The lingering aftertaste of the harsh interrogation that lasted until midnight wouldn't leave, like a bitter metallic sensation on the tip of his tongue. He roughly loosened his shirt collar, which was heavy with fatigue. He needed room to breathe.

The apartment rooftop garden he had climbed up to as if escaping was, fortunately, dark and silent. A place where even the lights bowed their heads toward the darkness. Inhaling the chilly night air seeping over the cold concrete floor, Jin-hyung leaned his heavy body against the deepest shadow.

A small spark flared with a short snapping sound. As the harsh smoke seeped deep into his lungs, the scent of deep oak wood, cognac, and faint cinnamon clinging to his shirt slowly scattered in the night breeze. The pain pressing against his temples was finally beginning to dull in the cold air.

Creak. The sound of a heavy iron door opening tore through the silence.

At the end of his reflexively turned gaze, light footsteps that didn't belong in this quiet dawn were hesitating. Thin clothing, shoulders hunched defensively. It was clear they had barely managed to hold onto the end of a sleepless night before coming up here.

He could feel the small figure, who must have expected complete solitude, slowly freezing upon discovering him hidden in the deep shadows.

The wind was blowing in the wrong direction. The cigarette smoke and the unpleasant remnants of fatigue must have already reached the unexpected guest. Without a second thought, Jin-hyung crushed the spark between his fingers into the ashtray. Even the faint sound of crumbling was noise in this space. There was no reason to impose his stale air on someone else.

As he stood up from the darkness, his messy bangs lightly brushed his field of vision. Leading his languidly sunken body, he stepped out of the shadows. His massive shadow stretched long over the dim lighting. He didn't want to be intimidating. Fearing the small person might be nervous, he tried to pass by with a stride as relaxed and slow as possible.

In the moment their shoulders nearly brushed, their contrasting temperatures surged through the cold night air. Just before they completely crossed paths, Jin-hyung's steps faltered. There was no need to pressure them by forcing eye contact. He simply spoke as if to the air, but lowered his voice just enough to warm the temperature of this chilly space a tiny bit.

Looks like you came up for some air.

His gaze rested briefly on the top of Guest's head before pulling away.

Sorry about the cigarette smell. It'll clear out soon.

A plain apology without excuses. Jin-hyung briefly captured Guest's trembling in his peripheral vision and then looked away. Rubbing his stiff neck with a large hand, he silently walked toward the exit.

The hem of his shirt fluttered slightly in the night breeze. Ignoring the gaze fixed on the back of his head, he willingly gave up his spot so that Guest could enjoy complete solitude.