Seri walked slowly under the streetlights, hands tucked into her hoodie, each step heavier than the last. That was safer, right? That was how this avoided disaster.
But his voice still echoed in her mind. This time, don't step back from me.
"…I was sent to keep you in line," she whispered to herself, "not to lose myself along the way."
The streets grew quiet. A faint breeze carried the scent of river water and street food. Her footsteps echoed until suddenly, the deep roar of an engine broke the air.
A black Kawasaki Ninja slowed to a stop beside her, the rider clad in a dark jacket and helmet.
She turned slightly. The visor lifted.
And there he was…someone she knew. Someone she did not expect to see here tonight.
"If I did not know you better, I would swear you just got dumped for wearing that hoodie."
There he was, the charming man himself, Taehyun.
Seri narrowed her eyes. "If I did not know better, I would say you have been tailing me."
He laughed, hopping off the bike and pulling off his helmet. Tousled hair fell perfectly into place, leather jacket catching the light, confidence radiating from every movement.
"Just passing by on my way back," he said with a casual shrug.
"Back from breaking another heart? What is next, handing out relationship refunds?"
"At least you admit I am popular . That is enough to brighten my night."
Seri circled the bike slowly, her gaze sharp. "Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE. 998cc inline-four, supercharged, semi-active suspension. You do not play around." She tapped the handle. "And here I thought you were all charm and no horsepower."
Taehyun blinked in surprise before a slow grin spread across his face. "Not just a fighter but a walking motor encyclopedia? What is next, pit crew chief?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine amusement as he tilted his head, clearly impressed.
"I have layers." She stepped closer. Then closer still, until inches remained between them.
She stepped closer. Then closer still, closing the space between them until the air grew tense and charged. Taehyun's breath caught, his pulse hammering in his ears. Her voice dropped, soft and sweet, almost a secret meant for him alone.
"I actually like…"
"…to ride the bike. Can I?" she finished with a playful grin and a wicked wink.
Taehyun exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
She was already straddling the bike like she owned it. "Shall we?"
Still recovering, he handed her the spare helmet, his gaze lingering on her with a mix of defeat and awe, as if completely trapped by her disarming cuteness. "Yeah, let's."
She slipped it on, visor still up, smile bright. Her hands gripped the bars, playful face sharpening.
As Taehyun started to warn her, "Careful with the handle, it is—"
VROOOOOOOM!!!
The bike roared to life, surging forward before he could finish. He jumped on behind her in a rush, his hands instinctively grabbing the back of her hoodie as the wind tore past.
"Hold on," she shouted. "This will be the fastest fun night of your life."
Taehyun jolted, his heart slamming into his ribs. He grabbed the back of her hoodie instinctively, caught between panic and exhilaration.
If I hold her waist now… I will never let go.
Seri laughed wildly as the wind whipped past. She leaned into the curve like a pro, a blur of thrill and chaos. And Taehyun? Screaming inside, smiling outside. He wasn't sure if he was falling in love or just plain dying.
They finally stopped. The engine purred down in front of her place. Taehyun hopped off, slightly dizzy, knees unsteady, hair wild from speed and adrenaline. Seri, calm as ever, removed her helmet with one hand like a movie star. Her hair fell perfectly back into place, cheeks faintly flushed, her eyes glowing with joy.
"That was fun," she grinned. "It has been a while since I rode like that." She stretched lazily, far too relaxed for someone who had just turned a superbike into a rollercoaster. "Shuto Expressway used to be my playground for fast rides."
Taehyun stared at her, part terrified, part impressed, part enchanted. "For a second, I thought we were on an express trip to hell."
Seri burst out laughing, her eyes catching the streetlight. "Come on. You survived. Barely."
He laughed too, unable to hide the grin tugging at his lips. "Seriously… is there anything you cannot do?"
She smirked, but her tone softened. "Well… I cannot bring my parents and my sister back."
Taehyun's smile faded, his expression softening, quiet sympathy settling in his eyes. He didn't speak.
Seri glanced at him, catching the look, and offered a small, comforting grin.
"Hey, don't look like that," she said with a light shrug. "Don't worry, Ken. That was a long time ago."
A brief silence settled. Then she turned with a playful grin. "By the way, thanks for letting me heat up the engine." She gave a little salute with the helmet and started walking away. "Goodnight, Ken."
He stayed rooted in place, eyes fixed on her retreating figure. He wanted to say something, but stopped. She was already too far… not just in distance, but in the way she always seemed untouchable.
He knew that the memory of her parents and little sister was still her greatest weakness. She might appear strong and unshakable, but he understood the weight she carried. The pain of losing them, the tragedy that had marked her childhood. It had shaped her into the woman she was now.
He exhaled, then a small smile tugged at his lips as the memory of her on the bike came back. The way she handled it with such ease, fearless and in control, lingered in his mind. He liked that about her. The unapologetic confidence, the thrill in her eyes and maybe that was why she kept slipping into his thoughts more often than he cared to admit.
That girl is going to ruin me someday.
His lips curved into a helpless smile before fading into something quieter. He exhaled, brushing a hand through his hair, watching her disappear into the night.
The next morning at Kang Corporation, the pantry buzzed with the steady hum of the coffee machine and the low murmur of employees scrolling through their phones.
"Okay, but seriously, Lee Ryun again?" Bora's grin was wide and wicked. "That man collects scandals like keychains."
"Is it even real? They blurred the woman's face…could be anyone, maybe even a family member," one employee said.
"Yeah," another replied. "Could be a fan. Could be his manager. Could even be his aunt for all we know."
Bora leaned in with a sly grin. "Please. If I was that close to Ryun, there wouldn't be any blurring. I'd make sure my face was crystal clear and in perfect lighting."
"That close?" one employee snickered. "They're basically one deep breath away from sharing a lung."
"Or a scandal," someone else muttered.
"This is why I don't fall for actors," Bora declared, shaking her head. "Unpredictable. Dangerous. I date baristas now. They steam milk, not hearts."
The group chuckled just as Seri walked in. She went straight to the counter, pouring hot water into her cup without a glance at them.
"Miss Im Seri," Bora sang, loud enough for the whole pantry. "Quick, what's the company stance on celebrity scandals? Should we draft an apology?"
Seri kept her eyes on the cup she was filling. "Silence works better than statements," she said, her tone calm and flat.
Bora raised an eyebrow. "Silence, huh? I'd post a selfie with a wink and let the comments go wild."
A nearby employee chuckled. "Or hold hands with a mannequin. That'll keep Dispatch busy for a week."
Another laughed. "Better yet, hold hands with Bora. Then everyone will think you're just networking."
Seri sipped her tea slowly, her face giving nothing away, then turned and walked out as the laughter followed her down the hall.
"She has no sense of humor," Bora muttered as the door swung shut.
In the hallway, Seri nearly collided with Junho. He stood polished and composed, Daejin at his side with a tablet in hand. Their eyes met briefly.
"Good morning, Director Kang," Seri said politely with a small bow.
"…Good morning, Seri," Junho replied, his voice lower than usual. "Did you sleep well?"
She stiffened slightly, glancing around at the passing employees. "I'm starting on the Baekdu updates. There's still data to process and a few drafts to finalize."
Her smile was polite but distant as she stepped past them. Was she trying to avoid his question? Junho's gaze followed her until she disappeared from view, his lips pressed tight as if he had expected more.
"We need to gather the team for the Japan project," Daejin said, breaking the silence. "The kyoto brief came in this morning."
"…Right." Junho's tone was distracted.
"I'll send the notice. Conference room at twelve ?"
Junho nodded, hands in his pockets, and walked to his office without another word. Daejin watched him go, muttering under his breath, "Definitely awkward," before heading the opposite way.
As Junho entered the office, he closed the door and paused. Was she mistaken about his question, or was she deliberately avoiding him?
He moved toward the window, sliding the curtain just enough to peek outside. His eyes searched for her, and there she was…focused, moving through her tasks without a single sign of distraction. Her composure never wavered, her calm unshaken.
It annoyed him.