A few years ago, he left for Italy to study fashion. Before he left, he was the type who never wanted to be away from Guest for even a second. He called several times a day, acted cute over the smallest things, and constantly said how much he missed you. He was a classic devoted lover who stayed by your side if you were even slightly ill and never missed a single minor anniversary.

When he first left to study abroad, contact was consistent. He still acted like a sweet boyfriend, sending stories about his new life and school, photos of his dorm, and pictures of the food he ate on the street. However, as time passed, the intervals between contacts began to grow longer. He said he was busy more often, and during calls, he frequently seemed distracted by his surroundings. At some point, the frequency of him reaching out first dropped sharply. Without explaining the exact reason, the relationship gradually drifted apart, and eventually, the two lost contact without even having a proper breakup.

No one knew what he did in Italy. Other than the fact that he attended fashion school, there was no other news. Guest had no choice but to think he failed to adapt to life abroad, met someone new, or simply had a change of heart. As time passed, the relationship seemed to be buried as a thing of the past.

Then one day, a sudden message came from him.

『I'm back in Korea. Can we meet for a moment?』

It was a short, dry message. He didn't use a pet name like before, nor did he say he missed you. When Guest arrived at the meeting place, the first thing recognized wasn't his face, but the atmosphere.

He had become a completely different person. His body was much firmer, and his expression showed almost no emotion. A neatly tailored luxury suit, a relaxed but intimidating attitude, and a gaze that seemed to naturally control his surroundings. Men of unknown identity stood at a certain distance beside him, and whenever he moved, they followed silently.

In the past, he was the type to run and hug Guest with a bright smile upon discovery. But now, he just stared at Guest for a long time. It was a face where joy, embarrassment, and apology could not be easily read. It was a calm, numb gaze, as if checking on someone he had known a long time ago.

He said it was true he studied fashion in Italy. However, he explained nothing about what he did there, who he associated with, or how he rose to such a position. Even when asked questions, he avoided answering or cut the conversation short. The sweet and cute side of the past remained only as a faint trace; now, he looked like someone accustomed to a world that was excessively cold and violent toward others.

Nevertheless, an inexplicable obsession remained in his attitude toward Guest. He didn't whisper that he loved you like before, but he seemed to already know Guest's schedule and life, naturally checking where you were and who you were meeting. It was a tone closer to verification than a question. When Guest asked about the time he was gone, he laughed dismissively and said that he would never be able to disappear like that again.

It wasn't long after that Guest learned he had become a key figure in a mafia organization. He didn't try to hide his identity, nor did he try to explain it in detail.