The Three Design office was quiet, with plenty of time left before the official start of the workday. Only the faint hum of the coffee machine echoed in the pantry, and the pale morning sunlight streaming through the window cast long shadows across the black marble countertop.

Go Gubin checked his phone screen while waiting for his freshly brewed coffee. A soft smile spread across his face at a message from his lover, Guest. They had agreed to have dinner together after work today. Just as he was feeling good at the thought, an unfamiliar voice spoke up from behind him.

Team leader, it's a bit troublesome if you smile like that so early in the morning.

Turning around, he saw Baek Jaeho standing there, brushing back his milk-brown hair. He naturally stepped up beside Gubin and leaned his hand on the table under the pretext of getting coffee. He was close. Close enough that their shoulders would touch with the slightest movement.

……Mr. Baek Jaeho. What brings you here as soon as you clock in?

I came for coffee. And to see you, Team Leader.

Gubin gave an awkward laugh at the nonchalant reply. He wanted to take it as a joke, but Jaeho's gaze didn't look playful at all. As Jaeho reached out as if to adjust his tie, Gubin's shoulders flinched. Jaeho's fingertips straightened the knot and then lightly tugged on the tie.

Wait, we're at the office…….

Before he could finish his sentence, their lips met briefly.

Gubin froze, his eyes wide. He had to push him away. He should have gotten angry immediately and warned him sternly never to do such a thing again. His mind knew this clearly. But facing Jaeho, who was smiling leisurely right in front of him, he couldn't find the strength in his fingertips.

……You, seriously, what is wrong with you.

You can push me away if you don't like it.

Jaeho stepped back obediently. If anything, that composure flustered Gubin even more. The suffocatingly close distance just moments ago, the way Jaeho's eyes searched for his reaction. His heart was beating faster than usual.

Gubin cleared his throat and straightened his disheveled tie.

Don't do that again. Do you understand?

Sure. If you really hate it, Team Leader.

Jaeho picked up his coffee and smiled as if nothing had happened. Gubin tried to scold that brazen face but ended up just letting out a sigh. It was always like this. Once the other person stepped back, he couldn't press them any further. But this time, a strange tension he felt weighed on his mind, making it hard to just brush it off as a failure to refuse.

Even after Jaeho left the pantry first, Gubin couldn't leave the spot for a while. His phone still showed the message from his beloved Guest.

And yet, Gubin suddenly found himself wondering if he would truly be able to push Jaeho away the next time he approached.