The evening had been light.
Carefree.
Almost too peaceful.
Kang Sera stood beside him, lazily eating her ice cream, her mood still lingering somewhere. between amusement and satisfaction.
"...You know," she said, glancing at him, "for someone who claims to hate fun, you didn't completely hate today."
"I didn't enjoy it."
"..Liar."
Before he could reply-
His phone rang.
The shift was instant.
Subtle-
But sharp enough for Sera to notice.
He looked at the screen.
And in that single moment-Everything in him changed.
"...Yes," he answered.
Silence followed.
Then-
His expression darkened.
"...I'm coming."
The call ended.
And before Sera could ask-
He grabbed her wrist.
Tight
Sudden.
"Hey-what-?"
But he didn't answer.
Didn't slow down.
He pulled her along the street, straight toward a cab, his grip firm enough that she couldn't easily pull away.
Her ice cream slipped from her fingers-Falling to the ground-Left behind.
The Ride The car moved quickly. Too quickly.
Silence filled the space.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Sera glanced at him.
His gaze was fixed ahead.
Sharp.
Cold
Unreachable.
"...Jiheon," she said, her tone calmer now, "what happened?"
No response.
She leaned back slightly, studying him.
"..So this is her," she thought.
"..The one worth this reaction."
The Hospital
The moment they arrived, he stepped out immediately.
Sera followed.
The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air.
Clean.
Sharp.
Cold.
Her eyes flickered slightly.
"..Back here again," she murmured.
Jiheon didn't stop.
Didn't hesitate.
He found a doctor.
Spoke briefly.
Low voice.
Serious tone.
The doctor nodded.
Stepped aside.
And Jiheon moved.
Straight toward a ward.
Sera followed.
Quiet.
Observing
The Door Opens
The room was calm.
Softly lit.
Too peaceful.
And inside-
She stood
Yoo Ara
Sera's steps slowed slightly.
Her gaze fixed on the girl
Beautiful
Delicate
Exactly like the novel described
So this is the female lear," she thought
Ara tumed
The moment she saw Jiheon-
Her face lit up.
Jiheon
She walked toward him quickly-
And embraced him.
"I missed you," she said softly, her voice gentle,
fragile
Sera watched.
Silently.
Then-
Ara's eyes shifted.
And landed on her.
For a moment-
Everything changed
The warmth
The softness
The gentle expression-
Gone
Replaced by something sharp.
Cold
Unpleasant.
Recognition,
You Are said quietly.
Sera raised a brow
other?"
Ara's lips curved.
But it wasn't kind
Of course we do," she replied softly. "How could
I not recognize you?"
Sera didn't respond
But her eyes sharpened slightly.
Interesting" she thought.
So there's history"
The Act Begins
Ara's expression shifted again.
Like a switch had been flipped.
Her smile softened.
Her eyes tumed gentle
Fragile.
Perfect
She stepped closer
Slowly
Gracefully
Thank you" she said softly.
"For helping me
Sera remained still.
Watching
For giving your blood," Ara continued, her voice
filled with emotion.
Then-
She reached out.
Grabbing Serial's hand
Her grip
Tight
Too tight
Sera's brows furrowed slightly.
I'm really grateful" Ara said
And then
She leaned closer,
Closer-
Lintil her lips were near Sera's ear
And in a voice only she could hear
Ara whispered-
"You should give up on heon."
Sera's expression didn't change
But her eyes-
Turned cold
He was never yours to begin with" Ara
continued softly: "Don't make things harder for
yourself"
A pause
Then-
Sera smiled
Slightly.
And here I thought you were fragile," she
murmured quietly
Her hand moved
Trying to pull away from Ara's grip
And then-
Ara fell.
Just like that.
A soft gasp escaped her lips as she collapsed
onto the floor, her body trembling slightly as if she
had lost all strength
Silence filled the
Sera froze
Then slowly-
Looked at her.
Then at her own hand.
"You're joking"
Her gaze sharpened instantly
Judging.
Hard.
Unforgiving.
Did you just throw yourself?" she asked flatly
Ara looked up, her eyes slightly teary, her
expression fragile once more.
I'm sorry.. I must have lost my balance
Sera stared at her
Long
Slow
"Right" she said
But her mind was already moving.
Fast
Precise
Grip strength: normal"
"Balance stable."
Reaction intentional
Her lips curled slightly.
Yeah," she thought
you're not just fake
Her gaze darkened.
you're interesting"
End Scene
Behind her-
Jiheon's gaze had already turned cold.
Sharp
Dangerous
But Sera didn't look at him.
Her attention remained on A
Because now-
The game had truly begun.