96

“Yes, Team Leader.”

Yu-young steadied his voice, which was trembling a little, and tried to sound casual as he picked up the call. However, the voice on the other end was warm and unknowing of Yu-young’s nervousness.

-Han Yu-young. Did you get off work okay? Have you eaten?

“…Huh? Ah, yes. I finished work fine, and I’m eating now.”

Listening to his voice, Yu-young couldn’t help but admit it: he was feeling lonely without Do-won, who used to spend time with him every day. It had only been a day since he left for his business trip, but that absence, which he had tried to brush off as nothing, felt much more significant than he had expected.

He couldn’t deny it anymore, because the warmth of Do-won’s voice, coming through the phone, was slowly filling the space in his heart.

The voice, like warm water, washed over him and relaxed him, much like the bath Yu-young sought when he was feeling down. Listening to Do-won’s voice, Yu-young felt the loneliness and busyness of his day slowly fade away.

“Team Leader, thank you for making dinner… It’s really delicious.”

-I’m glad you like it.

“How did you manage to prepare all of this when you must be so busy?”

-It’s my responsibility to cook for my spouse.

Do-won’s words, said in a teasing manner, made Yu-young smile softly. Did Do-won know that the casual words he spoke were shaking Yu-young’s heart, even causing it to crumble? Of course, he didn’t, so Yu-young could only smile.

-So, what will you do after dinner?

“Ah, I’ll just rest at home… Maybe look through the photo book and then sleep.”

-Aren’t you tired of it? That photographer’s book?

“I’m not tired of it. I love our their photos, even if I see them every day.”

The laugh that followed was warm. Hearing his soft laughter, Yu-young, with a relaxed heart, asked about Do-won’s evening.

“Team Leader, have you had dinner?”

-I’m about to go out and eat with some of the executives here. I’ll be drinking too, so I wanted to call ahead and let you know. It might be a bit late.

His consideration, coming like a warm ray of sunshine, made Yu-young close his eyes for a moment while still holding the phone to his ear. He loved hearing his voice, laced with that touch of laughter, and wanted to listen to it endlessly.

“I see… Don’t drink too much.”

– Haha, thanks for worrying.

“Aren’t you busy? You should be heading out soon.”

-Yeah, a little. The appointment is coming up.

“Then, you should hang up and get ready.”

Yu-young spoke nervously, glancing at his watch. Although he knew Do-won was always thorough, he didn’t want their call to interfere with his appointment.

-Don’t worry. I’m all set. I just wanted to hear your voice before I leave.

“……”

-Well, I’ll hang up now.

“U-um… Team Leader.”

He knew Do-won was busy, but he still wanted to keep him on the line for just a bit longer. He wanted to say something before any misunderstanding grew deeper.

“About… yesterday, I’m sorry.”

-Yesterday? What for?

Do-won’s voice sounded genuinely puzzled, as if he had no idea what Yu-young was talking about. Damn it, he had almost forgotten. Was he really going to bring it up now? He thought about taking it back, but it was already too late.

“I… I saw you… yesterday. But I didn’t mean to… It’s just, I thought the lotion would suit you well, and the gown was swapped, so… I just…”

Do-won’s short laugh cut off Yu-young’s stammering explanation.

-It’s fine. No need to apologize. You didn’t mean it, and what’s the big deal? I’m not going to get mad over something like that, so don’t worry.

“Ah…”

Relief washed over Yu-young. He had guessed that Do-won wasn’t angry when the call came, but hearing him say it so clearly made him feel even more at ease. He was also glad he could apologize for his mistake.

-Well, I’ll hang up now. Sleep well. Make sure you turn on the heater so you’re not cold.

“Yes, Team Leader… Have a safe trip back, and also…”

They had said everything they could as colleagues. The usual conversation one might have between a team leader and a team member had already passed, and yet somehow, Yu-young couldn’t let the conversation end without saying one more thing. Hesitating, he dragged out his words and finally spoke the sentence that had been lingering in his mind.

“…And… Please call me when you get to the hotel.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately felt it might have been too much to ask. They had already exchanged pleasantries, and logically, there was no reason for him to call Yu-young again after his late business trip.

A short silence followed on the other end of the line. Yu-young nervously bit his lip. Maybe it was too much, and he was about to take it back and pretend he hadn’t said anything, but before he could…

-I’m not sure when I’ll get back. It might be late. But do you still want me to call?

Do-won’s voice came slowly and clearly, carrying an undeniable strength. It wasn’t because of his authority as a team leader, but the way he spoke—as if gently drawing Yu-young in—made him think that Do-won might feel the same way.

Even if it was late. Even if he was exhausted from his trip. He wanted to hear his voice and make sure he was safe before going to sleep. Yu-young wanted to say all of this, but he could only manage these few words.

“Yes… I want to hear your voice.”

A soft laugh spread through the phone.

-Alright. I’ll call you for sure.

…

The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and pheromones, mixed with a rough, musky smell. As he slid the keycard into the slot, the lights flickered on, illuminating the room.

As soon as he stepped inside, he pulled off his tie and immediately reached for his phone from his pants pocket. The self-deprecating feeling of not even changing out of his clothes before grabbing the phone had long faded away.

The phone screen, now bright white, showed it was already past midnight. Seeing the time, hesitation crept in. He had asked Yu-young if it was okay to call this late, and Yu-young had clearly said yes, but waking someone up from a deep sleep never felt right. The thought of Yu-young sleeping soundly made it harder.

‘…Hah.’

With a sigh, Do-won finally picked up the phone again. His selfish desire to hear Yu-young’s voice won over his reason. All the common sense, self-control, and patience he usually held on to seemed to have vanished with the alcohol.

Was it the alcohol? Or was it Yu-young’s bold request for him to call when he returned to the hotel? Either way, Do-won was already dialing Yu-young’s number, and soon a sleepy voice answered.

“Did I wake you?”

-…Ah… I was trying to stay awake, but I must’ve dozed off.

The awkward laugh was so sweet it gave Do-won chills. He could picture Yu-young rubbing his eyes sleepily in his pajamas, even though he couldn’t see him.

“I got back safely.”

-Yes… Team Leader. You must be tired. Was it cold?

The sluggish, drawn-out voice made Do-won smile. Despite thinking he should hang up soon, his hand showed no signs of pressing the end call button.

“It’s fine. Go back to sleep. Make sure you’re covered with the blanket.”

-Yes… I will. You sleep well too, Team Leader…

Now was the time to end the call for real. But for some reason, Do-won, driven by an irresistible force, called out to Yu-young again.

“Assistant Han.”

His voice was lower than usual, and softer.

“Tell me to come home quickly.”

-…What?

“Come on, hurry.”

He threw out the words impulsively, then let out a small laugh. He knew that what he was saying was just a childish plea. Even he thought it was ridiculous, but he still wanted to hear Yu-young say it.

At the same time, he also kind of hoped Yu-young would tell him to snap out of it, to stop crossing the line, to follow the rules properly. Yu-young, with his bold and assertive personality, would be able to say something like that easily.

But, contrary to his expectations, Yu-young’s response was surprisingly docile.

-Come back quickly, Team Leader.

Just hearing that was enough to make the exhaustion from the day’s work feel like it had melted away, as though a warm blanket had been draped over him. Just as he was about to respond, another small voice came through the phone.

-… I’ll be waiting for you, Team Leader.

Yu-young’s voice was shy but clear, and hearing those words made Do-won’s chest tighten with emotion.

His jaw clenched so hard that his muscles ached, and Do-won collapsed back onto the bed. No matter how much he had drunk, he had never laid on the bed like this without even changing his clothes. He had never called anyone at this hour just to hear their voice, nor had he wished for his workday to end quickly for the sake of such a short call.

This was a road he had never walked before, and it felt unfamiliar—this feeling toward Han Yu-young.

But the more he walked down this path, the more he wanted to go further. Every time he learned more about this unknown territory, it brought a pleasant flutter in his heart, making him want to know more about the person.

“…Alright. I’ll finish up here quickly and head home as soon as I’m done.”

-Yes. Please come quickly.

“Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll make it for you.”

-You just got back from a tiring business trip. I’ll make it for you.

The conversation continued, flowing naturally. They talked about favorite foods, cooking skills, other hobbies, and work…

Listening to Yu-young’s pleasant voice chatter on and on, Do-won lay back lazily with a smile. He knew he should just hang up—after all, both of them had to work tomorrow. But the inner voice that kept shouting at him to stop had already been ignored.

“Assistant Han, we should go to sleep now.”

-Yes… Ah, I guess you’re tired too, Team Leader.

“I’m fine.”

-Me too… I’m fine too.

Still holding the phone without having changed or washed up, Do-won looked at his reflection in the window and smiled again.