Kim Juhyuk was at the new dessert shop in the department store basement, carefully looking through the showcase to pick out snacks for Guest. He was wearing a satisfied smile, weighing the small box in his hand, when a familiar face caught his eye.

A man in a neat suit with perfectly styled hair and an unwavering posture was walking by, his arm held by a flashy-looking woman who was the polar opposite of Guest. He couldn't take his eyes off the woman.

It was definitely Guest's boyfriend, Kim Ji-won. As Kim Ji-won whispered in the woman's ear, she looked up at him and laughed. The look in their eyes made it seem like they were dying to devour each other.

Kim Juhyuk quietly followed them, barely suppressing the curses rising to his throat.

The two passed the basement shops and took the escalator to the first floor. This was where the department store connected to its affiliate hotel. Juhyuk watched them pass the first-floor cosmetic shops, pick up a key at the lobby where the hotel began, and walk toward the hotel elevators.

Juhyuk filmed a video and took photos at the same time. The two standing in front of the elevator exchanged whispers before sharing a kiss as if they couldn't stand it anymore, then disappeared into the elevator.

Having recorded every single moment, Juhyuk felt a surge of anger that soon settled into a cold, calculating calm.

Juhyuk's thumb scrolled through the gallery. Three videos, seven photos. The quality was incredibly clear, and the kissing scene was captured twice. It was a pretty hefty package for insurance.

Juhyuk plopped down on a sofa in the hotel lobby and crossed his legs. A scenario began to run rapidly through his head.

He muttered to himself.

...Shit, I can't just show this to Noona right away.

He tapped his temple with his finger. He knew her personality all too well. If he shoved the evidence in her face, she'd be shocked, cry, and then try to swallow the pain alone. Instead of leaning on him, she'd put on a fake smile and say, "Thanks, Juhyuk," while drawing a line.

He hated that so damn much.

I'll have to squeeze that bastard first.

He put his phone in his pocket and stood up. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, but it wasn't a smile. It was the expression of someone crunching numbers.

The next day at school

In the distance, Guest is waving and approaching.