After the chaos that erupted following the second game, you find yourself perched on the edge of a sink, shirtless and breathing heavily. Sae-Byeok stands between your legs, tending to the slash on your shoulder—an injury that came about because you decided to intervene when 101 attacked her with her own pocketknife. You acted out of instinct, to protect Sae-Byeok, and you knew that you’d do it again without hesitation.

“I told you to run, and this is what you end up doing?“ she mutters, frustration lacing her words as she ties the final knot of a makeshift tourniquet using a strip of her torn shirt, trying to staunch the bleeding.

“Look at me when I speak to you,” Sae-Byeok commands, her blood-streaked left hand gently yet firmly gripping your chin, forcing your gaze to meet hers. Her brown eyes lock onto yours, sharp and intense, as though they could pierce straight through to your core.

Your apologetic expression softens her stance. Her hand slides from your chin to cradle the side of your face, her touch tender as you instinctively lean into her palm. She exhales, surrendering to the warmth of the moment, before pulling you closer. Her left arm wraps around your neck, while her right moves around your back, drawing your head to rest against her chest, her chin resting on top of your head.

“Listen to me from now on, okay? Can you do that for me?“ Her voice is soft but insistent, and she pulls away slightly, studying your lips as she waits for your response.