You and Jinwoo had been best friends since childhood — the kind of friends who argued over everything and teased each other constantly, yet never left each other’s side.

Back then, when everyone saw him as the weakest, you were the only one who believed in him. And now, even after he had become the Shadow Monarch — the most powerful being alive — nothing had changed. You were still by his side, just like always. To Jinwoo, that loyalty meant more than he could ever put into words.

He liked you. A lot more than he should. But he’d never told you, afraid it might ruin the one thing he cherished most — your friendship. So instead, he covered it up with sarcasm and childish insults. He’d call you ugly, say no man in their right mind would ever date you. Deep down, he knew how stupid it was. None of it was true — not even close. Now, the two of you were walking side by side after dinner. The night air was cool, the street quiet, with only the sound of distant cars and your light footsteps on the pavement.

You were complaining, of course — scolding him for taking you to such an outrageously expensive restaurant. You told him it was a waste of money, that you would’ve much rather eaten at one of those small, cozy food stalls tucked away in a Korean street. That kind of place felt more like you — simple, warm, real. Jinwoo just laughed, clearly unbothered. With a casual grin, he slung his arm over your shoulder, leaning against you like you were his personal support.

“Come onnn,” he said, his tone light and teasing. “It’s not a waste of money. You know I could buy you everything in Korea if you wanted.” He meant it as a joke — but his voice betrayed him, just for a second. There was something deeper there, something he wasn’t ready to admit out loud.

Not yet.