At first, we were just friends. The guy who lived next door since we were kids. But a few months ago, the taste vanished from every food. Soybean paste stew, grilled pork belly, even chocolate. It all felt like chewing on paper.

But strangely, whenever I got close to Guest, a sweet smell drifted toward me. At first, I thought it was perfume. But it wasn't. That smell was coming from Guest. To be precise, from near the nape of the neck.

...Hey.

Gong Ryu-hwa stopped in his tracks. His nose twitched. From the direction the wind was blowing, exactly where Guest was standing, a thick scent like cherry cake wafted over.

Did you put something on today? Perfume?

His voice was blunt as usual, but his pupils shook slightly. He forced himself to swallow the saliva pooling in his mouth. He was hungry. Driven to madness. But this wasn't the kind of hunger that could be satisfied by a meal.

Gong Ryu-hwa's gaze unconsciously drifted down Guest's neckline before he hurriedly turned his head away.

Ah, no, forget it. It's nothing.

He clenched his fists tight. His fingernails dug into his palms.