Yoon Taehee was gradually drawing attention in the room.
At first, people would just glance at him or whisper, "Do you know who that person is?" But as time passed, more and more people began to approach and engage him in conversation.
This was rather annoying for Yoon Taehee. Since he had infiltrated the party with a fake identity, engaging in conversations with others would bring no benefit and might even raise suspicion. Besides, the party was strictly for those with invitations.
So, he stuck to light small talk. To blend in naturally with the crowd, he had no choice but to put on a bit of an act. He would rather deal with ghosts; dealing with humans was much more troublesome.
This time was no different.
After being momentarily caught by a stranger, he managed to escape, using the excuse of fetching a drink. Somehow, he'd already downed three drinks. He felt a bit tipsy. If it continued like this, it would be difficult.
Yoon Taehee adjusted the collar of his shirt.
"Where are you right now? I got held up for a bit."
It took a while for a response to come.
[I'm managing just fine, so mind your business.]
"..."
At the cold reply, he sighed softly and rubbed his forehead. There was still a faint fever. Perhaps due to the alcohol, he also felt a bit dizzy.
He went over to the drinks bar and had a glass of ice water, taking a large gulp. As he rolled the ice in his mouth and scanned the surroundings, he turned his head and made eye contact with someone sitting on a sofa.
The woman was resting her chin on the table, but there was no ring on her hand. Not her, Yoon Taehee thought, but then something suddenly caught his attention.
"Oh..."
It wasn't her hand that drew his eyes, but her neck. Around it hung a necklace, and threaded through the chain was a ring with a green gemstone. The green glimmer was unmistakable.
Found it.
Yoon Taehee smiled slowly. The woman averted her gaze, pretending to be indifferent, but then glanced back at him. Still chewing on the ice, he stared at her intently before getting up and walking towards her. Without hesitation, he sat down beside her.
"Hello."
Yoon Taehee spoke with the ice still in his mouth, pressing it to one cheek.
"You've been watching me, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Then why were you looking at me?"
When the woman turned the question back on him, Yoon Taehee lowered his head with a small laugh.
"Well..."
The ice popped out of his cheek as he leaned back, resting his head on the sofa while looking at her. He smiled slowly and said,
"I think you already know the reason."
The woman smirked and leaned back on the sofa as well. For a while, they just stared into each other's eyes in silence.
At some point, Yoon Taehee slowly lifted his back off the sofa and leaned closer to her. The woman closed her eyes as if entranced.
Their noses were so close they were almost touching. He gently brushed his hand along the back of her neck.
Just as their lips were about to meet, he stopped abruptly and parted his lips.
"Oh, right."
The woman opened her eyes in confusion. With their noses still almost touching, Yoon Taehee politely asked.
...Huh?
The other person opened their eyes. With their noses almost touching, Yoon Taehee politely asked,
"Do you happen to have cavities?"
"...What?"
"Do you have cavities?"
"..."
Cavities, all of a sudden?
"I don't want to kiss someone with cavities."
He said with a bright smile.
"What did you say?"
The other person frowned in disbelief, then burst into laughter. She thought it must have been just a joke to lighten the mood. After chuckling for a bit, she lowered her eyes and replied,
"No."
Yoon Taehee laughed in return.
"That's a relief."
Just as the other person was about to close her eyes again,
"Excuse me, but..."
What now?
"Say 'ah'."
"..What?"
The other person hesitated, looking at Yoon Taehee.
"Say 'ah.' I just want to check."
He added with a straight face.
"..."
She was so dumbfounded she could barely speak.
"Are you serious right now?"
"Yes."
Finally, the other person looked at Yoon Taehee like he was a madman.
"..."
The woman pushed Yoon Taehee's shoulder hard, then suddenly began fixing her bangs.
"Ha, what the fuck..."
She gulped down half her drink, letting out a bitter laugh in disbelief. Taking another sip, she put her hands on her hips and sighed in exasperation.
"Seriously, what kind of crazy bastard are you?"
Then, she splashed the remaining drink right in Yoon Taehee's face.
"That's the problem with guys with nice faces like you."
Without looking back, she then walked away.
"That was refreshing."
Alcohol dripped from Yoon Taehee's face. Wiping the liquid off with the back of his hand, he lightly shook his wet hair and watched the other person's retreating figure.
She hadn't yet noticed that the necklace, which had been around her neck until just moments ago, was now gone.
***
[Found it. Retrieval complete.]
While navigating through the crowd, a message came in from Yoon Taehee.
"You found it? Where?"
[Yeah, it wasn't on their hand, they were wearing the ring as a necklace.]
"A necklace? How did you take it?"
[l'll tell you the details when we're out. I'll contact the control room to request backup from the Purification exorcists and ask them to take care of things. They said they'll be here in 30 minutes, so once they arrive, we'll hand it over and head out. 'll be waiting near the entrance pillar where we came in earlier.]
"Got it. I'll stop by the restroom and then come."
After staring at just hands for so long, realizing the ring was on a necklace felt a bit deflating. Still, it was a relief they retrieved it.
Having been in a noisy, crowded place for so long, Jaegyeom was feeling a bit drained.
Recalling where the restroom was, he started walking. He had to turn a corner and pass through a hallway to get there.
Just then-
"Where are you going?"
As he was walking down the hallway, someone suddenly grabbed his arm from behind. Startled, Jaegyeom turned around. The person who had grabbed him was the tattooed man he had seen earlier.
"What, let go."
"Nice to see you again. Are you looking for someone?"
Just as Jaegyeom frowned and tried to shake off the tattooed man's hand,
"Hey, you. You're one of us, right?"
The tattooed man suddenly leaned in and whispered into
Jaegyeom's ear. One of us? What did he mean by that? Jaegyeom was about to ask when something clicked in his mind. Was he talking about being a gwijae?
"..How did you know?"
Jaegyeom asked, and the man grinned, showing his teeth as if he had expected it.
"Hm, well... just an intuition, you know? I've got a pretty good gaydar."
What? Jaegyeom's face showed uncertainty. The tattooed man, shrugging and laughing, leaned in closer.
"But you... you look kind of young. How old are you?"
Jaegyeom stayed silent for a moment, then shook off the man's hand.
"None of your business. Think whatever you want."
He brushed past the man, but the tattooed man raised an arm and blocked his way, still laughing. The strong smell of cologne was nauseating.
"Move."
Jaegyeom said, irritated.
"It's fate that we met like this. How about a drink with me?"
"No."
Suddenly, the hat Jaegyeom had been wearing was snatched away.
The tattooed man had taken it without permission. The hat, which had a wireless earpiece attached, was now in the tattooed man's hand.
"..."
Finally, Jaegyeom's expression turned deadly serious.
"Give it back"
"Oh, come on. Just one drink."
"..."
Jaegyeom glared coldly at the tattooed man.
"I said give it back, you son of a bitch."
The tattooed man widened his eyes, then burst out laughing.
"Wow, got a temper, huh?"
Should I just beat him up? Jaegyeom seriously considered it as the tattooed man, still laughing, smirked and said,
"Come on, be honest. You're a minor, right?"
A minor? What's he talking about? Though unsure, Jaegyeom decided to deny it.
"No, I'm not."
"Yeah, right. Then show me your ID."
"Why should I?"
"You have to prove you're not a minor."
"I just told you I'm not."
"Then just show me your ID."
"You show yours first."
As the conversation went in circles, the tattooed man finally gave in.
"Alright, alright. Forget the ID. Just give me your number."
"What?"
"Give me your number, and 'll let you go today."
Jaegyeom snapped,
"I don't know my number. I can't remember it."
"Whoa... that's some dedication to the act."
The tattooed man chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"Fine, then I'll get it myself. Give me your phone."
"No."
Jaegyeom immediately rejected him. The tattooed man clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Playing hard to get is no fun. I was just going to let you go, but now I can't. I didn't want to say this, but... who invited you? Show me your invitation."
Jaegyeom's eyebrow twitched at the sudden demand. The invitation was with Yoon Taehee.
"I don't have it on me right now."
"Really? Then who invited you?"
"..."
"Come on, tell me. Who invited you?"
When Jaegyeom hesitated, the tattooed man smirked mischievously.
"You snuck in, didn't you? Just be honest."
"..."
"Oh! There's a guard over there, I'll just ask them. Hey, over here!"
The tattooed man raised his hand towards a guard behind
Jaegyeom. Startled, Jaegyeom quickly grabbed the man's arm and yanked it down.
"F- fine! Ill give you my number, just give me my hat back."
With a look of frustration, Jaegyeom fumbled in his pocket. Fine, what's the big deal about giving a number... As he pulled out his phone, ready to just get it over with, someone suddenly stumbled into them, bumping hard into the tattooed man's shoulder.
"Ugh, damn it! Who the hell are you?"
Before the tattooed man could grab Jaegyeom's phone, he staggered and leaned against the wall.
"Ugh, maybe you should watch where you're going?"
"Oh, sorry.."
Jaegyeom's eyes widened. The person who had bumped into the tattooed man was none other than Yoon Taehee. For some reason,
he reeked of alcohol.
"Oh, what... you were here? I've been looking for you for a while."
Yoon Taehee, wobbling, leaned into Jaegyeom's ear. Jaegyeom was too flustered to say anything, and the tattooed man squinted suspiciously.
"Do you know him?"
"Huh? Oh..."
Jaegyeom nodded while glancing nervously at Yoon Taehee
"What's your relationship?"
"Huh? J- just friends..."
"Friends? He looks way older than you."
While the tattooed man eyed Yoon Taehee with suspicion, Yoon Taehee, still swaying, threw an arm around Jaegyeom's shoulder and said,
"That's right, we're not friends."
Both jaegyeom and the tattooed man stiffened at the next words.
"Friends don't have a deep and intimate relationship."
Jaegyeom stared at Yoon Taehee in utter shock. What... i- intimate?
"Let's go."
Without warning, Yoon Taehee grabbed Jaegyeom's arm and started to walk away. Jaegyeom, confused, was practically dragged along behind him. Just as they were leaving, the tattooed man, still stunned, snapped out of it and quickly reached out, grabbing Jaegyeom's other arm.
"Wait, hold on..."
The tattooed man grabbed Jaegyeom's arm, but Yoon Taehee stopped, furrowing his brow in irritation. He grabbed the tattooed man's wrist with a firm grip.
"Or, do you want to come along?"
The tattooed man looked up at him in disbelief.
"What?"
Yoon Taehee smirked, looking him up and down.
"I mean, I don't really care. Your face is disgusting, but that's just an option I guess."
"..."
'Though, I do have some dirty preferences. Keep that in mind."
Yoon Taehee, still swaying, yanked the tattooed man's wrist hard.
The man went pale and instinctively shook the other's hand off. He didn't even realize what he was doing.
"W- what are you talking about? I'm a top."
"Is that really so important?"
"It is to me! Now let go!"
"Why? Not interested?"
This pretty guy, drunk out of his mind, was acting like a total lunatic.
The tattooed man realized he had messed with the wrong person.
Yoon Taehee chuckled and pulled the man closer with surprising strength. The tattooed man, powerless against the force, was dragged forward.
Yoon Taehee leaned in and whispered in his ear,
"If you're not into it, then stop meddling and get lost, you motherfucker."