DEPARTURE...

The chilly breeze of Toronto brushed against their skin as they stood by the bustling entrance of the airport. Taeyang's departure loomed over them, yet their conversation sprawled on like a tangled web, refusing to let go.

Jae-wook returned from wherever he had disappeared to, his presence marked not only by his usual deadpan expression but also by the small battalion of ten hefty men trailing behind him. Their stoic faces and broad shoulders screamed security.

"You can take off the mask and cap now," Jae-wook said, his voice as flat as ever. "My bodyguards will take over from here."

Taeyang's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Were you that worried about me?"

Jae-wook barely batted an eye. "Not at all. I just have no desire to interact with eyeless zombies who worship you like a deity."

Taeyang clasped his chest dramatically. "Aww, that's the sweetest thing you've said to me since I arrived."

"I haven't said anything to you since you arrived," Jae-wook shot back.

"Exactly why this is the nicest," Taeyang said, his grin widening.

Jae-wook's patience snapped like a dry twig. "야! 죽을래?" His voice cut through the air, but the weariness that followed was almost comical. He inhaled deeply, reeling himself back in. "You're going to miss your flight."

Taeyang chuckled, savoring the rare slip of emotion. "It feels good to tease you. We should talk more often."

He turned to his friends, his expression softening. "I'll try harder with our friendship, okay? I might even consider going back to school."

Ava scoffed, nudging him playfully. "By the time you do, we'd all be graduates."

Taeyang flipped an imaginary strand of hair over his shoulder, his sassy eye roll almost theatrical. "Ms., be careful—I'm just a princess."

Leo chuckled. "I'm running out of defenses against your gay allegations."

Taeyang's gaze danced over each of them, the glint in his eyes betraying a tenderness he often masked with humor. "Just like Jae-wook said he'd miss me, I'll miss you guys too."

"I never said that," Jae-wook muttered, glaring at Taeyang from top to bottom.

"Your eyes did." Taeyang winked before turning to Carrie. "Okay, Bunny. You're awfully quiet. Gonna miss me that much?"

Carrie's smile was soft but certain. "It's undeniable."

He reached out, ruffling her hair with a fondness that only deepened the ache of goodbye. "I'll visit more often, as long as you're here."

Taeyang took a step back, then another. The world around them seemed to blur, leaving only the lingering warmth of shared memories. He slipped off his mask and cap, his face now fully visible, a parting gift to his friends before he vanished into the crowd.

As Taeyang disappeared past security, the weight of his departure settled over them like a lingering shadow. The terminal seemed quieter now, as if his absence had stolen some of the air. No one spoke for a long moment, each lost in their own thoughts.

Carrie hugged herself, staring at the spot where he had just stood. It already feels different without him here.

"It already feels different," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

Ava nudged her playfully, her lips curving into a smirk. "Don't get all sentimental on us. He literally promised to come back."

Jae-wook exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "Finally, some peace and quiet."

Leo snorted. "You say that, but we all know you'll be the first one to text him."

Jae-wook scoffed. "Text him? I don't even have his contact 0"

Ava opened her mouth, ready to fuel the teasing, when Carrie's phone vibrated in her pocket. The buzz felt unusually sharp against her fingers, an unspoken warning before she even saw the screen.

She expected Taeyang—maybe one last message before takeoff. But instead, an unknown number flashed across her screen.

Her stomach tensed. Unknown?

She hesitated before opening the message.

"He shouldn't have taken off his mask."

A chill ran down her spine. Her grip on the phone tightened. The words were simple, but they dripped with an ominous weight, sinking deep into her bones.

"What?" she breathed, too low for anyone to hear.

She stood frozen, her pulse hammering in her ears. The sounds of the terminal faded, replaced by the sharp echo of her own heartbeat.

"What's wrong?" Leo's voice cut through the fog.

Carrie swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe. The words lingered on her screen like a ghostly whisper. Should she tell them? Would they believe her? Or was this some elaborate prank?

No. Something about it felt... off.

But she couldn't let them see the fear creeping into her veins. So she forced a small, dismissive smile and slid her phone back into her pocket.

"It's nothing," she said lightly. "Just my dad. Lost a contract."

Jae-wook's eyes narrowed, reading between the lines. Carrie wasn't a good liar—at least, not with them.

"You might have to go without me today," she added quickly, shifting gears before anyone could press further. "I need to meet someone."

Jae-wook's frown deepened. "Something feels off."

She laughed—too quick, too thin. "It's fine. My dad wants me to meet the client. First big mission."

"Lucky you," Ava muttered, stretching. "Meanwhile, we have to deal with Mrs. Park. I swear that woman's a fire-breathing dragon."

Leo stomped his foot dramatically. "I didn't sign up for getting roasted alive."

Carrie took the out they unknowingly gave her. "Alright, see you guys later." She turned on her heel, walking away before they could stop her.

She didn't look back.

Jae-wook watched her disappear into a taxi, unease creeping into his chest. He didn't know why, but something about the way she left… the way she smiled…

Something's off.

And he had a feeling they were about to find out what.