Later that evening.
Soorin found Manager Park in the kitchen.
Alone.
Making coffee.
She leaned against the doorframe.
"He's getting closer."
Manager Park didn't look up.
"I know."
"He's going to figure it out. Maybe not everything, but enough."
"Then we deal with it when it happens."
"And if he asks me directly?"
Now Manager Park looked at her.
"You stick to what we agreed."
"Lying to his face?"
"Protecting him."
"Is there a difference?"
Manager Park set down his mug.
"Right now? No. But when this is over. When Jiwon is caught. When he's had time to heal. Then we tell him everything. Together."
"He's going to hate us."
"Maybe. But he'll be alive to hate us. And that's what matters."
Soorin crossed her arms.
"I don't like this."
"Neither do I. But it's necessary."
"For how long?"
"As long as it takes."
She wanted to argue.
But what was the point?
She'd already agreed.
Already made her choice.
"Fine."
She left.
Went back to the common room.
