chapter 5

Chapter 5

(Same Day chap4 - Evening)

Ah-Yumi strides home, her thoughts spinning like a whirlwind. Sunghoon's words linger in her mind, and despite herself, she feels lighter, as if someone finally saw her.

"Walking alone at this hour? You're bold," a voice cuts through the quiet.

She stops and turns to see Eeunsoo standing a few steps behind her, hands buried in his coat pockets. His expression is as cold as ever, but there's a flicker of something she can't place—worry, maybe?

"Thanks for noticing," she quips, arching a brow. "But I didn't know you were on neighborhood patrol now. Should I be flattered or concerned?"

Eeunsoo's lips twitch, almost like he's fighting back a smirk, but his tone stays flat. "I'm just saying it's not safe."

Ah-Yumi tilts her head, crossing her arms. "You think I can't handle myself? Newsflash, Eeunsoo: I don't need saving, least of all from you."

He steps closer, his gaze steady, though something flickers in his eyes. "It's not about that. I just… don't want you to get hurt."

She lets out a dry laugh. "Oh, so now you care? That's rich coming from the guy who barely says two words to me unless it's to criticize."

His jaw tightens, but he doesn't break eye contact. "Maybe I do care. Ever think about that?"

Ah-Yumi blinks, caught off guard, but she quickly recovers. "Care? You've got a funny way of showing it. Besides, what's it to you if I talk to Sunghoon? Or is this just some kind of ego thing?"

"Sunghoon's not what he seems," Eeunsoo says sharply, his voice dropping.

"And you are?" she shoots back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Please, enlighten me, oh great mystery man."

For a moment, Eeunsoo looks like he might snap, but instead, he exhales slowly, his shoulders relaxing. "Just… be careful," he mutters, his voice quieter. "That's all I'm saying."

Ah-Yumi narrows her eyes. "If you've got something to say, Eeunsoo, say it. Don't give me this cryptic nonsense and expect me to fall in line."

His gaze softens, almost imperceptibly, and for a moment, the cold mask slips. "You're not like them," he says quietly. "You don't play their games. And that's why I…"

He stops himself, shaking his head as if he's said too much.

"Why you what?" Ah-Yumi presses, her voice firm.

But he doesn't answer. Instead, he turns and walks away, leaving her standing there, frustrated and curious all at once.

As she watches his retreating figure, a thought creeps into her mind—a thought she doesn't want to admit. For all his infuriating behavior, Eeunsoo might actually care. She scoff not trying to think much about him.