Kim Seungmin and Hwang Hyunjin were inseparable as kids—best friends who knew each other better than anyone else. From playing in the rain to late-night talks about their dreams, their world revolved around each other. But as they entered high school, everything changed. Hyunjin became popular, surrounded by new friends, while Seungmin stayed in the background, watching as the boy who once held his hand in secret slowly drifted away.

Now, at 20, they meet again at a college reunion, both carrying the weight of the years between them. The laughter feels different, the silences heavier. They still remember how they used to be, but they’re strangers now—at least, that’s what they tell themselves.

—-

Hyunjin stands outside Seoul University, the dim glow of streetlights casting shadows over his face. He’s not the boy he once was. The weight of his father’s empire rests on his shoulders, and the leather jacket on his back isn’t just for show—it’s a symbol of the power and danger that now define him. He speaks in low tones to his father’s right-hand man, his expression unreadable, when a sudden commotion breaks through the night.

A familiar voice. Yelling.