Chrystal woke up to the distinct sound of angry voices ricocheting through the thin walls of her room. For a moment, she thought she was still dreaming, but the shouting grew louder, accompanied by the unmistakable tone of someone trying—and failing—to lie their way out of trouble.

Throwing her blanket aside, she trudged into the living room, still half-asleep, only to find Man-shik cornered by two women. Both were glaring at him like he was the villain in their personal soap opera. One had her hands on her hips, her sharp nails painted a dangerous red, while the other was waving her phone at him as if it were Exhibit A in a criminal trial.

"Oh, don't let me interrupt," Chrystal said flatly, heading to the kitchen as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

The three froze, turning to stare at her. Man-shik's face was an interesting blend of sheepish and annoyed, while the two women looked startled by her sudden appearance.

Chrystal grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured herself a cup of coffee, her every move slow and deliberate. "Please," she said, waving her hand. "Carry on. I love breakfast drama."

The red-nailed woman recovered first, turning her attention back to Man-shik. "So, you're really not going to explain this? You're just going to stand there looking smug?"

Man-shik sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Hye-Jin, it's not what you think—"

"Not what I think?" Hye-Jin snapped, her voice rising. "I literally saw you with her!" She jabbed a finger toward the other woman, who looked equally furious.

"Oh, don't act like you didn't know about me," the second woman cut in. "We've been dating for months."

Chrystal leaned against the counter, sipping her coffee like she was watching a reality show. "Months," she murmured to herself, shaking her head. "Impressive timeline management."

Man-shik shot her a withering look, but Chrystal simply raised her mug in mock encouragement. He turned back to the women, holding up his hands. "Okay, okay. Let's just calm down for a second."

"Calm down?" Hye-Jin repeated, her voice dangerously low. "You want me to calm down?"

Before Man-shik could respond, Hye-Jin's hand flew through the air with a resounding smack. His head snapped to the side, the red mark on his cheek blooming immediately.

Chrystal winced. "Ouch."

Not to be outdone, the second woman stepped forward and delivered her own slap, this one landing squarely on his other cheek. Man-shik staggered back, looking dazed.

The two women exchanged a look, then stormed out of the apartment in unison, slamming the door behind them. Chrystal stared at the door for a moment, then turned her attention back to Man-shik, who was rubbing his face with a grimace.

"Well," she said, setting her mug down on the counter. "That was... educational."

Man-shik groaned, collapsing onto the couch. "Don't start."

Chrystal grabbed a bag of frozen peas from the freezer and tossed it to him. "For the swelling," she said dryly. "That slap was so loud, I think it echoed in my childhood memories."

He caught the bag and glared at her. "Thanks."

Chrystal shrugged, her smirk growing. "Anytime."

Later that day, Man-shik's friend Jun-ho stopped by. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore an easygoing smile that made him instantly likable. The moment he walked in, he clapped Man-shik on the back and grinned. "Heard you got slapped twice this morning. Rough start to the day, huh?"

Man-shik groaned. "Can we not talk about it?"

Jun-ho laughed, but his attention quickly shifted to Chrystal, who walked into the living room carrying her laptop. "And who's this?"

"This," Man-shik said, gesturing lazily toward her, "is my delightful roommate."

"Chrystal," she introduced herself, holding out a hand.

Jun-ho shook her hand, his smile widening. "Nice to meet you. I'm Jun-ho. And you must be a saint for putting up with this guy."

"You have no idea," Chrystal replied, shooting a pointed look at Man-shik, who rolled his eyes.

"So," Jun-ho said, turning back to Man-shik. "There's a party this weekend at my place. You're coming, right?"

"Of course," Man-shik said. "When do I ever say no to free booze?"

Jun-ho grinned, then looked at Chrystal. "You should come too."

"Oh, I don't know—" Chrystal began, but Jun-ho cut her off.

"Come on. It'll be fun. Drinks, music, good company. What's not to love?"

Chrystal glanced at Man-shik, who was watching her with an expression that could only be described as amused skepticism. "Fine," she said, just to wipe the smirk off his face. "I'll come."

The night of the party, Chrystal stood in front of her mirror, turning side to side as she adjusted the hem of her dress. The sleek black fabric hugged her curves in a way that felt daring yet elegant, the soft shimmer catching the light just enough to make her feel special. She paired the dress with simple yet chic heels and a pair of gold earrings that dangled delicately against her neck. Her long, curly hair fell in soft, voluminous waves, perfectly framing her face. She took a deep breath and studied herself again. For the first time in what felt like ages, she wasn't just passable. She was stunning. And she felt it.

"Okay, Chrystal," she muttered to her reflection with a small smile. "You've got this."

Her confidence faltered slightly as she stepped out of her room, the nerves creeping in. But she kept her head high, clutching her purse and willing herself to stay composed. When she entered the living room, the sound of her heels clicking against the hardwood floor caught Man-shik's attention.

He was leaning casually against the doorframe, scrolling through his phone with that perpetual air of indifference. But the moment he glanced up, the phone lowered slightly, and his expression froze mid-scroll.

Chrystal couldn't help but notice his slight double-take. His eyes swept over her, lingering just long enough to make her stomach flip—an involuntary reaction she immediately suppressed. He didn't say anything at first, his lips parting slightly as though the words had left him.

"You clean up nice," he finally said, his voice lower than usual, carrying a note of something she couldn't quite place—admiration, maybe? Surprise?

Chrystal tilted her head, arching a brow. "Was that a compliment, or did I hallucinate?"

He smirked, the spell breaking as he straightened and slipped his phone into his pocket. "Don't let it go to your head," he said quickly, though his eyes betrayed him by flicking down to her dress one more time. There was a beat of hesitation, a flicker of something unspoken, before he added, "You're going to make all the guys at this party forget how to think."

Chrystal blinked, caught off guard. It was rare for him to be so openly complimentary, even if he tried to bury it under his usual arrogance. But she wasn't about to let him have the last word.

"Well," she said with a sly smile, brushing an invisible speck of dust from her shoulder. "You better keep up, or they'll be asking me why I bothered showing up with you."

That earned a low chuckle from him. "Trust me, princess, I'm the least of your worries tonight."

Chrystal grabbed her purse and headed toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at him. "Noted. Let's go before you start believing your own hype."

Man-shik shook his head, smirking as he followed her out. "You're gonna be trouble tonight. I can feel it."

"Only if you deserve it," she tossed over her shoulder, the faint click of her heels echoing in the hallway. For the first time since they'd met, their usual tension felt charged with something else entirely, something neither of them was ready to name.

Jun-ho's apartment was packed with people, the music loud enough to vibrate the walls. Chrystal stuck close to the drink table at first, sipping on a cocktail as she took in the scene. Man-shik disappeared almost immediately, leaving her to fend for herself. She didn't mind. In fact, she preferred it.

As the night went on, Chrystal found herself surrounded by a small group of men who were clearly intrigued by her. They were charming, polite, and surprisingly forward in their compliments.

"You're not like most women I've met here," one of them said, leaning in slightly.

Chrystal tilted her head. "Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?"

"It's a good thing," he said quickly, smiling. "You're... refreshing."

Across the room, Man-shik was watching the scene unfold with growing irritation. He couldn't quite explain why it bothered him, but seeing those guys crowd around Chrystal, hanging on her every word, made his jaw tighten.

"Why are you glaring at them like that?" Jun-ho asked, appearing at his side.

"I'm not glaring," Man-shik muttered.

"You are," Jun-ho said, grinning. "What's the deal? Jealous?"

Man-shik scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous."

Jun-ho raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

Before Man-shik could respond, one of the guys near Chrystal leaned in a little too close, saying something that made her laugh. Man-shik's irritation flared.

"What's so special about her?" he muttered under his breath.

Jun-ho heard him and smirked. "Want me to ask?"

"Don't you dare—"

Too late. Jun-ho was already walking over to the group. "Hey, guys," he said, clapping one of them on the shoulder. "What's got you all so interested in Chrystal here?"

The men exchanged looks, then one of them shrugged. "She's cool. Different."

"Different how?" Jun-ho asked, glancing at Man-shik, who had reluctantly joined them.

"She's not stuck up like some girls," one guy said. "She's easy to talk to."

"Yeah," another agreed. "And she doesn't expect you to jump through a million hoops just to get her attention. It's... less stressful."

Man-shik frowned. "Less stressful?"

One of the guys smirked. "You know. Less demanding."

"Okay, that's enough," another guy said, shoving him. "Don't be a jerk."

Chrystal raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the exchange. "Wow," she said, crossing her arms. "I had no idea I was so low-maintenance."

"It's a compliment," the first guy said quickly. "I swear."

Chrystal laughed, and the sound sent an unexpected jolt through Man-shik. He glanced at her, his thoughts swirling. When had she become so... magnetic?

Later in the evening, the group gathered in the cozy living room, the music in the background now quieter to make room for the lively chatter and occasional bursts of laughter. Empty shot glasses and colorful soju bottles cluttered the coffee table, their presence a testament to the chaos that was about to unfold. Jun-ho leaned forward with a mischievous grin, shuffling a deck of question cards like a magician about to pull off a trick.

"Alright, folks," he said, his voice rising over the buzz of conversation. "Time for a little honesty—or a lot of alcohol. The rules are simple: answer the question truthfully, or take a shot. No exceptions, no cop-outs."

The group cheered, their enthusiasm fueled by a combination of curiosity and alcohol-induced courage. Chrystal found herself sitting between two of Jun-ho's friends, her drink firmly in hand as she prepared herself for the inevitable mortification this game would bring.

The first few rounds were tame enough, eliciting giggles and playful teasing. "What's your guilty pleasure song?" "Have you ever had a crush on a teacher?" "What's the weirdest place you've kissed someone?" The answers ranged from awkward confessions to shameless brags, with several shots taken to avoid the more incriminating truths.

Then it was Chrystal's turn.

"Chrystal," Jun-ho said, his grin widening as he held up the next card. "What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?"

Chrystal groaned, her head falling back against the couch. "Oh, come on. That's a setup."

"Rules are rules," Jun-ho said, shrugging innocently. "Spill or swig."

The rest of the group leaned in, their anticipation palpable. Chrystal looked around, weighing her options. If she told the truth, she'd be haunted by their laughter forever. If she drank, she'd at least get to keep her dignity intact. Well, somewhat.

"Pass," she said firmly.

"Drink!" the group chorused in unison, their glee unrestrained.

Chrystal grabbed her shot glass and downed the soju in one go, wincing as the burn hit her throat. She slammed the glass back onto the table and shot Jun-ho a mock glare. "You're lucky I like you."

"Noted," Jun-ho said with a wink before turning to the next victim.

When it was Man-shik's turn, Jun-ho's grin grew even more devious. He pulled a card from the pile and read it aloud with a dramatic flourish. "What's your worst dating experience?"

The room erupted in laughter and wolf whistles, everyone eager to hear what the smooth-talking Man-shik would have to say. But unlike his usual cocky demeanor, Man-shik hesitated. His jaw tightened slightly, his expression unreadable as his eyes flicked to Chrystal for the briefest of moments. It was subtle, but she caught it.

"Well?" someone prodded. "Spill!"

Man-shik leaned back in his chair, his hand drumming lightly against the armrest. "Pass," he said finally.

"Boo!" the group jeered, their disappointment feigned but loud.

"Drink!" Jun-ho shouted, holding up an empty shot glass as if to toast him.

Man-shik picked up his glass and downed the shot in one smooth motion, his expression unreadable even as the group cheered. Chrystal watched him carefully, wondering what had prompted the hesitation. He usually reveled in the spotlight, especially when it came to his so-called "adventures" with women. But this time, he'd chosen silence.

"Come on, Man-shik," Jun-ho teased, leaning over to nudge him. "You're not gonna leave us hanging like that, are you? Give us a hint, at least."

"Let it go, Jun-ho," Man-shik replied with a small, almost tired smile. "Some stories are better left untold."

"Lame," Jun-ho said, throwing his hands up in mock exasperation. But he moved on to the next question, and the game continued without further interrogation.

Chrystal, however, couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his answer—or lack of one. She tucked the thought away, resolving to forget about it. After all, it wasn't like Man-shik owed her an explanation. Still, the flicker of vulnerability she'd seen in his expression lingered in her mind, a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit with the arrogant, unbothered persona he wore like armor.

The night ended with Chrystal and Man-shik walking home together in the cool night air. They didn't speak at first, but the silence was surprisingly comfortable.

"Thanks, I had fun tonight.," Chrystal said finally.

Man-shik glanced at her, his expression softening. "Don't mention it."

For the first time, the tension between them felt... different. Not antagonistic, but something else entirely. Neither of them was ready to name it, but it was there, lingering in the quiet moments between words.