Blank walls, spotless carpets, and a stale - dusty film coating the air. It hardly looks lived in, as if the owner had vanished one day and never returned. 

Noir hates it here. 

There's a reason he avoids his place. It's big, almost too big. 

Laya had been the one who chose this place for him, saying the vibe matched his own. One would be offended, considering the place is rather cold. He's not even sure if the heater works. 

A loud sigh leaves Noir's lips as he trudges into the dark penthouse, a waft of pine attacking his senses.

"Jesus Christ-" His nose scrunches as he pushes open the closet door and yanks out the air freshner. 

Who even put this here? He hates the smell of pine. 

"Fuck me..." He mutters, letting the plug-in drop to the floor before collapsing onto the couch, black leather crinkling beneath his weight. 

He's exhausted - body aching from a full day of tensing every muscle. But it isn't just physical. His mind feels just as worn. 

One would think that after years spent perfecting yourself, switching would come without effot. And while that's true to a degree... it still takes its toll. 

Lately, it's been worse. All because of a certain individual who's managed to reappear in his life. 

Noir stares at the ceiling, drawing in a deep breath, as if a single inhale could lift the weight pressing against his chest. 

Moments like these are the only times he allows himself to think. It's relieving - but only briefly. The memories always follow. They haunt him. 

His gaze drifts from the ceiling, to the TV, then to his phone as it lights up with a notification. 

Oh. Laya. 

Laya:

Hey jackass. 

Here's some photos from your race. Maksim sent them to me - make sure to thank him later. 

Noir grumbles, lazily scrolling through the folder before stopping on one image, his finger lingering. 

It's Eunwoo. 

He's smiling wide, eyes lifted into soft crescents. Portrait mode, maybe - the background blurred, but the track is still unmistakable. 

Before he can stop himself, Noir holds down on the image and saves it to his camera roll, warmth creeping into his cheeks. 

"Ты так же прекрасен, как и в тот день, когда я тебя потерял..."

-

"This here to our left is the teacher's lounge. It has a few vending machines and a coffee maker-" 

The principal's voice slowly fades into the background as Eunwoo looks around the room. It's nice - definitely nicer than the one back in America. His eyes land on the large couch positioned right in front of the television. 
Chase would love it here. 

"So, Mr. Seo, what do you think so far?"

Eunwoo flinches, realizing he hasn't been paying attention for the past ten minutes. "Huh- oh, it's very nice," he nods firmly. "A lot nicer than my old job." He lets out a light laugh, cheeks tinting pink.

"Oh, I'm so happy to hear that." The principal sighs in relief. "Here at Redwood, the students haven't really had the chance to have a decent mathematics teacher like yourself."

"Oh?" Eunwoo blinks, surprised. Redwood is one of the wealthier schools in the area - it feels out of character for them not to have a good faculty, given all that money.

"Our last math teacher was let go due to... background issues. And the one before her was frequently on leave." 

She gives him a knowing look. Eunwoo responds with an awkward chuckle, discomfort creeping up his spine. 

"W-Well I should get going." he says quickly. "This tour was very insightful, and I really appreciate you informing me of everything." He bows respectfully. 

"Of course! We hope to hear from you soon!" 

Yeah. No way. 

The school itself is nice, but Eunwoo would much rather work at an underfunded school than alongside stuck-up teachers. He isn't surprised, though - coming from a lower-class family, he never quite understood places like this. 

"Aish.." Eunwoo mutters in Korean as he steps through the sliding doors, scratching the back of his neck. It's cold, as usual, but surprisingly bright. The sun nearly blinds him.

He nearly trips though when something slams into his knees. 

"Oh goodness - are you alright? I didn't even see you there-" He reaches out instinctively toward the little boy now staring up at him with wide eyes. 

The kid hesitates, then takes his hand, hopping back onto his feet. "Sorry, mister -- I have to go!" 

"Don't apologize," Eunwoo smiles. "What's the rush? Are you late to class?"

"NO!" The boy screeches. "M-My mommy's favorite man is here! If I can get a picture with him, then she'll be super happy!"

Before Eunwoo can respond, the kid bolts toward the playground, leaving him standing there in confusion.

...Huh? 

This place sure is interesting.
Cute kid, though. 

With a shrug, Eunwoo pulls out his phone to text Maksim. He's getting hungry - maybe they can grab lunch before his next tour -

"Mr. Noir! Can you smile for the camera, please?" 

Eunwoo freezes. 

That voice came from the exact direction the kid ran off toward. 

He hesitates, then abandons what little common sense he has left and walks towards the commotion. 

He's surprised - not by the fact that Noir is at an elementary school. Celebrities visit kids all the time for good press. 

What is surprising... is the way he looks.

His usual sharp, stone-cold demeanor is gone, replaced by something warm. Gentle. Approachable. 

He's even... smiling. 

Eunwoo flushes, fingers tightening around his sleeve. 

"Mister! Can I get a picture for my mommy, please!" the same kid yells, pushing through the crowd and holding up a disposable camera. "She likes you so much that she sleeps with a picture of your face!" 

Noir blinks, looking like he might recoil - but instead, he smiles softly, crouching down to the kids level and pulling him close for a picture. 

"Tell your mom she should probably stop doing that." He says gently. 

The kid nods vigorously before sprinting off. 

"Sir, you can't be here if you aren't a member of the staff." 

A security guard. 

Eunwoo blinks out of his daze. "Oh - I wasn't -"

"This is an exclusive event. You need to leave. Now." 

"I was just-" 

"Take a breather, Mint," Noir says calmly - his security detail. "I know the guy."

The woman pauses, then gives a curt nod. "My apologies, sir." 

"Oh - no. It's quite alright," Eunwoo clears his throat, glancing up at the racer. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

"What are you doing here?" Noir asks, his expression already hardened - those soft eyes gone, replaced by the familiar edge Eunwoo knows. 

"I had a tour of the school today," Eunwoo answers slowly. "...What are you doing here?" He crosses his arms lightly, embarrassed.  

"What does it look like?" Noir gestures vaguely. "Talking to kids about... confidence. Or something." He sighs. 

"Did Maksim put you up to this?" Eunwoo asks, watching as the children are ushered back inside. 

"No. Laya did." 

Not surprising. 

"But honestly," Noir adds, "I enjoy it. Kids are cute."

That is surprising. 

Eunwoo laughs softly, earning a sharp look from Noir.

"Something funny?"

"No, not at all," Eunwoo shakes his head. "I just... wouldn't have expected you to like kids, given how you are with everyone else." 

Noir raises an eyebrow. "That's rude."

"Oh, come on - I'm joking." Eunwoo steps closer without thinking, his shoulder nearly brushing Noir's. "I think it's cute." 

For just a moment, Noir's expression falters - ears tinting pink - before he clears his throat and turns away. "It was good seeing you. I need to leave." 

"Aw, that's too bad," Eunwoo says lightly. "I was going to ask if you wanted to join me and Maksim for lunch." 

"Hard pass." 

"What if it was just me?" 

Noir stops mid-step. 

"Just the two of us?" He asks, caught off guard. 

"Yeah." Eunwoo's heart skips. "If... you'd like-"

"Mint," Noir says, turning toward his security guard, "go do something useful with your time. I'm heading out." 

She sighs and walks off. No point in arguing. 

They end up at a quiet café a few blocks away from the school. It's far from fancy — a bit worn down, but cozy. The smell of warm, fresh bread fills the small restaurant. Noir had chosen it, to Eunwoo's surprise.

A waitress leads them to a table in the corner, tucked away from everyone else, and places two menus in front of them before leaving.

"Interesting place to pick," Eunwoo breaks the silence, gently grabbing the menu and scanning the choices. "Have you been here before?"

"Nope."

The answer is cold. Short. Eunwoo sighs softly, almost hating how quickly the conversation shuts down.

But Noir notices.

"Why are you surprised?" he asks, not even glancing at the menu in front of him.

Eunwoo looks up. "Oh— well, I just assumed since you're popular, you'd pick a fancy place." He isn't wrong. Most people would.

"I don't like eating at those restaurants," Noir says honestly. "If I wanted an overpriced meal, I'd rather get it somewhere that isn't littered with paparazzi and rich sleazebags that feed off you all night." He grumbles, cheek resting in his palm.

Eunwoo smiles lightly at that. It's clear Noir isn't exactly a fan of the rich, despite being wealthy himself. He wonders what Noir's past was like. Did he come from a poor background too? Is that why he hates it?

"You're really good with kids," Eunwoo says instead, bringing the conversation back, his gaze never leaving the man across from him.

Noir exhales heavily. "Don't make it sound like I kick puppies in my free time."

Eunwoo giggles. "I was just surprised, is all. You're not exactly known for being approachable."

Noir doesn't respond right away, his gaze hardening as he stares at the glass of water like it personally offended him.

"You two ready to order?" the waitress asks as she returns.

"Oh— yes," Eunwoo says, glancing at the menu one last time. "I'll take the lunch special with the soup and salad, please." He hands it over.

"Anything to drink?"

"Just a tea is fine, thank you."

"And you, sir?" She turns to Noir, who's sitting quietly.

He'd been too focused on Eunwoo to even read the menu. "The same," he says shortly, handing it over before leaning back in his chair, arms crossed.

"Think the soup today will be good?" Eunwoo asks.

"No idea," Noir exhales. "I didn't really look at the menu."

Eunwoo laughs. "You obviously were! What were you doing then?"

"Just listening to you."

Soft. Quiet. Gentle.

Eunwoo's stomach flips with butterflies.

He can never tell what Noir is thinking — what's normal, what's not. But he wants to know everything about him. Everything.

"Um— so, Noir," Eunwoo says, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. "Tell me about yourself."

"Why?" Noir arches a brow, making Eunwoo sigh softly.

"Just a little," he says with a sweet smile. "C'mon."

Noir hesitates, then nods. "Okay, fine. Like what?"

"Mmh... how old are you? What's your favorite color?" Eunwoo gasps suddenly. "Do you like being a racer? What would you be doing if you weren't—"

Noir sits there, looking a bit overwhelmed.

"A-Ah— sorry," Eunwoo laughs, embarrassed. "I just... really want to get to know you."

"No, it's alright," Noir clears his throat, trying to ignore the heat creeping up his ears. "I'm twenty-five. Almost twenty-six." He pauses. "I don't really have a favorite color, but... I like red."

He bites lightly at his cheek.

"If I wasn't racing..." he exhales. "I don't know what I'd be doing." His voice is honest. Bare. "In an alternate reality where I wasn't racing, I'd probably find my way back to it anyway."

Eunwoo stares at him, eyes wide. He's never heard someone sound so... sure. So passionate.

"You really love racing, don't you?" he asks quietly.

"Of course."

"Then... if it's okay to ask," Eunwoo says carefully, "what got you into it?"

Noir stares at him for a long moment, clearly debating whether to answer.

"You don't have to—"

"I had no interest in it whatsoever at first."

Eunwoo shifts in his seat. "Wait-seriously? But you're really good—" He leans closer, pressing against the table. "I would've thought you were a child prodigy."

"Hardly." Noir clicks his tongue. "I was a nobody back then. No friends. No hobbies. No future..." He swallows thickly. "...No family." His hand rubs at the back of his neck. "Then I met Laya. She loved racing. Her brother was big into it. After she met me, she basically forced me into it. And here we are." He shrugs lightly.

"But it's something I never regret happening."

"So Laya taught you everything you know?"

"Pretty much."

Eunwoo can't hide his awe. It makes sense — but if she taught him everything, why isn't she—

"Why doesn't she—"

"Not my place to tell."

That earns a smile from Eunwoo. Not big. Just soft and gentle — and Noir notices immediately.

"What's with the look?"

"You try really hard to come off cold and intimidating," Eunwoo says quietly, "but the more I talk to you, the more I can tell you're just a big softie."

"Fuck off," Noir snaps, trying to sound aggressive.

It doesn't quite work.

Eunwoo laughs, shaking his head. "Alright."