"This is the last thing left," said Suhyeon, adjusting the box full of clothes against his chest. "There's nothing left in my room now."

His mother looked at him with bright eyes, trying to keep her composure as she stepped closer to help him.

"Son, remember you have to take care of yourself. Eat well, don't stay up too late…" her voice faltered a bit. "Not everything is about work."

Suhyeon smiled, trying to ease the tension.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be fine, I'm a grown-up now. Besides, I'm not going that far."

"I hope so…" she said, lowering her gaze for a moment. "But remember you can visit us whenever you want. You know your sister will worry if you don't show up around here."

Suhyeon let out a small laugh.

"Dahyun? Worry about me? Now that would be a miracle."

As if summoned, the door opened and Dahyun appeared, walking in calmly and crossing her arms beside their mother.

"Miracle my foot," she said with a mocking half-smile. "I don't care if you leave. It's better for me, I'll have more space in the house."

Suhyeon rolled his eyes, amused.

"Sure, and I bet you already planned to turn my room into your game room."

"Game room?" Dahyun pretended to be offended. "It'll be my private study… where no one bothers me."

Their mother looked at them sternly, but she couldn't help a smile from escaping.

"That's enough, you two. Every time you're together, you end up fighting over nonsense."

"I'm not fighting," said Suhyeon with a shrug. "I'm just making it clear that I don't plan to give the room back when I come visit."

"Visit?" Dahyun replied with a dramatic gesture. "Don't think you're invading my new kingdom!"

Suhyeon burst out laughing as he set the box down on the back seat of his car.

"We'll see about that, little tyrant."

His mother sighed, shaking her head, but her eyes shone with pride and nostalgia.

"Really, take good care of yourself, okay? No matter how busy you are… call us once in a while."

"I promise." Suhyeon gave her a quick, sincere hug. "And don't worry, Mom. I know how to take care of myself."

Dahyun snorted.

"We'll see about that. I bet you'll be back in a week because you don't know how to wash your clothes."

"Hey!" Suhyeon turned to respond, but Dahyun's smile disarmed him. "Fine… if that happens, get ready to help me."

"No way," she replied, turning her face away with feigned indifference, though she couldn't hide a laugh.

Their mother watched them both, knowing that despite the jokes, the affection was there.

"Well… it's time. Go before it gets late."

Suhyeon nodded, but before getting into the car, he turned and hugged his mother tightly. She returned the gesture, hiding her worry in a smile. Then, without warning, he wrapped his other arm around Dahyun and pulled her in too.

"Hey, let me go!" the girl protested, though she couldn't help but laugh.

"What's wrong? Don't you miss your brother anymore?" said Suhyeon, rubbing her head so hard he completely messed up her hair.

"Stop messing up my hair, idiot!" she shouted, trying to break free.

Finally, Suhyeon let them go, smiling playfully before getting into the car and starting the engine. But before leaving, he rolled down the window. "Take care of yourselves too. See you soon."

"And don't forget to eat," his mother shouted.

"And learn to use a washing machine," added Dahyun, laughing as she still fixed her hair.

The car drove off as both of them stayed at the door, watching it disappear at the end of the street.

Minutes later.

The sound of keys turning in the lock broke the silence of the small apartment.

Suhyeon pushed open Chaerin's apartment door and walked in with a box of clothes in his arms and his suitcase dragging along the floor.

"Finally…" he muttered with a sigh. "This building doesn't have an elevator, does it?"

Chaerin, who had been waiting for him in the hallway, smiled without answering. Suhyeon walked into the living room, and with a dull thud, set the box down next to the suitcase. "Done… I'm officially moving in here," he joked, stretching his shoulders to relax them.

Before he could straighten up fully, he felt arms wrap around him from behind. Chaerin rested her forehead against his back and hugged him tightly.

"Don't move…" she said in a soft but firm tone. "Let me enjoy this moment for a second."

Suhyeon smiled without turning around. "Missed me that much? I just got here."

"That's not it," she whispered, hiding her face against his shoulder. "It's just… now I really feel like you're staying with me."

He let his head fall back and let out a small laugh. "Chaerin, if you squeeze any harder, you're gonna leave me breathless."

"Then don't breathe," she replied playfully, but didn't loosen the hug.

Suhyeon finally turned to face her, still surrounded by her arms. "You know this is only temporary, right?" he said, trying to sound serious, though his smile betrayed him.

"Temporary or not, it's still my victory," she replied, lifting her chin with a triumphant gesture.

"Well, at least let me take off this black formal suit… it's scorching hot in here," said Suhyeon, loosening his tie while placing his jacket on the fallen box.

Then he gently took Chaerin's face in both hands, looked her in the eyes with a warm expression, and kissed her on the forehead.

"I missed you already," he murmured.

Chaerin smiled faintly. "It hasn't even been two hours since we last talked."

"Too long for me," he replied with a wink, unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt without taking his eyes off her.

Suddenly, loud barking broke the moment. It came from the lower part of the building, sounding insistent and nervous.

Suhyeon frowned. "What's going on out there?"

Chaerin peeked her head slightly toward the window, though she couldn't see much. "It must be the neighbor's dog…" she replied with a slight tone of concern. "But it sounds really aggressive, it's probably fighting with another dog."

Suhyeon tilted his head, still attentive to the barking that didn't stop. "Hmm… I don't like how that sounds."

Chaerin touched his arm, trying to calm him down. "Don't worry, it always makes a fuss over anything… though this time it does sound worse."

Suhyeon frowned, turning his gaze toward the door. "I'm going to see if it's okay, I don't like how it sounds."

Chaerin held his arm with a slight gesture of concern. "Are you sure? Maybe it's just a dog fight, you don't have to go out."

He smiled at her calmly, trying to reassure her. "I won't be long, I'll just check what's happening downstairs."

Before she could answer, Suhyeon grabbed his jacket, left the rest of the suit on the couch, and left the apartment. He went down the stairs, heading toward the street as the barking grew louder and louder.

When he opened the first-floor door, a warm breeze greeted him along with the clear sound of growls and barks.

Outside, under the yellowish light of the post, two dogs were in a full fight: one light brown, with messy fur, and another white, smaller but just as furious. They circled around, snapping quickly and making violent tugs.

Suhyeon approached, looking around to see if anyone else was nearby. The place was empty, except for the echo of the barking bouncing off the walls.

"Tsk… now what?" he muttered to himself, debating whether he should intervene or let them settle it on their own. The brown dog tried to knock the white one down with its weight, while the latter responded with a direct bite to the ear.

Suhyeon stepped between the two dogs with a quick move, grabbing each one by the collar.

"Calm down, calm down, it's not that serious!" he grunted through his teeth, trying to separate them.

But instead of calming down, the dogs turned at the same time and—snap!—each latched onto one of his hands with their teeth.

"Ah! Damn it!" Suhyeon shouted as an involuntary tear slid down his cheek. "Seriously? Both at the same time?"

Before he could shake them off, a young man appeared running down the street, his face drenched in sweat and his breath ragged as if he had run a marathon without a prize.

"There you are!" he yelled, looking straight at the white dog with such a wide smile of relief it almost seemed like he was about to hug it… completely ignoring the fact that the dog was hanging from Suhyeon's hand like a toy.

Suhyeon, with his other hand equally bitten by the brown dog, raised both hands at once.

"Perfect! Do you want me to wrap it for you or hand it over just like this?" he said with a forced smile, while the dogs kept growling.

The boy didn't even seem to notice the sarcasm; he ran toward them as if he had just reunited with his long-lost pet after ten years.

"Eden!" the boy shouted again.

"Eden? Which one? The brown one or the white one?" Suhyeon managed to ask, still struggling.

When he was just a couple of meters away, Suhyeon finally got a good look at his face and froze. It couldn't be. That gaze, that hair, that unmistakable presence…

"It's Johan Seong…" he murmured, feeling the adrenaline make him forget the pain of the bites for a moment.

Johan arrived, crouched down without wasting time, and petted the white dog, which immediately stopped biting Suhyeon and began licking its owner's hand as if nothing bad had happened.

Suhyeon blinked, incredulous. "That easy? I'm here about to lose my fingers and this dog turns into an angel the moment you pet it…"

Johan, still not looking at him, smiled with relief. "Good boy, Eden. You got away from me again."

Suhyeon still had his hand marked by teeth and his heart pounding like crazy. Not every day did you meet your idol… while bleeding because of his dog.

Johan looked up, first fixing his gaze on Suhyeon and then on the reddish mark Eden had left on his arm.

"Sorry about that," he said in a calm but sincere voice.

Suhyeon, a bit nervous, replied, "It's nothing, really… I just separated him from another dog because they were fighting and well… this happened."

Johan held Suhyeon's gaze for a few seconds, still petting Eden, who had already calmed down.

"What's your name?" he asked in a calm tone, almost as if he only wanted to confirm something.

"Suhyeon Kim," he replied, this time without nervousness, relaxing his shoulders while looking at the dog with a slight smile.

Johan nodded simply.

"Johan Seong."

The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable; Eden wagged his tail enthusiastically, as if declaring the tension over for them.

Suhyeon glanced at him sideways while adjusting his sweatshirt sleeve to cover the bite mark.

In his head, something began to click. Standing in front of him was Johan Seong: strong, respected in the streets, someone who could tip the balance in any confrontation. It was the perfect opportunity to approach him… but it had to be done carefully, without raising suspicion.

The idea came as quickly as a flash.

Suhyeon barely turned his head, with a calculated half-smile.

"Johan Seong," he said, as if just confirming the obvious. "I know you… Haru told me about you."

Johan's eyes opened slightly wider, reflecting a mix of surprise and caution. His hand, which still rested on Eden's back, froze. It was rare to see that reaction in someone so used to being wary.

"Haru?" Johan murmured, as if he needed to confirm he'd heard correctly.

Suhyeon smiled inwardly, though his face stayed calm. He'd managed to catch Johan's attention.

"Let's go to a café to talk more calmly, I know a really good one, my treat," Suhyeon said with a relaxed smile, as if the previous tension had never existed.

While Johan finished securing Eden's leash, Suhyeon quickly pulled out his phone.

He dialed Chaerin's number, putting it to his ear as they walked toward his car.

"Where are you?" she asked as soon as she answered, in a tone mixing curiosity and slight annoyance.

"You just got here and already went out again."

Suhyeon smiled, though it was clear he did it to soften the conversation.

"I know, I know… but something came up. I'm with a friend I just met, I need to sort a couple of things out with him."

"A friend? You're ditching me for someone you just met?" Chaerin replied, her voice tinged with slight irritation. "You didn't even unpack."

"It's nothing bad," Suhyeon answered in a calm tone. "I promise I'll make it up to you later. It'll be quick."

"Uh-huh… we'll see about that," Chaerin muttered, and before she could continue, Suhyeon hung up with a slight laugh to avoid further argument.

He put away his phone and opened the passenger door for Johan. "Come on, I don't want to waste time."

Several minutes later

In front of the Bloom Project café, the air smelled of freshly ground beans and distant rain.

Suhyeon was calmly drinking from his cup of coffee, leaning against the wooden railing, enjoying the warmth that contrasted with the cold breeze. At his side, Johan remained serious.

"So you're telling me that… in short, Haru joined your team in West Gangbuk, and also told you about me… and about the problems my mother has?" Johan asked in a low tone, but one loaded with incredulity.

He took a slow sip of his coffee without taking his eyes off Suhyeon. His eyes, normally cold, seemed to measure every word, as if searching for some crack in his response.

Suhyeon, leaning against the railing, held his cup calmly, as if this interrogation didn't bother him in the slightest. A faint smile formed on his face, barely perceptible.

"Exactly. He told me that you've known each other since childhood, and that whenever he could, he went to your house so your mother could cut his hair. But… because of fate, that shine in his eyes faded," Suhyeon replied, taking another sip of coffee before placing the cup softly on the table.

"Do you see this café?" he suddenly asked, pointing toward the interior.

Johan turned his head and watched how the employees moved with agility, serving customers without pause.

"I own Bloom Project. I have several cafés scattered throughout all of Gangbuk," Suhyeon continued in a calm voice. "And since you're someone important to Haru, I want to help finance your mother's operation."

Johan's eyes widened like plates, incredulous.

"What did you just say?!" he exclaimed, gripping the cup so tightly it looked like it might crack.

"Careful, you're going to break it," Suhyeon warned, without losing his composure.

Suhyeon raised his hand without flinching, and one of his employees approached immediately.

"Do you need something, boss?" the employee asked.

"Take that cup away before it breaks," Suhyeon instructed, pointing at Johan's. "And bring him another one right away."

The employee quickly removed the cup and disappeared toward the bar.

Johan followed him with his eyes, frowning. "Why would you do that for someone you just met?" he asked, his tone loaded with suspicion.

"Because I don't think you need to know someone to decide whether a simple gesture is worth it… like helping the mother of a friend's friend. That doesn't need an explanation."

"Tch… you talk like it's that easy. Most people don't lift a finger for anyone unless they get something in return." Johan clicked his tongue, staring at the floor as if searching for an excuse.

"And what does that say about them?" Suhyeon replied with a calm half-smile.

"…That you're weird." Johan let out a dry laugh and scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable. "But… I guess I appreciate it."

"Tell me, besides that, is she suffering from anything else?"

"Yeah... some time ago she started using drugs and little by little lost her mind," he answered in a low voice, lowering his head as if trying to hide his shame.

At that moment, the employee returned and placed a cup of coffee next to Johan. Suhyeon shot him a firm look, almost like a silent gesture of "leave now," and the man understood instantly, stepping away without a word.

"Since then..." Johan took the cup with both hands, staring at his own reflection in the steaming coffee. "I decided to abandon her to earn money for her treatment. She keeps looking for me, but my mother doesn't know I still visit her… or that I support her financially."

"Hand out flyers at her store to those who visit her," he added.

Suhyeon leaned slightly back in his chair, narrowing his eyes as he processed every word. He tapped the table softly with his index finger, an unconscious gesture that revealed his discomfort at the confession.

"So... you've been carrying all this alone?" His voice came out deep, without a hint of mockery. "You abandoned your mother to save her, but at the same time… you're still tied to her."

He leaned forward, lowering his tone a little.

"Aren't you tired, Johan? Tired of lying to your mother, of living this double life? Sounds like something that's going to break you before it saves her."

A slight pause. Suhyeon glanced toward the café window for an instant, as if he were speaking more to himself than to Johan.

"But I guess that… if it were my family…"

He fixed his gaze back on Johan, this time with an uncomfortable gleam in his eyes.

"What do you plan to do when you can't hide it anymore? Because that day is coming. No wonder you look so worn out. But Johan, did you ever think about asking someone you trust for help? You can't keep carrying all of this by yourself."

Johan let out a dry laugh, humorless, and shook his head while leaning back in his chair.

"Who? Those people who only see me as a thug? My mother, so she can suffer twice as much? No, Suhyeon… there's no one else. It's always been this way. If I don't do it, no one will."

His fingers tapped lightly on the cup, as if marking an invisible rhythm, before adding in a barely audible voice:

"Besides… I don't want anyone else to carry my problems. I'd rather they hate me than get involved."

Suhyeon let out a long sigh, almost resigned, as he ran a hand through his hair. His look at Johan wasn't harsh this time, but rather like someone who understands, though not fully approving.

He stood up slowly, straightening his jacket.

"What's going on?" Johan asked, frowning, unsure if he should be worried.

"We're leaving," Suhyeon replied with a friendly tone.

"Where to?" Johan's confusion was obvious, as if he were trying to guess what Suhyeon was plotting.

Suhyeon turned to him, wearing that imperturbable expression he used when he already had a plan in mind.

"To make some calls," he said bluntly. "We're going to get treatment for your mother."

—

[System]: A main mission has been created.

Objective: Help Johan Seong pay for his mother's treatment.

Reward: 1 master card.

—

"Right now?" Johan asked, a bit puzzled.

"Of course. I have a mission to accomplish," Suhyeon said, smiling with amusement as he looked at the hologram.