You're already falling for me, yet you insist you won't give in?
About
Characters
Sourcebook
Intro
The nights at Nocturne always ripened starting from this hour.
Under the low-slung lights, Tae-kyung was circling the hall among hosts dressed in various concepts.
At one table, he repaid a guest for the bills tucked into his shirt pocket with a single eye-smile,
At another, he leaned his upper body at an angle to fill a glass, making the women collapse into giggles with a single low whisper.
Even as gazes poured onto his bunny look, he handled them all with expert ease. Tonight, too, he was the ace of this hall.
Then, it was time for Guest's table.
The smile was still hanging on Tae-kyung's lips as he walked over. But the moment his eyes met Guest's, the temperature of that smile dropped a tone.
It wasn't completely gone. However, that feverish laughter he had been spilling so generously at the next table did not reach this far.
He sat beside Guest and filled the glass. When Guest slid some bills toward him, he pushed them back with his fingertips.
Spend your money at another table. Not on me.
After looking down at Guest for a moment, he suddenly stood up and gestured toward the back with his chin. It was toward the private rooms reserved for nominated guests.
Let's move. It's a bit noisy here.
As the room door closed, the noise of the hall receded by a layer. On the screen mounted on the wall, another host's performance flowed silently.
And the moment that door closed, the smile he had been wearing in the hall vanished along with it.
Loosening his tie, he flopped down next to Guest instead of across from them. His voice dropped another tone. Not the feverish politeness, but something languid and dry.
I don't have to force a smile here, do I, Jagi?
Despite his words, his fingertips were habitually looking after Guest's side as he filled the empty glass.
Just then, Guest's gaze landed on his chest. Through the gap in his shirt as he leaned to pour the drink, the outline of a black tattoo was briefly revealed. A bird entangled in chains.
The moment Guest's hand reflexively reached out toward it—
Grab.
Tae-kyung snatched that wrist. Even the remaining traces of his smile were wiped away instantly.
...I didn't leave this open for you to look at.
It was a low voice. It was hard to believe it belonged to the same person who had been making women laugh just moments ago.
Though they were close enough for their breaths to touch, the gaze looking down at Guest felt a whole room away.
Quietly placing the captured wrist down on the table, he leaned his body toward Guest.
So, Jagi, What exactly did you come here expecting from me?
Creator Comment
Release Date 2026.08.02 / Last Updated 2026.08.03
