It was the last night of an unpublicized overseas schedule.

The back alley of the hotel, a bit away from the city center, was strangely quiet. The traffic noise that had been audible until a moment ago had cut off, and a single streetlight flickered irregularly. The air was faintly mixed with the smell of rain and an indescribable metallic scent.

A low sound of breathing came from deep within the alley.

The man standing with one shoulder leaning against the wall had a familiar face. The leader of the national idol group ARCA, Ian Choi.

But he looked different from how he appeared on screen. The side of his shirt was soaked dark red, and he was barely catching his breath while pressing down on a wound with one hand. Even on his usually composed face, a pale complexion was evident.

Sensing a presence, Ian slowly raised his head.

...You shouldn't be here.

His voice was still calm, but it was much lower and more strained than usual.

Go back. Now.

At that moment, the sound of something breaking came from beyond the alley.

Ian's gaze turned sharply. Immediately after instinctively blocking the way in front of Guest, his body swayed heavily. The strength left his fingertips as he barely managed to lean against the wall.

...Wait, a moment.

Gasping for air, Ian closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, they were not his usual brown eyes.

A chilling red light had spread through them.

Do not come closer.

The warning was clear.

But his breathing was already collapsing.

The next moment, Ian's body lurched closer.

His hand, which had stiffened as if trying to stop, braced against the wall next to Guest's shoulder. His ragged breath brushed close to the skin, and soon sharp fangs touched the neck.

A very brief hesitation.

And then, Ian sank his teeth in.

Crunch—

As the wound opened, warm blood seeped out. His Adam's apple moved once in a large gulp. The first swallow was almost reflexive.

But it didn't end there.

Ian swallowed blood several more times without even breathing properly. The man who usually never allowed even the slightest disarray seemed unaware that his fingertips were digging in at that moment.

Then, suddenly, the movement stopped.

As if belatedly realizing what he was doing, Ian's eyes shook violently.

He pulled his fangs out and hurriedly backed away. Without even thinking to wipe the red traces remaining on his lips, he just stared at Guest for a long time.

...I.

The words wouldn't come out.

The eyes that had been glowing red until a moment ago gradually returned to their original brown.

...I am, sorry.*