TAEHYUN.
Smirking. Like he knew she'd be here.
TAEHYUN
(teasing)
"If I didn't know you better, I'd swear you just got dumped for wearing that hoodie."
Seri narrows her eyes.
SERI
(dryly)
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you've been tailing me."
He laughs softly and hops off the bike, removing his helmet. His tousled hair falls perfectly into place, and for a moment — with his leather jacket, confident smirk, and that sleek motorbike behind him — he looks like he just rode out of a fashion shoot. Stylish. Effortless. Dangerous in the best way.
TAEHYUN
(grinning as he removes his helmet)
"I swear I wasn't following you. Just passing through on my way back."
SERI
(teasing, eyebrow raised)
"Back from breaking another heart with that charming smile? What's next — offering relationship refunds?"
TAEHYUN
(grinning)
"Well, at least you admit I'm charming. That's enough to brighten my whole night."
Seri squints at the bike, circling it slowly like she's inspecting a suspect.
SERI
(smiling, smirking)
"Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE.
998cc inline-four engine… supercharged, semi-active suspension… you really don't play around."
She taps the handle lightly with a single finger.
SERI
"And here I thought you were all charm and no horsepower."
Taehyun blinks, then lets out a low whistle.
TAEHYUN
(stunned, grinning)
"Wow. Not just a fighter, but a walking motor encyclopedia?
What's next, you moonlight as a pit crew chief?"
Seri shrugs with a teasing smirk.
SERI
"I have layers."
She shrugs playfully. Then—suddenly—Seri takes a slow, deliberate step closer to him. Then another.
Her eyes lock onto his. There's a dramatic silence. Even the air seems to hold its breath.
TAEHYUN
(inner monologue)
'Wait—wait, what's going on? Is she—? No way. Is she gonna—?!'
She's close now. Inches away. He swallows. His heartbeat punches his chest.
SERI
(sweetly, almost a whisper)
"I actually like…"
Taehyun freezes.
His brain malfunctions. His soul leaves his body. He braces for impact—
SERI
(grinning wide)
"…to ride the bike. Can I?"
She winks like an absolute menace.
Taehyun exhales like he's been sniped. He coughs, pretending to be chill, while wiping invisible sweat.
TAEHYUN
(relieved, chuckling)
"You almost gave me a heart attack."
She smirks, already straddling the bike like she owns it.
Taehyun stares at her, helplessly charmed
SERI
(grinning, tilting her head)
"Shall we?"
Taehyun blinks, still recovering from her earlier ambush. He grabs the spare helmet and hands it to her.
TAEHYUN
(slightly dazed)
"Uh… yeah. Let's."
Seri slips on the helmet cheerfully, her eyes sparkling. The visor's still up, and her smile could probably melt asphalt. Taehyun can't stop staring — not at the road, but at her.
She climbs on, grabs the handles confidently. Her playful face sharpens. Her grip tightens.
TAEHYUN
(startled)
"Wait—just be careful with the handle. It's super sensitive, so when you—"
VROOOOOOOM!!!
The bike shoots forward.
Taehyun nearly stumbles but manages to throw himself onto the seat just in time. His hands hover helplessly near her waist.
SERI
(shouting with a wicked grin)
"Hold me tight! This is gonna be the fastest fun night of your life!"
Taehyun jolts, his heart slamming into his ribs. He grabs the back of her hoodie instinctively, torn between panic and exhilaration.
TAEHYUN
(inner voice, spiraling)
"If I hold her waist now… I won't be able to let go. Ever."
Seri laughs wildly as the wind whips past. She leans into the curve like a pro, a blur of thrill and chaos.
And Taehyun? Screaming inside. Smiling outside.
He's not sure if he's falling in love or just plain dying.
They finally stop.
The engine purrs down as they pull up in front of Seri's place. Taehyun hops off the back, slightly dizzy — knees wobbly, hair wild from wind and adrenaline.
Seri, calm as ever, removes her helmet with one hand like a movie star. Her hair falls back into place effortlessly. She stands next to him, cheeks slightly flushed, glowing with joy.
SERI
(grinning wide)
"That was fun! It's been a while since I got to ride like that."
She stretches her arms slightly, looking far too relaxed for someone who just turned a superbike into a rollercoaster.
SERI
(with a smirk)
"Shuto Expressway used to be my playground for fast rides."
Taehyun just stares at her — part terrified, part impressed, part enchanted.
TAEHYUN
(teasing, shaking his head)
"I swear… for a second I thought we were on an express trip to hell."
Seri bursts out laughing, eyes sparkling.
SERI
(playfully)
"Oh come on. You survived. Barely."
Taehyun laughs too, unable to hide the grin tugging at his lips.
TAEHYUN
(sincerely, watching her)
"Seriously though… is there anything you can't do?"
She just winks and hands the helmet back.
TAEHYUN
(teasing, shaking his head slightly)
"Seriously though… is there anything you can't do?"
SERI
(smirking, then softening)
"Well… I can't bring my parents and my sister back."
SERI
(turning back with a playful grin)
"By the way… thanks for letting me heat up the engine."
She gives a little salute with the helmet in her hand, then turns on her heel.
SERI
(calling out over her shoulder)
"Goodnight, Ken."
She walks off — hoodie swaying, confidence in every step.
Taehyun stays rooted in place, eyes fixed on her.
He was going to say something.
But stopped.
She was already too far — not just in distance, but in the way she always seemed… untouchable.
TAEHYUN
(thoughtfully, to himself)
"…That girl's going to ruin me someday."
His lips curve into a helpless smile as he exhales, hand brushing his hair back.
Taehyun's smile fades. His expression softens — eyes filled with quiet sympathy. He doesn't say a word.
SERI
(glancing at him, catching the look — then offering a small, comforting grin)
"Hey, don't look like that."
(she shrugs lightly)
"Don't worry, Ken. That was a long time ago."
SERI
(turning back with a playful grin)
"By the way… thanks for letting me heat up the engine."
She gives a little salute with the helmet in her hand, then turns on her heel.
SERI
(calling out over her shoulder)
"Goodnight, Ken."
She walks off — hoodie swaying, confidence in every step.
Taehyun stays rooted in place, eyes fixed on her.
He was going to say something.
But stopped.
She was already too far — not just in distance, but in the way she always seemed… untouchable.
TAEHYUN
(thoughtfully, to himself)
"…That girl's going to ruin me someday."
His lips curve into a helpless smile as he exhales, hand brushing his hair back.
INT. KANG CORPORATION – PANTRY – MORNING
The pantry is lively. The coffee machine hums. A few employees scroll through their phones, whispering excitedly.
BORA
(grinning, loud)
"Okay but seriously — Lee Ryun? Again?! I swear that man collects scandals like keychains."
EMPLOYEE 1
"Is it real though? That picture's so blurry. It could be anyone."
EMPLOYEE 2
"But the angle! He's holding someone's hand, Bora!"
BORA
(sips coffee, mock serious)
"Holding hands doesn't mean anything. I hold hands with my mom every Sunday — you don't see Dispatch calling us a scandal."
They laugh.
EMPLOYEE 1
"Still… you can tell it's him. The jawline. The coat. It's so him."
BORA
(shaking her head dramatically)
"This is why I don't fall for actors. Unpredictable. Dangerous. That's why I've upgraded to dating baristas — they steam milk, not hearts."
The others giggle just as SERI walks in. She heads straight to the counter, unbothered, pouring hot water into her cup.
BORA
(noticing her, sing-song tone)
"Miss Im Seri~! Quick, what's the company stance on celebrity scandals? Should we draft an apology?"
BORA
(glancing at Seri, pretending to whisper but clearly loud on purpose)
"People these days… scandal this, scandal that. If you've got two men chasing you, just admit it. Don't act innocent."
EMPLOYEE 1
(teasing)
"Unnie, what if you were the one in a scandal? Imagine this — Mr. Park falling for you, and Mr. Taehyun hild the gun to fight for your love. Would you still call it shameful?"
EMPLOYEE 2
"Yeah, would you resign for the greater good, Miss Scandal?"
BORA
(laughing loudly, striking a pose)
"First of all, if Mr. Park falls for me, that's just fate doing its job. And if Taehyun wants to fight for me?"
(flicks her hair)
"I'd let them. But I'd make them sign NDAs first — and fight in tuxedos, obviously. I have standards."
EMPLOYEE 1
(grinning)
"Of course. You'd turn the scandal into a red carpet moment."
BORA
"Exactly. My downfall will be fashionable and sponsored."
Everyone laughs. Meanwhile, SERI just sips her tea, stone-faced but slightly amused. She doesn't say a word — just turns to leave.
As she walks out, Bora mutters again, joking under her breath.
BORA
(noticing Seri leave)
"Some people have no sense of humor…"
INT. KANG CORPORATION – HALLWAY OUTSIDE PANTRY – CONTINUOUS
SERI walks out of the pantry with her tea, her expression unreadable.
BUMP.
She almost walks right into JUNHO, who stands there looking polished and serious, with DAEJIN next to him holding a tablet.
They lock eyes for a brief second — time feels like it slows.
SERI
(polite, a slight bow)
"Good morning, Director Park."
JUNHO
(pausing, voice lower than usual)
"…Good morning, Seri."
(beat)
"Did you sleep well?"
SERI stiffens slightly, her eyes darting sideways as if checking who might be listening. A few employees pass by in the background.
SERI
(cautiously)
"I'm going to get started on the Baekdu updates. There's still data to process and a few drafts to finalize."
She offers the bare minimum of a smile, steps around them, and walks off briskly.
JUNHO watches her leave, eyes still fixed in her direction, lips pressed tightly — clearly expecting… something more.
DAEJIN, still beside him
glancing sideways, casual
DAEJIN
(clearing throat)
"We have to gather the team for the Japan project — Project Asagiri. The Kyōto brief just came in this morning."
JUNHO
(distracted, still thinking about Seri)
"…Right."
DAEJIN
(eyebrow raised)
"I'll send the internal notice. Maybe in the conference room at two?"
JUNHO simply nods and continues walking straight to his office, hands in pockets, face unreadable.
As he enters, DAEJIN watches him for a beat, muttering under his breath:
DAEJIN
(softly)
"Definitely awkward."
He sighs, then walks off in the opposite direction.