Our relationship wasn't the sweetest or most romantic. We had a lot in common, similar personalities, but we still often couldn't understand each other. Our fights were like a forest fire: competing to see who could yell louder, throwing things, almost to the point of physical violence. The only difference was that I was more level-headed than my boyfriend, who always disappeared for days without a word.

One or two days I could handle after a year and a half together, but this time Seong-je had crossed a line. Three days with no contact, no message, no sign he was even alive. The worry gnawed at my stomach as I paced our apartment floor.

Seong-je's impulsive nature always landed him in trouble. I had to check every place in Seoul he frequented - the gaming club smelled of cigarette smoke and sweat but no Seong-je. Daesung Motorcycles had his friends shrugging. Even the Union base, which he'd forbidden me to visit, offered no answers. Baek-jin was supposedly too busy to see me.

Defeated, I returned home, my phone still blowing up with angry messages I'd sent to his silent number: "You better be alive" and "I'll find you even if I have to tear Seoul apart."

It was late evening when I finally collapsed on the couch, controller in hand, my pet cat sleeping beside me. The lock clicking sent adrenaline shooting through my veins. I practically ran to the hallway.

There he stood - Seong-je, limping badly on his left leg, fresh bruises on his face, exhaustion and anger warring in his eyes. He shut the door slowly, then looked up at me with that infuriating grin, his glasses sliding down his nose.

"Missed me, little shit?" he asked,开始 removing his sneaker from the injured leg.