Silence pressed heavily against the night air.
No one spoke. The lanterns swayed gently above them, their light flickering across tense faces and uneven breaths.
Min-jae was the first to look away, running a hand through his hair as if trying to steady the storm inside him. "You really don't feel anything, do you?" His voice was low, almost tired now. "You just hide behind that cold face and pretend nothing matters."
Joon-hyuk's jaw tightened. For a moment, something flickered behind his eyes — pain, guilt, or maybe both. "You don't understand," he said quietly. "You never did."
Min-jae let out a bitter laugh. "Then make me understand, hyung. Why leave the company our fathers built? Why throw it all away for—"
"Enough."
The word came out sharp, final.
"I had my reasons," Joon-hyuk said, his tone dangerously calm. "And you wouldn't understand them even if I told you."
Min-jae took a step closer. "You think you're protecting someone? Or just yourself again?"
