“That’s what I’m saying, a couple emerging from within the quintet was both surprising and nice!”
Ji Yeon laughed loudly, looking at Chung Sik.

“Really? Aren’t you weirded out that friends turned into lovers?”
“Weird? How great would it be if your best friend became your lover? There’d be nothing to hide about me, they would understand everything, right?”
“Really?”

Chung Sik looked at Ji Yeon with a pleased smile.

“Why are you smiling so benevolently?”
“There’s a reason, my friend.”
Throughout the afternoon, Ji Yeon and Deputy Ju Yeon alternated in handing over work to Chung Sik.

“Manager, you seem to be very close with Manager Chung Sik?”
When Chung Sik went to briefly meet Deputy Manager Seol Dong Seok, Ju Yeon, now alone with Ji Yeon, asked as if curious.

“Yes, he was one of my closest friends throughout middle school. We haven’t been in touch for several years, but here we meet again. The world feels both vast and narrow. And you know how it’s not awkward at all to meet after a few years if you were very close before?”
“Oh… Manager Chung Sik is also very handsome, he must have been very popular in middle school?”
“Chung Sik? Was he? I don’t know. Among the quintet, he was the funniest, so that’s the image that sticks out to me the most.”
“A handsome guy with humor! All our female employees are in a frenzy. They say it’s going from a duo to a trio.”
“A duo? But who’s the third? I can guess that Director Lee Kang Hyun is one.”
“Director Lee Kang Hyun, Executive Cha Min Woo, and now Manager Kwon Chung Sik!”
When the name Cha Min Woo was mentioned, Ji Yeon inadvertently furrowed her brow.

“Hmm… People really lack discernment.”
“What? Why?”
“Nothing. It’s just a thought.”
‘Cha Min Woo is a loser… A trio of handsome men. Yuck!’
Perhaps due to the addition of a new team member, the atmosphere was to wrap up the meeting and tasks early. Ji Yeon was about to finish her work for the day when her company messenger box flashed.

‘Who would it be at this hour past 7, lacking tact.’

Ji Yeon opened her messenger box with a pout, and found a message from Kang Hyun.

[How about tonight for dinner? Do you have time?] [Yes, I have time. I’ll call you when I get home.] [Great.] ‘I’ll have to treat him to dinner tonight, not on the weekend. Luckily, I have ingredients at home.’
Ji Yeon unknowingly smiled at the corners of her mouth as she replied.

That’s when Chung Sik approached Ji Yeon.

“Ji Yeon, how about a beer tonight? If possible, we could invite the others as well. Do you have time?”
“Ah! I’m sorry, I have plans tonight. The kids said they’re going to set a date soon, so let’s drink then. To appease Yuna, you might have to pull an allnighter. Preserve yourself until then.”
Chung Sik made a disappointed expression at Ji Yeon’s words.

“I’ll leave first, Deputy Ju Yeon. You’ve worked hard. I’m going ahead!”
Ji Yeon left the office with brisk steps.

“Did she get a boyfriend…… she’s been smiling alone lately.”
Upon hearing Ju Yeon’s monologue, Ian looked toward where Ji Yeon had left.

As soon as she arrived home, she called Kang Hyun.

“Mr. Kang Hyun!”
Ah, it’s been a while since I heard you say my name.
“How about having dinner at my place tonight? I’ll try to make Korean food.”
Finally, am I going to try your famous Korean food? I’m very excited.
“Ah… it’s not that much, but it should be decent. You must be hungry, would 30 minutes later be okay?”
I’m fine, please take your time. No rush.
“Then, see you in 30 minutes.”
30 minutes later, when the bell rang, Ji Yeon hurriedly ran out.

As Kang Hyun entered the house, perhaps after washing, his signature fresh scent was felt sharply.

“Are you here? Please come in.”
“Did I come too early?”
“No, not at all. But the food isn’t completely ready yet, so you’ll have to wait a little longer. What did you bring?”
Kang Hyun had two shopping bags in his hand.

“One is a bottle of wine that I thought would be good to have with dinner, and the other is the body wash you said smelled good.”
Kang Hyun took out a simple body wash case from one of the shopping bags and handed it to Ji Yeon.

“Oh my! Thank you so much, Mr. Kang Hyun.”
Seeing Ji Yeon’s delight, a satisfied smile appeared on Kang Hyun’s face.

“I was in a rush and couldn’t prepare a few things.”
The food Ji Yeon had prepared was grilled short rib patties, two kinds of pancakes, and a cold salad.

“This is delicious, isn’t it? I should tell Senior Gyu Sik to close his restaurant, we had a hidden master here.”
“It’s not that much.”
Ji Yeon blushed and laughed as Kang Hyun sincerely enjoyed the food.

The jazz music playing softly, accompanied by the champagne Kang Hyun brought, filled the house with a warm sentiment.

As she chatted, Ji Yeon, whether it was due to the wine or his company, felt elated.

“Were you very close with Ian?”
While meeting Ji Yeon’s gaze, Kang Hyun cautiously asked.

“Yes, we were close friends who hung out together every day for three years in middle school. I never dreamed we’d meet again as part of the same team. You wouldn’t believe how surprised I was earlier.”
Ji Yeon laughed softly as she thought about their morning encounter.

“You must have been very close, considering there was no awkwardness even after not seeing each other for so long.”
“Ah, did it seem that way?”

“They were playing around like children earlier…”
It seemed he had seen them joking around, headlocking each other at the company cafe.

“Ah… Since we met when we were young and became close, I guess we didn’t feel awkward with each other. It had been 6 years since we met, but it felt like we had met just yesterday. I suppose being friends from childhood makes things more comfortable.”
Perhaps because the happiest she seemed was when she was with him?

He didn’t say any more, but Kang Hyun didn’t feel good seeing the two of them joking around earlier.

Ji Yeon felt uneasy because Kang Hyun didn’t say anything.

“Are you… upset?”
“Yes.”
Kang Hyun responded briefly and brought his champagne glass to his lips.

“Ah… It’s just because I was really happy to see him after a long time.”
“I understand. And you don’t need to explain anything to me.”
Kang Hyun spoke with a smile, but somehow his eyes didn’t seem to be smiling.

Suddenly, their conversation stopped, and an awkward atmosphere floated between them. They silently sipped their champagne.

“You should rest now, Ji Yeon. It’s late, so I should go. The dinner was really delicious. Thank you.”
As Kang Hyun stood up expressing his gratitude, Ji Yeon grabbed his tshirt.

“Mr. Kang Hyun.”
“……?”
“Do you want to eat cake before you leave?”
“Cake…?”
Cake all of a sudden?

“Since we just had dinner, I couldn’t ask you to eat ramen…”
As Ji Yeon spoke with a slightly awkward face, Kang Hyun’s previously rigid face relaxed in an instant.

His large hands held Ji Yeon’s face.

“Eun Ji Yeon, you really are unpredictable. Every time I see you, you make my heart race because you’re so unpredictable.”

While looking intently at Ji Yeon, Kang Hyun mumbled to himself and lightly grazed her lips with his thumb.

“I’m not sure if I can stop myself today.”
“You don’t… have to stop…”
Seeing Ji Yeon respond in a mumble, Kang Hyun couldn’t resist anymore and covered her lips with his own.

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