Taeyun did not sleep.
He lay on his back staring at the ceiling, the faint glow of the city slipping through the gap in the curtains, counting breaths he didn't need to count. Every time he closed his eyes, Nora's face surfaced—her nervous smile, the way she clutched her bag too tightly, the way she kept glancing back at him like she was afraid the street might swallow her if she looked away too long.
Her name settled in his chest like something unfinished.
He turned onto his side, exhaling sharply. This was pointless. He had survived worse nights than this—nights filled with danger, uncertainty. But this restlessness was different. It wasn't fear. It was urgency.
By the time dawn crept in, Taeyun had already made up his mind.
He went to meet kimho in his room
"You look terrible," Kimho said, not even glancing up from his tablet.
"I want to step out," Taeyun replied.
That made Kimho pause. He lifted his head slowly, eyes narrowing. "That's not like you. without telling me why?
Taeyun grabbed his jacket. "I won't be long."
Kimho studied him for a moment, then sighed. "You're thinking about her again."
Taeyun didn't deny it.
"Be careful," Kimho said finally. "If you cross certain lines, you can't uncross them."
Taeyun's hand stilled on the door. "I know."
He left before Kimho could say anything else.
---
Minho's house was quiet in the late morning, sunlight spilling across the front steps. Taeyun had barely reached the gate when the door opened.
A woman stepped out.
She was unfamiliar—dark hair pulled neatly back, posture composed, expression unreadable. She paused when she saw him, clearly surprised, but recovered quickly.
"Excuse me," Taeyun said. "Is Minho inside?"
"Yes," she answered nonchalantly. "He's inside."
She bowed politely, already stepping past him. "I'll be on my way now."
Taeyun returned the bow out of instinct, but by the time he straightened, she was already walking down the street, her presence dissolving as quickly as it had appeared.
Strange, he thought—but there was no time to dwell on it.
He entered the house.
Minho was sprawled on the couch, headphones on, head bobbing slightly as if he were arguing with the music itself. His fingers tapped against his knee, completely unaware of the world around him.
"Minho, Minho!" Minho!!" Taeyun called.
But he didn't answer
Taeyun sighed and took a step closer, lifting his hand with every intention of pinching him hard enough to be memorable.
But Minho's eyes snapped open at the last second.
He shot to his feet abruptly, nearly colliding with Taeyun, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Scumbag," Taeyun cursed inwardly as he dropped into the sofa.
Minho laughed. "You came all the way here just to assault me in my own house?"
"What are you doing?" Minho added, pulling off his headphones. "And how do you even know where I live? You've never come here."
He smirked. "Did you stalk me?"
Taeyun ignored the question. He stood up.
"Let's go to the mansion."
Minho blinked. "What?"
"To do what?" Minho asked, surprise written all over his face.
"To see Bobae," Taeyun answered simply. "Just take me there. You can come back after."
The grin on Minho's face slowly faded.
"That place?" he said carefully. "You don't just 'go' there."
"I know," Taeyun replied. "That's why I need you."
Minho hesitated, shifting his weight. For a moment, Taeyun thought he might refuse.
Then Minho sighed. Are you serious."
"Yes."
Minho grabbed his jacket. "You're a problem." He commented
They left the house together, the door closing softly behind them.