Morning arrived like a gentle conspiracy.
It didn't knock.
It floated in—wrapped in the scent of butter, toasted bread, and something sweet enough to pull dreams apart at the seams.
Ji-Ah stirred.
Her nose twitched.
Her eyes blinked open slowly.
"…That smell…"
She sat up, hair a soft disaster, and sniffed the air again like a suspicious detective.
Recognition hit.
"Arisoo."
She slid out of bed, still half-dreaming, and shuffled toward the kitchen, rubbing her eyes as if trying to erase sleep manually.
The kitchen scene was already in full swing.
Nikki sat at the table, cheeks full, happily chewing like breakfast was his life's purpose.
Ji-Ah walked over and ruffled his hair.
"Morning, trouble."
"Aunt Ji-Ji!" Nikki protested instantly, swatting her hand away.
From the stove, Arisoo glanced back.
"Be fast, Nikki," she said, flipping something in the pan with effortless confidence. "You don't want to be late for school."
Then her eyes shifted to Ji-Ah.
"And you," she added smoothly, "don't want to be late for work either."
Ji-Ah gave a lazy nod, already drifting toward the coffee machine like it had magnetic pull.
She poured herself a cup.
Took a sip.
Paused.
"…Ah."
A beat.
She frowned at the cup.
"This is too sweet."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Then—
She blinked.
"Oh."
Another sip, slower this time.
"…This is not his coffee."
Arisoo turned fully now, eyebrow lifting.
"Ha-Joon?" she asked.
Ji-Ah nodded, still staring into the cup like it had betrayed her.
Arisoo gave a small smile.
"Yes."
A tiny pause.
"He's better."
Ji-Ah looked up.
"He's going to work today."
Something subtle passed across Ji-Ah's face.
Quick.
Almost invisible.
"…Good."
She set the cup down and reached for a sandwich Arisoo had placed on the counter.
Took a bite.
Eyes widened slightly.
"Oh—"
She pointed at it mid-chew.
"Thanks, Mama Aris—"
And just like that—
She grabbed it and bolted.
Straight out of the kitchen.
Back to her room.
A blur of messy hair, rushed energy, and half-eaten breakfast.
Arisoo watched her go.
Then chuckled softly, shaking her head as she turned back to the stove.
Behind her, Nikki whispered to himself, mouth full—
"…Mama Aris."
And nodded in approval.
--
The motorcycle rolled to a smooth stop in front of the company.
Engine off.
Silence.
Ji-Ah swung her leg over and pulled off her helmet, her hair falling into place like it had its own attitude.
"Alright," she muttered to herself, grabbing her bag. "Let's survive today."
She stepped inside the building with purpose.
No detours.
No hesitation.
Straight to the coffee station.
And today…
She smiled.
A small one.
Uninvited.
Suspicious.
She stared at herself in the reflection of the coffee machine.
"…Why am I smiling?"
No answer.
She shrugged and continued anyway, carefully making the coffee.
Not too bitter.
Not too sweet.
Perfect.
She picked up the cup and headed toward the office.
Right on cue—
She pushed the door open.
Inside, Ha-Joon stood in the middle of the room, one hand in his pocket, the other gesturing slightly as he spoke.
Across from him, Seo-Jun flipped through a stack of files, focused.
Ji-Ah stepped in quietly.
Set the coffee down on the desk with care.
Then turned toward him.
"…Sir."
Ha-Joon looked up.
And before logic could catch up—
She stepped forward.
And hugged him.
Careful.
Hesitant.
Like she might change her mind halfway through.
Seo-Jun froze.
His eyes widened.
Then slowly—
A grin spread across his face.
Oh.
This was new.
Ha-Joon, on the other hand—
Stood completely still.
Blinking once.
Twice.
"…How are you feeling?" Ji-Ah asked softly.
Still close.
Still holding on.
"…Better," he replied, genuinely confused. "Just a headache."
She nodded quickly and pulled away.
"I'm sorry," she said, brushing her hair back awkwardly. "I just—hugged you like that—I needed to do that."
Ha-Joon tilted his head slightly.
Then, casually—
"So this is how you greet your boss now?"
A beat.
Ji-Ah blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Her expression flipped.
"Oh."
She pointed at him.
"Oh, so I'm showing concern—and this is what you say?"
She mimicked his tone dramatically.
"'So this is how you greet your boss now?'"
Seo-Jun snorted, quickly covering his mouth.
Ha-Joon raised a brow, clearly enjoying this.
Ji-Ah crossed her arms, fully fired up now.
"I almost died in smoke saving you, by the way."
"I didn't ask you to—"
"That is NOT the point!"
Seo-Jun stepped in, holding back laughter.
"It's just teasing," he said, waving a hand. "That's his love language."
Ji-Ah turned to him slowly.
"…That's not love. That's stress."
She scoffed.
"Whatever."
And turned to leave.
"Wait."
She stopped.
Half-turned.
Ha-Joon was looking at her now.
Properly.
His voice dropped slightly.
"…Thanks."
She blinked.
"For what?" she asked.
"For asking," he said simply.
A pause.
Then her lips twitched.
"Sheesh," she muttered lightly. "You're really something."
A small shrug.
"You're welcome. No big deal."
He nodded once.
Then, just as she turned—
"Go on," he added, a faint glint in his eyes. "Continue working, Mrs. Rowdy."
She rolled her eyes instantly.
But didn't argue.
Just walked out.
And as the door closed—
A soft chuckle slipped out of her before she could stop it.
Ji-Ah stepped out of the office, the door clicking softly behind her.
And there it was again.
That smile.
Small.
Sneaky.
Like it didn't ask for permission.
She tried to suppress it.
Failed.
"Hmmmm."
A voice slid in beside her.
Soo-Min appeared out of nowhere, casually brushing her hair like the hallway was her personal dressing room.
Eyes narrowed.
Observant.
Suspicious.
"Why are you smiling?" Soo-Min asked, tilting her head. "Did Boss do something?"
Ji-Ah's smile dropped instantly.
"What? No."
Soo-Min leaned closer, inspecting her face like she was reading fine print.
"Or…" she continued slowly, dragging the word, "someone new has entered your life?"
Ji-Ah grimaced.
"Why are you brushing your hair here?" she shot back instead.
Soo-Min didn't even flinch.
"I didn't have time this morning," she said casually, still brushing. "Life is fast. I am faster."
Ji-Ah stared at her.
Then rolled her eyes.
"You're something else."
"I know."
They started walking toward their desks together, their footsteps falling into rhythm.
Ji-Ah adjusted her bag on her shoulder—
Then stopped.
Mid-step.
Froze.
Her eyes locked onto someone standing ahead.
A familiar figure.
Too familiar.
Her brows pulled together slightly.
A blink.
Another.
"…Min-Soo?" she muttered under her breath.
Min-Soo stood there.
Like he had every right to be.
Like he hadn't just stepped into a place he didn't belong.
Ji-Ah's voice sharpened.
"What are you doing here?