Episode 9
Ha‑yoon glanced sideways.
Since that incident, the other team’s mood had been gloomy.
Rumor had it that Byung‑wook got chewed out badly by upper management. On top of that, their broadcasts were now being pushed to the worst time slots. That meant their sales would probably drop even more.
People were also saying that most of the good products that were supposed to go to Team 2 were now being given to Team 1. Team 1 had the best time slots and sales numbers, so it made sense.
Even so, Ha‑yoon felt a little sorry for Team 2.
But then again…
She remembered how they all tried to blame her that day. Thinking about that still felt satisfying.
But she didn’t want to ignore how hard they had worked.
“Anyway, isn’t this good news?” Soo‑jung said with a smile.
“You’re finally getting someone under you. You’ve been carrying all the work as the youngest. Now things will be busier, but you’ll have help.”
“Do we know who it is?” Ha‑yoon asked.
“They said it’s a guy, but I don’t know much yet.”
Just then, a knock came at the door. Everyone looked up.
A young man peeked in nervously and stepped inside.
“Hello. My name is Tae Yoon‑ho. I’m joining Marketing Team 1 starting today.”
The moment their eyes met, Ha‑yoon jumped to her feet in shock.
Yoon‑ho froze too, looking just as stunned—as if he’d just seen a ghost.
They pointed at each other at the same time and shouted:
“What are you doing here?!”
A few minutes later, once everyone understood, the team nodded in surprise.
“Wait, so you two knew each other?” Soo‑jung asked, eyes wide.
Ha‑yoon scratched her cheek, embarrassed.
“Yeah… it’s funny. We weren’t in the same major, but we were in the same hiking club in college. We used to talk a lot back then, but after graduation we got busy and lost touch.”
“That happens. It’s hard to keep in touch with college friends,” Soo‑jung said.
“I never thought we’d meet here,” Ha‑yoon added.
Yoon‑ho nodded. “Same here. I walked in and saw someone I knew so well, I couldn’t believe it.”
“You were working at the branch office before, right?” someone asked.
“Yes,” Yoon‑ho said.
He’d been working at KJ Media’s regional branch before being transferred to Seoul. He admitted he was nervous about adapting so suddenly.
Hearing that, Soo‑jung looked pleased. “Then there’s not much we need to teach you. You already know how things work.”
“You were an intern there too?”
“Yes.”
“Then you’re definitely Ha‑yoon’s junior. She’ll take good care of you. And since you two know each other, that’s even better. She can give you all the work she wants!”
“What? No, I wouldn’t—”
“You can, it’s fine!” Yoon‑ho interrupted, eyes bright.
“I’ll do whatever you tell me. I’ll work hard.”
Soo‑jung laughed, clearly impressed. “Wow, another good junior for our team.”
She teased Ha‑yoon for getting another cute junior, making Ha‑yoon flustered but not unhappy.
“Shouldn’t we have a welcome dinner?” Soo‑jung said suddenly.
Yoon‑ho’s eyes lit up. He clearly wanted to get to know everyone.
“Really? You’ll buy us food?”
“Well, I won’t. We need the department head’s approval,” she laughed.
“The department head?” Yoon‑ho asked.
“Yeah. He’ll probably say yes. But he never comes himself.”
“Why not?”
“He’s a total workaholic. He’d rather stay and work than drink with us. He’ll probably just give us the company card and tell us to enjoy ourselves.”
“Oh… that’s a shame. It’d be nice if he came…”
My thoughts exactly, Ha‑yoon thought, nodding slightly.
Tae‑jun never came to team dinners.
She remembered her own welcome dinner—she’d been excited, hoping he would come.
But when she asked later why he didn’t, he’d just said:
“There’s no reason for me to be there.”
That one cold sentence had crushed her.
And Tae‑jun wasn’t someone who changed his mind once he said no.
Ha‑yoon sighed softly at the memory.
Just then, Soo‑jung called out, “Ah, Director! Over here. This is Tae Yoon‑ho. He just joined today.”
Tae‑jun turned his head. He had been walking past on his way to his office.
Yoon‑ho quickly stood up, bowing deeply. Soo‑jung giggled, telling him he didn’t have to be that formal. But Yoon‑ho was clearly nervous.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Tae Yoon‑ho, joining Team 1. I’ll work hard,” he said.
“Yes. Do your best,” Tae‑jun replied, his voice calm as always.
He was about to leave when Soo‑jung spoke again.
“Sir, since we have a new member, we’d like to have a welcome dinner. Is that okay?”
“A welcome dinner? Sure. If it’s after work, go ahead.”
“You’ll join us too, right?”
“I’m not sure. Don’t wait for me—just start without me,” Tae‑jun said.
Of course. He wasn’t coming. Ha‑yoon felt that familiar disappointment settle in her chest.
“Please come if you can,” Soo‑jung added.
“Yoon‑ho and Ha‑yoon are college friends. I think they’ll have fun stories to tell. They’ll probably work well together too.”
At that, Tae‑jun’s eyes flicked to Ha‑yoon. She blinked, then quickly looked away.
“That’s good to hear,” he said. “It must’ve been hard for Ha‑yoon to handle everything as the youngest.”
“You’ve worked hard, Ha‑yoon,” Soo‑jung added warmly.
Tae‑jun pulled a card from his wallet and handed it to Soo‑jung.
“Here. I should really join you, but I’m too busy. Use this and eat whatever you like.”
Ha‑yoon couldn’t hide her disappointment. She knew he wouldn’t come—but still, after everything that had happened with Team 2, she had hoped…
She stared at the office door as it closed behind him, then turned back to her work when Soo‑jung called her.
Later…
A few days before, Tae‑jun had been walking back to his office after a client meeting, massaging his temples from a headache.
He passed by Team 1’s office and immediately noticed Ha‑yoon wasn’t there.
Funny how easy it is to notice when she’s not around, he thought.
Maybe she was chatting with someone elsewhere. He told himself he didn’t care, but his eyes still swept the room.
He thought of her laughing with her teammates, sharing snacks, smiling so easily.
Just imagining it, he had to stop himself from smiling too.
“…Always picking up bad habits,” he muttered, touching his lips without realizing.
He could still feel it—her lips on his.
That unexpected kiss had caught him off guard.
Her face had been so close.
Those trembling eyelashes.
That clear skin.
That faint, sweet scent.
All of it was enough to make his whole body react.
“Like some kind of idiot…” he whispered to himself.
