Morning light crept through the tall windows of Sunghoon's apartment, washing over the stillness left from the night before.
Daejun stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The air smelled faintly of wine. He found Sunghoon slumped over a chair at the kitchen counter, head tilted back in sleep, a half-empty bottle beside him. A small photo — Yuna's — lay facedown on the floor.
Daejun picked it up carefully and placed it back on the counter, then gently shook his shoulder.
"sir"
Sunghoon stirred, eyes opening slowly. He looked exhausted, hollow.
"You should lie down," Daejun said quietly.
"I'm fine," Sunghoon muttered as he stood up. "Clean this place."
Daejun nodded and started tidying up while Sunghoon disappeared into the hallway. The sound of the shower soon echoed faintly.
Fifteen minutes later, Sunghoon returned, dressed in a crisp black shirt, his damp hair combed back. He sat at the table in silence.
"Forget everything else today," he said coldly. "I want you to follow her."
Daejun looked up.
"Go to her college. Get her class schedule from the head office. I want to know everything — is she easy to approach? Is someone from the Dragons secretly shielding her? And most importantly…" Sunghoon paused. "Find out if she's seeing anyone. If she's single or not."
Daejun's expression tightened slightly. "You want me to approach her?"
Sunghoon nodded once. "As an ordinary man. Use your face — charm her if you need to. Talk to her, offer her a ride to her building. Buy her dinner. Whatever she needs. I'm giving you this whole week. Just get it done."
Before Daejun could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He looked at the screen.
"Sir… your father is calling."
Sunghoon took the phone, his voice calm as he answered.
"Hello, Father."
"Sunghoon… how are you, son?
"I'm fine," he said softly. "Just handling a few things."
"Are you eating properly?"
"yes dad"
Mr. Kim sighed on the other end. "Your mother's worried for you "
"Put her on," Sunghoon said quietly.
A moment later, Mrs. Kim's gentle voice came through.
"Sunghoon… are you really okay?"
"I'm okay, Mom."
"It's only been two days, but I miss you already," she said. "Come home soon, even for a night."
"I will," he said. "Soon."
"Take care of yourself, my child "
"I will."
He ended the call and returned the phone to Daejun.
"You can go now," he said calmly. "I'm heading out for a while. Ask Minjun to watch the house."
Daejun hesitated. "Sir… you're going alone?"
"Don't worry," Sunghoon said. "Just go."
Daejun nodded and left the apartment.
Sunghoon stood in silence, then picked up his phone and wallet, threw on a black coat, and walked out.
He didn't take his usual car or call for a driver.
Instead, he stepped out into the city on foot.
The streets of Seoul were alive — busy crosswalks, the smell of street food, students rushing, and laughter echoing from open cafés.
He moved through the crowd with quiet confidence, tall and sharp, blending in but drawing attention without meaning to. His eyes scanned everything — signs, faces, the rhythm of the city.
He walked for blocks before entering a small café tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop.
A bell chimed as he stepped inside.
The girl behind the counter looked half-asleep, her apron wrinkled, hair in a lazy bun. She didn't even lift her head.
"Welcome... What would you like?"
"One Americano," he said, voice low.
The girl glanced up—and froze.
Nearly 200 cm tall, piercing dark eyes, and a presence that shifted the air. He looked like someone who didn't belong in a place this ordinary.
She blinked quickly and stood straighter, smoothing her apron and fixing her hair with a nervous hand.
"P-Please have a seat," she said, her voice changing. "I'll bring it to you when it's ready."
Sunghoon gave a slight nod and turned to take a seat by the window.
As she turned back to the machine, she glanced over her shoulder.
"What's your name?" she asked shyly.
He looked at her for a second, his tone flat.
"Do you ask that to every customer?"
Her cheeks flushed. "N-No… just curious."
He said nothing more than "Sunghoon "and looked out the window.
The girl turned quickly, suddenly more focused, her sleepiness gone.
And Sunghoon sat silently, watching Seoul move outside — still a stranger in the city… but one step closer to his plan