Seri stands at the center, her breath calm, sleeves slightly wrinkled. She straightens them, unfazed.
Her eyes scan the mess she just made — as if it's just another Tuesday.
Then, without flinching:
SERI
(smoothing her sleeves, deadpan)
"I told you… I can't see blood.
Or I'll faint… and start making more people bleed."
Seri steps over the fallen men, unfazed by the groans beneath her feet.
Her boots land heavy on the pavement as she approaches the hoodie guy now sitting calmly on the front bumper of the car, arms resting on his knees, watching like it's a casual street show.
She stops right in front of him. Tilts her head slightly.
SERI
(smirking, arms crossed)
"Was it entertaining?
Did I look like Sailor Moon on caffeine?"
He lets out a soft, impressed chuckle… but doesn't move.
As she nears, he speaks first — calm, sure, and slightly amused.
HOODED MAN
(tilting his head, curious)
"I know you…"
SERI
(stopping in her tracks, wary)
"…Do you?"
HOODED MAN
(smiling softly)
"I've heard stories. Thought you were just a rumor."
She folds her arms, sharp-eyed.
SERI (CONT'D)
"Who sent you?"
HOODED MAN
(surprised)
"Sent me?"
"I can't tell you that."
SERI
(coldly)
"Was it Iwao? Did uncle send you to chase after him?"
At the back, Junho watches but can't hear them. He tilts his head, curious and uneasy.
The hoodie man lets out a short laugh, then shudders dramatically.
HOODIE MAN
"Master Iwao? The King of Koyama-gumi?
Please… even hearing his name gives me frostbite."
Seri narrows her eyes, mind spinning.
So… it wasn't Uncle? Then who?
The hoodie man stands slowly, brushing off his pants.
HOODIE MAN (CONT'D)
"I'm just one of the smart guys trying to avoid trouble.
My job? Observing… analyzing… keeping tabs on special cases."
He nods subtly toward Junho in the distance.
HOODIE MAN (CONT'D)
"They want his power. Badly.
And whether you like it or not — more people already know what he can do.
He's being hunted, Miss sailor moon."
Seri's lips press together tightly. She doesn't answer.
Then — the man grins, teasing.
HOODIE MAN (CONT'D)
(with a sly smile)
"And hey… if you do have something with him?
Might wanna seal that deal fast. Things are about to get messier."
He starts walking back toward his car.
HOODIE MAN (CONT'D)
(over his shoulder, playful)
"Don't make me run into you guys again, huh?
I kinda like my bones unbroken."
He hops into the car and drives off.
Seri remains still.
Eyes sharp.
Heart unsettled.
Mind racing.
Who sent him… if not Iwao?
Wind brushes across the cracked pavement. The car and the hoodie guy leave the place .
Junho stands still, watching Seri from a short distance, his breath still heavy from the chaos.
Seri walks over slowly…
To the man in the black suit who had been shouting orders.
He's now sprawled on the ground — unconscious, bruised, but his phone still blinking beside his limp hand.
She crouches down. No hesitation.
Picks up the phone.
Unlocks it like a pro.
Junho blinks, still panting. "Is she stealing his phone now?"
The screen lights up. Seri's eyes narrow.
Message from: BOSURO_T
GET HIM BEFORE MIDNIGHT. WHATEVER IT COST.
Her lips tighten. One second of silence.
Then — a breath. She steps back.
Without flinching, Seri turns the phone's camera on.
SNAP. SNAP. SNAP.
One photo after another. The entire street now a crime scene littered with knocked-out men in suits.
Junho approaches a few steps. "What… are you doing?"
Seri's fingers fly across the screen as she types a reply to the boss.
More coming. Face the cost.
Stop whatever you're doing.
Send.
She casually flips the phone shut and tosses it onto the man's chest.
JUNHO
(softly, confused)
"Was that… really necessary?"
SERI
(glancing at him, deadpan)
"It's cute, though. Might even win them 'Best Group Performance in a Street Fight.'"
Junho stares at her, completely speechless.
SERI
(pointing at him)
"You. Drive."
JUNHO
(throws his hands up)
"Drive? Now?? After the car looks like it just lost a boxing match?"
(gestures at the scratched bumper and slightly smoking hood)
"What do you want me to drive — the tire?!"
SERI
(straight-faced)
"Well, if you steer hard enough… maybe."
JUNHO
(muttering while walking to the driver's side)
"This is how CEOs end up in therapy."
The Jaguar XF 300 Sport limps along in traffic — a faint rattle under the hood, scratches down the side, and the smell of overheated metal lingering faintly.
Seri sits on the passenger side, arms crossed, staring out the side mirror. Her expression is blank but stormy — thoughts clearly racing. The hoodie man's words echo in her mind:
"There's more people already know about him…"
She tightens her jaw.
Junho keeps glancing sideways at her, clearly restless. The air between them is thick — not from the car, but from everything unsaid.
JUNHO
(softly, careful)
"Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital?"
SERI
(turning slightly)
"Why would you take me there?"
JUNHO
(small shrug, trying to keep it light)
"You're holding yourself like you're in pain… I just thought… maybe you were hurt."
(he immediately regrets saying it — his voice trails off)
Seri turns to him with a glare.
SERI
(deadpan)
"Maybe your car needs a checkup first. I think it's the one in pain."
JUNHO
(grimaces)
"Touché…"
She turns back to the window. Silence.
Junho opens his mouth again, desperate to clear the air, to explain about his powers, but—
JUNHO
(quietly, almost nervously)
"…Seri, shi—actually—"
BRUUUUPPPL.
A loud, unmistakable stomach growl echoed in the car.
Junho blinks. Turns to her slowly.
Seri closes her eyes, leans her head against the window in absolute shame.
JUNHO
(trying not to laugh)
"…Was that the car? Or you?"
SERI
(pauses, dead serious but clearly embarrassed)
"…Ignore it."
She exhales, lifts her chin like a soldier who's seen war, pretending nothing happened.
JUNHO
(suppressing a smile)
"Are you… hungry? We can stop somewhere—grab a bite?"
SERI
(stern)
"It's just my body reacting. Post-battle mode. Happens after you kick ass."
Junho quickly turns his face toward the windshield, biting the inside of his cheek to hide his grin.
BRUUUUUUPPL.
The second growl is louder, more dramatic. Like thunder rolling through a quiet battlefield.
Seri stares ahead. Her jaw tightens. She doesn't flinch.
SERI
(straight-faced, staring into the distance)
"They're fighting. My stomach and my pride.
Let them argue. I won't pick a side."
Junho couldn't hold it anymore.
Laughter burst out of him — sharp at first, then rolling into full, hearty waves.
He leaned slightly over the steering wheel, shoulders shaking as he laughed freely, like something deep inside had finally cracked open.
The kind of laugh that hadn't touched his lips in years.
Next to him, Seri sat stiffly.
Arms crossed. Eyes locked on the road.
Unsatisfied. Unamused.
But she didn't stop him.
And somewhere beneath her silence, a small warmth flickered.
Down the quiet hallway near the Han River, steam rose from a small tteokbokki stall tucked under the dim yellow light. The river breeze was soft, and the quiet sloshing of water behind them made the air feel strangely peaceful after everything.
Seri sat on the bench, a little windblown, hoodie still on. Junho next to her, slightly hunched, elbows resting on the table.
She took her first bite — hot, chewy, and laced with just the right kick of spice.
SERI
(mouth full, eyes wide)
"Oh my God… that's so good."
She turned to Junho, almost accusingly, then took another bite — quicker this time, as if to confirm the first wasn't a dream.
SERI
(muffled)
"This is so delicious. Are you always coming here?"
Junho smiled, watching her, his shoulder lightly brushing hers as he leaned back.
JUNHO
(genuinely)
"This is my first time."
Seri froze mid-bite.
Chopsticks hanging. Her eyes locked on him like he'd just admitted he was an alien.
She slowly, silently set the rice cake down… then grabbed her drink and took a dramatic, slow sip.
SERI
(deadpan)
"I see… Well, of course. There's no way someone like you would come to a place like this."
She nodded to herself, clearly offended for the food stall's reputation.
JUNHO
(half-smiling)
"What's that supposed to mean?"
SERI
(teasing)
"You're the suit-and-silent-type. Probably eats food that costs more than my rent."
Junho let out a small laugh, shaking his head.
Then glanced down at the half-eaten tteokbokki between them.
Junho glanced at her between bites, then quietly said—
JUNHO
"Actually… I saw this place last week."
Seri paused, her chopsticks mid-air.
JUNHO
"I didn't eat here. But I thought… maybe I'd bring you someday."
His voice was calm, but his eyes — they were honest, almost too honest.
Seri turned to look at him, blinking slowly. No teasing expression. Just stillness.
Junho noticed the silence and quickly added, clearing his throat—
JUNHO
"I mean—because you're crazy about this kind of food. That's all. It's not like I—uh—planned it or anything dramatic."
She kept looking at him.
Then, a soft smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She looked away and took another bite.
SERI
(casually)
"Well… I guess I just found my new dinner spot."
She chewed, savoring. Not just the food — but the warmth growing between them.
Junho smiled faintly, then looked out toward the river.
Maybe this wasn't just dinner anymore.
As Seri and Junho quietly enjoy their meal, the chatter of other customers fills the warm, open-air tteokbokki stall. A couple of teenage girls seated at the next table scroll through their phones, voices loud enough to overhear.
GIRL 1
(wide-eyed, gasping)
"Wah daebak! Actor Lee Ryun… he's really having an affair?!"
GIRL 2
(shoving her friend's arm)
"This time it looks real! Look—photos, and there's even a witness. A broadcast staff saw it firsthand!"
GIRL 1
(pretending to cry)
"Oh, oppa… how could you?"
Junho's chopsticks pause mid-air. His jaw tenses. He doesn't even need to check his phone — his gut already knows.
Hanna.
She did it. She really leaked it.
Seri notices his shift — his shoulders tightening, the stillness in his face.
SERI
(subtly)
"Something wrong?"
Junho doesn't look at her, just lowers his chopsticks slowly.
JUNHO
(small voice)
"Someone I know… might've just lit a match."
Seri blinks, confused.
SERI
"Lit what match?"
Junho finally meets her gaze, faintly shaking his head.
JUNHO
"Nothing. Just… the kind that can burn reputations."
Seri stares at him, puzzled but doesn't press further.
She turns to glance at the two girls again, still squealing over their phones.
Something inside her knows—this dinner may be peaceful…
But tomorrow?
It's about to get messy.