The café was warm — soft jazz humming in the background, the air rich with roasted beans and rain. Kang Hye-rin wrapped her hands around her coffee cup, letting the heat sting her fingers. It felt nice — something human after a week of corporate chill.
Across from her, Choi Min-jae smiled easily. There was no pretense in him, no hint of the cutthroat executive who could go toe-to-toe with Lee Joon-hyuk in board meetings. Just calm. Present.
"You look like you've been carrying the whole company on your shoulders," he said, voice low but teasing.
She let out a short laugh. "Something like that."
He tilted his head. "Let me guess… Lee Joon-hyuk?"
Her smile faltered. "Does everyone know?"
"Everyone who's worked near him," he said lightly. "He's… difficult."
Hye-rin stirred her coffee, watching the swirl of cream break apart. "That's one word for it."
Min-jae leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table. "You don't have to let him control your air, Hye-rin. You're better than that."
The words landed deeper than she expected. No one spoke to her like that anymore — not since high school, not since before she learned that vulnerability was just another weakness to be used against her.
"Sometimes he's not like that," she said quietly. "He just… hides behind his work."
"Then let him hide," Min-jae replied. "You shouldn't have to."
The simplicity of it disarmed her. No judgment, no advice dressed as pity — just warmth. Real, uncalculated warmth. And warmth, she realized, was dangerous.
When they stood to leave, he pulled a business card from his pocket and held it out between two fingers. "If you ever need someone on your side — or just a decent cup of coffee — call me. I'm good at both."
Hye-rin smiled, slipping the card into her pocket. "Thanks, Min-jae."
As she stepped outside, the drizzle brushed against her skin like mist. Seoul's streets glowed under soft rainlight, and for the first time in days, she didn't feel like she was suffocating.
He hadn't tried to save her.
He'd simply reminded her that she still could.
And somehow, that felt stronger than comfort ever could.