After the whirlwind of morning work hours, in the office wrapping up the morning, Giyeon was leaning back in his chair, a departure from his usual rigid posture, leisurely going through documents.

Lately, Giyeon had been in a notably good mood. Not only because nothing at work was bothering him, but also because someone recently reclaimed a long-held top priority in his life.

Thinking of that person softened his usual sensitivity, and hearing their voice robbed him of his usual alertness. As a result, he enjoyed these peaceful days, but the calm didn’t last long.

Woo-woo-woo[Dash]. His casually placed phone on a pile of documents rang briefly.

Checking the notification, Giyeon’s smooth forehead quickly furrowed.

[Director, I’m sorry, but I think I need to postpone our appointment tomorrow. I’m sorry. I’ll contact you again later.]

Tomorrow was supposed to be dinner with that person, already once postponed by them.

But now, another message of rejection arrived.

“Huh… look at this.”

Giyeon scoffed in disbelief, his face turning stern. He had understood and overlooked it once, but repetition meant no more leniency.

Despite his warning not to run away, it seemed Nam Yuin hadn’t quite grasped the message.

[Why?]

Sending the brief inquiry, he forced himself to focus on the documents, but soon tossed them on the desk and checked his phone again.

No response came from Nam Yuin.

“I told you to follow well, but you don’t listen.”

A dry smile spread across Giyeon’s lips as he stared at the empty screen.

How to make this innocent puppy-like Nam Yuin understand? Running away isn’t just a literal term; it means she can’t escape.

Giyeon briefly revisited a recent memory.

Nam Yuin drenched in rain, her bewildered face at his confession of affection, her pale skin flushed with feverish heat, her cheeks warm and soft.

Her pure and clear eyes blinked, untouched by any taint.

Creak[Dash].

Giyeon rose from his chair, moving to the bright window. The grey cityscape sprawled beneath him.

His life had been driven by strict performance. He had always achieved his goals, never straying or failing.

Was that why? Nam Yuin, like sand slipping through tightly clenched fingers, became his greatest desire, stirring an unfamiliar possessiveness.

He didn’t want those moist eyes to look elsewhere, nor her pure laughter shared with anyone else. He wanted her all to himself, an overwhelming craving.

“…….”

Giyeon’s cool gaze swept over the scene below, then turned back, picking up the still silent phone.

He set a trap for the unassuming Nam Yuin, giving no chance to refuse.

[Then let’s meet today for a bit. Should I go to your school? Or near your home?]

At that, the fleeing prey peeked out.

[Today?]

Unable to wait any longer, Giyeon pressed the call button.

Tring-Tring[Dash] Tring-Tring[Dash]. The monotonous ring was about to lead to a missed call notice when the awaited voice came amid a noisy background.

[Dash]Director?

Hearing the soft voice calling him, Giyeon’s lips curled up involuntarily as he asked bluntly.

“Looks like your class just ended.”

[Dash]Yes… just now.

“So, have you decided?”

The phone only transmitted hesitant, thin breaths.

Giyeon’s question wasn’t seeking Yuin’s answer. It was more like a precursor to an announcement.
I had given her the chance, but Nam Yuin declined, so what could I do? I had already rationalized it.

“Your classes are all done for today, right? Then we can meet now.”

[Dash]Yes, yes? No, this is so sudden… You’re busy, Director. I think it’s better we meet another time.

“Don’t worry about my schedule. Let’s have lunch together.”

[Dash]…….

“I’ll be waiting at the school.”

[Dash]… Director.

“Understood?”

After waiting a few seconds, Giyeon heard a faint ‘yes,’ chuckled mockingly, and hung up. His gesture of casually tossing the phone showed his ease, as if he knew this would happen.

And Giyeon had realized something important. Nam Yuin might try to run away from him, but she couldn’t refuse him.

[Star Icon]

The front of Seonhyeon University, under a clear sky with a single cream-like cloud, was peaceful with a light breeze. The university, carved out of a mountain, sat proudly atop a high hill, reflecting its prestige and renown.

Giyeon got out of his parked car, feeling an odd sensation of familiarity and specialty as he looked at the grand university gate, a place he thought he’d never visit.

Students, freed by the warm spring weather and lunchtime, were coming out in groups. Giyeon, looking for his destination among them, hadn’t spotted it yet.

As he walked under the lined trees, attracting curious glances, Giyeon ignored them and put his hands in his pants pockets.

After a while, he saw a slender, white figure from a distance.

Excitement surged in Giyeon, but he abruptly stopped walking.

“…….”

The moment he realized Nam Yuin was not alone, an unexpected displeasure hit him hard. Giyeon’s face grew cold as he narrowed his eyes to confirm the large figure beside her.

Was this brazen act intentional?