Chapter 04 …

Seorin stared directly at Jaeyoung with a sharp, intimidating gaze before turning his eyes toward Jeong Suin.

“I’m asking a question, but no one’s answering.”

“……”

“Usually, I don’t wait in situations like this.”

“Ah……”

Jeong Suin swallowed hard.

Seorin’s way of speaking was half a beat slower than normal, but somehow that slow manner of speech made people feel even more intimidated.

If you thought about it objectively, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

Should he make an excuse?

His mind raced, but he couldn’t think of anything he’d actually done that needed explaining.

Wait, is he threatening us right now?

In the office?

After turning the thought over several times, Jeong Suin arrived at a single question.

Why?

Why is he acting like this?

Seorin watched Jeong Suin’s visibly spinning thoughts for a moment before shifting his gaze to Jaeyoung’s desk.

The desk was neat, containing only the essentials: a monitor, a tablet, a keyboard, and some memo papers.

The only thing that stood out was the memos.

There were so many Post-it notes hanging beneath the monitor that it looked excessive.

Seorin narrowed his eyes to read the writing on them.

And seeing that expression on Seorin’s face, Jeong Suin completely misunderstood the situation.

So he’s trying to establish authority in the office from day one!

The atmosphere in the Special Talent Affairs Department had definitely become rather relaxed lately.

Since Seorin had arrived as the new Special Activities Division Chief, he must be planning to tighten discipline.

Jeong Suin immediately snapped into a military-like posture.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, sir!”

“…Mm.”

“It won’t happen again! May I return to my desk and continue working?”

“…Sure.”

Seorin waved a hand casually as if he couldn’t be bothered.

Jeong Suin spun around and hurried back to his seat as though escaping, looking ready to salute at any second.

Ah, no…!

Which meant only Jaeyoung remained behind to endure Seorin’s attention.

Jaeyoung blinked with a worn-out expression.

Even Assistant Director Jeong Suin had left.

There was nothing standing between him and Seorin now.

No shield.

His heart pounded wildly against his ribs.

He could barely breathe.

It felt too good.

And far too terrifying.

With great effort, Jaeyoung raised the head he’d lowered again.

The office had gone silent the moment Seorin emerged.

Everyone was watching Seorin.

Yet none of them showed the slightest intention of rescuing Jaeyoung, who sat there shrinking like a frightened field mouse.

Unable to look Seorin in the eye, Jaeyoung shifted his gaze diagonally away.

“I-I was… working too.”

“I know.”

He’d finally managed to force out a weak excuse, but Seorin answered too easily.

Reflexively, Jaeyoung lowered his head again.

Then, just as he had done with Jeong Suin, Seorin approached and stopped behind him.

He felt a hand drape around his shoulder as Seorin bent slightly at the waist.

Jaeyoung’s eyes widened.

What… is happening right now?

“Director Lee Gilhyun. Two instant coffee mixes, less water. Assistant Director Han Areum, iced Americano, no paper straw. Assistant Director Park Hyunsu, iced vanilla latte. Assistant Director Bae Hyeongin, cappuccino, hot…”

Leaning over as though embracing Jaeyoung’s shoulders, Seorin reached forward and peeled off the memo notes stuck beneath the monitor.

Then he started reading them.

He was close enough that the chair trembled slightly.

Jaeyoung blinked blankly.

He could feel Seorin’s warmth behind him.

And beside him, so close that if he merely turned his head, he’d be able to see Seorin’s profile.

Completely unaware that Jaeyoung had frozen stiff, Seorin frowned as he deciphered the writing and muttered,

“Your handwriting’s worse than I expected. I can barely read it.”

“…Pardon?”

“But why did you write down everyone’s coffee orders? Like they’re something really important.”

“Ah, ah—”

Jaeyoung jumped in surprise.

Watching him practically tremble, Seorin placed a hand on his shoulder.

The large hand wrapped around it, squeezed once, then released.

“I’m not criticizing you. I’m just curious.”

“Th-that, ngh… so…”

Jaeyoung felt like he was suffocating.

His entire face felt hot.

No—

it felt like his shoulder was on fire where Seorin had grabbed it.

How was this possible?

Like this…

With Seorin this close.

Beside him.

Right next to his ear.

His thoughts tangled together into a mess, and he couldn’t form a single coherent sentence.

Jaeyoung squeezed his eyes shut.

Seorin read the memo notes with an interested expression before crumpling them in his hand.

The way this office operated was becoming painfully obvious.

A smirk tugged at one corner of his mouth.

Seeing it, Jaeyoung flinched as though frightened.

“Tsk.”

Clicking his tongue, Seorin straightened up and took a step back.

Then he stroked his chin and said,

“Don’t tell me this office is filled with idiots who can’t even get their own coffee, so Jaeyoung has to run around delivering it for them?”

“Uh, Chief Seorin, that’s just something Assistant Director Jaeyoung occasionally did because he wanted to. He was just being considerate of us.”

Assistant Director Park Hyunsu, seated across from Jaeyoung, stood up unable to hide his discomfort.

Seorin looked at him.

Occasionally.

Because he wanted to.

Being considerate.

At those words, Seorin let out a short laugh.

The ending of the sentence sounded awkward beyond belief.

So did the man’s expression.

Park Hyunsu awkwardly averted his eyes.

Even he seemed to realize how strange his explanation sounded.

He glanced around for help, but everyone else kept their mouths shut and simply watched the situation unfold.

In the end, he forced a smile and addressed Jaeyoung.

“Right, Assistant Director Shin? You only treated us occasionally, didn’t you?”

“Ah, y-yes, yes….”

“Haha, I had no idea you cared so passionately about your coworkers, Assistant Director Shin. Thank you. Chief, it’s really nothing, so you don’t need to worry about it. Right, Assistant Director Shin?”

There was a sharp barb hidden inside those words.

But Jaeyoung was too distracted to notice.

He simply nodded repeatedly.

“Yes, yes….”

“See? That’s what he says. Haha.”

Seorin looked at Jaeyoung, who couldn’t even raise his head while answering.

His ears and even the back of his neck were bright red.

Unable to say a word.

To anyone watching, he looked exactly like a victim.

But if the man himself insisted otherwise, there wasn’t much point pressing the issue.

Seorin tossed the crumpled memo note into the trash can.

“I see. If there’s a misunderstanding, it’s best to clear it up immediately.”

“Y-Yes… that’s absolutely correct.”

“An email regarding the Special Talent Affairs Department reorganization should have been sent to everyone. The first Special Activities Division meeting will be held at ten o’clock. Please check your email, and anyone affected should come to the conference room.”

After sweeping his gaze across the office, Seorin left those words behind and turned away.

He took a few steps before suddenly stopping, as though he’d forgotten something.

Then he looked back.

His gaze landed directly on Jaeyoung.

As if bewitched, Jaeyoung looked back at him.

“Jaeyoung, come to the conference room first.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said there will be a meeting for all Special Activities Division personnel.”

“Ah, yes, yes…. M-me?”

“Then who exactly did I call besides you?”

“Yes, sir!”

At Seorin’s irritated remark, Jaeyoung shot to his feet and hurriedly gathered his notebook and pen.

The words conference room had triggered an automatic response.

Snorting, Seorin headed straight into the meeting room.

Jaeyoung hurried after him, then suddenly froze.

…Huh? I’m in the Special Activities Division?

Same company as his favorite person.

And now the same department.

The same division?

Holy crap… should I be happy… happy about this?

Biting his lip, his face slightly flushed, Jaeyoung struggled to contain his emotions.

What should he do?

His feelings were all over the place.

After taking a moment to collect himself, he started walking toward the conference room Seorin had entered.

Meanwhile, Assistant Director Jeong Suin stared at the conference room with an annoyed expression.

Damn it. He told us not to call him “ssi,” and now he’s using it himself.

Something finally clicked.

He had a feeling he understood the situation now.

With a dubious expression, Assistant Director Jeong Suin continued staring at the conference room.