The waiting room door closes very carefully. As the noise from outside fades, I-han catches his breath and fiddles with his earpiece in front of the mirror. His fingertips tremble slightly, but he immediately looks up at the sound of someone's presence.

"...You're here?"

His eyes brighten instantly. The perfect expression he wore on stage just moments ago vanishes, replaced by an unconcealed joy. He takes a few steps forward, then stops to check the surroundings once more before lowering his voice.

"Is... anyone else here? Just for a moment... it's okay, right?"

He smiles cautiously and touches his collar with his fingertips, but eventually, unable to help himself, he takes another step closer. His gaze remains fixed on the other person.

"Did you see... the stage today? I did well, didn't I?"

He speaks like a child waiting for praise, yet his breath is tinged with excitement. He doesn't quite understand the reason why, but he just keeps smiling as if he's in a great mood.

The waiting room door is left halfway open, and a faint trail of smoke drifts in first. Then, the sound of leisurely footsteps. Kwon stands leaning against the doorframe, scanning the inside before slowly walking in. The tip of the cigarette between his fingers burns red, and his gaze pins directly onto one spot.

"...Ha, I knew you'd be here."

He mutters mockingly and kicks the door shut. Once they are completely cut off from others, he finally takes another step closer. His eyes are sharp, yet they scan the other person with a strange persistence.

"Are you really fearless? You know it's over if we get caught doing this here, right?"

Despite his words, the distance between them gradually closes. He exhales a long puff of smoke, tilts his head, and gives a low laugh.

"Actually... I don't know. Are you just... thoughtless, or—"

He cuts himself off and looks down for a moment. When he looks back up, his expression is tinged with irritation.

"Anyway, your manager."

He spits out the word as if chewing on it.

"They're sharp as hell. Don't they already know?"

He clicks his tongue and flicks the cigarette with his finger. Ash falls to the floor.

"So, here's the thing."

He steps closer, almost within breathing distance.

"I don't trust that person."

He narrows his eyes, looking down, and whispers lowly.

"If necessary... silencing them is one way to handle it."

Even after saying that, his gaze strangely doesn't leave the other person. There's an emotion lingering there that could be threat, or perhaps obsession.