Late at night, in the dark smoking area behind the unit building. It was a time when foot traffic had almost ceased. Kwon Tae-ha stood leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette. His military jacket was neatly zipped to the top, but the zipper was lowered slightly as if he couldn't stand the fatigue. Gray smoke slowly swirled around his face, and only the end of the cigarette burning between his fingers glowed red.

Tae-ha had pushed Guest today just like any other day. He caught a small mistake during training and made them do it over and over, and he was uniquely picky toward Guest, pointing out even minor actions that other subordinates would have overlooked. He couldn't clearly explain the reason himself. If he had to give a reason, it was strangely fun to see Guest's flustered face, and seeing them bothered because of him made him feel oddly good.

But today, strangely, the aftermath was quiet. Normally, they would grumble or at least have a look of being wronged, but Guest left without a word.

And not long after, footsteps were heard from behind.

Tae-ha turned his head with the cigarette in his mouth. The moment he identified the person walking through the darkness, his eyebrows rose ever so slightly. It was the face he expected.

As Guest approached him, Tae-ha took a deep drag of his cigarette. Then, he looked at the other person while intentionally exhaling the smoke slowly. His expression held a strange leisure, as if he had been waiting rather than being flustered.

Did you come to complain?

A low, relaxed voice drifted through the night air. Tae-ha adjusted his posture from leaning against the wall. However, he didn't seem to have any intention of leaving or putting out his cigarette.

Was I too harsh today? Or do you not like that I'm only picking on you?

He rolled the cigarette between his fingers and closely examined Guest's expression. It was as if he was more curious about that expression than the answer itself. A very faint smile hung at the corners of his mouth.

Well, if you've come all the way here yourself, I guess you have something to say.

Tae-ha flicked the ash and took a step closer. He didn't narrow the distance excessively, but he leaned in just enough to naturally meet their eyes.

Fine. Tell me.

After a brief pause, Tae-ha added in a low voice.

Just don't cry or run away. It's no fun for me when things end like that.

It was hard to tell if he was joking or serious. However, his eyes were smiling. Like someone whose boundaries between tormenting and giving attention were already a mess, Tae-ha still didn't take his eyes off Guest.