Hidden Warning

The car moved calmly along the road that was starting to get dark. I sat in the back passenger seat with Hana, while Do Hwan sat next to Da Reum in the front seat.

The atmosphere felt awkward since we got into the car. Hana looked excited, occasionally glancing at Da Reum with a curious expression. Meanwhile, Do Hwan just stared straight ahead with a blank face.

Da Reum finally spoke, his tone sounding half-mocking. "Why did you come along?" he asked, glancing briefly at Do Hwan. "I only invited Narin and Hana."

Do Hwan scoffed, crossing his arms without looking back. "I don't know what you might do to the two of them."

Da Reum chuckled lightly, as if laughing at the accusation. "What could I possibly do? I just want to take them out and treat them to good food to celebrate finishing the exam."

I glanced at Do Hwan, who still looked tense. Somehow, I felt like something was off between the two of them.

"Thank you, Da Reum oppa," Hana said cheerfully. "I didn't expect someone as cool as you to be so thoughtful."

Do Hwan snorted softly, clearly displeased with the compliment. Meanwhile, Da Reum just gave a faint smile and turned on soft music in the car.

"So, where are we going to eat?" I asked, trying to break the ice.

Da Reum thought for a moment. "I know a good place. Do you like grilled meat, Narin?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"Good. Let's go there," he said, speeding up the car.

I could feel Do Hwan’s sharp gaze, still not trusting his brother’s good intentions. I just hoped this trip wouldn’t turn into something worse.

---

We arrived at a pretty fancy barbecue restaurant. The smell of grilling instantly made my stomach growl. Hana looked enthusiastic, while Do Hwan still maintained his displeased expression.

As soon as we sat down, a waiter came to hand out the menus. Da Reum took one first and smiled at us.

"Order whatever you want. It’s my treat," he said casually.

"Seriously?" Hana beamed, quickly picking out several premium meat dishes. Wow, this rich girl still loves free stuff.

I chose more carefully, while Do Hwan just leaned back in his seat without even opening the menu.

"What? Afraid I’ll poison the food?" Da Reum teased, noticing Do Hwan's expression.

Do Hwan shot him a sharp look. "I never trust your good intentions."

Hana and I exchanged glances, feeling uncomfortable with the tension between them.

Da Reum just chuckled. "You’re so stubborn, little brother."

Hana, seemingly unaware of the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Oppa, do you two not get along or what?"

"Obviously," Do Hwan replied coldly.

Da Reum leaned back in his chair, looking at each of us before locking eyes with me. "That’s why I want to get to know you all better. Especially you, Narin."

I flinched. "Me?"

Da Reum smiled. "Yeah. I’m curious about what makes Do Hwan keep his distance from me but be willing to be close to you."

I swallowed hard, unsure of how to respond.

Do Hwan let out a harsh sigh. "Don't drag them into our problems."

Da Reum just laughed and stared at me intently. "I’m not dragging anyone. I just want to know what kind of girl can change my stubborn little brother."

I felt even more uneasy. What does he mean by that?

Hana, who had been enjoying the interaction, grew even more intrigued. "Wow, this is interesting. So, Narin is special to Do Hwan?" she asked, giving me a meaningful look.

I wanted to respond, but the waiter arrived with our order. I sighed in relief as the conversation was interrupted.

As the meat started grilling, the atmosphere eased up a little, even though Do Hwan still looked uncomfortable. I focused on the food, while Hana enthusiastically flipped the meat and occasionally dipped it in sauce before placing it on our plates.

"You know," Da Reum started, raising his glass casually, "I’m glad we could finally eat together. I’d like to spend more time like this."

Do Hwan snorted. "Suddenly wanting to be a good brother?"

Da Reum smiled. "I’ve always been a good brother. You’re just the one who never accepted it."

Hana and I exchanged confused glances, unsure how to respond to the lingering tension.

"By the way," Hana tried to change the subject, "you’re not just treating us, right? There must be another reason you suddenly showed up at school."

Da Reum looked at Hana, then at me, before smiling faintly. "I just wanted to get to know Narin better. You seem interesting."

I almost choked on my drink. "Huh?"

Do Hwan immediately glared at Da Reum. "Don’t start, Da Reum."

Da Reum just chuckled lightly. "What? I just want to talk more with your new friend."

I felt awkward. "I... don’t know what to say."

"You don’t have to say anything," he replied calmly. "I’m just curious how you can put up with my stubborn little brother."

I glanced at Do Hwan, who was looking at me, waiting for my answer. Hana also seemed interested in my response.

I took a deep breath and tried to smile. "I don’t know. Maybe because we meet often, I just got used to it."

Hana grinned. "You’re too nice, Narin. If it were me, I’d already be fed up with him."

Do Hwan shot Hana a sharp look, but Hana pretended not to notice.

Da Reum laughed. "See? Even his own friend doesn’t defend him."

I felt even more uncomfortable. From the start, I could sense that Da Reum had some ulterior motive. I just didn’t know what it was.

Suddenly, Do Hwan's phone vibrated. He glanced at it briefly, then stood up. "I need to take this call."

I watched his expression turn serious before he walked out of the restaurant.

As soon as Do Hwan left, Da Reum looked at me with a more intense gaze.

"You should be careful, Narin."

I stiffened. "What do you mean?"

Da Reum gave a faint smile, his eyes sharp. "Do Hwan isn’t an easy person to understand. And sometimes, the people around him can be dangerous too."

I swallowed hard. There was something about the way Da Reum spoke that made me feel uneasy.

"Why are you saying that?" I asked cautiously.

Da Reum didn’t answer right away. He just smiled as if considering something.

Hana, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "Oppa, why do you sound like you’re threatening her?"

Da Reum chuckled softly. "It’s not a threat. Just a warning."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. Their relationship seemed way too complicated to understand—even for them.

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