RFDY Ch 1

The white fluorescent lights cast a pale glow over the salon. Hangyeol, fidgeting and gazing into the mirror, flinched at the sudden vibration of his phone. The name “Kim Sungchan” flashed across the screen, which he’d pulled out from under the long cape.

“Hey, would you mind if I put you on speaker?”

“Not at all.”

In the high-end salon where haircuts cost hundreds of thousands of won, Hangyeol was treated like a VIP. Another customer sat nearby, but that didn’t stop him. The stylist, a woman with round eyes, offered a gentle smile as he spoke.

—Hangyeol, where are you?

“At the salon.”

—What are you doing at the salon all of a sudden?

“Just… I thought my bangs were too long, so I came to get a perm.”

The stylist, who had paused at Hangyeol’s words, resumed checking the large rollers in his hair. She brought a bottle of liquid from the back room and carefully sprayed each roller.

—How long will it take?

“I’m just going to tilt your head back a little.”

Hangyeol’s neck tilted back under the gentle touch of the stylist’s hands. Admiring his skin up close, the stylist sprayed neutralizer on his hair.

“How much longer?” Hangyeol asked the stylist.

“Just a little longer after I spray this. Maybe 20 minutes?”

Hangyeol nodded and raised his phone. With his neck tilted back, his Adam’s apple was pressed, so he had to speak a little louder. Holding the corner of his phone close to his mouth, he said in a clear, calm voice,

“I’m getting neutered right now. They said it’ll be done in 20 minutes.”

A muffled giggle escaped the customer next to him. The stylist’s lips pressed together in an attempt to stifle her laughter. Hangyeol blinked, adjusting his grip on the phone as he waited for a response.

“Sir, it’s neutralized… not neutered.”

“Oh, he says he’s being neutralized!”

The stylist struggled to contain her laughter. She clenched her fists, but seeing the shoulders of the customer next to her shaking silently, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Setting the neutralizer tray down, she bit her lip.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

After the stylist disappeared into the back room, Hangyeol waited for Sungchan’s reply. However, after a long silence, only a short sigh came through the phone. Sungchan lowered his voice.

—Hey, Im Hangyeol. Are there people around you right now?

“Yeah, why?”

—Never mind. Forget it…

Having spent over five years in school with Hangyeol, Sungchan had learned to adapt. He simply closed his mouth instead of saying anything more. Hangyeol, finding Sungchan’s silence strange, asked,

“So why did you call?”

—Oh, I was going to ask if you wanted to grab dinner before we go drinking later.

The graduation exhibition, which he had meticulously prepared for two months, was finally over. He had invited some junior and senior colleagues who had helped him with his work, as well as a few close classmates, to celebrate. Since they had planned to meet in the evening, he didn’t think he needed to eat separately. Hangyeol shook his head slightly.

“We’ll have snacks while we drink. I’ll just go straight to the bar.”

—Alright then. See you later.

“Yeah.”

As soon as the call ended, those who had been eavesdropping flinched. The stylist returned, her face flushed. Clearing her throat, she picked up the neutralizer bottle again.

“Sir, let’s finish neutralizing your hair.”

The stylist, the customer next to him, and even the other stylist working on the customer’s hair all struggled to suppress their laughter. Only Hangyeol responded calmly, “Okay.”

“Hangyeol, did you get your hair done? It looks great on you.”

A group of senior female students stopped Hangyeol as he was heading back to his table from the restroom. He ran a hand through his newly permed, wheat-colored hair and smiled gently.

“My hair was getting too long, so I thought I’d try this. Does it look okay?”

“With your face, any hairstyle would look good! It really suits your hair color, too. You’re handsome!”

“Thank you.”

Hangyeol didn’t shy away from the direct compliments. He just chuckled, his double-lidded eyes crinkling at the corners. The women looked at him with fond amusement.

“Hangyeol, come sit here with us.”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll just grab one drink and go. My friends are waiting.”

“Oh really? Stay a little longer.”

“I’ll come over and hang out after I have a drink with them.”

Hangyeol raised his glass in the air. The others followed suit, their glasses clinking together. He downed the soju in one gulp and winced, then bowed politely before walking back to his table.

“Hey, Im Hangyeol! Where were you? We were looking for you.”

“I just went to the restroom. What’s up?”

“Everyone’s had a bit to drink, so you should say a few words. This is your graduation party, after all.”

At Sungchan’s words, the juniors sitting around them started to cheer, creating a lively atmosphere. Hangyeol, looking slightly embarrassed, fiddled with the ends of his hair before setting his lips in a firm line.

“Alright, alright, let the main character stand up.”

Hangyeol stood up in the middle of the pub, its walls covered in years of graffiti. Sungchan, sitting next to him, tapped a beer bottle with his chopsticks.

“Everyone, attention!”

The clattering sound drew everyone’s attention. Unfazed by the spotlight, Hangyeol smiled and began to speak.

“Um… thanks everyone for taking the time to come, even though you’re all busy.”

His smooth, pleasant voice carried over the noisy chatter and background music of the pub. His face slightly flushed from the alcohol, Hangyeol touched the back of his neck and continued.

“Senior Minyoung, Senior Woochan, and all the assistants who helped with my graduation project, thank you all. Thanks to you, I was able to successfully finish my graduation exhibition. Everyone worked so hard!”

Someone cheered loudly at Hangyeol’s mixture of shyness and joy. As exaggerated reactions poured in, the people at his table laughed and threw popcorn at each other.

“Now that it’s all over, let’s forget about it and have fun! Oh, and I’m paying for the first round, so don’t hold back and order whatever food and drinks you want.”

Exclamations of “Woohoo!” erupted from all directions, followed by raucous laughter that filled the pub. As people picked up menus and started chattering amongst themselves, Hangyeol raised his large beer mug.

“Shall we make a toast?”

With shouts of “Cheers!”, glasses clinked together. Hangyeol took three large gulps of beer while standing, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sat down. As if waiting for this moment, Sungchan handed him a tissue.

“Hey, don’t overdo it just because you’re in a good mood.”

“Yeah, seriously. The assistants here called all their friends, so everyone from lower to upperclassmen are here. This is practically a semester-end party.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration. Most of the people occupying the pub tables were Hangyeol’s seniors, juniors, or friends. There were faces Hangyeol recognized and some he didn’t, but tonight, it didn’t matter.

“It’s fine. I got my mom’s card today.”

“Alright, alright. Order more food, everyone!”

“Excuse me, can we get a menu over here!”

As Hangyeol cooled his flushed cheeks with his hands, Sungchan pressed the call button. As soon as they received the menus, the others at the table started scribbling down food orders. Hangyeol asked the waiter for a glass of ice water.

“So, what happened with your plans for grad school? Weren’t you going to study under Professor Son?”

“Don’t even get me started. I had to beg Professor Son to give me a week off after the exhibition before starting in the lab. The looks on everyone’s faces when I visited the lab last time were… intense. I’m thinking of running away.”

Dongeun, Hangyeol’s classmate, said while crunching on a cucumber from the complimentary appetizer plate. Hangyeol stared blankly as the long, smoothly sliced cucumber disappeared into Dongeun’s mouth.

“Sungchan, are you still preparing for job interviews? Which sector are you looking at? Real estate development? Construction?”

“Construction. I’ve applied to some larger companies, but I keep failing the interviews. If I was getting rejected based on my resume, I wouldn’t get my hopes up, but failing the interviews is driving me crazy.”

Sungchan’s whining darkened the mood at the table. Hangyeol, suddenly serious, crossed his arms and furrowed his brows. His gaze was still fixed on Dongeun’s mouth.

“How many companies do you have left?”

“Including the ones I’m waiting to hear back from, three. If I fail all of them… ugh, I might have to look into grad school too.”

“Hey, if you’re getting to the interview stage, it means you have a chance. It’ll work out. There’s no way there isn’t a single company out there for you. Don’t worry. Just forget about it for today and let’s drink.”

Dongeun waved a finger-length cucumber stick in the air, trying to console Sungchan. Hangyeol nodded along, clueless. Seeing this, Sungchan let out an exasperated chuckle.

“Hey, Neutered. What do you know, nodding like that?”

“Neutered?”

“It’s a long story.”

Dongeun crunched on a cucumber with a puzzled look. Noticing Hangyeol’s unwavering gaze on the cucumber stick, Sungchan slid the plate of cucumbers and carrots towards him.

Hangyeol stared at the vegetable sticks in front of him. They looked fresh, long and neatly cut, but he didn’t feel like eating them raw.

“Aren’t you going to eat? They’re good.”

Dongeun took a bite of a carrot stick as he looked at Hangyeol. Hangyeol said in a hesitant voice,

“They look like rabbit food.”

“Rabbit…! Whatever. How would a rich young master like you know good food? This is the snack of the poor, your highness.”

Dongeun, who had been about to retort, lowered his voice. Hangyeol shrugged.

“Hangyeol, are you going straight to your father’s company?”

As Hangyeol considered Sungchan’s question, the waiter arrived and started placing dishes on the table. Rolled omelet, fish cake soup, stir-fried squid… Hangyeol watched the endless stream of food with a detached look, then scratched the back of his head.

“I think so. I wouldn’t know what to do without you guys… and I want to show my grandpa and dad that I’m a capable adult. They still think I’m a child.”

“Wow, the legendary parachute kid is right next to me. I’m all for connections, you know. Hangyeol, let’s be friends forever. Just remember me when you’re in charge!”

“Hey, hey, don’t overdo it.”

Dongeun downed his soju and stood up to hug Hangyeol. Sungchan, sitting next to him, stopped him. Hangyeol watched their playful banter and picked up his soju glass. He downed it in one gulp, the warmth spreading down his throat.

“By the way, Hangyeol, I’m worried about you adjusting to the company. You’re… unique, you know.”

Sungchan, finished with his playful scuffle with Dongeun, carefully chose his words. Dongeun’s usually playful expression turned serious. Only Hangyeol, with a straw in his ice water, blinked his round eyes. Seeing Hangyeol’s expression, Dongeun spoke with a pitying look.

“Hangyeol, when you go to work, don’t say a word unless it’s work-related. Small talk? You don’t need to do that. Just quietly do what you’re told, and if anyone asks you anything, just smile. You know that look you make? Yeah, that one. People don’t know what to say when you smile like that. Just do that all the time at work.”

Sungchan, who usually argued with Dongeun, agreed this time.

“Yeah. If you can’t avoid it, just go for the mysterious concept. Keep your mouth shut as much as possible. As long as you don’t open your mouth, you’ll be fine… although, that might not even be enough.”

Sungchan, who had been holding Hangyeol’s wrist and speaking earnestly, suddenly straightened up and grabbed his hair. Like a soccer player who missed a goal, he ran his hands through his hair and then slammed his forehead on the table in frustration.

“Oh man… this is bad, really bad. It’s bad for Im Hangyeol, and it’s bad for the company that hires him.”

Hangyeol watched the two of them, then smiled brightly and picked up his chopsticks. Even his hands, holding the chopsticks, were fair and delicate. He took a bite of the ketchup-covered rolled omelet and chewed, his eyes crinkling with amusement.

“What are you two talking about? How can I not talk at work?”

It was such an obvious statement, but coming from Hangyeol, it sounded like illogical reasoning. As if realizing that what they’d said didn’t make sense, Sungchan and Dongeun both facepalmed.

“Guys, this rolled omelet is delicious.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah. You guys should try it.”

Hangyeol swapped the plate of rolled omelet with the vegetable sticks in the center of the table, pushing the omelet towards his friends. Dongeun picked up his beer glass and muttered to himself,

“He’s such a nice guy…”

Hangyeol, rolling his eyes, met Sungchan’s gaze and shrugged. Sungchan gave Hangyeol a pitiful look, then slung an arm around his shoulders and raised his glass.

“Yeah, well, as long as he’s rich and nice. What else matters? Let’s have a drink! Let’s drink ourselves to death tonight!”

Hearing Sungchan’s shout, even the juniors at the next table clapped and raised their glasses. A boisterous, cheerful atmosphere filled the pub, and calls for Hangyeol echoed from all directions. Hangyeol, soju glass in one hand and chopsticks in the other, moved from table to table, until his fair face was flushed like a peach.

୨ৎ

Hangyeol winced, his throat parched. He squeezed his eyes shut against the bright light and curled up in a ball. His body ached all over as if he had been beaten.

“Water… water…”

He reached for the nightstand beside his bed, but his hand grasped only air. The housekeeper must have forgotten to leave a glass of water as she usually did every night. Hangyeol flailed his hand a couple of times before croaking out,

“Auntie… can I get some water, please…”

His voice was as faint as a whisper, and there was no response. Hangyeol forced himself to call out again to the housekeeper.

“Auntie, I’m dying of thirst… Please, some water…”

Unable to recall the word “dehydrated”, he used “dying of thirst” instead, then buried his face in his pillow, his hand still outstretched.

His groping hand finally bumped against a small plastic bottle on the nightstand. As if he had found a lifeline, Hangyeol clutched the bottle tightly and gulped down the water without even opening his eyes.

“Oh… I’m dying.”

After quenching his thirst, a splitting headache hit him. He ached all over. Groaning, he pressed his forehead against the headboard.

‘How much did I drink last night…?’

He remembered the first round ending and then going to an izakaya near the pub with the remaining people. He remembered ordering an Earl Grey Highball there. He’d liked the sweet and slightly bitter taste, and he’d gulped it down like juice while the senior female students took pictures of him.

And then…

And then…

Munching on the cabbage that came as a side dish and asking for another Earl Grey Highball was his last clear memory. After that, everything was hazy, like fragments of someone else’s memories.

Ice cream, an alleyway next to a bar… There seemed to be someone next to him…

Struggling to piece together his fragmented memories, Hangyeol froze as a sudden sense of unease washed over him. The pillow felt unusually high. He slowly sat up, clutching his head.

Everything he saw was unfamiliar. The crisp white bedding, the small lamp on the nightstand, the beige blackout curtains.

His mind went blank as he wondered where he was. Slowly, he turned his head, but before he could take in his surroundings, his eyes fell upon his own naked body. His full, slightly reddish lips parted in shock.

“Gasp!”

His wide eyes darted around the room. The queen-sized bed, the small desk with a telephone on it, the plush bedding—everything indicated that he was in a hotel room.

Startled, he fell back onto the bed with a thud and quickly pulled the covers over himself. It was a reflex, even though he didn’t hear anyone else in the room. He covered his mouth with one hand and slowly lowered his head, then cautiously peeked under the covers.

“Oh my god!”

His pale, smooth body was covered in red marks that looked like insect bites. There was even a bite mark on his swollen chest. Clutching the blanket, he crawled to the edge of the bed.

As soon as his feet touched the floor, a sharp pain shot through his buttocks, making him gasp. A deep muscle ache pulsed throughout his body. His trembling gaze scanned the hotel floor.

Someone had neatly arranged his clothes on the back of a chair. But Hangyeol wasn’t looking for his discarded clothes. Just as his anxious gaze, searching the area around the bed, was about to relax, he noticed the trash can under the table. He dragged himself towards it on shaky legs.

He slowly lifted the lid of the trash can, revealing its mostly empty interior. Among the suspiciously damp tissues, he could see glimpses of several small, black, flat packages. He bit his trembling lip and picked up a tissue with his thumb and forefinger.

‘…I’m screwed.’

His eyes widened in horror. He covered his mouth with his other hand, stifling a scream. His gaze fell upon three used condoms.

୨ৎ

“Hey, did you hear the news?”

Jooyeon, having just arrived at work, turned her chair towards Kim Jiseok, the assistant manager sitting behind her, after turning on her computer and changing into her studded acupressure slippers. Jiseok, who was checking the cafeteria menu on his computer, looked at Jooyeon with a puzzled expression. She seemed to be bursting with exciting news.

“What news?”

Jooyeon, the office gossip, always brought the latest scoops. It was usually something like, “I saw so-and-so from the next team together over the weekend,” or, “I saw Mr. So-and-so, the section chief from such-and-such team, get into another department’s married man’s car after work.”

It wasn’t substantial, but Jiseok couldn’t resist juicy gossip, so he leaned closer to Jooyeon.

“What category is it this time? Office romance? Affair? Or did someone cause trouble?”

“No, not that. You know how our team is getting a new member urgently? I heard it was a direct order from the CEO’s secretary’s office.”

“CEO Im? If it’s the CEO’s line, doesn’t that mean it’s directly under the chairman? They’re father and son, right?”

“Exactly! So, people are saying the new person might be a relative.”

Since they were talking about the executives, their voices dropped to a whisper. Jiseok glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention, before speaking again.

“We’ll find out when we hear the name. We’ll know if they’re a relative if they have the Im family name.”

“You never know, it could be someone from the mother’s side. We have to see what they look like. The CEO is quite handsome for his age. If the new person looks polished and refined, it’s a sure thing.”

“Should I casually ask the team leader?”

“Come on, do you think the team leader would tell us something like that? We’d be lucky if we didn’t get scolded.”

Jooyeon shook her head, dismissing the idea without a second thought. Just then, they heard the clicking sound of approaching heels.

“Oh, here comes the team leader.”

Jiseok quickly straightened up and bowed his head. Jooyeon, inwardly horrified, wondered if the team leader had heard their gossip, and offered a quiet greeting.

“Good morning, Team Leader.”

However, when Jooyeon nervously looked up, she was met with an indifferent gaze. The man, acknowledging her greeting with a disinterested nod, turned his attention to Jiseok.

“Assistant Manager Kim, is the data I requested yesterday ready?”

“Yes, I’ll bring it to you right away.”

The man nodded and walked past them towards his office. His tall stature, long legs, and impeccably tailored suit were striking. As they watched him walk away, Jiseok spoke to Jooyeon, who was, as usual, lost in admiration.

“Jooyeon, just wait. I’ll casually ask him while I’m in there.”

Jiseok craned his neck to confirm the team leader had entered his office, then stood up. He winked at Jooyeon, his face brimming with curiosity. Pushing his chair in, he grabbed the report he had printed before leaving work the previous day and headed towards the team leader’s office.

Knock knock.

“Team Leader, it’s me.”

Through the half-drawn blinds, he could see the man just sitting down. He opened the glass door and entered, but the team leader’s eyes remained fixed on his computer. Jiseok’s gaze fell upon the sleek silver nameplate on the desk.

[Gi Seonwoo, Team Leader, New Business Planning Team]

“Just leave the report there and you can go.”

Jiseok quickly looked up at the sudden instruction. Team Leader Gi was still looking at his monitor. Jiseok placed the report on the desk and hesitated, watching Seonwoo expectantly. Seonwoo, noticing his lingering presence, finally turned to look at him.

“Is there something else?”

His indifferent voice was a pleasant baritone. Jiseok faltered for a moment, then remembered his confident declaration to Jooyeon and cleared his throat.

“Um, Team Leader, about the new employee joining our team today…”

He cautiously began, gauging Seonwoo’s reaction. However, the team leader’s expression remained impassive. Jiseok flinched slightly under Seonwoo’s cool gaze but continued, lowering his voice to a near whisper,

“I heard… that they’re someone from higher up, is that true?”

A heavy silence filled the office after his question. Finally, Seonwoo’s lips parted, and he spoke in a blunt tone.

“And what business is that of yours, Assistant Manager Kim?”

“Oh…”

“Are you asking me if the new employee is worth getting close to?”

“No, that’s not it at all.”

The man’s sharp eyebrows slanted in a frown. Flustered by the cold response, Jiseok quickly shook his head. Seonwoo stared at him coldly for a moment, then turned back to his monitor.

“They’ll be receiving digital training in the morning and will be sent over around lunchtime. Assistant Manager Kim, please introduce them to the team members. I have an outside appointment and will be back after 3 p.m. Formal introductions can wait until then.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jiseok bit his lip and quickly bowed his head before leaving. Silence descended upon the office once again. Seonwoo glanced at the door Jiseok had left open, then leaned back in his chair.

Ding.

A notification popped up in the bottom right corner of his monitor. It was an email from HR. Attached were the resume and cover letter of the new employee.

He had already heard about the unusual hiring of a new employee with no experience outside of the regular recruitment season. At the time, he hadn’t paid much attention to it, assuming it wouldn’t affect him. However, that was no longer the case.

He could have guessed that the company, using the chronic staffing shortage as an excuse, was pushing through a new hire with powerful backing. However, the thought that his team had become the sacrificial lamb didn’t sit well with him.

“…Ha.”

Staring coldly at the screen, Seonwoo closed the notification without opening the new employee’s resume. His gaze shifted elsewhere without a second thought.

୨ৎ

11:45 a.m. An awkward time, too early to suggest lunch, but not quite time to start a new task. A hesitant voice echoed through the New Business Planning Team office.

“Hello…”

Jiseok, pretending to check the time but actually looking at stocks on his phone, was the first to react. Jooyeon, chatting with someone on the company messenger, and Seungmin, stretching with his fingers interlocked, turned their heads towards the voice.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Im Hangyeol, and I’ll be working with the Korea Construction New Business Planning Team starting today.”

All three of them were immediately struck by Hangyeol’s handsome face. Despite the company’s lax dress code, his permed, light brown hair, translucently fair skin, double-lidded round eyes, and full lips were eye-catching, especially for an office worker.

‘If the new person looks polished and refined, it’s a sure thing.’

His beauty was striking, blurring the lines between pretty and handsome. Jiseok and Jooyeon, recalling their earlier conversation, exchanged glances.

Hangyeol, unfazed by the stares, smiled brightly and greeted them. Seeing this, Yoo Seungmin, the assistant manager, turned his chair to face Hangyeol.

“Ah, the new employee? I heard you were in training this morning. It’s already over?”

“Yes. They told me the team would guide me through the rest, so I came straight here.”

It was a situation that would typically make a new employee nervous on their first day, but Hangyeol looked brighter than anyone. Jiseok and Jooyeon exchanged bewildered looks as Hangyeol bowed politely to Seungmin, who was sitting with a lukewarm expression. Noticing their awkward exchange, Seungmin looked at them quizzically.

“Well… alright then. You can use that desk over there.”

Seungmin pointed his chin towards a vacant desk in the corner. Standing up, he stretched his neck.

“Let’s all go to lunch.”

Jiseok, noticing Seungmin’s blatant disregard for Hangyeol, glanced at him anxiously. However, Hangyeol seemed unconcerned, his eyes sparkling as he looked at his new desk. Finally snapping out of it, Jiseok quickly stood up and extended his hand towards Hangyeol.

“Hangyeol, welcome. The team leader is currently out for an external meeting and will be back in the afternoon. He said we’ll do formal introductions then, so let’s go to lunch as Assistant Manager Yoo suggested.”

“Yes, alright.”

Jooyeon nudged Jiseok in the ribs, realizing he had unconsciously used formal language with “-shi죠.” The two of them exchanged glances behind Hangyeol, who was placing the items he’d received from HR on his desk.

Assistant Manager Yoo Seungmin led the way to the cafeteria, followed by Hangyeol, Jiseok, and Jooyeon. Jiseok and Jooyeon kept their distance from Hangyeol, huddled close together, whispering in voices only they could hear.

“Wow. I think we’re right. At least the CEO’s nephew, possibly his son… considering the CEO’s age, son seems more likely, don’t you think?”

“He’s an Im. Definitely the CEO’s child. I thought parachutes only existed in dramas, this is the first time I’ve seen one in real life. Amazing.”

“Wow, so in a few years he’ll be a team leader, department head, and then an executive? We should get on his good side.”

“No wonder I slipped into formal language earlier.”

Hangyeol glanced back at Jooyeon and Jiseok whispering behind him. They both offered awkward smiles when their eyes met his.

The cafeteria was crowded with people who had come for an early lunch. Jiseok quickly grabbed Assistant Manager Yoo Seungmin’s arm as he headed towards the Korean food section.

“Hangyeol, this is the cafeteria. They have Korean, Western, Chinese, and snack bar options. You can choose whatever you want. Oh, you left your employee ID at your desk, right? Don’t worry, I’ll swipe for you today.”

Seungmin frowned at Jiseok’s overly friendly, almost subservient tone. Hangyeol, upon hearing Jiseok’s explanation, smiled brightly and looked around curiously.

“Wow, the cafeteria is really nice.”

“Right? It’s all thanks to the CEO, who believes that you need to eat well to work well. So, Hangyeol, what do you want to eat? What kind of food do you like?”

“Um… I’m good with anything.”

“How about Korean food? They said they’re serving spicy pork today.”

Jiseok patted Seungmin on the shoulder and headed towards the Korean food line. Soon, each with a tray of food, they spotted an empty table for four in a corner of the cafeteria and quickly made their way over.

“So, Hangyeol, you got a job right after graduating?”

Jooyeon asked, directing her question at Hangyeol, who had just picked up his chopsticks. Hangyeol looked up from his steaming spicy pork and looked at Jooyeon.

“Yes. Although my graduation ceremony isn’t until later.”

“What did you major in? Architecture? Architectural Engineering?”

“Architecture.”

“Wow. That’s a five-year program, right?”

“Yes. I didn’t know that when I first entered, so I thought about dropping out a lot.”

Hangyeol smiled slightly, reminiscing, but Jooyeon’s eyes widened as she asked,

“Dropping out?”

“Yes. My university doesn’t allow major changes. Transferring would have been difficult, so the only option was to withdraw and retake the college entrance exam. But my parents told me to stick with it a little longer, and as I continued, I found it manageable… and the classes were interesting, so I somehow made it to graduation. I’m glad I did.”

Hangyeol smiled brightly, but Jiseok and Jooyeon exchanged bewildered glances. Dropping out, withdrawing… he omitted the proper word, “자퇴 (jatae – withdraw from school),” and used his own unique vocabulary. Jiseok, thinking this, gave an awkward laugh and changed the subject.

“So, Hangyeol, you’re twenty… seven? Eight?”

“Twenty-six. I went to the military right after high school, then went straight back to university and graduated without taking any time off.”

“Wow, that’s fast. I think I was twenty-nine when I first joined the company. As expected, connections—”

Jiseok, about to blurt out “connections are important,” abruptly stopped himself, startled. Hangyeol tilted his head, his eyes wide with confusion.

“Huh?”

“Oh, nothing. I was saying the white kimchi is good, so get more if you want.”

It was a nonsensical response, but Hangyeol, thinking they were just being friendly, smiled. He picked up a piece of white kimchi with his chopsticks.

“Oh, you’re right. It is good.”

Hangyeol’s genuine enjoyment of the kimchi’s refreshing taste drew awkward smiles from the others. Jiseok and Jooyeon, feeling strangely drained after just a few exchanges, lowered their heads and focused on their food. Something about this new employee was… unsettling.

“It’s quite something that a new employee got assigned to our team right away. You’re lucky, Hangyeol.”

Assistant Manager Yoo Seungmin’s sarcastic remark broke the awkward silence. Jiseok quickly checked Hangyeol’s reaction. He looked puzzled.

“Huh?”

What’s with him? Jiseok kicked Seungmin’s shin under the table and gave him a warning look. Meanwhile, Jooyeon laughed awkwardly and offered an explanation to Hangyeol.

“Ahaha… it’s a bit embarrassing to say this, but our team is made up of carefully selected high-performing individuals. There’s a rigorous process involving performance reviews, work achievements, and even a separate interview with the team leader, so… that’s what he means.”

“Wow, is that so…”

“You’ll see as you work here, Hangyeol, but the workload is intense, but it pays off with incentives, so a lot of people want to join our team. Most of them don’t meet the team leader’s standards, though, which is why we’ve been short-staffed…”

Hangyeol nodded slightly, impressed.

“It sounds like the team leader is very passionate.”

“Passionate is one way to put it… you’ll see when you meet him. What kind of person he is.”

“Ah…”

“That’s not to say he’s a bad person, so don’t worry!”

Jooyeon smiled reassuringly and waved her hands. Her words sparked Hangyeol’s curiosity about the team leader he hadn’t met yet.

‘They say the most important thing in work life is having a good boss… I wonder what kind of person he is.’

Imagining a kind, middle-aged man, Hangyeol took a spoonful of seaweed soup. I hope I can make a good first impression… The savory flavor lingered on his tongue.

୨ৎ

After lunch, each team member, armed with a coffee courtesy of Assistant Manager Kim, returned to their work. Hangyeol, with nothing specific to do, spent his time fiddling with the PC settings that the tech team had installed.

While creating his intranet ID and installing basic programs, he heard a greeting from nearby, “You’re here.” He turned his head sharply towards the sound.

“…Wow.”

An involuntary exclamation escaped his lips. He had just seen the person emerging from behind the partitions.

He was tall enough that Hangyeol had to look up, and the long coat he wore fit him like a model. But it was his face that caught Hangyeol’s attention first.

With his straight, dark eyebrows, prominent nose, and defined features, he was as handsome as any famous actor. His deep-set double eyelids accentuated his high nose bridge, while his slightly hollowed cheeks and sharp jawline emphasized his masculinity.

He was the complete opposite of Hangyeol’s own soft, gentle features. Rather than finding him simply handsome, Hangyeol was struck by his almost unreal, picture-perfect looks. Lost in admiration, he sat there, momentarily forgetting to wonder who this person was.

“Hangyeol, say hello. This is the team leader.”

Assistant Manager Kim whispered, nudging him with his elbow. Hangyeol’s eyes widened at his words.

Contrary to his expectation of a middle-aged team leader, the man walking past the partitions looked to be in his early to mid-thirties at most. Moreover, he was so handsome he looked more like he belonged in front of a camera than in an office.

He might have been the most handsome person Hangyeol had ever seen. Still stunned, he finally snapped out of it when Jiseok nudged him again. He quickly stood up and bowed his head.

“Hello, Team Leader. I’m Im Hangyeol.”

Remembering his friends’ advice about making a good first impression, he smiled brightly. However, the moment Team Leader Gi Seonwoo turned his head and saw Hangyeol’s face, his eyes widened. Then, his handsome face crumpled in a frown.

“….”

Seonwoo stopped in his tracks on his way to his office and stared at Hangyeol with a deep frown. A heavy silence, inappropriate for the situation, fell over the office.

Amidst the bewildered glances exchanged by the other team members, only Hangyeol and Seonwoo maintained eye contact. Hangyeol bit his lip, his round eyes blinking in confusion at Seonwoo’s clearly negative expression.

“Um… Team Leader?”

Assistant Manager Kim cautiously broke the heavy silence. Seonwoo finally tore his gaze away from Hangyeol and swallowed.

“…We’ll have a meeting in 10 minutes.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seonwoo’s gaze swept over Hangyeol’s face once more before moving away, and the clicking of his heels echoed as he walked off. Unlike the other team members, who returned to their work, Hangyeol stood frozen in place, staring after him.

What was that? Why was he looking at me like that?

The expression on Seonwoo’s face had clearly been a mixture of surprise and bewilderment. But Hangyeol couldn’t understand why he would react that way to someone he was meeting for the first time. Frowning, he cautiously asked Assistant Manager Kim,

“Excuse me… did I do something wrong?”

“No way. It’s your first day, Hangyeol. He must be in a bad mood because of the morning meeting. Do you have a pen and notepad? Grab those and let’s go. The meeting room is over there.”

Hangyeol nodded dubiously and gathered his writing materials, following Assistant Manager Kim.

The meeting room was next to the team leader’s office. He opened the frosted glass door and stepped inside, where he saw a large screen and a table for ten. He took a seat two spaces away from the head of the table, facing the screen, and began doodling on the corner of his blank notepad.

Click.

A few moments later, the glass door opened, and Team Leader Gi Seonwoo reappeared, dressed in a shirt and tie. Without his coat, the outline of his physique was more apparent with every movement. Hangyeol stared at him with renewed admiration, but Seonwoo’s eyes never met his. He went straight to the empty chair at the head of the table and sat down.

“Before we begin the meeting, let me introduce the newest member of our team. You’ve all had a chance to chat with him during lunch, but let’s have a formal introduction. This is Im Hangyeol.”

Although Assistant Manager Kim and Jooyeon were smiling warmly, Hangyeol felt nervous under the team leader’s intense stare. He licked his dry lips and slowly stood up.

“Hello. As I mentioned earlier, I’m Im Hangyeol, and I’m joining the Korea Construction New Business Planning team starting today. I have a lot to learn, but I’ll do my best. Please take care of me.”

He bowed his head after his brief introduction, and Jiseok and Jooyeon applauded enthusiastically. Feeling slightly embarrassed by their exaggerated reaction, Hangyeol smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. Seonwoo watched his every move intently, then spoke.

“In turn, this is Assistant Manager Kim Jiseok, Assistant Manager Yoo Seungmin, and Ms. Park Jooyeon. We also have Mr. Kang Minho, but he’s on leave today, so you can meet him tomorrow.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Any other questions?”

His tone, as he addressed the team, was utterly dry. The team members found his demeanor colder than usual, but Hangyeol, oblivious to this, smiled brightly and spoke.

“Um… what’s your name, Team Leader?”

In a situation where most people would have been intimidated, Hangyeol, undaunted, asked for Seonwoo’s name. This further cemented Jiseok and Jooyeon’s belief that he must be CEO Im’s son.

“…You won’t have any occasion to address me by name, Mr. Im, but I suppose you should know.”

“….”

“I am Gi Seonwoo, Team Leader of the New Business Planning Team.”

“Ah…”

“….”

“Okay.”

Hangyeol repeated the name to himself, Gi Seonwoo… Gi Seonwoo, thinking it was a handsome name, just like the man himself.

“Now, let’s begin the weekly meeting.”

At Seonwoo’s low voice, the team members pulled their chairs closer to the table. He distributed printouts to each of them. The top of the paper that reached Hangyeol, after passing through Assistant Manager Kim, Assistant Manager Yoo, and Jooyeon, had his name and the project he was assigned to. As he scanned the document, Seonwoo’s voice broke through.

“Assistant Manager Yoo, please start with a brief overview of this week’s schedule for each project.”