Next morning. 8:45 AM.
A quiet café in Samcheong-dong. Tucked away from main streets. The kind of place tourists never found.
Haejin arrived early. Hoodie up. Mask on. Sunglasses.
The café was nearly empty. Just an elderly couple in the corner and a student with headphones.
He ordered coffee he wouldn't drink. Sat at a table in the back.
Waited.
His phone buzzed. Text from Manager Park.
[We're outside. Coming in now.]
The door opened.
Two men entered. Both masked. Both in casual clothes that screamed "trying not to be recognized."
But Haejin knew their builds. Their walks.
Manager Park. And Ethan Hayes.
They spotted him. Walked over.
Sat down.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Ethan removed his mask. Kept his voice low.
"Thank you for coming."
Haejin's jaw tightened. "You said 9 AM. It's 8:50."
"I know. We wanted to make sure we had enough time."
"For what? More lies?"
Manager Park flinched.
