The soft hum of the city was drifting through the open window as Ava was sitting at the small kitchen rounded table in Bryan’s apartment. The sense of uncertainty that had followed her all day lingered, but she knew she couldn’t avoid work for long.
With a deep breath, she reached for her phone, tapping the screen to dial her boss’s number. As the call rang, she glanced over at Sally, who was engrossed in her own laptop on the couch, oblivious to the tension building in her friend’s chest.
“Hello, Ava?” came her boss’s voice on the other end, crisp and professional.
“Hi, Mr. Lawrence,” Ava began, trying to sound calm despite the nerves tightening her throat. “I wanted to give you an update. I know I’ve been out of touch for a few days, but I’m still dealing with some personal matters. I hope it hasn’t caused too much disruption.”
“Of course, Ava,” Mr. Lawrence replied with his tone softening. “I understand. We all need a little time to handle things. Are you going to be available to work soon? We have a few projects piling up.”
Ava hesitated for a moment, glancing at the stack of papers and unopened emails she had left behind. “I’ll be ready to jump back in soon, but it might take me a few more days to get everything sorted. I just wanted to let you know where I stand.”
There was a pause on the other end. “I appreciate the honesty, Ava. Just keep me posted, and take care of what you need to. We’ll manage here for now.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lawrence,” Ava said, feeling a bit of the pressure ease. “I’ll keep you updated. Talk soon.”
She hung up and exhaled slowly, the weight of the conversation lifting off her shoulders. Turning to Sally, she offered a small smile. “All set with work… for now.”
Sally looked up from her book, giving her a knowing glance. “You okay? I can tell you’ve been holding that conversation in for a while.”
Ava nodded, pushing her phone aside. “Yeah. Just needed to get it off my chest.” She leaned back in her chair, feeling a little more grounded. “One thing at a time.”
“You’re lucky your boss approves of your leave of absence and I’m here constantly scrolling for remote jobs,” Sally said, sighing in exasperation. With a focused intensity, her brow furrowed as she clicked through the several tabs on the screen. Her mind was still occupied with the mystery of Hyun-Aera’s imposter, but practical concerns —like keeping herself afloat—were starting to edge forward.
“How’s it going?” Ava asked as she held a mug of coffee before taking a sip and setting it down on the nearby counter.
“I’m applying for some freelance gigs,” Sally replied without looking up. “Anything to bring in some extra cash while we figure out the imposter thing. My savings are starting to dwindle, and honestly, I just can’t have it here all day.”
Bryan, who had been cooking dinner in the kitchen, overheard and walked over, saying. “Smart move. Anything promising so far?”
“Not yet,” Sally muttered, her fingers moving quickly across the keyboard. She clicked on another job posting and one was for virtual assistant work and sighed. “It’s mostly part-time stuff, but it’ll help with the bills. I’ve got to stay busy, you know?”
Ava nodded, sitting down beside her. “It’ll keep your mind off things, at least. But do you think you’re getting closer to finding Hyun-Aera’s imposter? You’ve been on that case like a dog on a bone.”
Sally paused, staring at the screen for a long moment before speaking. “I hope so. I’ve been tracking every lead I get, but it’s like the more I dig, the more tangled the whole thing gets. The imposter’s not easy to track down, but I swear once I find that person, everything will fall into place.”
Bryan leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Just remember to take breaks. You’ve been running on fumes for weeks. You’ve got the determination, but you don’t want to burn out. We’re still here to help you out.”
Sally gave a half-smile, grateful for the concern. “Thanks, I’ll handle it myself. Right now, I just need to keep the wheels turning, you know? Apply for enough things, and eventually, something will stick.”
As she clicked “Submit” on yet another application, she felt a small sense of relief — at least, she was taking control of something, even if it wasn’t the imposter investigation just yet.
The trio found themselves holed up in Seoul, a city that was both a maze of possibilities and uncertainty. Each of them had their reasons for staying, but the shared mission of tracking down Hyun-Aera’s imposter had tethered them to the sprawling metropolis, leaving them little choice but to stick it out for as long as it took.
Bryan, the most laid-back of the three, had always prided himself on his adaptability, but even he couldn’t ignore the mounting tension in the air. He had a knack for blending into new places, yet the constant waiting, the fruitless searches, and the nagging feeling that they were being watched were beginning to wear on him. He had always been the one to break the silence, to offer a distraction when things got too quiet. He would wander the streets, indulging in the city’s endless away of food stalls or scroll through endless videos on his under the surface, his mind was always turning — strategizing their next move, figuring out who they could trust and where they might find the crucial clue that would lead them to the imposter. He was tough, even though he had limits.
Sally, on the other hand, had thrown herself into the investigation with an almost detail-oriented focus. Her dark brown eyes had grown even sharper in the past few weeks, scanning every person she passed, every unfamiliar face in the crowd. She had a quiet intensity about her that was both captivating and unsettling. While Bryan drifted into the background with ease, Sally stuck to the quest with an unwavering determination. The imposter was too close, too slippery. She couldn’t afford to lose track of the slightest detail. She worked tirelessly, tracking leads online, sending out requests for information, and meeting anyone who might know something.
Ava, the quick-witted anchor of the group, was the one who constantly checked in with the others, offering support even when she felt like she might crack under the weight of it all. She had initially hoped their stay in Seoul would be temporary. In a way, she felt like the glue holding the trio together, but there were times when she could feel herself slipping, wondering how long they could continue at this pace.
At the same time, Eugene sat at his desk, the phone cradled between his ear and shoulder as he stared out the window, lost in thought.
The line clicked, and a female voice came through laced with concern and something deeper — fear, perhaps. “Eugene? This is her. Please tell us… Is she okay? We haven’t heard from her in so long.”
Eugene exhaled slowly, the words carefully chosen. “I know this is difficult, but I need you to listen. Valerie is alive. She’s safe for now.” He paused, letting the relief settle in, knowing it would be temporary. “But she’s not in a position where she can contact you right now. It’s not that she doesn’t want to. It’s because it’s too dangerous for her to do so.”
The woman’s breath hitches, and her face twists in confusion and sadness. “But why? Why didn’t she come back? Why didn’t she let us know?”
Eugene clenched his jaw, leaning forward in his chair. “It’s not about her doing anything to hurt you, sir. It’s about protecting you. All of you. Valerie’s caught up in something that goes way beyond her — things she didn’t choose. She’s taking steps to ensure no one gets hurt in the process. That includes staying away from you for now.”
A long pause followed, and Eugene could almost hear the thoughts racing through the man’s mind as his wife finally spoke with her voice trembling. “What could be so bad that she can’t even reach out to us? Is she in danger? Is she being threatened?”
“She’s not being directly threatened right now, ma’am,” Eugene responded with his voice steady. “But there are forces at play that are much bigger than any of us. Valerie’s doing what she needs to do to keep herself and the others safe. I can’t explain everything, not yet.”
The woman’s voice cracked with emotion. “I don’t understand, Eugene. She’s our daughter. Why can’t she trust us? Why is she keeping us in the dark?”
Eugene sighed, feeling the weight of the situation press heavily on his chest. “Because it’s not about trust. It’s about survival. She’s not running away from you, she’s just trying to make sure everyone stays out of harm’s way. She has to keep her distance or else, it could all unravel.”
“But how long? How long will this go on?” The man asked, his voice low and filled with a mixture of frustration and helplessness.
“I don’t know,” Eugene admitted, the reality of the situation settling in. “What’s important is that she’s alive and she’s doing what she has to do. I’m doing everything I can to keep her safe and I can’t promise anything more than that.”
Another silence followed and Eugene could hear the quiet sobs from the woman in the background, her grief palpable. The man also seemed to be holding back his emotions now heavy with unspoken words.
“I’ll keep you updated as much as I can,” Eugene said softly, trying to offer some semblance of reassurance. “But I need you to trust me when I say she hasn’t forgotten about you.”
“Just… just keep us informed, please…” The man said despondently. “We can’t lose her again.”
Eugene’s grip tightened on the phone. “I won’t let that happen, I promise.”
As the call ended, he sat back, rubbing his temples in contemplation. Telling them the information would have been easier in some ways, but there are some that were too dangerous to share, and he couldn’t risk exposing Valerie or her parents to the full extent of the peril she faced. He only hoped that, in time, they would understand why it had to be this way.
With the Narrow squad making their way back to their base under the fading light of the evening, the tension of their recent mission was still thick in the air that had been more challenging than anticipated with a few members suffering various minor injuries. Cuts, grazes, and bruises dotted their bodies with a testament to the brutal firefight and gun shooting they had endured.
Kain, ever the stoic leader, moved with air control, but even he couldn’t hide the pain in his face. His right arm hung limp at his side, cradling his dislocated wrist, and every step he took was laced with discomfort. Yet, he refused to let the team see him falter. His focus remained razor-sharp, eyes scanning the perimeter as they moved, checking for any sign of further threats. He was their rock, their leader, and he refused to let anything, especially a dislocated wrist distract him from his duty.
Jason, one of the more experienced members of the squad, glanced over at Kain and furrowed his eyebrows in concern. “Your wrist looks like it’s been through hell. You should let Eliza look at it.”
Kain didn’t respond, but there was a brief flicker of acknowledgement in his eyes. He wasn’t about to admit it, but Jason was right. The pain from his wrist was becoming unbearable and it was making everything else more difficult. Stil, he wasn’t about to slow down the team.
The rest of the squad remained silent but alert, all aware of their injuries and refusing to show weakness. Luke decided to speak up from behind with his cheek swollen from a punch earlier in the fight dryly. “So what’s the plan now? Are we taking another crack at it tomorrow?”
Kain grunted, shaking his head slightly. “We regroup. We take tonight to heal up and figure out what went wrong. We’re not going in blind again. Eliza’s going to patch us up and then we start planning.”
Moonki grinned weakly from the back of the group, saying. “I’ll patch up over another round of getting shot at any day.”
Henry chuckled faintly with his voice grim after getting a large cut on his arm. “Don’t be too eager, Moonki. I’m not sure the med kits can fix everything this time.”
“Well, we need to hit them harder next time and get them before they get us,” Byung-seok muttered, his teeth gritting in pain due to a nasty gash across his leg, limping beside Beom.
Sunghoon, walking closely with Yuki, turned to look at their leader. “We’re all in one piece, though right? That’s something.”
Kain nodded, though his expression remained neutral. “We survived and next time, we will make sure the odds are in our favour.”
As they reached the entrance to their base, he allowed himself a moment of rest, leaning against the doorframe for support.
Eliza, the squad’s medic and the others, had been waiting for them, already pulling out bandages and medical supplies. Her eyes immediately found Kain and her face tightened in concern.
“Let me see that wrist,” she said urgently. “You know the drill, Lee.”
Kain hesitated only for a moment before he extended his arm. The dislocation was visibly painful, the joint swollen and bruised. Eliza carefully examined it and grabbed a splint and set it back into place, her movements precise but gentle. The pain hit Kain hard, but he gritted his teeth and refused to make a sound.
“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard,” Eliza said as she worked. “This could’ve been worse if we didn’t get you back here.”
Kain muttered as she watched her in awe. “I’m fine. We can’t waste time on this.”
“You need to rest,” Eliza insisted, finishing up with the bandages. “The rest of the squad’s in rough shape too.”
“I know,” Kain replied. “We’ll take a breather, but we'll get back there soon.”
Valerie, whose right arm was bandaged from the wound, stood up from the window area. “They’re all ruthless… All of them are sadistic perverted predators…”
“Yeah, Valerie? Is there anyone that you’re starting to remember?” Jason asked in astonishment.
Everytime she tried to remember, flashes of headlights and the screech of tires would flood her senses, but nothing concrete ever came. Worse, her instincts told her that this wasn’t some random accident. Someone had intentionally tried to kill her. But who? And why? That question gnawed at her like a weight pressing down on her chest.
“I need to know who’s after me,” Valerie said as her gaze flicked from one member of the squad to the next. Her voice was low and shaky, filled with an urgent intensity. “I can’t remember everything from that day or night. I just know it wasn’t an accident. Someone wants me dead and you’re not telling me everything…”
Sunghoon shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at Kain and Jason.
Valerie could see the hesitation in their eyes, the unspoken tension hanging between them like a thick fog.
“It’s complicated,” Kain said, his voice steady but guarded.
“You’re right. It wasn’t just a random hit-and-run. The people behind it are the ones pulling the strings… It’s not something we can just rush into.”
Valerie’s eyes narrowed impatiently. “I don’t have time for whatever that ‘complicated thing’ is. You’ve all been keeping something from me. I need to know what’s really going on. Who tried to kill me?”
Jason, who had been sitting quietly, leaned forward with his fingers tapping restlessly on the table. He began to speak in a low tone. “We’ve been following the trail. We’ve dug into your past, your connections, and everything you’ve been involved in. The people trying to kill you are powerful and dangerous. The deeper we dig, the more we realize that they don’t want you just gone. They want to erase everything you’ve touched — everything you know.”
Valerie’s heart pounded as the gravity of his words hit her. “Erased? Why me? What have I gotten myself into?”
Max finally spoke, his voice softer but no less serious. “The people after you… they’ve been watching you for longer than you realize. It’s not about the accident only, but it’s about what you know — about what you were involved in before the hit-and-run.”
Jason nodded in agreement. “We believe the person behind the attack is tied to a much bigger network, one that’s been pulling the strings in the shadows for years. Your accident was just the start of a much larger plan. And whoever they are, they’re still out there watching your every move.”
Valerie’s mind raced as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. “A bigger network? Who are we talking about here? Who wants me dead?”
Kain’s face darkened as he leaned in with his voice dropping to a whisper. “We don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re dealing with powerful people-high-ranking figures, businessmen, and politicians who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. You were involved in something before the accident, something that connected you to a larger web of connection. We’ve been trying to track down what that was, but it’s been slow going. Whoever tried to kill you doesn’t want any loose ends.”
Valerie’s pulse quickened, the weight of their words sinking in. “What do you mean? What did I know? What was I doing?”
“We’re still piecing it together,” Jason said, his voice controlled as ever, though there was an unmistakable edge of urgency in his voice. “From what we’ve gathered, you were getting too close to something — something big. Someone made sure to put you out of the picture before you could expose them.”
Valerie’s fists clenched in frustration. “So all this time… I’ve been in the dark and now you’re telling me I’ve been a target all along? You know more than what you’re saying.”
Jason exchanged a brief look with Kain. “We’re not trying to keep you in the dark, Val. This isn’t a game. The people behind this are ruthless and they have resources we can’t even begin to understand. We’ve been careful, trying to get the right intel before we make any moves. You’re right. You deserve to know more. Just understand that the more we uncover, the more dangerous this becomes.”
Valerie then paced back and forth in the room and couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s twisted game. “Then tell me what you guys know. I can handle it. I want to know who they are.”
For a moment, there was silence among them until Kain got up and locked his eyes on hers. “We will. You think you’re the only one who is being targeted? It’s every single one of us here. A year ago, you and your friends fought against me and my allies. I do admit… I was their puppet in some mind controlling program that they’ve put me through. The way that I’ve acted and went up against you guys, it was my wrongdoing and if only I had a strong sense of conscience and broke free from their clutches, I would’ve known that they used me for their own benefit. Anyways, Valerie… you have to remember something, anything that could give us a lead.”
“I don’t remember anything!” She said sharply as frustration was creeping into her voice. “That’s the problem, okay? Look, I’ll keep trying until I figure out who tried to kill me.”
Jason looked at her softly with a sense of seriousness in his words. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll find the answers together, but you have to be ready, Val. The truth might be more dangerous than you think.”
Valerie’s gaze hardened as she looked at each of them in turn. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but she was getting closer. Someone had tried to kill her for a reason, and she wouldn’t stop until she found out why.
…
The trio then gathered on a couch, just as Bryan reached for a cup of tea, a loud burst of static interrupted the stillness. The television on the wall flickered to life and the image of a news anchor appeared with her face being serious.
“A dangerous vendetta group, known as the Narrow, has reportedly arrived in the city. Sources claim that the group is made up of highly trained individuals focused on eliminating corrupt organizations and rescuing victims from an imminent danger. While details remain scarce, multiple sources suggest that their arrival has already led to a series of violent confrontations with local criminal elements and even military personnel.”
The news report cut to recent live footage of a chaotic scene in the Hoamsan Forest and the abandoned places that were prohibited. In the distance, flashes of gunfire erupted and the sounds of shouting soldiers echoed throughout those areas. Though it wasn’t them they were focusing on, but the vendetta group of masked figures moving with ruthless efficiency.
“Oh my god. Talk about the absurdity of this and to those guys who think they’re cool enough to go up against the military? What a joke,” Ava scoffed.
“Yeah, it’s ridiculous…” Sally agreed.
“At least, we’re not involved in that mess, but they’re not just random vigilantes. These guys have been trained by professionals. Look how they move. It’s like they know the places,” Bryan explained briefly.
“That sums up the whole situation,” Sally pointed out.
A couple of knocks banged the door abruptly, which made the three of them glanced at each other blankly.
Sally’s phone buzzed when she received a text from her boyfriend, Min-jun that says,
“We’re here outside the room.”
So she stood up from the couch and walked towards the door to open only with her eyes widening in bewilderment and relief. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the lips sweetly
as he reciprocated.
“Glad you guys are here. What took you so long?”
“We just finished our taping for the episode and of course, the meeting,” Min-jun answered.
“What’s up, y’all?” Jaesang hollered and made a few fists bumps with Bryan and waved at Ava, who greeted him and the other members.
“Good, but stressed,” she said.
“Yeah, have you guys seen the news?” Bryan gestured forward at the TV screen.
“These are no ordinary criminals,” the anchor’s voice came through again. “Eyewitnesses report that Narrow has been engaging with multiple henchmen and subordinates associated with various criminal syndicates. However, what’s most shocking is that they’ve managed to fight off heavily armed military soldiers, leaving behind dozens of incapacitated individuals with no clear explanation for how they managed to escape…”
Ryung’s jaw clenched in wonder and slight irritation. The Narrow squad was far more capable than he had imagined. Military soldiers, armed with high-tech weaponry, had been neutralized almost effortlessly. The video showed them moving in perfect unison, taking down the henchmen with swift precision, disarming them, and moving on without hesitation. There was something eerily organized about their tactics.
K-East members watched intently as the footage showed the last of the military soldiers retreating, whereas the Narrow squad had vanished out of the forest with uncanny speed and coordination. The camera panned to the flat ground littered with fallen henchmen and their blood scattered all over them till there was no sign of the squad ever coming back.
“They got away again...” Hwan said, more to himself than to anyone else. “How did they pull that off? We’ve dealt with some serious enemies before, but this... This is on another level.”
Min-jun shot him a look, his face serious. “Bryan, this is bad. Whoever these people are, they’re dangerous. They’ve got the skills to wipe out any threat in their path, and they're not afraid of going head-to-head with the military. If they’re targeting Seoul, it means they’ve got a bigger mission in mind than just cleaning up those abandoned places.”
Bryan nodded, the weight of the situation sinking in. “Those guys underestimated them. This isn’t just some rogue group. This is a highly organized, well-trained squad with a vendetta. And if they're coming after the same targets we are... we’ve got a serious problem.”
All of them sat in stunned silence, absorbing the gravity of what had just unfolded. The Narrow squad wasn’t just fighting criminals—they were systematically taking down corrupt systems. But that left Bryan with more questions than answers. Why had they chosen to come to Seoul? Who was behind them? And, most importantly, who were they really targeting?
“We need to find out who these people are,” Bryan said, his voice low but urgent. “If they’re after the same things we are, then we’ve got to find a way to stay ahead of them. This city isn’t big enough for both of us to be fighting the same enemy.”
“That’s exactly what I thought too,” Ryung said.
Taeyun stood up, pacing across the room. “You’re right. If we don’t find out what their plan is soon, they might get the jump on us. We need to track them down and figure out where they’re going next.”
Min-jun, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. “We should be careful. If they’re coming after the same people we are, they’ll be hunting us down, too. We’ve got to stay out of their way—at least for now—until we can figure out what they want.”
Bryan nodded, his mind already working through the possible next steps. “Agreed. We need intel, and we need it fast. Find out who’s connected to the Narrow, and what they’re really after. If they’ve come here to ‘save victims,’ we need to know who those victims are... and why they’re being targeted.”
“What about your quest? Are you guys still going to find the imposter?” Hwan asked.
“We are. That’s why Sally contacted me,” Min-jun replied.
“Alright…”
In particular, Bryan couldn’t shake the feeling of being one step behind. The Narrow squad had made their intentions clear: they were here for justice, but their methods were ruthless, and their motives were still unclear.
Amongst all the challenges they are facing, Bryan, Sally, and Ava realize that they have no choice but to remain in Seoul. The city becomes the epicenter of their investigation, their relationships, and their financial strategies. For various reasons, leaving Seoul is simply not feasible, even though they may have considered alternative options.
First, the city likely holds key information, people, or events that are central to their pursuit of Hyun-Aera’s imposter. Whether they need to meet specific individuals, gather evidence, or trace leads, Seoul offers the most immediate access to the resources they need. Moving away from the city could derail their investigation, causing unnecessary delays or even putting them further behind in their search. Additionally, the trio might face financial, logistical, or personal constraints that make staying in Seoul the most viable option. For example, their living arrangements, access to information, or professional ties might be too deeply rooted in the city for them to consider relocating at this point. Perhaps Bryan has work commitments, Ava’s temporary job departure requires her to remain close to her workplace, or Sally’s online job opportunities are best managed from within the city’s infrastructure.
On a personal level, Seoul could represent a place of connection for the trio. They may have built a support system in the city, and leaving it would mean isolating themselves from the network they need to navigate their situation effectively.
Additionally, the emotional stakes of their mission could be tied to the city’s specific locations or cultural context, meaning that moving away would feel like abandoning the pursuit of justice for Hyun-Aera. With all the pressure and complications of staying, the trio understands that their best chance to resolve the situation and find the imposter lies in staying close to the heart of the matter—right where they are. The city may, in many ways, be their battleground, and they will have to make the most of the resources and opportunities Seoul offers to move forward with their investigation.
Taeyun was worried about Joon-woo, who was panicking in his own mind. He had always known his hyung to be a composed, level-headed individual, someone who could handle pressure without flinching. Lately, Taeyun had noticed a shift—a subtle crack in Joon-woo’s calm exterior. The nervous energy was hard to ignore: the way Joon-woo’s hands would shake ever so slightly when he thought no one was watching, the way his gaze darted around as if he were being followed, and how his usually sharp focus seemed to wander in the middle of important discussions. It wasn’t just stress; something was eating at him. Taeyun had suspected it for days, but the truth hit him hard when he discovered the connection between Joon-woo, his father, Ryung, and Valerie’s hit-and-run.
The pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place too quickly for Taeyun to fully process. Joon-woo’s father, a powerful and influential figure in the business world, was entangled in illicit deals with Ryung, the man who had been behind the machinations that led to Valerie’s accident. Ryung had ties to corrupt government officials and shady syndicates, and now it seemed Joon-woo was somehow swept up in the mess, whether by choice or coercion. Valerie, the woman who had become a symbol of everything wrong in their world, was directly caught in the crossfire.
Taeyun recalled back the moment he had confronted Joon-woo with the information, but his reaction had been unexpected. Joon-woo had initially denied it, his voice unsteady as he tried to brush it off. But Taeyun could see through the facade. The fear in Joon-woo’s eyes told him everything.
…
It was late and Taeyun found Joon-woo alone in the dimly lit office, his back hunched over the desk. The exhaustion was written all over him, his face gaunt, his usual sharp demeanor dulled by something deeper, more painful. Taeyun stood by the door, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before walking in.
“You’re not fooling anyone,” Taeyun said, his voice firm but not unkind. “I know you’re involved in this, Joon-woo. I found out about your father and Ryung. I overheard everything in that washroom. Now… I need you to tell me the truth or else I will show them the voice recording.”
Joon-woo didn’t look up. He gripped the edge of the desk so tightly his knuckles were white. The weight of the information had clearly crushed him, and Taeyun could see the mental battle Joon-woo was fighting. He wanted to say something, but he was stuck in a storm of guilt, confusion, and fear.
“I didn’t… I didn’t want this to happen,” Joon-woo whispered as his voice trembled. He rubbed his forehead, clearly struggling to hold himself together. “I never knew how deep it went. I never wanted Valerie to get hurt.”
Taeyun stepped forward, his heart heavy with concern. “But your father and Ryung… they’re involved in all of this, Joon-woo. You can’t keep pretending like you’re not part of it. Valerie’s accident, her coma—your family, Ryung—they’re all connected.”
Joon-woo’s body tensed at the mention of Valerie’s name, and Taeyun saw the flood of guilt wash over his friend’s face. Joon-woo looked up as his eyes were bloodshot and filled with regret.
“You don’t understand,” Joon-woo said, voice breaking. “I didn’t know what Ryung was planning. At first, it was just business. My father… he’s in deep with Ryung. He’s been taking shady deals for years, but I never thought it would lead to this. Valerie wasn’t supposed to be caught in this mess. I thought she was just another casualty of Ryung’s game—another pawn in his chessboard. But when I found out… when I realized how involved my father was… it shattered everything. I thought I could get out, but they wouldn’t let me.”
Taeyun’s expression softened as he watched his friend unravel. Joon-woo wasn’t the type to break down like this, and the sight of him in such distress made Taeyun’s heart ache. He’d always respected Joon-woo for his strength, but now, it was clear that the weight of his family’s involvement in Valerie’s misfortunes had become too much to bear.
“I didn’t know they would go that far,” Joon-woo continued, his voice hoarse. “Ryung and my father… they’ve done terrible things, and I… I should’ve seen it coming. But I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want to think that the people I care about—my own father—could be capable of something like this.”
“Joon-woo,” Taeyun said, his voice calm but stern, “you’re not alone in this. But you have to tell me everything. What exactly is your father’s role in all of this? And Ryung—what is he planning? You have to trust me.”
Joon-woo’s head dropped into his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly. “I don’t know everything, but Ryung has been using my father’s company to launder money. He’s been keeping it all in the shadows, using people like Valerie to keep things quiet. She was never supposed to be part of the equation, but when she started digging into things, that’s when they… they decided to silence her.”
Taeyun felt a rush of anger, but he held it in check. He could see how much Joon-woo was struggling with the truth. He had been a part of it, whether he liked it or not.
“We need to stop them,” Taeyun said firmly. “We need to protect Valerie and make sure this ends. If we don’t act now, everything we’ve worked for will be for nothing.”
Joon-woo nodded, his face pale with fear but determination creeping back into his eyes. “I know. I’ll help you. I can’t undo what’s been done, but I’ll do everything I can to fix it. I won’t let them hurt anyone else again.”
As Taeyun left the office later that night, he couldn’t shake the weight of the conversation he had just had with Joon-woo. His friend was in too deep, tangled in a web of lies and betrayal spun by his own father and Ryung. But despite everything, Taeyun saw a flicker of hope in Joon-woo’s eyes.
…
There was still time to stop this—if they moved quickly. But time was running out, and Valerie’s fate was still in the balance, which none of them knows about, except Narrow.
While the rest of K-East members were chit-chatting in the living room, Jiyoo sat quietly next to the glass window where his mind was drifting back to the events of last year. It had been over twelve months since he’d last seen Valerie, but the memories were still vivid. He hadn't been there when she woke up from the coma, confused and fragile. Jiyoo wanted to offer her support, trying to be a steady presence in her fractured world, but something had changed between them that day when they left her in the Olympic Park. The warmth they had once shared seemed to slip through his fingers as if it had never been real.
His thoughts wandered back to the night before her accident and the conversations they had shared previously. She had been different that night, more distant, almost like she had been carrying a heavy secret she couldn’t reveal. He remembered the way her eyes seemed to lose focus when he’d asked her about her work, and the sudden tension in her voice when he’d mentioned something about the people she was investigating.
"Jiyoo..." Her voice echoed in his mind as he remembered the way she had said his name that night. She had looked at him with an intensity he hadn’t expected, almost like she was trying to warn him without speaking it aloud.
“What was she trying to say?” Jiyoo thought, leaning back in his chair as the weight of it all settled in.
A sudden flash of memory hit him: Valerie, looking at him with wide eyes, full of dolefulness, as though she knew something bad was coming. She had said something about being careful. That warning had always haunted him.
Had she known that the hit-and-run was coming? Had she known something he didn’t?
Jiyoo clenched his fists, his thoughts a swirl of questions and regret. There was something he needed to uncover, something from their past that had remained hidden. Valerie had been caught up in something dangerous, and he hadn’t seen it coming. Now, all he could think about was that it was too late to protect her.
…
Jiyoo stood awkwardly beside his parents, his posture stiff and his gaze unfocused, as the bright flash of the camera momentarily blinded him. The world around him seemed to fade into the background—the chatter of relatives, the rustling of clothes, the hum of conversation—all distant noises that barely registered in his mind. Instead, his thoughts were consumed by something else entirely: the girl standing a few feet away from him.
His eyes lingered on her face—her features unmistakable, but there was a faint shift in her expression, a guardedness he hadn’t seen before. She was older now, of course, yet there was something about the way she carried herself that reminded him of their childhood days. That same slight tilt of her head when something confused her, the curve of her lips when she was trying not to smile. It was her, without a doubt—but it felt like he was looking at a ghost, someone who had slipped through the cracks of his own life.
Her face was a jarring reminder of a past he hadn’t thought about in years. He had recognized her immediately, even though it felt like she had been a stranger for so long. The girl from the middle-class family. He couldn’t place her name at first, but as his mind sorted through the scattered memories of his childhood. She had been there, in the same neighborhood, living just a few houses down. Back then, they had been just kids—no real connection, but familiar in the way people in small communities are. He’d seen her playing outside, heard her voice in passing, but never truly knew her. Their paths had crossed, and then… drifted apart.
Yet now, standing next to her in the same snapshot of time, Jiyoo was overwhelmed by the pull of recognition and an odd sense of disconnection. She was older, of course. More poised. Her features, though the same, had changed with the years—subtle differences, like the softness in her eyes, or the way she held herself now. She wasn’t the carefree girl from his memories, but someone else entirely. The distance between them felt physical, as though years of time had built an invisible wall.
"Is something wrong?" his mother’s voice cut through his reverie. She was trying to smile for the camera, but the concern in her voice made Jiyoo realize that he had been staring at the girl for far too long.
Jiyoo blinked, quickly tearing his gaze away. "Nothing, just… lost in thought," he muttered, his voice tight.
His mother nodded, her expression unreadable as she adjusted her posture for the photo, though Jiyoo could feel the unspoken question in her eyes. He was no longer a child, and yet, there was something about this reunion—this accidental meeting—that made him feel like one again. A part of him wanted to ask her, wanted to know why she had reappeared in his life like this, but another part of him recoiled. Was it really necessary to dig into the past? Perhaps it was better to leave things as they were.
The camera flash went off once again, and Jiyoo instinctively smiled, trying to look like he belonged to this picture-perfect family. But his thoughts remained with the girl—standing there beside her own parents, just as unsure as he was about what to make of this strange encounter. She caught his eye once more, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a trace of recognition in her expression too. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the polite smile she offered to the photographer.
"Jiyoo," his mother said again, this time with a more insistent tone. "Smile, dear."
He nodded quickly, but inside, a part of him felt unsettled. Was he still the same person he had been back then? Was she?
The photo was taken, and the moment slipped away, leaving behind nothing but the unease in his chest and the echo of a face he once thought he had forgotten.
…
Jaesang’s eyes flicked between the three of them—Jiyoo, Joon-woo, and Taeyun—his gaze sharp but laced with a touch of concern. He had always been observant, perhaps too much for his own good, and now, it seemed as if he had picked up on the subtle shift in the group’s mood.
“Hey,” Jaesang’s voice was low, almost cautious, as he came to stand beside them. His brow furrowed, and he looked at each of them, his expression softening when no one met his eyes right away. “You guys alright? You look… a little off,” he added, his tone laced with a mix of genuine curiosity and concern.
Jiyoo, still reeling from his encounter with Seoyoon, looked up briefly, but the words caught in his throat. There was a brief pause, and then Joon-woo, standing next to him, gave a small, nervous swallow. His usually calm demeanor was nowhere to be found—his face pale and his eyes darting away from Jaesang’s gaze.
“Yeah,” Joon-woo replied quickly, though his voice faltered slightly. He wiped a hand over his forehead, brushing away an invisible bead of sweat. “We’re fine… just... tired, I guess.”
Taeyun, standing beside Joon-woo, cleared his throat, though the sound came out tight, like he was fighting to keep his voice steady. He glanced over at Jiyoo, then back at Jaesang, his lips pressed into a thin line. His nod was stiff, but it was enough of a response. “Just... everything’s fine,” Taeyun added, though the way he said it made it clear that he wasn’t entirely convinced.
Jaesang studied them for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. He seemed to sense the unease, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he gave a small nod, though the concern was still evident in the way he held himself. “Alright. Just checking in,” he said, his voice softer now. “If anything’s bothering you, don’t keep it in. You know where to find me.”
The three of them remained silent, not quite meeting his eyes, as Jaesang took a step back, his gaze lingering on them for just a beat longer before he turned to walk away, back toward the rest of the group.
Jiyoo felt the weight of the moment shift again. He had almost forgotten how much he hated moments like this—where silence stretched between them, unspoken words hanging thick in the air. He swallowed hard, trying to push the unease away, but it stuck to him like the remnants of an old memory.
Once Jaesang was out of earshot, Joon-woo let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
“That was weird,” he muttered, his voice quieter now that the pressure had lifted.
Taeyun just shrugged, his expression unreadable. “He’s just trying to be nice. Let’s not make it awkward.”
Jiyoo nodded absently, his gaze now fixed on the ground, but his mind was still elsewhere, replaying fragments of the past, of faces and moments that were never as simple as they had seemed. “What was it with this feeling?” He couldn’t shake it off, no matter how much he tried.
…
Back at the Narrow base and inside one of the bedrooms, Eugene quietly walked toward Kain, who was sitting at the edge of his bed, his wrist still in a makeshift sling. He had been silent since the battle, his thoughts no doubt consumed by the same questions Valerie was struggling with.
"Kain," Eugene spoke softly, his voice breaking the stillness in the room. The leader glanced up, a subtle but tired acknowledgment in his eyes. He continued. “I spoke to Valerie’s parents."
Kain’s brow furrowed at the mention of Valerie’s parents. "What did they say?" His voice was low but tense, knowing the delicate nature of the conversation.
Eugene took a step closer, lowering his voice further. "They know she's alive, and they’re... they’re relieved to hear that she’s safe. But they’re also confused. They want answers. They don’t know why their daughter was targeted, or who’s behind this." Eugene paused for a moment, considering his words. "But I didn’t tell them everything. I didn’t mention that she was almost killed recently or the involvement of her close ties with Si-woo and his henchmen. I thought it was best that they didn’t know the full extent."
Kain nodded, processing Eugene’s words with a grim expression. “Good call,” he muttered. "We can’t let Valerie’s parents get mixed up in this more than they already have. They’re innocent, and the last thing we need is for them to be drawn into the storm brewing around us."
He looked down at his injured wrist, his jaw clenching slightly. "But this… this changes everything. Valerie needs to know the full truth, Eugene. The fact that someone tried to kill her, that this entire mess is connected to Si-woo and those guys—she’s not going to be able to focus on our mission until she understands just how deep the betrayal goes."
Eugene nodded, his eyes betraying his own sense of urgency. “We can’t afford to lose focus now. We need her fully with us, but I don’t think she’s ready to hear all of it. Not yet.” He paused, as if weighing his next words. "We should let her process things. We can’t keep running the risk of her acting out of emotion. It’s dangerous for her."
Kain exhaled, his mind torn between what needed to be done and the uncertainty of what Valerie was going through. "I know. We need to recover, regroup. But we also need to be ready when she’s finally ready to face the truth. When she realizes that everyone she’s trusted, everyone close to her, has been playing their own game behind her back…" Kain shook his head, biting back a bitter laugh. "It’s going to be hell for her."
Eugene gave a slight nod of agreement. "It’s going to be hell for all of us. But if we don’t stay focused, if we don’t stay united, we’re going to lose. This mission… it’s bigger than any of us and if something happens to her again, I will do what it takes to fight them and put her out of harm's way.”
“Is that a vow?” Kain raised his eyebrow skeptically.
“Yes… with all my life,” Eugene gazed in sincerity and admiration at the thought of Valerie, who is currently sitting alone on the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she gazed out at the vast ocean that stretched endlessly before her. Above, the sky was dotted with countless stars, twinkling like distant promises. The moon hung low and full, casting a soft silver light over the scene. Her mind, however, was far from peaceful. Thoughts of the hit-and-run incident, the attempt on her life, and the shadowy figures behind it all weighed heavily on her heart. Despite the beauty of the night, everything felt distant and hollow. She couldn't shake the feeling that there were strings being pulled behind the scenes, controlling her fate in ways she couldn't yet understand.
The realization that someone had tried to kill her—a year ago, no less—was still too fresh, too jarring. Kain had made it clear that their mission was far from over. They had to focus on their primary objective: finding and stopping the forces behind her near-fatal accident, even if it meant temporarily putting their personal concerns aside. Everyone was recovering from their injuries, especially Kain, who had taken the brunt of the fight.
But Valerie couldn’t stop thinking about her own survival. How had they managed to slip past the people who were supposed to be protecting her? Who could she trust now? The betrayal she felt from people she once thought she could count on made her feel lost. The ocean in front of her seemed so vast, and yet, she felt confined by the chaos around her. The world felt far too large, and the answers she desperately sought felt miles away.
“I never wanted to hate them, but they made me…”
She sighed deeply, folding her arms over her chest as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the cold metal railing. The stars above felt like distant, indifferent spectators to her plight. Her mind wandered back to the incident that nearly claimed her life and the events that had followed, her memories fogged and fragmented. She wished she could piece it all together, but with each passing day, the puzzle seemed to grow more complicated.
As the night stretched on, the moonlight bathed the world in its soft glow, but for Valerie, the world felt too dark, too heavy. The stars above her were as distant as the answers she sought—and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could wait to reach them.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIa4aVCGCt
