Entry of the chaos.

Kang Minjae arrived at work early.

This was suspicious behavior.

He placed his bag down, stretched, and looked around proudly.

“New day,” he announced to nobody. “No romance chaos.”

“Too late,” said a voice behind him.

Minjae turned.

Three coworkers stood there like a dramatic entrance scene that nobody requested.

He pointed. “Why are you lined up like villains?”

“We are not villains,” said the first one, smiling too sweetly. “We are supporters.”

“We ship you,” said the second one.

“We are emotionally invested,” said the third one.

Minjae slowly sat down. “I don’t like this energy.”

Meet the Support Squad

🌸 Yoo Haein — The Romantic Strategist

Marketing team

Believes love is a productivity tool

Carries notebooks full of “relationship improvement plans”

Speaks like she is directing a drama

She clasped Minjae’s hands dramatically.

“Your love story lacks structure. I will help.”

“It is fake,” Minjae said.

“Fake love is the seed of real love.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

🐻 Park Doyun — The Calm Observer

Finance department

Rarely speaks, but when he does… emotional accuracy

Notices everything

Permanently eating snacks

He handed Minjae a chocolate bar.

“You look stressed.”

“I am being emotionally attacked.”

Doyun nodded slowly. “Growth.”

⚡ Choi Bora — The Chaos Maker

HR assistant (which is deeply concerning)

Loves drama but in a friendly way

Smiles like she knows secrets that do not exist yet

She leaned on Minjae’s desk.

“I already told three teams you two share lunch every day.”

“WHY?”

“It strengthens narrative consistency.”

Minjae looked at the ceiling.

“Universe, I am asking politely for help.”

The universe did not respond.

At that moment, Seo Jinhyuk entered the office.

Perfect posture. Calm expression. Orderly presence.

The Support Squad turned in slow motion.

Haein whispered, “Male lead energy.”

Bora whispered, “Cold outside, soft inside trope.”

Doyun whispered, “Compatible breathing rhythm.”

Minjae covered his face.

Jinhyuk approached their desks.

“Morning.”

Minjae nodded. “Morning.”

Silence.

Support Squad watching intensely.

Very intensely.

Uncomfortably intensely.

Jinhyuk glanced at them. “…Do you require something?”

Haein bowed slightly. “Please take care of Minjae.”

Minjae choked. “I do not need care!”

Bora nodded seriously. “He forgets meals.”

Doyun added, “He overworks when nervous.”

Minjae whispered, “Stop giving my character profile.”

Jinhyuk looked at Minjae for a brief moment.

“…Noted,” he said calmly.

Minjae’s brain temporarily stopped functioning.

Support Plan #1 — “Natural Interaction Enhancement”

At lunch, Minjae discovered something strange.

Only two seats were available at the table.

Side by side.

Across from them sat Haein, Bora, and Doyun… pretending to be extremely busy observing nothing.

Minjae leaned toward them. “You moved chairs.”

Bora whispered proudly, “Environment design.”

Jinhyuk sat down calmly.

They ate in silence.

After thirty seconds, Haein spoke loudly:

“Couples who eat together build trust.”

Minjae almost dropped his spoon.

Jinhyuk continued eating like a man who had accepted fate.

Support Plan #2 — “Shared Work Opportunity”

Later that afternoon, Minjae received a message.

From: Project Assignment

You and Manager Seo will collaborate on new campaign visuals.

Minjae stood up slowly.

He walked to the Support Squad.

“You did this.”

Haein smiled. “Professional bonding.”

Bora saluted. “For narrative development.”

Doyun handed him another snack. “Energy required.”

Minjae whispered, “You are all terrifying.”

At the shared workspace, Minjae sat across from Jinhyuk.

They opened their laptops.

Silence.

Typing sounds.

Minjae glanced up. “You know this is their plan.”

“Yes,” Jinhyuk replied calmly.

“You are not bothered?”

“It improves workflow efficiency.”

“That is the least romantic sentence possible.”

Jinhyuk paused, then quietly pushed a cup of coffee toward him.

“You forgot to drink.”

Minjae blinked.

“…You noticed?”

“You always forget when focused.”

Minjae looked down quickly.

“Oh.”

Small silence.

Warm silence.

Immediately destroyed when Bora walked past and gave them a thumbs up.

At the end of the day, Minjae met the Support Squad again.

“Well?” Haein asked.

Minjae crossed his arms. “He is still extremely annoying.”

Doyun nodded. “You smiled three times today.”

Minjae froze.

Bora grinned. “Progress.”

Minjae pointed dramatically. “This is manipulation!”

Haein placed a hand on his shoulder.

“This is love support.”

“It is fake!”

“For now.”

Minjae opened his mouth…

…then closed it.

Because he did not actually know what to say.

Across the office, Jinhyuk looked up from his desk.

He watched Minjae laughing with his coworkers.

For a moment — a very small moment — his expression softened.

Then he returned to work.

As usual.

Composed.

Unreachable.

Or so he believed.

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