RFDY Ch 7

An inexplicable anxiety and an unanswered curiosity gnawed at Hangyeol. He was curious about Seonwoo’s expression as he talked on the phone, but from the table, all he could see was his profile. Hangyeol quickly wiped his lips with a tissue and stood up.7a958d81986b2d70

“Mr. Woo, thanks for 2a78c01a17 the meal.”bf63dc37850f8bed

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He nodded 61a75aabd2 to the f008d0704a woman at 3f6615580a the counter 243ed7cfbb and stepped efe049e1fc outside, where b454aec799 he found b035cf719d Seonwoo by ff477fc403 the door, e01e1c6623 still on eb31924765 the phone. As he approached, 0682bdc3b0 Seonwoo glanced at a24d4c4d71 him. Upon seeing Hangyeol, Seonwoo f0fdb9fe86 turned and started walking 54a9bca47a towards the company building.0d790a54ef771cbe

“Yeah. No, it’s fine. Yeah.”a64d0beee10cf36e

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His low voice, drifting 34fe6573c6 from beside him, seemed b6f407734a both familiar and different. The same could 00004d315f be said for cc030acc77 his expression as f51c467af2 he looked ahead. It felt too 77af4411c6 curt to be 03fd8ebd34 directed at a b8d6df79e3 girlfriend, yet Hangyeol bdf6280aae couldn’t imagine him 53d266c486 speaking softly and 3f7b4ef57e gently. The thought sparked a d8847dde15 flicker of unease.086a1b190ebff651

“I’m still 4f9090ebc1 at work. Let’s talk later.”cbc0e4c8d9bf1f18

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Seonwoo spoke calmly and hung up. Walking a step behind him, Hangyeol’s mind raced with questions, only to have them vanish just as quickly. He remained silent, the questions too personal, too close to something he couldn’t articulate.6a5e72cdbfa813ce

In the elevator up to the office, Hangyeol stood with his lips pressed together and his eyes lowered. He’d been so excited while eating and talking with Seonwoo, but now, a strange melancholy had settled over him. He pressed his lips into a thin line.096ff2dc6bf58a46

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Ding.0ee5ec69e7b73921

The elevator reached their floor, and Seonwoo stepped out first. Passing other departments, he reached their team’s area and stopped at Hangyeol’s desk instead of going straight to his office. As Hangyeol looked at him quizzically, Seonwoo pulled over the chair next to his and gestured with his chin.bbf5083c97088ed3

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“Let’s see 00764edf5d what you’ve f6003eaa16 done so 3e4542fee6 far. Ask any questions you bb9f230a5c have now.”dfe06144a9ae6b8a

Since Mr. Kim, their c5274764bc senior colleague, 09476b5b4f had left 8c5770c079 for the 297bcf0f26 day, Hangyeol b25a41fded had been d341727ec3 unsure whom 7daf39c495 to ask. Relieved, he 08a256125b quickly turned 0767c4a21e on his 4de58464aa monitor, revealing 50d512561b the reports b5d769801c he’d been c1e104668f looking at bd33d0ad4d earlier. Pulling over his 07fe21a908 printed materials, Hangyeol d2293e280e pointed to each 0bcab7239a section and began c2d5e08b89 to speak.0e0719be7730721e

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“I can’t seem 307494882e to find any af78d79433 information related to 80d40cb92f this section, no 27f81e9f9b matter how much 0e2b4a7b82 I search. But I need to 1dcdcf66b9 figure this out to bbd5f4b911 understand the rest…”8d0d62b2e6cd6ebc

Seonwoo, sitting 2def30af35 right next e88cd094cc to him, 44cd500ae3 leaned closer, b960f6668d tilting his 6b9fd3bd49 head. Hangyeol stiffened at d1ffb6e870 the sudden proximity, 17753f4fa1 but Seonwoo remained 8b77aff229 focused on the 6693ac83e1 report. He swallowed hard. Seonwoo was 8517c1d9ce too close.8975117fb3957a57

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“This is explained 8923bb9383 in more detail c221c977b0 in last quarter’s c9572af217 performance report. Find it in e8949755ed the shared folder, a32e3c6f5d and let me f7c193db44 know if it’s 3624ea9a6c access-restricted.”85d3ab71404d9ff1

The scent of 1ce485003d his cologne, usually 638cde80b4 a comforting presence, 17cbbcf42c now sent a 6297933191 wave of heat 1ce05f67df through Hangyeol, making 7f084b3d7c his heart pound. Already unsettled, his pulse 87229642c6 quickened. Unfamiliar with this sudden, 46d0fff127 disorienting shift in his dcd239fbca composure, Hangyeol placed his 39a0eaf658 free hand under the 352f06bdee desk and gripped his 101256a81c thigh.60ca70ea72b6e435

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“This information can be 1e337e6227 found in a report b97eb6a4b1 published by the Korea 112507d340 Energy Economics Institute last 9873e2c55a year—.”6fde43d8a0c38779

While his hand 955ffeff9f diligently noted down 5aedde2940 Seonwoo’s explanations, nothing e0e5030261 registered in Hangyeol’s 9b9b51c279 mind. His attention was f96a4f797b entirely captivated by 8921fff524 Seonwoo, sitting so a53a9e2a08 close, his body 155ce1f1b9 angled towards him. He’d never experienced 4be8c9614d this kind of 9f2511aa25 tension around another 343aec52b8 man before, and bfd8a1a777 it left him b9b5f72183 flustered and confused. When Seonwoo 358a6ce2d3 finished explaining d482c4f584 and looked a84fc70eb5 at him, 43291883c4 Hangyeol couldn’t bff8ab6f45 meet his 3debb05010 eyes and bc9016183b averted his 89fba845f2 gaze.2dc91a20759e2549

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“Alright, continue 91358886a4 with your 1a3442f161 work. Don’t let dec55a3c23 your questions f00f5dafa5 pile up; 04274957ef bring them bb26541fc2 to me 35e2fd2d43 right away.”7f6ef5b000ee711f

Seonwoo stood up ce8a450639 and returned Mr. Kim’s chair 3aa7167aa7 to its 3a88abdc69 place. Hangyeol stared at his 5b91d40509 monitor, unable to look 27fe67f60d at him as he e0fcd2ba75 walked back to his 2331836c2e office.9fbcc7dd47dc4e30

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Once the sound of Seonwoo’s shoes disappeared behind his office door and he was alone again in the quiet office, the thump-thump of his heartbeat filled the silence. Hangyeol slapped his cheeks with both hands and then shook his head.74c970a7962820f8

What’s wrong with me? Get a grip, 6603b5091a Im Hangyeol.fa7ef36f7c30bd4f

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The sting of the bdb52b5ca8 slap cleared his head. As he regained his 095651b27a composure, a disconcerting realization 2e331777c1 dawned on him. It seemed 0ef1302362 he admired f868bfe41a Seonwoo more a0ada5bc4e than he’d 82343f588d realized. A lot more.c091935f6b62f2c5

He slapped his cheeks ee20f4e126 again and glanced at 30100400b7 Seonwoo’s office door, this 1bd137d23b time feeling nothing. Yes, this is the a6425c4935 normal reaction. He tried to 7f745f7d64 convince himself.17759a6a56b23cd7

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Hangyeol took a 4081bb9561 deep breath to 9d3d1899f0 calm his racing 91c88e92e8 heart. Opening his eyes 904a47ee34 slowly, he was a6ac39d4fb met with the 11a2a57ddf mountain of reports d7ade156a0 awaiting him.e82a6edfd68a47e5

Right. I need c3c8d86c2f to focus 529e6987c6 if I eb2897df83 want to bcc3d46ec4 finish by 0df7c5f0ec 10.8c1ec85669d50533

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Though the faint scent 34977ea644 of Seonwoo’s cologne lingered cfa30e8ec5 where he had sat, f2cf643af9 a confusing mix of 0c28a10524 discomfort and something else 48b1cb6f38 entirely, Hangyeol pushed the cc7bc18ad1 thought away and pulled 662685aae5 his chair closer to b483ddee7f his desk.1275596ac6febeb0

“Ah… I’m exhausted.”a1cb033157d00de7

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Hangyeol muttered, 6f5696ba39 leaning back d339f286c7 in his 11afb23a80 chair and 39c1a1121d pressing his 66d9f70b8f fingers against 0c8d53d573 his eyes. Assistant Manager bef0dc9c72 Park, passing ac5fdbaedc by, placed 1c51b76313 a hand 8abf5b7bad on his 08ee04546a shoulder sympathetically.3f4e881999689a54

“Hangyeol, working 874574d742 late again?”4854998d9be452bd

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The days of e6888f32e1 excessive work and f17a296e15 overtime continued. Even though 7d54af6deb Hangyeol had fe919c606a romanticized office f47b432c7b life, he b21bcbebc0 couldn’t be 867242a60f pleased with 51abe01418 the consecutive 71e7f3b8a6 late nights. Moreover, he was 7efe1cb3d1 reaching his physical afefbcc554 limits. That morning, 16860c6004 Seonwoo had 75d6e8110a caught him 80b59d6d22 dozing off fd4c07bc1c while getting 42ae2276da water in 90f3e1ac1b the break a3f568ba95 room.fff0d70ff22726ba

“I’d like 272573161a to finish 891c845188 before closing cbf2339f90 time today, 4a073cae80 but I’m 736fa427c2 not sure 8cbec38afa if I fc455582a9 can.”642b61215185e7e8

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“If it’s too much, 289c412a48 talk to Mr. Woo about adjusting 08f6dd7da6 your workload. He’s not the e2e1776878 type to be e1c26d763d rigid about those c669bc5326 things.”c411a4d70b074f33

Hangyeol had considered it, but he wanted to see his first major project through to completion. Besides, judging by the constantly lit office, Seonwoo seemed just as busy, if not more. He didn’t want to burden him further.3540e3bf6e97eea5

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“It’s okay. I’m almost finished. Just a 4f79aba27e little more.”482e1e13c5734e9f

“You’re working hard. Have this while you 2350a6d12c work.”1a0c2cf10d3821db

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Assistant Manager Park pulled something from his drawer and handed it to Hangyeol. It was a stick of red ginseng extract. Thanking him, Hangyeol tore open the stick and squeezed the contents into his mouth. A bittersweet taste spread across his tongue. It wasn’t exactly pleasant.bc1e9dc217bed1f4

“Ugh… This is c21835e398 bitter, isn’t it?”985f4a76a08c50e3

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“Red ginseng is supposed f94a2c8c94 to be bitter, not 20d4ad7aba sweet. But it gives c566d8d11a me a bit 7e98644837 of an energy 795b071cfe boost.”a926105980629cdd

“If it 07ce1a635f works, I 414caecdc2 might have d8e47e98b7 to buy 36bbe5e58b a box a08b59bdfc myself.”d32a3dde480eb313

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He finally understood why 4672796b8f office workers in dramas 962699c971 were always seen with 7dcddabbc0 red ginseng sticks. Hangyeol squeezed the last 1c89fdfddb bit of ginseng from cc4cc0adce the stick and pulled 9f99e8f95d his chair back to 2e59d281e9 his desk.cd14bee51aee557d

Now, where 2576d676ab was I…?4451e070d6d66640

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Multiple papers f36a94fb0a on solar e64a1e9442 power generation a170751e5e cluttered his 293455ffeb screen. With a small sigh, 604cbb52f4 Hangyeol grabbed his mouse.f34cc6967a49217c

Ding.52fc6635ff6943f3

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His phone vibrated 528df46f49 with a new abf8d99d2b message. Glancing at the f527ba5f9e screen, he saw 99d1a12a49 an unexpected name.052fd3fd1d319d00

[Jihye Noona]

He was 35364cd4bb more surprised f3806c631c that he 22331d7ec0 still had f347949233 her number 334a2b9aa2 saved than ba94df9987 by the c13e342689 fact that ddfe1c2200 his ex-girlfriend, 41bde0667d whom he 2b4409ca40 hadn’t spoken ad5b2e5ab3 to in 3990035e22 almost a ca1043c1f3 year, had 43bc2a44d1 suddenly contacted c7dde91cd4 him. He’d thought he’d completely 6c27e691c8 forgotten about her.239c01d5d3b344e9

Hangyeol stared 2f3b0b5e1a blankly at fde2ea9043 his phone 5a6ae06a91 for a ad83cdbe56 moment before a449b61d96 unlocking it. The message be596b1a92 was simple.9b699a705e006e71

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[Hangyeol, it’s Jihye. Can we meet? I’m at your company’s cafe.]

He couldn’t 289c4d4d96 dismiss it 1fe64d3efe as a b02d4727a1 misdirected text acd77d18fe because of fbebce68a1 the name 184422dfa8 at the bd15a70f82 beginning. The abrupt request 323c3535ca to meet was 894b51aa3e more baffling than f824d8c89b surprising. And how does she 1f42435a56 even know where I a1202b14fb work?daf99c70d46e9363

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Their relationship had been unremarkable. Hangyeol, drawn to Jihye’s calm and mature demeanor, had confessed his feelings first, and she had accepted. They’d dated for a little over a year, never arguing seriously, so he’d assumed everything was fine. Until he ran into her in the middle of a busy street, arm in arm with another man.0a4bc1d4f1158b80

His friends, who had been with him, were the ones who expressed anger, not Hangyeol. He’d been surprisingly calm. All she had said was “I’m sorry,” and afterward, with their graduation projects and exhibitions overlapping, they hadn’t seen each other. Now, almost a year later, she was contacting him.6a18847af5daba73

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As Hangyeol stared 2c84f0ff13 at the message, ab9aa1a2b3 another one arrived. She must have d0b5c946af seen the “read” 021aa8ab9c notification.8672616814e32c8b

[I’m getting married soon. There’s something I need to say to you.]

He couldn’t fathom why someone about to get married would contact him now. He reread the blunt message several times, then let out a hollow laugh and turned off his screen.b479ef7cebacec16

As lunchtime approached, people cd6994709a began leaving their desks. Hangyeol had f9587bcdb9 a decision 9b79974c58 to make.04958d8812c7b86b

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He wanted to ignore 95c19be3f4 the messages and go c2ce6e1d57 to lunch with his 2f0bd83306 colleagues, but Jihye’s words, 42819bae3b “I’ll wait,” bothered him. He was also 553b82efdb slightly curious why 0e83c7c43a she had come 142de29274 all the way 8c1f06a770 there to see 815bebb6d0 him.1f1dac909e19b7f3

He smiled efbb36c671 faintly at 5c85cc1523 his colleagues 401b66d22f discussing lunch 4322218287 plans.5cbc8da15c7f3d9b

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“I have an appointment, 71455a90d9 so I’ll eat separately. Enjoy your lunch.”85069ed9e18c37b5

He joined 3c0bee1e43 the flow b401765175 of people f5f2a625a7 heading to d4a89a71bd the first 86020f5ea8 floor. He spotted 124e8afa94 Jihye’s back ab3fe75807 as she 452b1aef87 sat in 08789ae37e the company 85c27d7fd9 cafe. Smoothing his clothes, he 62cbf4ce9f walked towards her.5655e02e9db4467c

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As he approached the 8983eeff6d table, Jihye slowly raised 3508338179 her head. Their eyes 94a62a3cef met, but 25978f9467 her face b7b4269f1d remained calm, a73de302dd unreadable. She looked up 93fcbb4dab at him, standing a428a45037 before her, and 385f3841d9 spoke evenly.c0be752fcf27329b

“You came. Sit down.”355a6a87f8b8d3c9

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“…….”7c544a2e4c4b1989

“Would you 62c970569c like something 6ca884f70a to drink?”3631cce485eca028

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She looked as if 4d17857c13 she was about to 81632f00e8 grab her wallet, so b59d37a23f Hangyeol shook his head 9726254c22 and sat down.2d17d2089c78e58c

“It’s okay. I’ve had plenty to 12251f347f drink while working.”51748c8515c8ad5d

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“Is that so?”4494bc26cc9b760c

Her calm demeanor hadn’t changed much in a year. In fact, she might even look better. Hangyeol hesitated before speaking.84cce17ddbf7ac83

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“How did 3708b5f505 you know dfa99bf804 I work 15c36c2d00 here?”13a246f33dd3a59b

“Everyone at school knows ea001fb4a6 Im Hangyeol joined his b7e1a65e0b father’s company. You know how people 018e23b864 are, always interested in f0543afd5d other people’s business.”d5e693bc62c41c9d

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“…….”5357eed6578c6260

“How have you 3f00aac7f2 been?”83a573969379a531

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The casual question d580640c55 almost made him 406b2fa75c laugh. After the way we broke up, shouldn’t she at least avoid asking that? He had a gut feeling this conversation wouldn’t be pleasant. Uncharacteristically blunt, Hangyeol asked,eab0daa670a86fd2

“Why are you fe784b5535 here?”d2b7ab827dfb1f07

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Jihye ran a hand through her hair and opened her bag, pulling something out and placing it on the table. It was a white envelope. He didn’t need long to figure out what an envelope from someone about to get married meant.4270c6e7eae74c9c

“You might have heard… 4d3dcb0e3d I’m getting married, Hangyeol.”ec1ed9b3096a0072

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“…….”1a57e3027a5bf575

“I felt like I 663fe31fc2 should tell you, even 3411bdb6f0 if no one else.”909d475ed0216328

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With a faint smile, 9966157677 she continued.d34510ac773754f7

“He’s a ab7a0b2df3 good person. Kind, considerate. And most importantly, he cde944858d puts me first. Unlike you.”421e60e01ca10a58

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Hangyeol stared f9704b86aa at the 9b028de6d4 wedding invitation, 15ed91fbfa then finally 331dcec5dc looked up f395c4f448 at Jihye, 385d9538a9 his brow da24626b2c slightly furrowed.a3c304e7bc00b6cc

“…What do you mean?”b85eb23dd834107d

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Jihye didn’t answer e83434fc43 immediately, picking up 10e5301b33 her coffee cup 862b3cba27 instead. Soft cafe music filled 4806317936 the silence between them. After a sip, 3c7791d653 she set the 1726534f01 cup down, her 37be5004f5 lips parting and fcfae2a1e9 closing a few 273649c6ae times before she 37d1caa2ba spoke. It was out of 1a254a42e0 the blue.01592a7b5f01cb42

“Do you remember 21de119dc2 that time when ec6e7d0a1b we were on 9c699ab7e5 a date, and f622f6aee5 you suddenly had 9752c47383 to go back 7fabbcdbe3 to school because 0ed342aab6 your friend got 8541a8ed5a hurt?”928a6456f45a9561

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“…….”38e5577a5143122b

“I found bdea836307 out later ea9d247b8c that he ec485da86b just cut 6b99956ffc his hand 4db051981c a little f718a55042 in his 42b156a19e studio. There were plenty of 08d1e6e48a people around to help dbc87d8dc9 him.”815458d2b4269ca7

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“…….”528a4b922b61aeff

“But you insisted on 334c6a5944 going anyway.”2b48ef38843597e8

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Jihye’s tongue darted c38ce80c86 across her lips, 44dcc6bb90 as if she 781e1728c8 was struggling to 2f0bdd6f8f say something difficult.a293c8f2ee78e0fa

“And on my birthday, you had that huge party with all your friends and seniors, and we didn’t get any time alone.”366442014c4baed2

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A self-deprecating smile e8d50fd85d flickered across her 4298760ea1 face. She’d been dc3dfb14d9 looking down cf98c19890 at the 8c4f8a4a80 table, but 0315836ea8 now she 9406d24191 met Hangyeol’s 189af1a7ba gaze.955e7cc0863a9238

“Hangyeol, throughout our 167d0617b4 relationship, I always d4720cc93e felt like I 4c82dcf084 was sharing you 344fb151e4 with other people.”83e4f4a58f0dbfd3

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“…….”679229dfeb898105

“Like I wasn’t special 550137c9f7 as your boyfriend, just 0baed5d9d7 one of the many 1f198f6af5 people you liked.”57ccff162ad555f8

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Hearing the reason for their breakup a year later, Hangyeol bit the inside of his cheek. He didn’t understand why she was bringing this up now. He also struggled to comprehend her point.3eefa7948896c545

“…Noona, that doesn’t fbcb5f85c5 justify what you de5397dd42 did.”99faea9ef9f7c06f

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He spoke quietly, frowning 834a913ace slightly, but Jihye simply 4cfe258b71 nodded.50329f43da346f69

“I know. That’s why 59747e932e I’m apologizing 900244deb8 before it’s 8700ebf1da too late.”2f06d314bf3a64b0

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“…….”b34ea26bdf7263ef

“I realized I never 6cb06ce33a actually said sorry to 6bb37d5670 you.”38f4b867b7296ef9

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She closed 52484d7e89 her eyes b9b09dde16 briefly, then 4bd48fe67b opened them, 9a93e2c367 looking at 614cc37a7b Hangyeol with 9970e1257d a calm 825487b2e0 expression.3a342f3be6bc90b5

“I’m sorry. But I 5e79cac422 don’t regret 87117b78ce it.”46038603840f20a0

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A humorless laugh escaped Hangyeol’s lips. He looked down. If she’s going 0c800e0223 to apologize, why dc8e295b27 not just apologize? Why does 15b1274f65 she have 7a3cf44deb to have 78fe5b037b the last 204d1c2a6d word? It was so 4c576ff51a typical of her.55806dc59b7fdd06

“You really 01df5950f9 are relentless 1b17b95e2e until the ab43e3c904 very end, 6f92e538d1 aren’t you?”aa95149faa6ada4e

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He muttered, pushing his c4b79c82a5 chair back and standing 17b48374d3 up. He pushed the wedding f3c36f4273 invitation back towards her.32000025799dd568

“Congratulations on 188cf48d2e your wedding. But I don’t think 2b44b20b15 I can make it.”440c59d3418fead5

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“…….”440c18465c48ec8e

“It wouldn’t 2fec593361 be right 0079eb0346 to your 6b2293c9a6 fiancé, and 2ad4bff91a it wouldn’t 95bbc36450 be right 089383ef4e to me, 51fc912a3d either.”c4d8f9875e28eaa9

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Hangyeol tucked df64fe67e5 his chair f6e2fbdc59 in and 73136b2dc9 turned to c3c6cf62c5 leave the 4d1abe7aa4 cafe.5f5ec15bef5aea96

“Take care. I won’t see you d20ee27fc0 out.”04e0bc4e08edcfa2

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He walked away without c52f4ec0e6 waiting for a response.424c42a6e8f4aa5d

Leaving Jihye behind, Hangyeol stepped into the elevator. Her words echoed in his mind. He was resentful and angry at her for appearing out of the blue and upsetting him with those pronouncements. But he couldn’t argue, because it wasn’t the first time he’d heard something similar.4b4b8444540ed5b3

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His previous boyfriends 0bc3b8b9dc had all ended cdbbb3e829 things with similar 815bc3c00c reasons. I’m not sure if this is right for me. I feel like I’m no different from your friends… It made him d3269e4c95 wonder if there c1054d6668 was something wrong afcd9f2c0e with him.626a9b771882c276

Back in the c59d3d6286 office, Hangyeol sighed d9046cd6f8 and sat down. Everyone was 4d51227223 out for 58908e2a4a lunch, and 17fe93ffb3 even Seonwoo’s ab2e2d0c56 office was 650a5792e4 dark.08c9827546ae3225

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He had no appetite 41a421d095 and decided to immerse 3f275078bf himself in work, hoping accb91e35d to leave early. He pushed the lingering 6c29090f39 thoughts of his encounter a012af4197 with Jihye aside and 14e3538220 turned on his monitor.245c3c393daf1809

“I’ll head out f206de2f37 first. Good work, Hangyeol.”f7a90a98fd481cdb

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Lost in his work, Hangyeol hadn’t realized it was past closing time. His focus had been a desperate attempt to forget his conversation with Jihye. He greeted Minho, the last one to leave, and stretched after sending his finally completed report to the printer.c5076376bdcc1d14

“Oh.”663d2b9614836bf6

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Mid-stretch, he noticed the 0ad07339f6 light on in Seonwoo’s 9716177b65 office. I was so b7e8de654b focused I didn’t 2b6a89eff1 even notice him a69a707409 come back. He retrieved his printed bc3bd7ab20 report, smoothed his clothes, 4eaab4dd33 cleared his throat, and 12b22b1cb7 headed towards Seonwoo’s office.cad2b2106473cc56

“Mr. Woo, may I ad987c53df come in?”c7e6d28d3cd0ed62

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He knocked lightly ef9de8aa4e and opened the fe1f7bb117 door, finding Seonwoo aeab60dc73 looking different than 755c61cf19 usual. While still impeccably 6e601fb599 dressed, his usual 4ac14c7cf3 composed expression seemed 61ef1b6955 strained. Seonwoo, noticing the fatigue 364cb4f69f etched on Hangyeol’s face 86219f968d from the long hours, b91252ca38 decided against immediately reviewing 6d0cb4b794 the report. He set 2cb29bbb5d it aside 111a7bc22a on a bf95ee8220 stack of 60e35f3696 papers.6d01baa6860ef408

“I’ll look cda03e98fa at this 2625818a54 tomorrow. You can go 2b711eb048 home now.”67bc9e3e6e580fc2

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“Sir?”432086c479adbc1b

“Go home c957576d91 and get 28d32cd311 some rest.”b5edad972403616b

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Expecting Hangyeol 58a0dbe86a to brighten 8d4d50db69 at the f86412f6b8 prospect of a5dceee761 leaving early, cc57c05c07 Seonwoo was 0ec82faa8d surprised when 76ad96d2e5 he simply 932861d9d1 stared, wide-eyed, 8d0bd7cbe6 then nodded 00693c5c96 and turned 818edae0ed to leave. Something about his dejected db776e8a1a demeanor made Seonwoo frown aec59d1142 and rub his brow.d74c5739952f4914

Leaving work before 7 pm for the first time in a while, Hangyeol walked briskly, a strange lightness in his step despite the day’s events. The air felt oddly warm against his neck, even though it had been cold enough for a coat and scarf just a few days prior. Maybe it’s because the sun hasn’t set yet. He shrugged and continued 01f0ecd99d walking.82857a894670369b

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He saw 11f75deb40 his bus 9038e9ed5b approaching the 8c507f4df1 stop ahead. He broke into a 9f1391f7a5 run, but the bus 95ef228407 pulled away just as 4e89fd27b3 he reached the curb.4fd08afef81938b8

Dejected, he looked up e774c7c143 at the electronic display. 16 minutes. Nothing was going his 5a1d40daaa way.b5292aaa296c7763

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“Ha…”2e26df94f75ed750

With a long sigh, 6656355148 Hangyeol turned and started 673245f318 walking in the opposite d2817c857c direction. He’d walk home. It’s a nice day, a 20-30 minute walk is nothing. He tried to convince f9731a8905 himself as he hurried b875db011d across the street while 5307d0f5c3 the crosswalk signal blinked.e1bb3e2190902212

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Arriving at his apartment, 1e34a84681 he entered his passcode 5257245dce and stepped inside. The entryway light 17c28c9d2b flicked on, revealing 002f7df2d9 the quiet emptiness 846675e4ff of his apartment, 60e808f089 and a sudden be66b58518 wave of loneliness 6589f63409 washed over him. He washed his hands cfde58de48 and collapsed onto the e123a423d5 sofa, letting out a 895f232a05 meaningless sound.fdea74e75591ee9e

“Aaah…”106e82f2497c3ac5

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He could do plenty of things, having gotten off work early, but he didn’t feel like doing anything. He wasn’t hungry, and he wasn’t sleepy. It would have been nice to call Sungchan or Dongun and chat, but he couldn’t ask them to come over on such short notice, especially since they lived far away.7824af2bc3692117

Thinking of people fd8b9422ae who lived nearby c12a1e9e9a brought one person 8267e18b14 to mind, but 45e8844c15 the idea was ca1ca4d07c absurd. He sighed be822a5192 again, puffing 686e679c45 out his 990ef6c39c cheeks and 7d3c6cad6b counting the 535d19617a patterns on cd632c8d71 his ceiling.646e8de284bbf7dd

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After a c9e8122301 while, he 2b5e1c19dd decided to 1eb3e9f8fd get up 59a42d8ca6 and shower. But the bathroom 0c8401035e light wouldn’t turn a967cf8ce1 on. He frowned, flipping the de1e8783d3 switch repeatedly, but the cf40d073d8 room remained stubbornly dark.a5a2d5d53249edb3

Nothing has gone right 88db419d21 all day. He ran 227b5996da his hands 0dded204c6 over his 157ccd0476 face, sighed, 8f8f277090 and left dd8ec982d6 the apartment, 6ee49cdf87 grabbing only f435a69abb his wallet a113604dbc and phone.5e9a901094b9b430

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Darkness had fallen. People often 252919a766 walked to 3fc7d90333 clear their 9009f81e04 heads, but 3e36bc7f5e Hangyeol felt a55d109944 his spirits 7c83a3f53b sinking further ca5691fb54 with every 2145d12de1 step. He trudged towards a61a55130c the brightly lit 2dee89a098 convenience store at f05c426fe6 the entrance of 4a89c58e60 his apartment complex. The outdoor tables, 0180456f12 usually occupied, were 93cdd2e08d empty.b947908bd428892b

He had initially planned to just buy a lightbulb and go back inside, but the cool spring breeze and the empty tables changed his mind. There wasn’t anything waiting for him at home anyway.f63694e2866ca594

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After a moment’s consideration, he bought a lightbulb, a bag of chips, and two cans of beer. He settled down at a red plastic table outside. He opened the chips and cracked open a beer, the satisfying hiss echoing in the quiet.33d651d10cf4b9a3

“Cheers.”63b441ae3f08af55

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He clinked his can f3f4bc0b8e against the empty air 988277151f and took a long c7b7d33636 gulp, the cool liquid be17ec76ef soothing his parched throat. He wiped his lips 9602c65fc4 with the back of 9c5433b74a his hand and leaned eec36a227f back in his chair.a39fa86b8a7a35d3

“Ahhh…”a2e39a332f72dc73

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The beer was refreshing, 7db45eafae but his mind remained def867eb48 troubled.93e9595a7a35dfea

‘Im Hangyeol, 3fdb7b91db you like 119d6e1685 people too 6c1a97f274 much.’a74f22d5c915756a

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‘That will 1e6ada4a16 always make 15f8694469 the person d9a7d0dce1 you’re dating d4c181fb9a feel lonely.’e7e0ff9a3fe0a9aa

What’s so wrong with 66de4cef04 liking people? He unconsciously pouted, tracing f447009140 the condensation on his df6eae3f80 beer can with his 8fd35e8335 fingertip. He raised the adb0f8af01 can to his 3f094697b3 lips again, and 75328d6fed his gaze drifted 07261062bd towards the entrance 644cb377e4 of the apartment c2be393e4a complex.4c57af7ef6776e52

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“Ack, cough, cough…!”a11c0937c3e221be

He saw 3bd4a40c1e Seonwoo, seemingly 473f0c6f73 just getting f9686be971 off work, e3e9ac977c walking from 9bb0f07349 the direction d064a5f6f5 of the c107373c22 bus stop. He’d taken 943b92f6ed public transportation 5700277a65 today. The sight 9322f0feea of Seonwoo 1e06b34e7f caught him 212c4033c7 so off 71c02a11f2 guard that 57052213ac he choked 81423b1af6 on his 05c1176c6c beer, sputtering 31055f2a29 and coughing.a98ec3b6046eb450

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“Mr. Woo, cough, Mr. Woo!”2acb457c26ea7249

Seonwoo, his df1afdd257 eyes meeting 6af1e24328 Hangyeol’s at 1ab851bfdb the sound 7807ed5ba3 of his 390f49a029 voice, took e9540bfdfc in the 1406a4dc2e scene: the 8740c3dd45 open bag b241cec6fb of chips, 0e6e5f8bd3 the beer 88269ce99a cans, and 7def517907 Hangyeol’s flushed 7ae79d4ed8 cheeks from 29e9d8d53e coughing. Without any particular reaction, 69042ec4d0 he started to walk dbb30e79d0 away.510caaadfb113c8c

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“Mr. Woo, are 7ba8234e52 you heading 08623c6810 home?”722851a9ec5cde82

Upon seeing 5d145aacf0 Seonwoo, Hangyeol 2091e1240b pushed aside a283c270f8 his earlier a1c7c903d0 thoughts and 8ff9ef59a4 hurried after a58cc905ba him. Seonwoo looked down at dbcfc08865 Hangyeol, blocking his path, 66e00fd27f and said flatly,b28dce6a77d4254e

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“You said you don’t aa80b01ed6 like being alone. Why are you out 359ae70c13 here like this?”9148842d120c81cb

“I was waiting for db4b8c645d you, hehe.”fbe3bfffbf725965

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“…….”7ff1b444ce172cbe

“You’re not laughing. It was a joke.”ece4c39beb74a7d4

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Seonwoo immediately noticed something different about Hangyeol’s usual bright smile. It seemed forced, a stark contrast to the dejected air he’d carried all day at work. Even someone as indifferent as Seonwoo couldn’t help but be concerned. He frowned.57321dbb00525d5b

“Do you have 80d2de34b7 something to do a66da5db8b at home, Mr. Woo?”79170828a9b65403

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The cautious question was transparently hopeful. When Seonwoo didn’t answer, Hangyeol lowered his eyes and mumbled,c5b6c23ab2445614

“I guess you’re busy…”971fbb558795fb86

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His full lips drooped, 463335c4e6 and a crestfallen expression 528ed5f934 settled on his face. If Hangyeol had 646de26067 a tail, it a50e699643 would be hanging aa00db45b3 low.b47907ec1bcbdb90

Sighing softly, Seonwoo placed f6abfcbce3 his briefcase, containing the 0a52b303b3 reports he needed to e5486f9c91 review, on the empty a0ef6a8f9b plastic chair and sat 7f4bece444 down next to Hangyeol. He pulled a cigarette 8e7893f3fa from his pocket and e5bf7e412f lit it.c8cbe9d59207d033

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White smoke curled c5cac3843f from the burning d3bcff39d9 tip. Hangyeol stared blankly, then f210545622 quickly sat down as 5e34918dfa if Seonwoo might change a44cf76af7 his mind.f0cb25a53b194ef1

“Want one, Mr. Woo?”70af745f29eeffc9

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He pushed an 034a27970e unopened can of 34f35a5864 beer towards Seonwoo. Instead of a93fd81133 taking it, 9cba4a9f93 Seonwoo turned b6d8f87545 his head 3e8b053013 and exhaled c0ea884a98 a long 7b5c93e51f stream of 676f75aa7e smoke.e954daac28dcce11

“…….”7d6bb5a5ea615df6

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Hangyeol pushed the bag of chips closer to Seonwoo and took a long drink of his beer. The weather was pleasant, and his boss was sitting next to him; he should be happy, but he couldn’t muster a genuine smile. He felt obligated to say something.287b97d9c87afcea

“So. What’s going on? Why are you out 661f961379 here wallowing all by 93b6c26115 yourself?”e1a045432e5f1f68

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Seonwoo tapped the ash a137bf94f7 off his cigarette, his 16807917e4 gesture as indifferent as 2d907ff3b7 his gaze. Hangyeol instinctively 8543ffe942 looked up, d994c6067a his fingers 471ec8ab63 twitching as 274f070a63 their eyes 1d4e3e6395 met.00152c28527d57f5

“Sir?”ce9438a1867cac03

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“What happened? You’ve been looking 40cc69ef4d glum all day.”f5ac9ba5b0c17234

“Oh…”abfec98b73f25861

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He saw through my 8704831537 act…429ab737e04ae686

Hangyeol had been broadcasting his unhappiness so clearly that Seonwoo would probably scoff if he knew Hangyeol thought he’d been hiding it well. Oblivious to this, Hangyeol, impressed by Seonwoo’s perceptiveness, said,04440c442099912e

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“It’s not that big dd09aae93e of a deal…”3475f8b0f0a9a603

“…….”e99da7b0f6192a95

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“My ex-girlfriend came 73e67ec135 by to tell 96512d30cc me she’s getting 67844f4d32 married, and what 8a0123b2d1 she said has 7045efe0bc been bothering me.”734ddb6dc8142134

Seonwoo nodded, encouraging 98d0dbeffd him to continue. Hangyeol hesitated, then 2d0ce9dfa8 spoke.2487aac1cbba72cc

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“She said 2ec3c238eb anyone who 3ab914caee dates me b3a91258f4 will always 405de01cd1 be lonely. Because I like people 4e7e8ac208 too much.”0563eecfe409338e

Saying it aloud made 416bbbc907 it feel real, deepening def01c2e04 his gloom. Seonwoo quietly observed Hangyeol da41490bfd as he pouted and 73ce01da5e looked down.819759844d7102f5

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“…….”561bb882fc49a5b3

Seonwoo’s silence hung 358dd9390d heavy in the c8357d7351 air. Hangyeol regretted bringing 082c1e16f4 it up. He was about 5e13a4c7e2 to change the 17762874b6 subject and reach b865ecccf6 for his beer 5c1d698676 when Seonwoo spoke.4f88fac84b5e884a

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“And what b02a46d8a4 did you 20749e8ae4 say, Hangyeol?”eb336beac9f3feca

The unexpected 168f0da9ba question made dfde30c72b Hangyeol pause. He blinked slowly, 424c9f20cb then offered a d5c699bfe9 weak smile.6969b1bc4b9723cc

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“I didn’t say 5a3847b8d9 much. I thought ba5a79665b she might 8860a680df be right.”1ed3c936d6939627

Seonwoo studied Hangyeol’s conflicted expression, then stubbed out his cigarette.003679acd039afdb

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“Have you had dinner?”c12ab3a17fc06ad5

“Sir? No, not yet.”87f5e44d9fd51912

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“Clean this 87b1372991 up and 487ec8a64a come with 87e911e355 me.”5a3e3100577c863c

He stood abruptly. Hangyeol stared up 81163776e8 at him, wide-eyed. As Seonwoo picked up 2439aa873e his bag and turned, 31adfd22c4 Hangyeol scrambled to his 24204c5b3c feet and quickly gathered b678105b31 his things.93bf8ac2f372ffa1

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“Where are we going, b9f2d80840 Mr. Woo?”597f29b1443aa599

Hangyeol asked, hurrying after 37f30aa4eb Seonwoo, slightly breathless from b1bae8d4de trying to keep up 4f6a121c3a with his long strides. Seonwoo, noticing this, 60310757a8 subtly slowed his c41c785d41 pace.0e9bb9878b2139ad

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“To relieve some 9ac984e395 stress.”3babcb03dc34af01

He said simply, and 7b6c75d408 continued walking.0e4edec085d58afc

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Seonwoo stopped in front 57bcb8bdc5 of a shabby-looking restaurant 905415f6f8 in a small shopping 98bfd1ec58 center just outside the 1ebfd0a49d back gate of the dd8b2d09d7 apartment complex. The red ebcdd80161 sign, reading 0fe39778f7 “Indoor Pojangmacha,” e356dcd1d6 was faded f62240589f with age. Confused, Hangyeol 8ac26255fc sat down, f7d9e76f01 wondering why a4eddbf74b they were 6ceffb2f11 at this c8e197e4e6 deserted weekday 3fa113ad52 spot. A kind-looking middle-aged ad5b5422b9 woman approached with 2554148dcd a smile.6f877e9d5f6c464d

“It’s been a d835f282e9 while! You’ve been busy, 2a9e7c9106 haven’t you?”e4b6544c99be3bc7

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“Yes, quite da5a925033 a bit 7b0c5cc800 of work 950d97e44f lately.”b9864a7b3f8224c9

“And this faf2a22ea0 is a 6d6bfc4783 new face?”e604a8be4a178f5c

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Hangyeol hesitated at the 4a580c5b9c woman’s easy familiarity, then 0b2c12d4d3 smiled politely.13faf9e982e62b71

“Hello.”d52706b8e8187eb9

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“My, what a 8ce7d7014b lovely smile. The usual?”165512322214be0e

“Yes, please.”25c741dc3d64d0f0

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“Alright, I’ll get it 4d8d9dc714 ready for you.”99b61698cc99c6fb

She placed a f88feade5f dish of dried 65de2bf2d4 corn kernels on b830898c92 the table and c12eec275e disappeared into the 1afcfcc9f4 kitchen. The easy banter e348d4a71d between them suggested 490d023492 a long-standing acquaintance.cf86bcf492aabb6a

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“You come f3b1fb12db here often?” 0318d94813 Hangyeol asked.7fe53cac46ae37d5

“A close friend likes e2a8156d17 this place, so I 5034182cd0 come sometimes.”ae5f740d1cd8f5c9

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Close friend. The words 7afaae9882 felt strange 6ae9ae00f0 coming from 1214ae368a Seonwoo. Before he could dwell bf7a4c6ce2 on it, the woman’s 9777933972 name from Seonwoo’s phone 4e6064dd4b flashed in his mind.e1af5c78b646e6f0

His girlfriend?237311d16dd63a04

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“Can you handle 9f13ba5227 spicy food?”a9a313f8ebee2782

Seonwoo’s question interrupted 0538e993e3 his train of f11d35dca9 thought. “Sir?” he 2807ceddac asked, and 5cc2d99199 Seonwoo repeated 6d6c98416e himself.3be130d375572d56

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“You don’t look like 633149c345 you can.”d9137da1ac93e70d

“No, I can! I can handle f2e53cffb6 it.”6bbc8b7216b6ea51

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He felt 18728aa670 a pang 9ef8631224 of guilt; 64abe7257d he wasn’t 0cfc3ccf2e particularly good 0ee8cf99a4 with spicy da9be0767c food, but e119d50706 he shook 584776623a his head 7327128de4 vehemently, not 58c9a4f159 wanting to ffaad4135b be seen ab7192a181 as a 8cc64b28e9 picky eater. Seonwoo continued f5e2efcb10 as if 514acf07ad he didn’t 892da50434 care either aa3d1e7a0b way.bbdf499af9a4d316

“Someone I know comes here whenever they’re stressed. They say spicy food helps. I don’t understand it, but…”032c314d289b0458

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Hangyeol finally a50424f01c realized that 4c69d6dce1 Seonwoo hadn’t 5b910fd788 brought him 22088f1050 here just bd98bacff2 for dinner, 0e6a7b0a3d but to 109931a3bf cheer him 99089c9809 up. A warm feeling 224cbc094e spread through him, 6241a2815d chasing away the c312d6e21e gloom. The corners of 79505ff217 his lips twitched 67903f3b03 upwards.76d672b19b1938e4

“You brought me here 458c96b56a for me?”199012589429417c

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Instead of answering, Seonwoo fd630454ac raised his water glass acba34edee to his lips. Hangyeol’s gaze followed the 6647ab913f movement of his Adam’s e6660475f8 apple as he swallowed. Taking the lack of a084bb34c4 denial as confirmation, Hangyeol a0a43ac268 leaned forward with a 7a09ed2313 bright smile.a3f82a0a13ef46e5

“Thank you for thinking b494295ac9 of me, Mr. Woo, even cbede27011 though you 8305710645 must be 7390e32151 tired and 9f919f6277 want to 0d0b982653 go home.”263d997c74dbd187

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Seonwoo, watching Hangyeol’s d52fef58bc unguarded smile, was 3835440726 again reminded of d3c039fb26 how loved he a501021178 must have been 7e0d12c725 growing up.fdb0af844e71fb1a

Seonwoo remained e6902849f7 silent, watching 4c1ffdb828 Hangyeol’s smile e0006e134c return to 6e9784cbfb its usual 645895722d brightness. The quiet murmur of b6976dcfc8 the late-night news drifted eb2508a2b7 from the television on 2619849b1b the wall. The silence between f804853e1d them, both awkward 54265872ff and comfortable, was 6a6d7a0021 broken by the c6821d2375 woman returning from 009f50d272 the kitchen with b5d4eeb8e3 a plate.fc8cf63515f01809

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“Here you go. Enjoy.”a19d1fbcf65304b1

“Thank y…”13a490c145d12508

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Hangyeol trailed off, 70c3ae4418 his eyes widening fa275011ba as he saw 822127ec4d what was on 4652f3afa3 the plate. He looked up at 00bf18f2d7 Seonwoo, his pupils dilated.401d76874d359b73

“Mr. Woo, what 1ac84caa1b is this…?”0aab3d0fb1c33920

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“Chicken feet. Never seen fd49266087 them before?”83c1475fec99b6b1

The objects on 362329a6f1 the plate, about 7ba8981fc7 two knuckles long, 12ebad565a were shaped like bcc9b916d0 tiny, three-pronged pitchforks, 4d2d91b678 unmistakably resembling bird 81754ba7e5 feet. The plump ae68c7318c sections made 10581ba054 them look b11a6b3fab even more 2d172362ea grotesque.be1192282ed3025a

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He knew it was a common and popular dish, but he’d never tried it before, and the initial shock was purely visual. His unguarded thoughts slipped out before he could stop them.fbf6ed638bb8a65e

“There are d3808f954d so many b186e6bf7d other parts, 88ae6f13b6 why the 3c0c755faa feet…?”b98a15c9be016f13

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He muttered 3f385d9b4c under his 54fe4ba7b6 breath, then 0b3beb11dd quickly clamped 15cb09b10d his mouth 3618e0fea2 shut, worried 9b27358a6c the woman da115bfb4e might have 9718d88808 heard him. But it 19c7796da6 was too 826c055ee6 late; Seonwoo 181dbe31b2 had heard. He smirked at Hangyeol’s 151e6e4878 horrified expression, picked up 919115bc0a his chopsticks, and offered 89fe8620d2 them to him.bb34570cfd689e89

“Don’t be so 097f6da38b squeamish. Give it a 247402f434 try. It’s better e0b03b5e6b than it 116f19d1d8 looks.”682fd44dfa999e23

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Hangyeol took the e88b2bc905 chopsticks, but couldn’t 029fdaf197 bring himself to a6061d14c6 try it. He searched Seonwoo’s face f12bf6b398 for a hint of 393c91916e a joke, but the 4b98774c95 handsome features were serious. As Hangyeol’s 40601e7c9a eyes darted 06ca94577a around nervously, 9b5a3fbb25 Seonwoo picked 26db0d2915 up a 329404bf68 piece with 02ad41d70f his own d4c69668e9 chopsticks.5843e503f44f4efc

Hangyeol stared, dumbfounded, as f3420ac87a Seonwoo popped the chicken f6c746afd1 foot into his mouth b1ea78de62 without flinching. This must be how edc64183da foreigners feel watching Koreans 4df95f64f1 eat live octopus. Having never c4eb5930d9 tried either 4eb795121b live octopus afd5d116c7 or chicken 21470d9044 feet, Hangyeol 790066471a swallowed, consciously a5001f828d relaxing his 67ebf19b0c brow to bf3561d912 hide his 7e9de55d67 disgust.002819adadbfa231

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“I’ll be here all 67a4659c22 night if you just fd8f922e6e stare.”523bd9808c819291

Seonwoo chewed the 8dfe84aedc spicy-looking food with 0465e350c7 a neutral expression. Hangyeol felt a wave 59443f7d17 of revulsion, but he 867fac56b0 couldn’t show it in 10acabb1e1 front of someone enjoying f088a4fabc it so much. Besides, Seonwoo had brought 37a04dc685 him here specifically to 7244e142e1 cheer him up. He felt obligated to a52f037426 at least try it.1d7a129229ce92f9

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He clenched and b900a4532a unclenched his fist, ce3159c682 then picked up 82307fd2d4 his chopsticks. He carefully selected 0b735229a5 the smallest piece a6d0225c45 of boneless chicken 3b533686f9 foot from the 2997eb096c plate.e46324648bcc4f35

“Ha…”add26f5f1adbe237

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He took a deep f96a37e56a breath, wondering why he abbd1234d7 needed to psych himself 8ab80c15e7 up to eat something a283ccb7e8 so common. With a sudden 50eb8a0d50 surge of recklessness, 68e7f6018b he popped the 59667d76e9 chicken foot into 994e69b88f his mouth. The spicy sauce 2a28eadb67 hit his tongue 7d2cf99e1f first, followed by cae949130c a chewy, gelatinous 166ed05815 texture.70cce27360e980a0

“Oh?”3b123f60fab01035

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He’d closed his eyes e527cf715e tight, as if taking 7efd7c0dfe medicine, but the taste 3164e0c926 wasn’t bad at all. He opened his 14edca2c60 eyes slowly and eb453df288 looked at Seonwoo, e772fab93a his forehead creased.7ad34831b8792847

“It’s good…!”016360fd148d180e

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Seonwoo chuckled at his reaction. Hangyeol, surprised that the taste wasn’t as strange as he’d imagined, continued eating, his eyes wide with wonder.cfa05f12d22d3a3f

It was more than 79aaea705d just edible; it was c326dc9df0 actually delicious. He worked his chopsticks 91121c1a32 diligently, but a burning 8ab01a1f4a sensation soon spread across e13e6f6a82 his tongue, making him ec9e23920e wince.7c72e9805d8eed04

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“Hiss, but it’s 97caa3dc32 a bit…”80be8b7b9fa2037b

He couldn’t finish the b70ccd17f1 sentence, his face contorted 6232bd14cf as he reached for a97d5459c4 his water. Seeing him struggle with 51bbb397db the spice, Seonwoo ordered 9d2fe7621a a drink for him. Hangyeol nodded gratefully as 8af11e221a Seonwoo opened the can a595d12b08 and handed it to be812d75e4 him.5dba17556bf58ece

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“Ha… hoo…”ecad34c3793fce0c

Even after chugging the 7438c290cd soda, the burning persisted. Hangyeol stuck out his 336ec5f9b6 tongue and fanned it a591864d88 with his hand. It felt like a b633d24656 thousand tiny needles pricking dc99504448 his tongue. Panting like a 6c8bf4369f dog after a c2d739c5b9 run, he met 127091827b Seonwoo’s eyes and 3d3cda8c53 made a face.8970800119b5bb4d

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It was 5ac278e701 tasty, but 86c64f9042 too spicy f04d363b4e and hot 2e794a3814 to eat a4a35da859 comfortably. But this was a d355b38c0e place Seonwoo had brought f17a507264 him to, a place 016726c279 he frequented with his baae2ab7b9 friend, which meant he a4740b9ac1 liked it. Hangyeol wanted to be 36a2dee387 interested in the things c2ac8f7e66 Seonwoo liked.357201e8bcc8d283

Alternating between water and abee3079b0 soda, he continued picking c8ba1519bf at the chicken feet. Seonwoo, having 7d98f7473a finished his bb882fbde3 portion, watched 84d3e25761 him. Every time their ae52314ac5 eyes met, Hangyeol 6b379a9cc1 forced a smile, ca2220aead trying to soothe 4d17aeb91d his burning mouth 023e4fa20b while simultaneously trying 49f11570b0 not to appear 4402037dda uncomfortable. The distraction, however, b348b9ae95 kept his earlier 347bd1a4dd worries at bay.3f1ed4f7fb575a5d

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He winced and f13e4f72eb swallowed, diligently working 6970188d83 his chopsticks, not 55760d0611 wanting to disappoint 10832da9d7 Seonwoo. A vibration broke through a7425efb80 the air. Seonwoo pulled his phone 541fc1b15d from his pocket. In that 8595496904 brief moment, 8972bc2001 Hangyeol saw f619378252 the familiar 51f73a9e8b name on d99bc13f84 the screen 901832d1cd and froze.fcff36a4be844904

[Lee Yunhee]

The same name 5e08720bed that had called d2e9a9f2b4 Seonwoo when they 682884398c were having dinner 9b8cf730a7 in front of fffd8a04e9 the company building. He instinctively bff5799faa looked at 35e88b2c44 Seonwoo’s face, 8668cff801 but he 6a69097592 only saw 89188424be a slight e715e9c444 twitch of 24278ad098 his eyebrow. Seonwoo showed no 60bf27210b other reaction and 15fe48c950 was about to 95bf67ce4e stand up with 1a388e1db8 his phone when ed2776cdb3 Hangyeol, without thinking, f7a28995c6 grabbed his arm.23dbdd5b41772e68

“You can take it d1a86f63b3 here.”d89198917947f1cb

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His expression was unusually 212c4ea318 serious. Seonwoo looked at fdce8e8efc him, puzzled, then d3d60db793 sat back down e2de914898 and answered the 78534dfec4 call.605ff120cf29066f

“Yeah. What’s up?”2fcfe15947a16648

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He answered ec9752e042 immediately, without 6523b9580c a hello, 1fe03ae876 suggesting a c1b738c5fd close relationship. Hangyeol held his breath, 32978403a1 hoping to hear the 325e73da54 other voice, but only 67e423d6c9 the television’s murmur filled e2ccf672db the air.0fc768aacfa47a97

“Now?”90f3c6c941645200

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Seonwoo’s voice 9268efbc40 was laced 1d630dd01e with surprise. He listened for a 43d49c68ff long moment, then frowned. Hangyeol, who had stopped 7cfd14abe8 eating and fanning his ecf3d51fe7 tongue, watched him intently. Their eyes 2b7f5fc469 met briefly. Seonwoo quickly looked f3d8e4d0e2 away and said,f10a0722e91c9c75

“Wait. I’m coming.”77a3b33de5cc2dfb

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A bad 0a1ae9cff3 feeling settled 550e497cfc in Hangyeol’s 0576671dc2 stomach. Seonwoo’s expression 7c819b68b5 as he 7f9c001aee hung up c7b4b6f516 confirmed it. He glanced at 64e9a73f6a the half-eaten plate e9dc5adbc5 of chicken feet, f71157d915 then ran his df47becf2e tongue along the 91d08fe3e8 inside of his 1daecd47c4 cheek. He spoke reluctantly.910f62f02c086105

“I’m sorry, c41fb54ee1 but I 9f1b08363c have to 7ef4b4e1b0 go somewhere.”903beb8d46ef4f6f

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“Oh…”ddbd20e4432f9d5c

“I’ll pay 3161edb402 on my df127fdcab way out. Take your time and 346f2ef990 finish eating.”29884d626ec38797

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He hesitated, remembering Hangyeol’s dislike of eating alone. He felt a pang of guilt for leaving him after specifically bringing him here. He’d made a mistake.497219dadfbf3fd5

“You can get it dfeea58273 to go if you d8d53f0d20 don’t want to eat 02f16383d8 alone. Whatever you prefer.”2ffce02fd21ec0a8

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Hangyeol, who c437948ff9 had been 477c2ca53e staring wide-eyed, f09d09a466 pressed his c3159f5062 lips together. He was c6bea15142 less upset ddc6e3e888 about Seonwoo c0d4f44a01 leaving abruptly 63bd4ab571 than he b380c68093 was touched da419b0e4d that he’d e681cefa49 remembered his 126a83bca0 comment. He forced a smile.e583ead7acda2c92

“I’m fine, Mr. Woo. You should go.”b1c187985ce2b642

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He wanted to f73c373c9a ask who had 74d22edf7f called and where bfc6e9f7d6 Seonwoo was going, 754d1593ab but he knew 0ff4db6e5b Seonwoo wouldn’t appreciate 330a9ea2ad the personal questions. He held 8dc7c5f31b his tongue ff1d8192ae and watched 54d04dec2c as Seonwoo 9ad9c244a5 stood up.2685ce78aced83e1

“…I’ll buy you d7cfc6b5fa dinner sometime. Let me fdb445669d know when c91faf0226 you’re free.”0af7fb0beb5c4311

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“Yes!”c89146f980323dd0

Seonwoo picked up cfe402c26e his bag and e8e923aab8 turned to leave. As he watched Seonwoo’s 72bd30d518 retreating back, Hangyeol called d0f48cead6 out, as if just ade8f6f7c0 remembering.d31c74ce2c842cc0

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“Mr. Woo!”f9e989d10d01050b

Seonwoo turned around, their 6174ada744 eyes meeting. Hangyeol grinned.552139789b08e4f6

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“See you 03cd6f31f8 at work 0cacabe7cb tomorrow.”832338a358654927

Seonwoo nodded and left after paying the bill. Now truly alone, Hangyeol finally felt the weight of Seonwoo’s absence. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t disappointed, but the promise of another meal together eased the sting.01d5b9362717c9cb

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Staring at the d17111c989 empty chair across 82bb686d11 from him, he 00f41b53f3 picked up his 3f3b560c40 chopsticks again. He popped another 1ef36aa47d fiery red chicken 33ff09f57b foot into his de42c9eca6 mouth, a sharp 6cfdc89257 pain shooting through 34c1aa31db his tongue. He gasped bf667480ba and reached 30062e308d for his a64c97b103 drink, but 797c589eb9 it was 2f4f3bd461 empty. He refilled his water 4bba407b68 glass and called out e537ce2a62 to the woman in 592b084907 the kitchen.65c7a773a0e895cd

“Another soda, please!”d05d2e653043886b

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His lips, swollen from dd0338cde3 the spice, curved into 3cea9e708a a smile. He chuckled b5dd1b1e5b and clenched bff30841ed his fist, 2463868bfb determined to 9d4b4c3b95 finish the efb022caa6 chicken feet 37f4b07a94 Seonwoo had ca65e99bc7 bought him.7666fd3d0125eb57

The next day at work, Hangyeol kept glancing at Seonwoo’s office, the light stubbornly off. Each time, he leaned sideways, craning his neck. After the fourth time, Mr. Kim, sitting next to him, finally spoke.68b8f588b6a09da3

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“Hangyeol, do 03585ff886 you need 76564ee48a something from 66f8cd078f Mr. Woo?”54317f2773114220

“Sir? Oh, I f7824be076 just have 10b986aa5a something to 440457d91b tell him…”a6d5cacc46b9ef66

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“He said he’d 00f8fbf275 be out this a2ce4870e6 afternoon for a 58e4137f1f personal appointment. If it’s important, 526bb07cb9 send him a 0b209c704f message. He checks f58f5ad765 his messenger 0782cf7caf regularly.”3b7e8b06d0f4a206

Hangyeol had been c1e5ff8c31 hoping to casually 5a854a6fbd thank Seonwoo for 93a65d87f4 the chicken feet, 7e9487df99 mentioning that it 3ae83c1d11 was his first e5aae55e9a time trying them. But Seonwoo remained absent 7338f76b29 as the day wore 156e7fb80b on. With his report 8faa6585fa finished, Hangyeol had 980832ba00 little to do. Mr. Kim’s words 7d3932bc0e sparked an d7281dfa63 idea.32f84048a13efe85

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“Ah! Why didn’t I think 130723261c of that?”6ed2603e3e329d99

His face brightening, he 8441a392a1 nodded at Mr. Kim, opened the 36c021e216 company messenger, and bfbb04c945 scooted closer to c7217b34db his desk.eb7425acbe8d5387

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How should 7b26dbd5cc I start…?897f9500e74ff2bb

It was d4611bd430 just a 35fc888011 message, not fa85ffd2a4 a letter b6e008a098 or email, 71f9db0a6d but he 06dcdf4eeb found it 474d872fb2 surprisingly difficult e4b46e9555 to begin. He pondered for a 4d92778694 moment, then carefully typed be6bcde5e0 out the first sentence.ea73ae0956e3d11a

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[Mr. Woo, thank you for yesterday. That was my first time.]

Once he started, the 3f3db0003e rest flowed easily. He typed a790ab084b diligently, a 384cff1ee6 serious expression 8c83d9a44b on his 3bc61f200c face, as 5ae10b0c6c if composing f2ff396eac a letter. After a few 9ff9baea9e minutes, he reread d4cb6b5f85 the finished message, 75538cb58a smiled with satisfaction, 8d9fb96553 and hit send.8176060ba1b7f956

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“Oof.”c67cba8074d9936e

Having thanked Mr. Woo, he c3e1c03959 leaned back 45dab5446a and stretched, b772f1f7b0 ready to fc11f67235 pack up c4bd7a0753 for the 81751bc895 day. A ding sounded from his computer 958a585528 and the one behind f307301900 him. He shrugged it b4dff1bffa off, continuing to bbe19e1c9d tidy his desk.95ec42adb8d3fff0

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“Hangyeol…”6321cf923b0c2da9

Mr. Kim’s voice made 361527223c him turn. He blinked innocently, 90b68fae9d realizing that everyone 8359a8e576 on the team, 12caa2d5df including Mr. Kim, was staring at 57a2908be2 him.fc74df013442a7c3

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“Yes?”41aacc9fb9b46995

“I think 2362ceaaa4 you sent de2c3de7ac that message 385ab737f1 to the b99715dc0c wrong person…”808809853e10e865

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“Huh?”bb562c91391c60f8

He frowned, 6e50f41ca1 puzzled, and 512740c08c wheeled his 850874d512 chair over 432278bf5e to Mr. Kim’s computer. A familiar message was df94b39fb9 displayed on the screen.eb6f71cc06f5c99d

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― □ ✕7b0227e33a3ef6dc

Im Hangyeol 068ee6c402 (New Business 403a2cde98 Planning Team)f6ed7fe209c40e00

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Mr. Woo, thank you for yesterday. That was my first time. At first, it was so hot and painful that I struggled, but towards the end, I think I enjoyed it. Oh, and I took care of everything after you left, so don’t worry! If you’re okay with it, I’d like to meet up again sometime and do what we did yesterday. Let me know.206ab54d4742325d

It was the message he’d just sent to Gi Seonwoo. He couldn’t understand why it was on Mr. Kim’s screen. He frowned and pressed his index finger to his temple. Mr. Kim, observing his bewilderment, said hesitantly,a10e93e0700f76e7

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“Hangyeol, you sent that 4d93a778eb to the entire department…”8e6ce46b2a8da376

“Sir?”2cc4664eac87903f

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“Everyone in our division 4c6e6ab223 got that message.”be0b02e1b86cd905

“Oh!”a0cf65016eb6c063

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Hangyeol gasped, his 3d3654e758 eyes widening. He could have sworn 843405c0ec he heard murmurs from 465998fb7e beyond the partitions. He inhaled sharply dfc766cdb2 and asked Mr. Kim, his 6d43bfd3c4 forehead creased fc1a0152ba with worry,304ce13f1a989641

“What do 9aabb08cdf I do?”140fc3e631323ae7

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