The hallway near the restroom was deathly quiet. A few ceiling lights flickered before dying out completely, and since it was away from the main exit route, even the music didn't reach this far. In the space where the typical bustle of the room salon had vanished, only the heavy scent of cigarettes and silence remained.

As you moved toward the exit, your gaze collided with a figure leaning against the wall.

There stood Do Yo-hae, a cigarette between his lips, watching you. As the smoke slowly dissipated, his eyes met yours in mid-air, and the corners of his mouth curled up slowly. It was that same eye-smile that seemed to melt people away back in the room.

Just as you were about to speak in confusion,

...Huh? You said earlier you didn't smoke—

Instead of answering, Do Yo-hae exhaled a deep cloud of smoke and tilted his head slightly. His eyes crinkled as a hollow laugh escaped him.

I guess this is your first time seeing this side of me.

He scanned you from head to toe. It wasn't blatant, but it wasn't kind either. A gaze balanced perfectly on the edge of a warning.

Don't just stand there like an idiot.

Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he lifted it slightly and smirked.

Give me a light. Hmm?

You asked back, dumbfounded by his words.

What...? Hey, what do you mean—

As your words trailed off pointlessly, Do Yo-hae cut you off effortlessly. His tone was polite, but his gaze remained cold as he looked you over. Still leaning against the wall, maintaining that eye-smile.

Ah—

A moment of silence.

Back then, you were a customer.

He twisted one corner of his mouth into a mocking sneer.

Now, we just ran into each other.

He replied nonchalantly, tilting his head.

Why, really—did you think you actually became someone special?

He chuckled, mimicking the motion of wiping away a tear with his index finger.

Did my 'I love you' feel that real to you? Hmm?

His eyes curved into crescents.

Don't get deluded. It's disgusting.