The morning air was crisp, the kind that clung to your skin but felt clean, alive. Kang Tae-min's breath came out in steady clouds as his sneakers hit the pavement. The streets were nearly empty except for a few old men sweeping outside their shops and a stray cat darting across the road.
Jogging had become his new ritual. The one thing that made him feel human again.
As he slowed down to catch his breath near the convenience store, he spotted someone standing by the curb. Long black hair tied in a messy ponytail, wearing a light denim jacket and a small backpack slung over one shoulder.
Rina.
It had been a few days since he last saw her behind the counter. For some reason, the sight of her now made something flicker in his chest.
She looked like she was waiting for someone, her eyes occasionally darting toward the road. Tae-min debated whether to say something, his thoughts running circles around themselves. What do I even say? 'Hi, remember the guy who bought instant ramen every night?'
But before he could decide, she turned her head and caught sight of him.
Her eyes lit up. "Oh! Hey."
Tae-min stopped in his tracks, slightly startled. "Oh… hey."
She smiled, stepping closer. "You jog this early every day?"
He scratched the back of his neck, glancing down at his sweat-soaked T-shirt. "Not every day. Just… when I can't sleep."
She tilted her head. "So, every day then?"
He let out a small laugh. "Yeah. Pretty much."
They stood there for a moment, an awkward but comfortable silence lingering between them.
"So where are you off to?" he asked finally, nodding toward the road.
"University," she said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "I live here, but I study in the big city."
That caught his interest. "You go to university?"
"Mm-hm." She smiled faintly. "Majoring in visual arts."
He nodded, impressed. "Didn't expect that."
"What about you?" she asked.
Before he could answer, a sleek black sedan pulled up beside them. The windows were tinted, the paint polished enough to reflect the streetlights.
"That's my ride," Rina said quickly, glancing back at him. "Guess we'll talk next time?"
He gave a small nod. "Sure."
The passenger window rolled down. Inside was a man who looked like he had stepped straight out of a commercial, sharp jawline, expensive clothes, a calm confidence in the way he sat. He smiled at Rina, and she smiled back before sliding into the seat beside him.
They hugged briefly, familiar, close.
The car pulled away, the sound of the engine fading down the street.
Tae-min stood there a moment longer, his expression unreadable. There was a strange sting in his chest, not jealousy exactly, but something close. A hollow ache he couldn't name.
He shook it off and continued walking home.
By the time he reached his apartment and showered, the feeling had faded, or at least, he told himself it had. He dressed plainly, as always, and made his way to the coffee shop.
The bell chimed when he entered.
Only Sang-ho was there, sitting near the counter with his usual self-assured grin.
"Well, look who it is," Sang-ho said, waving him over. "Morning jog, huh? You're really turning into a healthy man."
Tae-min smirked slightly. "Better than drinking at ten in the morning."
"Touché." Sang-ho laughed. "Sit down. I've got news."
He slid a thick envelope across the table. Tae-min opened it, eyes widening slightly at the stack of cash inside.
"That's thirty percent of what you earned," Sang-ho said proudly. "You've officially made it. Welcome to the crew."
Tae-min blinked. "Crew?"
Sang-ho nodded. "You're not just running errands anymore. You're part of my team now. You've earned it."
Tae-min looked down at the money again, it didn't feel real.
"Don't get all sentimental," Sang-ho teased. "We'll celebrate tonight. No arguments."
"I didn't..."
Sang-ho cut him off. "You were about to."
Tae-min sighed but nodded. "Fine."
Sang-ho's grin widened. "Good. But first…"
He leaned back in his chair, scanning Tae-min's outfit. Plain hoodie, worn jeans, old sneakers.
"You only got clothes like that?"
Tae-min frowned. "What's wrong with them?"
"Nothing," Sang-ho said, smirking. "If you're trying to look like a detective in an indie movie."
Tae-min gave him a look.
"Come on," Sang-ho said, standing up. "We're going shopping. My treat."
The clothing store wasn't particularly large, but the prices were outrageous. Rows of designer shirts, shoes lined up like trophies, jackets that cost more than most people's rent.
Sang-ho moved through the aisles like a man who owned the place, tossing shirts and pants over his arm. "Try this. And this. You'd look good in black."
Tae-min followed quietly, uncomfortable under the bright lights and mirrors.
When he stepped out of the fitting room, wearing a fitted black shirt and slim pants, Sang-ho whistled.
"Damn," he said with a grin. "You sure you're not an idol undercover?"
Tae-min rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smirk forming.
"Seriously," Sang-ho said, studying him. "We really do look alike."
By the time they finished, the sky was a deep orange. They packed the clothes into the trunk and drove toward the edge of town.
The air grew quieter there, where the small town ended and the glittering outline of the big city began.
They pulled up outside an apartment complex overlooking both worlds, the fading countryside behind them and the neon skyline ahead.
"This is my place," Sang-ho said, leading him inside.
The apartment was minimal but expensive. The kind of space that said money, but not home.
"You live here alone?" Tae-min asked.
"Yeah. Don't like people touching my things."
They descended into the garage. Rows of cars stood there, but Sang-ho stopped in front of one in particular, a sleek black RMW. Its chrome glinted under the dim lights like a blade.
He patted the hood affectionately. "Can't go to the big city without a cool ride."
Tae-min couldn't help but smile. "Overcompensating?"
"Always," Sang-ho grinned.
He slid into the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life, low and powerful. Tae-min got in beside him, the smell of leather and faint cologne filling the car.
As they pulled out of the garage, the city lights grew larger, brighter, swallowing the horizon ahead.
The road stretched before them, winding between darkness and neon.
For the first time in a long while, Tae-min felt something stir inside him, not fear, not emptiness, but anticipation.
He glanced at Sang-ho, who was humming along to an old song on the radio.
The man smiled, eyes fixed on the road. "Let's make tonight count, huh?"
And with that, the RMW sped toward the city. Two men, two lives, and a thousand secrets waiting beyond the lights.