* * *

“So, how long do you plan to stay here?”

“Well… not sure.”

Honestly, he didn’t know when Beom Sinje would finally trust him enough to let him leave.

“Doyoung, you’ve gotten so lax lately. This side of you doesn’t suit you.”

“Haha… What kind of person did you think I was, Sara?”

He asked with a smile, and she looked at him with a thoughtful expression.

“Good question. Who were you? As our leader, you were someone magnificent, amazing, and formidable…”

“And?”

“But now, I wonder if that was all there was to you.”

It didn’t exactly sound like praise. Doyoung smirked faintly and took another sip of his drink.

After three or four glasses, he felt himself relaxing.

“Sounds like you’re saying I look like an idle bum.”

“No, it’s more like… you seem more at ease. You’re smiling more, too.”

Well, that was only natural.

His goal was accomplished, and there was nothing pressing to do.

‘Though staying by Beom Sinje’s side is a bit of a hassle.’

Still, he couldn’t deny that he felt more at peace than before.

“This is also a part of me.”

“I suppose it is. Really, it’s another side of you I didn’t know. Anyway, if you want, just let me know.”

“About what?”

“If you ever want to leave right away, I can make it happen.”

If she said it was possible, then it probably was.

“No, maybe later.”

Yet Doyoung deferred, which seemed to surprise her, as she watched him quietly.

“I still have things I need to check.”

“Things to check?”

“Um… nothing important. Just personal stuff.”

The real reason he had been waiting for her call and had come out immediately when she suggested meeting was something else.

“Hand me a few of those pills.”

Sarah rolled an almond around with her tongue and looked at him, as if asking why.

Doyoung tapped his finger on his glass.

Should he tell the truth or make an excuse?

“If it’s something you take, then here.”

But he didn’t need to say anything.

Sarah casually placed a small packet on the table.

“What’s this?”

“Are you asking me to pretend I don’t know?”

Apparently, she already had a sense of his condition.

That was probably why she had commented about him seeming weaker or less sharp.

Doyoung peeked into the packet.

“There’s a two-week supply. Try them and let me know how they work. They should be effective, but it might vary depending on your condition.”

“Am I your beta tester now?”

He made a joke, and Sarah laughed, nodding.

“You’ve always been one, haven’t you? Why act surprised now? I also wanted to check your condition. The test results were okay, but not definitive.”

“You noticed well.”

“Well, isn’t that what our capabilities are for?”

Even though Antithesis was a crime organization, it was made up of some exceptional talent, and she took a certain pride in that.

“We’re more than capable.”

“Exactly. That’s why you’ve been marked as a troublemaker.”

Sarah looked at Doyoung again.

Under the dim lighting, he seemed even paler and more fragile than before.

“Take care of yourself. I don’t want to lose you.”

Doyoung, who had been about to down his drink, paused.

His brows raised slightly before he smiled.

“Are you worried about me? I thought I’d proven I’m perfectly fine just by sitting here.”

“Is that a joke? Exactly what part of you looks fine?”

“Arms, legs, I’m all here.”

She shook her head at his careless response.

“Honestly. You need to start taking care of yourself.”

Just then, the phone in his pocket began vibrating.

[Beom Sinje]

The three characters displayed clearly on the screen.

Without hesitation, Doyoung pressed the call button.

“Hyung, where are you?”

Was it just his imagination, or did Beom Sinje’s voice sound angry?

He slowly rose, slipping the packet of pills into his pocket.

Sending Sarah a nod, she waved in reply without a word.

At that moment, there was no sign of trouble.

He only thought he needed to return before Beom Sinje grew more irritated.

“Yeah, just went out for a quick walk. I’m heading back now.”

“A walk?”

Doyoung sensed the doubt in his tone and quickly added.

“Yeah, I’m still inside the building.”

With no music in the background and walking along the hall, it wasn’t entirely a lie.

As he explained to himself, he continued walking, his body swaying.

“Why don’t you tell me so we can go together?”

Doyoung could barely make out what he was saying as his ears grew muffled.

“Sure. I’ll be there soon. Wait for me.”

With a vague response, he ended the call and began walking.

But was the elevator always this far away?

‘Ah, I feel dizzy.’

It wasn’t the distance—it felt like he was drifting, as if floating on water.

“Ugh.”

Finally, his knees buckled.

Stumbling forward, he shut his eyes tightly, having nothing to catch onto as he fell to the ground.

The cold touch of the floor made him feel oddly ridiculous.

“I’m drunk. I’m actually drunk.”

He realized he was more intoxicated than he thought, mumbling words he would normally swallow.

He’d only had a single glass, and yet…

“Seriously…”

His drained stamina brought out a helpless laugh.

He lay there, too unsteady even to get up, sprawled across the corridor floor, unbothered by the embarrassment.

Just then, his phone began ringing again.

“Yeah, what?”

“Hyung, where are you?”

The same question as before, though his voice seemed colder now.

There was a note of chastisement in his tone; he probably wasn’t mistaken.

“Yeah, where am I…?”

With his muddled mind, he barely processed it.

In fact, he found himself almost glad Beom Sinje had called.

Without thinking, he casually shared the floor where he was sprawled out.

“I’m in the corridor on the commercial floor.”

How much time had passed since he’d ended the call?

“Hyung.”

As his vision flickered, a familiar voice echoed nearby.

Soon, a shadow loomed over him.

“Oh… you’re here.”

“What are you doing here?”

The voice sounded somehow exasperated.

“I just didn’t feel like moving.”

When Doyoung replied with a lazy chuckle, Beom Sinje frowned handsomely.

“Did you drink?”

A sigh slipped into the question.

“Yeah.”

“Alone?”

He hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“You said you were going for a walk earlier…”

Right. That was the lie he told.

He should’ve just admitted he was drinking at the bar if he’d known he’d get caught like this.

Regretting it slightly, he tried to stand up, but before he knew it, he was being lifted, cradled firmly in Beom Sinje’s arms.

It was startling, yet he didn’t really feel like pushing him away.

Honestly, walking felt like too much of a bother, so he thought he might as well let himself be carried.

Still…

‘Strong guy.’

Despite his lean appearance, Doyoung’s body was densely packed with muscle.

That meant he was actually pretty heavy, yet Beom Sinje didn’t even seem strained.

“How much did you drink to end up in this state?”

As they moved, Beom Sinje, who had been silent until they reached the front door, muttered under his breath.

“Hey, it’s not that much.”

Sure, like he’d believe that. But Beom Sinje didn’t look convinced.

“No, you definitely drank a lot.”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t.”

Doyoung tried to argue, but Beom Sinje’s expression remained stern.

He didn’t get a chance to rebut further, though—because they were now in the bathroom.

“What are we doing here?”

“I’ll help you wash up.”

“What?!”

That absurd suggestion had Doyoung squirming in his arms, but Beom Sinje, strong as ever, didn’t budge an inch.

“Let me go!”

* * *