Chapter 2
He should've walked another way.
Eun Wol raised an eyebrow, leaning his head back as both hands lifted in defense.
Gyu-in smirked and stepped closer. "I don't eat humans, but maybe a little bunny like you?"
Eun Wol blinked. Whatever fear that had flickered in his eyes vanished instantly replaced by a growing irritation bubbling in his chest.
He stepped aside, only to watch Gyu-in turn to face the wall instead of continuing forward.
"What do you want?"
Gyu-in pouted dramatically. "I just want to talk to you."
"And why?" Eun Wol snapped, raising a fist. "Say 'bunny' again, and this punch's coming for your face."
Gyu-in's grin widened. "I like you." Gyu-in's gaze locked with his, sharp and unyielding.
Eun Wol's jaw clenched, irritation flaring—but beneath it, his chest betrayed a brief, unexpected flutter. He shook his head, forcing the feeling down.
Don't fall for this. Not again.
Still, the corner of his eye caught Gyu-in's smirk, and for a split second, the world seemed too loud.
Eun Wol froze. His eyes narrowed.
Wait—did he recognize me?
But how?
Most people who came to the bar were from high society. People like Gyu-in wouldn't have paid attention to someone like him—especially not after all these years.
He stared hard at Gyu-in, trying to read between the lines.
"I mean your face," Gyu-in added casually. "I'm a man of principles, you know. If I'm making a deal, I only do it with people who look as good as you."
"Ah… I'm not interested," Eun Wol muttered. "Not your face, either."
Gyu-in gasped, genuinely offended. "How could you say that! You haven't even heard my offer."
He pulled out a name card and handed it over. "Just listen, yeah? I promise—you won't regret it."
Eun Wol took the card with a blank stare and shoved it into his pocket without a glance.
"If you're done, I'll be leaving now."
Gyu-in leaned against the wall with that ever-present smirk, waving lazily.
"Good night, Mr. Bunny Waiter," he said with a teasing lilt.
Eun Wol didn't respond.
Eun Wol shut the door behind him with a dull thud, more forceful than necessary.
A glance at the clock: 4:15 a.m.
"Tch... Twenty minutes later than usual," he muttered.
Stupid Gyu-in. Stupid smirk. Stupid face.
He yanked the name card from his pocket and flung it onto the couch like it burned. The next second, he was in the bathroom, steam curling up around him as water streamed over his skin. A towel hung loose over his head, half-forgotten as he stared blankly at the glow of his phone screen.
No notifications.
Not even a "good night."
Not even a "seen."
He hovered. Thumb above the screen. Should he call?
Maybe just a message?
But what if she's asleep?
He didn't want to—
Not again.
She used to reply daily. If not that, every few days. Just something. A dot. An emoji. Proof that she was still there.
Still safe. Still his.
But this silence—
It wasn't just distance anymore. It was consequence.
He dropped onto the couch like something had cracked inside him. The towel slid off his shoulder, but he didn't notice. His hands covered his face, trembling slightly. Just slightly—but enough for him to hate that he noticed.
His thoughts dragged him back, uninvited.
To the hallway. The mask. The lock. Her face.
The hallway was dim and silent.
Eun Wol tightened the cap over his head and adjusted his mask. His grip on the cold metal pole was firm, steady—but his heartbeat wasn't. He knew this building. Every camera blind spot. Every creaking tile. And he also knew—he couldn't stop. Not now. The nameplate on the door stared back at him like a curse.
Lee Dong Yeo.
He tried the doorknob. Locked, of course.
From his pocket, he retrieved a small roll of tools and knelt in front of the lock.
"Six pins," he whispered to himself as he counted the clicks. His voice barely registered in the quiet hallway.
He worked fast. Focused. Efficient.
Click.
Click.
Click.
His fingers moved with precision, switching out the hook pick for a notched one. One last pin. Just one more.
Click.
The lock gave way with a soft clack.
"Finally."
He slipped inside, closing the door gently behind him. A flashlight dangled from his lips as his hands began searching—desperately—through drawers and shelves.
There had to be something. Anything. Photos, a note—proof.
But the drawers were locked too.
Should he break them? What if he wakes—
Click. The door opened.
He froze. Then he dove under the desk.
"Well, what do we have here?" A familiar voice rang out. Too familiar. "There is no need to hide."
Eun Wol clenched his fist as he continued to remain silent. "I am getting a little lonely. Come out now~"
"Oppa." It was her voice! He scrambled out from under the desk and stood. His heart caught in his throat.
"Eun Bin..." he breathed. It had been too long since he last saw her.
"Eun Bin" Eun Wol cracked his voice - he missed her too much, "Eun Bin ah." He hadn't seen her in over a year. The last time, she was sobbing in his arms, whispering that she wanted to leave."
"Don't get too sentimental now." Dong Yeo's voice cut in casually, like they were old friends meeting by chance, "Eun Wol, how are you these days? It has been about 2 years, right? Wow, time sure flies. If you want to come, you could have come at a better timing. Don't you have my number?"
"Shut up." Eun Wol's jaw clenched. "Eun Bin, I—"
"Oppa." Her voice was calm. Cold. "What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted—"
"You're still the same," Dong Yeo said, letting his gaze sweep over Eun Wol in slow, deliberate judgment. "Predictable… almost comforting, really."
Dong Yeo gave low chuckled and slid his arm around Eun Bin's waist. "Hide that pole, will you? It's kind of scary."
"Don't touch—!"
"Oppa," Eun Bin interrupted, gaze vacant. "Please. Leave."
Dong Yeo smirked, tilting his head as if granting a favor. "No worries. I won't call the guards. I know you're smart enough not to try this again… unless you like testing me, Eun Wol."
He couldn't even remember leaving.
He couldn't remember the stairs, the street, the dark alley where the pole dragged loudly behind him. He just remembered her face. The way she looked at him like he was a stranger.
Like he was the problem.
His legs had carried him away from that place, but the memory clung like a shadow he couldn't shake.
He shook his head, trying to clear the image of her vacant eyes, Dong Yeo's smug grin.
Back in the cramped silence of his apartment, Eun Wol stood under the cold stream of the shower, the water unable to wash away the heaviness settling in his chest.
Towel draped over his shoulders; he stared blankly at the dark screen of his phone.
He grabbed his phone again, hesitating for a moment.
Then he typed:
[My Little Sister]
Sent: I don't mean to rush in.
Sent.
He stared at the screen.
No reply.
He didn't sleep. Not really.
The next morning, the city was already buzzing as Gyu-in stepped into his office, the steady hum of productivity filling the air.
A familiar symphony greeted him—layers of sound weaving into a rhythm that no longer fazed him.
The constant hum of voices. The mechanical clatter of keyboards. The rhythmic clicks of computer mice. Phones ringing, emails chiming—it was the soundtrack of productivity. Repetitive, reliable, numbing.
"Good morning, Sir Kim."
Hae Won, his personal secretary, approached with a cup of freshly brewed coffee in hand, steam curling into the air.
"Need me to run through today's schedule?"
Gyu-in waved lazily as he made his way to his desk. "Nah. I've got a rough idea."
He sank into his chair, flipping open the top file without much thought. "Also, didn't I tell you not to be so formal all the time?"
"It wouldn't be professional of me to address you casually."
"I'm not a stiff like my old man," Gyu-in replied with a crooked grin. "Wanna learn how to pronounce my name properly?"
Hae Won sighed, brushing him off with practiced grace. "Sir Kim, please refrain from teasing too much."
Ding.
[Sperm Donor]
Received: I've arranged a lunch date for you with Miss Cho Yerin from Cho Firm Enterprise.
Received: Reservation is at 12:30 PM. Do not be late.
Gyu-in stared blankly at the notification.
"Is it acceptable for me to smash my phone and pretend I never saw that?" he muttered under his breath.
"Was it Mr. Kim?" Hae Won asked gently. "Another blind date?"
"Bingo," Gyu-in groaned, rubbing his temple. "Ugh, my head already hurts."
"But Sir Kim," Hae Won said cautiously, "I thought you mentioned having a plan to counter that."
Gyu-in looked up from his seat, eyes glinting with mischief. "Yeah. I do."
He leaned back, fingers tapping against the desk casually.
"I'm just waiting for my plan to call me."
"…Your plan?"
"Yup." Gyu-in's smile stretched, boyish and cocky. "He'll call me soon. Definitely."