Dylan's expression suddenly stiffened, turning ice-cold as though his soul had left his body. The woman standing behind Duyen was simply too beautiful.
No...
Could a human being this perfect truly exist?
Dylan had worked with countless famous models and actresses before, yet he had never encountered someone with such an overwhelming presence. She was leaning casually against the wall. Her reddish-brown hair seemed almost unreal, glowing softly and billowing like something from a dream. Her blue eyes were strangely mesmerizing, and the smile on her lips was so seductive it bordered on madness. Combined with the rich, alluring fragrance surrounding her.
Yet for some reason, Dylan felt threatened instead of charmed. It was as though a mysterious aura radiated from her, pinning him against the wall. Like the gaze of a hyena stalking its prey.
Wait.
What the hell was he thinking?
Dylan quickly snapped back to reality when he realized Duyen was still standing here—and he was still holding her tightly by the hand. Not wanting anyone to notice he had already lost ground, Dylan deliberately pulled Duyen slightly behind him and put on his signature friendly smile toward Shana.
The smile lingering on Shana's lips immediately disappeared.
"Ah, miss..." Dylan began. "We're just having a private conversation. Judging by how elegantly you're dressed, you must be an alumna of Yelsulin University. Excuse me, but this area is reserved for staff—"
Before he could finish, Duyen suddenly called out Shana's name. To the point that it almost sounded like a delighted cry.
"Shana!"
Dylan froze. Duyen had actually called her by name. Not only that, she immediately brushed his hand aside and walked toward Shana.
At that moment, Shana looked like someone who had already won. A confident, triumphant smile spread across her face, leaving Dylan both confused and irritated. She didn't even bother acknowledging his reaction. Instead, she turned toward Duyen and asked affectionately, full of concern. Even her eyes were different now. They had softened completely. Like a puppy.
"So this is where you've been, Duyen? I've been looking everywhere for you. You were the one responsible for all those beautiful appetizers today, weren't you? You must be exhausted."
Duyen instantly forgot the awkward situation from moments ago.
"Actually, I'm not that tired. The university staff helped me a lot. Oh, now that you're here... everyone else came too, right?"
Shana nodded gently while softly stroking Duyen's chin and neck in a way that was both affectionate and slightly possessive.
"Well... I slipped away from them to come here first. It's complete chaos outside. Honestly, it'd probably be better if you stayed in here for now. But sooner or later everyone will come looking for you."
She smiled.
"After all, you're the reason everyone came here in the first place."
Duyen blushed faintly.
"Well... that's a bit of an exaggeration. But I'm grateful everyone likes me. By the way, has Nayeon returned to the country yet?"
Suddenly, Dylan cleared his throat with a hint of annoyance. Both women paused.
Dylan was still trying to maintain his handsome, composed image, although it was obvious he felt jealous seeing how close Shana was to Duyen. With renewed confidence, he stepped beside Duyen.
Shana raised an eyebrow.
"Hello. You must be a friend of Duyen's. My name is Dylan. I'm her supervisor at the photography studio."
Shana couldn't help letting out a faint scoff of amusement. It immediately irritated Dylan.
"Oh? Are you giving me attitude?"
"Oh no, no."
Shana waved her hand. Yet she still couldn't suppress a small laugh.
"I've heard a lot about you. You're Dylan—the well-known photographer with quite a reputation. I've heard you've worked on major fashion events, yet you're still willing to work independently here. I do admire that kind of integrity."
The sudden shift from feeling looked down upon to being lavishly praised caught Dylan off guard. He couldn't help feeling a little proud. Even so, he remained uneasy.
"Well... I'm just an ordinary photographer. You're giving me too much credit."
But Shana continued. She crossed her arms and suddenly looked at him with a mysterious expression. The look alone sent chills down his spine. Her voice became warm and low.
"...Having worked with so many women, I'm sure you understand something."
She paused.
"When a woman says no... it means no. You understand that very well."
The chill that ran through Dylan felt almost like an electric shock. His entire body nearly froze under that invisible pressure.
What exactly did she mean by that?
Yet instead of admitting defeat, he stammered:
"...What exactly is your relationship with Duyen?"
"Oh~"
The corner of Shana's lips curled upward.
She stepped closer. Her slender fingers slowly reached forward. The movement was gentle. Yet Dylan felt as if he were about to wet himself on the spot. One by one, she gently removed his fingers. Nothing forceful. Just patient. Until his hand was completely detached from Duyen's waist.
Then she immediately pulled Duyen into her arms right in front of him. Duyen's face turned bright red.
Dylan's jaw dropped.
"I am..." Shana said sweetly, "...her girlfriend."
"Hey! Shana!" Duyen blushed furiously. "How many times have I told you? Don't do that in front of other people..."
But Shana only laughed and pulled Duyen even closer before showering her with dozens of kisses.
"Oh my goodness, I love you so much. My baby is always the cutest. Let me kiss you. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss."
Duyen looked as though she was about to give up resisting altogether. She wore a completely helpless expression. Meanwhile, Dylan pointed at them with trembling hands.
"Wait...! Hold on! Stop right there! Doesn't Duyen already have a girlfriend!? That woman... Mina or whatever her name is!"
He stared at Shana.
"How can you suddenly appear out of nowhere and say something so ridiculous!?"
Shana turned away and pouted.
"Well... I hate to admit it. But the three of us share a rather strange bond. So according to the understanding of ordinary humans..."
She shrugged.
"She's Duyen's girlfriend too."
The explanation only made Dylan even more confused. He practically shouted.
"What kind of immoral nonsense is this!? Duyen, I think you're being influenced by these people. You should wake up and—"
"Dylan..."
Duyen's gentle voice interrupted him. He stopped instantly. She looked at him with her amber eyes. The warmth in them immediately calmed the turmoil inside him.
"I'm sorry. But between us...Impossible is still impossible. I hope you'll accept the truth."
In that moment, Dylan seemed to wake up.
He realized how rude his behavior had been. How unmanly it had looked. Embarrassment quickly overwhelmed him.
"I'm sorry, Duyen."
He lowered his head.
"Maybe I'm the one who's making things difficult for you."
Duyen gently slipped free from Shana's embrace and looked at him kindly.
"It's okay, Dylan. No matter what, you'll always be someone I respect."
Yet even that only made Dylan feel more ashamed. He glanced from Shana to Duyen.
"To be honest...I never really expected you to say yes. It was foolish of me to behave like that. I'm truly sorry. And... I just wanted to confess sincerely before I flew back to Canada."
Duyen was genuinely surprised. Even Shana seemed impressed. Her tone softened considerably.
"...So you're not going to keep looking for your little sister anymore?"
Dylan looked surprised that Shana knew about that. Then he gave an awkward smile.
"I guess Duyen told you. Yeah. I've tried many different ways. But I couldn't find her."
His voice became melancholy.
"But I know my sister is tough. And stubborn. Even if I managed to bring her back, she probably wouldn't come willingly."
Then he murmured under his breath.
"...I just hope that kid is okay."
Yet even that whisper caught both Duyen's and Shana's attention. They heard him clearly.
That kid...?
What did he mean by that?
"Well, that's enough for now. Sorry I can't stay longer. Duyen, I'll call you later."
Duyen snapped out of her thoughts and smiled back. She watched him leave in a hurry. What exactly had happened?
And what was that comment about a child?
But Duyen's instincts told her something was definitely wrong. Something bad was coming.
Dylan left through the back of Yelsulin University since the main gate was completely packed with reporters.
Then suddenly—He caught sight of a woman walking past.
That blonde hair.
That face.
He froze in place.
"...Eri?"
---
"Duyen! Duyen!"
Mina called out frantically for Duyen, only to discover that she had changed into an elegant blue evening gown.
Duyen's long hair, slightly tinted brown, framed her face beautifully as she flashed Mina a radiant smile and waved.
Mina's heart seemed to skip a beat.
Instantly, she forgot all the rules, decorum, and dignity expected of the future head of a clan and rushed straight toward Duyen. She threw her arms around her as if they had not seen each other for years.
"Duyen! This is terrible! I've missed you so much!"
Duyen was practically being suffocated by the overwhelming density of Mina's affection. Still, she managed to speak.
"Mina... I've missed you too... I... can't breathe..."
"Oh! Sorry!"
Mina jumped in alarm and loosened her grip slightly. Seeing Duyen's beautiful face only inches away from her own, Mina felt as though she couldn't restrain herself. She leaned forward, intending to steal a kiss.
Duyen's face turned red as well. For a brief moment, she was almost ready to let temptation win.
Then—
"Ahem."
The sound of someone clearing their throat made Mina stop. Shana stood there with a smile on her beautiful face, though she couldn't hide the irritation beneath it. Mina immediately pinched her nose shut and made a face.
"Oh, I thought there was a fly buzzing around here somewhere. Turns out it's just a fox."
The corner of Shana's mouth twitched.
"Calling me a fly is a bit much. And stop acting like you don't have that murderous aura surrounding you all the time. It's honestly creepy to look at."
And it was true. To ordinary people, Mina appeared breathtakingly elegant, noble, and beautiful. But the reality was that she was surrounded by a heavy, oppressive aura of resentment.
Streaks of gold and crimson energy intertwined around her, accompanied by the distant echoes of anguished screams. Although the Kamakiri clan ring helped suppress some of that aura's intensity, it was still horrifying to anyone blessed with spiritual sight.
Mina, however, couldn't care less. She simply placed her hands on her hips and shrugged.
"I don't care. As long as Duyen still likes me."
Shana looked annoyed.
"Your self-satisfaction genuinely scares me."
Duyen burst out laughing. In truth, Mina's aura didn't frighten her in the slightest.
"No matter what, Mina is still Mina."
Mina turned toward Duyen with touched eyes. Meanwhile, Shana could only chuckle awkwardly and shrug. Suddenly, Mina grabbed Duyen by both shoulders. Her voice became strangely urgent.
"...Duyen... after the party, let's do ten times."
"Huh?"
Duyen's face instantly turned bright red. Meanwhile, Shana lunged forward and forcibly separated the two.
"Hey, you pervert! Control the beast inside you! What kind of thing is that to say!?"
Mina immediately returned to her usual dignified posture and discreetly wiped a bit of drool from the corner of her mouth. She growled under her breath.
"Stop acting like you wouldn't do the same."
Shana suddenly laughed awkwardly.
"...I mean..."
Duyen knew exactly what both of them were thinking. She could only rub her forehead helplessly.
"If this keeps up, then tonight I'd like permission to sleep by myself."
The moment they heard that, it was as though lightning struck Mina and Shana simultaneously. The two shouted in perfect unison.
"No way!"
Nearby, Nayeon held a glass of wine and giggled as she watched the three of them.
"They're still the same as ever. So noisy."
Then she casually emptied the entire glass in one gulp as though it were nothing. Perhaps her alcohol tolerance was simply high. Or perhaps something was weighing on her heart.
Yu looked at Nayeon worriedly. She seemed as though she wanted to say something. Nayeon knew exactly what it was. The woman sighed.
"Don't worry. I'll be okay. Do you still remember what we talked about earlier?"
Yu remained silent. Nayeon already knew the answer. She continued.
"I'm sorry, but that's just how I am. When I love someone, I love with everything I have. And when I hate someone, I hate with everything I have."
She paused.
"I have to admit something to you. I still haven't gotten over my feelings for Duyen."
Nayeon's gaze drifted toward Duyên, who was currently chatting and laughing with her two girlfriends. Yu followed her gaze. A wave of bitterness washed through Nayeon's chest. Still, she smiled.
"Duyen probably never knew this, but I've liked her ever since we were children..."
Her voice softened.
"Even before Mina."
Then she let out a bitter sigh.
"But I know the kind of person Duyen is. The best thing I can do is not force her when her heart doesn't feel the same way mine does."
Yu's silver-white eyelashes drooped slightly.
"...But Duyen is very kind. She wouldn't reject you."
Nayeon laughed.
"Even if she forced herself to do that, my conscience wouldn't allow it."
Then she stopped and looked directly at Yu.
"I'm sorry. But that's how I see things. When I love someone, I love them with everything I have."
She lowered her eyes.
"Maybe someday what I feel for Duyen won't be romantic anymore. Or maybe I'll simply become more at peace with it."
She smiled faintly.
"But right now, I can't love you wholeheartedly. You deserve a complete love, Yu."
Yu couldn't say she wasn't hurt by those words. Yet she still answered firmly.
"...Even so, I'll wait."
Nayeon frowned immediately.
"You shouldn't say that, Yu. You shouldn't keep waiting forever just because of me."
"I don't care."
Yu's straightforward answer left Nayeon speechless.
"Didn't you just say it yourself? You can't change someone's heart. And my heart has already decided that I'll wait. I'll still love you. I can wait."
"Yu, you..."
Nayeon seemed ready to say more. But when she looked at Yu's serious expression—hidden beneath that naturally cold-looking face—it somehow felt both adorable and amusing. In the end, she let it go.
"...Fine. If that's what you want."
"Hey! Why do you two look so gloomy?"
Out of nowhere, Dao jumped in and hooked an arm around both of their shoulders. Nayeon, who had been smiling moments ago, immediately looked irritated.
"Oh, come on! Give us some privacy!"
Dao held a wine bottle in each hand and grinned from ear to ear.
"Didn't you two just break up?"
Both Nayeon and Yu immediately waved their hands.
"No."
"Ehhhh..."
Dao narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"I don't know about that. I definitely saw little Yu looking super sad earlier."
Then—
"Huh?"
Dao suddenly stopped mid-sentence. She had spotted someone.
A petite and incredibly cute young woman. The signature beauty mark beneath her small lips made her instantly recognizable. She looked thinner than before. Her long hair flowed over a simple, minimalist outfit. The moment Dao saw her, she immediately knew who it was.