‎Monday mornings at Han-Tech were always busy.

‎The office buzzed with the soft tapping of keyboards, ringing telephones, and quiet conversations as employees hurried to begin another workweek. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the modern workspace in a warm glow.

‎Angela adjusted her headset and straightened in her chair.

‎The client meeting had been going surprisingly well. A presentation filled her screen as she confidently explained the company's quarterly projections.

‎"...and based on our latest analysis, we expect the third quarter to exceed—"

‎Her laptop screen suddenly flickered.

‎Once.

‎Twice.

‎Then...

‎Black.

‎Angela froze.

‎"...Hello? Miss Angela?"

‎The client's voice crackled through her headset.

‎Her heart skipped a beat.

‎"No... no, no..."

‎She pressed the power button.

‎Nothing.

‎Again.

‎Still nothing.

‎Her breathing quickened.

‎The report was due in less than an hour.

‎Months of work...

‎Gone?

‎Heat rushed to her face as panic tightened around her chest.

‎She forced a smile into her voice.

‎"Please excuse me for just a moment..."

‎Her fingers desperately searched every button on the laptop.

‎Nothing.

‎Just as she was beginning to imagine the embarrassment of explaining herself to both the client and her manager, a calm voice spoke beside her.

‎"Problem?"

‎Angela looked up.

‎Standing next to her was Min-ho.

‎A half-eaten kimchi sandwich rested casually in one hand while the other remained tucked inside his trouser pocket. Judging by his relaxed expression, he had simply been returning from lunch.

‎"My laptop..." she whispered, trying not to let the client hear.

‎"It suddenly died."

‎She looked at the blank screen helplessly.

‎"My presentation... everything is on it."

‎Min-ho nodded once.

‎He quietly placed his sandwich on the corner of her perfectly organized desk.

‎Without asking unnecessary questions...

‎Without making her feel incompetent...

‎He simply leaned closer.

‎His eyes carefully studied the laptop.

‎His fingers moved over the keyboard before checking the charging port and battery latch with practiced precision.

‎His expression remained calm, though a slight crease appeared between his brows as he concentrated.

‎Angela watched him silently.

‎There was something strangely reassuring about the way he worked.

‎No panic.

‎No frustration.

‎Just complete focus.

‎Less than a minute later, he straightened.

‎"Try now."

‎Angela hesitated before pressing the power button.

‎The Han-Tech logo appeared.

‎A second later...

‎Her desktop returned.

‎Every file.

‎Every chart.

‎Every slide.

‎Exactly where she'd left them.

‎Her eyes widened.

‎"It... it's working!"

‎She looked at him in disbelief.

‎"How did you do that?"

‎Min-ho gave the smallest shrug.

‎"Loose battery."

‎A brief pause.

‎"It's a common issue."

‎As if what he'd done wasn't worth mentioning.

‎He picked up his sandwich.

‎Gave her a small, polite bow.

‎Then quietly continued walking away.

‎Angela stared after him.

‎For several seconds, she completely forgot the client waiting in her headset.

‎The panic that had filled her moments ago had disappeared.

‎In its place...

‎A strange flutter settled gently inside her chest.

‎The meeting ended successfully.

‎Angela removed her headset and leaned back in relief.

‎Her laptop hummed softly on the desk before her.

‎Everything had returned to normal.

‎Everything...

‎Except her thoughts.

‎She found herself replaying the moment again and again.

‎The quiet concentration in his eyes.

‎The confidence in his hands.

‎The calmness in his voice.

‎Most people would have laughed.

‎Or blamed her.

‎Or turned it into a lecture.

‎Min-ho had done none of those things.

‎He had simply helped.

‎"Loose battery."

‎His words echoed in her mind.

‎So simple.

‎So matter-of-fact.

‎Yet somehow...

‎Very Min-ho.

‎A small smile curved her lips.

‎Later that afternoon, while refilling her water bottle, Angela spotted him across the office.

‎He was speaking with another data analyst, explaining something on a tablet.

‎His movements were minimal.

‎His voice calm.

‎He never seemed to fight for attention.

‎People simply listened.

‎She rested against the water dispenser for a moment, watching unnoticed.

‎He was different from the men she had known.

‎The loud ones who loved hearing themselves speak.

‎The ones who mistook confidence for volume.

‎Min-ho wasn't loud.

‎His silence carried its own confidence.

‎And somehow...

‎She found that even more attractive.

‎Angela laughed quietly to herself.

‎What is wrong with me?

‎She barely knew the man.

‎Yet somehow...

‎She already wanted to know more.

‎Much more.

‎End of Chapter 1

‎

‎The last report of the day was finally complete.

‎Angela leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh of relief. She stretched her arms above her head, a small groan escaping her lips.

‎"What a day..."

‎Around her, the office was slowly coming to life in a different way. Computers powered down one after another, chairs rolled back, and coworkers exchanged cheerful goodbyes as they prepared to head home.

‎For the first time that day...

‎Everything felt peaceful.

‎Smiling to herself, Angela slid down in her chair and rested her head on her folded arms atop her spotless desk.

‎The cool surface felt refreshing against her cheek.

‎Her gaze drifted absentmindedly toward the glass meeting room across the hallway.

‎Then she saw him.

‎Min-ho.

‎He sat among several senior data analysts, calmly explaining a report projected onto the screen.

‎Every now and then, he made a small, precise gesture with his hand.

‎His voice couldn't be heard through the glass.

‎Yet somehow...

‎His calm confidence spoke louder than words.

‎Angela found herself smiling.

‎He's so serious...

‎Without realizing it, she continued watching him.

‎Perhaps sensing someone's gaze, Min-ho lifted his eyes from the presentation.

‎Their eyes met.

‎Angela froze for half a second.

‎Then...

‎A mischievous smile slowly spread across her face.

‎Still resting comfortably on her desk, she raised two fingers and gave him a tiny wave.

‎Min-ho blinked.

‎His expression remained unreadable.

‎A moment later, he quietly returned his attention to the meeting, as though nothing had happened.

‎Angela couldn't help but chuckle.

‎Why am I teasing him?

‎She smiled to herself.

‎...It's strangely fun.

‎Picking up her handbag, she quietly hummed,

‎"There's no place like home..."

‎Then she walked toward the elevator.

‎The elevator doors opened with a soft ding.

‎Angela stepped inside.

‎As the doors slowly began to close...

‎Inside the meeting room...

‎Min-ho's eyes unconsciously followed her retreating figure.

‎Only for a moment.

‎Before anyone could notice, he calmly turned back to the presentation, his expression as composed as ever.

‎A few minutes later...

‎The elevator arrived at the lobby.

‎Angela walked toward the building entrance.

‎The moment the automatic doors slid open...

‎She stopped.

‎Rain poured relentlessly from the dark evening sky.

‎"Oh no..."

‎She searched inside her handbag.

‎No umbrella.

‎Her shoulders slumped.

‎"I didn't know it was going to rain..."

‎She looked toward the bus stop in the distance.

‎Too far.

‎Ordering a ride now would take forever.

‎She sighed.

‎"Oh well..."

‎"I'll just run for it."

‎She stepped forward—

‎"You can use my umbrella."

‎Her heart skipped.

‎She turned.

‎Min-ho stood beside her.

‎One hand rested casually inside his pocket.

‎The other held out a sleek black umbrella.

‎His expression remained calm, almost unreadable.

‎His gaze stayed on the rain outside.

‎Angela stared at him.

‎He noticed...?

‎"You should take it," he said quietly.

‎"I don't need it."

‎She blinked.

‎"But... what about you?"

‎"I live nearby."

‎Only then did Angela remember.

‎Han-Tech provided apartments for foreign employees within walking distance of the company.

‎"Oh..."

‎She slowly accepted the umbrella.

‎Their fingers brushed.

‎Just for an instant.

‎A tiny spark seemed to travel through her fingertips.

‎Heat quietly crept onto her cheeks.

‎His hands are... surprisingly soft.

‎The thought escaped before she could stop it.

‎Angela... what are you thinking?

‎Trying to hide her embarrassment, she smiled politely.

‎"Xie xie."

‎Min-ho looked at her for a brief moment.

‎Then gave a small nod.

‎"Good night."

‎"Good night."

‎Holding the umbrella tightly, Angela stepped into the rain.

‎Somehow...

‎The cold evening didn't feel quite as cold anymore.

‎Min-ho remained standing beneath the shelter.

‎His eyes followed the black umbrella as it disappeared into the rainy streets.

‎A faint smile almost reached his lips.

‎Almost.

‎Then it was gone.

‎Back in the meeting room...

‎The rain had started halfway through the presentation.

‎Its steady rhythm against the glass had briefly drawn Min-ho's attention away from the discussion.

‎His eyes wandered toward the office floor outside.

‎Then he remembered.

‎Angela.

‎He had watched her step into the elevator only moments earlier.

‎She hadn't been carrying an umbrella.

‎The thought came unexpectedly.

‎...I don't think she knew, rain had started falling ?

‎Before he realized it, the meeting had ended.

‎He quietly picked up his umbrella and headed downstairs.

‎When he reached the lobby...

‎She was exactly where he'd imagined.

‎Standing at the entrance.

‎Looking out helplessly at the rain.

‎Without thinking any further...

‎He walked toward her.

‎As Angela disappeared beneath the umbrella...

‎Min-ho slipped his free hand into his pocket.

‎The warmth of their brief touch lingered longer than it should have.

‎He lowered his eyes.

‎"..."

‎Without another word...

‎He stepped into the rain and began the short walk home.

‎End of Chapter 2

‎

‎The next morning, Angela arrived at the office carrying a neatly folded black umbrella.

‎The moment she settled her bag on her desk, she picked it up again.

‎"I almost forgot," she murmured.

‎Smiling to herself, she walked toward Min-ho's desk.

‎As always, he was already working.

‎His eyes remained fixed on his monitor, fingers moving steadily across the keyboard.

‎Angela gently placed the umbrella on his desk.

‎Min-ho looked up.

‎A hint of surprise flashed across his face.

‎"You left this with me yesterday," Angela said.

‎"I wanted to return it."

‎She smiled politely.

‎"Xie xie."

‎Min-ho looked at her for a brief second.

‎His expression remained calm.

‎...Does she really think I'm Chinese?

‎The thought crossed his mind before he quietly nodded.

‎"You're welcome."

‎Angela smiled and returned to her desk.

‎Min-ho watched her walk away for a moment before turning back to his computer.

‎By lunchtime...

‎The Han-Tech cafeteria buzzed with conversation.

‎Angela picked up her tray and looked around for a place to sit.

‎Most tables were occupied.

‎Then she spotted him.

‎Min-ho.

‎Sitting alone near the front, quietly eating his lunch.

‎Kimchi.

‎Rice.

‎Soup.

‎A small smile appeared on her face.

‎Her eyes wandered across the cafeteria.

‎There were still plenty of empty chairs.

‎She could easily eat alone, like she usually did.

‎Then a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

‎Should I sit with him...?

‎She stopped walking.

‎...Why am I even thinking about this?

‎Before she could change her mind...

‎She walked straight toward his table.

‎"I hope you don't mind me sitting here."

‎She pulled out the chair opposite him...

‎...and sat down before he could answer.

‎Min-ho slowly looked up.

‎His chopsticks stopped halfway to his mouth.

‎"...Why ask when you've already sat down?"

‎Angela smiled.

‎"Arigatou."

‎Min-ho blinked.

‎...Now she thinks I'm Japanese?

‎He looked at her for a brief moment.

‎Then his eyes drifted around the cafeteria.

‎Why is she sitting here in the first place?

‎There are so many empty chairs...

‎She usually eats alone... so why?

‎Without finding an answer, he quietly returned to his lunch.

‎Angela happily began eating.

‎Several minutes passed.

‎Neither of them spoke.

‎Angela slowly lifted her eyes.

‎She watched him.

‎He ate with complete concentration.

‎Every movement was calm.

‎Every bite was neat.

‎She rested her chin on one hand.

‎And simply...

‎Watched.

‎One minute passed.

‎Min-ho shifted slightly.

‎He could feel it.

‎Someone was staring at him.

‎He ignored it.

‎Another few seconds passed.

‎Still there.

‎Unable to bear it any longer, he looked up.

‎Angela was smiling at him.

‎She hadn't looked away.

‎He instinctively reached for a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.

‎"Is there something on my face"!, he thought.

‎Nothing.

‎He checked his shirt.

‎Still nothing.

‎He lightly touched his cheek.

‎Nothing.

‎Angela's smile only grew wider.

‎Finally...

‎An annoyed smile stretched across Min-ho's lips.

‎"Is there something on my face?"

‎Angela tilted her head.

‎"Maybe."

‎"...Maybe?"

‎She leaned forward slightly.

‎"Or maybe..."

‎"...I just like watching you eat."

‎Min-ho stared at her.

‎Speechless.

‎A faint blush slowly spread across his face.

‎Angela suddenly laughed.

‎"Hey..."

‎She pointed toward him.

‎"Why is your ear red?"

‎Min-ho instinctively covered one ear.

‎"It's not."

‎Angela laughed even harder.

‎"It is."

‎"It's not."

‎She leaned forward a little more, unable to stop smiling.

‎"It's getting even redder."

‎Min-ho looked at her.

‎His face remained serious...

‎But an amused smile tugged gently at the corners of his lips.

‎Before he could say anything else—

‎Angela waved both hands.

‎"I'm just joking with you."

‎She laughed.

‎"Don't take it seriously."

‎Min-ho looked at her for a moment.

‎Then, in his usual calm voice, said,

‎"Just eat your food."

‎Angela immediately sat up straight.

‎A wide grin spread across her face.

‎"Yes, sir!"

‎She gave him a playful mock salute before happily digging back into her lunch.

‎Min-ho shook his head almost imperceptibly and continued eating.

‎For the rest of lunch...

‎Neither of them spoke much.

‎Yet somehow...

‎The silence no longer felt awkward.

‎Across the cafeteria...

‎Someone had been watching them the entire time.

‎A spoon was gripped so tightly that the knuckles had turned white.

‎The person's gaze never left Angela and Min-ho.

‎The person wasn't smiling.

‎End of Chapter 3

‎