"What?!" I screamed.
That was when I finally got a proper look at him.
A bandage was wrapped around his head, stark white against his skin—but a bright red stain was slowly spreading through it.
My breath hitched.
What are you doing, Soheon? Focus.
And then it hit me.
Hard.
"…You've got to be kidding me," I muttered.
He had amnesia.
I stared at him, my thoughts racing, until he finally broke the silence.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked.
I let out a long sigh.
"You have amnesia," I said bluntly. "And not the fun kind. You don't even know who you are right now."
I frowned and looked up at him again.
Since when did he have eyes like that…?
Clear. Calm. Almost… dangerous.
"No. Stop it," I whispered to myself, quickly looking away.
This wasn't the time.
Yuna.
I thought about her and immediately straightened. If she saw me like this—getting distracted over her crush—I was dead.
I pulled out my phone again.
Still no answer.
Great.
"You know what?" I said suddenly, turning away. "I'm leaving. Bye."
Yeah… that sounded harsh.
But what else was I supposed to do?
Five million won.
That was the reward.
I needed it but,
Just as I took a step forward, something grabbed my wrist.
I froze.
"I don't even know where to go," he said quietly.
His voice was low.
I clenched my jaw. "Then go back to wherever you came from."
"I don't know where that is."
I shut my eyes for a second.
This is so annoying.
If Yuna found out I abandoned her precious celebrity crush in an alley, she'd bury me alive.
"…Fine," I muttered.
I turned back to him.
"Here's the deal. I'll take you to my place for now. If Yuna finally picks up my call before my phone dies, I'll hand you over and collect the reward. Simple."
For a moment, he just stared at me.
Then he smiled.
"Gamsahamnida… thank you.
"But how do we get out?" he asked. "If I step outside, people might recognize me."
I smirked a little. "Don't worry. I've got this."
I took off my hat and handed it to him, then pulled out an extra mask from my bag.
"Wear these."
He obeyed instantly.
Good.
We slipped out of the alley quietly.
Please… no one notice us.
I glanced sideways at him—and blinked.
His hands were pressed together like he was praying.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
"Thank—"
"Shhh!" I snapped. "Don't talk."
He blinked at me, confused.
"You don't understand how famous you are right now," I continued under my breath. "We're outside. If you speak, someone might recognize you. Even if you sneeze, you're finished."
"…Thank you," he whispered again.
I shot him a look. "I said don't talk."
Then I added quickly, "And don't get the wrong idea. I'm not helping you. I'm helping myself. I'm not sharing that reward money with anyone."
He just nodded.
Good.
"We don't need a bus," I said as we walked. "My place is close."
"Okay."
A few seconds passed.
Then—
I called a cab.
He looked at me the moment it arrived.
"I thought we were walking."
"I got tired," I replied casually, getting in.
What did he expect?
That I suddenly felt bad for him?
Yeah. Right.
The ride was quiet.
Too quiet.
And before long, we arrived at my apartment building.
I stepped out quickly.
Please don't let anyone see me.
I walked faster, heading straight for my door, my heart beating louder with every step.
Almost there.
Almost—
"Soheon!"
My body froze.
My heart dropped.
Slowly… I turned around.
Damn.
I'm caught.