Ih-hyun’s lips curled up at Eun Woo’s words.

“Brother, you’ve changed.”

“…….”

“You weren’t like this before.”

Laughter escaped Ih-hyun’s lips.

When Ih-hyun first met Eun Woo, he appeared so cold and indifferent, that was the image Ih-hyun had of him. Despite that, Eun Woo excelled at everything and garnered attention.

There was a time Ih-hyun admired him for being so different from himself, and even convinced Eun Woo to live together.

But that was before Ih-hyun’s girlfriend, Sena, developed feelings for Eun Woo.

“Until Sena liked you, you always said relationships and such were bothersome.”

Remembering Sena brought a surge of anger to Ih-hyun. He had been with her for over four years. After starting to live with Eun Woo, Sena frequently visited and fell for him.

The shock of his beloved Sena liking Eun Woo was one thing, but what really hurt Ih-hyun was Eun Woo’s reaction.

“Yoon Sena? I have no feelings for her… It’s complicated.”

Ih-hyun recalled the indifferent man who simply found it troublesome.

Now, that same Eun Woo frowned and bristled at the mention of Yu Seol Hee’s name, revealing a side of him Ih-hyun hadn’t known.

“Back then, you found relationships and women bothersome.”

“That’s because…”

Interrupted by Ih-hyun’s words, Eun Woo stood up abruptly and slammed his book shut.

“Yu Seol Hee is not just any relationship or just any woman.”

Ih-hyun’s playful intent was silenced by Eun Woo’s firm statement.

“So, stay away. Don’t mess with the usual me.”

The man who was usually uninterested in the world and focused only on work now had a gleam in his eye. For a moment, Ih-hyun was at a loss for words.

Today was like any other day. Chae Rin was organizing supplies for the next appointment. Ih-hyun walked into the examination room.

“Damn, trying to act cool.”

Mumbling curses under his breath, Ih-hyun’s rough language wasn’t surprising to Chae Rin.

She had already guessed he was that kind of person. Seeing Chae Rin, Ih-hyun stopped abruptly.

“Ah.”

Chae Rin bowed her head slightly.

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what?”

“Me talking.”

“What were you saying?”

She feigned ignorance smoothly. There was no need to acknowledge she heard him, and no good would come from it. With her social savvy beyond her young age, Chae Rin handled the situation adeptly.

Ih-hyun, who had a part of him that made her uncomfortable, seemed impressed by her natural act. His eyes narrowed, then he smiled slightly.

“It’s nothing.”

He seemed to want her to ask more, but it felt like a hassle.

“Okay. Got it.”
As if it was nothing important, Chae Rin returned her focus to her work. While she was busy, Ih-hyun talked about this and that. Chae Rin mostly just nodded along. Then, Ih-hyun brought up something she couldn’t just ignore.

“By the way, Chae Rin, do you live in Seogyo-dong?”

“Huh?”

Chae Rin stopped her busy fingers. Had she mentioned that before? Frowning, she tried to recall. She hadn’t mentioned her address to Ih-hyun.

However, other staff knew she lived in Seogyo-dong, so perhaps he had overheard.

“Ah. Yes. Well, that’s right.”

Chae Rin’s lukewarm response prompted Ih-hyun to add more.

“You live behind the Seogyo-dong Fruit Building, right?”

“……Yes?”

“I used to intern near there.”

It was strange. Chae Rin’s move to Seogyo-dong two years ago was known, but even the staff who had known her for a long time didn’t know her exact address. How did he know she lived near the Fruit Building?

“Really? But how did you know my address?”

“It was in the staff files.”

“Why…….”

Did he look up her address in the staff files? She glanced at Ih-hyun, then closed her lips. It felt odd, but she didn’t ask further. He wasn’t the kind to easily share information.

She felt uneasy, though.

After work that night, around 9 PM.

Chae Rin lived in a small studio in Seogyo-dong. She had come this far on her own, getting a job right after high school and without anyone’s help.

She had to rent a place on the first floor with her savings. Though she felt a bit scared about the security, it was cozy and nice inside.

“Why do I feel so uneasy?”

Was it because of Ih-hyun’s unnecessary comments? Chae Rin felt uneasy all day. It must be her imagination.

She shook her head and was about to prepare dinner when she felt something off. Through the frosted window, she could only see silhouettes, but someone was standing right outside her house.

At first, she thought it was a passerby, but the figure didn’t move. It just stood there, as if peering into her window.

“Who is it?”

Chae Rin’s voice made the man move. Was it Ih-hyun?

No, from the side silhouette, the person seemed quite stout. So, it couldn’t be Ih-hyun.

Whether it was Ih-hyun or not, it was frightening. Why was he standing still there? She had never encountered such a situation since she moved in.

“I shouldn’t have rented on the first floor.”

Regretting now was useless. Should she call the police? But would they come just because a strange man was standing on the street? Who else could she contact?