By the time the car stopped—
The city had already shifted into evening.
Lights on. Noise softer. People slower.
Kang Min-Seo stepped out.
"This is fine," she said, adjusting her bag slightly.
Do-Yun nodded.
"…don't disappear," he added.
She paused.
Looked at him.
"I didn't spend four years to disappear," she replied.
A small smile.
Respect.
Then she walked away.
For a brief second—
Do-Yun watched her go.
Then—
He got back in the car.
"…so," Ji-Ah leaned forward immediately,
"we're just dropping her like that?"
"Yes."
"…no follow-up question? No 'let's meet again'? No emotional tension?"
"Ji-Ah," Ha-Niel cut in,
"we just met her. Control yourself."
A pause.
"…we should invite her for dinner next time," Ji-Ah whispered.
Do-Yun sighed.
Started the engine.
"Seatbelt."
The Apartment – Evening
The door opened.
"Geon, we're—"
Do-Yun stopped mid-sentence.
Because the living room…
Was a crime scene.
Lights dim.
Curtains half drawn.
TV glowing dramatically.
And on the sofa—
Curled up like a defeated philosopher—
Choi Geon.
Blanket around him.
Chips beside him.
Remote in one hand.
Watching…
A romantic movie.
With extreme focus.
"…what is this," Ji-Ah whispered.
Geon didn't even react.
On screen—
A slow confession scene.
Rain.
Tears.
Background music.
Geon leaned forward slightly.
Eyes locked.
"…he's studying," Ha-Niel said proudly.
"…he's suffering," Do-Yun corrected.
Only then—
Geon noticed them.
He looked over slowly.
"…you're back."
Then—
Back to the TV.
No greeting.
No drama.
This was serious.
Ji-Ah blinked.
"…did he just ignore us for fictional love?"
"Yes," Do-Yun said calmly.
"Good. He's evolving."
"Go change," Do-Yun added, walking toward the kitchen.
"Get comfortable."
Ha-Niel nodded immediately.
Ji-Ah followed.
"Your clothes are still here, right?"
"Of course."
"I basically live here."
They disappeared into the rooms.
Meanwhile—
Do-Yun rolled up his sleeves.
Dinner.
Routine.
Comfort.
Something normal in a house that was anything but.
A few minutes later—
The girls returned.
Oversized hoodies.
Loose pants.
Hair tied.
Comfort mode activated.
They dropped onto the sofa.
Right next to Geon.
Still watching.
Still locked in.
"…what are we watching?" Ji-Ah asked.
"Confession scene," Geon replied immediately.
"…again?"
"…this is the third time," Ha-Niel whispered.
Ji-Ah slowly turned.
"…you've watched this three times?"
Geon didn't even blink.
"I'm analyzing."
Silence.
"…you're analyzing romance?" Ji-Ah asked.
"Yes."
"…why."
A pause.
"…for personal development."
Ha-Niel beamed.
"My brother is growing."
Ji-Ah leaned back.
"…this is terrifying."
Geon finally looked at them properly.
And paused.
"…why do you look so happy?" he asked Ha-Niel.
She froze.
"…what?"
"You're glowing."
Ji-Ah immediately turned away.
Too late.
Geon's eyes narrowed.
He tilted his head slightly toward Ji-Ah.
A silent question.
Ji-Ah sighed.
"…we met someone."
Geon blinked.
"…okay?"
"She's a director," Ji-Ah added.
Geon nodded slowly.
"…and?"
Ha-Niel leaned forward.
"…and she was in the car. With Oppa."
Geon paused.
Then—
"…oh."
That was it.
Just—
"Oh."
Ha-Niel blinked.
"…that's your reaction?"
"I'm processing."
Ji-Ah crossed her arms.
"…are you not happy?"
Geon shrugged slightly.
"I am."
A beat.
"But my life is chaos right now."
Silence.
Ji-Ah froze.
Something clicked.
She slowly turned toward him.
Eyes narrowing.
Then—
She remembered.
The way he was watching the screen.
The focus.
The intensity.
"…wait," she said slowly.
Geon looked at her.
"…what."
Ji-Ah leaned forward.
"…is something happening at school?"
A pause.
"…like… a girl?"
Silence.
Ha-Niel's head snapped toward him.
"…WHAT."
Geon froze.
"…no."
Too fast.
Too suspicious.
Ji-Ah smiled.
"…that was immediate."
Ha-Niel moved closer.
"…Geon."
Danger.
"Who is she."
"There is no 'she.'"
"Name."
"There is no name."
"Class."
"No class."
Ji-Ah leaned in from the other side.
"…transfer student?"
Geon choked.
"…WHAT TRANSFER STUDENT."
Silence.
Both girls leaned back slowly.
Eyes shining.
"…high school teenagers," they thought at the same time.
Geon turned back to the TV.
"…this movie is good."
No one responded.
They were already investigating.
Mentally.
Emotionally.
Strategically.
From the kitchen—
Do-Yun's voice came.
"Dinner."
They all got up.
Geon last.
Still holding the remote.
Still thinking.
At the table—
Food was set.
Simple.
Warm.
They sat down.
For a moment—
Everything felt normal.
Family.
Food.
Noise.
But underneath—
Three different stories were moving.
Ha-Niel → Mission activated
Ji-Ah → Investigation mode
Geon → Survival mode
And Do-Yun—
Watching all of it.
Quietly.
"…this house is getting loud," he muttered.