Morning light came spilling in soft through those office windows. It threw long shadows over all the desks. Like hints of what the day might bring. Minjae stepped in, his walk steady, face all neutral. Like he was just going through the motions. But inside, his head kept going back to that quick talk with Ha Seori yesterday. And this weird warm feeling that stuck around in his chest way after.
He dropped into his spot by the window. The noise of computers buzzing and people talking low, it all felt normal, like background noise. His fingers hung over the keys, ready to get into the work flow. But then, right before he could start typing anything, someone came up.
Yuri.
She put a cup of coffee down on his desk. Her smile was easy, but you could tell she meant it. Thought you might want a refill, she said. Like it was no big deal at all.
Minjae looked up. His eyes met hers for a second, then he nodded. I appreciate it. His voice stayed flat, no extra stuff. But there was a bit of real thanks under it.
Yuri didn't just walk away. She pulled out the chair across from him. Lowered her voice, like they were sharing a secret. How's the new project going. I've been wanting to ask if you need any help with the data stuff.
He shrugged a little. Shoulders hardly moved. It's manageable. For now. He paused. Then, kind of out of nowhere. But I might take you up on that.
Their eyes held a beat too long. When she smiled, it was small, sure of itself. Felt less like just being nice. More like some kind of quiet promise in the middle of the day.
Later on, it was Yura.
She came over without any fuss. During a quick break, she showed up at his desk with this little container. Homemade snacks inside, dried fruits and nuts all neat. The sort of thing most people wouldn't bother fixing up.
I figured you could use a pick me up, she said. She pushed her hair back, motion looked casual. But it wasn't really. Long days need better food than usual.
Minjae looked at the container. Then at her. For a split second, his usual face slipped. He got caught off guard. Thank you, he said. Softer this time.
Her smile came fast, not too showy. See you around. And she left. The snacks stayed there. Like some puzzle he couldn't figure out yet.
Ha Seori's way was even quieter. She didn't push in. She just hung around nearby. Without making a big deal of it. In meetings, her look would brush over him quick. Her body angled his way a bit. You felt it more than saw it.
One afternoon, team was getting together for a briefing. She slid in right next to him. Busy day, she asked. Voice so low, it was just for them.
He nodded. Tucked some hair behind his ear. A little move, almost nervous. He didn't let many see that. Yes. But manageable.
Her smile was soft, like she had time. If you ever want to talk. Or just break for a bit. I'm here.
Words built up in his throat. Stuck between thanks and something more. In the end, he just nodded again.
By the middle of the week, all these little moments piled up. Like waves hitting a shore with no defenses. Gentle. They kept coming. You couldn't ignore them.
Minjae started pausing on tasks he'd normally knock out fast. Not from losing focus. But because this new thing was weaving into his routine. Affection handed out free. Attention that he didn't earn, but it kept showing up.
What was he supposed to do now. How do you handle kindness that comes with no strings. Those were problems he hadn't worked out before.
Across the office, people started whispering more.
Have you noticed, someone said by the coffee machine. Seori, Yuri, and Yura. They're always hanging around Minjae these days.
Another one, sounding amused. It's like they're in some kind of contest. But he just. Doesn't do much.
A third voice chuckled low. Or maybe that's his thing. Still waters run deep, you know.
The laughs were light. But under them, curiosity turned into real interest. In this place full of the same old routine, Minjae stood out now. Quiet. Hard to read. Tough to pin down. But suddenly, he was right in the middle of whatever story was brewing.
At lunch, the three of them sat in their usual spot in the cafeteria. Talk was easy. But you could feel the edge to it.
Did you see how he smiled when I handed over that report, Yuri said, teasing a bit. Her voice bright. But her eyes meant business.
Seori laughed quiet. He picks up on more than he lets on. Maybe more than we all figure.
Yura stirred her tea. Kept her voice steady. He's like a puzzle. The more he stays back, the more you want to get closer.
Their smiles looked relaxed. But the truth behind them was the same. Whatever this turned into, it wasn't just random anymore. It had its own push.
That night, Minjae got back to his apartment. It was clean. Simple. Squeezed between his folks' place and the office. Made for quiet. Not for feeling cozy.
He settled into the empty feel. City lights glowed outside the window. They lit the room with changing colors from neon signs. Here, he could breathe easy. No need to watch how people saw him. No counting every word.
And yet. His mind wouldn't let go. Coffee set down gentle on his desk. That container of fruits and nuts, just there with no reason. A voice saying soft, I'm here.
He shut his eyes. Whispered to the dark. Maybe someday. Maybe.
But not yet.
Somewhere else, Rennor frowned at all these screens. One lead after another just went dead. The warehouse path was too tidy. Too on purpose. No orders for buying stuff. No records of shipments. No sloppy traces left behind.
He's careful, Rennor said under his breath. Fingers tapping the desk. Too sharp to mess up. But nobody's flawless.
He pulled up a new folder. Name was plain. But it felt heavy. Project Shadow. New files sat inside. A group was coming together. People to chase down the little threads others missed.
If Minjae was like a ghost, Rennor planned to find out what ghosts drop when they think no one's looking.
The hunt wasn't done.
The city kept buzzing under that calm surface. Looked peaceful. But underneath, things stirred. Minjae stood at this quiet spot where data met secrets and feelings. He moved ahead slow. To most folks, he blended right in.
But to a few. He was the center where new pulls started turning.
And once shadows get moving. They don't go back to sleep.