Minho pov:
Minho showed up at Taeyun's place unannounced, like he always did knocking once, then opening the door before waiting for an answer.
"You still live like someone who doesn't expect visitors," Minho said, stepping inside and glancing around the modest apartment.
Taeyun snorted, grabbing his jacket from the chair. "You're the only one who ignores doors. What are you doing here?"
"Got tired of clean spaces and obedient people," Minho replied lightly. Then, more seriously, "You mentioned last week that the west estate pipes were acting up. I thought I'd tag along. I Might be useful."
Taeyun raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you volunteer for maintenance runs?"
Minho smiled, already tossing his keys in the air. "Since I needed to get out of the house."
They left together minutes later, Taeyun put his toolbox in the trunk of Minho's car. Minho drove smooth, fast, restless. The city thinned as they went, streets losing their shine, buildings growing quieter and more withdrawn.
The west estate came into view like an afterthought.
Minho slowed without realizing it.
"This place always feels like it's holding its breath," he muttered as they parked.
"That's because it is," Taeyun replied. "No one here wants attention."
Inside, the air was heavier. The smell of cleaning solution clung to the corridors. Footsteps echoed sharply, then disappeared.
They rounded the corner into the service corridor.
Taeyun stopped first.
"Bobae," he said, surprised but warm. "Good morning."
Minho was a step behind him, distracted—until the name registered.
He looked up.
Bobae was kneeling on the floor, wiping the corridor tiles with careful, deliberate movements. Sleeves rolled up. Hair pulled back. So quiet she almost blended into the space.
She looked up at the sound of Taeyun's voice and smiled faintly.
"Good morning, Taeyun."
Then she noticed Minho.
The smile vanished.
For a split second, raw shock crossed her face before she straightened abruptly and bowed on instinct.
Minho oppa?
"Bobae?" Minho said.
Taeyun frowned, glancing between them. "You two know each other?"
Bobae straightened slowly, eyes flicking between them. "Yes. I… worked at the main house." he's the friend of the young master there.
Taeyun, still unaware of the full weight of it, nodded politely at her. "You're settling in okay?"
"Yes," Bobae replied. "Thank you."
Minho wasn't polite.
"How did you get here?" he asked, stepping closer. "What are you doing at the west estate?"
Bobae hesitated—just long enough.
"I was reassigned," she said carefully.
"Reassigned?" Minho repeated. "Since when does reassignment happen without notice?"
Taeyun shifted, finally sensing the tension tightening the corridor. "Minho—"
"Did someone move you?" Minho pressed, voice lower now. "Or did you ask to come?"
Bobae's hands tightened around the cloth she was holding. "I didn't ask."
That was answer enough.
Minho exhaled slowly, anger flickering behind his composed expression. "So they sent you here to clean corridors."
"It's work," Bobae said softly. "I'm doing my duties."
Minho let out a short, humorless laugh. "You shouldn't even be here."
Taeyun looked between them, understanding dawning. "You didn't tell me you knew people from the main house."
"I didn't think it mattered," Bobae said quietly.
Minho stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Does Jinho know?"
Bobae looked away.
The silence answered him.
Minho ran a hand through his hair. "Unbelievable."
Taeyun cleared his throat. "We're here to fix a leak near the service corridor.
"It's fine," she said quickly. "I was assigned this section."
She stepped past them, head bowed, retreating back into invisibility.
Minho watched her go, jaw clenched.
"So," Taeyun said quietly once she was out of earshot, "do you want to tell me why the estate just got more interesting?"
Minho's eyes stayed on the corridor where Bobae had disappeared.
"No," he said. "But I think someone's about to regret underestimating her."
And somewhere deep within the estate, the illusion that reassignment meant disappearance was already beginning to crack.