The room stayed locked.
The space stayed small.
And Ayan's eyes stayed exactly on Kairo's pocket.
Kairo leaned back against the desk, trying for his usual calm smirk.
"What? Staring at my pocket so much… you want something from me?"
Ayan didn't even pretend to hide it.
"I want the truth," he said.
"Not whatever performance you're giving me right now."
Kairo raised a brow. "Performance? I thought you liked my performances."
Ayan exhaled sharply through his nose.
"That's not the point."
"It could be," Kairo murmured, stepping forward just enough to make Ayan's breath hitch.
Not touching.
Not too close.
But close enough.
Ayan's jaw tightened. "Stop trying to distract me."
Kairo smiled. "Is it working?"
Ayan looked away for half a second.
Half a second too long.
Kairo saw it.
Felt it.
And smirked wider.
But the moment snapped when Ayan's eyes returned, sharp again.
"Who gave you the note, Kairo?"
Kairo's flirting froze.
Just a flicker.
A single crack.
Ayan caught it instantly.
"You hesitated."
"I did not."
"You always tilt your head when you lie," Ayan said quietly. "It's almost cute."
Kairo blinked.
"…Cute?"
Ayan realized what he'd said and immediately looked away.
"Forget it."
Kairo stepped closer, enjoying that rare slip.
"Oh, no. I'm not forgetting that. You think I'm cute?"
Ayan didn't move back.
Didn't deny it.
Just narrowed his eyes. "Stop twisting my words."
"Stop giving me words worth twisting," Kairo murmured.
Ayan breathed in sharply—
and before either could push the flirting further—
BANG.
The door handle jerked.
Both froze.
"Kairo? Ayan?"
Jin's voice.
Breathless.
Worried.
Ayan frowned. "Jin?"
"You two need to come out. Now."
A pause.
"Someone's looking for you."
Kairo's heart stopped for a second.
Ayan noticed instantly.
"Kairo. What was that?"
"Nothing," Kairo said quickly.
Ayan stepped closer—this time not flirting.
Not teasing.
But protective.
Serious.
"Kairo… someone's after you?"
Kairo avoided his gaze.
Ayan's voice dropped, soft and dangerous:
"Tell me the truth."
Kairo didn't get the chance.
Because the hallway outside became silent.
A stillness that didn't belong to Jin.
Ayan leaned in, whispering near Kairo's ear:
"Whoever is out there… they're not here for me."
Kairo swallowed hard.
Ayan pulled the lock open.
The handle rattled again.
And someone waited on the other side.
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