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Chapter 15
At Dohee’s blunt question, the team’s curious gazes shifted toward Yujin and Heejae.
Yujin stiffened in surprise, but Heejae only swirled his whiskey slowly, smiling with calm ease.
Then, lifting his eyes, he met Yujin’s. With that faint, almost teasing smile still on his lips, he spoke:
“She’s like a little sister.”
“……”
The single, resolute answer chilled Yujin to the bone.
She hadn’t expected him to announce they were dating—not in front of everyone. She didn’t even want to go public if they ever became official.
Especially not with Kang Heejae, who was already under the spotlight of the entire office.
It would only spell trouble.
Still… why did the word taste so bitter?
Yujin snatched up her glass and downed it in one gulp.
“Basically like a real sister. I’ve known her since she was a kid.”
“Really? That close?”
He nodded.
“Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to mention we even knew each other. But Yujin let it slip, so now everyone knows.”
“Of course, of course, team leader,” Songha chimed in, leaning forward, eyes sparkling.
“And what about Section Chief Sa? What’s your relationship with her?”
“Sa Team?”
“Yes.”
“…Why does everyone keep asking what’s going on with me and Sa Team these days?”
He sounded genuinely baffled.
“Well, you two do look close.”
“Not just close. Closer than friends. That’s why people are curious—you seem like more than friends.”
One after another, voices piled on, pointing out the suspicious closeness between him and Sa Eunseo.
But Heejae tilted his head and answered simply:
“She’s a friend. A good friend. Nothing more, nothing less.”
He cut the speculation cleanly. That was when—
“Why so firm? That just makes it sound even more disappointing.”
“Team leader.”
“Mind if I sit here for a bit?”
“Oh, please. By all means.”
Sa Eunseo herself approached from the next table. Though Yonggeon hastily pulled out a seat beside him, Eunseo slid in right next to Heejae without hesitation.
“You’re the one making it look suspicious when you keep doing this,” Heejae muttered reproachfully.
But Eunseo only smirked, unfazed.
“Who can predict what happens between a man and a woman?”
“Ooooh.”
“Exactly! You never know how these things turn out.”
At her loaded comment, the table erupted in cheers.
Eunseo was the type who could pull it off. Bold, confident—the very definition of a “girl crush.” Polished looks combined with her free-spirited charm made her attractive even to other women.
“I just came for a drink.”
She lifted an empty glass, holding it out to Heejae.
Without hesitation, he took it, dropped ice from the bucket, and poured whiskey for her.
The motion was so smooth, so familiar, so gentle—it made Yujin’s stomach churn.
Fuming, she tipped back her own glass again.
“You can’t even handle liquor, don’t overdo it,” Heejae chided.
“See that? He always flirts like this. Denies it, but—”
“What flirting…”
“Enough.”
Grinding his teeth mid-sentence, Heejae shot her a sharp warning glance. Eunseo only chuckled, taking the glass.
“See? You all saw it—he practically cursed at me with his eyes.”
“Still, whether it’s romance or not, you two do look close.”
“Did you spend a lot of time together in school?”
The floodgates opened—questions poured from every direction.
It wasn’t often employees got a chance to ask about things like this.
“Well, yeah. We took most of our classes together. Naturally, we were close.”
“Sa Team, don’t you date at all?”
This time it was Jiyoung—who clearly hoped the answer was “no”—swooping in.
“I want to, but there’s no one right. Too much work, no time to date.”
It was true enough. Both were team leaders, buried in endless overtime. There was hardly room for romance.
“So I’ve been doing some blind dates. And also… taking a second look at people close by.”
Her sly words carried weight as she slid her gaze toward Heejae.
“…Unbelievable.”
Yujin’s chest tightened painfully at the sight of the two sitting so close. Finally, she rose quietly to her feet.
“Yujin, where are you going?”
Damn. She’d meant to slip out unnoticed, but Songha’s voice drew attention her way.
“Just the restroom. And maybe some fresh air. It’s hot in here.”
She hurried out before anyone could stop her.
“Phew…”
Instead of heading to the restroom, Yujin wandered down to the first floor.
The night air cooled her flushed skin, clearing her head just enough.
But the alcohol she’d downed in irritation hit her harder now—her vision swam, her steps unsteady.
“…”
She touched her lips unconsciously.
The feel of his mouth on hers in the office still lingered. They were even a little swollen still.
Yet out there in front of everyone, he acted like nothing had happened.
“How can he kiss me breathless one moment, and then play the role so perfectly the next?”
It felt like a dream.
“Does Sa Team… like oppa?”
What else could explain the way Eunseo so boldly threw herself at him?
Even if Heejae denied it, Yujin’s instincts as a woman told her Eunseo’s interest was real.
She was still lost in thought when—
“Yujin.”
A male voice called from behind. She turned to find Minchan approaching.
“Oh? Oppa.”
Minchan was her fellow new hire, having joined the company at the same time. His team’s dinner must have kept him until now.
“Why are you out here?”
“Just needed air. It was hot inside. What about you?”
“I saw you come out and wondered what you were up to. Did you drink a lot?”
He leaned close, studying her face. Too close. Yujin instinctively stepped back, pressing her cheek with the back of her hand.
“Not that much. Just a little.”
“When are you heading home? You look tipsy. Let me take you.”
“No! I’m fine. Not nearly that drunk.”
She waved him off quickly.
Three years older, Minchan was good-natured, well-liked among their peers.
“Our places are close anyway. I was heading home soon too. Just let me know when you leave—we’ll go together.”
“I said it’s fine.”
“It’s not safe these days. I don’t like the idea of sending you off in a taxi alone.”
He was unyielding, stubbornly protective.
Well… better than sitting there watching Sa Eunseo cozy up to him.
She’d been excited for her first company dinner, but her mood was shot.
“Fine. I’ll go back in for a bit, then head out early.”
“Good. That’s better.”
Smiling faintly, Minchan reached out and ruffled her hair.
“Good girl.”
“Ugh, stop. Don’t treat me like a kid.”
She batted his hand away, making him laugh.
“Settling in okay?”
“Mm. More or less. You?”
“Same. Still a bit chaotic.”
Awkward but friendly, their camaraderie as new hires gave them something to lean on.
After a pause, Minchan asked lightly:
“What about tomorrow? Busy?”
“Tomorrow? Why?”
“If you’re free, let’s hang out.”
Tomorrow…
Actually, she had nothing planned.
Heejae’s interview had been pushed to Sunday because of his schedule. She’d only planned to rest at home.
“If you’re free, let’s go for a drive. Clear your head.”
“A drive…”
“I don’t think Miss Im Yujin will be free tomorrow.”
A low, familiar voice cut her off.
And then, from the shadows, Kang Heejae stepped into view.
