I flinched and opened my eyes. Sunlight poured in through the bright window where the curtains had been pulled back. My phone by the pillow was blasting what had to be the fifth alarm. Missed calls from the delivery company boss and a flood of texts from Yohan covered the screen.

I must’ve slept like the dead—my eyelids were so swollen they looked like sausages, and I could barely see the display. I slapped my cheeks and forced my eyes wide open. 11 a.m. I was late.

“Fuck—!”

I screamed and finished showering in five minutes flat. I figured I’d let the wind dry my hair, so I just rubbed it down with a towel and hopped around shoving my feet into my underwear. I bounced too hard and pitched forward, but thankfully the bed caught me before I busted my face.

“Park Yohan, help me out here!”

I called out on the verge of tears, and Yohan came running, eyebrows practically flying off his face. He said he’d come by quick delivery, pulling off his black helmet. I don’t know why he looked so damn cool in that moment—his hair fluttering as he took it off felt like it was happening in slow motion.

“You oversleep?”

“Yup.”

“That posture’s weak as hell. Delivery’s all about diligence. Get on.”

Yohan hoisted me onto the back and twisted the handle. He must’ve had this neighborhood mapped in his palm, weaving through alleys and taking nothing but shortcuts. We got there way faster than public transportation ever could. I swore to myself I’d repay this favor in a lump sum someday.

The boss had already come in early and was sitting at his desk. When I shuffled in bowing like some court eunuch, he glanced at me while clicking away at a game of go-stop on his computer.

“I figured you’d show up next spring at this rate.”

“I’m sorry.”

I dropped my head in a stiff at-attention stance. The boss clicked his mouse lazily.

“You’re late again, I’m docking your pay.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Get out and work.”

He seemed pretty lenient about it, but then he must’ve lost money in his game because he spat out, “Ah, fuck,” under his breath. I bolted out of the office before that bad luck splashed onto me. Yohan was waiting outside. He flicked his finished cigarette into a makeshift ash can and let the last stream of smoke drift out.

“What’d you do last night to oversleep? Worked?”

“No. It’s just...”

I grabbed the back of my sore neck and tilted my head. I couldn’t remember exactly when I’d fallen asleep. The last thing I remembered was talking to Lee Kangjoo on the phone, using the buzz from alcohol to sing him a lullaby.

Had he hung up first? I felt like I’d still been hearing faint sounds from the receiver even as I drifted off.

If I hadn’t been drunk, we could’ve talked longer. I was just thinking I shouldn’t have had that drink when something suddenly occurred to me and I looked at Yohan.

“Oh right. No Eunjae moved in next door to me. He worked at the same place before.”

“Next door? The one where that psycho used to live? Who’s No Eunjae?”

“Lucid ace.”

Yohan stared at me with a strange expression. Was he pitying me? Feeling sorry for my shitty fate? When I asked why he was looking at me like that, he put a hand on my shoulder and patted it.

“How come it’s always men that stick to you? The madams never do.”

“Do I have peach blossom luck or something?”

“Not peach blossom. Just plain bad luck.”

I’d been grinning, but my shoulders slumped. Looking back, I’d never had luck with parents, with childhood, with food. Yohan might be right. If I hadn’t met Lee Kangjoo and managed to stick my head above water, I’d have drowned in this stormy life.

“But even a rat hole gets sunlight one day. Look what I brought you.”

Yohan shoved his phone at me proudly. It was a photo of a middle-aged woman I’d never seen before. A wide lawn stretched out behind her—maybe a villa, maybe some private lodge. The rings, necklace, earrings, the luxury bag at her side, the watch on her wrist—add them up and you’d hit the hundreds of millions.

“Jeju madam. Five million a month.”

My eyes went wide. It was tempting as hell. They said a madam was rarer than wild ginseng. Yohan really was a top-tier ginseng hunter.

“If you fuck well, there’s bonus on top.”

“The terms are insane.”

I covered my mouth with both hands. It was a moving offer. But I lowered them soon enough and gave an awkward smile.

“Why aren’t you taking it?”

“Because your nose is three feet long compared to mine.”

“Park Yohan...!”

I threw myself at him, saying I had no one but him. I hugged him tight and rubbed my head against him, but he shoved me off with disgust. The way he dusted off his clothes said he meant it.

“Hey, it’s not like you’re guaranteed. You’ve got an interview first. Send her your photo, meet at a café, then pass the third round too. Can’t be too dumb. Can’t look too greedy.”

“Complicated.”

“So? Sending your photo or not?”

“Of course I—”

The words didn’t come out. I should’ve bent at the waist thanking him for bringing me a seed like this, sworn to serve him like my elder brother. But my throat itched, and resistance bubbled up first.

“You...”

Of course Yohan noticed my hesitation. “Ha...” He sighed deep and dug into his pocket. But seeing there was only one cigarette left, he cursed and shoved it back in.

“I’m telling you, it’s not that bastard.”

“It’s not that! It’s just... the terms. Until I pay back the advance in full, I can’t take other clients.”

“If you keep your mouth shut, how’s he gonna know whether you’re lining another pocket?”

“And if I pass and have to go to Jeju? What excuse do I give?”

“Say you’ve got a relative in Jeju and you’re the only one who can nurse them. You can spin perfect lies to me, but in front of that guy you suddenly can’t, Mr. Cha Haejun?”

The way he said my name—mocking—made me visibly flinch. Completely different voice, but hearing my full name like that made Lee Kangjoo’s version echo in my ears.

“It’s not... Anyway, fine. I’ll think about it.”

“Forget it. I don’t give deals to guys who play hard to get.”

Yohan snorted and climbed onto his bike. I clung to him, trying to smooth things over, but his tight lips didn’t budge. I rubbed my forehead against his arm and laid it on thick.

“You’re the only friend I’ve got. You gonna do me like this?”

At my gloomy tone, Yohan let out a sigh heavy enough to sink the ground. He peeled me off like a sticker and flicked my forehead hard. I yelped at the sting, and only then did his face relax.

“Go run deliveries. Make money.”

“Yes, sir.”

I snapped a salute with the side of my hand. He ruffled my hair and left first.

Left alone, I ran a hand through my messy hair. I’d gone on about terms and conditions in front of Yohan, but what really stuck in my chest was Lee Kangjoo.

Logically speaking, I should accept Yohan’s offer. Once I paid back the full advance, my relationship with Lee Kangjoo would end anyway. It would be smart to prepare an exit before that.

But.

“What the hell’s wrong with me.”

I rubbed my face with both hands, dragging the skin under my red eyes down until it showed, then smacking my cheeks to wake myself up.

Still, my heart stayed the same. I missed Lee Kangjoo like crazy.

* * *

Since I was late, I ran my bike until the wheels felt worn down. On days like this, contactless delivery was a blessing. Drop the food at the door, snap a photo, send it, then grab the next call like my tail was on fire.

I’d just delivered eight drinks and desserts to a nearby office and was {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} heading back. I was about to get on my bike when I paused and looked around. The building with its blue glass façade, the wide boulevard, the tall street trees—it all felt familiar.

“Oh.”

I’d been here before. This was where Lee Kangjoo was.

I grinned and grabbed the handlebars, lifting my head. The first time I came here, I’d been so anxious my legs shook. I could even see the café where I’d sat, bracing myself for death. Back then I’d been terrified, imagining a bag with a corpse coming out of that building.

Lee Kangjoo still beat people. That hadn’t changed. So why wasn’t I scared now?

Startled by how much my feelings about him had shifted in such a short time, I pulled out my phone. Since I’d come all this way, leaving without even seeing his face felt like a waste.

If I texted, he might not read it, so I chose to call. I wasn’t sure he’d pick up, but Lee Kangjoo answered surprisingly fast.

— Yes.

When was the last time I’d called him first? I flinched at the sudden sound of his voice and pressed the phone tightly to my ear.

“I, uh, I’m working nearby your office, CEO. If you’re in right now... could I come see you for a bit?”

His answer came a beat later. It was permission, all the same.

I was about to head straight over, but going empty-handed felt awkward, so I stopped by a nearby café and ordered a pile of drinks and desserts. The only thing I’d seen in that office before was a giant fish, but that had been evening. Maybe there’d be more staff during the day.

The first time I came, the building entrance had felt like the gate to the underworld. Now I didn’t want to waste a single second and hurried my steps. I even handed a warm cup of coffee to the reception desk staff before taking the elevator up. The reception room that unfolded right away almost felt welcoming now.