Dohyun Kang

Dohyun pulled the vibrating phone from his pocket and pressed it to his ear. “I’m guessing she knows.”

Secretary Jang’s voice confirmed his suspicion. “I haven’t identified her informant yet, but Madam Miri had her guards on standby. She seemed to already know you were returning to Korea. You were lucky not to get caught at the airport.”

Though Dohyun had once questioned Secretary Jang’s loyalty—especially when he decided to follow him abroad twelve years ago—over time, that doubt faded. Mr. Jang had become his closest confidante.

“I expected no less from Madam,” Dohyun muttered, the words sour on his tongue. This was why he hadn’t wanted to return to Korea. There was no "home" for him here anymore.

But I made her a promise, he thought, his mind wandering to bittersweet memories. This was one promise he had to keep.

“Did you find anything at the medical center?” Mr. Jang inquired, his voice low.

“He has her records sealed,” Dohyun replied. “We’ll need to find another way.”

“I’ll keep looking into it,” Mr. Jang said.

But Dohyun knew it would be difficult to find anything useful. If he wanted answers, he would have to face his father head-on. As much as he hated it, the only way to get his father’s attention was to speak in his cold, corporate language.

“Where will you be staying, sir?” Mr. Jang inquired.

Dohyun sighed. “I’ll find a place.”

“But I should know, in case—”

“I’d rather not put you in a position where you’ll have to lie to Madam when she questions you,” Dohyun interrupted.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Mr. Jang answered, “Understood, sir. But please, call me if you need anything.”

“I know how capable you are, Mr. Jang. Thanks, as always,” Dohyun said, hanging up with a long sigh. He hadn’t even been back a full day, but he already felt drained. And this was just the beginning of what promised to be a stormy season.

Just as he slid his phone back into his pocket, it vibrated again. He almost answered, thinking Mr. Jang had forgotten something, but the name on the screen made him groan.

Hwan.

“If he knows, it’s only a matter of time before she does too,” Dohyun muttered, declining the call. A moment later, a text notification popped up.

Hwan: Hyung, will you be visiting soon?

Hwan had always been the passive one, never outright asking for what he wanted, but making his feelings known in his own way.

Dohyun replied with a single word: Soon.

His head throbbed, a headache pulsing like a drumbeat. When his phone buzzed again, he shoved it deep into his pocket.

Hongdae... Dohyun decided. A place in Hongdae should work. Everyone was getting a little too close today, and he wasn’t about to take any chances. Tonight, he’d lay low.

Gomi Kim

“It was really nice seeing your dad again,” Jenny beamed.

Gomi laughed. “He’s always liked you the best out of all my friends. I might as well not have even been there with how much you two were chatting!”

The hospital doors slid open as they stepped outside. They’d lost track of time reminiscing, and now the sun was setting.

“Don’t be jealous,” Jenny grinned. “You’re still his ass-kicking protégé princess. Though I’m sure he regrets teaching you all that Taekwondo.”

“I loved learning Taekwondo!” Gomi declared. “You know I could’ve gone to the Olympics if I trained more.”

Jenny smiled, though there was always that flicker of sad guilt in Gomi's dad’s eyes when they talked about it.

Gomi's stomach growled, the rumbling loud enough for them both to hear.

“It’s getting late, but want to grab a quick bite?” Gomi asked. If Jenny tagged along, she could keep Night Gomi under control.

Jenny stopped short, and Gomi turned to look at her. “Actually... I have a date tonight.” Jenny bowed her head apologetically, her hands fidgeting. “But, I can cancel. I’m not even sure I like him that much.”

Gomi patted her friend’s head. “No need. I’ll just grab some fried chicken and beer.”

Jenny raised an eyebrow. “That’s a very Bomi kind of meal. You sure you’ll be okay?”

The sun had set, and the grumbling in Gomi’s stomach was growing louder. She pulled her hair into a high ponytail. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“I’m more worried about everyone else,” Jenny mumbled. “Are you going to KoKo’s again? It’s Friday night, so Hongdae’s going to be packed…”

Gomi caught the slight downturn of Jenny’s eyes and the way her lips curled with concern.

She worries too much, Gomi thought, and how could she not know KoKo’s is worth any risk?

“Obviously!” Gomi said aloud. “Their beer is always ice cold, and the chicken? Perfectly crispy without being too oily. The spice? Just right! And the juicy meat... it’s like drinking liquid gold. I don’t think I can survive another ramyun dinner.”

Jenny tilted her head, amused. “Excuse me, Miss Bomi, you’re drooling on yourself.”

Gomi wiped her mouth, grinning. “Go on your date. But if he’s boring, bring him to KoKo’s and I’ll save you.”

Jenny laughed. “It’s too early to scare him off.” But the blush blooming on her cheeks and the bounce in her step as she waved goodbye told Gomi the date was going to be fun.

“Well, who needs boys when my one true love is waiting for me in Hongdae?” Gomi thought, hopping onto the bus.

KoKo, here I come! She wiped the drool from her mouth again. Nothing can go wrong as long as I get my golden bites of heaven.