In Love With You, Again
Prologue
The scent of blood lingered beneath the fresh scent of spring.
A lone cherry blossom tree stood in bloom.
Its branches swayed gently as pale pink petals drifted through the air.
Two figures lay beneath it.
The other was dressed in white.
Their hands were inches apart.
The person in white struggled to move.
Their trembling fingers slowly reached forward.
The person in royal robes looked at them.
All emotions neither could put into words.
Cherry blossom petals settled over their shoulders.
The person in white smiled faintly.
No sound reached the air.
A single tear slipped down the eye of the person in royal robes.
The blossoms continued to fall.
As though the tree mourning for the souls resting under it.
Segment¹
Morning sunlight filtered through the sheer white curtains, painting soft golden patterns across the polished wooden floor.
The Kim residence overlooked the Han River from one of Seoul's quietest neighborhoods. Despite belonging to one of the country's wealthiest families, the house felt warm rather than extravagant. A carefully tended garden stretched around the property, where roses and hydrangeas bloomed beside a stone pathway leading to the front gate.
The faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the house.
Somewhere downstairs, dishes clinked softly.
Another ordinary morning had begun.
The alarm on the bedside table rang exactly at 6:00 a. m.
Without hesitation, Kim Tae-hyung reached over and turned it off before it could ring a second time.
He sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair.
The bed perfectly made within minutes. The curtains drawn open. Everything exactly where it belonged.
Tae adjusted the cuffs of his white shirt before putting on his charcoal suit jacket.
His reflection stared back from the bedroom mirror.
He held his own gaze for a brief second. Then quietly left the room.
The dining room was already lively.
Seok-jin carried another plate from the kitchen while humming softly to himself.
Nam-joon was quietly scrolling through the morning's business news on his tablet.
Kim You-jung sat with one shoe on, stuffing onto breakfast.
Kim You-jung {O}
Have you seen my left shoe?
Kim Seok-jin {O}
*Didn't look up* Under the sofa.
You-jung quickly peeked beneath it and settled on the chair again.
Kim You-jung {O}
How does this keep happening?
*Said, embarrassed from her habit*
Nam-joon scrolled through the tablet.
Kim You-jung {O}
Appa, gravity doesn't steal shoes.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
Then perhaps the house has developed preferences.
Just then, Tae-hyung entered.
Seok-jin looked up immediately.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
Good morning, dear.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
Morning, Eomma.
Nam-joon lowered his tablet with a smile.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
Slept well?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Pulled out his chair*
Well enough.
Kim You-jung {O}
*Narrowed her eyes*
That's your polite way of saying "not really".
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Calmly reached for his coffee*
Since when did you become fluent?
Kim You-jung {O}
Years of observation.
Seok-jin placed a bowl of warm soup in front of him.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
Eat before your coffee.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Gave a small nod*
Thanks, Eomma.
For several minutes, the family ate together.
Comfortable silence naturally between them. Outside, birds chirping from the garden. The breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass through the open window.
Nam-joon finally kept the tablet aside.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
The cosmetics division is presenting today, isn't it?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Nodded* At ten.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Thought for a moment*
I'm more curious than nervous.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
*Smiled* That's good.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
A leader should stay curious.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Nodded once*
He had heard those words countless times growing up.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
*Quietly looked at his son*
The faint shadows beneath his eyes hadn't disappeared.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
*Gently poured more soup into his bowl*
You've been coming home late this week.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked Up* There was more work than expected.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
There will always be more work.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
Don't forget to take care of yourself too.
*His voice remained gentle and calm*
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Smiled faintly* I will.
You-jung quietly exchanged a glance with their mother.
All three of them knew. Tae-hyung rarely broke promises.
But this was the one promise he almost never kept.
After breakfast, everyone prepared to leave. The front door opened to a cool spring morning. Sunlight shimmered across the dew-covered leaves.
Three black cars waited outside.
Seok-jin adjusted Nam-joon's tie.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
I'll be coming late tonight.
Kim Seok-jin {O}
*Smiled* Drive safely.
Kim Nam-joon {E}
*Nodded before turning towards Tae*
Call me after the presentation.
Nam-joon gave his son's shoulder a gentle pat before getting into his car.
Kim You-jung {O}
*Slunged her handbag over her shoulder*
Oppa.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked at her*
Kim You-jung {O}
Are you free this weekend?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Considering* I should be.
Kim You-jung {O}
*Smiled brightly* Great.
Halmeoni wants us all to have lunch together.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*His expression softens* Then I'll make sure nothing comes up.
Kim You-jung {O}
*Grinned* She'll be happy.
Each member said their goodbyes one by one.
As Tae-hyung settled into the driver's seat, he glanced back toward the house.
His mother stood by the doorway, waving.
His father had already driven away.
You-jung was still looking for something inside her handbag. Probably her keys this time.
A quiet smile found its way onto his face.
The engine started.
The gates slowly opened.
As the car merged into the morning traffic, the smile gradually faded—not because he had left home, but because another day of carrying expectations had begun.
The city stretched before him.
Tae-hyung tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Then, with the same calm expression he wore every day...
He drove toward Kim Group Headquarters.
Segment²
Kim Group Headquarters stood proudly in the heart of Seoul, its glass facade reflecting the golden morning sun.
Employees streamed through the revolving doors, greeting one another as another workday began.
Some chatted over coffee.
Others hurried toward the elevators with tablets and laptops in hand.
Despite the rush, everything moved in an organized rhythm.
A black sedan slowly pulled into the underground parking lot. Tae-hyung turned off the engine and walked out of it.
As soon as the elevator doors opened onto the executive floor, several employees straightened instinctively.
Employee 1: Good morning, President Kim.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Gave a small nod*
Good morning.
Employee 2: Good morning, sir.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
Morning.
His voice was calm.
Not loud. Not cold.
Just enough to acknowledge everyone before continuing toward his office.
Secretary Choi was already waiting outside with a tablet tucked under his arm.
He had worked with Tae-hyung for nearly seven years.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Good morning, sir.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
Morning, Choi-ssi.
Yeon-jun walked beside him as they entered the office.
The spacious room overlooked nearly half the city.
Bookshelves lined one wall while a long meeting table occupied another.
Fresh lilies sat neatly in a vase near the window.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Placed today's schedule on the desk*
Your first meeting begins at ten.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Glanced over the schedule*
Cosmetics Division.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
Followed by finance?
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Correct.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Nodded*
Any changes?
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Shook his head*
Only one.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Director Hwang and Director Kang requested additional presentation time.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
How much?
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Twenty minutes.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Quietly closed the schedule*
They have ten.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Couldn't help smiling*
I thought you'd say that.
Tae-hyung removed his suit jacket and draped it over the back of his chair.
Yeon-jun noticed the untouched breakfast coffee cup Mrs. Kim had packed into his bag.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Your Eomoni packed coffee again?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Glanced at it*
He did.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
You forgot to drink it.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked at the cup for a second*
Apparently.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Folded his arms*
He'll ask me if you drank it.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked mildly surprised*
He asks you?
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Every other morning.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Let out a quiet breath that almost resembled a laugh*
I didn't know I'd recruited another family member.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Smiled*
He worries.
A brief silence settled between them.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked out the window*
I know.
A knock was heard at the door.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
Come in.
A young employee entered inside carrying several sample boxes.
Employee: The Cosmetics Division asked me to deliver these before the meeting.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Accepted the boxes*
The employee bowed politely before leaving.
Yeon-jun placed a box on Tae-hyung's desk.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
They're hoping you'll approve one of the new luxury collections today.
Tae-hyung opened the box.
Inside were several skincare bottles in different packaging. He examined each one carefully.
He examined each one carefully.
Not because they were expensive.
But because details mattered more.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*His fingertips lightly traced the edge of one glass bottle*
The finish is uneven.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Blinked as he picked up the bottle*
... You're right.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Placed it back*
Tell Production to inspect the mold before launch.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Immediately made a note*
Understood.
Another knock interrupted them.
Without waiting for permission, the door opened.
Kim Seok-woo walked in carrying two paper cups of coffee.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Sighed* You know... normal people knock and wait.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
Normal people also don't have friends who ignore their messages.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Placed one coffee on Tae-hyung's desk*
Peace offering, Your Highness.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked at the cup*
I already have coffee.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Glanced at the untouched cup from home*
That's decorative at this point.
Yeon-jun covered his mouth, trying not to smile.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked between the two cups*
I suddenly have too much coffee.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
A problem I was happy to create.
Choi Yeon-jun {A}
*Checked his watch*
I'll prepare the meeting room.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Nodded* Thank you.
Secretary Choi quietly left, closing the door behind him.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Dropped into the chair opposite to Tae* How's Uncle?
Kim Seok-woo {A}
Eomo-nim?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
Worried.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
About you?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Looked at him* Is it that obvious?
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Leaned back*
Only to people who know you.
Tae-hyung remained silent.
Seok-woo looked around the office.
His eyes landed on a folded blanket resting neatly on the office sofa.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Frowned* Tell me that's not for what I think it is.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Followed his gaze* It gets cold in here.
*Answers honestly*
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Sighed*
Tae.. You brat.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Offended* That's unprofessional to call me that, but I don't sleep here often.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
How often is "not often"?
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Not meeting Seok-woo's eyes*
Once... this week.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Raised an eyebrow*
And today's Tuesday.
Kim Tae-hyung {E}
*Quietly picked up his coffee and takes a sip* You're very observant.
Kim Seok-woo {A}
*Laughed despite himself*
One day, I'm going to be blamed by your mother for this.
Tae-hyung looked down at the warm coffee in his hands.
A faint smile appearing on his lips.
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