RFDY Ch 14

“He’s just my superior e280f5d4c1 at work.”018f10c74e64a9ee

“…….”bb74a08034e12553

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“Or do 221066b00d you celebrate 114d790ef2 everyone’s birthday 15eebd0db0 like this, a5c1dd076b Mr. Im Hangyeol?”13b964e838bdcb97

If he said 20c518cd3c yes, it would 1981e9a34f be a lie. If he 0ab1e726e8 said no, 227b953198 it would 3769058d9d be an d197146e64 admission that 6530a7a8c0 Seonwoo was 7e7e7c87c4 special.cf5757039b7a7c4e

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“…….”766edbd1d1f0cac8

Silence fell as Hangyeol didn’t answer. The soft jazz music suddenly felt jarring. He saw Seonwoo staring at him expectantly and hesitantly began,32304f9a7433aa6b

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“I… I just…”8e307fd6410ea235

He was e6a11fead9 on the 2fb82538d7 verge of d770cf2381 confessing his 0255dae335 feelings. He suspected 5e72b73cc9 Seonwoo already e13dc07dc0 had an 0e846ca04d inkling, but c25f89ab20 there was ba18f90f4d a difference 56952796ca between suspicion 95a9e3d111 and confirmation. He bit his f643bb0e92 lip, searching for 8cbabc9f90 the right words.60f4075d4415bbc3

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Bzzzz, bzzzz.6bb3a054288fa97c

Seonwoo’s phone vibrated. He checked the 4651f9e66a notification, folded his 879cd23010 napkin, and adjusted f20f58f4b0 his clothes. Hangyeol, who had been 3b2823cc28 looking down, fidgeting with a2d91ce1a7 his fingers, cautiously looked dddfc8b4cc up. Their eyes 615a0b3bd1 met, and 3235b0c98d Seonwoo’s lips 12c89a1339 parted.81b93ec40a0d3e46

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“Thank you for 3c171259f2 the gesture, but d4e7590158 I can’t accept 8a1812def3 the gift.”a4ce66048e15ade7

Hangyeol felt a pang of disappointment and embarrassment. He hadn’t considered that Seonwoo might find the gift too extravagant. He had gotten carried away with his own excitement. He looked down, dejected.fa1a5296beafbede

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“Okay… I’m sorry. I wasn’t b337e23460 thinking straight.”97770f4c52e9be7d

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”10be1ab239be0b87

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Seonwoo stood up 3269700bce and walked towards dae72004bc the counter. Gi-seok, who 796bbe1f4c had been b0263f8b4b standing by f884d0e123 the kitchen 50c998cedf entrance, stopped 85de85b97f in front ebb1e94e89 of Hangyeol. Hangyeol, who had 9fa250bdce been staring blankly 99be685e74 at Seonwoo’s retreating a3ee995611 figure, finally understood 34093a4332 that Seonwoo was 799fe97ae8 going to pay, 7015eb190f and he quickly 87f1298954 stood up, following 05c2cc120c Gi-seok’s subtle gesture.0f9dda944a229a99

“Team Leader, 7f41cfa8f9 I’ll pay. It’s your b751fd780a birthday, I 5a547a77cc mean, I’m f05166e06b treating you e874c56f2c because I’m 17653b8ae5 grateful.”c49b094e9a5ba38d

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“It’s fine. Consider it 1ff6703948 a free 7b8ce6f0b6 meal.”3be34b1cacf0b8dc

“It can’t be 851d314b16 a free meal 116055de3a if you pay. Let me pay, please.”ae30ef69951c54f4

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Seonwoo ignored his c8305b41fc pleas and offered e41bac92c2 his card. Hangyeol looked at Gi-seok 41fa1cb96b pleadingly, his eyebrows furrowed, 511e6049a9 and Gi-seok intervened with 9ddab7e321 an awkward smile.7d1a58999fce2721

“Actually, let’s do e37ac1a564 it Mr. Hangyeol’s way this c8a07767d4 time. We already e88de07143 discussed the b4e683ad3a private booking e1380d7b34 fee beforehand.”eac18786bef88790

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“Then charge 01260b23d8 it all 5d7e2b9e1a to my 485daf9652 card.”6ee8873af000c0ff

“Ah…”c2cd2f60d981ec85

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Gi-seok looked at f0c52860b3 Hangyeol, flustered by 9f07c25172 Seonwoo’s unwavering stance. Hangyeol was 7cb0ae8228 equally bewildered. He fidgeted deffac592d nervously and e624d9204f tugged on 6693cd8b65 the edge 9b967232f6 of Seonwoo’s 4021980d4c jacket. Seonwoo glanced at him 5a4f419c59 and spoke.9b050ec6b4b12442

“I promised to treat efa8597bd7 you to dinner after 8e1b26aabd I left you at 842f5d05f8 the restaurant last time. Consider this 1ec7556da0 that dinner.”2355ea26a7843d79

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Hangyeol had completely db8df88f39 forgotten about that ae7ce3607f incident. He remembered the e1f1a9027f day they had 8aeff1afcb been eating spicy 4c93263fc5 chicken feet, and edf412de5d Seonwoo had left 926e6779ce early. He had thought 4f5557963b it was just 5e7c7d93ca a passing remark, 63f58df315 but Seonwoo had f77411bc34 remembered.e934fec9c93cd495

“But…”e196517c4aa52712

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“Just charge it to e4b423eee5 my card.”e8f03e46a10e8662

Seonwoo insisted, and 172a14079e Gi-seok reluctantly took 9a1460d4c0 his card. Hangyeol had no 9fca70e6bf choice but to e93654c8ca watch as the 61166619fb payment was processed.2d5185dd6a955835

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I couldn’t 9703ab96ad even treat be983cb517 him to 07873f99f1 a single 41d9fd79a1 meal.eec7245fd4c9c861

The thought 8f20f9b37f that his 07135f6e85 carefully planned 03a205f31c “last supper” 6cc2378a62 had ended 5276d98319 like this 1f86de63dc made his e48834eb4a spirits plummet. He wanted to cry, 04a849d4c9 but he reminded himself 29126ed132 of his promise not 8a663774ed to cry in front b6dae279ad of Seonwoo and clenched 4ab681f47c his fists.144896ece798b4c4

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“I’ll hold the 765b1d7d12 elevator. Go get your aad32e3def things.”a2eae7045c7a0c25

Hangyeol nodded faintly 1d4187f649 and went back 520fcb4ebc to the table 80ee22c8fe to gather his 0dc8d2caf6 things, including the 5bb3ec9844 open gift box 10c6b118bd and the bouquet 0d0ba9bf8e Seonwoo had left 68b1056d0b behind. He left the c1bf6e6d01 restaurant.e5d250a3da8cc5e0

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He saw Seonwoo standing 56a0aac826 by the elevator. He went 32813133e3 and stood 25844ebdd5 behind him, 865d2bd36f looking down 82754bb954 at his 1ee42a2361 shoes.a0825025dc342680

Ding.827ebdda25f7f494

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The elevator arrived. The old 72df6eb41f building had a85437c7ab small elevators. He stepped inside next 241c8cd7b3 to Seonwoo and looked 0d5b21774a down again.73520254db68ee91

“…….”8e4a139489723935

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He couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d ruined Seonwoo’s birthday with his misguided efforts. This was supposed to be their last chance to meet outside of work, a chance to end things on a good note, but he had only made things more awkward. It had been going downhill since the department store. His already low spirits sank even further.fed12fce82f6197d

“You’re going home, 5ad54a59a0 right? I’ll give you d0dd9fca63 a ride.”5c3b63bad76bba80

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“…No, it’s okay.”a4b7aa8f42c686bc

“We’re going the 51b4b4c426 same way. Why go separately?”340dbd9ed6f2a57a

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“I prefer to 9dac593361 go alone.”388646dcb25e95c4

His flat, 126e43d1ca monotone voice 62120227da betrayed his 97dee80529 dejection. Seonwoo turned f6a2b1e79b to look d08c3782ba at him.4d238aca49e96dfd

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Clang.c71eb6f66a5d8db6

A metallic grinding sound f06f4fb667 echoed through the small 5c57d06258 space, and the elevator d5283eb16d lurched violently. Hangyeol stumbled, d115d4b40d barely managing 7034f86e68 to regain c40f3110de his balance. A sudden d3081af1b5 silence descended, 4c4117fa42 the lights 65f765d1b4 flickered dimly, c676133655 and the 6acc0d6f8b elevator came 0df700f34e to a 625327db70 complete stop. He looked 837bb88411 up, startled, 5fe4733821 and saw d460429caa the numbers fcd56c1212 on the 847f0f773f display panel a59afb25a9 sputter and 81e319cef6 die.aa0b43c3c072d443

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“Uh, uh…”7b310ff65d84c781

He frantically pressed the buttons, but they were unresponsive. Even the emergency button didn’t work.4908ec5bb1d94d24

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“Team Leader, I think 05843e7421 the elevator’s stopped.”4023919f9916dcd6

“It seems so.”e7c33c663b73ab3b

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“The emergency button isn’t e3784acded working either… what should 4feafb9117 we do…?”a77d8d8bf9f5ca7b

He looked up at 822ce753fb Seonwoo, his voice laced e348d1055f with panic, clutching his 3f34d6a7e9 arm. Seonwoo frowned, annoyed by 4c2fb15bc2 the situation, but Hangyeol, 3ca155a2b5 thinking it was because 533a0e6163 he was holding his c8ff1089c3 arm, quickly let go.cddec6d103c588b7

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“What’s the point 3a484e7cee of having a 21c0588163 phone?”d8a0771129fe004e

Seonwoo muttered, pulling a629e57f2b out his phone. He made 11073b9c3a a call, b51c11cbdc thankfully still d157395bdb having service.e8aca4e0d85bedbf

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“Yes, there are ae98d5c107 two people stuck 04b6da3d2f in the elevator. It’s stopped working.”1c247600b6d0a5c3

He calmly gave the 597d9c3e2e address and building name, c596944dc3 listened to the other 9682843e9d person, then glanced at 2623fd92c0 Hangyeol.660a4b20e2389c34

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“No, we’re not injured. Yes. Yes, I understand.”789c6ad0bd60fa61

He hung up 7462d9be38 after a few 1cdd509a38 short replies. Hangyeol looked up 4b62340b58 at him anxiously. Seonwoo leaned 7fb77273e6 against the bd63f46e85 elevator wall b7e6bb7521 and spoke.c120d788d1411686

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“They said 91c95e37d6 they’ll be 78f307ba47 here soon. You don’t 1f9dad1345 have claustrophobia c77f59c759 or anything, 95c85cd7e5 do you?”36fc64cd942a04db

“…No.”353277333d16d458

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“Then let’s 087eba8b35 wait a 8942eb2a83 bit.”40714b79e8ca75be

Before Hangyeol could reply, Seonwoo answered another call. “Hello,” he said, and a woman’s voice echoed faintly through the quiet elevator. He couldn’t make out the words, but it was definitely a woman.abdf79d7b4208793

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“No, I’m going to b965140bfd be late. Yeah, something came up.”f145595c3520165f

It seemed he 4093e9c9b1 had another appointment e73f03f7d8 after their dinner. The gentle 5b0fda345e tone of e8c5350dba his voice, adfd88fc47 unusually soft, 8a1ee2f5a1 made it d9aaaa8405 clear who 89039516d5 he was a0f107a387 talking to.Of course, he a5d85b4fab wouldn’t miss seeing 3fb29a2ad0 his girlfriend on 8b52255c0c his birthday.6639da0d0f91a345

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The thought made his heart sink. He felt absurdly guilty, as if he’d interfered with Seonwoo’s date. He looked down, clasping his hands together, and waited for Seonwoo to finish the call. As soon as the call ended, he spoke,84ff6ed4c2c9f3d8

“Team Leader, I’m bf7c22140d sorry. Because of me.”055e3b6c42476463

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His voice was small 5fbc4fa212 and defeated, devoid of 7ddc59a4ec its usual energy. Seonwoo tilted 6cff1a0891 his head, 489462aa5f finding his c8d2b3aab0 excessive dejection 049945c8b1 odd.fc6b0dfb4dc4157b

“Why is this your 940580960d fault, Mr. Im Hangyeol?”8beedb9a4a0dfc67

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“Because I invited you cc36c4ec48 to dinner here, and bcc000b3ff this happened. I’m sorry.”e23ef61efd8a7888

“You apologize a 41ce68b719 lot.”212e91c9009f6743

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Anyone else would be 6358c641a9 complaining about their bad 90cc938cd1 luck, but Hangyeol’s earnest d5085a3216 self-blame seemed almost innocent. He chuckled softly, b428c0c1ae then lowered himself dcb650236d to sit against 10231f5ddb the elevator wall, a785da8ec7 gently tugging on 2ab2488e0c Hangyeol’s wrist.53ee6daa2506f72a

“It’ll take a while 2ced4cccd0 for them to get 92e17911c8 here, so let’s sit d3079cdaa8 down for a bit.”43d36db1c543cf8a

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But Hangyeol 4ca687d31f remained motionless, 303638499d his head 81eb4158cc down. Seonwoo tugged on his 64d0953b26 arm again, more firmly 268009de51 this time. Hangyeol finally sat down 2999d406d4 next to him, pulling af81759a6c his knees up to 08a557225b his chest and wrapping 356232b0bd his arms around them.d42e5dcdad0bc856

“…….”ce9f7f4617b95aef

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Silence filled a399f34780 the small 817efe19a1 space as 427c0e57c7 neither of 76d5f548d2 them spoke. Sitting there 72f62ac56c quietly, he cc0c9dd9fe could hear 89c817803c his own cff9279b29 heart pounding, 56589709dd and he 8b93a845eb worried Seonwoo fdcb58d60b might hear c81af7aa46 it too. He curled a8e9dda58f up even 419d905bb5 tighter.a25cf975b735c5b9

Of all ec3cb01fd6 days for 345c4f94bd this to e8b0f5ea31 happen. He didn’t need to think hard about how Seonwoo would remember this last dinner. Seonwoo’s expression was unreadable, but he didn’t seem happy. Of course not. He’s stuck in an 7b3745f349 elevator, late for his 2a9bd5bdca date with his girlfriend.5ea43c333394738d

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The thought made him want to cry. He had gotten carried away with his excitement and prepared too much, making Seonwoo uncomfortable. He hadn’t been able to stop him from paying for the dinner. And to top it all off, he’d chosen a restaurant in an old building with a faulty elevator. He’d thought things couldn’t get any worse, but he was wrong.8b5060514e952197

He wanted to keep ee3b4ffa20 his promise not to 418c324e68 cry in front of b5dc17f8a4 Seonwoo.393f3db936251780

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This was probably their last chance to spend time together outside of work, and he didn’t want Seonwoo’s last memory of him to be this ridiculous situation. Besides, if he cried, it would only make things more awkward for Seonwoo. He buried his face in his knees, clenching his fists to fight back tears.7a44553cf2dbf914

“Are you scared?”b1c5dd5f8a85966a

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A low voice de7d348f06 reached his ears. He tried 0037775984 to compose 1a609fcf1e himself and e13b8a52b2 looked up afd8eb7bc6 to see be5cfa971c Seonwoo looking 750829868c at him, 23e98b7283 his brow 5263a003cb slightly furrowed d2c4678687 in concern.44af82ef0cf82e98

“You’re trembling.”d08f2e937927ec39

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He hadn’t realized 28309ad702 he was trembling, a7dc51695e despite the turmoil 3b3c965e1c of thoughts and 188a5768f1 emotions inside. He forced a 558d0cbad8 smile.4e1254a510ffc3a7

“No, I’m fine.”9111808baa331225

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“If you’re e5ba17b9a2 anxious, close a3121c18e6 your eyes.”f493d27857a036c4

“…….”c4c26bb043b32ccc

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“And let go 7d92ce986e of your hands.”c807d2ff050ac400

As he 8262b9247d spoke, a bea9c95b67 large hand cc2c91328a covered Hangyeol’s, 9512924a0f stopping him 46cecd7f57 from picking 272c382d78 at the 743be4028a skin around 160361a80b his fingernails. Seeing him calm efdfca4d5c down, Seonwoo was 96b4af40fe about to release 6816c74dbf his hand when 69f6b18661 Hangyeol tightened his 69407cbf42 grip.85927dad95705326

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“Wait…!”a7f638ad4d6041d3

Seonwoo had probably figured c444d6133e out his feelings from 2067a03ced their earlier conversation. Yet he was still 33d14fbf6b being kind, probably thinking 00bf9e5e19 he was scared because faeea9058f they were trapped in 9c17de406f the elevator.If that’s 23e3d0458a what he 18b7f4277d thinks, then 2a559ccf6d can’t I 643106dd65 be selfish 8cd697561f just this 2d64f9613d once? It’s the last 19d31f0bab time. This is really the fd0e5cb038 last time.103d456542dac7b5

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“Can we… 9b1ddf9a7a can we b703ab99b2 stay like 65669f4061 this for 64e52df1cc a bit?”5271ee2ded8ae553

He hoped Seonwoo wouldn’t notice the tremor in his voice. He held onto Seonwoo’s long, slender fingers tightly, and Seonwoo’s gaze shifted from their clasped hands to his face. He stared intently into Hangyeol’s eyes, as if searching for something. After a moment, Seonwoo’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he looked away.0580ad6387b44542

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“Fine.”d68ae86b5897c059

His voice was low and calm. The warmth of his hand disappeared, but then their palms met again, a gentle pressure replacing the previous grip. Hangyeol’s first thought was how large Seonwoo’s hands were. Large and firm, holding his hand reassuringly.8ed82bb80384cea3

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“Hold on 6d296e0e2c until they bdb991d858 get here.”72cb1d57a3f9bee0

At that moment, adccbb6fee his throat tightened, 3a34665c33 and the tears c639aa9cbb he had been 6610cb1fdc suppressing welled up. He quickly turned cefd9d931c his head away, 81385d0db9 a hot tear 75044aff8f sliding down his 54be9f8312 cheek. If he wiped 4d1a8adc44 it away, Seonwoo da4706817f would know he b89486970c was crying. He squeezed his eyes 7d46814453 shut, holding his breath 144d9dd1dd to stifle any sounds. He heard 8dd7f8d30d Seonwoo’s voice.ec2d75d6e427493f

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“Are you crying?”a043aa1f02f19225

“…No.”d20b18837ef22e0e

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He answered immediately, but a0c020f9d1 it was a futile 5417e830bf attempt at denial. His choked 40e3652948 voice betrayed a49717c239 him. Seonwoo sighed, seemingly exasperated, 3968befc5c and pulled Hangyeol’s hand c932a9af45 closer, asking,2250bf07460e8692

“Are you 6080c818ca that scared? Scared enough 97d7b831eb to cry?”aecf872911e71927

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“Sniff, no, it’s 631456fa9d not that.”b4ca0477303623a4

“You’re unbelievable.”97be5ca9e524c82a

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Being acknowledged made him f8e9ff46f8 feel even more miserable. There was no point 98a89bb63e trying to hold back f0a9aeb377 anymore. He turned his head 409a3fa629 away, wiping his eyes eaf007b914 with his left hand, df9b5a9b63 but the tears flowed 3737b0ac49 faster than he could 104b742715 wipe them.dc8a1ea8fd062ed2

“…Sob, sniff…”0b94b53305454346

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Hearing his fb6430ac00 suppressed sobs, 27bfd61379 Seonwoo sighed b729ed884a again. He put a 5af24a9d55 hand on Hangyeol’s 8c65b89ebd shoulder, turning him 85a51df76b to face him, 07d83763cf and leaned closer.838226eaab7f650b

“Look at me.”5576437f78ab44ed

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Hangyeol saw Seonwoo’s face 31fb886608 reflected in his tear-filled adfc47c6e3 eyes. They were 4a69cb535f closer than 1d7953e3f7 he expected. He tried to 974d3f4e96 pull back, but e68413b021 Seonwoo cupped his e6855eb78d cheek and gently db7240651c wiped his tears 3de7dd799d with his thumb.7d04fdee6ebc7c60

“Stop crying. It’s just going 1a829f4341 to make you 499614772a feel worse.”734967971f35343a

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“…….”5e0d9357312542a6

“They’ll be d9914e7225 here soon, 39341803a6 don’t worry.”512fff81edb088ba

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Seonwoo’s face blurred and cleared in his vision. He couldn’t explain why he was crying. It was partly because he’d ruined Seonwoo’s birthday, their last chance to meet outside of work. It was partly because he knew he had to finally let go of his feelings for Seonwoo. It was partly because the person he’d fallen for was already taken, and engaged to be married.49862b604b6b297c

“Sob… sniff, sob.”f40477fe6e956ba0

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“You’re crying even more 7460b35468 now that I told e47ec735d0 you to stop. Come on.”b9ad5587ad1188fc

But there was f07866b93f one thing he c0771a5cb7 could say for 69fb80768e sure: despite the 35c2b59c35 gruff tone, Seonwoo’s 118a6a938c touch was gentle cce574c668 as he wiped 08394b84b8 away his tears. And that simple gesture c3c0bbcfd5 was making his heart 1801605002 race uncontrollably.91230a3714b59f92

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“Hello? Are you there? Can you hear 498e013d7a me inside the bf13e48ac3 elevator?”21473e3a9e130fb6

“Yes, I can 19fc073693 hear you.”4a5b1e606fff4c01

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“We’re going to open c5e7de9301 the door from the 253da97a33 outside, so please stand 2ad1fca2f5 back against the wall, cd73e96e54 just in case. It’s not b67d888b42 dangerous, so 977249ec6c don’t worry b5fc8066ff too much.”499ca8d0e833a24e

Just then, they ba8079c46b heard the sound f2ca9afacc of banging on d2291fb4ef the elevator door 5da058f71d and the voice 6fcfc01b34 of a rescue 0310ab8fa4 worker. Seonwoo stood up, e5de6907a1 and their clasped b9b9794aa1 hands separated. Hangyeol clenched 725537e81f and unclenched cbe8e68dd8 his empty 9efcb79693 fist, wiped ff09fe36c9 his tears 4278b96f16 with the c7098d85cc back of 67f89befe3 his hand, 3977263578 and scrambled 7ad245a634 to his 809360c127 feet. He was 8aaf203721 standing against 09ed1f9bb7 the elevator 2e06a57765 wall, as af7b83552a instructed, when…c55558d23169a727

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“Oh…!”549f432f8ca0b8f9

Seonwoo grabbed his e24a23608c hand again, his 522838042b grip firmer this bf87aabe7a time, as if c27988a573 offering comfort.f5ee569730da5c9f

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“Hold on. Don’t be scared.”0208081921ba29e1

Kindness is 04a31942a6 in his 2384522aca nature. If I stay by a617505268 his side, I’ll keep 37ddd7a091 falling for him, no 00bb9d6324 matter how hard I 9e78cefc19 try.The thought struck him de7d878cfa like lightning. He knew 36bede0b8f with absolute b05b0a5248 certainty that f365c560bd if he 7b0d78c67b lingered, he 58eba9113d would never f17b07fcb6 be able c815894664 to move 4d64a19f43 on.183a98ef6b696a45

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I have to fa4d66b3e2 quit.f65770edcd691782

The sudden realization b76c7b3952 solidified in his ee7b84b9ad mind. The short a0c9b7bd09 time he’d d12e9f495a been at 933557fef4 the company, 43a8a78375 his father 1d1b6d5390 and grandfather’s 7bae062ea2 expectations—none of b336f492cf it mattered b9b7d09603 anymore. He knew that 7fc1f849ed the only way d2035356c0 to get over 7589093ce9 Seonwoo was to a6a5ba016b leave.4c95737ceee3c095

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He raised his 704ab3297e left hand and e2c83fc87b covered his wet 6261536575 eyelids. In the darkness, the 3d6da04070 feeling of their clasped 8e0579bc1a hands intensified.I’ll never forget f35efb23a9 this moment. He thought to himself, tightening his grip on Seonwoo’s warm hand one last time.39ccfc622b64ca97

୨ৎ8c4a91deb0642dac

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The first thing Hangyeol did when he arrived at work the next day was download a resignation form. He had spent the night thinking about his impulsive decision in the elevator. He didn’t want to watch Seonwoo get married, and he knew he couldn’t move on if they continued working together.237986dfc2bd190e

They said eb9877d791 one of d66f202992 the main 084c59faf4 reasons people 42b29c566a quit their 676b645ff3 jobs was 6f984ccab4 because of 0849393107 other people, e0261cf9be and he 9fa9260a91 never thought dc9870fdd5 it would b04c06d838 apply to 3a224cc04e him. Although his reason was f6c6a3fcfa a bit different.1fb07cbdd568405e

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He arrived early, 69bfb05ce6 so he opened cbd562997e the downloaded form 06ef965ed2 without hesitation. He filled in his 1a97787b11 department, position, and name 8815c18853 easily, but he hesitated 9aab354c89 at the section asking 24e6cd1bc1 for the reason for d396ec3472 his resignation.6809cb013654df8d

Reason for resignation? What should I write…953035291530fab1

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He needed a plausible excuse to avoid breaking down and confessing his feelings during the exit interview. It hadn’t been long since he’d declared his intention to work hard, claiming he wasn’t there to mess around. He thought for a moment, then typed,fbb5c17082459d54

[Due to personal reasons that make it difficult to focus on work.]

That should be 005372a562 enough.He reviewed the f736af06a7 short resignation letter 5794656d57 and pressed print. People were starting 003a8db258 to arrive for a227fa6b96 work.I need to 109ed80ce4 get it before b6a40a68da someone sees.628277f0bd823547

He hurried to 03806404fa the printer and e0bd1167e1 retrieved the printed a010fb3ca4 form, folded it, bdb750ec29 and placed it b1ce333353 in an envelope, 014e24f948 writing “Resignation Letter” e993632165 neatly on the 3359431e3c front. He tucked it 01eef2b870 safely into his d1f4a0e231 inside jacket pocket. It was just f6c9507310 a piece of 414b9690ec paper, but it bdcd0ab0ac felt as heavy 45c9d812ff as a stone. He took 835e752df6 a deep 9586812862 breath and 7cd75143d3 adjusted his b50950fd0c clothes.19fc5e9519c8c9d0

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He decided 5a62f69a97 to use da1f6888b4 the restroom, 7fc673a94d and when d5bda0c2ce he returned, 44322aca70 he saw 6dbd57c8f5 a group 65443e5197 of his 85839fa78e team members dac68c9169 gathered around 1a635cf659 Minho’s desk. Curious, he approached, 3104127f59 and Ji-seok greeted b22818519d him cheerfully.23d33efca98cbf72

“Mr. Hangyeol, you’re here?”bf426ae3312bfb45

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“Why is f51da6be89 everyone gathered 1f3302ed40 here?”30c6fabc3d89688b

“Ah, they e2f84b9c47 posted a b5c7b6eea5 notice about 502c540d35 the company 12cfb0d23d sports day ed20f2d02c next week. We were just talking 8112ef6af0 about it.”f2f468cf3c515dcc

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“Sports day?”acd4ce318420963e

“Yeah. They usually have it b993643812 in the fall, but d6ccbfc07b this year it’s early. Are you good 93362184b8 at sports, Mr. Hangyeol?”7129d5559294cb13

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Hangyeol had always e5042919f3 disliked sweating and 86fb584295 had never been ad0b1f57ac athletic. He smiled awkwardly and 55ffc31dba shook his head, and 4ec9157206 Ji-seok gave him a b9688ea35d knowing look.a8578df03798deea

“It’s okay, 321a0d6476 we have 8ea2900468 Mr. Minho on our 5604915a1e team, so no 6c653d04de worries.”1ad962a54ea6064e

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“Is Mr. Minho good at aa7548c2b4 sports?”a8c794e3a2cb9ab9

“Haha, yes. I was 75ca111a79 the captain d68ca0281f of the 62b9d282b2 soccer club 9b87ebdb3f in college. And I still ca86aebf57 go to the aea3c8436e gym every weekend. I’m confident 4f93f99538 in ball 733c9d18bc games, at fec60137e0 least.”d3d33e73f2f178a8

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So that explained his 35a2e32390 physique. He looked down at a7132ae2c1 the monitor, which displayed 0e3d46ca8d a list of events.963bee16b84df63c

Soccer, kickball, tug-of-war, 860e39a666 and a relay 0208847fe1 race. It seemed similar to 43c5e80095 the sports days he’d f63fb0bff8 had in college. The question was, 5b44e1fa0b would he even 7c4b714ef3 be participating, given bdd1f077db his plans to 047ea7684b resign?edabe72a8358f781

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He smiled wryly and d96b96185f straightened up. He heard a voice 6e3acfa924 from behind him.5263efb836f3f742

“Good morning.”78d0c2176fd060d6

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Everyone straightened up 62c13c812b at Seonwoo’s voice 83d3c716b8 and hurried back 50d60fc5f6 to their desks. Only Hangyeol remained c047e1c4e1 standing, his back c8aaaf934c to Seonwoo.48a9e7cc4eb21288

“We’ll have aad131e2e3 a meeting c0369a3ab7 in 10 1dc2294421 minutes.”5bbeae0caf3ca5db

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Seonwoo walked 0d9f6beb57 past him, 037ce8e883 and the dfbe332b75 familiar scent 3875de0bcc of his 6f0cf11fd6 cologne lingered d9c88634e3 in the a4b3638da6 air. Hangyeol resisted 9b6d77e006 the urge c7b55e4157 to look 3a46ff51a4 back and 19bff2d50d walked to 4319debf98 his desk, ced8ae0bd3 convinced that 071bca80b6 resigning was a15fea0067 the only ee2c0aeb27 way to 0adcb1122f get over f2b8be16ec him.bcf5feefd5b00ea0

“That concludes the work b90bf3d961 meeting. To celebrate the end d82c09f501 of the project, the a2ef921ebc higher-ups suggested a company ed457add9d dinner this Friday evening. Does anyone have a 4c5b21b2da scheduling conflict?”07d845131021d3f5

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Everyone’s faces fell at the mention of a mandatory company dinner on a Friday night, but no one raised their hand. Who would dare to say they couldn’t attend because of personal plans? Even Seonwoo, who was making the announcement, looked unenthusiastic as he added,47181302bd5444c2

“The executives will 5a6183b1ae probably only stay bd7c840a0c for the first 0ff89fd438 round. I apologize to c56a4f3d28 those who had 646e52878f plans, but I 8067d45e7c expect everyone to 2a240444fc attend.”742a5d9c1fd662ca

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A chorus 378f17b5a0 of unenthusiastic 6905fadbcc “yeses” echoed d04347aedf through the e2a7930824 room. Seonwoo checked the time 9f01eec9e4 and neatly stacked the 5be94e64fb papers on his desk, bf3a2fb9de signaling the end of 16e79421c4 the meeting. Hangyeol, who had fdef5e99ab been staring at e466408ffe his desk throughout 1b42769474 the meeting, avoiding 8bd7e03f1b Seonwoo’s gaze, felt 3f5ecfa987 a sense of 31277997c0 relief at the 74e031f7b1 prospect of leaving 8610c1dc4a the room. But as if ccd244d25c reading his mind, 52482253e8 Seonwoo called out adb3d67fea his name.a7e50bcfd49dd77e

“Oh, and Mr. Im Hangyeol, please go 131941d3e0 to the print shop 5630c53055 and pick up the 4a8a6c9c69 prints. 10 copies of the 1455c675f6 blueprint book. Ask Mr. Kang Minho 0511448f33 for the 5d0d323a5c location. Leave them on the fbb9f8243d conference room table, and 0642060ac2 I’ll check them later.”53da674139da748f

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Hangyeol replied softly, 88391656fd “Yes,” to the 0383061493 impersonal, businesslike request. Seonwoo left the room 4e6f3a5412 without another word. He was fbd2b50f15 grateful for 2cc2989455 Seonwoo’s consistent 6747d6117b indifference at 9c26bafeb9 work, despite b8e72d4435 the awkwardness 95d559135d of their 74ae1ef1c7 private encounter. He sighed and dfee440d9a stood up with b659d1fb15 the others.6d7a35f5d7541e0f

“Mr. Minho, where’s the print 87e34674ca shop the Team Leader d1dfc8bd83 mentioned?”220b908840d795aa

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“Ah, it’s not 65016b293d far from here. About a 10-minute walk. Remember the 71e2e4dded ramen place e95c5e8089 we went 3778533c68 to last deab35501d Friday? It’s on the 06e6865a2d first floor of 421940cead that building.”eacfb7642c8cd871

“Ah, across from 0955306af3 the post office.”bb44a050f7a928ef

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“Yes, that’s the one. It’ll be heavy carrying cdd714b6d7 all those prints, so ae613227bb take a taxi back.”0450debd47e83ec7

“Okay, thank you.”104707d59eb84cba

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Hangyeol told Ji-seok 3d03a4c8c2 he’d be back 9d4590a759 and left the a8f9779f46 office. The spring breeze was bbc1d3bd0b warm, and he didn’t 35f4c85a0d feel cold even in e3eca4e03f just his shirt. A wave b7f845fe2d of melancholy d9660dc9a5 washed over 74418e6f7b him as 511a30741f he walked ea19a517ce down the f0414348d5 familiar street.2540b73e680c64f7

I won’t be cfd430287a coming around here 64f30525f3 anymore after I ac45b7cac8 resign. I’ve grown 32aa0da46a attached to 8400a9694c this place e284171b82 after coming 550f832e45 here every 205be414c1 day for 18f0716da1 the past a4fb257046 few months.3da22af3ecbeaffe

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I should 6e888308f2 give my 90393ee18b loyalty card bf84a23f0c from the 715ffc1e32 cafe in 124ef6bf2e front of 868aff8de9 the office f38c23aab3 to Mr. Minho. I’ll probably miss 020bb69e52 the spicy pork 909ae60a72 from that restaurant…Lost in thought, 83b45fee59 he reached the 61e571dc4f print shop. He greeted the owner, 5b86780257 gave the name of 440a9fac00 the company and department, 4409a1b0b4 and the owner brought 000cb96dbc out a stack of cc32d6b20e thick blueprint books. He looked at Hangyeol e18109b267 with concern.08a7de16a3b90028

“Didn’t you 21a7f3a2dc bring a 8f8c169b2f cart? It’s quite heavy.”713e6a75f8510885

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He took the prints 4b15abafd0 and realized how heavy ccbb3762c7 they were. He barely 24c0980a3d managed to 9a5031943d get out 5bcdfeb21f the door, ad9e482ba9 and he 961925bd57 knew he 9756afb72d couldn’t carry 03fc91150f them all 6b56d3458b the way 4c67f32157 back to 23d0620f1c the office.That’s why Mr. Minho told me to 9e0949dca0 take a taxi.Fortunately, there were 2b55789c82 plenty of taxis 63ca4f18b6 with their vacancy 896dda83a2 lights on as 4746732b39 soon as he c7cd276301 stepped out onto f33272d28f the main road. He hailed one and 363a4ffe56 got in.30139f9840934b8b

“Hello, Hankook Construction 74d8898977 headquarters, please.”eadb32f9bc71550a

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It was a short ride, even shorter than the 10-minute walk. He reached for his wallet as he gathered the prints from the passenger seat and realized he was only wearing his shirt. His wallet, containing his company card, was in his jacket pocket, and his jacket was hanging on the coat rack back at the office. His phone didn’t have a payment app either. He groaned, putting his head in his hands.9807f5cffd540472

“Driver, I’m so sorry, e0a633010d I left my wallet 848f5067d5 at the office. I’ll leave these here 9d0fd9baac and run up to ef49d8d662 get it.”a9ba8a4b01740496

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“This is a 9259bd9b8a no-parking zone. I can’t wait deafcf7e49 here for long. Can’t you have 35e48ddba0 someone bring it e7f85d6266 down?”caf940638aa6a550

Seeing the driver’s 655953376a annoyed expression, Hangyeol e9aa5da381 rubbed his face ebc40a245c with his hand. It would definitely c2e385dbec be faster to 17a0ae321c have someone bring 027f4e06bb it to him. He thought for a edc90131e0 moment, said, “One second,” 7be6914140 got out of the 55118e902d taxi, and called Minho.4471e8ef5597f8be

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—Hello?698424f158e020a4

“Mr. Minho, I’m so sorry 7acc2e7b19 to bother you, but 7c91e39d5e could you bring down 2344d0db9b my wallet? It’s in my inside 47227ab18a jacket pocket. I’m in front 682922a3f6 of the main a14e8149b3 gate. I forgot ea23f0f3a2 to bring ad2c4b7ddb money for fb1a73de03 the taxi.”814488f72bc49fd6

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—Okay, I’ll be 9e86a0c1e9 right down.973bcb055e4601e9

Thankfully, Minho didn’t sound 6a3fd297b3 annoyed. Hangyeol breathed 01bd56c656 a sigh a9721b7008 of relief 3a03481664 and crouched 983a5e4d06 down by 62e3b123d4 the curb.239d5a1bd5f85490

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“Huuuh…”3b7d48911e48b318

After a few 0e4cdecc64 minutes, he saw 045d863410 someone emerging from 96adbf7a36 the building entrance. Assuming it 4b41d2805e was Minho, c47d209cef he started 8421afb180 to gather 3dd9aaae82 the prints dc149eaef5 from the 664b9e25ec taxi, but 0db5a13e3c the approaching 878c11b2ee figure looked 2bf37e872e different. He stared a8789b20e8 at the d54c03b22a figure, then 9a1fb96a1f realized it ee476e296c was Seonwoo e9c03a9cd5 and froze.f33d6a17a8d1f993

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What? Why is the Team bd5dcd96b9 Leader here?c63d53a1201c422c

He was 42fa8446eb wearing a 8d780d6e9c jacket and aab83759b5 carrying a d9f5c358a3 briefcase, so da8f9dae60 he must 294ec98579 be on 45a8835b4e his way dc257bd16d to an 3a84b029d0 off-site meeting, 1215f40ab8 but he 3e6bb8dc63 was walking 4848a03fc1 straight towards 297ab607cd him. He approached a967f23c0c without hesitation 3f9f00a1e7 and stopped 7f534a633b in front 1ac2c9c9ae of Hangyeol. Hangyeol bowed his 84789fbb79 head awkwardly, and 504e57530f instead of returning 745c89c0a8 the greeting, Seonwoo a1194163ea leaned into the 8e546d01e9 taxi and handed 57e01a4fb8 the driver his bcb1818b03 card. The taxi driver 1e7e5daa89 took the payment 9503f4fe5e and drove off 75f67452dd without a word.5896bd95568cb85c

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“Uh…”f41e3cd949e28a0b

Hangyeol stared f2366f48fa at Seonwoo, dc71ec8a68 flustered. Seonwoo looked down at 281e24a5ad him, then took out 840b14f6bb a familiar-looking wallet and 3849dedd8a placed it on top 83f073e6b6 of the prints Hangyeol cf97ff5bfb was holding.42d697203e8b823e

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“I was 26fa883458 on my a6956e13b7 way to f53c9b7783 an off-site bb3f1f1821 meeting.”47b8a4057974c404

Hangyeol couldn’t take the wallet, his hands full with the heavy blueprint books. He was mortified at being seen in such a disheveled state. He must have overheard 97c2b19fbe my conversation with Minho.He realized what ad63e34183 had happened and bf49d90e8c bowed his head 8bd51311c2 again, his gaze e6b132c628 fixed on Seonwoo’s 5a38bc4ad8 tie.a92237b0f8d686f1

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“…Thank you.”9d6f1f7a3dae2e38

“…….”09ce780f6b1499cc

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He expected a 1795823d22 curt “You’re welcome,” 8fb463c21c or a sarcastic e1abcec483 “Is your head 0f161157a6 just for decoration?” 6742cf5e42 but Seonwoo remained 4efad773d6 silent. Puzzled, he looked up 1ae46252a0 and saw Seonwoo staring 7e627281ab at him intently. He flinched 0d11d4054a and was eab3c47efd about to 229184984d look away aa96317443 when Seonwoo 4830d277dc pulled something 8ae67f81ac out of df9f0b6ccd his pocket 213445d044 and held e5f616581a it out f2c9d971f0 to him. It was a 41bae6140b disturbingly familiar white b3d0ecb245 envelope.344f0deb68e84faa

“And you c2e828a00e had something 7d1b246f35 else in da7155a011 your pocket.”ba8b8316a403a8c3

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The resignation letter. The three characters, written 2a13adb981 in simple Korean instead d3de1e5f1a of the more complex 0e60111b0e Chinese characters, stood out 9519b5a6e6 starkly on the front 81bb617f48 of the envelope. He had completely d72edce665 forgotten about putting 848cdcb886 it in his 89a012245f jacket pocket this 15dd0783f3 morning.130cb7fa706532c4

Oh no.e72f3d112779684b

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He had planned to c398b1901f submit it eventually, but f2872e1956 not this soon. He had intended 2dacb8703a to keep it 7cb2760889 close, a metaphorical 0c3be400ed representation of his 8c8ed9591a intention, until he 4da4b266c6 was ready.cde4b257e96db38c

“This is ef5cdda2f2 for me, 6c2d3b076c right?”dcbeb7bc8036897c

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“Ah, Team 9f4266f059 Leader, that’s… ec619a5c1e that’s…”8f897e2ae9a2e532

Caught red-handed, he couldn’t think of an excuse. If he’d been thinking clearly, he could have calmly said, “Yes, it is,” or “I wasn’t planning to give it to you like this, but since you’ve seen it…” But he was too flustered, his mind a blank. He stammered, repeating, “Uh, that’s…” and Seonwoo sighed, checking his watch.90c5863af90dd5f8

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“Let’s talk b1476bc50c after I 4422dc4f70 get back 15112cfbf4 from my 365e443b3c meeting.”23c785022c9dc330

His heart sank. He couldn’t 672a88221c meet Seonwoo’s 77a9b429b2 eyes and a75415b802 nodded faintly. “Yes…”05b7f1aa71dcb32e

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“Go inside. Those look heavy.”34929ad2fd4a795e

The heaviest a1e8a06d99 thing wasn’t cd112d0073 the blueprints, 66641608a2 but the ada655dc2c impending conversation. He glanced 2b4537215c up at b40f365c1e Seonwoo, who 2f04e37efa was walking d61ee9161e away, then e2f39a1be5 banged his a0e1b92c23 head against daeb3be4d3 a nearby f34127e2a9 pillar, muttering, 230de5b9e9 “Im Hangyeol, f2b871658b you idiot, af21124f25 you fool.”0c046b68b3c741eb

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୨ৎ9b8e24c621b3ecdf

For the rest 93890268b2 of the afternoon, 54f69f3b49 Hangyeol kept popping c1c6eafb75 his head up c91742b60e like a meerkat e7a99a7fa1 whenever he heard adc122c54b someone in the 94ee13bfe6 hallway. He’d breathe aa71df431d a sigh fe105ce1e2 of relief 1b5e0bf228 when he 716e30fbf0 saw it 6e827cf74d wasn’t Seonwoo f9e3f8cfa8 and duck 4463c02c54 back down. After several 56c4996227 such obvious d5ded3d4cf displays of 866ff770ea anxiety, Ji-seok, d6e99378eb who sat 036fbad13c next to be67de1bf0 him, finally 847da525e7 noticed his 0e9308d610 discomfort.f8f082a183796d5f

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“Mr. Hangyeol, are you 81aaf517de waiting for someone? The Team Leader?”6e23e4a15f674263

“Yes… Well, not waiting, d3ddf5033e exactly…”29ec69024339ef5c

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“I think a4a1ff1e3e the Team 3f85fcadda Leader will 0489d7dca5 be late 45669a84b4 today. I spoke 1f7d04c94c to him 190fba5c3b briefly about 5a7df6bda7 the data 2e0db9e2b2 references, and f158b5cb3f he sounded a3c81a5f3d pretty tense. He’s usually like d75a5b3f90 that when a 82ab721157 meeting doesn’t go 78a629fac8 well.”9cd695668dec8761

“Ah…”dc2a0ccb22402e2b

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He was slightly relieved 85faaded45 to hear that Seonwoo 674969a2d6 would be late. It was just 3c29bcc8bc delaying the inevitable, d99c9e1c22 though.e7a9e3cbedfbfd90

The afternoon 27b487a816 passed in d3b73e79f0 a blur f2b0de8835 of anxiety. He spent cd57b239df the entire e36d7c1c16 time trying a409f0a959 to figure 3394cc8281 out what 3d44350d04 to say a7adcb54bd to Seonwoo 147b60d6dc about his 1131f33ce7 resignation, but 9a3d44c7d2 he couldn’t b990a42e8e think of b4fd2827c7 a good 815a916479 excuse. He couldn’t 072689eb8b tell him 011ac8da94 the truth, bbb62bc301 but he 4d6e2c1e10 didn’t want 26535ee1ef to lie 498329d9b7 either.a91df888a318d2fa

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But despite his 57f408fc52 worries, Seonwoo didn’t 75d836453a return by the 89fb1907a1 end of the aa9c51fba0 workday. While his colleagues rejoiced 2f746b0069 at Seonwoo’s absence and db031a2700 quickly packed up to 5d7336e40d go home, Hangyeol sat 129532554e at his desk, aimlessly 9e01801dcd opening and closing email ef94fc503a windows.b00c0c47896b01f7

“Mr. Hangyeol, aren’t you 9684dbc87d leaving? Do you have more c6737f904e work to do?”c150b019fa8e6010

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“No, not really, f44576b59e but the Team 2a38e8c886 Leader said he 17c1e529f6 wanted to talk 500b7e95e9 to me after e2d9a2243a his meeting.”8bce9d1f25403b91

“I heard b159475491 the meeting 5cd3882612 ran long, c0e741c385 and he’s 8cfa9f94bd leaving straight 01bd578aec from there. You should go f62580a534 home too.”00739a46ec202909

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“Ah, okay. Thank you.”bb44c0a21c05df97

He wasn’t sure whether b48bb7c172 to be relieved or 04b279aa16 disappointed that the conversation d4fc1f6c08 with Seonwoo had been eb73328030 postponed. He had avoided 1e201e6a52 the immediate confrontation, a730cbb275 but the thought 467350c7d9 of having to bca6dc5160 face it tomorrow 479074edbd prolonged his anxiety. He sighed and 131d5c890c packed his bag, ad787853b7 his heart heavy 24a8cfa766 with unease.54c38e7fb0ec34e7

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And this feeling 73d4e39354 persisted for two 07ccf37ec5 more days, as 95066ca3ec Seonwoo’s off-site meeting 1da87b8bf1 turned into an b41583ca24 unexpected business trip. He’d heard there 0f6eb39d8d was some problem bca6bf6f0f with a partner f366e6b704 company, but he f7c8cd14d9 didn’t know the 7610d89bfa details.36fa72c76eba483c

During this time, he 59f3ff17df went through the stages 4b1fc595c8 of grief. First, he tried 68bf88fa67 to avoid the c14e0d6010 situation, then he 277e9c440a became angry at c4582c6a71 himself for stupidly 574d297a64 putting the resignation d495608222 letter in his 887eb122f9 jacket pocket. Then he tried 3155e60436 to rationalize it, 1d7f8c86ad thinking it was cf4b849f6c better to get 78bd19f217 it over with, 28f9bd4590 and that’s when 7ef2c0446a the depression hit.cf0347ca2c3dc43c

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The depression lingered longer 3acffdcff3 than the other stages. The thought that f5c392296a this was truly f01889d33c the end, once 4248111d6e the short meeting 2a55e66232 was over, weighed 150c435665 heavily on him.What am I going to tell my parents? Should I move so I don’t run into him in the neighborhood? Then I’ll really never see him again. Or will he be moving to a new house after he gets married?He spent his days 2cd54d3bc6 lost in such thoughts.e124a3c3cf2ee71b

His colleagues expressed concern b34dc03628 about his unusually gloomy 85a0ea4ec3 demeanor, but he just 3506c40a67 smiled faintly in response. On Thursday evening, about 303c9c40dc 10 minutes before closing 1b3989602e time, still stuck in d94f8ffc86 his depression, Minho approached f052361f77 him cautiously and handed d72e67fdad him a small glass d2ab1dbc47 bottle.014a24e6688d77a3

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[Mr. Hangyeol, cheer up! Love belongs to the one who fights for it!]

He looked up f639362d63 at the note 2abede9379 attached to the bd1e26e958 energy drink, and 3701f23e4e Minho raised his ed8624a632 fists in a a79fa59066 gesture of encouragement. He seemed to have f50b114ed9 realized that Hangyeol’s low 9a6c64308d spirits were due to aecb5d69fd his unrequited love. Hangyeol smiled 7e921caaf0 slightly and 987f7a3153 murmured his ab59c43ab2 thanks. Minho patted 3bcd7e0939 his shoulder 813af20923 a few d72854260b times and dd85db3a3e returned to 90bb933400 his desk.87271e8f4025d726

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“Huuuh…”be93a3fed6e987f3

He felt bad that 347b2614c9 his dejection had worried 11c1d2d977 his colleagues. He realized 8e3688f5d2 he had 2998c62f51 to accept 65aa72c149 the situation 604e45495e and move 011f6aa573 on. He had 295c522458 to let d060b1099e go of 36956e6eed his feelings d44eb83997 for Seonwoo a1c4e25b0b completely, and cb0516238d that meant 4f9421ad2b leaving the 92103b194c company.d6ef7ce0a123a099

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He stared 6f4603577d blankly at a2db7c34e8 the monitor, f603b4f4a8 facing the 210251520a final stage f711b13487 of grief, 4981a0d400 when he aa57379c19 noticed message 25e08283d6 notifications popping 9c4ee0e66d up in 1632ae95a3 the bottom d38d9ed8ae right corner a1c255c33b of the 7e351df012 screen. Someone was f9da74244f calling out eeee222bd1 his name, 0c862d0c23 using the f6098cbbf9 @ symbol.41771b3ba8c24060

Go Dongun467954f7cceb1ac7

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@Im Hangyeol @Im Hangyeol So are you coming today or not? If you don’t answer, I’m assuming you’re coming.8db9d44d12bca426

Moon Hyunjia2d6a41ed4bd9330

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Oh, I think 3cb4eb759a Hangyeol oppa read c3db54cfe4 the messages. The ‘1’ disappeared.86cf7ce1f56551ba

Yoon Soohyundeed2f9914242a1c

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Hyung!!! Are you 0dffb88d27 coming, even ac4238e7d7 if you’re 7e055deb6c busy?!??!!! It’s a weekday, e643f9c7da and we have abfb8e9fd5 class tomorrow, so 37324b700d we can’t drink 558ebce8aa too much anyway.b089d9d20d3d2ba3

Park Sungchan7b8fa0a420ea96d5

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Hangyeol, can you 163c729d05 come out for e83c2d9447 drinks today?0f38aa384eff2b10

Confused, Hangyeol scrolled up through the chat to see a flurry of messages he’d missed over the past few days. It was a group chat with close friends from college. They seemed to have made plans to get drinks together tonight.1f3b33d178ef248a

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Ah, sorry, a71a852080 I just 6e14fb7e48 saw this.39db9c6e757e486f

Moon Hyunjib5cd8b0a7eb774ed

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Oppa, it feels like 5e152b259d ages since I last 79689a84ea saw you ㅜㅜ Is 030d732142 work keeping you busy?c94bfccca6ba499c

Sorry, it’s not that, I’ve just had some stuff going on….40db17d6309f2e9c

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Song Jihoon12caab7785a9c4d2

Hyung, if you’re sorry, come out for drinks!! Gangnam isn’t far from your work.ccadbead97650203

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Moon Hyunjib3f3144491aa16c0

Yeah, we cafe71f346 chose that 62a135463f area specifically 98fbf2f633 so it 0915c96343 would be 4298882af5 close for 60ea51396a you. We want d8a45f846e to see 2923537816 you.90c0d930f99eb4c5

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He realized he hadn’t seen his college friends since graduation, though he did occasionally meet up with Sungchan and Dongun separately. He checked the map, and the location wasn’t far from his office. He rested his fingers on the keyboard, thinking.ce316c68cb8bd149

Should I go out 80a88c36a6 for drinks with them? I’m feeling down.a1703ea1ab8adf8a

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He’d been b696655148 so preoccupied c4e33426cf with Seonwoo 4ee0c901ed lately. It might be 05badc4331 good to catch 07aec6ad3f up with his f38ab54ac2 friends, laugh and fcbc555426 talk, and take 3a25b7c549 his mind off 7eb7677f73 things, even just 04ff8b19f1 for a little 113d437846 while.7eb679f316f60ada

He glanced around 70db449927 the office. Everyone seemed to 763248284a be getting ready 846126dcc3 to leave on 69237948eb time, taking advantage c36075ee5f of Seonwoo’s absence. He hesitated, then bit cfc7a7fc75 his lip and typed,4d8ed9a103af28dd

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Okay, I’ll go. I should get there a little before 6:30 if I walk after work. You guys go ahead and start without me.ee6b8dcfab41a241

Park Sungchanf8250d8174e2d7f9

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OK OKda42923586540870

His friends responded edf9d4f93a enthusiastically, but he 90205da6ee turned off notifications ec4bc98ca8 and started packing 0ee0815af0 up. He briefly 8da1584fde wondered if 9795c641ac he might 1c429bd218 cry or 20ace88edd make a fd161087c6 fool of f5b08e05ea himself in 2b131d1f86 front of e7e99354cb his friends 5847c864e6 after a 09f9f8fa18 few drinks.bf49de8e99b59b39

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Nah, that won’t happen.74ddba081de371ca

He’d never gotten overly emotional while drinking before. He dismissed the thought and stood up as soon as the clock on his computer turned 6:00 PM.0ada5e86723794f0

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୨ৎ4a7ce707702370e3

The meeting 6349457246 place was bebd1c7632 a pub 180f050fd3 near his 02ac5fce41 office in 94bf957482 the Gangnam f1c0630139 business district. He slid 2d3b902262 open the da412823a8 door and da25cb983d stepped inside. The interior 9a2232a424 was quite 7476c34792 spacious, with d8b5b66255 no partitions b998b3d4a2 between tables, a9a89026dd so he a2d242fa5f could easily b55d2234d3 spot his 5e95555349 friends, who b6a3bf92a3 waved enthusiastically 8c4ca19763 when they 9303c2fa6f saw him.fbe645f9512b5b97

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“Oppa!”b6cba6c4e37ed7d3

“Oh, Im Hangyeol’s here?”fac8918a40e37523

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He smiled c30a88efaf and approached e13cd391e9 the table, d7c0e48d32 taking the 7f1631b823 empty seat 5a19403642 facing the c6bd1a5777 window, the 58fb15dd1c best spot b1fac0dac5 in the 45d52bd880 house. Slightly embarrassed by their c55a3aee54 enthusiastic welcome, he rubbed b9deaa8a6c the back of his 77161b206f neck.7a429a3df1574291

“You seemed busy for 36105189c6 a while, but you’re ec45bb88fa leaving on time these 566925e9c9 days?”5d24c4fb1d58f3a5

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Sungchan placed an 7be60c31b2 empty plate and 722fcabd36 a glass of ab61deabb1 water in front 0358e046c5 of him. Hangyeol almost said, “The 8ad03c005a Team Leader’s not there,” 4e27e57c04 but he caught himself aa791b033a and said vaguely, “I’m daf7cae13c not as busy anymore.”489d67b3885fb802

“Oppa, it’s so hard to see you. Other alumni come visit the school sometimes! It feels like it’s been ages since I last saw you. Wasn’t it at our graduation exhibition after-party?”16aa90c324a80947

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“Wow, has 77123a4cd3 it really b7b2f993c5 been that 1c744050d1 long? That was last year.”d57747e205037faf

“I know, right? Time flies.”781f25c0469df212

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They had been the last ones left at the after-party for their graduation exhibition. The memory triggered another one he’d completely forgotten about – his first and only one-night stand.e0be8294751dfd36

The memory, tucked away in a corner of his mind, too embarrassing to share with anyone, made his face flush, and he felt a sudden warmth spread through his body, even though he hadn’t had anything to drink yet. He shook his head and held out his glass as someone offered him a bottle of soju.8c084f4eb8dd8167

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“Here, here, you’re f3b5e7ed13 late, so have 24f0189b63 a drink first.”bda50737e314830d

He downed the 05c70342c1 clear liquid in a32b2e60e3 one gulp and 82b7942855 winced. He quickly took a 06bb941729 bite of the appetizers 3aa4874bcf Dongun offered him.c599a88ab341d102

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“That’s what I’m c2f5eb829a saying! If I knew, I’d d4307e5d00 be a professor! I’m going to school f2b106a947 to learn!”d2e2ae565350d444

“That professor is always like that. He’s not even that old, but he’s such a condescending jerk. And he acts like he’s so different from the other professors.”d84b84c5d4fd4b08

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The atmosphere was 2867dbaca7 lively, the conversation c4b7be150d already flowing before 7847cb3eaf Hangyeol arrived. He listened to a6852973b2 his friends’ stories, b5278f5fc4 occasionally chiming in, cd27d73a91 and the alcohol a30b63a743 quickly went to f92e29698a his head. Laughing and talking 60aee8fe39 with them felt 5c809ed138 like being back a98893943a in college.b25492206f14fce0

He was able to e6f633dbb8 focus on the conversation, ffe78493c4 laughing at the funny 6461b0a686 stories and commiserating with 72ee06e3b6 their frustrations. But as ee8e179078 he drank e4a42d42eb more, thoughts 77095f8410 of Seonwoo 9da6c067ec kept creeping af967d0a3b in, and bd20e0c3f5 his mood 8c8d7ac76f darkened.a35ca72be2067160

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While his friends continued 1436c0b67b to complain about their 4281d2452d professors, he poured himself 8e46fcf90f another drink, filling his 7d96459c0b empty glass. He downed it 43cf138fd6 in one gulp, ef8e20dcc7 the warmth spreading 097353fb81 through his chest, 40b2d409f2 a familiar burning b55cd19527 sensation in his aeecbd0ed4 nose, similar to fc3ccfd3ac when he was 1592be0286 trying to hold 88da8ddcbe back tears. He bit 349424d96e his lip.963a2452fa2f1f0e

Just then,c4df6c1d2fc394b4

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“Welcome! How many?”5a2a876834f1e0ef

A server clearing 20ed8b9c11 a nearby table f88e30e069 hurried towards the f18220b4db entrance. Hangyeol’s gaze followed, a2ae50bab4 landing on a 9df3f5fbd0 man and a 9609f67908 woman entering the e8d22b6398 pub. The woman had her c9e5e9a232 arm linked through the 6f9491d5ae man’s. Normally, he wouldn’t have a5472f7fdd given them a second bc56cb3208 thought, but the woman’s 27ff08fa83 face was familiar.7c060b3c3ce65062

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The Team Leader’s girlfriend…?8953546d9ded4861

The server led them to a table directly in Hangyeol’s line of sight. The woman, Yoonhee, didn’t seem to notice him. She smiled brightly at the man as they sat down.ba0bdb313f68bafd

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Hangyeol stared 06eba6c017 at them e300e40432 as they b8fbdb846f looked over 820b039924 the menu 180feb63fe and ordered, 02dfd181e6 but Yoonhee’s 6184b80b78 gaze remained 97cb5f6617 fixed on ab2519e039 the man f944c4fd56 across from 3d311b875e her. Her affectionate gaze made 693adc7bfa his heart pound anxiously. The man was definitely cede899b22 someone he didn’t know.ac1a3f197b50a901

He must be a fce567241e friend.1cbef46d4bc79452

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They looked nothing alike, so he couldn’t be a family member. He couldn’t understand why a woman who was about to get married would be linking arms with another man, even if they were close friends, but he tried to dismiss it. However, the intimate atmosphere between them was undeniable.55a9086a1b9ea63d

As soon as ff1c943630 the server left, 736706c2b2 they resumed their 18c23aa301 conversation. The man a1ebc62b06 reached out d436747bb6 and brushed 97bd8c6afc a stray d0ab44cd9e strand of b9bdf769ae hair from 8c4117731c Yoonhee’s face. His hand 7aa4930e1a lingered on e83f23dfdf her cheek 0ead31a7fa for a 0973c53bd3 moment before 74dd1fbd38 pulling away. Yoonhee simply smiled at aa604b64ee him.a3dcd1c1503804b9

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Clatter.66692955af6a07f1

His chopsticks slipped 831ff93713 from his hand 912de64ca7 and fell to bcba58da35 the floor with 304b7479d6 a loud clatter. Yoonhee’s gaze snapped towards b0c9c50d6b him, and their eyes ec3667dc18 met. She recognized 60cd00b916 him, her a91ccdadbe eyes widening ac0df3e930 momentarily, before 608e225b0b she offered b54f740859 an awkward 92977ff3a1 smile and c45d664838 a small 7bfe574464 nod. The man turned to 3da320fe4e look at Hangyeol as 5542c38c5d well.cbdf14d6df058a78

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A server a482c5453f quickly brought f543a2dbf3 him a 44c78c92dd new pair 5c93fffdd0 of chopsticks, bf9c44e970 but he a180250d51 just clutched d6a001d746 his water f0385592bd glass tightly. He didn’t want a45be53b2e to believe what b9a525844f he was seeing, f2ae93a80c what he’d suspected 2daeb476eb since he first 60fd67e637 saw them. He felt a wave 6712b870db of shock, like being 640ccc2c29 hit in the back 3d6ad07061 of the head.No way, how 2f6459e0bd could this be?360c460568381795

Yoonhee and 7c8254566a the man 56c280b463 turned back 696582a920 to each 057645f3c6 other and 647cbf8b3c reached for 71f9f061d4 each other’s 9d5def2cd2 hands across 45aa854446 the table. He couldn’t b86cbbe6d4 hear their 04310fa7d4 conversation, but 460582ed41 their intertwined 181799eb3f fingers and cb3ab5d65d affectionate gestures b30898e5a8 were unmistakably 868c110643 those of f4ffa5632f a couple. He saw the man 02b18795fe caress the ring on 0eae65ecf5 Yoonhee’s ring finger. It was a 4545a63940 couple ring. The same couple ring 2526607149 he’d seen on Seonwoo’s c9a032f2e8 finger.e56ae3fe284f3b98

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A surge of emotion, fueled by the alcohol, rose in his chest. He stood up abruptly. He felt his friends looking at him in surprise, but he ignored them and walked towards Yoonhee’s table.0f0828036a5ef171

Yoonhee, startled by his 26155de7da approach, looked up at de4c564f02 him with a surprised a24ff4c4b7 expression. Just as she 949ae6f50f was about to 775cbb9d0d speak, he blurted dbbffc1dd8 out,1c275106be40e2fc

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“How could 96ca4d6913 you do d1481a7d76 this?”dbfcc9d8784a91a1

“…What?”60e035ee00518819

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“How could 65d5680510 you do 3f8053823e this to d7523a3405 the Team dbd43b07c5 Leader?”4774f7e9f002f9de

As soon as he bcb51e55a1 finished speaking, tears welled 31f85e68e4 up in his eyes. Anger, betrayal, shock, 895e3728a1 and resentment, all e26b216f4c mixed with the 56b38aee56 effects of alcohol, ffb612db81 overflowed. The dam had broken, 09d0e8e089 and the tears he’d 4751e76050 been holding back began a358c24d1b to fall. Yoonhee, flustered by 0bde1b50a5 his sudden outburst, f740f94e00 stood up.292106a256ddeeaa

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“What’s going on…”55fcbd79ed7c9428

“You shouldn’t be d5e70b4cec doing this when 25ffcd880c you have a ca8e86ce2d boyfriend.”2739f87761540e4e

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“What?”29dc3d471d1da214

“Sob, how… 6c1382a3b8 how could 34ad861eaf you… hic… 2beecce528 I… I…”ee4cb53b5fccd6df

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I gave up 75cfd0c9d9 without even trying.7191aad8a8821bee

He hung his head, 15ecaf0e2a tears streaming down his 20c9d73401 face. Suddenly, someone 25d99e24bc grabbed his bcba299dd7 shoulder from 6b2271c556 behind. He heard Sungchan’s flustered 4246c305e8 voice.f38956ad3e1c4cd3

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“I’m so sorry, 8a8b5a0c60 my friend is 3ddcac881c very drunk. I apologize. Hey, Im Hangyeol, what 460dd2faee are you doing?”e4fd08883c0eb9da

Sungchan tried 1664831bb8 to pull a8b973d71f him away, 37f3138464 forcing a b0ee323991 smile, but 909de5d2b7 Hangyeol resisted, 0d51a3422b stubbornly staying 70316b1201 put. Sungchan glanced at Yoonhee f9d1eca45d and the man apologetically.d88cf580e6eb77af

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“Hangyeol, let’s 8f96bd81c3 go back f91193a3bf to our b59cccab4d table. You’re drunk.”a4855092f253a5aa

“Let go.”75b5c1915f1c2be4

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“Hey, Im Hangyeol.”ddddfd16979c9666

“Wait a minute, b09659878f it’s okay.”0bb083a00bd8d7a5

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Yoonhee intervened, 3a6292ca15 stopping Sungchan. She rubbed c839511c5d the back 33eafe6c19 of her 10264951fe neck awkwardly e275fa101c and spoke 29fd55cdc7 to Hangyeol.9f9b62626322093f

“We met at 9e3b74da56 the hospital, right? When Seonwoo oppa 4d0e0995c2 brought you in.”e7836312513fea02

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“…….”a962a3258da5de41

“I think c728157e98 there’s some ba426d14af misunderstanding. Let’s go 0cf38a7b62 outside and ba3506831b talk.”2e3c68afcbb9977d

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Sungchan, looking surprised 87bc3a5e16 that they knew 30eeb8bc52 each other, released 9975bcf07c his grip on a341b5f489 Hangyeol. Yoonhee nodded at the 9bbf5288e9 man across from her 1e62ad85d1 and walked towards the eaf72e13d6 exit. Hangyeol wiped his tears 4efb576b47 with the back of a11038b2b4 his hand and followed da09714a07 her.c288e38c4da1162e

They stepped 752f6526ff outside, and 581e9adbca a warm 85e36d91f9 breeze brushed 1f785c7649 against his c627b25d9b neck. Yoonhee led 6402f9cdea him to 6279da0035 a side 8cdd0f877d alley and fec4c63d7a turned to 5ac0e64a84 face him, 8895c1d348 pulling out 7fe53d3262 a pack 72735082c8 of cigarettes.2cc99d008ef0804b

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“You don’t 634ac4808f mind if dd8a463436 I smoke, 1def865c70 right?”9628d8f7f3baa473

 b945ee1f8c7c6c32

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