𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 ʸᵒᵒⁿ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʲᵘ

xx. Routine Interruptions.

"Why are you being so honest with me?" she whispers.

"Because you asked for it." Jonghyeon shrugs. "And because you're my friend. Even if you're not acting like it right now."

She stares down at her drink again.

He adds, "Movie night's still on, if you want it. But not as a way to keep your jealousy warm."

Ji Hana gives a weak laugh that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "You always cut deep."

"I learned from the best."

And when she finally picks up her drink, hands shaking just slightly, she knows he's right. She just doesn't know how to let go—yet.

▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃▃
𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦
Lunchtime Loneliness.
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The sun is dipping low behind the city skyline when Minji finds herself lingering outside Dongju's office door, file folder clutched to her chest like a makeshift shield. Her ponytail is messy from the fieldwork, her cheeks dusted with the remnants of adrenaline and Seoul's grimy air. The air-conditioning hums faintly in the background, and somewhere down the hallway, Ko Mansik is arguing with someone over the phone.

Dongju is bent over his desk, flipping through a new case file Ko had handed him not ten minutes ago. His brows are furrowed, his jaw set in that familiar expression that says something about this doesn't sit right.

Minji hovers by the doorway until he finally looks up. "Something on your mind?"

Yes, i almost had a sex dream about you, Minji nearly says. But keeps her mouth shut.

She walks in, shutting the door quietly behind her. The office feels smaller with just the two of them in it—closer. Intimate in a way that makes her heartbeat pick up a little.

"I want to ask you something," she says, her voice softer than usual.

Dongju leans back in his chair, giving her his full attention now. "Shoot."

There's a pause—a long one. She suddenly feels foolish for bringing it up, but the words are already climbing up her throat, unstoppable.

"What's it like?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sleeping with someone."

Dongju nearly drops his pen.

His eyes widen slightly. "Uh—" He clears his throat, face reddening. "That's... wow, okay. Not the question I was expecting."

She looks down at her shoes, instantly regretting it. "Forget it. That was dumb."

"No," he says quickly. "It's not dumb. I just—" He hesitates, then leans forward, resting his arms on the desk. "Why do you want to know?"

She shrugs, but the motion is tight, tense. "I guess I'm just curious. You seem like someone who's... done that. A few times."

He smiles faintly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean... yeah. But that doesn't make me an expert."

"I've never done it," she blurts, her voice flat. Honest. "Like—not even close. I don't even know what it's supposed to feel like."

Dongju pauses, looking at her. Really looking at her.

She's usually fire. Spit and spark and sarcasm. But right now, she's soft. Open. Just a girl with a question, with uncertainty curling in her chest like a secret she doesn't want to carry alone anymore.

He gets up slowly, walks around the desk, and leans against it, crossing his arms.

"It's different for everyone," he says carefully. "Sometimes it means something. Sometimes it doesn't. But if it's with the right person, it's... safe. It's trust. You stop thinking so much and just feel."

Minji's eyes flick up to his.

"You'll know when you're ready," he adds. "And when it's with someone who makes you feel seen—really seen—it won't be scary."

A beat passes.

"You think I'm weird, don't you?" she asks.

He shakes his head. "No. I think you're brave for asking."

She smirks faintly. "You're not gonna make some joke? Say something sleazy?"

Dongju holds up both hands. "I've evolved."

She snorts, and for a moment, the awkwardness dissipates into a silence that feels oddly comforting.

Then the door creaks open without warning, and Ko Mansik pokes his head in.

"You two done with your heart-to-heart, or should I come back with popcorn?"

Minji spins around, cheeks burning. Dongju just sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Ko," he warns.

"I'm just saying," Ko shrugs, "the sexual tension in this building could power a city block."

"Get out," Minji mutters, trying not to die out of embarrassment.

Ko holds up his hands, backing out. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."

As the door closes again, Dongju turns to Minji, amused. "Well, that was subtle."

She groans. "I hate him sometimes."

Dongju smiles, watching her. "He's not entirely wrong, though."

Minji blinks. "About what?"

Dongju gives a small, unreadable smile. "Nothing."

Their eyes linger.

And for just a second, neither of them speaks. The hum of the fluorescent light buzzes above them, but neither of them seems to hear it.

Finally, Minji tears her gaze away and heads for the door. "Thanks... for not making it weird."

"It's me," he says. "Everything's weird."

She rolls her eyes and disappears down the hallway—heart racing, head full of new questions.

──── Mvsukiyo.
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