The night air hits different when we step outside.
Cool.
A little too quiet.
Like the world is pretending nothing just shifted back there.
I adjust the fluffy white bucket hat on my head, fingers brushing the soft edge as I blink at the streetlights.
"…where are we going?" I ask, still trying to process everything.
Ji-Ah doesn't even look at me.
She just shoves her bag straight into my hands.
Heavy.
Disrespectful.
"Hold this," she says, already pulling out her compact mirror.
I stare at the bag.
Then at her.
"…you just used me as storage."
"Correct."
She fixes her lip gloss like nothing matters more.
Then—
"We're going to karaoke."
I blink.
"…that was a sudden plot twist."
Before she answers—
Sora turns around, walking backward with a grin.
"Not just any karaoke," she says. "The one in Cheongdam."
Ji-Ah pauses.
Just slightly.
Then Sora adds—
"The one Kai owns."
Silence.
Small.
Sharp.
I catch it immediately.
Ji-Ah rolls her eyes.
Too fast.
Too practiced.
"…I don't care," she says.
Which means—
she absolutely cares.
She turns.
"Let's go. This is more important."
Everyone starts moving again.
Cars ahead.
Laughter returning.
But something's off.
I stay still for a second longer.
Trying to catch up mentally.
Trying to understand why the air feels… heavier now.
Then—
a voice behind me.
Low.
Amused.
"…so she's a heartbroken girl."
I don't turn.
"…you're enjoying this too much."
"…it's interesting," Niran replies.
I exhale.
"…it's sad."
"Same thing sometimes."
I don't answer that.
Because I kind of get it.
And I don't like that I do.
A hand suddenly pats my shoulder.
I flinch slightly.
"Let's go, little guy."
I turn.
Minseo.
Smiling.
Too friendly.
I narrow my eyes.
"…don't call me that."
He laughs.
"Too late."
I sigh.
Then, quieter—
"…what happened?"
He glances ahead.
At Ji-Ah.
At the group.
Then back at me.
His smile fades slightly.
"…Kai and Ji-Ah?"
I nod.
He exhales.
"…they were serious."
That already sounds bad.
"Like… everyone thought they'd last," he continues. "Same circle, same plans, same future kind of thing."
I listen.
Quiet.
"They were good together," he adds. "Too good, actually."
I frown.
"…and?"
He hesitates.
Then—
"Kai cheated."
My steps slow.
"…oh."
"Yeah."
That explains everything.
"Not even once," Minseo adds. "It wasn't a mistake. It was… a pattern."
That's worse.
"She found out late," he continues. "And when she did—"
He pauses.
Shakes his head.
"She didn't cry. Didn't scream. Just… cut him off."
I glance ahead.
Ji-Ah walking like nothing touches her.
"After that," he says, "she changed. Not cold. Just… careful."
I nod slowly.
"…I get that."
"Yeah," he mutters.
Then pats my shoulder again.
"Now come on, before she abandons you."
"She already did emotionally," I reply.
He laughs.
We catch up.
But before I can think more—
a hand grabs my wrist.
Fast.
Ji-Ah.
"Stay close, little bro," she says.
And pulls.
Hard.
I stumble forward.
"—I'm walking—!"
"Walk faster."
"I AM—"
I almost trip.
Recover.
Barely.
Dignity: gone.
We reach the car.
Everyone piling in.
Talking again.
Laughing again.
Like nothing is wrong.
But I know better now.
I glance at Ji-Ah.
Then away.
Then—
quietly—
"…you okay?"
She pauses.
Just for a second.
Then smirks slightly.
"Why?"
"…you look like you're about to fight someone."
"Maybe I am."
"…Kai?"
She opens the car door.
Then looks at me.
Sharp.
"But I don't lose fights."
I blink.
"…noted."
She gets in.
I stand there for a second.
Processing.
Then—
Niran leans in close beside me.
"…this is going to be fun."
I sigh.
"…for you."
"…for us."
I glance at him.
He's already smiling.
That dangerous kind.
I shake my head.
"…I regret everything."
"Too late."
I get into the car anyway.
Because at this point—
whether I walk normally…
or get dragged into chaos—
people are going to stare either way.
Might as well commit.
Even if I still look like a five-year-old on a field trip.
The karaoke place is loud.
Too loud.
Lights flashing in soft neon blues and purples. Music leaking out of half-closed doors. Laughter bouncing off polished walls.
I stand there for a second.
Still holding Ji-Ah's bag.
Still wearing—
this.
Fluffy white bucket hat.
Oversized hoodie.
Shorts that make me look like I got dressed in the dark at a daycare.
"…I don't belong here," I mutter.
Behind me—
"…you don't belong anywhere," Niran replies.
"Comforting."
We get pulled into a private room anyway.
Door slides open—
—and suddenly it's chaos.
Seven people turn into ten.
Food on the table.
Drinks already poured.
Music screen glowing.
Someone hands Ji-Ah a mic immediately.
"YOU'RE FIRST!"
She rolls her eyes.
But she takes it.
Of course she does.
Confidence.
Effortless.
Like she owns every room she walks into.
I sit.
Far corner.
Clutching the bag like it's my only purpose in life.
Minseo drops beside me.
"Relax, little guy."
"Stop calling me that."
He laughs.
Meanwhile—
Ji-Ah starts singing.
And for a second—
everything actually goes quiet.
Because she's good.
Not trying too hard.
Not dramatic.
Just… smooth.
Controlled.
Like she knows exactly how much to give and when.
Even Niran glances up.
"…not bad," he mutters.
"She's always like that," I reply.
"…dangerous."
"Very."
The room slowly comes back to life.
Clapping.
Cheering.
Drinks passed around.
Sora already dragging someone else to sing.
Laughter.
Normal.
Almost.
Then—
the door opens.
And everything shifts.
Subtle.
But sharp.
A guy walks in.
Tall.
Clean.
Dressed like he belongs in every expensive place at once.
Kai.
You can tell immediately.
He doesn't even need to say anything.
The room reacts to him.
Sora stiffens slightly.
Minseo looks away.
Ji-Ah—
doesn't move.
Doesn't turn.
Doesn't acknowledge him at all.
Like he doesn't exist.
Kai smiles.
Too calm.
Too practiced.
"Just checking if everything's okay," he says.
His eyes aren't on the room.
They're on her.
Of course.
Ji-Ah finally turns.
Slow.
Measured.
"Everything is fine."
Flat.
No emotion.
That kind of calm is dangerous.
He steps closer anyway.
"That's good," he says softly. "I didn't know you'd be here tonight."
"Now you do."
No warmth.
No softness.
Nothing.
The air tightens.
I shift slightly in my seat.
Niran moves closer behind me.
Watching.
Interested.
"…this is about to go wrong," he murmurs.
"Please don't say that."
Too late.
Kai exhales.
"Ji-Ah… can we talk?"
"No."
Immediate.
No hesitation.
No space.
The room goes quiet again.
Not fully.
But enough.
Kai's smile tightens slightly.
"Just for a minute."
"I said no."
She picks up her drink.
Takes a small sip.
Still composed.
But I can see it now—
that edge.
That patience running thin.
Kai's voice lowers.
"…you can't keep ignoring me."
She laughs.
Soft.
Dry.
"Watch me."
And then—
the door opens again.
Another presence.
Different.
Sharper.
I glance up—
—and freeze.
Lalita.
Standing there.
Arms crossed.
Eyes scanning the room once—
and landing on me.
Immediately.
My soul leaves my body.
"…oh no," I whisper.
I try to shift.
Hide.
Slide lower into the seat.
Pull the bucket hat down.
Disappear.
It does not work.
At all.
Because apparently I look like a walking target.
Her eyes narrow slightly.
Confused.
Suspicious.
"…what are you doing here," she asks.
Not even a greeting.
Just attack.
I blink.
"…existing?"
Wrong answer.
Niran snorts quietly.
"…you look like prey."
"Shut up."
Lalita steps in fully now.
Kai glances at her briefly.
"Stay out of this," he mutters.
She ignores him.
Still looking at me.
"…you look ridiculous."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I know."
Her gaze sharpens.
Like she's trying to connect something.
Something she almost understands.
Something she doesn't like.
Before she can speak again—
Kai steps forward.
Closer to Ji-Ah.
Too close.
"Just listen to me," he says.
"…I said everything I needed to say already."
"That wasn't a conversation."
"It was a conclusion."
That hits.
Hard.
Kai's patience snaps slightly.
"Ji-Ah—"
"Don't."
Too late.
His hand moves—
grabs her wrist.
Not rough.
But enough.
Enough to cross a line.
And that's it.
The room stops.
Completely.
Ji-Ah looks at his hand.
Then at him.
Slow.
Cold.
And then—
SLAP.
Sharp.
Loud.
Final.
The sound echoes.
No one breathes.
Kai's head turns slightly from the impact.
He doesn't react immediately.
But the room does.
Shock.
Silence.
Lalita's eyes flick between them.
Calculating.
Watching.
Ji-Ah lowers her hand.
Calm.
"Don't touch me again."
Kai exhales slowly.
Then laughs.
Soft.
Wrong.
"…you're still angry."
"Congratulations. You can observe."
His jaw tightens.
Then—
his eyes shift.
To me.
And something about that look—
I don't like it.
At all.
"…and who's this?" he asks.
I freeze.
"…nobody," Ji-Ah says immediately.
Too fast.
Too defensive.
Kai smiles slightly.
"Doesn't look like nobody."
He steps closer.
Before I can react—
his hand grabs my collar.
Again.
Why is this my life.
"—hey—"
"Let him go," Ji-Ah says sharply.
Kai doesn't.
"Get back with me," he says quietly to her.
My brain stops.
Excuse me?
"Or what?" she asks.
He tightens his grip slightly.
"Or this kid gets involved in things he shouldn't."
I blink.
"…I was already involved by force."
"Not helping," Niran mutters.
Sora stands up immediately.
"HEY—leave him alone! He's too cute and innocent for your evil nature!"
I turn.
"…what did you just say."
"Focus!" she snaps.
Right.
Important moment.
Kai ignores her.
Still looking at Ji-Ah.
Waiting.
Pressuring.
Wrong move.
Because behind me—
the air shifts.
Cold.
Sharp.
Familiar.
Niran.
"…I'm done watching," he murmurs.
My eyes widen slightly.
"Don't—"
Too late.
Something moves.
Fast.
Invisible.
Kai's grip falters.
Just slightly.
Like something hit his arm.
He frowns.
Looks around.
Confused.
Lalita's expression changes instantly.
Recognition.
Not full.
But enough.
Her eyes snap to me.
"…you do know something."
Not a question.
A statement.
I don't answer.
Because—
Niran tilts his head slightly.
A signal.
I understand immediately.
Ji-Ah doesn't wait.
The moment Kai's grip loosens—
she grabs my hand.
Hard.
"Run."
I don't argue.
For once.
We move.
Fast.
Behind us—
a sudden force—
Kai's body jerks—
and then—
he's thrown back.
Hard.
Slamming into the wall.
The sound is loud enough to shake the room.
Gasps.
Shouting.
Chaos.
Lalita turns sharply.
Eyes scanning.
Calculating.
Watching everything.
I don't stop.
We reach the door.
Sora already ahead.
Minseo pushing it open.
"GO—!"
We run.
Out.
Into the hallway.
Noise behind us.
But fading.
Fast.
Ji-Ah doesn't let go of my hand.
Not until we're far enough.
Not until we stop.
Breathing uneven.
Heart racing.
Silence hitting all at once.
Sora bends slightly.
"…we are never going there again."
"Agreed," Minseo says.
Ji-Ah exhales slowly.
Still steady.
Still controlled.
Like nothing just happened.
She looks at me.
Checks me quickly.
"…you okay?"
I nod.
"…I think I just got kidnapped twice today."
"Sorry."
"Accepted."
A pause.
Then Sora straightens.
"…we'll talk later," she says. "All of us."
Ji-Ah nods.
"Yeah."
They start to split.
One by one.
Promises thrown casually—
"Tomorrow."
"Text me."
"Don't disappear."
Normal words.
After a very not normal night.
Soon—
it's just us.
Me.
Ji-Ah.
And—
him.
I turn slightly.
Niran standing a few steps behind.
Calm again.
Like nothing happened.
"…you threw him," I say.
"…he deserved it."
"…you could've killed him."
"I didn't."
"That's not comforting!"
Ji-Ah looks between me—
and the space behind me.
She doesn't see him.
But she feels something.
I can tell.
Her eyes narrow slightly.
Then she exhales.
"…let's go home."
I nod.
We start walking.
But I don't miss it—
the way Lalita looked at me before we left.
Sharp.
Certain.
Like she's already putting the pieces together.
And next time—
she won't just ask.
She'll know.