The next morning, a shrill alarm rang from his phone. Kiyonari's eyes cracked open, his body heavy as if glued to the mattress. He sat up slowly, hair sticking up in every direction, his white shirt still wrinkled from yesterday, the tie twisted awkwardly at his neck.
Half-asleep, he fumbled for his phone and finally swiped to shut off the alarm.
Then he saw the time.
[7:30]
His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Shit!!"
In a flash, Kiyonari jumped off the bed, rushed to the bathroom, brushed his teeth in record speed, splashed water over his face, and hopped under the shower just long enough to wake himself up. He tugged on a new change of suit, smoothed down his hair with wet fingers, and bolted out the door.
Minutes later, he was running across the lobby, weaving between employees. His eyes darted to the elevators. One in use. Another also full. He turned toward the last one just as its doors were about to close.
"Wait—!" He shouted, jogging desperately. He thrust his arm out, signaling to whoever was inside.
The doors paused, then slid open again. Breathless, Kiyonari stumbled in, bent forward with his hands on his knees. "Thank you," he panted, flashing a strained smile.
"Of course," came a soft reply.
Kiyonari looked up—and froze.
Standing before him was a boyish-looking young man, his height barely reaching Kiyonari's chest. His face was delicate, with fluffy light hair that framed soft features, and lips so small they looked like they could barely hold a pout. His aura radiated warmth, pure and wholesome, almost like sunlight bottled in human form.
"Good morning," the young man greeted sweetly, his voice gentle like a breeze.
"Oh—yes, good morning," Kiyonari replied politely, though his throat tightened as the realization hit him.
The air inside the elevator shifted. A fragrance lingered, faint yet unmistakably potent. It swept into Kiyonari's nostrils—sweet, refreshing, like ripe summer peaches under the sun. The kind of scent that could draw people in, soothe them, captivate them.
An Omega's pheromones.
[??]
Kiyonari's stomach twisted. No... definitely an Omega. Damn it...
The cloying sweetness pressed into his senses. His head grew light, his chest tightening as though the elevator itself had shrunk around him. His body screamed to get out.
Hold it together. Just hold it together—
Ping!
The doors opened.
Kiyonari didn't even care if it was the wrong floor—he darted out, barely sparing a glance back. His long strides carried him into a quiet hallway, then to the emergency stairs.
Once out of sight, he collapsed against the wall, his back hitting the cold surface hard. His breaths came fast and uneven.
"Damn..." His hand trembled as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pill case. He flicked it open and popped a pill into his mouth, swallowing it dry.
The dizziness began to ease, though his chest still heaved.
"I need to hurry up..." He muttered, forcing his legs to move again.
Pushing away from the wall, Kiyonari started climbing the stairs, step by step, determined to reach the tenth floor before Soo-hyun noticed his absence.
As soon as Kiyonari reached the floor, he spotted Soo-hyun already near his office door. Their eyes met across the hallway—sharp dark irises locking with his own, and for a split second, it was as though both were waiting for the other to move first.
Soo-hyun's lips curved into the faintest line. "What are you doing standing there? Get to work now."
"Y-Yes, of course, sir. My apologies." Kiyonari bowed quickly before hurrying to his desk, straightening his posture as though he'd been working all day.
Not long after, the heavy voice of the director summoned him inside.
Kiyonari entered carefully—only to flinch when a heavy stack of documents slammed against the desk before him.
"Get this done by the afternoon," Soo-hyun ordered coolly.
Kiyonari stared at the towering pile, his jaw slack. That much? By this afternoon?!
"All of it," Soo-hyun repeated, his gaze cutting like a blade. "And one more thing. Prepare a presentation for tomorrow's meeting."
Kiyonari's heart sank. The workload wasn't just heavy—it was monstrous. But he caught himself quickly, lowering his head.
"Any complaints?" Soo-hyun's tone sharpened, challenging.
Kiyonari immediately shook his head, forcing a firm voice. "No, sir." He gathered the papers in both arms, careful not to drop them, and carried them out to his desk.
*****
The hours that followed blurred into nothing but pen scratches, typing, and page flipping. Kiyonari's focus narrowed into completing every document, one after another. He refused to falter.
By the time his eyes flicked to the clock, the hands pointed toward noon. His stomach growled loudly in protest. He placed a hand over it, grimacing. I haven't eaten a thing since yesterday's dinner.
But his duty came first. He set aside his own hunger and instead prepared Soo-hyun's lunch.
When the director emerged from his office, adjusting his coat with his usual elegance, Kiyonari listed the menu. "Today's meal will be Western, sir—steak with side salad and bread. Dessert, peace crumble."
"Sounds simple, but perfect," Soo-hyun replied smoothly as he passed. "And my drink—fresh, not sweet, but cold."
"Understood, sir."
Kiyonari escorted him to the elevator, bowing until the golden doors shut. Alone again, he sighed deeply. His stomach tightened with another loud growl, but he shook it off.
Maybe later. I still have work to do.
Hours bled into each other. Paper after paper, slide after slide, his hand cramped from gripping the pen too tightly, his back stiffened against the chair. Outside, the sky dimmed, the office floor slowly emptied as other employees left one by one.
Yet his desk lamp still burned.
The clock ticked past seven, the eight, then nine. Kiyonari's eyes were heavy, but he pressed on, arranging the final set of slides for the presentation. His tie had long been loosened, sleeves rolled up, hair falling against his forehead. His laptop screen glowed in the otherwise quiet empty floor.
Finally, at long last—he saved the file with trembling fingers. He leaned back against his chair, releasing a long breath of relief.
"Finished..." He whispered hoarsely. His vision blurred, exhaustion sinking deep into his bones.
Still, a faint smile tugged his lips. He'd survived another day—and proved to himself that he could keep up.
But he also knew... tomorrow would be even tougher.
Unbeknownst to Kiyonari, he hadn't been alone. From behind the tinted glass of his office, Soo-hyun had been observing him for quite some time. The faint clatter of keys, the steady scratching of pen against paper—it had not gone unnoticed.
When Kiyonari finally saved the last slide of the presentation, he pushed his chair back and stretched his tired arms. Only the did he glance up—freezing in place as his eyes caught the doorframe.
"... Mr. Je?!" Kiyonari shot up so quickly his chair screeched against the floor. His heart hammered as he tried to smooth his wrinkled sleeves, patting down his tie and brushing back his disheveled hair, but the damage was already done. He looked utterly worn out.
He lowered his head, guilt rushing through him. "I-I'm sorry, sir. I thought you have already left the building.
Soo-hyun's gaze was piercing, dark eyes lingering over the messy desk stacked with finished reports, the faint circles under Kiyonari's eyes, and the determination still etched in his posture despite exhaustion.
"I'll quickly wrap everything up and prepare your ride, Mr. Je," Kiyonari blurted, eager to make up for being caught off guard.
But Soo-hyun stepped forward, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. "Forget that."
Kiyonari blinked. "Eh?"
Soo-hyun studied him, his expression unreadable before he finally asked—a question so unusual it almost didn't sound like him. "Have you had your dinner?"
Kiyonari froze, startled. Of all things he expected from the man infamous for his sharp tongue, concern was the last. He opened his mouth, fumbling for words.
"Ah... I have—"
His stomach betrayed him before he could finish, growling so loudly it echoed through the empty office floor.
The silence that followed was deafening. Both men stood frozen.
[...]
[...]
Kiyonari's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. "I... I'm sorry, Mr. Je. You had to hear that."
He wanted to sink into the floor and disappear, ashamed beyond measure.
But Soo-hyun neither smirked nor mocked him. Instead, his tone was calm, almost commanding, but softer than usual. "Fix yourself up. You're coming with me."
Kiyonari lifted his head, stunned. "S-Sir?"
"To the parking lot," Soo-hyun clarified without further explanation, already turning away.
Kiyonari's mouth parted, but no words came out. His boss—the fallen angel himself—was actually inviting him out?
Flustered and scrambling, he nodded quickly. "Ah... right, sir! J-Just a minute...!"
He rushed to tidy his scattered desk, heart racing, before following after the man.
The ride down in the elevator was silent, the air between them heavy with an unfamiliar tension. Kiyonari kept sneaking glances at Soo-hyun's calm profile, his mind whirling.
Is he really inviting me out to dinner? Or maybe I'm wrong.
When they finally reached the car, Kiyonari opened the door with usual composure.
"Well? What do you want for dinner?"Soo-hyun suddenly asked.
Kiyonari blinked, startled. "Dinner..." He hesitated, unsure if this was some sort of test. His mind raced between safe answers, but his tired stomach betrayed him first.
"Ramen.... sir."
To his surprise, Soo-hyun didn't scoff or dismiss it as low-class. Instead, he simply nodded once. "Fine."
Wait—really?! So, he's really treating me to dinner?!
Minutes later, Kiyonari found himself seated inside a quiet Japanese restaurant tucked in one of Seoul's bustling districts. The smell of freshly prepared broth, soy, and grilled meats filled the air, wrapping him in a sense of nostalgia. His eyes widened slightly.
"Um... why are we here, sir?" He asked, stunned.
Soo-hyun leaned back in his seat, his sharp features softened under the warm restaurant lights. "You said ramen. This place has the best in the city."
Kiyonari sat stiffly across from him, still trying to process the surrealness of the situation.
I'm having dinner... with my boss. The very boss I never expected to be dining with me. He even purposefully chose this restaurant... for me?!
Soon, steaming bowls were set before them, garnished beautifully with slices of chashu pork, soft-boiled eggs, and fresh scallions. Alongside came side dishes—gyoza, tempura, and pickled vegetables—specialties of the house.
"Now eat." Soo-hyun said simply, picking up his chopsticks with elegance.
Kiyonari hesitated, then bowed his head slightly. "Itadakimasu," he muttered in Japanese whilst he briefly clasping both hands out of habit before realizing what he said.
His face flushed, but when he glanced up, Soo-hyun's eyes were watching him—quite amused but silent.
The longer they sat there, the less it felt like a boss and secretary eating, and more like two men who, by some twist fate, ended up sharing ramen on a quiet night.
Kiyonari slurped his noodles nervously, thinking: Maybe... he isn't as terrifying as everyone says. Maybe he also has some good side to him
Or so he thought...
The night air was crisp when they stepped out of the restaurant, the warm glow of lantern lights fading as they walked into the cool street. Soo-hyun's stride was steady, his figure sleek and thin as he headed toward the waiting car.
"Mr. Je...!"
The call made him pause. Slowly, Soo-hyun turned his head.
Behind him, Kiyonari stood stiffly, then bent forward at a perfect ninety-degree bow. His voice rang clear with sincerity.
"Thank you for tonight's dinner, sir."
Soo-hyun pivoted fully, his gaze dark and unreadable. "What did you think of the food?"
Still bowing, Kiyonari answered immediately. "It was delicious."
"Really?" Soo-hyun's tone carried an edge of doubt.
Kiyonari lifted his head slightly, blinking in confusion. "Yes...?"
"You must be thinking I did this for your own sake."
"Eh?" Kiyonari straightened in surprise. Was I wrong? Was he not treating me to dinner, after all?
Soo-hyun's eyes locked onto his, sharp as knives. "Stop deluding yourself, Mr. Soo. I don't treat somebody to dinner out of kindness."
Kiyonari froze, throat tightening.
Soo-hyun stepped closer, closing the distance with an intimidating calm. "I asked you to accompany me because as my secretary, it is your duty to know this—I despise eating alone." His voice dropped low, deliberate. "And that includes lunch as well."
Kiyonari's eyes widened.
Soo-hyun's gaze flicked across him like a blade. "Earlier today, you forgot one simple task. The menu you picked was uninspired and unappealing. I lost my appetite and skipped the meal entirely."
"Oh... I'm sorry, sir. I should have—"
"You should have done your job right,"
Soo-hyun cut him off, sharp as stell. "New or not, it is your responsibility to learn everything about this position. About my likes and dislikes, things I want and hate about the most."
He leaned in, his voice a razor near Kiyonari's ear. "If you can't even manage the basics, how am I supposed to trust you? At this rate, I should fire you. A useless secretary has no place by my side."
The words hit like ice water. Kiyonari's chest clenched, but he quickly bowed again, fists tight at his side. "I'm sorry, sir. I will do better. I swear I'll never disappoint you again, Director Je."
"I already told you," Soo-hyun said coldly.
"I hate mistakes."
He straightened, eyes narrowing. "Don't say you'll do better. Prove it, Mr. Soo."
Kiyonari swallowed hard. "Yes, sir."
At that moment, the sleek back sedan rolled up to the curb. The chauffeur stepped out and opened the door. Without sparing another glance, Soo-hyun slid into the car smoothly, his presence vanishing behind the tinted glass.
Kiyonari stood rooted in place, bowing his head one last time. "Please... take care, Mr. Je."
The door shut, the car purred to life, and soon the taillights blurred into the distance.
Kiyonari finally straightened, releasing a breath he didn't realize he's been holding. His shoulders sagged.
Of course. There's no way he'd ever be that nice.
He rubbed the back of his neck, watching the sedan disappear into the night, the weight of the director's words pressing heavy on his chest.
*****
The next morning—at the office.
Eunji clasped both hands together, her expression tight with guilt. She bowed her head deeply. "I'm sorry!" She cried.
Kiyonari blinked, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "Oh, it's okay, Eunji-sshi. You don't need to apologize..."
"But still!" Eunji's voice rose, almost panicked. "I should've told you everything beforehand about the director—his favorite restaurant, the meals he prefers for lunch..." She bags to rattle on, listing detail after detail. "How he hates being late, how he dislikes people who don't follow his instructions exactly, how—"
"Um..." Kiyonari lifted a hand awkwardly unsure how to interrupt her torrent of words. "Eunji-sshi...?"
She froze at the sound of her name and looked at him. "Yes?"
"You really don't have to apologize for that," Kiyonari said gently. "It's my duty to take note of those things since I'm now the director's secretary."
Eunji pouted, pressing her lips together before sighing. "Yes, you're right, Kihyun-sshi. But you have to understand—the director isn't the type to tell you what he wants or expects. He'll never spell it out for you."
Kiyonari furrowed his brows. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Eunji exhaled softly, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret. "You see, all the secretaries before you did the same thing—followed the reminders, tried to act according to the written rules—and they still failed."
"Reminder?" Kiyonari tilted his head.
"Yes," she nodded, then reached into her desk drawer. "Wait a sec..."
After summoning for a moment, she pulled out a small, worn-out pocketbook and carefully placed it into Kiyonari's hands.
"Here," she said. "Everything you need to know about him written inside."
Kiyonari raises an eyebrow, glancing down at the weathered pages. "In here?"
"Yes." Eunji nodded. "Actually, the first secretary wrote all of that before leaving. They passed it down to the next candidate who took over the position."
"I should've given that to you the first day. I'm sorry that you had to learn about this just now."
Kiyonari's eyes lingered on the pocketbook. "Wait... did you say first secretary?"
"Oh!" Eunji perked up suddenly, her tone becoming lighter. "Yeah. I heard from others that the first secretary was close to Director Je. Maybe even family or something like that. No one really knows for sure."
Kiyonari said nothing, but he tightened his grip on the little book. So, the first secretary left this behind... for the rest of us who came after.
Eunji leaned in slightly, her voice soft. "If there's anything in there you don't understand—or if you need help interpreting it—don't hesitate to aske me. I'll guide you through it. I even worked as a substitute secretary for him once... though not for long."
Kiyonari looked at her, genuinely grateful. He smiled faintly. "Oh, yes. Thank you, Eunji-sshi."
Eunji flushed pink, tucking her hair behind her ear as she smiled back, her voice turning playfully sweet. "It's nothing~"