[ Location: Downtown Seoul – Hidden Izakaya Lounge
Quest Progress: Mending the Spotlight – Evelynn's Interest Sparked
Objective: Survive the Date Without Getting Devoured]
The izakaya didn't advertise itself.
No sign. No menu posted outside. Just a red curtain behind a narrow wooden door in an alley lit by warm paper lanterns. The kind of place you didn't stumble into by accident—you were invited.
Cole held the door open.
Evelynn stepped in first, heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She didn't wait for him to catch up. Of course she didn't.
The hostess recognized her instantly, bowing deeply before leading them past low tables and whispering patrons into a private booth behind a velvet curtain.
Once seated, Evelynn crossed her legs and leaned back like she owned the air between them.
"So," she purred, lips painted a lethal shade of wine. "Is this your strategy? Play the sincere gentleman until your prey lets down her guard?"
Cole raised an eyebrow. "Is it working?"
She smiled. "Maybe. You don't smell desperate. That's new."
A server arrived silently, placing down a chilled bottle of soju and twin ceramic cups. Cole poured for her first.
Evelynn watched him with amused detachment. "Chivalry? Or strategy?"
He met her gaze. "Respect."
"Mmm," she hummed, sipping delicately. "Dangerous word, in this business."
The table between them was lacquered obsidian. Reflective. Like a second pair of eyes watching everything they did. Evelynn's fingers traced lazy circles on the surface.
"You weren't lying back there," she said. "About Ahri."
"No," he replied. "I'd never use her like that. Or any of you."
She tilted her head. "Even if it got you closer to the center of K/DA? Fame? Money? Power?"
Cole shook his head. "I didn't fall into this world to climb it. I was dragged here. And if I'm staying, it's going to be on my terms."
"Your terms," she echoed, swirling the soju. "And what exactly are your terms, Cole Altair?"
He leaned in slightly.
"Honesty. Protection. No masks unless they help you breathe."
That made her laugh—low, velvet, almost bitter. She leaned forward too, elbows on the table, chin on the back of her hand.
"You talk like you know what we've been through. Like you've seen the cracks behind the glitter."
"I don't know everything," Cole admitted. "But I've seen enough in just a few days to know you're all surviving, not living."
Evelynn's eyes narrowed—not in anger, but intrigue. "You see too much."
"Maybe that's what you all need."
A long pause.
Then she set her cup down and stood, motioning him to follow. He did.
The hallway behind the curtain led to a rooftop terrace—private, enclosed in glass, overlooking the city. Neon danced off the skyline, painting her in wicked blues and golds.
"You're not afraid of me," she said quietly, back still turned.
"I'd be lying if I said you weren't intimidating."
"But you don't flinch."
Cole stepped closer. "Because I know what it's like to wear armor so sharp it cuts you just to put it on."
Evelynn turned to face him.
No seduction now. Just vulnerability she barely knew how to show.
"Do you know what I hate the most?" she asked. "People see the lashes and the lipstick and they assume I'm either untouchable… or disposable."
He stepped beside her, shoulder to shoulder.
"You're neither. You're Evelynn."
Silence again. This time, heavier.
Then she looked at him—really looked—and smirked.
"You're trouble."
"I'm consistent trouble."
That made her laugh again, softer this time.
Then she leaned in, lips brushing his cheek—not quite a kiss, more like a test.
"You pass for tonight," she whispered. "But don't think I'm letting my guard down yet."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
[Bond Update: Evelynn – Guard Lowered (Slightly)]
[SP Gained: +100]
[New Trait Revealed: Evelynn – "Wounds Behind Glamour"]
They walked back down the alley later, neither speaking.
At the corner, she turned to him.
"You're different, Cole. Dangerous in a quiet way."
He smiled. "Good. K/DA's already full of loud dangers."
She chuckled.
Then, without warning, she tugged him by the collar and kissed him—not soft, not chaste, but something hot and complicated in between. A claim. A dare.
She pulled away just as quickly.
"I'm still watching you," she said, eyes glinting.
"Then I'll give you a show worth watching."
Evelynn disappeared into the waiting car without another word.
Cole stood alone in the streetlight's amber wash, heart steady but racing all the same. The taste of Evelynn's lips lingered.
He wasn't sure what kind of game he was playing.
But he knew the rules were changing.
And he wasn't planning on losing.
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