I ignored Joo Seunghyuk and casually turned my head—only for the number on the display board to catch my eye.

“152”

That was Do Hyeokjin’s number. He had placed a bid.

“Seunghyuk, why...?”

Hadn’t Hyeokjin-hyung also decided to give up on the Nemershield Necklace?

I looked at Seunghyuk in confusion. He wiped the playful expression off his face and whispered softly in my ear.

“Don’t worry.”

Hyeokjin placed a couple more bids before stopping. To anyone watching, it probably just looked like he was after the treasure but gave up when the price soared beyond reason.

It certainly looked more natural than coming all the way here and leaving without bidding on anything.

And finally, the brutal bidding war for the Nemershield Necklace came to an end.

“Any more bidders?”

Despite the auctioneer’s call, no new numbers appeared on the board.

“Customer #26! The ‘Nemershield Necklace’ goes to Customer 26!”

At that moment, David, seated across from us, clenched his fist in triumph. The production crew in the box with him scrambled to capture the moment. So David was #26. He hadn’t won a single item until now—it seemed this was what he’d been aiming for all along.

In the end, unlike the original plot, the fake Nemershield Necklace ended up in David’s hands.

I had succeeded in changing the original story.

***

As people applauded David, today’s “victor” of the auction, and others consoled their disappointment, we stepped outside the hall.

“Yeonsu!!!”

Just then, a booming voice rang out, and Do Hyeokjin came running toward me.

“Hyung!”

We’d known each other since childhood, but seeing him again now—after changing the original timeline—made it feel deeply emotional. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

I greeted him with a big smile, but the heartfelt reunion hug never happened.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Seunghyuk stepped in, pressing down on Hyeokjin’s shoulder, blocking his approach to me.

“Well, well. Look who it is. Joo Seunghyuk was here too? Your presence is so faint I didn’t notice.”

“You, on the other hand, are always irritatingly hard to ignore.”

The two of them immediately sharpened their words. I didn’t think they were actually on bad terms, so why were they growling at each other?

“Hey! Look, it’s Joo Seunghyuk and Lee Yeonsu!”

“They’re about to fight!”

Nearby reporters caught the scent of a scoop and swarmed in. I even spotted a few Korean journalists among them—likely here to cover the Aquilus Auction.

“You didn’t place a single bid on the Nemershield Necklace. I didn’t even realize you were here.”

“I already have a Guide. I don’t need to rely on a pathetic treasure.”

Seunghyuk smiled confidently and pulled me into his arms.

‘Please don’t drag me into your fight...’

I wanted nothing more than to slip off to the hotel alone, but camera flashes exploded in every direction.

The reporters were watching us with avid curiosity.

Did they do this on purpose...?

Hyeokjin had deliberately drawn attention to himself in front of the press, pointing out that Seunghyuk hadn’t placed a single bid on the Nemershield Necklace. And Seunghyuk had emphasized again that he didn’t care about it.

Thinking about it, not winning the necklace didn’t mean things were over.

The scammers hadn’t been caught yet, and if something happened, there was still a chance the blame could be pinned on someone else.

And the new owner of the Nemershield Necklace was David.

There were a lot of witnesses who had seen David and Seunghyuk arguing about me at the hotel, and it had even made the tabloids.

If anything happened [N O V E L I G H T] to David, Seunghyuk would be the top suspect.

That’s why, in front of the reporters, he was making it clear he had no interest in the necklace and that his relationship with me was going smoothly.

If that was the case, I couldn’t just stand still either.

I wrapped my arm around Seunghyuk’s waist and smiled brightly.

“Of course. You've got me, Seunghyuk. If you’d actually bid on that necklace, I’d have sulked.”

“......”

Seunghyuk’s expression froze.

Why? Wasn’t this whole thing just a performance?

“Seunghyuk, you only need me, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

His dark eyes reflected my face entirely. Even though we were just putting on a show for the press, the way he looked straight at me—with those clear, deep eyes—made me feel strange.

My heart started to beat in a weird way. Maybe the tension from the auction was still lingering.

Trying to suppress the odd feeling, I turned to Hyeokjin.

“Hyeokjin-hyung, the reporters are here. Should we really be showing them a fight overseas? Why not make peace over a meal?”

Just showing that we had no interest in the necklace and that our relationship was stable wouldn’t be enough.

With Aaron, I had shown proper manners. I endured his disrespect. But when he set out to manipulate everything, I was utterly helpless.

It would be the same this time. If something happened and the scammers or the media tried to frame Seunghyuk, it would be nearly impossible to clear his name.

Leaving Hyeokjin alone was also dangerous. There was always the possibility that the “original plot inertia” might kick in and harm him somehow.

So it was better if we all stayed together tonight.

“I’m always happy to eat with you,” Hyeokjin said, narrowing his eyes at Seunghyuk. “But I’m not so sure about him.”

I was pretty sure he wasn’t serious, though.

“Seunghyuk, let’s have dinner with Hyeokjin-hyung tonight. Once you eat together, the misunderstandings might clear up.”

“I don’t think that’s likely, but if that’s what Hyung wants, I’ll go.”

Seunghyuk agreed with my suggestion.

“I saw a nice-looking pub just ahead on the way over. Should we go there?”

“Sounds good.”

“If Yeonsu wants it, I’m in.”

“Then let’s go.”

I smiled softly and began walking.

As we moved, the reporters naturally followed.

Today was the Aquilus Auction, an annual event and a celebration. Free press coverage was allowed. In fact, I had specifically chosen the pub right in front of the auction hall, knowing reporters would trail us.

There were still some seats available inside, but I chose an outdoor table.

That way, the reporters could see us clearly.

Besides, this close to the Grand Auction Hall, the area was covered with CCTV.

In the original story, Seunghyuk had been relentlessly suspected simply because he didn’t have an alibi during the time of the crime. Even though it was such an unusual hour that having a perfect alibi would’ve been even weirder.

But if we stayed here, we could prove our alibi if anything happened.

The pub usually closed at 2 a.m., but on Aquilus Auction day, it stayed open until 5 a.m., according to the sign. Nearby shops seemed to follow the same rule. So if we just stayed here until 5 and then returned to the hotel, we’d be fine.

“What should we eat?”

I glanced at the reporters filming us from across the street, then turned my eyes to the menu and asked. Seunghyuk took my hand.

“Whatever you want, Hyung.”

“We should choose together.”

“Let’s see what they’ve got.”

Hyeokjin, sitting across from us, leaned forward to get a look at the one menu we had. His face came in close.

In that moment, Seunghyuk’s face twisted, and he pressed his index finger against Hyeokjin’s forehead and shoved him back.

“Joo Seunghyuk! What the hell are you doing?!”

“Don’t shove your filthy head in this direction.”

“What? What the hell’s filthy about me?!”

“Don’t cross the table line. Don’t lean forward. Don’t raise your hand. I’ll chop it off.”

“Hey! How the hell am I supposed to eat, then?!”

“Not my problem.”

“What’s wrong with you? Did you eat your manners for dinner?!”

...These two. They do get along, right? They’re just pretending to fight in front of the press, right...?

Yeah, that must be it. They’re just acting cranky because the reporters are watching...

“Come on, don’t fight. Pick something. I’ll get the fish and chips.”

I went for the safest option and passed the menu to Seunghyuk. He picked something, then tossed the menu at Hyeokjin.

“Hey! What the hell, throwing it like that?!”

“Can’t even catch that? Maybe it’s time you retired.”

“You little punk—!”

...No matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t acting. They just didn’t get along. Maybe it was that “sworn enemies who don’t actually want each other dead” kind of thing.

“Seunghyuk.”

I grabbed Seunghyuk’s hand, which looked like it was ready to throw down.

“Wanna go place the order?”

There was staff available, so there was no need for us to go inside. But Seunghyuk must’ve sensed I wanted to talk, because he nodded and followed me into the pub.

I pulled him to a quiet corner of the otherwise empty shop and leaned in close.

“Hyung, this is embarrassing...”

Seunghyuk’s face flushed red. Maybe I’d gotten too close while trying to speak discreetly.

Realizing my mistake, I quickly stepped back.

“Sorry!”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”

He pulled me back in by the waist and grinned.

This bastard... was just messing with me.