* * *

[What is the Powerful Recommendation feature?

Struggling to match profiles one by one?

Annoyed by the five-person limit?

Our match_with app uses a cutting-edge analysis algorithm based on big data to recommend the one person with the highest compatibility for you.]

Junhee was momentarily speechless.

Was this truly an app exclusive to his device and not something available commercially?

Or was it perhaps an app nearing its public release, granted to a select few beta testers like himself?

The thought unsettled him further.

While this feature was undeniably helpful, he had a sinking feeling he wouldn’t be able to use the app for much longer.

‘…I have to get married before then.’

This resolution, strengthened by his conversation with Jiyeon, left no room for error.

His future and a major promotion hinged on this marriage, and he had to make it happen, no matter what.

Resolutely, Junhee pressed the ‘Powerful Recommendation!’ button with firm determination.

[Activating Powerful Recommendation feature…]

Searching profiles…

…3%

…15%

…23%

His heart raced as the percentage climbed.

He had entered all the profiles he had gathered, including the one he acquired from the branch office visit.

Who would be the perfect match for Ki Taeryu among the countless profiles?

As someone who had used this app extensively over the years, Junhee trusted its accuracy more than anyone.

‘Please, please…’

Whether it was Moon Doyoung or someone else, he prayed for someone—anyone—to take Ki Taeryu away.

Even if they had already left the platform, he was prepared to track them down to the ends of the earth to ensure a match.

It had to happen.

…97%

…99%

As the number inched closer to 100%, Junhee’s lips went dry.

And when it finally reached 100%, he swore under his breath.

“…Shit.”

The phone slipped from his hand and tumbled to the ground, spinning in circles.

A bright red heart blinked mockingly on the screen.

♥Match_with’s Smart Pick♥

Yoo Junhee<

---

“Assistant Yoo! Here are the materials for our spring meeting event next month. We’ve compiled a list focusing on VIP clients, including one of your members—Ki Taeryu…”

“No way…”

“Sorry?”

“…It can’t be true.”

The junior staff member holding the file stared at Junhee with wide eyes.

“Assistant Yoo… Are you okay?”

Snapping back to reality, Junhee saw the concerned face of his junior teammate.

“Oh… I’ll take a look. Just leave it here for now.”

“Ah… Sure! Take your time and give me feedback. I’m not busy at all!”

Junhee’s gaze dropped, landing on the cursed name highlighted in his vision.

Ki Taeryu.

“Damn it…”

That damned Alpha.

How could the app pair him with someone as deranged as Ki Taeryu?

The developer must have lost their mind or sold out somewhere.

He should have known from the massive update that something had changed for the worse.

When things change suddenly, they say it can kill you.

So it was no wonder that such drastic updates to a simple program had caused a major error.

He would have loved to contact customer support, but… there was no such thing.

This app, whose origins and download source were a complete mystery, provided no information about its developer.

“Sigh…”

Testing another profile wasn’t even an option, as the feature was limited to once a week.

He had long forgotten that his own profile still existed in the app.

Years ago, he had uploaded it half as an experiment, not expecting it to come back and bite him like this.

Now, all those little actions had snowballed into this massive misfortune, hitting him hard.

Where had it all gone wrong?

[Do you really want to delete? Y/N]

Junhee pressed ‘Yes,’ practically smashing the button with his thumb.

His profile was now erased from the cursed app.

‘Yeah. Just erase it. Wipe it from the app and from my memory.’

For now, he would pretend today never happened.

A week from now, he’d use the feature again to match Ki Taeryu with someone else.

“Right. That should work.”

Regaining his composure, Junhee realized it was already quitting time.

As he watched his team members leave, he prepared to follow suit.

He picked up his phone from the desk, and just as he did, a message arrived, buzzing in his hand.

He hurriedly checked, hoping it was Siwon.

[Director Ki Taeryu: Photo]

It was a building he was all too familiar with, one he saw every morning, displayed on his cracked screen.

The memory of that dreadful day at the Daejeon branch resurfaced.

Holding back the urge to block him, Junhee started typing a message saying he had already left for the day.

Then, his phone rang.

“…Yes, this is Yoo Junhee.”

-Overtime?

“What’s the matter?”

— I sent you a message, but you didn’t reply.

It hadn’t even been thirty seconds since Ki Taeryu’s message arrived.

Junhee was about to say he’d already gone home, but if Ki Taeryu suddenly appeared unannounced like before, the lie would be exposed instantly.

“…I have a lot of work. I think I’ll be working late.”

— Really? Should I give Director Lee a call?

“No.”

— I even got Director Lee to agree to lighten your workload while I’m in charge of you, but I guess he’s just all talk.

Junhee was left speechless at Ki Taeryu’s words.

At the same time, he remembered the casual chat he had with Director Lee after a meeting.

‘I specifically told the team leader not to assign new members to Assistant Yoo, so he could focus solely on handling Director Ki Taeryu’s needs.’

So, that favor from Director Lee wasn’t an act of goodwill but influenced by Ki Taeryu’s power?

Ki Taeryu was already controlling not only Junhee but also the environment around him.

“…Please state your reason for contacting me over the phone.”

— Don’t be so cold with me. Wrap up what you’re doing and come down to the parking lot. We need to talk face-to-face.

Click.

Junhee stared at the phone, which had been ruthlessly cut off, and took a deep breath.

What kind of relationship did he and Ki Taeryu even have?

Certainly not close enough to share any secrets.

“Two months… and two weeks,” Junhee thought.

Just endure. You must endure.

He’d been through more painful times before.

There’s no pain he couldn’t withstand.

Only moments that seemed unbearable.

If he could just get through this moment, it would eventually pass.

---

“Is it urgent?”

“I’m not the one who’s urgent; you seem to be, Assistant Yoo Junhee.”

“…Pardon?”

“We haven’t seen each other in a while, and instead of greeting me, you’re questioning my purpose. It’s a bit hurtful.”

Junhee had to tense every facial muscle to maintain a neutral expression.

“Why do you look like that? Like you want to spit in my face or something.”

“It’s not that.”

“Want me to get you an ashtray?”

Junhee quietly shook his head.

If he ever got his hands on an ashtray, he’d probably end up smashing it over Ki Taeryu’s head.

His heart, which had finally calmed down, was suddenly racing again.

Just like when he saw that absurd notification on the dummy phone screen.

“It’s nothing urgent, but since it’s dinnertime, let’s eat while we talk.”

He’d come at quitting time on purpose but was acting as if it was a coincidence.

The sheer audacity left Junhee incredulous.

‘How could I have ever… with such a brazen man…’

Junhee halted his thoughts. He’d promised himself to erase those memories.

And so, Junhee was practically dragged away, almost like a kidnapping.

The view outside soon became familiar.

“What’s with that look?”

“It’s nothing.”

Another hotel.

At this rate, anyone would think Junhee was a long-term guest here.

“This Chinese restaurant here is nice and tidy.”

“…”

He couldn’t bring himself to say that Chinese food was his least favorite.

Surely, Ki Taeryu didn’t know, and he only needed to pretend to eat.

Today, they didn’t head to the top floor but got off at the level with the restaurant.

Following Ki Taeryu off the elevator, Junhee’s eyes widened slightly.

‘What kind of Chinese restaurant…’

It was just a Chinese restaurant inside a hotel, but it had a sophisticated, elegant vibe, like the gallery he visited last weekend.

An attendant came out to greet them and escorted them inside.

Other guests from the elevator were stopped at the entrance to confirm their reservations.

‘If I were alone, I would’ve probably been turned away at the door,’ Junhee thought, recalling the wine bar incident.

In the private room, an attendant even took Junhee’s coat and hung it up.

Delicate-looking ceramics were displayed along one wall, adding to the nervousness of the place.

The round table was already set with two sets of plates and napkins.

“Pick something,” Ki Taeryu gestured toward the menu placed in front of Junhee.

Assuming the menu wouldn’t differ much from local Chinese restaurants despite the luxury, Junhee opened the leather-bound menu half-heartedly.

His pupils trembled at the sight.

He was stunned to see Chinese characters preceding the Korean text, then surprised again at the variety of dishes.

But more than anything…

‘Why is one bowl of jjajangmyeon so expensive… and why do the dumplings cost as much as tangsuyuk?’

* * *