The man pressed a finger to his earpiece again, his posture shifting.
He wasn't cocky anymore.
He wasn't cold.
He was… recalibrating.
Then he spoke—more to himself than to them.
> "We can't harm either of them.
They've become too high-value.
One of our leaders suggested collaboration."
A pause.
"Our enemy is the same.
Target: Park Dojin.
Effective immediately—change of plans."
He finally looked up, jaw tight with reluctant respect.
Jaewook adjusted the cuff of his jacket, glanced at his watch, and said with the same bone-deep calm that had shaken them earlier:
"So? What's the plan now?"
His tone said:
You came at me with threats.
Now you're here asking for help.
The man hesitated, then replied:
"We open the files.
Everything Dojin's covered up.
The experiments. The test subjects. The fake adoptions.
We bring it all to light. Together."
"And Minah?" Jaewook asked.
"She'll need to remember. Everything.
We'll protect her from the ones who still want her dead… if she helps take him down."
---
In the car:
Minah's heart raced.
She didn't want to be a symbol.
She didn't want to be anyone's "key."
But…
She thought of her mother.
Of Sora.
Of the dress with cherry blossoms.
-----
The man disappeared into the shadows as quietly as he came, his black sedan melting back into the night.
Jaewook exhaled slowly and slid into the car, leaning his head against the headrest.
"Let's go back," he said calmly. "We're safe. For now."
Kang Ho started the engine, checking the mirrors twice—just in case.
Jaewook turned to Minah.
"They won't act against us anymore. They're switching sides, becoming our informants."
He paused, his voice softening.
"Minah… I won't rush you. But try your best to remember.
The more you recall, the closer we get to ending this."
He gave her a rare, genuine smile.
> "I kept my promise, haven't I?"
Minah met his eyes.
There was a flicker of something deep in hers—trust, maybe. Or something braver.
She nodded.
And then, in the quiet of the car, she whispered:
"Thank you."
Soft. Fragile.
But strong enough to echo in the silence.
She signed the same words for good measure.
Hyun Soo and Kang Ho blinked.
Hyun Soo, whispering like a kid hearing a ghost speak:
"Did she… just talk again?"
Kang Ho, stunned:
"You're lucky, boss. She doesn't even say thank you to me when I bring her cookies."
Minah blinked once, then smiled.
-----
Hyun Soo broke the silence first, leaning forward from the passenger seat with a dramatic sigh.
"Can we get another bubble tea?
For emotional damage?"
Jaewook didn't respond right away.
Instead, he glanced at Minah, his voice quieter—more intentional.
"Do you want bubble tea?"
Minah blinked, surprised… then smiled softly.
She nodded.
Hyun Soo pumped his fist like he just won the lottery.
"YES. Victory! Two milk teas, one taro, and emotional healing achieved."
Kang Ho smirked and glanced at Jaewook through the rearview mirror.
"Wow, Boss. When did you and Minah get this close? Hmm?"
He said it with a teasing lilt, like a sibling poking at a crush.
Jaewook didn't even blink.
He just said, calmly:
"Kang Ho."
Kang Ho raised a brow.
"Yeah?"
"Drive."
A beat.
"The earlier the better."
Kang Ho grinned and shifted gears.
"Aye, aye. Bubble tea it is."
As the car rolled into the night, there was no fear.
Just the quiet comfort of healing, bubble tea, and a man keeping every promise he made.