Tae could only think: the Beast must be in a good mood today. On any other day, a single question from him would have sent everyone chattering like parrots—desperate to please, desperate to survive.
Seeing Joon-Hyunk calm, Tae let out a slow breath and relaxed slightly.
"That boy…" Tae began cautiously, "he stays lost within himself. It's very difficult to reach him… to befriend him. Maybe… he's unwell."
Joon-Hyunk's cold eyes narrowed."Unwell…?"
"Yes," Tae replied. "He doesn't let anyone come close, nor allow himself to be touched. If someone accidentally does, he panics—sometimes so badly that he struggles to breathe. There are moments when he completely loses control. His anxiety has caused severe migraine attacks… foam at the mouth, halted breaths. It debilitates him entirely."
Tae hesitated for a moment, then continued."I remember when I first tried to befriend him. We had made some new friends in college. Once, by accident, I brushed against him. My hand barely grazed him… and he panicked so violently I didn't know what to do. He held his head, screaming, as if his skull would explode, as if fire ran through his veins. I was frozen, unable to act. After that day, I never touched him accidentally again. Only gradually did he start speaking to me, and our friendship slowly began."
(Tae thought: by telling the Beast the truth about Yeo-Jun's fragility, maybe he could end the Beast's interest in him. After all—a boy who couldn't even bear to be touched… what use could he be to someone like Joon-Hyunk?)
But he was mistaken.
The Beast listened intently, absorbing every word. Min-Jae shifted in his chair, equally surprised by the revelations about Yeo-Jun.
Tae pressed on, almost lost in his own thoughts."Some students in college treated him cruelly. Once, they burned him with hot liquids; other times, they shoved him to the ground. Once, a group spilled coffee on him, badly burning his arm. All because of the scars on his face. People spread rumors—claimed he used drugs. But from what I've known of Yeo-Jun… he's innocent. He could never commit such crimes."
Tae's voice softened."He is the only son of a prominent politician. Even with all his privileges, he endured the torment quietly. He could have solved everything easily by seeking help… but he didn't. Yun often protected him from others. Yun was his only friend in college—always standing up for him."
Joon-Hyunk leaned forward slightly."What kind of relationship does Yun have with Yeo-Jun?"
Tae met the Beast's gaze carefully. "They were friends… classmates, nothing more. They helped each other, but I never saw them share personal matters. Yeo-Jun only confided in Yun when necessary. Beyond that… they were just good friends in college."
Joon-Hyunk's expression remained unreadable. Even Min-Jae, sitting across Tae, couldn't decipher the Beast's thoughts.
"Are you sure they don't know anything?" Joon-Hyunk asked again.
Tae nodded firmly."Yes. Completely."
A pause. Silence filled the room. Then, finally:"Alright," Joon-Hyunk said, his voice calm but edged like steel. "You may go."
Tae exhaled, a deep relief washing over him. After the sudden summons yesterday, he had feared something catastrophic—but nothing came. Taking a long, calming breath, he left the room.
Once Tae departed, Min-Jae leaned back, muttering,"So your suspicion was wrong. He doesn't know anything. All that effort… for nothing. We learned nothing new."
Joon-Hyunk remained silent, lost in thought. Min-Jae tried again."Are you listening? I'm talking to you."
But the Beast ignored him, his mind elsewhere.
Yet Joon-Hyunk had noticed something in Tae's eyes. Subtle, unspoken—Tae's feelings for Yeo-Jun went beyond friendship. And that fact… crystal clear to the Beast.
After a moment, a faint smile flickered across his lips—and vanished as quickly as it appeared."Is the task I assigned you complete?" he asked Min-Jae."Yes. Absolutely," came the response.
Joon-Hyunk collected his car keys and stepped out. Afternoon had faded into night. The streets were empty, silence stretching endlessly.
He drove to a secluded residential area, where wealthy families kept to themselves, their walls hiding secrets and sins alike.
Soon, he arrived at a grand, isolated bungalow. He was about to step out when his phone rang.
A familiar young voice snapped through the line, irritation clear."You promised to have dinner with me tonight. It's already past one in the morning."
Joon-Hyunk's lips curved slightly."I was busy today," he replied coolly, eyes on the darkened driveway.