The café was quiet.
Elegant. Refined. Calm-
A complete contrast to the battlefield they had just survived.
Kang Sera sat back in her chair, holding her cup of coffee like it was the only thing keeping her sane. Her expression was composed, but her eyes... her eyes were tired.
"...I underestimated her," she murmured softly.
Across from her, Han Jiheon took a slow sip of his coffee, his posture as straight and unbothered as ever-though the faint tension in his shoulders betrayed him.
"...You shouldn't have."
She glanced at him.
"...You knew."
"Yes."
"....And you let me walk into this."
"I did."
Sera stared at him for a long moment.
"...You're actually evil."
The Opportunity
Mrs. Han was seated across from them, peacefully enjoying her coffee, occasionally glancing at Sera with a satisfied smile.
"You chose well," she said suddenly, looking at Jiheon. "She suits you."
Silence.
Jiheon didn't respond.
Sera smiled sweetly, tilting her head slightly.
"Thank you, Mom. I'm trying my best."
Mrs. Han's expression softened even more.
"...You're doing more than enough."
But Sera's attention?
Was elsewhere.
Her eyes flickered toward the café entrance.
Then toward the hallway.
Then-
Back to Jiheon.
Signal Attempt #1 (FAIL)
She lifted her gaze and-
winked.
Directly at him.
Slow.
Intentional.
Meaningful.
Jiheon stared at her.
Blank.
Unmoving.
Confused.
He blinked.
Once.
Then slowly-
Shook his head.
Sera froze.
"...Seriously?"
Her expression didn't change outwardly-but internally?
She was judging him.
Hard.
She leaned slightly forward, her voice low.
"...Are you stupid?"
"...What."
"I'm clearly communicating."
"You're blinking."
"That was a signal."
"That was not a signal."
She inhaled slowly.
"...Unbelievable."
Signal Attempt #2 (SUCCESS... barely)
Sera leaned back again, her expression returning to calm.
Then-
Slowly-
Under the table-
Her foot moved.
Lightly.
Deliberately.
It brushed against his leg.
Jiheon stiffened.
His gaze dropped slightly.
Sera didn't look at him.
Instead, her eyes shifted-
Subtly-
Toward the hallway.
Then-
Toward the sign.
Restroom.
A pause
A beat.
And then-
Finally-
Understanding
Jiheon gave the smallest nod.
Sera exhaled internally.
Finally. Brain function detected.
Meanwhile... 03
Across the table-
Mrs. Han saw everything.
The glance.
The subtle movement.
The silent exchange.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Then-
Softened.
A knowing smile appearing on her lips.
"Young people," she thought, taking a slow sip of her coffee.
Execution Phase
Sera stood up first.
Smooth.
Casual.
Effortless.
"Excuse me," she said politely. "I'll be back in a
moment." Mrs. Han smiled warmly.
"Of course."
Sera walked away.
Calm.
Composed.
Not too fast
Not too slow.
A few seconds passed.
Then-
Jiheon stood up as well.
"I'll check on her."
Mrs. Han looked at him.
For a moment-
He almost thought she would question it.
Instead-
Her smile widened.
Gentle.
Understanding.
"Take your time."
Jiheon paused.
Just slightly.
"What
"Nothing," she said, waving him off lightly. "Go."
Jiheon Leaves
He turned.
Walking in the same direction Sera had gone.
His steps were steady-but something about the situation felt... off.
"Why did she look like that," he muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile... Sera
↓
She stood near the hallway corner, arms crossed, waiting.
The moment he appeared-
She looked at him.
And sighed.
Deeply.
That took you long enough."
"You're impatient."
"You're slow."
She grabbed his wrist suddenly-
Pulling him slightly to the side, out of view.
End Scene
Hidden from sight-
Away from his mother-
Away from the café-
Sera's eyes gleamed.
Sharp.
Playful.
Dangerous.
"...Round two," she whispered, "Let's escape properly this time."
Jiheon looked at her.
Then-
For the first time-
A faint smirk appeared.
"...Try not to fail again."