* * *
“There’s something you have to promise me.”
Halfway through his drink, Wookyung suddenly spoke.
After leaving the convenience store, they hadn’t gone to Saheon’s car or called a taxi. Instead, they decided to walk for a bit.
It was Saheon who had suggested it. It wasn’t too late at night, and the cool air was refreshing. Plus, if they walked just four more blocks, they would reach the riverside park.
It was a tempting enough reason, so Wookyung had nodded in agreement. Now, they had already passed two blocks.
“What is it?”
“Don’t act suspicious at work.”
“…Hmm. But we’re not even dating yet. Wouldn’t that be fine?”
Maybe.
But Wookyung had a feeling people would notice anyway.
Office workers were especially perceptive about these kinds of things.
Especially when it came to relationships.
“Alright. Then what should I be careful of? I’ll do whatever you say.”
Saheon’s gaze was steady, as if he was willing to accept whatever Wookyung wanted.
Wookyung fell silent for a moment.
How could they keep things under wraps?
To figure that out, he had to first identify what most couples did in public.
The first example that came to mind—Manager Shin and Director Min.
“…Yeah, no.”
It was almost one-sided—Director Min was practically forcing himself on Manager Shin.
In truth, Manager Shin only had a slight interest in Director Min to begin with.
The idea of actually dating him never even crossed his mind.
And yet, the one responsible for pushing their relationship forward so drastically was none other than himself.
“Please don’t call me outside of work matters. No asking me out for coffee, no meals together. And if we do have to talk, keep it under five minutes.”
“That basically sounds like you don’t want to run into me at all.”
Saheon let out a deflated laugh.
Was it too much?
Maybe he was putting up too firm of a wall.
“Alright. I’ll only call you when it’s work-related. And for meals or coffee, I’ll make sure there’s another colleague with us. Choi Siwon should be a good choice, right?”
“…Why him, of all people?”
Wookyung frowned, eyeing Saheon with suspicion.
There had to be a reason he singled out Associate Choi.
“Because if someone finds out about us, he’s the only one who won’t spread it around.”
“You trust him that much?”
Given Wookyung’s past experience—particularly the heated exchange they once had on the company’s rooftop garden—this claim was definitely questionable.
To be precise, Associate Choi had been the one openly mocking Saheon.
“More than that, I know he wouldn’t want to put you in a difficult position.”
“Me?”
Why was his name coming up? Wookyung blinked in confusion, but Saheon just gave him a cryptic smile.
There was something more to this.
But Saheon clearly had no intention of explaining.
What the hell is going on?
With no choice but to figure it out himself, Wookyung mentally retraced every interaction he’d had with Associate Choi.
Then it hit him—Associate Choi had been paying an unusual amount of attention to him.
“…Alright, fine. I get it. Anything else?”
“Hmm…”
Saheon took a moment to think, but nothing else really came to mind.
“If there’s nothing else, should we talk about what’s next for us?”
With the natural shift in conversation, Wookyung found himself more focused on that topic instead.
“What do you mean?”
What could they even do?
As they crossed the final block and stepped onto the pedestrian crossing, Wookyung mulled it over.
It had been so long since the early days of the main couple’s relationship that his memory was hazy.
Still, there were a few things that naturally came to mind when it came to building a relationship.
“First off, we should start messaging each other more often.”
“Sounds good. What else?”
“Maybe call each other from time to time after work, before heading home.”
“Mornings are fine too, right?”
They discussed, quite seriously, what steps were necessary to get to know each other better.
More frequent texts, occasional phone calls, and even grabbing dinner together after work.
“What if I ask you out on a date this weekend? Would you come?”
At that, Wookyung immediately recalled that Saheon enjoyed things like hiking and swimming.
He quickly set a condition.
“As long as it’s not some kind of exercise.”
“Haha! That’s fair. In that case, how about a movie this weekend?”
“…That’s fine.”
With the mention of movies, their conversation naturally shifted to their favorite genres.
By the time they reached the riverside park, they were still talking.
Wookyung preferred quiet, slice-of-life films—ones that felt almost like documentaries.
Saheon, on the other hand, was into sports, action, and adventure.
“Still, we do have something in common.”
“Not liking horror or disturbing movies?”
They exchanged a knowing smile.
Despite their differences, it was amusing to find small similarities.
“Then let’s watch that new movie that just came out.”
“Which one?”
As soon as Wookyung asked, Saheon answered as if he’d been waiting for the question.
It was a romance film blending travel and adventure—one Wookyung vaguely remembered seeing a trailer for.
A scene flashed in his mind—two protagonists gazing out at a breathtaking, rugged peak.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
Just like that, their weekend plans were set.
That night, after sharing a few drinks at the riverside park, they each took a taxi home.
Lying in bed, Wookyung reflected on the day.
It had been eventful, to say the least.
But what stood out the most?
“…Huh. This isn’t as big of a deal as I thought.”
It wasn’t like they were officially dating yet.
But after spending time talking with Saheon, it really didn’t feel so difficult.
Casual conversations. Making weekend plans.
It wasn’t overwhelming. If anything, it was… kind of nice.
“Alright, time to sleep. Gotta get to work tomorrow.”
He’d have to get up early, rush through his morning routine, and head to the office.
Saheon always arrived at least an hour before everyone else.
Maybe he’d get to greet him first.
Or invite him for a coffee.
‘That much is normal between a boss and an employee, right?’
Funny how he’d turned down Saheon’s invitation earlier, yet now he was considering making one himself.
Drowsiness settled in.
Just as he was about to close his eyes, his phone lit up on the nightstand.
He could check it in the morning, but… he already had a feeling who it was from.
[Director Choi : Goodnight, Wookyung.]
Just as expected—it was Saheon. His text practically radiated warmth.
Wookyung stared at the sender’s name for a moment before tapping ‘Edit Contact.’
But then he hesitated.
‘Director Choi feels too formal.’
At the same time, calling him Saheon felt too personal. Choi Saheon was a bit much, too.
But just using his surname and title felt off as well.
Maybe it didn’t even matter that much.
Even half-asleep, Wookyung took the matter surprisingly seriously.
After a long debate, he finally made a decision.
[Director Saheon]
At least adding his name made it better.
Satisfied with his choice, Wookyung suddenly found himself wondering—how did Saheon have his name saved?
Assistant Manager Gil? Gil Wookyung? Wookyung Assistant? Wookyung?
‘Probably Wookyung Assistant.’
That’s how he always addressed him in front of others.
Funny how, once you start getting close to someone, even the smallest things start to matter.
Wookyung, still unaware of how much he was already getting swept up in this, let out a quiet smile.
Then, it hit him—he hadn’t even replied.
[Me : You too, Saheon. Sweet dreams.
Director Saheon : I will. Get some rest, Wookyung. See you tomorrow.]
It was barely a conversation, yet somehow it made his heart ticklish.
Setting his phone aside, Wookyung closed his eyes.
And just like that, the first day of his slow-building romance came to a quiet end.
The next morning, when he woke up and checked his phone, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
[Director Saheon : Good morning, Wookyung. Did you sleep well?]
It was almost identical to last night’s message—like it had been pre-programmed.
[Me : Are you sure you’re not an AI, Saheon?
Director Saheon : Huh?
Me : Your greetings sound exactly the same as yesterday’s.]
Smiling, Wookyung set his phone down.
Somehow, today felt a little brighter than usual.
Maybe it was the excitement of discovering a new side of Saheon.
* * *
