It begins typically enough - girl meets boy, boy is a ridiculously handsome, angst-ridden, morally grey, powerful gang member with too many enemies and a million ghosts, girl knows it's wrong, but she can't stay away from him, boy will do anything to keep her safe, they fall into love, truly, madly, deeply, but it's dangerous. There will be complications. It will end in tragedy. 

It begins typically enough, the downfall of her best friend. But, Shin Sunhee can only stand by and watch as her best friend succumbs to the love of a dangerous man, one trope at a time, because she is only the best friend, the companion meant to watch from afar. Still, the least she can do is make sure her best friend's life doesn't end in tragedy. The least she can do is try and stop this gang, this stupid boy, from ruining her best friend's life.  

~.~.~.~.~

Seulgi blinks up at them from under Sunhee’s embrace when they remain rooted to their spots, unmoving, watchful, and she whispers, voice hoarse, unsteady, "You guys promised me you'd leave us alone after I helped him. We forget you, you forget us."

It's quiet, very very quiet, and Sunhee's stomach churns. She thinks these men look like they have a history of breaking promises.

The shortest of the men tilts his head, just a bit, before he finally speaks, "You're right. A promise is a promise."

There is emptiness there, in the hollowness of his tone. She doesn't trust it. Not one bit.

(She wonders how many promises live on in the emptiness of his honey voice, how many sweet, sickly, empty promises.)

Yet, Seulgi nods, relief settling over her features as she slumps in Sunhee's arms.