the nagging. He didn't specifically answer the last part, but Kwon Woo-kyung didn't say anything more.

Before he left, he checked once more on the friend Seo Dong-eun was meeting. Hae-su, the kid he had worked with at 'Down,' whom he had briefly met before. Kwon Woo-kyung's expression seemed to shift slightly, but that was all.

A record-breaking cold wave had been predicted starting from mid-December. It was already cold, and the weather was so dreary it made one wonder what would happen if it got even colder. Articles with titles like 'Coldest Wave in Decades' poured out every day, as if competing, and the sky, filled with clouds heavy with moisture, was only gray.

Seo Dong-eun opened the door to the room filled with his clothes. Originally intended as a guest room, it had lost its purpose and was now filled with clothes in the closet, drawers, and even on the floor. Warm clothes, Seo Dong-eun muttered as he picked out his outfit. He didn't forget to wrap a scarf around his long padded coat made of light insulation. Armed like that, he left the hotel. The clouds hanging in the sky were much thicker than they had appeared from inside. It was an ominous day, with dark clouds obscuring the sun.

⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

—He just entered the cafe.

Receiving the report through his wireless earphone, Gu Chang-hoon didn't take his eyes off the cafe building. The building was seven stories tall, and the cafe Seo Dong-eun used was on the first floor. Because the building had only one entrance, his subordinates were all focused on checking the inside and outside of the cafe.

Soon, the omega who had met Seo Dong-eun before appeared. Just like before, the omega named Hae-su was clearly very happy to see Seo Dong-eun as soon as he saw him. A short while later, Gu Chang-hoon saw a man he hadn't seen before join their table. Checking the file containing all of Seo Dong-eun's personal information, he could easily identify the man. It was the beta Park Jae-hoon, who had worked with him at 'Down.'

After that, a normal conversation seemed to follow. Although they were picking up sound through a subordinate positioned nearby, most of it was trivial enough that it wasn't even worth reporting separately.

—……So the owner of the shop where I'm working now is totally nagging me!

—Jae-hoon, you've been through a lot.

—But hyung, it's okay for you to suffer a bit.

—What? Hae-su, whose side are you on? Are you on the side of that owner you don't even know?

—I'm on the side of good people.

Whenever Park Jae-hoon or Hae-su spoke, Seo Dong-eun would respond or give a short answer. Since this kind of conversation was repeated so often, the subordinates stationed nearby had nothing to report and were just letting the voices play.

—I'm going to the bathroom.

—Oh, me too!

About two hours passed like that. When Seo Dong-eun stood up, Hae-su quickly followed. As the two disappeared into the bathroom together, Park Jae-hoon, left alone, couldn't help but make a phone call somewhere.

Watching all of this without missing a single detail, Gu Chang-hoon organized the points to report to Kwon Woo-kyung in his head. Just losing track of Seo Dong-eun a while ago had already put his head on the chopping block. When acting as someone's shadow, thinking too much was actually a poison. He just had to do the job he was given. Monitoring Seo Dong-eun's back as he returned to his seat, Gu Chang-hoon checked the time. It had been about two and a half hours since they met.