* * *

"Why are you frightened?"

Hyeonyul gave Yujong a puzzled look. He had only asked a question.

"N-no. I'm not... frightened."

Despite his words, Yujong was trembling.

Hyeonyul looked at his own hand, which was holding a dagger. He promptly put it away and said, "If you have nothing to feel guilty about, don't be nervous."

"I really don't. Really, truly, there's nothing!"

Jeongmin shook his head.

"I only asked because I knew you would be curious."

Information was what mattered most to an information broker. There was no way he could simply let this pass. Yujong merely nodded.

"Shouldn't you sell one big scoop before you pull out of this business? If I find out who the big player in the drug trade is, I'll give you that information."

"... Really?"

"Yes. Really."

Yujong looked ecstatic at that answer. That Mad Dog suddenly looked downright lovely. He even felt like walking over and hugging him.

"Oh, for your information, the ones who asked about the Black Eagles are former Black Eagles."

If you received something, you had to give something in return. Hyeonyul passed the information to Yujong.

Jeongmin slowly opened his mouth, looking dumbfounded.

"... What? Former what?"

"Former Black Eagles."

The moment the words Black Eagles came up, Yujong scowled.

"Those crazy bastards!"

PTUI! PTUI!

Yujong grimaced as though he had seen something filthy.

"How is anyone supposed to live in this goddamn filthy business? Haven't the Black Eagles got anything better to do than buy information? To think I took money from those bastards!"

Yujong was so disgusted that he wanted to set the money on fire right then and there.

That was the proper reaction. That was a villain's basic attitude toward the Black Eagles. Ask what the most revolting thing in the world was, and every last one of them would name the Black Eagles.

"You can tell the others about this. It should help us find who's behind them faster."

"I honestly can't stomach this! This is the most disgusting, insulting thing that's happened since I entered this business!"

Yujong even shook his tightly clenched fist. His anger was plain in his face and voice.

"I'll find them! I swear...!"

He volunteered the promise himself.

"Good. I'll visit again soon."

Hyeonyul waved as he left the room.

"Take care on your way out."

Yujong stopped midway through his bow and immediately stepped outside the room. He wondered whether a window had been opened, but nothing was open.

'... It's like seeing a ghost every single time.'

He narrowed his eyes.

'Still, Mad Dog wasn't so bad today.'

Yujong picked up his phone.

"Yeah, it's me."

<Yes, President! Good morning!>

"You know the guy who bought Black Eagles information from us?"

<Yes, sir!>

"They're former Black Eagles."

<... That's impossible. Is that really true?>

"It is. I don't know what bullshit they're pulling, but can we sit back and let the Black Eagles infiltrate our side?"

<Absolutely not!>

"Then spread the word and find them."

<Understood. I'll find out who they are, whatever it takes.>

'I've built my business on all sorts of information, but this crosses the line.'

Yujong smiled sharply.

Some people described villains as bulldozers that never stopped. They weren't wrong. Since villains didn't care what means or methods they used, it might look as though they had no standards at all. But that wasn't true.

The Black Eagles were the absolute line they would sooner die than compromise on. That organization sought to uproot them entirely. And some stupid fuck had actually brought those Black Eagles into their world. Whether they had been expelled or whatever else, the very fact that they had been Black Eagles was unacceptable.

"Send all our people out to the civilian side right now, and find out which bastard put them up to this, too."

<Understood.>

Even after issuing his orders, Yujong's anger hadn't subsided.

'... Whoever the fuck he is, he's dead.'

He had effectively picked a fight with every villain.

* * *

Hyeonyul looked to his left. There was Nayun. To his right was Jihwan.

'... How did this happen?'

His brow furrowed.

"Hyeonyul, you shouldn't do that. You'll get wrinkles later. Oh, are you using basic skincare products?"

"... Should I be?"

"Of course."

Nayun raised her eyebrows.

"That's a must. Right, Jihwan?"

"Right. I used to be against using them myself, but Sis talked me into it."

Nayun chuckled at his words.

"If you don't know what to choose, I'll pick something for you. There's a brand called Linda, and their products are really good."

Linda. Before Hyeonyul could even think about that, the sudden familiarity of her words made him feel pressured. Feeling as though he were trapped in a very confined space, he picked up his cup for no particular reason.

After going home and sleeping, he had been looking for locations based on the information Yujong had given him. When he heard that the business premises had been "taken" by the villain who supplied him with the drugs, Hyeonyul had immediately thought of Seungyu, his figurehead president.

He had considered going there first, but Seungyu could deceive him. He had known Yujong, the Night Rat, longer than Seungyu, and Yujong's feelings all showed on his face. Seungyu was different. Seungyu looked at him strangely. Almost worshipfully, perhaps. There were expressions he couldn't read, so it was difficult to be sure that interpretation was accurate. To be safe, he thought it best to find the locations first, then compare what he found with the information Seungyu would give him.

He had visited several of the trading partners Yujong had listed. At the fifth location, Jihwan's voice stopped him in his tracks.

["Bro!"]

He couldn't ignore that voice. When asked where he was going, the excuse that popped out was "a café." Even thinking back on it now, he was appalled. His inability to think on his feet in situations like that was infuriating.

["Is your head okay? Were you badly hurt? Why are you walking around in this cold? There's a café I know—no, one Sis Nayun told me about. Seriously, once you go, you'll keep going back! Let's go there."]

Jihwan, who had initially been worried, began swallowing in anticipation and chattering about this and that, leaving Hyeonyul utterly bewildered.

Before he knew it, he had been dragged along, and Nayun was there. He should have expected that the moment Jihwan said she had recommended the place. Since she was surrounded by so many people, he suggested to Jihwan that they leave, but it didn't work. Nayun spotted them and smiled like a predator eyeing its prey. After saying goodbye to the people she was with, she smoothly stepped outside, and they ended up here, at another café.

Before the conversation abruptly turned to skincare, he had heard the question of whether his head was all right so many times that he was exhausted.

"... Basic skincare is important, but honestly, Hyeonyul, your skin is so good even without it."

"That's true. I've thought that ever since I first saw you, Bro. The scars are a shame, but even those can be covered up."

"You were thinking the same thing as me?"

When Nayun looked at Jihwan, he smiled. They lifted their cups and lightly tapped them together.

CLINK.

Hyeonyul wondered whether he should raise his cup, too.

"Of course, if you start using products now, it'll get even better, right? You'll have even more of a glow, won't you?"

Hyeonyul blinked at Nayun's words.

"Hyeonyul? Are you listening?"

"... Yes. I'm listening."

"Was I... talking too much?"

"I don't think you've said much at all."

Jihwan quietly offered his opinion. Nayun had barely spoken, almost not at all.

"Right? I was worried I might be going on too much without realizing it."

Nayun was sweating nervously. Some people enjoyed conversation, and others didn't. She suspected Hyeonyul was closer to the latter. It was only natural to be careful when the other person disliked it.

"That's not it. I need to ask the Doctor. I was told to avoid any ingredients at all. So I wasn't sure how to tell you."

"Then you can just say that."

Nayun seemed entirely unbothered by his refusal.

"Is that so?"

"That's right. I don't like being put in a position where I can't say anything, either."

"...!"

Hyeonyul set his cup down. When his eyes went round, Nayun let out a brief laugh. Was that really so surprising?

"Hyeonyul, don't be startled. Just listen for a moment."

"... Yes."

As Hyeonyul watched her cautiously, Nayun offered him a plate of cake and said, "I thought that if I didn't talk to you, we'd keep on and on never getting a chance to talk. It's obvious when you'd speak to me first, isn't it? On a mission. Right?"

Hyeonyul seemed to consider it briefly, then nodded.

"I know it's hard to accept, no matter how often we say that being colleagues means something different here than elsewhere. I understand that it'll take a lot of time, too."

Nayun leaned against the table, arms folded, and looked at him. Her deep green eyes gently closed.

"Still, I don't want us to stay that way. So it's only right for me to be careful. I'm the one who wants to get closer to you, aren't I? I don't want to do anything you'd dislike. Not talking is frustrating, but I'm only holding back as much as I can manage, so you don't have to be surprised or feel pressured."

When Nayun finished, Jihwan studied Hyeonyul's expression. There was a tiny crease between his eyebrows. That meant he hadn't understood.

"It helps with missions."

Jihwan explained in terms Hyeonyul could understand.

"How does it help?"

"For example, we might have a mission where we entrust our lives to each other. Could we do that if we didn't trust each other?"

Hyeonyul considered it for a moment. He had never imagined taking on such a mission in the first place. Still, the question itself wasn't a bad one.

Trust was an uncertain factor. And he would have to rely on it again.

'... Horrifying.'

"Eat while we talk. This isn't an interrogation or anything."

Worried the atmosphere might grow stiff, Nayun loosened it up again.

"Right. That's important. We're just sharing opinions."

"Opinions—oh! How about thinking of this as practicing communication?"

Nayun tapped the table very lightly, as if a good idea had struck her.

"Practicing communication...?"

Hyeonyul's eyes changed, as though his interest had been piqued.

"Yes. Smoother communication would be good for you, too, wouldn't it?"

"It would. I always feel that I'm lacking in that area. ... It's quite difficult."

"So think of it as practice and try speaking a little more comfortably."

"I don't know what I should say."

Conversation wasn't about demanding something. Threats were easy, but conversation was difficult because it wasn't a simple demand. He had to observe the other person, listen closely, and even respond.

"That's because you have a lot on your mind. It gives you more things to be careful about, too. Still, I think practicing like this wouldn't be a bad idea. What do you think?"

"I think you're right."

Hyeonyul nodded.

"Good. I'll help you, Hyeonyul. You'll help too, won't you, Jihwan?"

Jihwan started nodding, then glanced at Nayun. Her smile was different.

'... Wow. Even I almost fell for that.'

He abruptly came to his senses. Nayun had been the one to quietly add Hyeonyul to the group chat last time.

As Jihwan's expression shifted slightly, Nayun's smile widened. Hurry up and say yes. Under her pointed gaze, Jihwan hastily spoke.

"... Of course I'll help. Why wouldn't I?"

When Nayun offered him a plate of cake, Jihwan took his fork without another word.

"How about it, Hyeonyul? Doesn't that make you feel much more comfortable?"

At Nayun's smiling question, Hyeonyul nodded.

"It does."

Thinking of it as training certainly made it feel less burdensome. She had actually offered to train him. Only then did Hyeonyul pick up his fork and eat the cake.

"...!"

Hyeonyul lowered his head. Something was different.

"Good, isn't it?"

"... Something is different."

"I know plenty of genuinely good places, not just ones that get hyped on social media. Let's come often, Hyeonyul."

"May I bring the Doctor along, too?"

Nayun looked at him approvingly at the question. It was only natural to want to share delicious food with someone precious to you.

"Of course. That would be great. I like the Doctor, too. So kind, and it feels like being around a real grown-up, you know?"

"The Doctor is indeed an adult."

"And a good one, right?"

"Yes."

Nayun rested her chin on her hand and looked at Hyeonyul. She felt she understood a little better how to approach him. Perhaps she needed to think of his conversational age as younger than she had assumed.

"Have plenty yourself, Jihwan. Isn't it good?"

"Is this a place you just discovered?"

Jihwan's eyes sparkled. Nayun chuckled at the sight. Who didn't like delicious food?

"It is. Let's keep it between us. You didn't invite that idiot Baek Sinu, did you, Jihwan?"

"Of course not. Bro Sinu bragged so much about doing things with Bro Hyeonyul. I get to brag, too, right?"

"Jihwan, my wonderful Jihwan. Brag as much as you want. If it's to Baek Sinu, you absolutely have to. I already did."

Nayun showed them her phone. She had posted a picture in the group chat of three forks, cake, and drinks neatly arranged. Beneath it was a cat emoji making a V sign.

"Quick as ever, aren't you?"

"Very quick. For the record, he started doing this first. Not me, Hyeonyul."

Nayun hurried to explain in case Hyeonyul misunderstood. Wondering why she was telling him this, he merely nodded. He still didn't understand the atmosphere in Team Three.

They talked about various things, and Hyeonyul, who had been concentrating, slowly relaxed and grew drowsy. He remembered the matter he had been trying to pursue earlier. Since he couldn't leave now, he simply ate cake. He had meant not to eat, yet his hand kept reaching out. He shouldn't have anything like an appetite.

"... Oh, right. About the drugs."

The words from Nayun's mouth instantly brought Hyeonyul to attention.

'Drugs?'

"From what I've heard through several teams, they're compiling the locations we found, the ones obtained when Team Two requested support, and the one you found yesterday, Hyeonyul. Right now, they seem to think each belongs to a different faction. They're not exact locations, but they've got roughly corresponding spots marked out, and I've seen them, too."

"You've seen them?"

At Hyeonyul's immediate question, Nayun nodded, looking slightly taken aback. Even the look in his eyes had changed.

"The locations sort of form a triangle, so the center looks really suspicious, doesn't it?"

'... A triangle?'

At those words, Hyeonyul mentally pictured the places he had seen. But he soon frowned. He hadn't seen how they looked on the overall map. However he considered it, Nayun's suggestion struck him as a new approach.

"It kept bothering me, so I deliberately went near there and took a little peek. Just a little peek."

Nayun deliberately drew out the last words.

GULP.

Jihwan swallowed his drink as he looked at her. He felt inexplicably nervous about what she would say next.