-am12:00
After Ha-min left work, Ye-jun began to immerse himself in his work again. Ten, eleven... Time passed, and finally, it was twelve. Ye-jun's stomach was growling. Finally, he went to the break room to make himself some coffee.
"Ugh... I should have some coffee."
Yejun, who had come to his desk after making coffee, wanted to eat, but decided to hold back to save money. Having not eaten anything since 3 p.m. due to Manager Kang's harassment, Yejun cursed him inwardly and worked until he fell asleep without realizing it.
Meanwhile, Ha-min had left work, but continued to worry about Ye-jun, so he returned to the office. Upon entering, he found Ye-jun asleep. He quietly approached and looked at him with pity.
“You fell asleep.. You must have been very tired..”
‘Is it because of that bastard, Kang Daeri? Don't listen to that bastard, Yejun!
Ha-min carefully wakes Ye-jun up.
“Yejun, Yejun...? Wake up.”
“Uh..uh..?? Mr..Manager..at this hour…”
"Oh, I came back because I left something behind, and I saw Yejun sleeping face down at his desk, so I woke him up. He must have been really tired."
“Haha..it’s okay..!ㅎㅎ I have to finish it by today..”
Ha-min looked at Ye-jun's computer screen. It still looked only half-completed.
“What happens if I don’t do this today?”
“Then you said you couldn’t make the morning meeting…”
‘This is the first time I’ve seen this material… Did that kid say something like that on purpose to make things difficult for Yejun hyung? Haha.’
Yejun, seeing Ha-min's silent expression, is momentarily frightened and looks around.
“G..Manager..?”
Ha Min takes a deep breath and answers.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just... feeling a bit frustrated."
Ha Min pauses for a moment, takes his eyes off the screen and speaks.
"Yejun, don't do this."
“You don’t have to do this until tomorrow. So let’s just call it a day and go home.”
“Eh..? Still… Manager Kang...”
Ha-min speaks to Ye-jun in a firm voice.
“I’m the manager. Aren’t you going to listen to me?”
“No..no..”
Ha-min saves Ye-jun's file and turns off the computer.
"That's enough. Come out, I'll take you home."
"N..yes..!"
So the two left the office and boarded the elevator. Ha-min's heart pounded, delighted at being with Nam Ye-jun even for this brief moment. Meanwhile, Ye-jun was feeling conflicted about not having the meeting materials ready earlier, wondering if it was really okay.
‘No..I really don’t have to do that..? Who the hell should I listen to..!ㅠㅠ’
Ha-min notices Ye-jun's anxiety and speaks in a quiet and affectionate voice.
“Don’t worry, Yejun. Just trust me and go.”
“Haha..yes..!”
The two of them came outside. As soon as they got outside, Ha-min took out a cigarette and lit it. He took a deep breath and exhaled the smoke.
“Ah, now I feel like I can live.”
Yejun, who feels he should be smoking in front of his boss, simply waits for Hamin to finish. Hamin's gaze, watching this, is filled with a mixture of consideration for Yejun and subtle emotions.
“Yejun, if you smoke, you can smoke one too.
“Oh.. oh yes..!”
Yejun immediately started smoking after hearing Hamin's words. A non-smoker, Yejun had started smoking after being harassed by his superiors at work. Hamin, watching Yejun light a cigarette, turned his head and thought to himself.
‘As expected, he’s handsome even when seen up close.’
The two sat side by side, smoking cigarettes and breathing in the night air. Ha-min's inner thoughts drifted away quietly.
‘It’s so nice to be alone with Yejun hyung like this.’
Ha Min pretends to be indifferent on the outside, contrary to his true feelings.
"Yejun, is that the right direction to your house? I'll take you there."
“Oh..no..! I can go alone..!”
Ha-min felt a little sad when Ye-jun said he was going alone.
“Let’s go together. My house is in that direction anyway.”
“Haha.. I see.. haha”
‘Ugh..! Why are we going in the same direction..!!’
Ha-min started walking with Ye-jun, oblivious to his obvious presence. The two walked quietly side by side. Ha-min's tall height and broad shoulders seemed to protect Ye-jun. Ha-min's inner thoughts echoed, filling the quiet night streets.
‘Ah, I wish we could just keep walking like this.’
Before they knew it, Ha-min and Ye-jun had arrived in front of Ye-jun's house. Ha-min, feeling a sense of regret, greeted Ye-jun.
“We’ve arrived.”
“Haha, that’s right.. Be careful on your way in..!”
Yejun hurried into the house. Hamin's gaze lingered on him until the door closed. Hamin swallowed his regret and muttered.
“Ah… I don’t want to send it.”
On his way home, Ha-min's mind is filled with thoughts of Nam Ye-jun. His heart pounds uncontrollably.
‘You’re cute.. I want to live with you.’