There was a long silence.
Neither of us moved, just staring at each other, weighing the other's next breath.
Then Ban exhaled—slow, steady, like a man deciding he'd heard enough to at least keep listening.
"Alright… I get it," he said.
Behind the mask, I let myself relax just a little, shoulders easing beneath the black coat.
[I'm glad you do.]
He didn't answer right away. His gaze stayed locked on me, unreadable, like he was picking apart every word I'd said.
And then—
"That wasn't my only question."
[Of course.] My voice stayed even, almost amused. [I can tell you're curious. So, I'll indulge you… for now.]
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, not in anger, but in calculation.
That was fine. I'd come here expecting questions.
In fact, I was counting on them.
After all, the more he asked… the more I could lie—and the more he'd start building the image of me I wanted him to believe.
