CHAPTER 𝟭: THE SUMMIT

The city of Seoul glittered like spilled diamonds across the night.

High above it all — on the top floor of a glass skyscraper — a long obsidian table stretched across the penthouse. Leather chairs, crystal chandeliers, bottles of wine so old they cost more than most people’s lives. This was not just a meeting. This was theater.

The Mafia Summit.

One by one, the bosses lounged into their seats, assistants at their sides like perfectly groomed shadows. The air was thick with perfume, whiskey, and the weight of power.

And at the center of it all, half-laying across her chair like it was a throne, was Tsukahime.

She was dressed not like a warrior, but like a spoiled heiress — silk blouse, slit skirt, blade tattoo peeking when she crossed her legs. A smirk curled on her lips as she lazily sipped champagne.

Beside her, Sira was whispering in her ear, trying (and failing) to hide her giggles.

“Unnie, at least sit up straight. You look like you’re about to pass out at a sleepover.”

Hime rolled her eyes, flicking her glass.

“Please. If I sit up straight, they’ll actually think I take this shit seriously. We can’t have that.”

The table chuckled. This was the charm of Hime — her mockery. Where other bosses tried too hard to prove they were dangerous, she acted like the mafia world was her personal playground.

A man in an ivory suit leaned forward, smirking.

“Do you ever stop drinking, Hime?”

“Do you ever stop talking?” she shot back instantly, eyes narrowing with a fake sweet smile. “Didn’t think so. Pour me another before I start cussing you out in English, oppa.”

Laughter rippled through the room. The other bosses loved this banter — they lived for it. Most of them were smug too, playing at being comedians with bloodstained hands.

Then—

The doors opened.

The laughter fell like glass shattering.

Xander.

He stepped in, tall, broad, his presence heavier than silence itself. His charcoal suit clung to him like it had been tailored by God himself, veins tracing his hands as he adjusted his cuffs. Eyes cold, deep voice low when he greeted the room:

“...You started without me.”

Even that single line sent a shiver through the air.

Hime leaned back, pretending to yawn.

“Ah, look. The statue speaks.”

Sira grinned, elbowing her. “Careful, Hime, he might finally crack and say two sentences in a row.”

The table chuckled again, testing the waters. Only Hime dared to really push him.

Xander walked to his seat — directly across from her. The distance between them felt electric, like a tightrope ready to snap.

As he sat, his eyes met hers. Calm. Unblinking. Heavy.

Hime smirked and tilted her head.

“You know, with that deep voice and all that broody silence… you give off serious virgin energy.”

The table erupted. Laughter, choked drinks, smothered coughs. Sira nearly fell off her chair, cackling.

“Oh my god, unnie, stop—he’s gonna kill us!”

Hime leaned on the table with her chin in her hand, eyes glinting.

“Tell me, Xander. Thirty-three years old, richer than God, scary mafia boss... but have you ever actually gotten laid, or are you saving yourself for Jesus?”

“Virgin Xander,” one boss muttered under his breath, setting the room ablaze again.

But Xander didn’t laugh. Didn’t even blink. He just leaned back in his chair, watching her with that same unreadable expression.

Finally, he spoke. His voice was so deep, it slid across the table like a blade against stone:

“...If I were a virgin, Hime, you wouldn’t be able to walk right now.”

The laughter died.

Every head snapped toward him. The smug aura shattered, replaced with a thick silence.

And Hime—

For once, her smirk twitched. Just for a second.

Sira slapped a hand over her mouth, whisper-squealing: “OH. MY. GOD.”

Xander’s lips didn’t curl, his tone didn’t waver. He simply reached for his glass, calm as if he hadn’t just silenced a room of mafia kings with one line.

Hime exhaled, crossing her arms with a half-laugh, trying to recover her throne.

“Tch. Cocky bastard. Don’t think I’ll forget that one.”

But inside, her pulse was louder than the city outside.

They had met before. Everyone knew it. Nobody said it.

And tonight, the game had begun again.

🖤 End of Chapter 1 🖤

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