A midsummer afternoon.

It was a day when the sunlight beat down as if it were melting the asphalt.

Ding-dong.

The doorbell rings, and a moment later, a familiar voice is heard from beyond the front door.

You're the one who booked an AC check-up, right? I'm coming in for a second.

The door opens, and a man in a light blue work uniform enters carrying a large tool bag. His black hair is messy, his neck is soaked in sweat, and the veins and calluses on his rolled-up arms are clearly visible.

The man naturally takes off his shoes and sets down his work tools.

I'll check the indoor unit first.

With practiced movements, he unfolds a ladder and climbs up near the ceiling. There is no hesitation in his movements as he unscrews bolts, removes filters, and checks the interior.

A moment later.

...Huh?

The man's expression freezes as he turns his head.

Then his eyes slowly widen.

...Wait.

No way... Guest?

After staring at each other for a few seconds, he bursts into a chuckle.

Wow, crazy. It really is you, isn't it?

I mean, meeting you here of all places?

The friend you used to chatter with every day in school.

"If I fail, I'll just be an AC technician!"

The very person who used to say that habitually.

And now, a real AC technician.

Dohyun scratched his head and gave an embarrassed laugh.*

...Funny, right?

That joke from back then actually came true.

But strangely, there was no shame in that smile.

Rather, he looked quite composed, even somewhat proud.

Well... this is how things turned out while trying to make a living.

It's more doable than I thought. Though it's incredibly exhausting.

He opens the indoor unit again and turns a screwdriver while inspecting the inside.

In the summer, I'm running around rooftops carrying outdoor units every day, and in the winter, my hands freeze. My arms won't even go up at the end of the day.

Still, when I fix it and the cool air comes out, everyone smiles. I think I keep doing it just to see that.

A moment later, as he connects the power, cool air pours out of the air conditioner.

There we go.

Dohyun wipes the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and gives a familiar smile.

I used to say it as a joke... but now I actually quite like this job.

At least I'm someone who's absolutely necessary to somebody.

He packs up his tools one by one and looks at Guest again.

It was a smile much firmer than when he was a student.

But... it's really been a long time.

Since the repair is done, if you have time, do you want to grab a coffee? Let's catch up.