Students crowded the open plaza outside the academic buildings.
Some were complaining.
Some were laughing.
Most were simply confused.
Blue lights from security vehicles flashed across the campus paths, while officers moved through the area—checking entrances and speaking into their radios.
Near the edge of the crowd stood Seo Mira.
She hadn't moved much since the alarm began.
Her eyes remained fixed on the building she had just left.
Her thoughts replayed the scene again.
And again.
A gunshot.
A dead man.
Then—
nothing.
The body had simply disappeared.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her bag.
That wasn't normal.
Not even close.
Someone had tried to kill Jin.
Inside the university.
In broad daylight.
And yet—
he hadn't looked afraid.
He hadn't even looked surprised.
That was the part that unsettled her most.
Mira glanced toward the security officers moving around the plaza.
Radios crackled.
Students were slowly being reassured.
False alarm.
Everything was fine.
She almost laughed.
Fine?
A body had vanished right in front of her.
And Veron had been there too.
Her brows furrowed.
What exactly are you involved in… Jin?
Just then—
movement caught her attention.
Two security officers exited the building.
Jin walked behind them.
Calm.
As if nothing had happened.
The officers stopped near another group of guards.
"…We found shattered glass and a bullet hole in the wall across from it," one of them said.
"Call the criminal police and inform the administration."
Another guard nodded.
"Alright. Disperse the students and calm the situation."
Jin didn't remain with them.
He simply turned—
and walked toward the plaza.
Toward her.
Mira watched him approach.
Her expression tightened slightly.
When he stopped in front of her, she spoke first.
"You're very calm for someone who was just attacked."
Jin looked at her.
His voice was even.
"It happens."
Mira blinked.
"…That's not a normal answer."
Silence lingered between them.
Students moved around them.
Some had already begun to disperse.
The alarm had finally stopped—
but the tension in Mira's chest hadn't.
She lowered her voice.
"I saw the body."
Jin didn't react.
"It disappeared," she continued.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"You want to explain that?"
Jin studied her quietly for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"Not really."
Mira stared at him.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
For a second, she looked like she might explode.
Then she exhaled slowly.
"…Someone tried to kill you."
Jin didn't deny it.
"And you're acting like it's normal."
"It's manageable."
That answer didn't help.
Not even a little.
Mira shook her head.
"You're impossible."
Jin's gaze remained steady.
"You shouldn't involve yourself."
Her eyes sharpened.
"I'm already involved."
A brief pause.
"The moment I saw that body."
Jin didn't respond immediately.
Then he said quietly,
"Forget it."
She let out a soft, incredulous laugh.
"You think I can just forget something like that?"
Jin didn't smile.
"I think you should try."
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Mira sighed.
"…You're hiding a lot."
"Yes."
At least he was honest.
That caught her off guard.
Then he added,
"And it's safer if you don't know."
Before she could respond—
a voice nearby called out:
"Hey!"
"Move along! Campus is reopening!"
Security began guiding students back toward the buildings.
All except one.
The one where it had happened.
Mira looked back at Jin.
"You're really not going to tell me anything."
"No."
She held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then she shook her head.
"…Fine."
But before leaving, she added quietly,
"If someone tries to kill you again…"
Her eyes met his.
"…try not to do it in front of me."
Then she turned and walked toward the returning students.
Jin watched her go.
Then he turned—
and walked in the opposite direction.