PTT - 28

The hour hand on the wall clock was already racing toward the number five.

She had entered well before midnight, yet somehow hours had slipped away unnoticed. Raon lay on her back with a pillow propped under her lower back, exhaling ragged breaths.

“This is insane...”

Though unease had begun creeping in when he jokingly referred to “transparent handcuffs,” she never imagined they’d end up going at it four more times—or at least, that’s what she could remember. Toward the end, she lost all sense of herself, reduced to trembling beneath him as he took control.

“Seriously... this is crazy.”

In the purest sense of the word, Baek Siheon felt like a madman. Her entire body was limp, unable to move even a finger. Staring blankly at the ceiling while blinking lazily, Raon let out a weary sigh.

Morning would soon break, and it would be time to head to work. Even if she managed to fall asleep now, she wouldn’t get more than three hours of rest. Staying awake might have been the better option, but her exhausted body screamed for respite.

Just then, his deep, velvety voice reached her ears.

“Tired?”

“...No, just a bit worn out.”

“Drink this milk. It’s warm—it’ll help you relax.”

Siheon, who had briefly stepped out to the kitchen, returned shirtless, wearing only a pair of sweatpants. In his hand was a white mug steaming gently. 

Sitting up slowly, Raon accepted the mug, feeling its warmth seep into her palms through the ceramic. Leaning against the headboard beside her, Siheon gazed at her profile with tender affection. The memory of her writhing and moaning beneath him just thirty minutes ago was still vivid.

Though he rationally knew they both needed to prepare for work, suppressing the desire that still lingered deep within him wasn’t easy. He pulled the blanket over her lower body, tucking her in snugly.

“...I should sleep, but I don’t think I’ll be able to.”

“Try to rest, even if just for a little while. You’ll feel sleepy once you finish the milk.”

“...It’s good. Sweet.”

Whether or not he’d added a spoonful of honey, the milk carried a subtle sweetness. Sipping quietly until the mug was empty, Raon placed it gently on the bedside table. Then, leaning back, she collapsed onto the bed with a soft thud. The thick blanket enveloped her sore lower back and hips like a comforting embrace.

“...I don’t want to go to work.”

“It’d be nice if tomorrow were the weekend, huh? But honestly, weekdays and weekends don’t mean much to us.”

“...You should rest too, Sunbae. There aren’t many hours left.”

Watching Raon murmur with her eyes closed, Siheon chuckled softly. Something about her drowsy state stirred peculiar emotions within him. The thought of waking her up again instead of letting her rest crossed his mind—but indulging such an impulse would be cruel. Instead, he gently brushed her forehead with his large hand.

---

For working adults, getting less than three hours of sleep before heading to work was an unavoidable fate. No matter how unique their profession, Raon was ultimately just another salaried employee beholden to the demands of her job.

She discreetly massaged her aching lower back, but it did little to erase the lingering traces of their intense night. Sitting at the oval-shaped conference table, she swallowed a quiet sigh.

Mabel, eyeing Raon suspiciously, tapped her shoulder lightly with the tip of her index finger.

“Yeon, couldn’t sleep?”

“Yeah... I had some things to take care of last night...”

“What kind of things? Did you drink alcohol?”

“...No, it wasn’t that.”

Mabel squinted her usually wide eyes, narrowing them mischievously. Unable to contain herself, she twitched the corner of her mouth upward and leaned closer to whisper into Raon’s ear.

“If it wasn’t drinking... then maybe exercise?”

“Mabel!”

“I’m just saying! Like intense strength training. Didn’t you mention shoulder workouts recently? You seem different today.”

Startled by the metaphorical question, Raon quickly glanced around, trying to keep her voice low. Thankfully, Siheon hadn’t yet arrived—he was still speaking with the director elsewhere—and Ray and Rock appeared uninterested in their conversation.

A guilty conscience makes one jumpy. Flustered, Raon coughed awkwardly and rubbed her forehead. Mabel, treating her like a younger sister, hummed a playful tune under her breath.

It was amusing how someone so reserved during official duties became so candid when it came to matters of the heart. Raon knew Mabel wouldn’t tire of teasing her endlessly throughout the day.

“Haa, whatever you’re imagining, it’s not that.”

“How would you know what I’m imagining? Honestly, you’re cutest when you act so stiff. Oh, Rock. Want to grab a smoke?”

“...Sure. Are you coming too?”

“Yeah. Team Leader said he’d be here soon, but looks like his talk is dragging on. Let’s step out for a quick puff instead of waiting indefinitely.”

As Rock pulled a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, Mabel noticed and pushed her chair back, rising from her seat.

Ray, engrossed in music streaming from an old mp3 player through his headphones, didn’t bother turning his head—this routine was familiar to him.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yeon, you’re not going, right?”

“Yeah. You know I don’t smoke.”

“You’re something else, really. How do you manage this job without ever lighting up? I should learn that kind of willpower myself, but alas.”

Mabel muttered to herself as she tucked her hair behind her ear. Rock quietly observed her before turning the doorknob to leave. As the door opened, a familiar voice slipped through the gap.

“Sorry I’m late. Everyone, take your seats.”

“What is this, perfect timing? I was about to turn into stone from waiting.”

“Welcome back, Nox. But who’s beside you...?”

“I was just about to introduce her. Since everyone’s here, let’s get straight to it.”

At that moment, Nox and Rock exchanged glances as they entered the conference room.

Rock silently nodded and returned to his seat, as if he had never intended to leave. Mabel clicked her tongue in disappointment but obediently pulled her chair back and sat down.

Baek Siheon’s bangs were half-down, unlike his usual neatly styled look. Every day he slicked them back, but today, having spent the morning with Raon, he hadn’t had the time. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and beside him stood a woman none of them recognized.

Her long, chestnut-brown hair cascaded past her chest, swaying gently with each step. Her flawless, porcelain skin contrasted sharply with her dark locks, devoid of any blemish. Standing next to Siheon, who was nearly 180 cm tall, she didn’t appear small at all—thanks in part to the towering, uncomfortable-looking high heels she wore.

Though she lacked double eyelids, her large, round eyes evoked the image of a deer. The bold red lipstick she wore seemed both fitting and out of place against her otherwise delicate appearance. She smiled softly, her lips curving upward as her eyes crinkled.

“To get straight to the point, this is Diane. She’ll be working with Special Unit 4 starting today.”

“Huh? Nice to meet you, but... so suddenly?”

“I only received word from the director yesterday. It’s sudden, but we needed reinforcements, so it seems upper management sent us someone suitable.”

“...What? I missed the beginning because I was listening to music. So basically, this unni is joining our team?”

Ray, who had just lowered his headphones around his neck, interjected abruptly. Rock, seated beside him, lightly tapped his shoulder as if to signal focus. Baek Siheon adjusted the metal watch on his left wrist and gave a brief nod.

“That’s right. It’s better for Diane to introduce herself directly rather than me doing it for her.”

“Of course. Thank you.”

As he stepped back slightly, the woman named Diane flashed a bright smile and gazed steadily at the four people in front of her. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, as though brushed with blush, as she made deliberate eye contact with each of them.

After blinking thoughtfully, Diane finally parted her crimson lips to speak.

“My codename is Diane. It’s sudden, yes, but I’m thrilled to have been assigned to Special Unit 4. I still have much to learn and many things I don’t yet understand, so I may seem inexperienced. However, I trust all of you will help guide me. I look forward to working together.”

Her gentle, melodious voice resonated throughout the spacious conference room. With such a pleasant first impression, no one raised their guard as they met her gaze.

She then extended her hand in turn to Rock, Ray, and Mabel, accompanied by words of gratitude and anticipation for their future collaboration—partners who would soon entrust their lives to one another.

The surprise at the unexpected arrival of a new face quickly faded as everyone accepted her handshake with warm enthusiasm, eager to make her feel welcome.

But amidst the cozy atmosphere, there was one person who couldn’t bring herself to smile: Yoo Raon. Her face had gone deathly pale, and she bit down hard on her lower lip. A metallic, bitter taste of blood filled her mouth.