Early morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the small shelter. The world felt unusually quiet—no sirens, no hurried footsteps, no fear pressing at the edges of the room. Just stillness.
Jiyoo stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, moving carefully as he prepared breakfast. The faint sound of eggs sizzling and coffee brewing filled the air. He glanced over his shoulder now and then, as if to make sure Valerie was really there.
She sat at the small table, wrapped in one of his oversized hoodies, her hair still slightly messy from sleep. When their eyes met, she immediately looked away, cheeks warming as memories of the night before surfaced uninvited. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly very interested in the grain of the wooden table.
Jiyoo noticed and smiled softly. “Good morning.”
His voice was gentle, careful not to break the fragile calm between them.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9RaYG37fc
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzD7SyLaml
“Morning,” she replied quietly, still not quite looking at him.
He set a plate in front of her, along with a cup of coffee, the steam curling upward between them.
“I don't know how you take it, so I didn’t add sugar yet.”
She finally glanced up, surprised—and then smiled, small but genuine. “Thank you.”
Their fingers brushed briefly as he slid the cup closer. The contact was fleeting, but it sent a familiar warmth through both of them. Valerie looked away again, this time with a shy laugh under her breath.
Jiyoo sat across from her, watching her carefully—not with longing, but with something steadier. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, taking a sip of coffee, then nodded again—more confidently this time. “Yeah. I am.”
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was new, tender, filled with unspoken understanding. Whatever had changed between them the night before hadn’t vanished with the sunrise—it lingered softly, like the warmth of the morning light, promising something real ahead.
They ate in a comfortable silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. The soft clink of cutlery against the plates and the distant hum of the morning outside were the only sounds between them.
Jiyoo reached across the table slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to—but she didn’t. His fingers gently wrapped around hers, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in a slow, affectionate motion. It was simple, unassuming, yet full of meaning.
Valerie paused for a moment, then relaxed into the touch. She let out a quiet breath and allowed her fingers to lace with his. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she stared down at their joined hands, warmth spreading through her chest.
She didn’t look away this time.
Jiyoo squeezed her hand softly, as if grounding both of them in the present—here, safe, and real.
After a while, the silence softened into something lighter.
Valerie was the first to speak, her voice quiet but thoughtful. “Do you ever think about high school… and cringe?”
Jiyoo let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “All the time. If I could apologize to my younger self, I probably would.”
She smiled at that, finally looking at him fully. “I thought I had everything figured out back then. I really believed if I worked hard enough, people would understand me.”
Jiyoo nodded slowly. “You were always trying to prove something. Even then.”
She sighed, stirring her coffee.“I made so many mistakes. I trusted the wrong people. I stayed quiet when I should’ve spoken up.”
He leaned forward slightly. “And I stayed silent when I should’ve protected you.”
The words lingered between them, heavy but honest.
“You know… I used to think being strong meant never needing anyone,” she chuckled softly. “Turns out, that was just fear in disguise.”
Jiyoo smiled sadly. “I thought strength meant survival. Do whatever it takes, even if it costs you the people you love.” He looked down at their intertwined hands. “That’s my biggest mistake.”
Valerie squeezed his hand gently. “But we’re here now.”
He met her eyes. “Yeah. We are.”
For the first time, their past didn’t feel like a burden—it felt like a lesson. Something painful, yes, but necessary. And as they sat there together, sharing memories and regrets, it became clear that they weren’t defined by who they used to be—
Only by who they chose to be now.
The quiet of the shelter was broken by a soft knock at the door.
Valerie stiffened immediately, her hand tightening around Jiyoo’s. They exchanged a look—alert, cautious. Jiyoo rose from his seat and moved silently toward the door, his posture instinctively protective.
“Stay here,” he whispered.
He peered through the small window first, then relaxed slightly when he recognized the familiar face on the other side. He opened the door just enough.
“It’s me.”
Relief washed over Valerie’s face as she stood up and hurried closer. “Sally?”
Sally stepped inside, eyes scanning the room before landing on Valerie. The moment their eyes met, Sally’s expression softened—and then crumbled. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she said, her voice shaking. “I was so scared.”
Valerie didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room and pulled Sally into a tight hug.
“I’m okay. I promise.”
Sally clung to her for a moment longer than necessary, then pulled back, wiping at her eyes. She glanced between Valerie and Jiyoo, noticing the closeness, the way they stood almost instinctively beside each other.
“So,” she said quietly, and bit her bottom lip from smiling amusingly. “I see I didn’t interrupt anything.”
Valerie felt her cheeks warm. “It’s… complicated.”
Jiyoo gave a small, respectful nod. “Thank you for coming. For checking on her.”
Sally exhaled slowly, crossing her arms. “The church was chaotic. Ambulances, police—Eugene’s alive, by the way. He’s in surgery, but stable.”
Valerie’s shoulders dropped with a shaky breath. “Thank God.”
Sally stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You’re not safe yet. But you’re not alone anymore either.”
She looked at Jiyoo pointedly, then back at Valerie. “And I can see that.”
For the first time since she arrived, Sally smiled—small, but genuine.
“Whatever you choose next… I’ve got your back.”
Valerie reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I know.” She tilted her head slightly, a curious look crossing her face as the tension in the room eased just a little. “Who dropped you off here?”
Sally hesitated for half a second, then answered simply. “Min-jun.”
Jiyoo’s brows lifted subtly, and Valerie blinked in surprise.
“Min-jun? As in that Min-jun?”
Sally nodded, folding her arms as if bracing herself. “He insisted. Said it wasn’t safe for me to be alone with everything going on.”
Valerie let out a quiet breath, a faint smile forming despite herself. “I didn’t expect that.”
Sally shrugged lightly, though her expression softened. “Yes, because you’re still trying to remember who he is.”
“I know… I know he’s your boyfriend,” Valerie said with a smile.
Sally gaped her mouth and grinned happily. “Finally. You’re back.”
“Mhmm. I guess,” she chuckled.
The name lingered in the air—unexpected, but reassuring. For the first time since the chaos at the church, it felt like the circle around Valerie was closing in a different way now—not to trap her, but to protect her.
And in that quiet shelter, surrounded by fear, healing, and fragile hope, the three of them stood together—ready to face whatever came next.
Jiyoo glanced at his phone, the unread messages lighting up the screen. His jaw tightened slightly as he slipped it back into his pocket.
“We should stay put for now,” he said calmly. “At least until things cool down.”
Valerie looked at him, concerned, flickering across her face. “Are you going somewhere?”
He nodded. “I need to meet up with the K-East members. They’re regrouping after what happened at the church.”
Sally straightened immediately. “Is it safe?”
Jiyoo gave a small, reassuring smile. “As safe as it can be right now.”
He turned back to Valerie, his tone softening. “You and Sally are staying here for a bit. Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone unless it’s me or Bryan.”
Valerie reached out and caught his hand. “Be careful.”
He squeezed her fingers gently, then brushed his thumb over her knuckles—one last grounding touch. “I will. I’ll be back.”
Sally watched the exchange quietly, then nodded. “We’ll be here. Don’t worry.”
Jiyoo took a final look at Valerie, committing the sight of her safe to memory, before turning toward the door.
The moment it closed behind him, the shelter felt quieter—but steadier too. They weren’t running anymore.
They were waiting.
As soon as the door closed behind Jiyoo, Sally slowly turned around, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow.
She looked Valerie up and down—taking in the oversized hoodie, the slightly flushed cheeks, the way Valerie was still standing where Jiyoo had left her.
A slow, knowing smile spread across Sally’s face. “So...”
Valerie froze in puzzlement. “So… what?”
Sally tilted her head, clearly enjoying this. “You’re really going to stand there and pretend nothing happened?”
Valerie groaned softly and covered her face with her hands from embarrassment. “Sal—please don’t.”
Sally laughed, stepping closer in excitement. “Oh, I have to. You disappear overnight, show up hiding in a shelter with Jiyoo, wearing his hoodie, glowing like you just found inner peace—”
“I am not glowing.”
“Bestie. You are radiating.”
Valerie peeked through her fingers, cheeks burning red. “It’s complicated.”
Sally’s teasing softened into warmth as she sat beside her. “I know. But… are you okay?”
Valerie lowered her hands, meeting her eyes. “…Yeah. For the first time in a while, I actually am.”
Sally smiled gently, bumping her shoulder. “Well. I guess chaos really does bring people together.”
Valerie let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me,” Sally pointed out confidently.
They sat there, the tension broken—replaced by familiarity, teasing, and the unspoken relief that Valerie was still here, still standing, and finally… not alone.
Valerie stood up abruptly, turning her back to Sally as if she needed distance just to breathe. Her shoulders were tense, her hands clenched at her sides. For a moment, she said nothing—only the sound of her unsteady breathing filled the room.
Then her voice broke. “…Sal.”
Sally straightened immediately, sensing the shift. “What is it?”
Valerie swallowed hard, her back still turned. “I—I don’t know how to say this without sounding stupid.”
Her fingers trembled as she dug them into the fabric of the hoodie she was wearing. “I’m not… I’m not a virgin anymore.”
The words fell heavy into the silence.
She didn’t even wait for a response. Her composure shattered as tears streamed down her face, her shoulders shaking. “I didn’t plan it. Everything happened so fast and I just—”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKRo5j58Un
She shook her head, voice cracking. “I don’t know why it hurts this much. I feel guilty and scared and confused all at once.”
Sally stood up quietly and walked toward her with soft reassurance. “Val.”
Valerie covered her face, crying openly now. “I thought I was supposed to feel something else. I thought I’d be stronger.”
Sally gently turned her around, pulling her into a firm embrace. “You are strong,” she said softly. “And you don’t have to carry this alone.”
Valerie collapsed into her arms, sobbing. “I was afraid you’d judge me.”
Sally held her tighter. “Never. Not for this. Not for anything.”
They stayed like that—Valerie crying it all out, Sally anchoring her—until the weight of the confession finally began to lift, replaced by understanding, safety, and the quiet reassurance that she was still loved exactly as she was.
Sally pulled back just enough to look at Valerie’s face, her hands still resting on her shoulders. Her voice was gentle and careful when she began to ask. “Do you truly love Jiyoo?”
Valerie didn’t trust her voice. She simply nodded, tears spilling over again as her lips trembled. She pressed her hand to her chest, as if the feeling there was too big, too real to put into words.
The answer was clear.
Sally’s expression softened completely. Without another word, she pulled Valerie into a tight, protective hug, cradling her head against her shoulder. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “You’re allowed to love him.”
Valerie clung to her, crying freely now—not from guilt, not from fear, but from the release of finally admitting the truth out loud.
“You didn’t lose yourself,” Sally continued softly. “You followed your heart. And after everything you’ve been through… that takes courage.”
She brushed Valerie’s hair gently, rocking her slightly. “Whatever happens next, you’re not alone. I’m here. And if you love him—really love him—then that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Valerie nodded again against her shoulder, breathing unevenly but lighter than before.
In that quiet shelter, held by her best friend, the truth settled gently into place.
She loved him.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVHkmGGxVW
And for the first time, she let herself accept it.
At the same time, the warehouse was cold enough for the breath to fog. A single overhead bulb flickered as the Narrow Squad gathered around a makeshift table littered with blueprints, surveillance photos, and scribbled notes.
Kain tapped the table with a pen. “Two threats. One squad. We need to prioritize.”
Jason Wang crossed his arms, leaning back against a stack of crates. “Prioritize? Tyler Kwan has eyes everywhere. We go after him first—we risk exposing ourselves to Si-woo’s team.”
Beom, calm as ever, adjusted his glasses. “And if we go after Si-woo’s CEOs first, Tyler will tighten security. Either way, we get squeezed.”
Luke Wong tossed a small drone into the air, letting it hover toward the ceiling. “We need simultaneous strikes,” he said. “One group distracts Tyler, the other sabotages Si-woo’s network.”
Sunghoon Yook shook his head. “No. Splitting the squad now is suicide. We don’t even know which CEO is backing Si-woo financially.”
Max Lee slid a folder across the table, revealing internal memos. “We do now. Woonjae dug these up.”
Woonjae nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Si-woo’s strongest ally is Chairman Oh. He’s bankrolling their entire operation. Without him? Their whole structure collapses.”
Julong cracked his knuckles. “Then we cut off the head.”
Moonki frowned. “Except Tyler Kwan is unpredictable. He’ll retaliate violently if he senses betrayal. He’s using ex-militia. The battlefield won’t be clean.”
Yuki, silent until now, stepped forward. “We don’t need to clean. We need to be decisive.”
Everyone turned to Kain.
Kain exhaled slowly, eyes scanning each of them. The weight of leadership pressed onto his shoulders. “We strike Tyler first.”
A few faces stiffened in concern. “But not directly. We bleed his resources. We isolate him. No men. No money. No intel. We crumble his empire from the outside.”
Jason raised a brow. “And Si-woo?”
Kain pulled out another map—this one showing the CEOs’ headquarters. “While Tyler is scrambling, we confront Si-woo’s coalition. Not as criminals—” His eyes hardened. “—but as the rightful counterforce.”
Sunghoon smirked. “So we hit two kingdoms at once.”
Max shrugged. “Bold.”
Beom corrected him. “Reckless.”
Yuki cracked the faintest smile. “Necessary.”
Kain nodded. “Gear up. Tonight, we start phase one.”
The light flickered again as the squad dispersed, each member preparing for a war that could reshape the underground power balance—and possibly destroy them all before dawn.
The penthouse was silent except for the low hum of the city below. As for Tyler Kwan, he stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the traffic flow like a bloodstream feeding his empire. Behind him, three of his henchmen waited, rigid and nervous.
Tyler didn’t turn around when he spoke. “Say it again.”
His tone was calm. Too calm.
One henchman swallowed hard. “We… We lost the warehouse on the 5th. Someone raided it last night.”
Tyler finally turned, eyes dark and unblinking. He moved slowly toward the table, where surveillance shots of Kain and his squad were scattered.
He traced a finger across Kain’s photo. “The Narrow Squad.”
The henchmen exchanged uneasy glances. Tyler’s jaw tightened.
“They’re planning something,” he said. “And they’ve grown bold enough to strike my supply routes.”
Another henchman stepped forward. “Sir, we think they’re preparing for a larger attack. Our inside source says—”
Tyler cut him off with a raised hand. “Inside source?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Name.”
The henchman froze. “I… I thought you knew.”
Tyler turned slightly, just enough to show a cold smile. “If I knew, would I be asking?”
Before the henchman could answer, Tyler snapped his fingers.
Two guards dragged the man backward as he screamed.
“No—Tyler, wait! I didn’t betray you, I swear—!”
Tyler didn’t even look at him as he was pulled away. His attention remained on the photos.
“Find out who fed them information,” he said. “And bring me their heads before the week is over.”
Another henchman stepped forward cautiously. “What about Kain? Jason Wang? The rest?”
Tyler studied the table for a long moment, fingers tapping on the picture of Yuki. “We don’t attack them yet.”
The henchmen looked surprised. “Sir?”
Tyler’s eyes darkened with calculation. “We let them think they’re winning.”
He walked back to the window, hands clasped behind his back. “A desperate enemy makes mistakes. A confident one makes fatal mistakes.”
A beat of silence.
Tyler smirked. “Track every one of them. Their families, their allies, anyone they contact.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv4BttdTlP
His voice lowered. “When we strike, I want them to realize it was never a fight—just an execution.”
The henchmen rushed out to obey, leaving Tyler alone.
He picked up Kain’s photo, studying it one last time before tossing it into the fireplace.
The edges curled and flamed, the paper blackening.
Tyler whispered darkly with his eyes that were already pure evil. “Come at me, Kain. I’ll be waiting.”
Early morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the small shelter. The world felt unusually quiet—no sirens, no hurried footsteps, no fear pressing at the edges of the room. Just stillness.
Jiyoo stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, moving carefully as he prepared breakfast. The faint sound of eggs sizzling and coffee brewing filled the air. He glanced over his shoulder now and then, as if to make sure Valerie was really there.
She sat at the small table, wrapped in one of his oversized hoodies, her hair still slightly messy from sleep. When their eyes met, she immediately looked away, cheeks warming as memories of the night before surfaced uninvited. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, suddenly very interested in the grain of the wooden table.
Jiyoo noticed and smiled softly. “Good morning.”
His voice was gentle, careful not to break the fragile calm between them.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeWFXMkJcS
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF31YpwNL5
“Morning,” she replied quietly, still not quite looking at him.
He set a plate in front of her, along with a cup of coffee, the steam curling upward between them.
“I don't know how you take it, so I didn’t add sugar yet.”
She finally glanced up, surprised—and then smiled, small but genuine. “Thank you.”
Their fingers brushed briefly as he slid the cup closer. The contact was fleeting, but it sent a familiar warmth through both of them. Valerie looked away again, this time with a shy laugh under her breath.
Jiyoo sat across from her, watching her carefully—not with longing, but with something steadier. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, taking a sip of coffee, then nodded again—more confidently this time. “Yeah. I am.”
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was new, tender, filled with unspoken understanding. Whatever had changed between them the night before hadn’t vanished with the sunrise—it lingered softly, like the warmth of the morning light, promising something real ahead.
They ate in a comfortable silence, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. The soft clink of cutlery against the plates and the distant hum of the morning outside were the only sounds between them.
Jiyoo reached across the table slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to—but she didn’t. His fingers gently wrapped around hers, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in a slow, affectionate motion. It was simple, unassuming, yet full of meaning.
Valerie paused for a moment, then relaxed into the touch. She let out a quiet breath and allowed her fingers to lace with his. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she stared down at their joined hands, warmth spreading through her chest.
She didn’t look away this time.
Jiyoo squeezed her hand softly, as if grounding both of them in the present—here, safe, and real.
After a while, the silence softened into something lighter.
Valerie was the first to speak, her voice quiet but thoughtful. “Do you ever think about high school… and cringe?”
Jiyoo let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “All the time. If I could apologize to my younger self, I probably would.”
She smiled at that, finally looking at him fully. “I thought I had everything figured out back then. I really believed if I worked hard enough, people would understand me.”
Jiyoo nodded slowly. “You were always trying to prove something. Even then.”
She sighed, stirring her coffee.“I made so many mistakes. I trusted the wrong people. I stayed quiet when I should’ve spoken up.”
He leaned forward slightly. “And I stayed silent when I should’ve protected you.”
The words lingered between them, heavy but honest.
“You know… I used to think being strong meant never needing anyone,” she chuckled softly. “Turns out, that was just fear in disguise.”
Jiyoo smiled sadly. “I thought strength meant survival. Do whatever it takes, even if it costs you the people you love.” He looked down at their intertwined hands. “That’s my biggest mistake.”
Valerie squeezed his hand gently. “But we’re here now.”
He met her eyes. “Yeah. We are.”
For the first time, their past didn’t feel like a burden—it felt like a lesson. Something painful, yes, but necessary. And as they sat there together, sharing memories and regrets, it became clear that they weren’t defined by who they used to be—
Only by who they chose to be now.
The quiet of the shelter was broken by a soft knock at the door.
Valerie stiffened immediately, her hand tightening around Jiyoo’s. They exchanged a look—alert, cautious. Jiyoo rose from his seat and moved silently toward the door, his posture instinctively protective.
“Stay here,” he whispered.
He peered through the small window first, then relaxed slightly when he recognized the familiar face on the other side. He opened the door just enough.
“It’s me.”
Relief washed over Valerie’s face as she stood up and hurried closer. “Sally?”
Sally stepped inside, eyes scanning the room before landing on Valerie. The moment their eyes met, Sally’s expression softened—and then crumbled. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” she said, her voice shaking. “I was so scared.”
Valerie didn’t hesitate. She crossed the room and pulled Sally into a tight hug.
“I’m okay. I promise.”
Sally clung to her for a moment longer than necessary, then pulled back, wiping at her eyes. She glanced between Valerie and Jiyoo, noticing the closeness, the way they stood almost instinctively beside each other.
“So,” she said quietly, and bit her bottom lip from smiling amusingly. “I see I didn’t interrupt anything.”
Valerie felt her cheeks warm. “It’s… complicated.”
Jiyoo gave a small, respectful nod. “Thank you for coming. For checking on her.”
Sally exhaled slowly, crossing her arms. “The church was chaotic. Ambulances, police—Eugene’s alive, by the way. He’s in surgery, but stable.”
Valerie’s shoulders dropped with a shaky breath. “Thank God.”
Sally stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You’re not safe yet. But you’re not alone anymore either.”
She looked at Jiyoo pointedly, then back at Valerie. “And I can see that.”
For the first time since she arrived, Sally smiled—small, but genuine.
“Whatever you choose next… I’ve got your back.”
Valerie reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “I know.” She tilted her head slightly, a curious look crossing her face as the tension in the room eased just a little. “Who dropped you off here?”
Sally hesitated for half a second, then answered simply. “Min-jun.”
Jiyoo’s brows lifted subtly, and Valerie blinked in surprise.
“Min-jun? As in that Min-jun?”
Sally nodded, folding her arms as if bracing herself. “He insisted. Said it wasn’t safe for me to be alone with everything going on.”
Valerie let out a quiet breath, a faint smile forming despite herself. “I didn’t expect that.”
Sally shrugged lightly, though her expression softened. “Yes, because you’re still trying to remember who he is.”
“I know… I know he’s your boyfriend,” Valerie said with a smile.
Sally gaped her mouth and grinned happily. “Finally. You’re back.”
“Mhmm. I guess,” she chuckled.
The name lingered in the air—unexpected, but reassuring. For the first time since the chaos at the church, it felt like the circle around Valerie was closing in a different way now—not to trap her, but to protect her.
And in that quiet shelter, surrounded by fear, healing, and fragile hope, the three of them stood together—ready to face whatever came next.
Jiyoo glanced at his phone, the unread messages lighting up the screen. His jaw tightened slightly as he slipped it back into his pocket.
“We should stay put for now,” he said calmly. “At least until things cool down.”
Valerie looked at him, concerned, flickering across her face. “Are you going somewhere?”
He nodded. “I need to meet up with the K-East members. They’re regrouping after what happened at the church.”
Sally straightened immediately. “Is it safe?”
Jiyoo gave a small, reassuring smile. “As safe as it can be right now.”
He turned back to Valerie, his tone softening. “You and Sally are staying here for a bit. Lock the door. Don’t open it for anyone unless it’s me or Bryan.”
Valerie reached out and caught his hand. “Be careful.”
He squeezed her fingers gently, then brushed his thumb over her knuckles—one last grounding touch. “I will. I’ll be back.”
Sally watched the exchange quietly, then nodded. “We’ll be here. Don’t worry.”
Jiyoo took a final look at Valerie, committing the sight of her safe to memory, before turning toward the door.
The moment it closed behind him, the shelter felt quieter—but steadier too. They weren’t running anymore.
They were waiting.
As soon as the door closed behind Jiyoo, Sally slowly turned around, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow.
She looked Valerie up and down—taking in the oversized hoodie, the slightly flushed cheeks, the way Valerie was still standing where Jiyoo had left her.
A slow, knowing smile spread across Sally’s face. “So...”
Valerie froze in puzzlement. “So… what?”
Sally tilted her head, clearly enjoying this. “You’re really going to stand there and pretend nothing happened?”
Valerie groaned softly and covered her face with her hands from embarrassment. “Sal—please don’t.”
Sally laughed, stepping closer in excitement. “Oh, I have to. You disappear overnight, show up hiding in a shelter with Jiyoo, wearing his hoodie, glowing like you just found inner peace—”
“I am not glowing.”
“Bestie. You are radiating.”
Valerie peeked through her fingers, cheeks burning red. “It’s complicated.”
Sally’s teasing softened into warmth as she sat beside her. “I know. But… are you okay?”
Valerie lowered her hands, meeting her eyes. “…Yeah. For the first time in a while, I actually am.”
Sally smiled gently, bumping her shoulder. “Well. I guess chaos really does bring people together.”
Valerie let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me,” Sally pointed out confidently.
They sat there, the tension broken—replaced by familiarity, teasing, and the unspoken relief that Valerie was still here, still standing, and finally… not alone.
Valerie stood up abruptly, turning her back to Sally as if she needed distance just to breathe. Her shoulders were tense, her hands clenched at her sides. For a moment, she said nothing—only the sound of her unsteady breathing filled the room.
Then her voice broke. “…Sal.”
Sally straightened immediately, sensing the shift. “What is it?”
Valerie swallowed hard, her back still turned. “I—I don’t know how to say this without sounding stupid.”
Her fingers trembled as she dug them into the fabric of the hoodie she was wearing. “I’m not… I’m not a virgin anymore.”
The words fell heavy into the silence.
She didn’t even wait for a response. Her composure shattered as tears streamed down her face, her shoulders shaking. “I didn’t plan it. Everything happened so fast and I just—”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS1XIhh40N
She shook her head, voice cracking. “I don’t know why it hurts this much. I feel guilty and scared and confused all at once.”
Sally stood up quietly and walked toward her with soft reassurance. “Val.”
Valerie covered her face, crying openly now. “I thought I was supposed to feel something else. I thought I’d be stronger.”
Sally gently turned her around, pulling her into a firm embrace. “You are strong,” she said softly. “And you don’t have to carry this alone.”
Valerie collapsed into her arms, sobbing. “I was afraid you’d judge me.”
Sally held her tighter. “Never. Not for this. Not for anything.”
They stayed like that—Valerie crying it all out, Sally anchoring her—until the weight of the confession finally began to lift, replaced by understanding, safety, and the quiet reassurance that she was still loved exactly as she was.
Sally pulled back just enough to look at Valerie’s face, her hands still resting on her shoulders. Her voice was gentle and careful when she began to ask. “Do you truly love Jiyoo?”
Valerie didn’t trust her voice. She simply nodded, tears spilling over again as her lips trembled. She pressed her hand to her chest, as if the feeling there was too big, too real to put into words.
The answer was clear.
Sally’s expression softened completely. Without another word, she pulled Valerie into a tight, protective hug, cradling her head against her shoulder. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “You’re allowed to love him.”
Valerie clung to her, crying freely now—not from guilt, not from fear, but from the release of finally admitting the truth out loud.
“You didn’t lose yourself,” Sally continued softly. “You followed your heart. And after everything you’ve been through… that takes courage.”
She brushed Valerie’s hair gently, rocking her slightly. “Whatever happens next, you’re not alone. I’m here. And if you love him—really love him—then that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
Valerie nodded again against her shoulder, breathing unevenly but lighter than before.
In that quiet shelter, held by her best friend, the truth settled gently into place.
She loved him.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc73teq8IK
And for the first time, she let herself accept it.
At the same time, the warehouse was cold enough for the breath to fog. A single overhead bulb flickered as the Narrow Squad gathered around a makeshift table littered with blueprints, surveillance photos, and scribbled notes.
Kain tapped the table with a pen. “Two threats. One squad. We need to prioritize.”
Jason Wang crossed his arms, leaning back against a stack of crates. “Prioritize? Tyler Kwan has eyes everywhere. We go after him first—we risk exposing ourselves to Si-woo’s team.”
Beom, calm as ever, adjusted his glasses. “And if we go after Si-woo’s CEOs first, Tyler will tighten security. Either way, we get squeezed.”
Luke Wong tossed a small drone into the air, letting it hover toward the ceiling. “We need simultaneous strikes,” he said. “One group distracts Tyler, the other sabotages Si-woo’s network.”
Sunghoon Yook shook his head. “No. Splitting the squad now is suicide. We don’t even know which CEO is backing Si-woo financially.”
Max Lee slid a folder across the table, revealing internal memos. “We do now. Woonjae dug these up.”
Woonjae nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. “Si-woo’s strongest ally is Chairman Oh. He’s bankrolling their entire operation. Without him? Their whole structure collapses.”
Julong cracked his knuckles. “Then we cut off the head.”
Moonki frowned. “Except Tyler Kwan is unpredictable. He’ll retaliate violently if he senses betrayal. He’s using ex-militia. The battlefield won’t be clean.”
Yuki, silent until now, stepped forward. “We don’t need to clean. We need to be decisive.”
Everyone turned to Kain.
Kain exhaled slowly, eyes scanning each of them. The weight of leadership pressed onto his shoulders. “We strike Tyler first.”
A few faces stiffened in concern. “But not directly. We bleed his resources. We isolate him. No men. No money. No intel. We crumble his empire from the outside.”
Jason raised a brow. “And Si-woo?”
Kain pulled out another map—this one showing the CEOs’ headquarters. “While Tyler is scrambling, we confront Si-woo’s coalition. Not as criminals—” His eyes hardened. “—but as the rightful counterforce.”
Sunghoon smirked. “So we hit two kingdoms at once.”
Max shrugged. “Bold.”
Beom corrected him. “Reckless.”
Yuki cracked the faintest smile. “Necessary.”
Kain nodded. “Gear up. Tonight, we start phase one.”
The light flickered again as the squad dispersed, each member preparing for a war that could reshape the underground power balance—and possibly destroy them all before dawn.
The penthouse was silent except for the low hum of the city below. As for Tyler Kwan, he stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the traffic flow like a bloodstream feeding his empire. Behind him, three of his henchmen waited, rigid and nervous.
Tyler didn’t turn around when he spoke. “Say it again.”
His tone was calm. Too calm.
One henchman swallowed hard. “We… We lost the warehouse on the 5th. Someone raided it last night.”
Tyler finally turned, eyes dark and unblinking. He moved slowly toward the table, where surveillance shots of Kain and his squad were scattered.
He traced a finger across Kain’s photo. “The Narrow Squad.”
The henchmen exchanged uneasy glances. Tyler’s jaw tightened.
“They’re planning something,” he said. “And they’ve grown bold enough to strike my supply routes.”
Another henchman stepped forward. “Sir, we think they’re preparing for a larger attack. Our inside source says—”
Tyler cut him off with a raised hand. “Inside source?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Name.”
The henchman froze. “I… I thought you knew.”
Tyler turned slightly, just enough to show a cold smile. “If I knew, would I be asking?”
Before the henchman could answer, Tyler snapped his fingers.
Two guards dragged the man backward as he screamed.
“No—Tyler, wait! I didn’t betray you, I swear—!”
Tyler didn’t even look at him as he was pulled away. His attention remained on the photos.
“Find out who fed them information,” he said. “And bring me their heads before the week is over.”
Another henchman stepped forward cautiously. “What about Kain? Jason Wang? The rest?”
Tyler studied the table for a long moment, fingers tapping on the picture of Yuki. “We don’t attack them yet.”
The henchmen looked surprised. “Sir?”
Tyler’s eyes darkened with calculation. “We let them think they’re winning.”
He walked back to the window, hands clasped behind his back. “A desperate enemy makes mistakes. A confident one makes fatal mistakes.”
A beat of silence.
Tyler smirked. “Track every one of them. Their families, their allies, anyone they contact.”12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHvlXeNsCG
His voice lowered. “When we strike, I want them to realize it was never a fight—just an execution.”
The henchmen rushed out to obey, leaving Tyler alone.
He picked up Kain’s photo, studying it one last time before tossing it into the fireplace.
The edges curled and flamed, the paper blackening.
Tyler whispered darkly with his eyes that were already pure evil. “Come at me, Kain. I’ll be waiting."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJX3Qca1Uw
and then Add to home screen.