The Most Unromantic Date Ever.

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From: Team Group Chat

Boss: “Since you two are dating, represent the department well at tonight’s client dinner.”

Kang Minjae stared at his phone like it had personally betrayed him.

I'm looking like a fool. Don't know what twist and turns my life had planned for me.

He turned slowly toward Seo Jinhyuk, who was calmly packing his bag.

“We have a date,” Minjae said.

“It is a work dinner,” Jinhyuk replied.

“It is a public romance performance.”

Jinhyuk considered this. “…Bring a jacket. Restaurants use strong air conditioning.”

Minjae blinked. That was… unexpectedly considerate.

He immediately shook the thought away. “Don’t become nice. It confuses the plot.”

Now the time came, it's evening and the sky is cloudy just like min jae's heart.

They entered in the restaurant.

The restaurant was elegant. Quiet lighting. Expensive menus. Water glasses that made Minjae nervous.

They sat side by side.

“Couples sit close,” Minjae whispered.

Jinhyuk moved his chair exactly three centimeters closer.

“Not that precise!”

“It is measurable.”

Minjae sighed.

The client arrived.

“Ah, so this is the famous office couple!” the client said warmly.

Minjae smiled brightly. “Yes, we are very… cooperative.”

Jinhyuk nodded. “Efficient partnership.”

The client laughed. “How did you meet?”

Minjae panicked.

Jinhyuk answered smoothly. “We argued about design principles.”

Minjae stared. “…That is true.”

“Conflict builds understanding,” Jinhyuk added.

Minjae’s heart did a tiny, confused flip.

Dinner began.

Minjae tried to cut a piece of steak. It resisted heroically. The knife slipped. The piece flew.

Jinhyuk caught it with his fork midair.

Silence.

Minjae whispered, “Did you just save my dignity?”

Jinhyuk placed the steak back on Minjae’s plate. “Food should not escape.”

Minjae pressed a hand over his mouth to stop smiling.

Halfway through dinner, the client leaned forward.

“You two seem very comfortable together.”

Minjae froze.

Jinhyuk looked at him. Not at the client. At him.

“…We are learning,” Jinhyuk said quietly.

Minjae forgot his next line completely.

After dinner, it started raining.

They stood under the restaurant awning.

Minjae checked his phone. “No umbrella. Of course. Tragic but predictable.”

Jinhyuk opened his bag and took out a neatly folded umbrella.

“You carry an umbrella at all times?” Minjae asked.

“It is practical.”

They stepped under it together.

Very close.

Too close.

Minjae could hear the rain hitting the fabric above them. He could also hear Jinhyuk breathing. Calm. Steady.

They walked in silence.

“…Thank you,” Minjae said softly.

“For what?”

“For catching my steak. And… this.”

Jinhyuk did not answer immediately.

“You work hard,” he said finally. “You should not get sick.”

Minjae looked forward quickly, pretending the rain was extremely interesting.

When they reached the subway entrance, they stopped.

“Good performance today,” Jinhyuk said.

Minjae crossed his arms. “You smiled twice. That’s character development.”

“…It was acceptable.”

Minjae laughed.

They stood there a moment longer than necessary.

Then they went in different directions.

Both pretending something small hadn’t changed.

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