Manager Park returns alone.
Carrying something wrapped in cloth.
He sets it carefully to the side of the performance space.
The shape is long. Rectangular.
Nobody can quite tell what it is.
The speculation in the room intensifies.
"Is he going to do gymnastics?" someone whispers.
"Maybe parkour?"
"What requires mats?"
Soorin's heart beats a little faster.
She has a suspicion forming.
But she doesn't want to assume.
Then Haejin returns.
And the room collectively gasps.
He's changed into a traditional white dobok.
A Taekwondo uniform.
The fabric is crisp. Perfectly pressed.
Black belt tied precisely around his waist.
His feet are bare.
Hair pushed back completely.
Exposing his full face in a way that's rarely seen.
Without the styled idol hair, without the fashion, without the makeup.
He looks different.
Sharper. More dangerous.
Raw in a way that has nothing to do with emotion and everything to do with physical capability.
The contrast is stunning.
