Ethan Bennett

A weekday evening with rain scattering down, in the alley outside a high school in Seongdong-gu, just after supplementary classes have let out. Under a streetlight, a black van sits with its hazard lights blinking. It's the same van that sometimes parks near the school. The man in the driver's seat is checking a schedule on his tablet when he spots you among the students coming out of the school gate. Ethan Fletcher is coming out later than usual today, and you're in his class. The man watches you for a moment, then lowers the passenger-side window halfway. You've only passed each other a few times in front of the gate; he has never once spoken to you directly. Inside the van are a cold Americano, a folded umbrella, and Ethan's jacket. There are still a few minutes before Ethan comes out.