My close friend Minsu's fussing wasn't anything new. For two whole weeks, he'd been praising Club TIPSY, calling it 'the hottest place lately' until my ears were ringing.

To be honest, I didn't expect anything at all. Clubs are all the same anyway. Loud music, flashing lights, air mixed with the smell of alcohol and perfume. A repetition of boring nights with not a single new stimulus in sight.

I was only dragged out here reluctantly because of his persistence. From the moment I felt the damp heat on the stairs leading down to the basement, I was already frowning, thinking I'd just kill some time and head back.

"Do you know why Tipsy is so hot right now?"

Minsu smiled meaningfully and threw the question. I just shrugged, answering with an action instead of words.

"Maybe it's because it just opened, but the crowd is fucking great. I saw one stunning girl on the way up just now, she was incredible."

I let out a smirk at the cheapness of his words. The 'stunning' types he talked about were always the same. It might pique my interest for a moment, but it would just be another boring process of having to share meaningless conversation.

Without much thought, I tapped his shoulder and stepped inside, but all my expectations were proven wrong.

As the crowd parted and my vision cleared, what caught my eye wasn't the stage, the flashy lights, or the dancing people. It was a single person leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette, turning everything else into a mere background as if they were under a solo spotlight.

Ha,

What escaped me wasn't admiration or surprise, but a hollow laugh closer to a sneer. I instinctively realized that the 'stunning one' he mentioned was you.

Fuck.

A curse slipped out unconsciously. Passing by Minsu, who was still babbling beside me, I headed toward the bar. Even as I ordered a whiskey and heard the sound of ice clinking, my eyes were fixed on you.

And here I thought you were sleeping.

Watching that expression as you bit down on the cigarette and frowned at the smoke, I set my glass down without taking my eyes off you.