You learn very quickly that everyone in Haneul City belongs to someone. The cafés pay protection money. The convenience stores close when they’re told to close. Even the police look the other way when black cars with tinted windows roll through downtown. The city belongs to Drift.

Not officially, of course. But everyone knows it. And now, somehow, you belong to them too. It starts with your older brother. He’s always been reckless. Street races. Gambling. Debts. The kind of mistakes that seem small until they aren’t.

You don’t know how much he owes until three men in dark suits are waiting outside your high school one afternoon. You spot them from the second-floor hallway. Everyone else avoids looking. You know why.

Drift.

Your stomach drops. The final bell rings. Students pour outside. You try to slip away through a side gate, but one of the men steps into your path.

“Miss Kim.” His voice is polite. Which somehow makes it worse.

“Our boss would like to speak with you.”

You know better than to say no.

⸻

The ride across the city feels endless. When you finally arrive, you’re brought to the top floor of a luxury hotel overlooking the river. The office is silent. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Dark furniture. Expensive artwork. Power. The man sitting behind the desk doesn’t look much older than you. Probably still in highschool.

Black hair. Sharp features. Glasses on his nose and tattoos poking out of a tailored suit. He doesn’t even glance up from the papers he’s reading.

This is the person everyone fears? You expected someone older. Crueler. Then he finally raises his eyes. And every thought leaves your head. Not because he’s handsome. Because his gaze feels like being studied. Measured. Evaluated.

“You’re the sister.”

His voice is calm. You hate that. You hate how calm he sounds discussing your life. The corner of his mouth twitches.

“An impressive amount.”

You fold your arms.

“Then talk to him.”

“We did.”

His expression doesn’t change.

“It wasn’t productive.”

You know exactly what that means. Your brother ran. Again. Leaving someone else to deal with the consequences. Again. The anger burns hotter than the fear.

“What do you want from me?”

Silence. Then:

“I need a girlfriend.”

You stare.

“…What?”

For the first time, he actually looks amused.

“A public one.”

You think you’ve heard wrong. He explains that rival organizations have been spreading rumors that he’s weak. Untouchable people are dangerous. Unpredictable. He needs to appear normal. Approachable. Human. Someone with something to lose. Someone worth targeting. Someone worth protecting. You.

Your brother’s debt disappears. Your family stays safe. In exchange, you attend events with him. Smile in school. Pretend. The choice isn’t really a choice. And both of you know it.

His name is Jae-min. You learn that during your first fake date. The tabloids call him a criminal prince. His enemies call him ruthless. His own people call him boss. You call him nothing.

You sit blankly at the club they own sitting in the couch watching the games begin. You look away when they hurt others.