“Haahhhh.”
“You’re going to split your jaw.”
“Oh, Team Leader Yoon! I wasn’t yawning because I’m tired, I, haahhh.”
Seong-hyeon, rarely out on a field assignment with a subordinate, had been listening to the latter’s incessant yawning. He tapped the subordinate’s chin lightly.
“Have you been staying up all night gaming again? Cut it out.”
“Hehe, sorry.”
The subordinate sheepishly scratched the back of his head. Seong-hyeon left him and exited the building, his steps light after a successful meeting with a client. The department head had given him the okay to head home early, and Seong-hyeon planned to call Ha-jin as soon as he parted ways with his subordinate. Maybe he would invite Ha-jin over to his place today. If the mood was right, perhaps they could…
“By the way, Team Leader, you’ve really changed lately. You seem softer, more approachable. Things must be going well with the person you’re seeing.”
Seong-hyeon frowned at the subordinate’s remark, trailing behind him.
“What do you mean?”
“No, that’s not true. Before, you used to hit me hard when I yawned, and you would curse at me, saying things like, ‘Do you think you’re working here as a hobby?'”
“……Did I?”
Indeed, I was already aware that my personality wasn’t great. I remember being harsh on those lower in rank than me if they seemed half-hearted about their work. But that didn’t mean Seong-hyeon was particularly diligent. It was more about me not liking the sight of others slacking off and taking it out on them. However, the higher-ups, unaware of my true motives, often praised Seong-hyeon for not being like other young people these days. Perhaps because of this, while the superiors favored me, my colleagues and subordinates disliked Seong-hyeon.
But lately, Seong-hyeon found the past strangely hazy. It felt as if my mind was shrouded in a faint mist.
“Who are you seeing? Are they pretty?”
A subordinate, curious about others’ love lives perhaps due to their own lack of romantic involvement, looked at me with eager eyes. Normally, I would have sternly told them to mind their own business, but instead, I smiled slightly.
“Well, they’re alright.”
In truth, Kwon Ha-jin was more than just alright; he was exceptionally attractive. His face, body, and everything about him matched my preferences perfectly.
Of course, Ha-jin had more than just his looks. He had started his own company after developing some app and was quite generous with his money. On our first meeting, he gifted me a car of the same model he drove. Not just the car, but clothes, watches, and shoes—he would find things that suited me and bring them over, filling my closet to the brim.
He was truly perfect in every way, which made me genuinely want to buy a drink for the old friend who introduced us.
“Wow, if you say so, they must be really great. How did you meet?”
“Through a friend’s introduction.”
“Your friend must have done a great job setting you up. Is she a friend of your girlfriend’s?”
“Huh?”
Girlfriend’s friend…………….
“If that’s the case, could you introduce me to someone through your girlfriend? I want a girlfriend too, boss.”
Girlfriend…………. Something about that word felt off. Seong-hyeon blinked slowly. Kwon Ha-jin wasn’t a girlfriend; he was a man.
“Boss?”
The subordinate tilted their head, looking at Seong-hyeon, who had frozen in place.
“What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
“I, well…….”
Why was I dating a man, going on dates, kissing…………. The thoughts swirling in my mind refused to coalesce into a coherent thought. It was like trying to grasp sand slipping through my fingers, impossible to piece together.
Despite the confusion and fear, Seong-hyeon’s heart raced. He took a deep breath, his eyelashes fluttering.
“Boss? Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?”
“No……, I’m fine. It’s not that.”
Seong-hyeon managed to wave his hand to stop the subordinate, who seemed ready to call an ambulance. The subordinate looked at him with concern.
“Should I get you some water? There’s a convenience store over there.”
Following the subordinate’s outstretched finger, Seong-hyeon turned his head and saw an unexpected figure. His eyes widened in surprise.
“……Kwon Ha-jin?”
Not far away, Kwon Ha-jin stood, impeccably dressed from head to toe. Even from a distance, his striking appearance was unmistakable. Seong-hyeon blinked, his pale face regaining its color. The confusion and discomfort from moments ago vanished, replaced by excitement and anticipation.
Was Ha-jin in the area for business? How convenient. Seong-hyeon had been planning to suggest meeting earlier today. Everything seemed to be falling into place. He started to smile but then froze.
Next to Ha-jin was a woman with long hair and a pretty face. She was leaning into him. Seong-hyeon’s expression darkened.
“……What is this?”
Seong-hyeon’s muttered words caught the subordinate’s attention.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Turning to look in the same direction, the subordinate also noticed Ha-jin and the woman.
“Wow, both of them are stunning.”
“…”
“The woman is really beautiful, but the man is incredible. Is he an athlete or a celebrity? Oh, do you know him, boss? You’ve been staring that way for a while.”
Admiring Ha-jin’s striking appearance, the subordinate suddenly noticed Seong-hyeon’s fierce expression. Seong-hyeon’s face was tense, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a fierce intensity that was almost frightening. The subordinate’s mouth went dry as a realization dawned on him.
“Um, is that, uh, the person you’ve been seeing lately…….”
Seong-hyeon didn’t respond, but his silence was confirmation enough. The subordinate’s eyes widened as he realized he was witnessing a scene of betrayal.
The subordinate felt a wave of misfortune, having witnessed their superior’s partner’s infidelity.
“Oh, um, maybe it’s not what it looks like! They must be meeting for work!”
The subordinate tried to convince himself, but then saw the woman subtly touch the man’s arm, her intentions clear. This is insane!
“Um, you see, maybe she’s just, uh, patting his shoulder…”
The tension was palpable, far worse than any business meeting. The subordinate swallowed hard, desperately trying to justify the scene. But the woman was blatantly flirting with the handsome man, who kept pushing her away.
The subordinate fell silent, realizing there was no excuse for this behavior. It was obvious, and there was no way to defend it. Not knowing Ha-jin’s true relationship with Seong-hyeon, the subordinate bit his lip, anxiously watching Seong-hyeon’s reaction.
“…Why do I feel so upset?” Seong-hyeon muttered, puzzling the subordinate.
“Huh?”
“Why does seeing that woman all over him make me so angry?”
Seong-hyeon wondered if it was just frustration. He remembered feeling similarly when women flirted with Ha-jin at the movies. He pressed his hand to his chest, feeling a surge of anger at the sight of the woman clinging to Ha-jin.
He didn’t want anyone else to look at Ha-jin. He wanted Ha-jin all to himself. A mix of unpleasant emotions boiled within him, more intense than before. He thought maybe he just needed more from Ha-jin last night. Maybe he should have…
“Of course, boss! Anyone would be furious seeing their partner with someone else!”
The subordinate exclaimed, startled by Seong-hyeon’s words. Seong-hyeon blinked, as if hearing the phrase “someone you like” for the first time. Confusion flickered in his eyes. Was he feeling this way because he wanted Ha-jin, or was it something more?
“I totally get it, boss. In college, my first girlfriend cheated on me with a friend. I wanted to beat them both up and never see her again.”
“It’s natural to feel hurt and angry when someone you care about betrays you. I understand, boss!”
With each word, Seong-hyeon grew more confused. This strange feeling he was experiencing—was it more than just unfulfilled desire?
In that moment of realization, Seong-hyeon felt the ground shift beneath him. He had never considered that his feelings for Ha-jin might be more than just attraction. They had shared intimate moments, but Seong-hyeon had always thought of Ha-jin as just a compatible partner. The idea that he might actually have feelings for him had never crossed his mind.
Ha-jin was unlike anyone Seong-hyeon had ever met.
“Oh, they’re leaving.”
The subordinate’s murmur snapped Seong-hyeon back to reality. He watched Ha-jin walk away with the woman, his expression darkening. A sharp pain in his chest reminded him of something important.
So, I care for Ha-jin.
As he accepted this truth, Seong-hyeon felt a strange warmth in his eyes. An overwhelming emotion, a mix of fear and resignation, welled up inside him.
“Boss, how about we grab a drink tonight? Boss?”
The subordinate, trying to be friendly, was startled to see Seong-hyeon’s eyes glistening with tears.
“Are you crying?”
Seong-hyeon realized his lashes were wet. Why was he crying at the thought of loving Ha-jin? It was as if the realization brought sorrow.
“You’ll find someone great, boss……………. Someone who loves you a lot. So don’t be too sad………….”
The subordinate sniffled, trying to comfort Seong-hyeon.
“……Someone who loves me a lot?”
“Yes! So cheer up.”
“……”
Come to think of it, Ha-jin had never said he loved him. He had always been kind and attentive, giving Seong-hyeon everything he wanted. But love was a different matter.
The realization led to another.
I love Ha-jin.
But does Ha-jin love me?
Seong-hyeon defined his tears as a sign of his uncertainty about Ha-jin’s feelings. He told himself that the only reason he was crying was because he wasn’t sure if Ha-jin loved him back.
There could be no other reason for his tears upon realizing he loved Ha-jin.
