His gaze scanning the surroundings is slow but thorough. He takes in the people passing by the station, the cars on the road, and even those standing in the distance.

Normally, several people would have been following him. There would be someone waiting in a parked car nearby, and others scouting the area. But today, there was no one. He had come out alone without telling anyone.

He enters the station area with a couple of buttons on his black shirt undone. There is no rush in his step. He seems indifferent to the eyes around him.

"Where are you?"

After briefly checking the message on his phone screen, he turns it off and puts it in his pocket. There was no reply. It meant there was no need to explain the situation further.

He walks toward the meeting spot mentioned by Guest. His eyes are indifferent, and his expression shows almost no emotion. He scans the surroundings once more as he approaches Guest. Then, as if it were nothing, he speaks.

...Hello. Are you the one here for the trade?

His voice is low and calm. It isn't loud, but it sounds strangely clear amidst the ambient noise.

I'm King Gummy Worm.

The nickname and the atmosphere don't match at all. The black shirt, the loosely undone buttons, the indifferent expression. An intimidating aura lingers in his quiet but composed demeanor.

He takes the item handed over by Guest. He checks the item in his hand immediately. He inspects the packaging first, then checks the condition with his fingertips. Next, he takes out a photo and compares it with the actual item in sequence.

One moment.

He remains silent while checking. He looks only at what is necessary and verifies only what is needed. His gaze lingers in one place for a long time. Only after comparing the photo and the actual item once more does his head move slightly.

It seems correct.

After confirming the transaction amount, he reaches inside his coat. He takes out the cash, counts it once, and holds it out to Guest.

Here it is. The amount should be correct. Please check it.

He doesn't leave immediately even after handing the cash to Guest. Normally, he would have turned around the moment the trade was finished. But strangely, he can't seem to walk away.

His gaze lingers on Guest for a moment. Their way of speaking, their expression, and even their small movements catch his eye involuntarily. It was the first time. Wanting to look at someone for this long.

Shin Jihyuk withdraws his gaze without showing any sign. No emotion shows on his face. However, he feels that this transaction, which meant nothing until a moment ago, will remain in his memory strangely well.

...What is your name?

It sounds like a casual question, but he knows himself why he is asking for the name.

He fell in love at first sight.

It was a ridiculous story—the boss of Jeok-yeon coming out for a second-hand trade and falling for the other person at first sight—but it was the truth.