MM 63

After lunch, Yu-young and Ju-yeon put their heads together and discussed the direction for revising the proposal for quite some time. As they focused on supplementing the parts Do-won had pointed out and worked through the afternoon, time passed so quickly that they barely noticed.

“Good work.”

“Good work!”

Sounds of people stretching echoed throughout the office. Among the employees busily getting up and gathering their bags, Ju-yeon and Yu-young remained deeply immersed in reviewing the proposal until the very end. As they added the final line of the revisions, they exchanged a satisfied high-five.

“Wow, great job, Yu-young.”

“I didn’t do much. You wrote everything.”

“Still, most of the ideas for the points the team leader mentioned came from you.”

“Haha, well, I’m just glad we finished quickly.”

Ju-yeon packed her bag with an excited expression. However, Yu-young hesitated, unable to gather his things as quickly. He felt that he needed to see Do-won before leaving. He hadn’t completely sorted out his thoughts regarding the proposal from the previous day, but he had reached a general conclusion.

Ever since pushing Do-won away at lunch, Do-won had truly not spoken to him. On top of that, he had stepped out for a meeting near the company at 4 PM and hadn’t returned until now. Thanks to that, Yu-young had plenty of time to think. Now, whether it turned out well or not, it was time to face Do-won and talk.

“You go ahead. I’ll leave a little later.”

“Huh? But Yu-young, we’re done with work. What else do you need to do?”

Ju-yeon’s eyes widened and she gave him a suspicious look.

“Hmm, weird. You’ve been acting really weird lately.”

“W-what do you mean?”

“You, of course. You used to leave work the second you were done, not even looking back. But these days, why does it feel like you’re hanging around the office for no reason?”

“It’s not like that. I just… have something to check.”

Seeing that Ju-yeon still looked unconvinced, Yu-young escorted her out of the office. By the time he returned, the office was nearly empty. She wasn’t wrong—before, he had always left work as soon as possible if there was no reason to stay. But ever since Do-won had come into the picture, that hadn’t been so easy.

‘…Should I just call him? He said he’d be back before six.’

Now alone in the office, Yu-young hesitated before picking up his phone. He had no idea where Do-won was, but he had to be somewhere nearby, so he figured he might as well try to reach him. Just as he picked up his phone, he heard movement behind him.

“…Team leader?”

Do-won walked into the office, carrying the scent of dry leaves. Yu-young figured he must have just returned from his meeting. But what caught his attention wasn’t the fact that Do-won had returned—it was what he was holding. Eyes widening, Yu-young asked,

“Why… why are you holding flowers?”

“I saw them for sale at the flower shop next to the office and bought them.”

His voice was as cold as ever.

“Oh.”

Yu-young let out a small sound of acknowledgment and nodded. He hadn’t expected that. He didn’t seem like the type, but maybe he had an interest in decorating the office.

The large, beautiful petals were gently closed. The white, full blossoms resembled roses or tulips. Yu-young didn’t know much about flowers, but he could tell they were lovely. He assumed Do-won would place them somewhere in his office, maybe on the round table or his desk.

However, instead of heading to his office, Do-won walked straight toward Yu-young. Puzzled, Yu-young looked up at him.

“…This is…?”

“I bought them for you.”

His tone was so stiff that it almost sounded unnatural. For a moment, Yu-young thought he had misheard. He had never seen someone whose words and expression seemed so completely mismatched. Dazed, he asked again,

“For… me? You’re giving them to me?”

Do-won nodded silently. Yu-young, still in disbelief, slightly parted his lips.

“…Why? What for?”

“I told you. I bought them because they were for sale at the flower shop.”

Their conversation was going in circles. Do-won was never the type to miss the point like this. He was obviously dodging the question on purpose. As Do-won turned away as if to end the conversation, Yu-young pressed further.

“Team leader. You don’t usually buy flowers every time you pass a flower shop.”

“…….”

“Please tell me. Why are you giving these to me?”

It might have sounded a little childish and persistent, but he really wanted to know. What did this mean? Why had Do-won bought flowers for him? Why did he keep shaking up his emotions just when he was trying to settle them?

“I thought of you and bought them. Satisfied?”

Still facing away, Do-won answered in a calm voice. Yu-young caught onto the last part of his words and wouldn’t let them go.

“Are you giving them to me to make up for scolding me in the meeting earlier?”

“…What?”

Do-won turned back with a look of disbelief.

“Why would I do that?”

“…….”

His tone was so incredulous that Yu-young momentarily lost the ability to respond. Seeing his reaction, Do-won’s voice became even more direct.

“You’re an adult who voluntarily joined this company. As long as you receive a salary here, you’re expected to fulfill your role. And as part of my role, I manage my team members.”

“…….”

“Pointing out that you weren’t focused during the meeting was me doing my job. That doesn’t mean I owe you an apology or need to comfort you. Am I wrong?”

“…No, you’re right.”

It was frustrating. He hadn’t asked for comfort. He had simply wanted to know why Do-won had suddenly brought him flowers. Yu-young pressed his lips together, struggling to find the right words.

“Team leader… I understand how that could have come across. But really, that wasn’t what I meant. Of course, you have no obligation to comfort me, and I know that. I was just… surprised that you suddenly gave me something like this, so I asked.”

“…….”

“Well then… I’ll be heading out now.”

Quickly, Yu-young grabbed the jacket draped over the back of his chair and put it on. He picked up his briefcase and gave a small bow to Do-won. For some reason, he felt like he couldn’t stand in front of him any longer. But he couldn’t just leave the flowers behind, so he held them close as he turned to go.

“Um, about what I wanted to talk to you about earlier, maybe another—”

At that moment, a warm hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. Startled, Yu-young turned back, only for Do-won to gently pull him to face him again. This time, the gaze looking down at him held a touch of warmth.

“Where are you going, looking like you’re about to cry?”

There was a faint chuckle in his voice, as if he were soothing a child. That tone made Yu-young bristle.

“I’m not crying. I’m not a child.”

“Alright. But at least hear me out before you go.”

This was the same man who had firmly stated he had no obligation to console him. But now, he was clearly trying to comfort him. Yu-young could tell—he had known Do-won long enough to recognize it.

Just moments ago, he had made Yu-young want to cry, and now he was trying to make him feel better. Why? Was he just messing with him? With a sharp tone, Yu-young asked,

“Is this part of your job as well, team leader?”

“No. Like I said, it’s not my responsibility to comfort you.”

“Then why are you doing this to me?”

Do-won let out a small, helpless laugh.

“This isn’t as your team leader… but as the person who proposed marriage to you yesterday.”

“…What?”

“Do you not remember? The proposal I made to you yesterday.”

Without hesitation, Do-won’s hand reached out and gently brushed over Yu-young’s bangs, smoothing them down. It was a tender, warm gesture.

“No matter how much we call it a contract, a marriage is still a marriage. And I believe I have an obligation to console my future partner when he’s feeling down after being scolded by his boss.”

“I’m not your partner yet.”

“That’s why I said—future partner.”

The shameless confidence in his words was so absurd that Yu-young let out a laugh. This man, who always seemed so curt and indifferent, could be unbelievably sly at times. Just where did he get the confidence to assume Yu-young would agree?

Once he started laughing, he couldn’t stop. As a chuckle turned into full laughter, Yu-young felt the emotions he had been bottling up melt away, all because of a single remark from Do-won. If anything, that was the most ridiculous thing of all.