Episode 1
His face was full of irritation and annoyance.
Ha‑yoon’s heart gave a sharp pang under his endlessly cold gaze.
It wasn’t anything new—he was always like that.
But today, for some reason, his coldness was harder to shrug off.
With a sulky look, Ha‑yoon pouted and dropped her eyes to the back of his hand.
She could still feel the warmth of that hand she’d kissed just moments ago, and her heart kept fluttering—
but Tae‑jun only frowned deeper, as if saying, Really? Just over a hand?
“Stop acting like a kid and go home.”
Watching him turn on his heel and walk away, Ha‑yoon clenched her fists tight.
Jerk.
He always had sharp words for her, and yet… just looking at him made her heart pound like crazy.
That man—so indifferent toward her—was her older brother’s longtime friend, her very first love, and the guy she’d been secretly pining after for ten whole years.
But just looking at him wasn’t enough anymore. Ha‑yoon wanted more.
That’s why she’d joined KJ Media, the company he worked at.
KJ Media, a subsidiary of KJ Group—the dream company for every job seeker in Korea.
And Tae‑jun worked there as the head of the marketing division.
Of course, she never asked him to help with her interview or pull strings.
She knew exactly how he’d react if she did.
Still… he could’ve at least cheered me on, right?
Even if she didn’t expect him to help, she’d hoped for one kind, encouraging word.
Instead, when she proudly declared her plan to join his company, this is how it went:
“I’m going to join your company, oppa.”
“…Yeah?”
“…That’s it? That’s all you’re gonna say?”
“What else?”
His deadpan reaction left her speechless.
She didn’t need a big reaction—just a simple “do your best” would’ve been nice.
But of course, Tae‑jun crushed her tiny hope once again:
“Get in on your own. I’ve got nothing to give you.”
Words so cold they could’ve drawn no blood. Ha‑yoon laughed to herself.
Fine then—she’d succeed on her own and make him eat those words.
And after countless days and nights of studying and working, she did it.
She joined KJ Media.
Even better, she got placed in the same department as him.
It felt like a reward for all her effort.
She thought that spending more time with him would change the way he looked at her.
…But that was just my stupid fantasy.
It’s been almost a year since she joined, and nothing’s changed.
So this time, she’d gone all in—she kissed the back of his hand and confessed.
Told him she loved him so much it had to be him. Her heart had been racing, full of hope. And then…
“That’s your response? ‘Stop acting like a kid’? Ugh… seriously, Tae‑jun, you’re so infuriating.”
What’s worse was that even while watching him walk away, her heart still thudded wildly.
He stopped mid‑stride. Hands shoved into his pockets, he turned back toward her.
“You’re not coming? Gonna stay there forever?”
See? He just told her to go home, and now he’s walking her home himself.
How is she supposed to give up when he’s like that?
Something sparked in Ha‑yoon’s chest.
If kissing his hand was “childish,” then…
Fixing her eyes on his face, she started walking—slowly at first, then faster, until the distance between them closed.
That’s it. I don’t care anymore.
She walked right up to him just as he let out a deep sigh, about to scold her again.
Before he could say a word, Ha‑yoon went up on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his.
She didn’t know how long it lasted, but then—
Smack.
Her lips pulled away, her feet back on the ground.
She stepped back three paces, trying to steady her racing heart.
She wanted to see his face, but she didn’t dare.
My heart’s gonna burst…
Silence hung between them.
She could hear nothing but Tae‑jun’s breathing in her ears.
She focused on that sound, hoping this time… this time would be different.
But no matter how hard she listened, his breathing was steady—unchanged.
No way… Don’t tell me it’s the same as always.
Ha‑yoon bit her lip and slowly lifted her head.
“Jung Ha‑yoon.”
Tae‑jun looked at her with the same blank expression as always.
The thought hit her like a stone—her first‑kiss plan had failed.
He let out a short sigh, his eyes fixed on hers.
Under the orange glow of a streetlamp in the darkening park, anyone passing by might’ve thought it looked romantic.
But Ha‑yoon’s heart ached, praying he wouldn’t say those words again.
“This is why I keep saying the same thing to you.”
“Oppa…”
“I told you to stop acting like a kid. No matter what you do, you can’t be a woman to me.”
Once again, his walls were unshakable.
To Yoon Tae‑jun, Jung Ha‑yoon was still just a child.
Ten years ago, when Ha‑yoon was fifteen…
It was a day she skipped school.
She was resting at home when she heard her brother Kyung‑hoon come in.
She hurried to the living room—she hadn’t eaten, waiting for him like he promised.
But he came home late, and she scolded him.
“You could’ve texted if you were gonna be late! I’ve been starving waiting for you!”
“Since when do you wait? You always eat without me.”
“Hey!”
“Little sister, could you maybe use nicer words in front of guests?”
Guests?
Ha‑yoon blinked, and that’s when she noticed the stranger standing by the door.
He’d been there the whole time, staring at her with an unreadable face.
She froze, startled.
“This is my friend, Yoon Tae‑jun.”
Kyung‑hoon introduced him casually.
Tae‑jun gave a polite bow, and Ha‑yoon quickly returned it.
Then she got a good look at him… and it was like someone smacked her in the back of the head.
Someone once said when you fall in love at first sight, you hear church bells in your ears.
And fifteen‑year‑old Ha‑yoon? She heard them loud and clear.
Oh my god… I… I can’t move…
Unlike Kyung‑hoon, who looked sloppy in a hoodie and sweatpants, Tae‑jun was crisp in a neat shirt and jeans.
From that very first meeting, he left a powerful impression.
He was tall, so she had to tilt her head back to see his face, and his features were sharp and handsome, even behind his glasses.
She’d only ever seen her brother or boys her own age… of course she’d fall for him.
She wanted to say something—anything—but her lips wouldn’t move, like they were glued shut.
Even breathing felt like work.
“What are you doing?”
Kyung‑hoon came back, changed, and stared at her in disbelief.
“Don’t tell me… you like Tae‑jun?”
“W‑what? N‑no…!”
“Yeah, right. You totally like him.”
“I do not—!”
“Wow. So you only like guys if they’re good-looking, huh?”
She wanted to sew his lips shut.
What kind of thing is that to say in front of the first guy she’s ever liked?
But she forced a smile, wanting to look pretty in front of Tae‑jun.
Kyung‑hoon, disgusted by her behavior, leaned closer to Tae‑jun and said loud enough for her to hear:
“Hey, Tae‑jun. My sister says she likes you. What do you think?”
Are you freaking insane?!
Ha‑yoon clenched her fists and shot him a death glare.
Kyung‑hoon just smirked, teasing her even more.
Tae‑jun turned his head, meeting Ha‑yoon’s eyes.
Her heart raced. What would he say?
The seconds dragged on forever.
But the words that came out of Tae‑jun’s mouth were sharp and cold:
“I don’t like kids.”
