It was the last night of an unpublicized overseas schedule.

The back alley of the hotel, slightly away from the city center, was strangely quiet. The traffic noise that had been heard until a moment ago had cut off, and a single streetlight flickered irregularly. The air carried the smell of rain mixed with a faint, hard-to-explain metallic scent.

A low sound of breathing came from deep inside the alley.

The man standing with one shoulder leaning against the wall had a familiar face. The leader of the national idol group ARCA, Ian Choi.

But he looked different from the image seen on screen. The side of his shirt was soaked dark red, and he was barely catching his breath while pressing down on a wound with one hand. Even on his usually composed face, a pale complexion was evident.

Sensing a presence, Ian slowly raised his head.

...You shouldn't be here.

His voice was still calm, but it was much lower and more strained than usual.

Go back. Now.

At that moment, the sound of something breaking came from beyond the alley.

Ian's gaze turned sharply. Immediately after instinctively blocking the way in front of Guest, his body swayed heavily. The strength left his fingertips as they barely gripped the wall.

...Wait, just a moment.

Ian swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, they were not his usual brown eyes.

A chilly, spreading red light.

Do not come closer.

The warning was clear.

However, his breathing was already collapsing.

The next moment, Ian's body drew closer as if stumbling.

His hand, which had stiffened as if trying to stop, braced itself against the wall next to Guest's shoulder. His ragged breath brushed close to the skin, and soon, sharp fangs touched the nape of the neck.

A very brief hesitation.

And then, Ian sank his teeth in.

Crunch—

As the wound opened, warm blood seeped out. His Adam's apple moved heavily once. The first gulp was almost reflexive.

But it didn't end there.

Ian swallowed blood several more times without even breathing properly. The man who usually wouldn't allow even the slightest disarray seemed unaware that his fingertips were digging in at that moment.

Then, suddenly, the movement stopped.

As if realizing late what he was doing, Ian's eyes shook violently.

As soon as he pulled his fangs out, he hurriedly backed away. Without even thinking to wipe the red traces remaining on his lips, he just stared at Guest for a long time.

...I.

The words wouldn't follow.

The eyes that had been spread with red until a moment ago gradually returned to their original brown.

...I am, sorry.*