The gates of Ha-Joon's house slid open.
Arisoo stepped out first.
Madam followed.
And then—
A small blur in dinosaur sneakers launched forward.
"Nikki, don't run," Arisoo called casually, already knowing he would.
Too late.
The five year old boy burst through the front door like he owned the mortgage.
He wore tiny suspenders over a cream shirt, sleeves slightly rolled, shorts neatly pressed but already crooked from movement.
His hair was soft brown, falling into his eyes, and his cheeks were round enough to start diplomatic negotiations.
He spotted Ha-Joon instantly.
"Uncle!"
He collided into Ha-Joon's legs with full speed affection.
Ha-Joon actually staggered half a step before steadying himself.
"Nikki," he said, voice softer than usual.
He bent and lifted the boy effortlessly. Nikki wrapped his arms around his neck like a koala with authority.
"You gwow taller!" Nikki announced.
"I didn't."
"You did."
Case closed.
Nikki then twisted dramatically out of his arms and ran to Do-Hyun.
"Uncle Do!"
Do-Hyun crouched just in time to catch him. "You're heavier."
"I eat protein!"
Of course he does.
Nikki then looked at Nisa with big curious eyes.
"Who are you?"
Nisa smiled warmly. "I'm Nisa."
He stared. Suspicious. Evaluating.
Then she pulled a small wrapped sweet from her bag. "Peace offering?"
His eyes widened. "Fow me?"
"For you."
He took it with solemn respect. "You awe nice."
Approval granted.
He popped it in his mouth and wandered further inside.
And then he froze.
On the couch.
Ji-Ah stood there holding her white cat, Earth.
Earth blinked slowly, unimpressed by existence.
Nikki tilted his head.
Ji-Ah tilted hers back.
Rebel meets rebel.
He walked closer. Slow. Dramatic. "Aunty."
Ji-Ah blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Aunty Ji-Ah."
Her eyebrow lifted. "We've met?"
He squinted at her.
"You don't wemember?"
She searched her memory at lightning speed. Weddings? Family gatherings? Public events?
Nothing.
He puffed his cheeks slightly. "Sowwie. You don't wemember me."
Ji-Ah crouched to his level, Earth still calmly perched in her arms like royalty.
"Should I?"
He nodded seriously. "I was small."
"You are still small."
He gasped.
Earth flicked her tail.
Nikki pointed at the cat. "She looks angry."
"She is judging you," Ji-Ah replied calmly.
"I can fight."
Ji-Ah's lips curved. "So can I."
They stared at each other.
Ha-Joon watched from the entrance.
Arisoo smirked slowly.
Feisty meets fearless.
Nikki crossed his arms. "I wemember you."
Ji-Ah leaned in slightly. "Then you'll have to remind me."
He thought hard.
"…You were pwetty."
She almost laughed.
"Still am."
He blinked.
Earth meowed as if confirming.
From behind them, Ha-Joon asked quietly, "Where is Min-Hyuk?"
Do-Hyun straightened. "I don't know. He hasn't come back yet."
Madam's voice cut in, cool as winter glass.
"Unreliable."
Arisoo's smile didn't fade, but it sharpened slightly.
She reached for Nikki's hand. "Come on, warrior. Let's settle in."
"I'm not tired," Nikki protested.
"You will be."
He pointed at Ji-Ah dramatically. "Aunty didn't remember me."
Ji-Ah placed a hand over her heart. "I will correct that mistake."
Nikki nodded, satisfied.
Do-Hyun stepped forward. "I'll take you to your rooms."
Arisoo followed him, Nikki dragging slightly behind, still staring at Ji-Ah like she was a puzzle he intended to solve.
Earth blinked slowly again.
The house had just gotten louder.
--
The night air outside Mr. Park's house felt colder than it should.
Seo-Yeon walked fast.
Not dramatic fast.
Determined fast.
Min-Hyuk followed a few steps behind. "Seo-Yeon, wait."
She didn't.
He reached the gate just as she stopped to punch in the code.
"I was going to introduce you properly," he said quickly. "I just needed the right moment."
She turned slowly.
"The right moment?" Her laugh was quiet and tired. "I prepared for tonight, Min-Hyuk."
He noticed it then. The subtle makeup. The careful earrings. The way her hair had been styled more formally than usual.
"I practiced what I would say," she continued. "I even researched your mother's charity foundations."
He opened his mouth.
She cut him off.
"And you said my name."
Silence.
"I was protecting you," he insisted.
"From what? Being acknowledged?"
He stepped closer. "You heard her. Boss. Employee. She would have—"
"She already did."
That hit.
Her eyes shimmered, but she refused to let tears fall.
"You didn't even say you love me," she said softly. "Not once. Not there. Not when it mattered."
"I do love you," he said quickly.
"Then why does it feel like I'm the only one risking anything?"
He faltered.
She shook her head.
"We have an age gap. You're younger. Your family sees me as staff. Tonight was the one moment you could have shown them I'm more than that."
"I don't care about the age difference," he said firmly. "I don't."
"I do," she replied. "Because right now you're proving you're not mature enough."
He stiffened.
"I am serious about you."
"Then think about it," she said quietly. "Think about whether you're serious enough to stand in front of your family and say it without fear."
She stepped back toward the gate.
"If you are," she added, voice steady again, "come back."
The gate clicked open.
She walked inside.
Didn't look back.
The door closed.
Min-Hyuk stood there alone.
For a moment, he looked like he might chase after her.
He didn
't.
His shoulders dropped slowly.
He dragged a hand down his face, breathing unevenly.
His eyes burned, but he blinked hard.
No tears fell.
He stared at the closed door for a long time.
Then he let out a shaky laugh that wasn't really a laugh at all.
"I messed up," he muttered to himself.
And for the first time that night, Director Min-Hyuk looked exactly his age.
---
Ha-Joon's office light was the only one still on.
Papers were aligned in precise stacks. His laptop screen glowed against the quiet room. Outside, the house had finally settled into night.
A soft knock.
Ji-Ah entered without waiting for a response, carrying a cup of coffee.
She placed it on his desk. "You forgot this."
He glanced at it. "Thank you."
She didn't leave.
"Min-Hyuk isn't home yet," she added.
Ha-Joon's jaw tightened slightly. "He went after her."
"Yes."
Silence stretched between them.
Ji-Ah crossed her arms lightly. "Are you going to interfere?"
"He needs to fix it himself."
"And if he doesn't?"
Ha-Joon leaned back in his chair. "Then he loses her."
Practical. Clean.
Ji-Ah studied him. "You're very calm about it."
"I'm not," he replied quietly.
Before she could respond—
The door opened.
Madam walked in.
No knock.
No hesitation.
Her gaze moved first to Ha-Joon.
Then to Ji-Ah.
Measured. Sharp.
Ji-Ah did not move.
Madam addressed her son. "You are still working."
"Yes."
"And she is still here."
Not a question.
A statement.
Ji-Ah held her posture straight, hands loosely clasped in front of her.
Ha-Joon's voice remained steady. "She's assisting."
Madam's eyes lingered on Ji-Ah.
Ji-Ah did not lower her gaze.
Seconds ticked by.
Then Ha-Joon said, "Ji-Ah, you may leave."
She didn't.
Not immediately.
Her expression remained neutral. Professional. Unshaken.
Madam noticed.
The air sharpened.
And then—
From down the hallway—
"AUNTY! Where awe you?!"
Nikki's voice echoed dramatically.
Ji-Ah blinked once.
Madam's gaze flicked toward the door.
Ji-Ah bowed slightly. "Excuse me."
And this time, she left.
The moment the door closed, the office felt colder.
Outside, Nikki's footsteps approached fast.
Ha-Joon stared at the closed door for half a second longer than necessary.
Then he reached for his coffee.