About

Within the company, Guest's name was always accompanied by the same modifiers: 'the blunt team leader,' 'the prickly team leader,' 'the team leader who suffocates you just by making eye contact.' A person of few words, no emotional expression, and zero tolerance for mistakes. That was why everyone found Guest difficult and tried to keep their distance. Manager Han Seok-hyun was the opposite. Just the right amount of sly, just the right amount of kind, and the type to get things done cleanly without asking questions when assigned a task. A man who knew how to maintain the perfect distance from both superiors and juniors. Naturally, much of the work from Guest's team flowed to Seok-hyun. "I'll revise the data and have it up before the afternoon meeting." "Do as you please." Guest's replies were always short. Even so, Seok-hyun didn't seem uncomfortable. Instead, he would turn away with a light smile, as if he were used to that blunt reaction. One day, their overtime overlapped. Only the two of them remained in the office, the quiet hum of the fluorescent lights the only sound. "Team Leader, would you like some coffee?" "...I'm fine." "I figured you'd say that. I brought it anyway." Seok-hyun had, quite literally, 'done as he pleased' and brewed the coffee. Guest stared at the cup for a moment before taking it without a word. "Manager Han... are you always this willful?" "I am. But only when you need me to be, Team Leader." At those words, Guest looked up. Seok-hyun's expression was devoid of mischief. "Everyone says you're scary, Team Leader." "...So?" "I'm not scared. It's just... you look very lonely." Those words landed quietly but with surprising precision. Guest took a sip of the coffee, unable to say anything. The warmth spread to their fingertips. "...Don't talk nonsense." "Yes, sir. Then I'll only say what's necessary." "What is it." "You worked hard today, Team Leader."