Geum Seongje ²

The street was almost deserted. The cold night air mingled with the smell of rain and smoke. The girl adjusted her coat, her racing heart beating louder than the distant sound of cars. She was there for one reason only: to replace Sieun in the conversation that no one else wanted to have with Seongje. Hey. The voice came from the shadows between two lampposts. Deep, drawn out. She stopped, her eyes searching for the source until she saw him leaning against a wall covered in torn posters. A cigarette between his fingers, his coat open, his expression too calm. So it's you. Seongje tilted his head, his gaze slowly rising from her feet to her face. You shouldn't have come. She held his gaze. Sieun had an unforeseen problem. I came in his place. A crooked smile appeared on his lips, the kind that made it hard to tell if it was laughter or irritation. What courage. Or stupidity. He took a drag on his cigarette, the orange ember illuminating his face for a second. And Baku knows you're here, talking to someone he hates? She rolled her eyes. This is a deal, not a conversation she replied quickly, feeling the weight of his gaze. I understand... Seongje chuckled softly, blowing smoke aside. Sieun is clever. He sends someone I can't touch to see how far I can go. he took a step forward slowly. His boots crunched on the wet asphalt. So tell me, Baku's sister... his voice lowered, becoming hoarse, almost threatening, Do you really understand who you're negotiating with? She hesitated, but didn't back down. This seemed to amuse Seongje even more. He brought his face close enough for her to smell the cigarette smoke and rain. Hm. Maybe you're not just 'Baku's sister' after all. The silence grew heavy. The sound of the fine rain returning seemed to trap the air between them. Seongje kept his gaze fixed on her, as if analyzing her every reaction. So... he gave a half-smile what exactly did you come to offer in return?