After shopping with Sophia, Adi returned home on his bike. It was 10:30 PM.
The house was silent. All the lights were off.
He placed the polythene bag of food on the dining table, walked straight to his room, and collapsed on the bed—still in his clothes.
Staring at the fan above, his thoughts drifted.
Agh… another tiring day. Everyone's already asleep. I can't believe there's only one day left before my marriage. And who would've thought I'd be marrying Sophia?
She's… changed. Back in college, she wasn't like this at all.
Tsukiyo sis is coming—that's good news. My friends from office, Dakeshi, family…
But Rian—will he come?
What am I even thinking? Of course he won't. So there's no problem…
Rocky…? Nah. He's done for. That shitty brat already lost.
Adi sat up with a sigh.
Alright. Time to take a bath and get some sleep. Tomorrow's another busy day.
The Wedding Day – Parking Lot, Wedding Destination
Shin parked his bike while Karin adjusted the long red dress that reached her feet. She was gripping a large gift-wrapped box with both hands.
Karin: Hey, Shin, do you even know how to drive? Sometimes you speed up out of nowhere, then suddenly slam the brakes!
Shin: Huh? Then why'd you come with me? You should've come on your own.
They walked out of the parking lot toward the main entrance.
Karin: You're right. I should've come on my own, you worthless driver.
Shin: Worthless?! Me?! I'm not even your driver to begin with!
Karin: Yeah, and you don't even deserve to be.
As they reached the front door, the watchman stepped forward.
Watchman: Sir, ma'am—your invitation cards, please.
Karin: Hey Shin, give him the cards. I gave you mine earlier, remember?
Shin checked his pockets.
Shin: Yeah, yeah, I'm giving it—
He patted both pockets. Then again. His face turned pale.
Karin: Shin, hurry up! This box is heavy and it's boiling out here.
Shin: K-K-Karin… I-I don't… I don't have them.
Karin: What do you mean you don't have them?! I gave you mine!
Shin: I put both in my pocket but… they're gone now.
Karin: Don't tell me you dropped them on the road, you worthless driver! Irresponsible four-eyes!
Shin: H-Hey! Karin, you're crossing the line!
Karin: This is nothing compared to what you just did!
Shin: I should call Adi. He'll let us in without the card—
Before Shin could dial, a man walked out of the gate—colorful shirt, long gray pants, sunglasses. Dakeshi.
Dakeshi: Hey, you two. Adi's friends from the office, right?
Karin: Who the hell are you?
She leaned toward Shin and whispered:
Karin: Is he a joker? Do people invite clowns to their weddings now?
Shin: What are you talking about, Karin? He's not a jok—
He paused, looked at Dakeshi again, and lowered his voice.
Shin: He's Adi's friend. Helped a lot with the preparations.
Karin: Ohhh, this is the guy Adi was talking about…
She muttered under her breath:
Karin: A coward, a spoiled brat, a piece of—
Shin (shouting): NOOO! That wasn't him, Karin!!
Dakeshi (raising a brow): So, what're you two doing out here? Not going in?
Shin: Actually… I dropped our cards somewhere on the road.
Dakeshi: No problem, come with me.
He turned to the watchman.
Dakeshi: They're official guests. Let them in.
Watchman: Okay, you may go.
Karin and Shin finally entered the wedding venue.
Adi's Room-
Adi stood in front of the mirror, buttoning up his shirt. The room was quiet. A knock echoed through.
Adi: Just come in.
The door opened. It was Shin and Karin.
Karin (grinning): My boy Adi, we're here!
Adi: You guys? Come, come in.
Karin hugged him tight.
Shin: Karin, quit hugging him already.
Adi: It's alright.
Karin (ignoring Shin): You shut your mouth.
Adi: Sit, both of you.
They sat.
Adi: You reached here okay?
Karin: This idiot dropped—
Shin (cutting in quickly): Nothing. It's nothing.
Shin: How much time left before the wedding?
Adi: Still a few hours.
Suddenly, the door opened again. All three turned.
It was Rocky—dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and pants, walking in with that same unreadable face.
Adi (without turning from the mirror): oh? What brings you here?
Rocky: I need to talk.
Adi: My friends are here.
Rocky: Then they can hear it too. I want a fight. Right now.
Adi paused, looking at Rocky through the mirror.
Adi: Fight… you?
Karin stood up, clearly irritated.
Karin: Who the hell are you, brat? How are you talking to Adi like that?
Adi (calmly): He's Sophia's little brother.
Karin: And that's why he's challenging you to a fight?
Adi: Hell if I know.
Adi (to Rocky): What's the issue now, brat?
Rocky (stern): Answer me.
Karin: If you want a fight, fight me instead. I'll break that arrogant jaw of yours.
Adi: Karin, Shin… can you step out for a minute? I need a word with him alone.
Karin: I'm not going anywhere—
Shin (getting up): We're going. Come on, Karin.
Karin: But—
Adi met her eyes in the mirror.
Adi: Please.
Karin (softening): Okay… we'll wait outside.
They stepped out.
Adi turned to Rocky.
Adi: Now speak. What do you want?
Rocky (cold): Simple. One-on-one. Right now.
Adi: I'm not in the mood. And it's my wedding day. I don't want to ruin your face before the photos.
Rocky (expressionless): Stop joking. I haven't forgotten that embarrassment. Or that chokehold.
Adi (smirking): I could apologize, if you want…
(pause)
Adi: Yeah, as if. That's never happening.
Rocky: Take this seriously.
Adi: You want me to take you seriously? Now you're the one joking.
Rocky (eyes sharpening): I said I'm serious, you shithead.
Adi: You really are, huh? Fine. But can't this wait? I've got a wedding to attend.
Without warning, Rocky stepped forward and swung a punch straight at Adi's head.
Adi barely dodged.
The punch shattered the mirror behind him. Glass cracked and rained down. Blood trickled from Rocky's clenched fist, but his face didn't flinch.
He pulled out shards from his bleeding knuckles—silent, still.
Adi exhaled, steadying himself.
Adi (thinking):
He wasn't bluffing. That punch could've cracked my skull.
Adi (serious): You really are serious.
Rocky: From the start.
Adi rolled up his sleeves.
Rocky (half-smirk): Finally getting serious?
Adi: Let's take this outside. I'm not wrecking this room.
They stepped out.
Shin and Karin rushed over.
Karin: What happened? I heard a crash.
Adi: Nothing. Just wait here. I've got something to handle.
He and Rocky walked out of the main entrance, past the gates—where everything was about to go down.