“This time I asked again.”

“Do you like me?”

We stared into each other's eyes without anyone saying anything.

T

B

Tid Tid

The sound of the time stamping machine suddenly rang out as soon as the ID card was pressed into the machine. It was early in the morning like this, and the offices in the departments were deserted, with only people coming in early before everyone else. Im Na Yeon looked away from the gerbera plants that were spraying water and looked at the new person who entered the office after she was the second person in the office. The time difference is less than half an hour that is important. She came early every day from the first day of work without any glitches.

“Good morning, Mr. Im,” new arrivals greet coworkers who always arrive early.

Ms. Im only smiled back, but that didn't make the other person think she was arrogant because he was more optimistic than the other people she met.

“What have you eaten this early in the morning?”

“Why? Mr. Im, are you going to invite me to eat?” Nayeon purposely placed the fox in his hand and slammed it on the cabinet. I feel a bit irritated that another person has been verbally abusing me since morning.

“The company cafeteria is behind the office.”

“If I say I didn't eat it, will you come eat with me?”

“I have already eaten. Thank you.” You didn't have to look to know that the other person was shrugging and smiling teasingly as usual when she couldn't reply.

It's really annoying.

I glanced at the person across from me who was reading a post-it note on the cloudy stained glass window before moving my eyes down to her name tag.

Kim So Won was a new employee who had just joined the company not long ago, so the manager assigned me, who works in the same area as her and our corners were just a partition apart, to teach her how to be smart. Quick-witted and easy to understand, difficult tasks can be completed smoothly. Sometimes it's a bit naive, it wouldn't be called naive.

She has a lot of charm. If she were in an idol group, she would probably be in the 'visual' position. Both men and women admired her.

Sometimes even I get carried away.

If I didn't have a girlfriend, I'd still like her.

“Miss Im, I have a question here.” She raised her sharp face from the computer screen. Our tables face each other.

Sometimes I'm not happy when she officially says I was born three months before her. But born in the same year Anyway, we're still friends.

“Click here, a bar will come up and check the box, that's it.” I take my hand off the mouse and stretch it to its full height. The other person? Your chin is staring at me!

“Why are you looking at me?”

“Ah, that's right, Ms. Im is really nice to look at.”

Since when have you been like this?

“Where should we go to eat for lunch today?” one of the employees in the room shouted to everyone. A loud commotion rang out when the topic was lunch.

“And you, Sowon, will you go with us?”

“Uh...” Sowon looked at me in turn, hesitating because yesterday we had made an appointment to go eat at a newly opened Italian restaurant not far from the office, but she was the new girl. What do you have to do as your senior wishes? which I understand is the culture of me showing her face to say yes to seniors She followed along nicely.

“What about Mr. Yeon? Aren't you going?”

“No, I have something to do.” I shouldered my bag before shaking my hair and walking out of the office, completely ignoring the wistful looks of the new junior.

I won't deny that I regret not being able to eat alone with her.

“Please excuse me first,” came the sound of saying goodbye, followed by the sound of packing up the table from many people who looked in a hurry as if they were afraid of losing their home. The continuous sound of the time pump sounds really sweet to a workaholic like me, if it weren't for the fact that it was time to get off work.

“This couple hasn't returned yet?” a co-worker asked.

“The work isn't finished yet,” Sowon replied, smiling at the co-worker. That made me purse my lips unconsciously.

Huh! Really sprinkled with charm

“Is there much left?” I asked without looking because I was busy tidying up my desk.

“It's finished,” he said, and the sound of the computer shutting down sounded. That made me turn around and stare at the tall man.

"Why do you say it's not finished yet?" I'd say...when it's time to break up, you'll be so sluggish and different from everyone else that you'll always have to come back with me.

“Wrong answer.”

“.....?” I was confused by the phrase that came out of her mouth.

"Actually, I have to answer that I'm waiting for Khun Im to be correct."

Damn...I don't know why I feel so hot, the air conditioner just turned off.

“Whoever uses it, please wait.” I shrugged, pretending not to care, and continued packing my things.

“Well--” She stopped her mouth because I raised my index finger to stop her, “Don't answer, just put your things away quietly.”

“Miss Im, did you forget this one?” Sowon ran up to me and held up my notebook. (She was late packing things, so I came out first.)

“Oh, yes, thank you.” I took it and put it in my bag. Looking at the tall man standing there, panting lightly.

“Why don't you call me by my name?” We chatted as we walked to the elevator. I'm still fascinated by this. We've known each other for three, four months and we still talk like we've only just met.

“Well, you said that if you're in a company, you have to call it official.”

"If I call you 'Miss Kim' sometimes, do you like it?"

“I like it.” I looked at the mischievous look in his eyes that made me unable to help but blush. When you say you like this, what exactly do you like?

"Then I call you 'Nayeon' when we're together."

“Should have done this a long time ago.”

“Or should I call you darling?”

Sigh...really?

“Do you want to go eat yakisoba?” She suddenly changed the subject to dinner.

“It's better not. I'm on a diet,” I replied evasively.

“You don't need to go on a diet, you already have a good figure.”

“Is this a compliment or sarcasm?” We both stepped into the elevator as soon as the doors opened.

“Speak the truth.”

“Even if it's true, it's not like you can do whatever you want.”

“But I will indulge you. If you don't go, I won't go.”

“If you say that again, I think you've flirted with me.” The tall man smiled amusedly, but my phone caught our attention. My heart skipped a beat as soon as I saw the caller's name.

“Jeong Yeonah~~~”

I couldn't help but smile widely because the person on the other end of the line, who worked far away and was so busy that he didn't have time to reply to the message, instead called me. Without paying attention to the other person in the rectangular metal box who automatically kept his face steady.

(Have you quit work yet?)

"I broke up a long time ago, waiting for you to call, you know?"

(I've finished work but haven't left the office yet, right? I know.)

We chatted until the elevator stopped and my boyfriend wanted to hang up.

(That's all for now. Don't get so worked up that you forget to eat. I miss you so much.)

“Tell this to yourself. I miss you too,” I said in closing. before hanging up the phone and putting the smartphone in the bag Before I realized I wasn't alone, I looked over at the tall person who had now disappeared somewhere and saw that she was walking towards the parking lot.

“Here!” I shouted loudly. Sowon turned around, "Where are you going?"

“How are you going home?”

“How about we go eat yakisoba?”

"You said you weren't going to eat."

“I changed my mind.” I tightened my shoulder bag and ran towards her, holding her arm.

“Let's go.”

"this"

“....?” Sowon looked up from the plate with soba noodles still in his mouth.

“How long has it been since you bought the car?”

“You mean the car that drove by?” She pointed behind her with her thumb. I nodded.

"Oh, it's around the beginning of the year, but I just started using it when I moved to a new job."

“Did you save the money to buy it yourself?”

"Half and half from parents."

“It shows that the house has status to be able to afford an expensive European car like that.”

“You can say that,” Sowon shrugged and returned his attention to the yakisoba.

“Ask,” the person in front of him suddenly said again after he finished eating.

“Where does your boyfriend work? What is his occupation?”

“Why are you delving into personal matters?” I teased.

“I'll let you dig in all you can. But sometimes you have to be the one to dig around.” She put down her chopsticks, put her elbows on the table, and clasped her hands together like the police were interrogating a suspect.

“My girlfriend works in Japan as a nutritionist.”

“Wow, you must be very talented.”

"Of course, but work is tight enough." I raised my chin with my hands and looked annoyed as I looked down at my phone. without any notification

"And have you gone to see him?"

“Not at all.” I shook my head before putting my hand down. “He didn't let me go because he didn't have time to take me on a tour.”

“You can go on your own. The journey is probably similar to here.”

“I don't know.” I ran my finger over the lip of the glass, feeling lonely because I missed someone living far away.

“If we're not together, what's the point of meeting...right?” I looked up and met Sowon's eyes. Her sharp eyes flickered to the point where I couldn't guess what she was thinking, but I knew...that I had quite a bit of influence on her.

“Do you want something to drink?” After finishing eating We went for a walk in the small garden near the shop because I didn't want to go back yet. Sowon follows me.

"Alright." After Sowon answered, he walked away. After a while, she returned with two cans of fruit juice.

"What? It's not beer?"

“Tomorrow is Wednesday.”

“Oh...I want to drink some too,” I moaned. But I agreed to drink this canned fruit juice.

“Save it for next time.”

"What other opportunity? I'm not a night-life person."

“That's not what I meant.” The tall man sat down next to me.

“You mean a New Year's party or celebrating a special day or something like that?”

"Wow, it's been a long time." We both fell silent. Listen to the noise of racing insects and the noise of cars driving on the road.

“Can I ask again?”

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Why don't you have many friends?” Why do you keep asking such provocative questions? I secretly cursed in my heart and used my mind to think about it. Hmm...

"Because I'm acting strangely."

"Who the hell would come to clean the room after the housekeeper had already done it? Who would just arrange the files in the cabinet so that they were in a nice order? Who would be so methodical to the point of being a psychopath?"

“Some people even accused me of having a disease but never scolded me because I kept it clean. It's like a vacuum cleaner. The noise is deafening. But the results were good.”

“Jungyeon herself knows about this. She even told me to resign and just stay home. But I can't do it.”

“......” We were silent again.

“Don't cry.” It was Sowon who spoke first.

"What? How can you stop people from crying? And I didn't cry either!"

"I see you're sad."

"Just making a face doesn't mean I'm going to cry." Seriously, if you think about loneliness, you'll feel sad. But I'm used to it so I don't care.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes! What's going on?” I shouted until the other person was shocked like a child. That made me burst out laughing. Tall people with serious looks also have this angle.

“This time I asked again.”

“??” Sowon nodded in permission. I took a deep breath and said,

“Do you like me?”

We stared into each other's eyes without anyone saying anything.

tight!

As I was leaving the room, my co-worker inside struck up a conversation that made me stand there like that. But my hand pushed the door open as my brain ordered without me looking. causing the door to collide with something completely and crashed so hard that a strange young woman fell to the ground.

“You!” I swooped in to take a look. She raised her hand to hold her bangs that were obscured by thin bangs.

“Where are you...hurt?” I asked, trying to tilt my head back and forth to see her face clearly.

“No, no, it's okay.”

“Let's go to the infirmary.”

“It's really okay, trust me!” She raised her head and made a stern expression. That made me see her clearly.

His face was as youthful as a middle school student's, and his eyes were round and dark brown like a kitten's. Cherry-colored lips curled in emotion. The two teeth of a rabbit on the face were quite clearly visible. The sullen face did not make me the slightest, but it made me think of him more affectionately.

She made me know what it's like to say the world stops spinning.

It was as if my inner working system had malfunctioned and there was no reaction at all. I couldn't even hear her voice telling me, 'Next time, please be careful.'

“Miss, where have you gone? Hey! Why are you sitting there?” I was awakened by the loud voices of my co-workers. That young woman has disappeared.

“Oh, no.” I stood up and brushed off the dust from my bottom.

“Sigh! Have you seen the little woman with rabbit teeth?” I looked at the other person because I was asking about the person I had assaulted just now.

“I see.”

“So where have you gone?”

"I don't know, I walked past the front of the room." I wasn't lying. I just haven't finished telling the story.

“Wow, that's terrible.” My friend, who was about the same height as me, made a gesture with his hips crossed and an extremely annoyed expression on his face.

"Why? And who are you?”

"They sent me a letter because it was addressed incorrectly. My name is 'Na Young', not 'Na Yeon'. And my last name is 'Kim', not 'Im'. I think I typed it correctly."

“And it's not just the name that's wrong, it's also the house number!” I turned to look at my close friend as soon as I heard the word 'house number'.

“Maybe I moved to a new house and forgot some of this.”

“No, that's not it. Squid doesn't love me well. It's all messed up and mixed up. It was delivered cheaply. Strange! The seller uses a cheap printer like this.”

“The important thing is that her letter is with me. Simply put, we switch letters. But she didn't know so she hurried back. She was so bored @ $!%^*@” while her co-workers were complaining. I grabbed the envelope in my hand and read it.

The sender's name is Yoo Jeongyeon. Hmm. I can read it.

The recipient's name, Im Nayeon, is so mixed up that it's really hard to read.

Im Nayeon? She's as cute as her name.

"I'll send it to you myself."

“Eh!? But your house and Mr. Im's are in different areas.”

"I'm in the area this evening. Don't worry," I patted my best friend's shoulder. before walking back into his own office

You can call me an opportunist.

But when the opportunity comes, you have to grab it quickly, right?

I myself... don't want to lose my first love.

I believe it.

Love at first sight really does exist.

“Miss Kim, please reconsider this one more time. In two months you will be promoted to assistant department manager if you transfer. You have to count again.”

“I have confirmed what you reported.” After the incident that day It's been three months. To the shock of many people, I submitted my resignation letter.

“If you have any problems, you can talk to me. I don't think it's a boss or subordinate. But as a friend.” I smiled a little because I understood the manager's intention of not wanting to lose a worker.

“I'm very happy here, whether it's work or everyone here. As for the problem..."

The problem is my heart

I secretly peek at her every day in front of the condo.

I thought that doing this would be enough to heal, but it didn't...

“Probably a health issue.”

I want to see you every day almost like crazy.

“Congratulations, Miss Kim Sowon. I heard that the interview committee gave you full scores in every box,” a female employee chimed in. After the orientation of new employees is completed.

“Thank you very much.”

“Wait a moment, someone from the department will come to pick you up. Good luck.” I bowed my head in thanks and sat down to wait in front of the meeting room. The other new employees had all left until I was the only one left.

“Excuse me!” Because the walkway was rather dense. The sound echoed loudly. Luckily, there was no one around. I'm not a frightened person myself, so I wasn't shocked, but my damn heart was beating faster.

“Sorry I'm late.”

I haven't prepared myself yet.

“Did you wait a long time?” A young woman in a sea-colored work dress was standing, panting from the rush.

“Not for long.”

“Is that you, Kim Sowon? I'm Im Nayeon.” She held out a thin hand.

“Yes, nice to meet you.” I shook hands in greeting. Then immediately release Because I was afraid she would know how excited I was to see her again.

“Let's go to the department, there's a lot of work waiting for you,” she said jokingly, making me smile easily.

“Uh...Mr. Im?” On the way to the department, I said and stopped walking. She herself stopped and turned to look.

“Do you remember me?”

“Yes?” I smiled, feeling sorry for myself. It wasn't strange that she didn't remember.

“I have something for you.” I held up the letter I exchanged with my best friend.

“That!” She took it and looked at me again.

“Sorry, I don't remember your face, but I've been to that company.”

“Don't be serious. I'm sorry I didn't send it to you. There are a few problems lately.”

“Ah, thank you very much indeed. He wrote a new one and sent it to me. But thank you anyway.”

"It's okay, but Mr. Im's friend is abroad, so why did he send the letter?" You can say I'm being ignorant, I really want to know. Nowadays, technology is convenient enough.

“He said he likes the classic nature of the letters, but if we really miss each other, we'll call each other.” She smiled so wide her eyes closed. The rabbit's teeth were clearly visible and the smile looked so bright that I couldn't help but smile.

“You and your friends are so cute.”

"Thank you. Actually, I'm not a friend."

His heart skipped a beat and started to beat a little bit more slowly.

“Jungyeon is my girlfriend.”

I was the one who broke the silence by bursting out laughing and saying that she was a narcissist. Did I just put it on and I was thinking too far? Of course Im Nayeon was chased away by a can of fruit juice. We played until we were tired and choked, and soon we went home and I was the one to drop her off.

“The cushion is very soft.”

“So, do you come and sit often?”

“Good, then I won't have to waste money on the car fare, haha.” I pursed my lips in annoyance and the two of us focused on Nayeon's phone ringing. From her smile, I knew who was calling.

“Jung Yeon Ah, are you free now?...Have you eaten yet...just a moment?” Nayeon took the phone away from her ear and said, 'Drive carefully' and waved goodbye before closing the car door.

“A female friend sent me here.”

The sound outside was only faintly audible, but it reverberated in my heart.

I stared until she went up the building and disappeared out of sight with a happy smile.

The smile I wanted from my first love

which is always far away

I sat still in the car as if exhausted before I glanced at the driver's seat, which no one had sat in before except Im Nayeon.

“The cushion is very soft.”

“So, do you come and sit often?”

“Good, then I won't have to waste money on the car fare, haha.”

I smiled faintly and prepared to get out of the car to go home.

Just make you happy being with me.

That's it, I'm satisfied.