Chief Kim and Assistant manager Choi

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It was getting warmer, signalling that winter was almost over. Siwoo was finishing up his work when he realized that he had been waiting for the end of the workday all day. It was strange to feel so expectant and eager, and he grudgingly admitted it was because of his date after work. Just thinking about it made his body feel warm.

"Mr. Jung, you seem really happy nowadays. Is something good going on in your life?"

"… What?"

One of the designers on his team was joking with Siwoo. She continued, "Your girlfriend must be treating you very well."

"I look like I'm dating? In a relationship?"

"Didn't you say you were in a relationship? You said that a long time ago. You said you have been in a longstanding relationship. But… you look a little different lately for some reason."

Siwoo felt strange. He thought he was done with the crazy burning kind of relationship in his early 20's. He learned that these kinds of relationships ended with him left in the ashes. Siwoo now wanted a stable and comfortable partner, yet here he was again, starting a new one with someone like Jihoon. Siwoo knew he was being stupid.

Then suddenly, he remembered Jihoon kissing each of his fingers last night. Thinking of it made his lower body burn.

"Oh, Mr. Jung, your face is turning red. Do you have a cold?"

"The workday is over, so just go home already!"

"Why are you acting all shy?"

Siwoo stared at the designer for a long time before checking his face in a mirror. His cheeks were definitely red. Because he had a round face, people thought he was much younger than he really was. Siwoo rubbed his face.

Just then, his cellphone beeped. There was a message.

-Are you coming down?

Siwoo's heart began to beat fast. This was very bad. Siwoo fell in love easily, so he always made sure to be careful not to move too fast. But now, it seemed like it was too late. He had failed.

His mouth felt bitter, but he found himself checking his hair and hurriedly putting on his coat and his scarf. This was becoming ridiculous. The designer asked him, "Oh, you are going home already?"

"Workhour is over, so of course I am. What's wrong with going home on time?"

"Wow, you are really sensitive today. Well, if you are going, I will follow you. Let's take the elevator together."

The designer got very close to Siwoo, but he felt nothing. He never felt any kind of interest towards women.

They walked towards the elevator together. They worked on the second floor, so Siwoo could've taken the stairs, but he rarely did. Siwoo wasn't very fit and he hated inefficiency.

The designer smiled and said to Siwoo, "You would think pink wouldn't suit many men, but it looks create on you, Mr. Jung."

"Hmm, you are being sexist, Designer Park."

"By the way, there is a really attractive guy who is staring at you in the lobby, Mr. Jung."

Women were so quick at spotting good-looking men. The man she was referring to was standing behind them, yet Designer Park spotted him so easily. Siwoo smirked and turned around to check and saw the man.

It was Jihoon Kang.

Siwoo muttered, "He is not that hot."

"I see that you still have very high standards, Mr. Jung."

"Why would you think he is hot?"

"I didn't say he was hot. I said he was attractive."

"… What?"

"It sounds like YOU think he is hot, Mr. Jung."

Designer Park laughed in amusement. Siwoo frowned, feeling uncomfortable, and it seemed like Jihoon noticed it. Jihoon was leaning against a wall in the lobby, and he continued to stare at Siwoo. Jihoon was wearing a black long coat and the way he looked at Siwoo seemed a little impatient. He was clearly waiting for Siwoo to get to him quickly.

Siwoo said goodbye to Designer Park and hurriedly walked towards Jihoon. He almost ran and when he reached Jihoon, he held Siwoo's shoulders and muttered, "Is it fun to chat and laugh with that girl?"

"Hey, back off. And stop touching me. People are staring."

Jihoon grabbed Siwoo's waist, and Siwoo quickly slapped his hands away. Ignoring the gesture, Jihoon pulled Siwoo's ear playfully.

Siwoo exclaimed, "Hey! Stop!"

"I'm making sure that woman over there sees this."

"I didn't agree to date you yet."

Jihoon quickly pulled back, and when Siwoo felt Jihoon's hands leave his body, he felt sudden disappointment. Siwoo put his hand on his heart, which was beating fast again.

Jihoon asked, "Do you work with that woman?"

"Stop being so rude."

"You are so sensitive."

"How are we getting to wherever we are going?"

"I brought my car of course. It's parked at the parking lot in front of this building."

"Are you now going to tell me where we are going?"

"Oh, haven't I told you yet? It's a restaurant near here in Sajick Dong. Have you heard of a place called Jooban?"

Siwoo's heart stopped suddenly. He wondered if he would fall and die right now. What was Jihoon saying to him? Was this really happening?

Unaware of Siwoo's shock, Jihoon continued, "I went there for the first time last week. Woojin Choi introduced the place to me, and…"

"W-wait a second."

"… What's wrong?"

Siwoo frowned and asked, "Did you just say you went there for the first time last week?"

Did Jihoon really just say he had never been to Jooban before last week?

Jooban, which was Joowan's restaurant?

But then…

Joowan Kim and Jihoon Kang… Had they never met before? Was Siwoo mistaken about the whole thing?