“True love... transcends everything...”

At some point, the music had stopped. Anna’s voice echoed gently through the narrow restaurant, melodious as a spring bubbling over smooth river stones. Even Muen found himself dazed for a moment, his thoughts slipping.

“True love transcends everything?”

Anne echoed the words, slowly tasting them. Then she smiled—a smile so beautiful it could disturb the soul.

“What a coincidence. I believe the same.”

“So whether it’s space, time, or anything else... nothing can sever my love, nor stop me from seeking the one I love. Isn’t that right?”

She raised her hand—reaching slowly for Muen.

As that slender, pale hand inched closer, Muen’s heart shot into his throat. He knew—if Anne could just touch him, her terrifying sensitivity would instantly see through the perfume he had sprayed around him to mask his presence. She’d know it was him.

But—

Just before she could touch him, her hand was caught by another hand, equally slender and pale.

“I already told you, didn’t I? This is my boyfriend. Not something you can just touch at will.”

Anna’s smile was radiant—no less dazzling than Anne’s. But the way she emphasized the word boyfriend... it was like a clear declaration of ownership.

Anne’s smile vanished. She narrowed her eyes, leaning forward across the table to meet Anna’s gaze head-on.

At that moment, though it was just two delicate hands pressing together—Muen felt as if he were witnessing storm clouds rolling in, thunder cracking, the sky falling.

Like two supreme beings battling at the edges of the universe, where even the Dao itself fades into nothing—and he, a helpless little lamb, could only shiver in the corner.

Oh right. Shali was still here too. She looked utterly pale, like she’d been frozen in terror, unable to speak a single word since the moment Anne arrived.

“I just wanted to confirm something. No need to be so tense,” Anne said calmly.

“Oh? Then if it were your beloved being touched or teased by another woman, would you be so generous?” Anna replied.

“......”

“......”

The silence between them was suffocating. Muen was soaked in cold sweat. In his perception, every metal object in the restaurant had begun to hum with tension. The knife and fork in his hands trembled uncontrollably—ready at any moment to transform into divine weapons under the influence of god-favored power.

Anna’s other hand was tucked into her sleeve, faint traces of magical energy already rippling forth.

Wh-what now? These two looked ready to fight at any second. Should he run? Or fight? And if he fought... who should he help?

Muen swallowed hard, eyes flicking between Anne and Anna. The dilemma was worse than being asked, “If your girlfriend and your mom fell into a river, who would you save first?”

Whichever side he picked—he was dead.

'I can’t let them fight!'

Muen finally snapped back to his senses. He was just about to leap up and throw himself in the line of fire—risking exposure if necessary—to stop them when...

“Looks like I made a mistake.”

Anne suddenly straightened. Like sunlight breaking through storm clouds, the charged atmosphere vanished in an instant.

The metallic hum faded.

Anne’s gaze swept deeply over Anna’s face, as if committing her to memory. Then she gave a small, polite nod.

“Apologies. I’ve interrupted you.”

“It’s fine,” Anna replied, withdrawing her hand from her sleeve, her smile serene.

“Understandable.”

“Well then, goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Just like strangers crossing paths on the road, the two women nodded and parted ways. As if none of it had happened.

Anne turned and walked out of the restaurant. She never looked back. Never even glanced at Muen again.

Muen’s eyes widened.

She ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) left? Anne really just... left?

He waited a few minutes, then carefully peeked outside. The street beyond was silent, empty.

She was really gone.

The love triangle death match is over.

I’m still alive.

A rush of ecstasy bloomed in Muen’s chest.

Praise be to God.

Praise be to the Buddha.

Praise be to the Jade Emperor.

Praise be to Nyarlathotep.

I survived—

“Was that the girl you mentioned before? The one who likes you?”

Anna’s voice drifted lazily into his ear.

Muen froze. The joy in his heart instantly solidified like ice.

He turned, stiffly. At some point, Anna had returned to her seat, sipping wine in tiny sips.

The alcohol had left a faint flush on her flirtatious face, adding a new allure—but Muen couldn’t appreciate it at all.

In his mind, it was as if he had just been hauled back to the execution block, with the stern-faced headsman reciting his crimes.

'Playboy. Guilty. Prepare for execution.'

“Y-yeah... probably.”

At this point, lying wasn’t even an option.

“Then—”

Anna’s tone shifted.

“Do you like her too?”

Crack.

Muen could practically hear the glinting execution blade rising high above. Any moment now, it would fall—cleaving the despicable playboy in two.

“I... I...”

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, stumbling over his words.

What should he say? How could he answer this without—

“Forget it.”

Anna suddenly retracted the question.

“It’s rude of me to ask something like that. Sorry, Junior. Just pretend I’m drunk.”

Then, in a whisper so soft only she could hear:

“Shame though. That girl was too strong... I couldn’t get a single tear out of her.”

“Eh?”

Muen blinked. He couldn’t even process the shift in tone.

But Anna simply smiled sweetly at him again.

“You owe me one now, Junior. Make sure you keep your promise, okay?”

“Ah... yeah.”

Muen nodded blankly.

The crisis had passed. Everything was over.

But this time—he didn’t feel happy at all.

He looked at Anna, who seemed completely unfazed by everything that had just happened.

His chest felt tight. Like something was stuck there, refusing to budge.

...

...

Still, thanks to Anne’s sudden intrusion, the awkward candlelit “three-person date” was finally over.

Shali, looking clearly unwilling, quietly began to clear the dishes. Under Anna’s urging, Muen rolled up his sleeves to help out. After all, he was the guest—he couldn’t just mooch off a full course meal for free.

That said, “helping out” really just meant rinsing plates. Shali wouldn’t let him do anything more complicated. Even this dishwashing duty, Muen had practically begged to be allowed to do.

Now alone in the washroom, the two of them worked in silence.

With only the sound of running water, Muen could hear the rhythmic sound of a knife chopping from the kitchen beyond. He broke the silence first.

“Is your father still busy?”

“Papa’s preparing tomorrow’s ingredients. He’ll probably be at it until late. But don’t worry—he already ate lunch.”

“Chefs really do work hard.”

“They do.”

“......”

“......”

Silence returned.

Ever since the earlier confrontation, Shali had been deflated—like a defeated rooster, listless and quiet.

But Muen didn’t try to console her. Because cruelty was one thing, but kindness that rekindled false hope... That was even more vicious.

With that thought, he sighed softly—and focused on washing the plates with extra care.

But mid-scrub, he felt a small hand tug at the hem of his shirt.

He turned.

Shali was behind him, head bowed slightly, clearly hesitating. Yet from the way her knuckles had turned white from gripping his shirt, Muen could see the determination slowly solidifying within her.

No way...

A bad premonition filled Muen’s gut.

Before he could say anything—

“Muen... I like you.”

No setup.

No buildup.

No special mood.

Just like that.

In a cramped little dishwashing area—Shali confessed.

“...Why?”

Muen froze. His mind went blank.

“Shali, we’ve only... just met, haven’t we?”

Well, maybe not just met. It’d been over a month since the misunderstanding.

But counting all the real conversations they’d had—this was only the fourth time.

Her confession was so abrupt, so sudden—it made him doubt if she had some ulterior motive.

“...Is that not allowed?”

Shali looked up at him. Big, glistening tears fell from her eyes, smearing her thick-rimmed glasses into a blurry mess.

“I know I’m not as pretty as Senior Anna or that other woman... I know we’re not that close... I couldn’t even muster the courage to help you earlier. But I like you, Muen. Is that really so wrong?”

“...Of course not.”

Looking at Shali’s tear-streaked face—Muen was suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of self-loathing.

What’s wrong with me?

How could I doubt her sincerity?

If she was acting... she deserved an Oscar.

“But—I’m sorry.”

Muen set down the dish in his hand and bowed his head solemnly.

“You’re a great girl, Shali. You’ll definitely find someone better than me.”

“But I only like you.”

“...I’m sorry.”

“I see...”

Shali stumbled back a step, her face pale.

Just as Muen sighed and was about to offer a few words of comfort—she suddenly stepped forward again, grabbing his hand tightly.

“Muen... can’t you just consider it?”

Consider?

What’s there to consider?

Love isn’t something you can just think over and change your—

Wait.

At that moment, looking at Shali’s tear-filled eyes and desperate expression—Muen hesitated.

She was so cute.

So gentle.

So considerate.

She even made delicious food.

She was basically the perfect partner.

Why was he in such a rush to say no?

Wouldn’t it be fine... to consider it a little?