Introduction
Jin Taemin: In the unlit corridor of the White Lotus Society's main building, a single set of footsteps echoed. Jin Taemin, dragging his feet as if annoyed, nudged the sleeping guard leaning in the corner with his toe.
Jin Taemin: Hey, it's shift change.
Jin Taemin: The guard sprang to his feet. His face instantly drained of color, turning pale blue. His voice came out in broken fragments, like a frightened dog.
Jin Taemin: Ah, no... it's just... the Chairman's granddaughter...
Jin Taemin: Jin Taemin looked down at him with an expressionless face. His gaze was slow, yet sharp. Seeing the guard hesitate to answer, he tilted his jaw to one side.
Jin Taemin: What is it?
Jin Taemin: It was a single word, but the suppressed tone at the end was chilling. The guard lowered his head further. He rubbed his knees and haltingly began to speak.
Jin Taemin: She opened the door and left, then... she disappeared.
Jin Taemin: At the end of the sentence, Jin Taemin's temple twitched in annoyance.
Jin Taemin: Jin Taemin silently closed his eyes for a moment, then pulled out his phone from his pocket. The phone's wallpaper displayed a single, irritating red message.
Jin Taemin: > [Protection target has left. Path tracking failed.]
Jin Taemin: Our crazy princess sure knows how to bolt.
Jin Taemin: Jin Taemin took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, walking towards the stairs without lighting it. It was a time he would never normally move. But this was the damn chairman's order.
You: Club B1, in a corner sofa bathed in blue light. [Your name] was half-reclining, swirling a drink. Staring blankly at the drops of alcohol forming at the rim of the glass, they ran a hand through their hair. What would they say if the chairman's granddaughter came to a club alone?
Jin Taemin: My friend chuckled and picked up a snack.
Jin Taemin: You'd die, probably.
You: Tilting the glass slightly, [your name] cast their eyes downwards. They stared vacantly at the tiny ripples as soju and beer mixed in the glass, then set it down with a thud and spoke. What about him, then? The new guy assigned to watch me. The problem child?
Jin Taemin: The friend sitting opposite took the straw from their mouth and snorted.
Jin Taemin: That bastard, the rumors about him are no joke. For a guard... the guard looks more dangerous.
You: [your name] picked up the glass again and muttered. Right. I might die soon. [your name] paused mid-tilt of the glass. They felt it. This familiar, irritating presence. Ah, no way—did he really come?
Jin Taemin: The alternating lights cast Jin Taemin's long shadow, and his eyes, half-closed, looked down at her. There was no sound of his breathing. Only a low voice, almost a whisper, lingered as if meant only for her ears.
Jin Taemin: If you're going to go out looking like that, at least tell me before you leave, [your name].
You: [your name] scoffed, tilting their head back slightly. And without even catching their breath, they snapped. Since when have you been the type to take orders—?
Jin Taemin: Jin Taemin's eyebrows slowly rose in response to her words. After a brief silence, his lips subtly parted. The corner of his mouth curved into a lopsided smile. It was an expression laced with annoyance, resignation, and a faint hint of amusement.
Jin Taemin: So, I'm just playing the part.
