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chapter 26
…Did I really do that?
Tilting her head in confusion, she remembered the text he had sent during lunch.
He had asked what she was doing after work, and she had replied that she would do some market research and then go straight home.
At that time, that was her plan. She hadn’t expected any unexpected changes.
“It turned out that way.”
“Where are you?”
She had almost typed, “A food stall near the department store,” but then a sudden thought made her delete the message and rewrite it.
“Why do you ask?”
“Can I join too?”
As expected.
“Let’s do it another time.”
She was tipsy from the alcohol and wanted to avoid running into Jinyoung.
“Are you worried that Jinyoung might see us?”
“Being cautious doesn’t hurt, right?”
She hadn’t thought that far, but she didn’t bother to explain. She just didn’t want it to be obvious that she was keeping Do-hyun away because of Jinyoung.
“Who are you texting like that?”
Jinyoung, who had ordered extra udon, asked suspiciously. Feeling a little guilty, Yeon-ha dodged with a casual, “A friend,” and shoved her phone into her bag.
She didn’t want herself to get shaken even if Do-hyun sent a message.
Dealing with someone like Jinyoung, who handled alcohol well, wasn’t easy.
Following the toast, they drank their shots, and before long, the alcohol started to hit her.
The rain had stopped, so she thought it was time to get up. Just as she was about to say so, Jinyoung pushed the blue plastic chair back and stood up.
“Team Leader, I’m going to the restroom.”
“Can you go alone?”
The food stall’s restroom was quite far.
“Of course. I’m fine.”
Although Jinyoung insisted on standing up to accompany her, her giggles and slurred speech gave away that she too was slightly drunk.
“Come with me.”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
Reluctantly, Yeon-ha nodded.
“Okay, got it. Be careful.”
“Yep!”
Cheerfully, Jinyoung accepted the key from the landlady and left the stall.
Meanwhile, Yeon-ha finished the payment and tidied the table.
She planned to leave as soon as Jinyoung returned. If they kept drinking, both of them would get pretty drunk.
At that moment, someone entered the food stall. Thinking it was Jinyoung returning, she looked up—but it was an unexpected face.
It was Nam Do-hyun.
He approached confidently, as if he had known she would be here.
“Is this… a coincidence?”
“Fate.”
When she looked at him incredulously, he smiled gently.
“I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
“Jinyoung told me.”
Yeon-ha’s serious expression didn’t stop Do-hyun from speaking the truth.
“Jinyoung?”
“I called him to confirm something, and he asked if I wanted to join you for a drink. I couldn’t say no, and I was actually in the mood for some alcohol.”
When did he even call?
The only time she had left her seat was to go to the restroom. That must have been when they talked.
If she had known he was coming, she might have left earlier or stopped him. But it was too late to turn him away.
Just then, Jinyoung returned.
“Oh? Do-hyun, you’re early.”
Jinyoung’s face lit up when he saw Do-hyun.
“I took the subway in case of traffic.”
“Good thinking. But why are you standing?”
Do-hyun glanced toward her without sitting down.
“Team Leader didn’t know I was coming.”
“Oh, right!”
Jinyoung clapped his hand to his forehead.
“I meant to mention it earlier but forgot. I was on a work call, and since you said you’d go home afterward, I told him to come. Plus, we were both in the mood for a drink.”
“So you said it early.”
She wanted to complain that he hadn’t asked her first before calling Do-hyun, but she couldn’t argue with him present.
“Have a seat.”
At her words, Do-hyun sat down, and Jinyoung winked triumphantly.
Do-hyun took a seat at the round table. Jinyoung shook a bottle of makgeolli and asked,
“Have you tried makgeolli, Do-hyun?”
“No.”
“It’s sweet, so you’ll like it.”
Jinyoung poured the drink into green plastic cups, including hers.
Yeon-ha wasn’t planning to drink more, but she accepted the cup in front of someone who had just arrived.
“Shall we toast?”
They clinked glasses at Jinyoung’s suggestion.
Jinyoung downed his cup in one gulp, Yeon-ha drank in three sips, and Do-hyun sniffed it briefly before drinking it all.
“How is it?”
“Good.”
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Jinyoung grinned knowingly.
“Be careful. Once you fall for his charm, there’s no coming back.”
“That’s why I want to fall even more.”
Receiving the makgeolli Jinyoung poured, his gaze fell on her.
Yeon-ha pretended not to notice and picked up some food from the table.
Do-hyun and Jinyoung had a strange but smooth rhythm together.
They quickly emptied two bottles of makgeolli, and even though Do-hyun was the newcomer, Yeon-ha felt like she was stuck in between them.
The udon tasted as usual, but it didn’t go down easily.
“Do-hyun, how’s work?”
“It’s fun.”
Jinyoung looked at him like he was an alien.
“Work is fun… Are you a workaholic too?”
“Not really, I just enjoy it.”
“Wow, just like our team leader! Are you soulmates or something?”
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Do-hyun met her eyes without looking away.
The air in the stall suddenly felt hot, and Yeon-ha brushed her neck nervously.
Jinyoung, who normally would have protested, rested his chin on his hand and sighed.
“That’s why I’m worried.”
“About what?”
“Our team leader… might not get married.”
“Jinyoung…”
Ignoring her attempt to stop him, he continued,
“So, Do-hyun, are there any good men around you? If so, introduce them to our team leader.”
“Team Leader seems popular at work.”
The tone sounded sarcastic, yet his expression remained unreadable.
“Then what? Team Leader never dates colleagues.”
“You never know what can happen.”
He finished the remaining makgeolli in one gulp.
Jinyoung nodded enthusiastically.
“Exactly! In novels or dramas, those people always start first. I feel like Team Leader might date someone at work too, right?”
“Jinyoung, it’s late. Time to go.”
Her tone was gentle but firm.
“Already?”
“If it rains again, it’ll be hard to catch a taxi.”
Though she wanted to stay longer, Jinyoung obediently packed up.
Outside, where the rain had stopped, it was lively and noisy.
She hadn’t noticed while sitting, but as soon as she stood, dizziness hit.
Not wanting to appear disheveled in front of a subordinate, Yeon-ha straightened herself.
Do-hyun, approaching quietly, watched her expression.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
His concerned gaze lingered.
“Where’s your car?”
“At the department store parking lot.”
“I’ll take Jinyoung in a taxi. You stay here, Team Leader. Go, Jinyoung.”
Without giving her a chance to intervene, Do-hyun walked ahead.
“Team Leader, thanks for the meal! Next time, it’s on me!”
“Take care.”
Jinyoung bowed happily and followed Do-hyun, looking as excited as if on a date.
Yeon-ha bit her lip gently.
Do-hyun returned shortly after talking to the designated driver.
“Jinyoung left?”
“Yes. How long will the driver take?”
“Nearby.”
“Can you walk?”
“Of course.”
Still, he seemed skeptical, asking again with concern.
“If I offered to support you… would you refuse?”
“I was only dizzy for a moment earlier. I’m fine now.”
He was treating her as if she were drunk.
Yeon-ha straightened her back firmly.
“Got it.”
Judging that further discussion was pointless, he stepped back.
