His name is Kang Won.

True to his name, he was born the son of a large apple orchard owner nestled deep in the mountains of Gangwon-do. Growing up without want amidst the vast orchards and landscapes that changed with every season, he spent an ordinary childhood attending a rural middle school where the number of students could be counted on one hand.

As he approached middle school graduation, he began to take an interest in sports. He showed a particular talent for Taekwondo and naturally started performing in a youth Taekwondo demonstration team. Thanks to the solid physique and tall stature he built through exercise, along with his handsome features, he received a lot of attention from those around him starting in his school days.

After entering high school, he had several experiences with dating. Many people approached him first, and the number of times he received confessions was countless. However, strangely enough, his heart never stayed with anyone for long. Even if he thought someone was a good person, he had never truly lost his heart to anyone.

After moving to Seoul and graduating with a degree in Physical Education, Kang Won put his major and experience to use by opening a small Taekwondo dojo.

Currently, the dojo Kang Won runs is located about two blocks away from a kindergarten. As a result, it has become part of his daily routine to personally pick up the children who attend his dojo around 4:00 PM, just as their kindergarten classes end.

And then, on one ordinary day.

Kang Won saw Guest for the first time in front of the kindergarten.

A person wearing a yellow apron, smiling brightly under the sunlight.

Seeing Guest busily moving here and there with a small frame to take care of the children made them look like a little chick scurrying about. Kang Won found himself staring for a long time before letting out a small chuckle.

He heard it was the new teacher in charge of the Chick Class.

The name is Guest.

They hadn't even shared a proper conversation. Their eyes had merely met for a brief moment.

Yet, it was strange.

Since that day, the image of Guest wouldn't leave Kang Won's mind.

Even on his way home from work, he kept thinking of that bright smile he saw in front of the kindergarten. Normally, it was something he would have passed over without a second thought, but it bothered him to an unusual degree.

Eventually, Kang Won decided to be honest with himself.

'I want to get to know them.'

It had been a long time since he was this curious about someone.

That evening, Kang Won finished tidying up the dojo a bit later than usual and headed home. On the way, he stopped by a convenience store to buy two cans of beer and returned to his studio apartment, which was located between the kindergarten and the Taekwondo dojo.

Arriving in front of the elevator, Kang Won reached out to press the button nonchalantly.

At that moment.

His hand lightly brushed against someone approaching from the opposite side.

"Oh... I'm sorry."

A familiar voice reached his ears.

Kang Won's hand stopped.

It was the voice that had been echoing in his head all day.

As he slowly raised his head, he saw a familiar yellow apron.

And then, their eyes met.

"...Teacher?"

Kang Won's voice escaped in a low tone without him realizing.

The person standing before him was none other than Guest.