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━━𝒯he night wrapped the sleeping hall in a suffocating silence, broken only by the occasional shuffle of restless bodies and the faint murmur of dreams slipping into nightmares. Mira lay on her makeshift cot, staring at the ceiling of their temporary refuge. Sleep eluded her, replaced by a growing sense of dread. The next game loomed on the horizon, and the fear of failure gnawed at her resolve. She couldn't afford to be imprecise-not when the cost of a single misstep was death.

The digital clock on the wall ticked louder in her ears, its monotonous rhythm only amplifying her unease. With a sigh, she sat up, running her fingers through her tangled hair. The air felt heavy, oppressive, as if the building itself was holding its breath. She needed to clear her mind, to shake off the weight pressing on her chest.

Her first thought was the bathroom. A splash of cold water might do the trick-might snap her out of this spiraling anxiety. Carefully, she slipped out of her cot, her footsteps soft against the cold floor. The others were sound asleep, their faces pale under the dim emergency lighting. At least, she thought they were.

The guard stationed near the hallway raised a suspicious brow as she approached. "Where are you going?" he asked gruffly, his voice low but firm.

"I need to use the bathroom," Mira replied, keeping her tone even.

The man hesitated, his gaze scrutinizing her as though searching for a lie. After a long pause, he stepped aside. "Make it quick."

"Thank you," she whispered, slipping past him.

The hallway was eerily quiet, each step echoing in the stillness. As she neared the bathrooms, a faint sound reached her ears-the rush of running water, accompanied by labored breathing. She froze, her heart skipping a beat. The men's bathroom was only a few feet away, and the noise was unmistakable.

Curiosity warred with caution. Against her better judgment, she inched closer, her gaze flicking toward the slightly ajar door. Through the gap, she caught sight of a familiar figure-Lee Myunggi.

He stood before the sink, water dripping from his disheveled hair as he gripped the edges of the porcelain basin. His shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing the sinewy strength of his forearms. Shadows clung to his face, accentuating the dark circles under his eyes. He looked... drained. Vulnerable in a way she'd never seen before.

Mira's breath hitched, a strange flutter stirring in her chest. She tried to retreat, to slip away unnoticed, but the creak of the floor betrayed her. Myunggi's head snapped up, his sharp gaze locking onto hers through the mirror.

"I'm not stupid, Mira," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I could sense you coming from miles away." He turned to face her fully, leaning casually against the sink. "Don't worry-I'm alone."

Caught, Mira hesitated before stepping into the doorway. "Sorry to disturb you," she said, her cheeks flushing. "I just heard... noises and wanted to make sure everything was okay." Her gaze flicked to his disheveled appearance. "Are you alright? You look-"

"Exhausted?" he finished for her, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, that's one way to put it." He ran a hand through his damp hair, sending droplets scattering. "I know I act like I've got it all together, like nothing fazes me, but... this place, these games..." He trailed off, shaking his head.

Mira took a cautious step closer. "You don't have to pretend, you know. It's okay to be scared."

Myunggi's gaze softened, the weight of his emotions evident in his dark eyes. "It's not just me I'm worried about," he admitted. "Seeing you and Namra scared out of your minds-it makes me scared, too. I don't know what to do, Mira. I don't know how to keep us all alive."

The vulnerability in his voice caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Myunggi closed the distance between them in a single stride.

"Mira," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

And then his lips were on hers.

Their lips melded together in a kiss that was both tender and desperate. Mira felt her body ignite under Myunggi's touch, her heart pounding in her chest as though it might break free. It wasn't just the physical act-it was the unspoken feelings, the fear of an uncertain tomorrow, the shared need for connection in a world that sought to tear them apart.

As their kiss deepened, Myunggi's hands slid down her waist, his touch firm yet gentle, as if afraid she might vanish if he let go. Mira clung to him, her fingers knotting into the fabric of his damp shirt. She could feel his heartbeat against her chest, steady and strong, grounding her in the moment.

"Mira," he whispered against her lips, his voice low and trembling with emotion. "If you don't want this, tell me now."

Her breath hitched, her lips brushing his as she replied, "I want this... I want you."

That was all the confirmation he needed. Myunggi's lips returned to hers with renewed fervor, his hands moving to her back as he guided her into the nearest bathroom stall. He reached behind her, locking the door with a quiet click before turning his attention back to her.

The stall was cramped, the walls pressing in on them, but neither seemed to care. Myunggi's hands found the hem of her shirt, his fingers brushing against the bare skin of her stomach. Mira shivered at his touch, her skin tingling as his hands slid upward, lifting her shirt over her head and casting it aside.

She was left standing there in her navy blue lace bra, her favorite set that had seen better days but still made her feel beautiful. Myunggi's eyes roamed over her, his gaze both reverent and hungry. "You're incredible," he murmured, his voice thick with admiration.

Mira blushed under his intense gaze, but before she could respond, his lips were on her neck, trailing kisses along her skin. His hands roamed her body, exploring every curve, every dip, as though committing her to memory.

She let out a soft moan as his lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, her fingers threading through his hair. "Myunggi..." she whispered, her voice breathless.

His name on her lips was like a spark to dry tinder. Myunggi's kisses grew more insistent, his hands moving to unhook her bra. He paused, his fingers hovering over the clasp. "Are you sure?" he asked again, his eyes searching hers.

Mira nodded, her lips curling into a small smile. "I trust you."

With her permission, he unhooked the clasp, letting the bra fall away. His hands cupped her, his thumbs brushing over her sensitive skin, drawing a sharp intake of breath from her. "You're perfect," he murmured, his voice filled with genuine awe.

Mira felt her cheeks flush, but the warmth of his touch quickly drove away any self-consciousness. She reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. Her fingers traced the lines of his chest, feeling the taut muscles beneath his skin. He was strong, but there was a softness to him -a vulnerability that made her heart ache.

Their movements grew more frantic as they shed the last of their clothing, leaving them bare before each other. Myunggi spread his jacket on the floor, gently lowering Mira onto the makeshift cushion. The cold tile beneath her was offset by the warmth of his body as he hovered above her, his hands braced on either side of her.

He leaned down, capturing her lips in another kiss. His kisses traveled downward, trailing along her jawline, her collarbone, and further still. Mira's breaths grew shallow, her body arching under his touch as he explored her with a mix of passion and reverence.

His hands found their way to her thighs, spreading them gently as he positioned himself between them. He kissed a line down her stomach, his lips brushing against her skin with a tenderness that sent shivers racing through her. When his mouth reached her most sensitive spot, Mira gasped, her fingers tightening in his hair.

Myunggi's movements were deliberate, his tongue and fingers working in tandem to bring her pleasure. Mira's moans filled the small space, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps as he pushed her closer to the edge.

"Myunggi... I can't..." she panted, her body trembling beneath him.

"You can," he murmured against her, his voice low and soothing. "Let go, Mira. I've got you."

His words were her undoing. Mira cried out as the tension in her body snapped, waves of pleasure washing over her. She clung to him as she rode out her climax, her body shuddering with the intensity of it.

Myunggi didn't stop there. He kissed his way back up her body, his hands cradling her face as he looked down at her. "You're amazing," he whispered, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Mira reached up, pulling him into another kiss. Her hands roamed his body, exploring every inch of him as she sought to return the pleasure he had given her. Myunggi's breath hitched as her hands moved lower, and Mira felt a surge of confidence at the reaction she elicited from him.

Their movements grew more synchronized, their bodies moving together in a rhythm that felt natural, instinctive. The world outside the stall ceased to exist-there was no danger, no games, no death. In that moment, there was only the two of them, bound together by a connection that transcended words.

As they reached their climax together, their breaths mingled, their hearts beating in unison. They clung to each other, their bodies trembling with the aftershocks of their release.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. They simply lay there, their limbs tangled together, their breaths slowly evening out. Myunggi brushed a strand of hair from Mira's face, his touch gentle. "I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I promise you, Mira-I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Mira reached up, cupping his face in her hands. "We'll protect each other," she said, her voice steady. "No matter what."

A small smile tugged at his lips, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Deal."

They stayed like that for a while longer, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. Eventually, they redressed, stealing glances at each other as they prepared to return to the harsh reality waiting outside. But something had shifted between them-a bond forged in the stillness of the night, a promise to face whatever came next together.

As they stepped back into the dimly lit hallway, the oppressive weight of the games returned. But this time, it felt a little lighter. They weren't alone anymore. And for the first time in a long while, Mira felt a flicker of hope.