Minra sat across from Yohan at a quiet corner of the break area, a plate of untouched food in front of her.

  She should have been eating.

  But instead—

  She felt unsettled.

  Because she knew.

  She knew this wasn’t just lunch.

  This wasn’t just Yohan being friendly.

  This was something else.

  Something deliberate.

  And Minra wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.

  .

  Yohan was casual at first.

  Light conversation.

  Nothing too direct.

  But Minra knew better.

  She could feel it—the way he was leading the conversation somewhere.

  And then—

  Finally—

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  He asked it.

  “You and Shuun have been close lately.”

  Minra’s stomach dropped.

  Her grip on her chopsticks tightened.

  But she forced herself to stay calm.

  She swallowed. “Not really.”

  Yohan smiled. “No?”

  Minra shook her head. “We’re just working together.”

  A pause.

  Then—

  “That’s not what it looks like.”

  .

  Minra hesitated.

  Because he was too smooth about this.

  Too casual.

  Too easygoing.

  Like he wasn’t pressuring her.

  But he was.

  And that made it worse.

  Minra picked at her food, trying to sound indifferent.

  “People can misunderstand things.”

  Yohan hummed, tapping his fingers against the table.

  “That’s true.”

  A beat of silence.

  Then—his gaze sharpened slightly.

  “But I’m not just talking about other people.”

  Minra’s breath hitched.

  Damn it.

  .

  Minra set her chopsticks down, inhaling slowly.

  “What are you trying to say, Yohan?”

  Yohan tilted his head slightly.

  “I just want to know what’s going on.”

  Minra forced a small smile.

  “Nothing is going on.”

  Yohan didn’t react.

  Didn’t argue.

  Didn’t push too hard.

  Instead—

  He leaned back slightly, watching her.

  And then—

  “Are you sure?”

  Minra’s breath stumbled.

  Because for some reason—that question felt bigger than it should have.

  .

  Yohan didn’t press further.

  Not immediately.

  But he didn’t drop it either.

  Instead, he let the words linger.

  Like he was waiting.

  Waiting for her to slip.

  Waiting for her to say something she shouldn’t.

  And Minra?

  She refused to give him what he wanted.

  So she picked up her water, took a slow sip, and forced her expression to stay neutral.

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  Yohan exhaled softly, nodding.

  “Alright.”

  He didn’t sound convinced.

  And Minra?

  She didn’t feel relieved.

  Because this wasn’t over.

  Not even close.

  Meanwhile, across the Set…

  Shuun leaned against the wall near the monitors, watching.

  He wasn’t listening.

  Didn’t need to.

  Because he already knew.

  Knew that Yohan was asking questions.

  Knew that Minra was struggling to answer.

  Knew that this was just the beginning.

  And Shuun?

  He wasn’t worried.

  Because Minra could deny it all she wanted.

  But the fact that Yohan was asking at all—

  Meant that it was already obvious.

  And that?

  That made things even more interesting.

  .

  Chapter 25: The One Who Knew Too Much