Morning slipped quietly into the apartment.
Light pushed through the narrow gaps of the blinds, stretching across the wooden floor in pale stripes. Dust drifted lazily through the air, glowing faintly in the sunlight.
Kang Min-Jae opened his eyes.
For a few seconds he didn't move. He simply stared at the ceiling above him, his breathing slow and steady, as if his body needed a moment to remember where it was.
Then he exhaled and rolled onto his side.
His long hair had fallen across his face during the night. He brushed it away with a tired hand and pushed himself upright.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Min-Jae swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood. The cold floor pressed against the bottoms of his feet as he stretched his arms above his head. His shoulders cracked softly.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Morning…"
His voice was rough with sleep.
He walked down the short hallway toward the bathroom, scratching his head slightly as he went. The apartment was small but organized, everything sitting exactly where it belonged.
Min-Jae pushed the bathroom door open and turned the shower handle.
The pipes rattled.
A moment later hot water burst from the showerhead, filling the room with rising steam.
He stepped under it.
The heat rolled down his shoulders and back immediately, washing away the last of the sleep clinging to him. He leaned forward slightly, letting the water run through his hair as it darkened and clung to his neck.
Min-Jae closed his eyes.
For the next thirty minutes the apartment heard nothing but the steady rush of water.
Min-Jae turned off the shower and stepped out of the steam-filled bathroom. By the time he finished drying his hair and pulling on a dark shirt, the smell of coffee had already begun drifting through the apartment.
The coffee machine hummed softly in the kitchen as Kang Min-Jae poured himself a cup. Steam curled upward from the mug, carrying the bitter smell through the apartment.
From the living room, the television murmured with the morning news.
"…government investigators confirmed this morning that the corruption probe will expand—"
"So you're finally awake."
Park Joon-Ho didn't look away from the screen as he spoke. He sat slouched across the couch with one arm hanging over the backrest, a half-empty mug dangling loosely in his hand.
Min-Jae leaned against the counter and took a slow sip of coffee. "You sound disappointed."
Joon-Ho snorted, lowering the mug and glancing over his shoulder. "I was starting to think you died in your sleep. Would've been a pain explaining that to the landlord."
Min-Jae didn't react. He simply lifted the mug again, the heat warming his fingers.
"Police officers worry about strange things," he said calmly.
Joon-Ho gave a short laugh and gestured toward the television with his mug. "You see this mess?" The screen showed a crowd of reporters shouting questions at a group of officials hurrying up a set of marble steps. "Whole department's losing its mind over this corruption case."
Min-Jae followed his gaze briefly before looking away.
"Another scandal," he said.
Joon-Ho raised an eyebrow. "Not just another scandal. Millions missing, people suddenly disappearing, politicians sweating like pigs in front of cameras. Trust me, this one's big."
Min-Jae finished his coffee and set the mug in the sink with a quiet clink.
"They're all big until people forget about them," he replied.
Joon-Ho studied him for a moment, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You ever think you're a little too cynical for a guy our age?"
Min-Jae grabbed his coat from the chair beside the door and slipped one arm into the sleeve.
"No."
Joon-Ho laughed under his breath, shaking his head as he leaned back against the couch.
"You really haven't changed since college," he muttered, taking another sip of coffee.
For a moment the apartment fell quiet except for the low murmur of the news.
Then Joon-Ho spoke again.
"Don't forget dinner tonight."
Min-Jae paused while adjusting the collar of his coat. "Dinner?"
Joon-Ho turned his head slowly, staring at him in disbelief. "You promised."
Min-Jae thought for a moment before nodding once.
"Right."
Joon-Ho sighed and rubbed his face with one hand.
"You're unbelievable."
Min-Jae opened the door and stepped into the hallway.
Behind him, Joon-Ho called out casually, "One of these days I'm going to figure you out, you know."
Min-Jae glanced back briefly, his expression unreadable.
"Good luck."
Joon-Ho snorted and leaned back into the couch again, raising the mug to his lips.
"Yeah," he muttered to himself. "I'll need it."