In the days following their conversation, Jihun's distance begins to grow. He stops messaging as often and doesn't immediately respond to her texts. Yuna notices the change but rationalizes it, focusing even more on her connection with Kairo. Her obsession pushes her to take greater risks, emboldened by the thought that she's somehow getting closer to him. She starts returning to the places he frequents, memorizing his routines.
One day, Yuna's curiosity takes her too far when she manages to slip past security at a private event Kairo is attending. Her excitement is palpable, convinced that this is her chance to get as close as she's ever been. But her luck runs thin, and she's forced to hide when security catches on to someone wandering too close.
Meanwhile, Jihun, conflicted and worried, tries to reach out to Yuna. He sends a message expressing his concerns for her behavior, hinting that he's worried she's doing things she shouldn't. But Yuna brushes it off, sinking deeper into her delusions about Kairo's life and believing Jihun simply doesn't understand.
Lumin had only been back in Seoul for a day when Hana's sense of unease began to grow. They'd just wrapped up a hectic schedule abroad, and Seoul's familiar streets were a welcome comfort. But something felt… off. It started as a whisper of intuition, a subtle nagging feeling that crawled up Hana's spine each time they stepped out.
After another long day of rehearsals, the group was finally free to head back to their dorms. Hana walked alongside Kairo, chatting casually, when her eyes caught a shadow lingering in the distance. She didn't think much of it at first, but as they took turns and crossed streets, the figure remained close. It was subtle, the kind of cautious following that only someone with sharp instincts might notice.
"Kairo," she said, lowering her voice, "I think someone's following us."
Kairo's eyebrows knitted together as he glanced over his shoulder, trying to spot what she saw. "A fan, you think?"
"Maybe. But it doesn't feel like the usual. They're keeping their distance, not trying to approach or make contact." Her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities, a quiet worry settling in her chest.
They kept walking, Hana pretending to talk about something mundane, while her focus stayed on the shadow trailing them. She led Kairo through a few different routes, testing to see if their follower would fall away. But each time, they reappeared, just far enough to avoid suspicion from an ordinary passerby, but close enough for her to sense them.
As they neared their building, Hana made a quick decision. "Let's take a detour," she whispered, gently nudging Kairo toward a side street. He hesitated but followed, trusting her instincts. They ducked into a narrow alleyway, and Hana watched as the figure paused, seemingly thrown off by the sudden turn.
A glimmer of relief washed over her, but it was short-lived as the shadow reappeared, inching closer. The figure didn't approach but lingered at a distance, watching. The eeriness of the situation hung heavy between them, a silent tension that neither Hana nor Kairo could shake.
"Do you think we should report this?" Kairo finally asked, glancing at her with concern.
"Maybe," Hana replied, her voice steady. "But let's not jump to conclusions. They haven't done anything yet."
They reached their building, and as they entered, Hana chanced a final look over her shoulder. The shadow stood at the end of the street, still watching. It didn't approach, didn't make any move to follow them in, but its presence felt like a warning, a silent message that whoever it was… they weren't going anywhere.
That night, Hana couldn't shake the feeling of eyes watching from the darkness, a mystery brewing around them. And for the first time, she wondered if they were dealing with more than just a harmless admirer.
Yuna's heart raced as she kept her distance from Kairo and Hana, carefully trailing them through the winding streets of Seoul. She had perfected the art of moving unnoticed, blending into the crowd without raising suspicion. Tonight, however, felt different. Every time she got close enough to catch a glimpse of Kairo's familiar silhouette, Hana's sharp gaze seemed to flicker in her direction. Yuna bristled, silently cursing her luck.
She'd planned this moment carefully, timing her steps to be just close enough to feel his presence but far enough to avoid detection. But somehow, Hana had sensed her. Yuna watched with growing frustration as Hana led Kairo through turns and alleyways, each one meant to shake her off. The suspicion on Hana's face was unmistakable, and it made Yuna's blood boil. Why was Hana always there, guarding Kairo as if he were hers to protect?
When they slipped into a side street, Yuna hesitated, a surge of irritation bubbling up. Hana had noticed her, ruining what should have been a perfect moment. She watched as they disappeared into their building, her hands clenching into fists as she stood at the edge of the street, feeling the sting of being so close yet so far. Her annoyance burned within, fueled by the silent realization that Hana had spotted her, cutting her off from the connection she so desperately sought.
Yuna turned away, her mind churning. If Hana thought she could protect Kairo, she was wrong. This was only the beginning, and Yuna wasn't going to let a simple glance break her resolve.