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The atmosphere, now reaching its peak, made the early winter night deepen beautifully. The nearby tables were noisy with drinking games and loud conversations. Since the barbecue area was rented out entirely, the team members were able to relax and drink freely.

“Team Leader! Let’s play Truth or Dare!”

Ju-yeon, with her cheeks flushed, shouted out. Even Ju-yeon, who was known for her strong tolerance for alcohol, had slightly dazed eyes as empty soju and beer bottles piled up on the table.

“Game? Come on… we’ve eaten enough. Let’s just head back and sleep.”

“Ah, Team Leader, stop being so boring!”

Before Do-won could stand up and leave, the others grabbed him and forced him back into his seat. In the heated atmosphere, even those who usually found Do-won intimidating were now treating him casually, staying within limits but clearly more relaxed around him. Do-won, too, was going along with their playfulness.

Before anyone could say anything, even Manager Yoo joined in, helping to keep him seated. The game had already begun. Ju-yeon, looking excited, spun the soju bottle.

“Alright, first question goes to… our youngest!”

“Yoon-seok! Yoon-seok!”

The people around the table clapped their hands, their faces bright red with alcohol. Yoon-seok, whose face kept going from pale to red, looked confused, his eyes half-lidded as he asked, “Me?”

“Yes, yes, Yoon-seok, it’s you. So, has our youngest ever been in a relationship?”

Ju-yeon giggled mischievously. Yoon-seok, whose face had turned bright red again, seemed at a loss for words. As he squirmed in his seat, Ju-yeon threatened him with a glass of a horrible mixture of soju and beer, nearly transparent in color, that would force him to drink if he didn’t answer quickly.

Yoon-seok sighed deeply and muttered, “…I was in one in college….”

“Wow! I thought you were a total virgin!”

“No, that’s not true. I did have one… but we broke up after two months…”

As they teased the youngest, the atmosphere became even livelier. The soju bottle continued to make its rounds, with Manager Yoo and Ju-yeon each taking their turns to answer questions. The most common question was about “which boss irritates them the most,” and both exchanged meaningful glances. It was clear they were thinking about Deputy Manager Kim.

They laughed so much that their throats hurt. As the laughter died down, the soju bottle continued to spin. This time, it landed on Yu-young.

“Wow, it’s finally Yu-young!”

“Kim, be gentle!”

“Yes, Manager. I’ll go easy. So, Yu-young, do you have feelings for the Team Leader?”

At Ju-yeon’s question, another round of laughter erupted. However, unlike the others who were laughing and clutching their stomachs, the three men remained silent. Yoon-seok’s face darkened, Do-won’s remained unchanged, and Yu-young’s face was so red it looked like it might burst.

“Huh? Yu-young, why the face? Just answer whether you do or not! Why, is it hard to answer?”

Ju-yeon laughed and held out the glass to him. Once again, it was filled with a nearly pure soju and beer mix, almost too disgusting to look at.

But the question didn’t need an answer. Drinking it would be equivalent to admitting something, so Yu-young didn’t hesitate to shout.

“Are you crazy? Seriously! How could I have feelings for my team leader?!”

“So, you don’t have feelings for him?”

“No! I don’t! Absolutely not!”

Yu-young’s loud outburst sent another round of laughter around the table. Manager Yu and Ju-yeon laughed without a care, while Yoon-seok smiled more widely than before.

But Do-won’s face remained unchanged. He didn’t seem angry, but it was clear he wasn’t exactly pleased either.

Had he been too blunt? Yu-young suddenly worried that he might have offended someone, so he quickly added:

“Well, I mean, I don’t have that kind of affection. I really respect our Team Leader, and…”

“Got it, got it. No need to make it more boring. Moving on, next round!”

The soju bottle spun again, this time landing on Do-won. The team members around the table all cheered.

“Wow! It’s the Team Leader!”

“So, what’s the question?”

Do-won, with his arms crossed, asked coolly. Unlike the rest of them, who were visibly tipsy, he seemed composed. The only sign that he was different from usual was that his typically piercing gaze had softened slightly. Ju-yeon clasped her hands together and eagerly asked him a question.

“Team Leader, is there someone you like?”

For a moment, all eyes were on Do-won. The noise from the table quieted. As everyone stared at him intently, Do-won let out a short sigh.

He seemed to hesitate, as if he were about to say something, but then he closed his mouth again. For the first time, he appeared uncertain, which made everyone’s eyes widen in surprise. After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

“Yes, I do.”

“What? Really?”

“Wow, no way!”

The group, eagerly waiting for Do-won’s answer, started tapping their chopsticks on the table, creating a commotion.

“But didn’t you say last time at the dinner that you’re not seeing anyone right now?”

“Yeah, so does that mean it’s unrequited love? Who could possibly make the great Team Leader suffer like this?”

“This is crazy! Who is it? I’m so curious!”

The chatter continued. Then, Yoon-seok, who had been playfully joining in, suddenly stood up with a pale face. It seemed he was feeling unwell from drinking too much. As he covered his mouth and rushed to the back, Do-won slowly got up as well.

“Alright, we’ve all had enough, so let’s wrap it up for tonight.”

“Okay!”

Although everyone was in high spirits and didn’t want it to end, it was true that they had drunk a lot. The group was already feeling tipsy, except for Yu-young.

Whenever Yu-young tried to drink, Do-won would quietly pour him less alcohol. A few times, Do-won even drank for him. Since Yu-young had caused a big mess when he drank before, he quietly accepted Do-won’s care, knowing better than to push it.

When the night was neatly wrapped up, Yu-young, feeling it was a pity to let the moment go, helped clean up the table with the others.

“Goodnight, Team Leader!”

“Have a good night.”

While other tables continued drinking, Manager Yoo and Ju-yeon waved at Do-won and Yu-young before quietly joining another table. Do-won didn’t mind.

Yu-young also felt regret that the night was passing so quickly, but he didn’t really want to drink any more. If he were honest with himself, he just wanted to walk with Do-won.

Leaving the barbecue area, Yu-young walked beside Do-won and gathered the courage to ask,

“Team Leader, would you like to go on a walk before heading in?”

Do-won looked down at Yu-young, and a soft smile appeared on his lips.

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

“What? Oh no! It’s not a date…”

Yu-young jumped up, flustered. Was this man really this sly? Probably no one would ever know. Even if he told them, no one would believe it.

It seemed like Do-won was enjoying teasing him. He lightly tapped Yu-young’s flushed face with his finger.

“Calm down. I’m just joking. Let’s go. There’s a path that leads to the beach; do you want to check it out?”

“Yes! That sounds great.”

The brief touch lingered, making him feel ticklish. Where his finger had brushed, it felt like a sprout was about to bloom. Trying to calm his racing heart, Yu-young walked side by side with him.

While everyone was still loud and lively back at the barbecue area, no one else seemed interested in taking a walk. As a result, the path lined with pretty lights was completely empty.

The scenery, the person walking beside him, the atmosphere of the night, and the crisp early winter air—everything felt perfect. Yu-young slowed his pace. He wanted to stay in this beautiful, romantic night a little longer, with Do-won by his side.

And Do-won was doing the same. Though there was a clear height difference, he kept pace with Yu-young’s slower steps.

The short path that led to the beach was not long, but the two of them walked for quite some time without speaking. The sound of waves crashing in the distance was getting closer.

In the warm, fuzzy atmosphere, Yu-young almost reached out to hold Do-won’s hand. Constantly reminding himself that this was a company workshop, he tried to push down the excitement building in his chest.

‘… Calm down.’

At that moment, a gentle touch wrapped around Yu-young’s hand. He widened his eyes and quickly pulled his hand away.

“Team Leader, Team Leader! Other people might see us.”

“Relax. There’s no one around.”

His voice, though not slurred, had the lazy, soft quality that came with having had a drink. The comforting tone, meant to reassure Yu-young, tickled his ears in the darkness.

“Trust me, give me your hand.”

“…….”

“Quickly.”

Hesitant, Yu-young finally stretched out his hand at Do-won’s insistence. His large hand reached out and gently enclosed Yu-young’s. The warmth of his hand spread through the chilly night air. Yu-young’s heart was racing so fast, he feared Do-won could feel it through the touch, but this time, Do-won didn’t let go of his hand.