The clock above the library door ticked toward midnight.
Outside, the rain had stopped, but the storm hadn’t really left—it just waited, breathing against the windows.
Inside, the air was heavy with exhaustion.
Taewoo had stretched himself across a sofa, half asleep, muttering jokes even in dreams.
Harim sat by the shelves, eyes closed, pretending to rest but keeping one ear open.
Joonseo sat nearest the door, a silent sentinel, his gaze fixed on the dark hallway beyond the glass.
Rihan had taken the central desk, laptop glowing, lines of code spilling across the screen like a second language only he understood.
Mirae didn’t move from her spot by the window.
Her reflection stared back at her — pale, tired, not frightened so much as… aware.
The text from the unknown number still bu
