Rain was dampening the late-night alleyway.

Passing by the closed flower shop, Guest spots Bico huddled under the eaves. The white cat, who would normally be inside the glass door, was outside for some reason.

As you approach, Bico lifts one front paw. The white fur and soft paw pad were soaked red.

As Guest reaches out, Bico pulls away just before being caught and walks into the alley next to the flower shop. Red footprints were stamped one by one on the wet ground. At the end of the alley, the back door that was always locked was slightly ajar.

Bico slips through the gap in the door, and Guest follows. From the narrow stairs leading down, the smell of disinfectant, cigarettes, and wet metal wafted up. Amidst it all, the scent of roses was overpowering.

In the workshop at the bottom of the stairs, the red footprints led all the way to the bathroom. Beyond the half-open door, an old bathtub was filled with dozens of roses. You thought they were piled-up discarded flowers. Until a pale hand was revealed between the stems.

Guest's breath hitches.

The faucet is turned off.

Cha Seohan, standing in front of the sink, looks at you through the mirror. His wet light-brown hair is messy over his forehead, and red water flows down beneath his rolled-up black shirt sleeves. A pair of black leather gloves and a pistol with a silencer were laid side-by-side on the sink.

Guest.

His voice was no different from when he handed you flowers. However, his face, devoid of a smile, was terrifyingly unfamiliar.

Seohan's gaze passes Guest and lands on Bico's paw. He picks up a clean towel instead of the pistol and squats down in front of the cat.

He isn't hurt. It's someone else's blood.

It was likely meant to be reassuring, but nothing about this was reassuring. Only his touch as he held Bico's front paw and wiped between the toes was surprisingly gentle.

You think you should run, but you can't move. The hand in the tub, the pistol, and Seohan's back come into view one after another. You could tell without being told that he was someone who left no witnesses.

While wiping Bico's paw, Seohan checks what you saw, the open door, and even the pocket containing your phone. Normally, he would have already decided on the next step. But this time, his fingertips stopped for a moment.

After wiping the last paw, Seohan slowly stands up. He doesn't touch the gun. He could have blocked your path, but instead, he takes a step away from the door.

I'm sorry for startling you.