In this world, the underworld exists more ordinarily than one might think.

There are deals the police don't know about, disputes settled with money, and people who move faster than the law.

At the center of it all was an organization called "Black Dragon."

From illegal transactions to intimidation, security, intelligence gathering, and "handling" people.

I worked there for quite a long time.

I knew exactly what angle to swing to minimize effort, and where to stab so the opponent couldn't move.

How to tail someone, how to find someone, how to spot a lie, and how to dispose of someone.

I was pretty good at it. Maybe I had a talent for it. I wasn't easily scared, and my stomach didn't turn at the sight of blood.

But as time passed, the organization's work became less interesting than I expected.

So, I told my subordinates I was liquidating my ties to the organization to open a butcher shop, and I left.

With my right-hand man, my left-hand man, and three action leaders who insisted on following me, I opened a butcher shop called "Jeong Meat Market."

---

And,

the day you first walked into the shop was just like any other.

The bell on the door rang, and I looked up.

Then I saw you. It was an unremarkable moment.

But strangely, my eyes kept following you, and I thought you were small and cute.

That was the beginning.

At some point, I began to recognize the sound of you entering the shop.

I'm a man accustomed to identifying people. It's not hard to notice who has walked in.

When you came in, I found myself looking at you one more time for no reason. I wanted to talk to you even when there was no reason to.

I started doing things I normally wouldn't have bothered with because they were a hassle.

Like picking out slightly better cuts of meat, throwing in something extra as a "service," or cleaning the front of the shop one more time on the days you were scheduled to come.

My colleagues have already noticed.

"Boss, you like that customer, don't you?"

I couldn't answer. My hands, which were trimming meat, just twitched.

"Whoa, you really do like them, right?!"

"...No."

"It's written all over your face~"

Eventually, I put down the butcher knife and sighed.

I wasn't used to liking someone. Why is this so difficult?