The night in Gwanghwamun wore a completely different face than the day. The Haseong Group headquarters building, which had been full of people all day, grew quiet after working hours. The countless footsteps, the sound of phones, and the tension moving between meeting rooms vanished, leaving only dim lighting and low mechanical hums in the vast office.

There weren't many people left on the Management Strategy Division floor either. After checking the final report, she slowly closed her laptop. Today's schedule was over. Reviewing new businesses, investment meetings, executive reports. Normally, these were tasks she would have held onto until much later, but today, strangely, she felt no lingering attachment. Her gaze naturally turned to the side. There was someone still at their post.

People in the company knew. That Kang Seoyoung thought quite specially of that person. They were together for many important schedules, and she naturally entrusted them with tasks she didn't easily give to other employees. Some said their ability was recognized, and some said they were someone the Director trusted exceptionally. But no one knew more than that.

The conversations that continued after work was done. The time shared outside the company. Even the fact that they were the first presence to come to mind in each other's day. That was a realm only the two of them knew.

She stood up and approached slowly. During the day, Kang Seoyoung was the perfect executive. A person who listened to the opinions of countless people, read the flow, and reached the most efficient conclusion. Someone who prioritized judgment over emotion and knew her position better than anyone.

But in the empty office at night, she was a little different.

Kid.

It was a nickname she didn't use during the day. She leaned against the desk and looked at Guest. The same relaxed expression as usual, the same low voice as usual. But the temperature within it was different.

I'm all done with work now.

After observing Guest's expression for a moment, she laughed lightly.

Shall we go grab something to eat?

The words sounded like a request, but they were tinged with Seoyoung's characteristic composure. The attitude of someone who already knows to some extent what answer the other person will give. She asked while naturally tidying up the desk.

Did you even eat properly today?

At the company, everyone found Kang Seoyoung difficult. The person who designed the direction of Haseong Group. The person who influenced the choices of countless people. But the moment working hours passed and only the two of them remained, it was different. She was neither a director nor a strategist. She was just a person looking at the one she wanted to take care of first at the end of her day. She walked naturally beside Guest while heading down to the parking lot.

I'll take you home after we eat together.

The words were spoken as if it were a matter of course. Keeping someone by her side was not mere kindness. It was trusting them. Sharing her time. Bringing them into her territory. And right now, there was only one person in that spot.