While Eun-soo and Jin-woo struggled with their racing hearts, Kang Min-ho sat in his expansive executive office, framed by towering glass walls that overlooked the city.
He was dressed in a sophisticated olive-green double-breasted suit, leaning back in his leather chair as he reviewed the final documents of the morning.
As he closed the last file, his thoughts drifted back to his meeting with Eun-soo; he found himself smiling, realizing that his initial reluctance to go on the blind date had been entirely misplaced.
"She really is striking," he mused to himself, remembering her poise at the restaurant. "What was the name of that place she mentioned? Something about a heart... I can't quite recall."
He pressed the intercom to call his secretary, Han Ji-eun, a calm and perceptive 32-year-old who managed his hectic world with unwavering loyalty.
Ji-eun entered the office almost immediately. "You called, Sir?"
"Ji-eun, do you have the name of the kindergarten where Miss Eun-soo works?" Min-ho asked, adjusting his cuffs.
"Yes, Sir," she replied efficiently. "It is the Little Mozart International Kindergarten. It was actually one of the buildings our company constructed in the past, and we still provide occasional donations to their arts program."
Min-ho's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Is that so? Then let's arrange a tour for this afternoon. I'd like to see how our work is holding up and visit a friend."
Ji-eun checked his digital tablet. "You are free until the late afternoon briefing, Sir. We can head there now."
Downstairs, they stepped into his waiting car and made their way to the school, a modern, light-filled structure that stood out with its creative architecture.
At that same moment, inside the classroom, Eun-soo was reviewing the family portraits the children had drawn, stopping when she reached Hajun's colorful page.
The drawing included Jin-woo, Hajun, his grandparents, and—to her absolute shock—a figure labeled 'Teacher Eun-soo' standing right in the middle.
"Hajun, why am I in your family portrait?" she asked, kneeling beside him with a confused but tender smile.
Hajun looked up with innocent logic. "Family is the people who live together and take care of each other. You live in our building, and you take care of me every day. So you're my family."
Eun-soo felt a surge of unexpected happiness at his words. "You're actually right, Hajun. That is a very beautiful way to think about it."
She patted his head and led the class to the piano, where they spent the next hour singing songs before the lunch break began.
As the children settled down to eat, Min-ho and Secretary Ji-eun entered the building, admiring the vibrant playground and the way the sunlight hit the glass corridors.
Eun-soo was surprised to see him standing near her classroom door. "Mr. Kang? What brings you here so suddenly?"
"I remembered this building was one of ours," Min-ho explained with an easy charm. "Since we're friends now, I thought I'd come by to see the design and say hello to you."
Eun-soo began to show him around the facility, and Min-ho found himself genuinely impressed by her teaching style and the comforting atmosphere she created for the students.
As they walked through the art display, he noticed Hajun's drawing. She's in this one too, he thought, though he dismissed it, assuming she was just a very popular teacher.
Hajun ran up to them, recognizing the man from the restaurant. "Hello, Uncle!"
Min-ho crouched down to his level. "Hello again, Hajun. Are you enjoying your day?"
"Yes! Kindergarten is very good," Hajun chirped. "And my teachers are the best."
"That's good to hear," Min-ho replied. "I have to head back soon, but you go back and play with your friends."
"Okay! My dad should be coming to pick me up soon anyway," Hajun said before running back to the play area.
Min-ho turned back to Eun-soo. "I should be going now, Miss Eun-soo. It was a pleasure to see you in your element."
"Wait for just a moment," Eun-soo said, glancing at the clock. "The session is about to end. We can walk out together."
The words were out before she could stop them; she suddenly remembered that Jin-woo would be arriving at any second to pick up Hajun.
"I'd be happy to wait," Min-ho agreed, standing beside her as the parents began to arrive.
Just then, Jin-woo entered the gate, his eyes searching for Hajun, only to find him standing with Eun-soo and Kang Min-ho.
The small, hopeful smile he had been carrying vanished instantly, replaced by a stoic mask.
He walked toward them calmly, though his heart felt like lead. "Hello, Mr. Kang. Hello, Teacher Eun-soo."
He didn't wait for a long conversation, his voice tight. "I see Mr. Kang is here to take you home, Teacher. I won't disturb your plans. Hajun, let's go."
Hajun followed him to the car, looking back with a confused wave, while Eun-soo opened her mouth to explain that it wasn't what it looked like.
But Jin-woo had already turned away, his silhouette dark against the afternoon sun as he retreated to his car without looking back.