Hyun-min's room was just across from Ji-ah's. He had barely stepped inside when Jun-ha's quiet, careful words reached him.
Something in what his secretary said — the way he hinted at Ji-ah's earlier conversation — struck a nerve.
His jaw tightened. Each second the thought sank deeper, the more it burned. Without another word, he swung the door open and stepped back into the hallway.
He stopped outside Ji-ah's room. Voices drifted through the slightly ajar door — Ji-ah's voice, soft but clear. She was explaining her point of view to Dae-un.
And with every word, his anger twisted tighter.
So that's what she really thought.
Before his mind could cool, he pushed the door open with enough force to make it slam against the wall.
Ji-ah's head snapped up, eyes wide. Dae-un blinked in surprise, immediately sensing trouble.
"Hyun-min—" Jun-ha appeared behind him, reaching out as if to stop him, but Hyun-min didn't even glance back.
"I think we need to talk," Hyun-min said, his voice low but loaded with fury.
Dae-un, reading the room instantly, slipped past him. "I'll… give you two a moment."
Jun-ha hesitated a beat longer, but when Hyun-min's gaze cut toward him, he muttered something under his breath and followed Dae-un out.
The door shut.
Silence.
Hyun-min stepped closer, each movement deliberate. Ji-ah's pulse raced, but she refused to look away.
"So," he said, eyes locked on hers, "that's how you see me."
The room seemed smaller now, as if the air itself had thickened. She opened her mouth to explain, but the tension between them was so sharp it almost had a sound of its own.
It was a cold war — and neither of them was willing to surrender first.
---
The silence between them was razor-sharp.
Hyun-min stepped closer. Ji-ah instinctively moved back, her breath quickening.
Another step.
And another.
She didn't even realize she had nowhere left to retreat until her back pressed against the cold wall. Her fingers gripped the corner of the nearby chair as if it could anchor her.
"Hyun-min—" she began, voice trembling, "let me explain—"
"Do you want to practice with me?" His tone was low, dangerous. "If you don't know how to kiss… I'll make sure you know. Right from today."
He moved in, close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him. His face lowered toward hers, the space between them disappearing until she could barely think.
"I— I'm sorry," she blurted, words tumbling out. "It's all my fault! As you can see… there's a lot of height difference, so I'm not able to do it right. That's how it got funny. I'm sorry! If I just had the right height, it wouldn't have been a problem—"
His lips curved slightly — not quite a smile. "Height won't make any problem," he murmured, "if you just focus on the lips instead of the nose."
Ji-ah froze, stunned by the bluntness.
Hyun-min turned around abruptly, walking a few steps away. He stood there for a moment, shoulders tense, as though gathering his composure.
Outside the door, Jun-ha and Dae-un had been lingering nervously, their ears almost pressed against the wood.
Dae-un whispered, "This is… kinda romantic?"
Jun-ha gave her a sharp look — but before either could stop themselves, they both stifled a laugh. The stifling turned into full-blown chuckles.
They slapped each other's palms in a quick high-five, still grinning — until Dae-un suddenly caught herself, cleared her throat, and turned away with exaggerated coolness.
Jun-ha, however, felt the smile fade from his lips, leaving behind a strange emptiness he couldn't quite explain.
---
in the hall…
A figure entered, holding a large, beautiful bouquet — so big it nearly hid their face. The scent of fresh lilies and roses floated through the air.
Dae-un's eyes widened. "Wooow… who could that be?"
Just then, another figure appeared from behind the bouquet, finally revealing the person carrying it.
Jun-ha's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh… it's Han Ji-won," he said, voice laced with surprise. "He's the second male lead in our drama… but why is he coming this way?"
Ji-won approached with easy confidence, his tall frame and bright smile making the hallway seem smaller. He stopped in front of Dae-un.
"Hey, Dae-un-ssi," he greeted warmly. "How are you? I heard you were hospitalized with Ji-soo-ssi."
Dae-un quickly straightened, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh, it's not a big deal. I was just… shocked because of Ji-ah — I mean, Ji-soo," she corrected with a sheepish laugh.
Ji-won's smile deepened. "I see. Well… can I go in?"
Dae-un stepped aside. "Yeah, you can—"
"No, you can't," Jun-ha cut in sharply, stepping forward like a human barricade. "Hyun-min is inside."
That only made Ji-won more curious. His brows lifted with a mischievous glint. "Oh? Then I definitely want to go in."
Before either could stop him, he lowered his bouquet, placed one hand on the door… and pushed it open with a slam.
Inside, Ji-ah was still standing near the wall, her fingers resting against the chair's corner. Hyun-min, who had been facing her moments ago, now turned his back toward her, his posture stiff.
The moment Ji-won entered, the air seemed to change — the cold tension shifting into something warmer, lighter, almost like a blooming spring breeze.
Ji-won walked straight toward Ji-ah and, without hesitation, wrapped her in a friendly hug.
"I'm sorry, Ji-soo-ssi," he said softly. "I couldn't visit you in the hospital earlier… I was out of the city."
He handed her the enormous bouquet, his smile gentle. "Congratulations, by the way."
Ji-ah blinked, taken aback. "I'm sorry… but I don't know who you are."
Ji-won chuckled, unfazed. "Don't worry. We'll get to know each other sooner or later. I know you lost your memory."
The entire exchange made Hyun-min's jaw tighten. His eyes darkened, the muscle near his temple twitching ever so slightly.
Meanwhile, just outside the door, Dae-un and Jun-ha stood side by side, peeking in like nosy neighbors.
"This," Dae-un whispered, "is getting interesting."
Jun-ha didn't reply — but he couldn't deny it.
---