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    Loves Balance
    Chapter Index

    As he watched Yu-young laughing, Do-won’s face softened.

    “It’s fine as long as Assistant Han is smiling. What I just said was a joke, so don’t misunderstand. I didn’t mean to put pressure on you. Take your time and tell me when you’re ready.”

    “…Ah… okay.”

    “The flowers, I bought them just because they reminded me of you, so don’t feel burdened.”

    Do-won gently fixed Yu-young’s disheveled collar and then neatly brushed his slightly tousled hair. Yu-young blinked and quietly accepted his touch. His warm and skilled hands brought a sense of calm.

    Come to think of it, Do-won did these kinds of things so naturally. As a result, Yu-young just accepted his touch absentmindedly. He couldn’t count how many times this had happened—Do-won adjusting his clothes like it was nothing, and Yu-young receiving it as if it was completely normal.

    “Well, I’ll head home now.”

    “Okay. Aren’t you leaving, Team Leader?”

    “I’ll stay a bit longer and finish some work.”

    “Ah… okay. And, Team Leader.”

    Do-won halted his steps as Yu-young called him. Hugging the bouquet and holding his briefcase, Yu-young hesitated for a moment before bowing his head.

    “Thank you for the flowers. They’re really beautiful.”

    Do-won smiled faintly.

    “I remember you like fragrant things.”

    Do-won’s words had a way of making Yu-young’s gaze linger on him. Yu-young stared at him blankly, his fingers twitching around the lovely bouquet. He had remembered that. It was something he had said offhandedly before.

    “Be careful driving. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

    “Team Leader…”

    Yu-young, who had hesitated for a moment, asked impulsively.

    “These flowers… why, after seeing them, did you think of me?”

    His usually pleasant smile faltered for a moment.

    “…Hmm.”

    His voice, low and briefly lingering, was followed by silence. But after a short pause, when Do-won spoke again, Yu-young unconsciously held his breath.

    “They’re quite similar. The flowers and you, Assistant Han.”

    For a moment, Yu-young’s gaze wavered as if lost. He wanted to ask what he meant, but somehow the question caught in his throat. He was silent, lowering his head and staring at the flowers in his arms.

    The bouquet Do-won had given him wasn’t filled with a large number of flowers or an overly rich arrangement, but it was modest and delicate. The plump, luscious blooms formed graceful curves, and the soft white petals were so pure they reminded him of an untouched snowfield.

    Yu-young stammered, barely managing to speak.

    “…W-what does that mean…?”

    “Well, take care. See you tomorrow morning.”

    Having caused so much confusion, Do-won didn’t seem inclined to explain. As he turned away without hesitation, Yu-young unknowingly clenched his fist.

    The feelings that had been building up slowly over the past night, filled with hesitation and contemplation, were now swelling with his rapidly beating heart, about to burst inside him.

    Taking a deep breath, Yu-young took a step closer to his back. The fragrance from the lush flowers was teasing him, reaching from his mind to his chest.

    “Team Leader.”

    He needed assurance. Could he really go through with this huge decision? Could he go all the way?

    He and Do-won didn’t know everything about each other. In fact, their first impressions had been awful, and just a few weeks ago, they had been glaring at each other, ready to tear each other apart.

    Considering that Do-won was his superior at work, it made him hesitate even more. Just a moment ago, he had been scolding him harshly until tears had come out. There would likely be more of that in the future.

    But now, the person offering him flowers seemed different.

    Yu-young thought for a moment.

    The person who would be going home with him tonight was not the Team Leader Choi Do-won from the office, but the Do-won who had given him flowers to cheer him up after getting scolded. That Do-won might seem gruff, but he was considerate. Maybe the warm side hidden behind his cold face was starting to show now.

    Turning around, Yu-young looked up at Do-won, who was silently watching him. He spoke.

    “I… I will. A contract marriage with you, Team Leader.”

    A moment of silence followed.

    “…What?”

    Seeing Do-won’s widened eyes, Yu-young felt no need to repeat himself. When he remained silent, Do-won asked again with a shocked expression.

    “Are you sure about what you’re saying right now?”

    “Yes. Of course.”

    Seeing Yu-young nod calmly, Do-won touched the side of his head.

    “You don’t have to accept so quickly. It’s really important, so take more time to think about it and tell me later…”

    “No. I’ve already thought it through.”

    Yu-young placed the briefcase on the desk and took out the contract Do-won had given him yesterday. The contract, which had clearly been read over and over, had Yu-young’s signature at the bottom.

    It was the result of hours of thought, staying up all night, thinking and reconsidering. He had already nearly made up his mind before leaving for work, but when it came to giving the contract to Do-won, he hesitated. However, now that his mind was fully made up, there was no reason to hesitate.

    “I’ve thought a lot about it, and as you said, the benefits for both sides are clear. Neither of us is seeing anyone else right now, and our parents have met each other. There’s no reason not to do it.”

    “……”

    “So, I’ll do it, Team Leader.”

    Although Yu-young spoke calmly and logically, the real reason behind his decision was not the calculated benefits but something else entirely.

    For example, the thoughtfulness that made sure he wasn’t upset after scolding him in the meeting. The attention to detail in remembering that Yu-young liked fragrant things and actually bringing him something with a scent. The way he looked at him with firm eyes and a serious voice when he said he resembled the flowers.

    But Yu-young couldn’t bring himself to say these things. Do-won was only offering the proposal based on the benefits for both of them.

    Whatever comfort he had found, whatever had fully convinced him, was irrelevant to Do-won. If he spoke about the little things that had swayed his heart, Do-won might even step back. Right now, Do-won was offering a contract, not a romantic proposal.

    Yu-young extended the contract. Do-won stared at him for a moment before accepting it. After flipping through the contract and confirming the signature, Do-won stood in front of Yu-young and stared at him directly. His sharp gaze was aimed at Yu-young’s face.

    “I see. I understand your decision. Your intentions are clear, so let’s proceed with the contract.”

    Yu-young nodded. His heart raced after making such a significant decision, but he felt a sense of relief inside.

    Now that the major decision was made, it was time to discuss the details. Just as Yu-young was about to speak, Do-won continued.

    “And…”

    “Yes?”

    “Thank you… for trusting me and making such an important choice.”

    His deep voice settled warmly in Yu-young’s chest.

    “I know this wasn’t an easy choice. Both of us hated the idea of marriage. That’s exactly why I came up with this plan.”

    “……”

    “But, like you said, and like I said yesterday…”

    Do-won paused briefly before continuing, speaking slowly.

    “The benefits for both sides are clear in this contract, so let’s both do our best to fulfill the terms. I look forward to working with you.”

    “Yes, I understand. I look forward to working with you too.”

    A warm, firm hand reached out, and Yu-young took it. The moment his hand was held, he felt a sense of calm gradually building.

    However, he couldn’t suppress the feeling that was slowly growing inside him. Even though he knew this was a contract made for mutual benefit, something small inside him was urging him forward.

    Was this contract really just about mutual benefit? Was it truly okay with just this?

    “Team Leader…”

    Unable to resist the impulse, Yu-young called out to him quietly. Do-won, who had been about to pull his hand away, looked down at him with a puzzled expression.

    Yu-young let go of his hand and extended his pinky finger. Like children making a promise, his delicate pinky finger was extended toward Do-won, who stared at it with confusion.

    “The contract is settled now… let’s promise one thing.”

    “What are you referring to?”

    Looking directly into Do-won’s eyes, Yu-young spoke in a calm tone.

    “During the contract period, we won’t hurt each other.”

    “……”

    “And when the contract ends, we’ll part ways with smiles.”

    Do-won, silently looking into Yu-young’s eyes, slowly nodded. Then, he extended his own much larger and stronger pinky finger.

    “Alright. I promise.”

    Do-won’s voice was reassuring, and soon their pinky fingers intertwined in a beautiful shape. The warmth from their fingers slowly spread through Yu-young, and he felt a strange sensation as if he could feel Do-won’s heart beating in his thick thumb.

    It was childish, but the promise made with their pinkies felt more reliable than the formal, signed contract.

    Yu-young smiled as he looked up at Do-won’s gaze, which was deeper than usual. He still didn’t fully understand what Do-won was thinking, but at least he didn’t feel that what he had done was wrong. Tonight, that was enough.

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