The knock came at 9:07 a.m.
I knew the exact time because I was already awake.
I had not slept.
Ha-rin froze mid-step in the hallway.
We looked at each other.
Neither of us spoke.
The knock came again.
Firm. Professional. Polite.
"That's them," Ha-rin whispered.
Internally, my thoughts detonated.
Agency visit. Unscheduled. High probability of disaster. Maintain composure. Do not blink excessively.
Externally, I walked to the door.
"I'll answer," I said.
Her eyes widened. "You?"
"Yes."
"Why you?"
"Because," I replied, "you are currently a liability."
"I—!"
I opened the door before she could argue.
A woman stood outside, clipboard in hand, expression neutral but sharp.
"Good morning," she said. "I'm from Yoon Ha-rin's agency."
Internally:This is it.
Externally:"Good morning."
She glanced past me, eyes scanning the apartment.
"I'm here to check on Ms. Yoon. She hasn't been responding properly."
"That is understandable," I said. "She is resting."
Her gaze snapped back to me.
"…And you are?"
"Han Seo-jun."
Pause.
"…Her manager didn't mention you."
"That is also understandable."
Her eyebrow twitched.
"May I come in?"
I calculated the variables.
Refusing would increase suspicion.Allowing entry would increase danger.
"…Yes," I said, stepping aside.
Ha-rin was standing in the living room.
Perfect posture. Soft expression. Idol mode activated.
"Unnie," she said sweetly. "You came all this way?"
The agency staff relaxed slightly.
"You scared us," she said. "No dorm photos. No mirror selfies."
"I told you," Ha-rin replied gently, "the doctor said to rest."
The woman nodded, then looked around.
"This place doesn't look like the dorm."
My pulse spiked.
Ha-rin answered before I could.
"I wanted quiet," she said. "Too many girls there."
The staff member hummed. "And this is…?"
She looked at me again.
Ha-rin hesitated for half a second.
"This is…""…my cousin."
I inhaled.
Silently.
"Cousin?" the woman repeated.
"Yes," Ha-rin said smoothly. "He lives nearby."
Internally:Cousin. Acceptable. Low verification risk. Maintain role.
"I see," the woman said. "You live together?"
"No," Ha-rin replied instantly. "He's just helping."
Helping.
That word landed harder than it should have.
The staff member took notes.
"Mind if I ask," she said, "why you needed help?"
Ha-rin smiled.
The perfect idol smile.
"I fainted," she said. "Again."
The woman stiffened.
"…Again?"
"Yes," Ha-rin replied softly. "So my family insisted."
Silence.
The agency staff sighed. "You should've told us."
"I didn't want to worry anyone."
I admired the efficiency of that lie.
The woman turned to me.
"You've been taking care of her?"
"Yes," I said.
"Cooking?"
"Yes."
"Driving her?"
"No."
She blinked. "…No?"
"I do not own a car."
She stared.
"…You're very calm."
"I have been told that."
Ha-rin shot me a warning look.
The staff member glanced at her watch.
"Alright," she said. "Rest properly. We'll postpone schedules."
Ha-rin bowed slightly. "Thank you."
The woman headed for the door, then paused.
"Oh," she said casually, "your fans are very observant these days."
I smiled politely.
"That is unfortunate."
She left.
The door closed.
The lock clicked.
Ha-rin collapsed onto the sofa.
"Oh my god," she breathed. "Oh my god."
I leaned against the wall.
My knees were shaking.
They did not show.
"…You were amazing," she said.
"I was adequate."
She stared at me.
"…Your hands are shaking."
I looked down.
They were.
I clenched them.
"That was delayed reaction," I said.
She laughed.
Then stopped.
"…Thank you," she said quietly.
"For standing there."
I met her gaze.
"I told you," I said. "I would not leave."
Her ears turned red.
"Don't say things like that," she snapped. "You'll make it weird."
"It is already weird."
She looked away.
"…Still," she muttered, "you did good. Cousin."
I nodded.
Internally, my heart was still racing.
But for the first time—
I wasn't thinking about escape.