The sun was sinking, spilling molten gold across the wide, open field.
Min-jae stood alone — tall and still, his suit jacket tossed carelessly over a chair, shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows. His hair caught the evening breeze, just messy enough to look dangerously perfect.
The machine clicked.
A clay disc shot into the sky.
Without a flicker of hesitation, Min-jae raised the shotgun.
Bang.
The disc exploded midair, its fragments scattering like falling stars.
He exhaled, slow and sharp, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. Even the wind seemed to pause, holding its breath for him — until Mrs. Hwan appeared, her presence quiet but commanding. The last light of sunset touched her face, softening it into something that looked almost younger, almost gentle.
Min-jae didn't turn.
She stepped closer, loading a shotgun with practiced hands, and fired.
The disc shattered — before Min-jae could even aim.
She smirked. "Still as good as ever."
He gave a small bow, turned to leave.
"I thought you came here for me," she said quietly, and his steps stilled.
"Do you really hate your mother that much?"
He handed the gun to the servant, exhaled, and turned just enough to face her. "I'm sorry," he said, though his voice carried no warmth.
She lifted a hand toward his face but let it fall. "Please don't hate me too much, Min-jae. At least love me as your mother. Is that too much to ask?"
"You shouldn't get emotional," he said softly, but his tone cut like frost. "You'll only make yourself sick."
Her breath hitched, but she forced a thin smile. "I made you like this," she murmured. "And I'm sorry for that."
Then she walked away, her back straight but her shoulders trembling.
Min-jae stood there, his jaw set, but his chest felt like someone had pressed a fist against it. He grabbed his jacket from the servant — just as Ye-seul appeared.
"Did you two fight?" she asked, her wide eyes searching his face.
He just stared at her, then exhaled.
"Don't be too hard on her," Ye-seul said softly. "She's still your—"
"We didn't fight." His voice was flat.
"Really? Then what—"
His phone rang, Ga-young's name flashing on the screen. He looked at Ye-seul once, then picked up.
Instead of Ga-young's calm voice, Ji-hye's shrill one exploded through the speaker.
"Hey! I called you like a hundred times. You didn't pick up once! Do you know how worried we—"
Click. He hung up.
Ye-seul blinked. "Who was that?"
"Do you want to go somewhere?" Min-jae asked suddenly.
Ye-seul gawked. "What? Who are you and where's my brother? Did you hit your head?"
"Forget it."
"No! I'm just shocked you even asked me to go anywhere!" she said, running after him.
---
At the bar, Ji-hye slammed back her drink, glaring at the phone.
"He hung up on me. On me!" she snapped.
"At least now you know he's alive," Ga-young said gently, retrieving her phone from Ji-hye's tight grip.
"Oh no, don't you dare play mediator," Ji-hye hissed. "He picked up your call, but not mine, he's asking for a fight."
"Let's not turn this into a murder trial," Ga-young said, arching a brow.
But Ji-hye only scoffed, swearing under her breath.
The bell over the door rang.
Min-jae.
Ji-hye shot up from her seat. "You." She jabbed a finger at him. "You hung up on me—"
But Ye-seul appeared behind him, and Ji-hye froze.
"Who is she?" Ji-hye asked suspiciously.
Then Ye-seul's gaze landed on Ga-young, and her face lit up. "It's you again!" She rushed forward, hugging Ga-young warmly.
"You know her too?" Ji-hye asked, curiosity piqued.
"Hwan Ye-seul," Ye-seul said with a shy smile. "Min-jae oppa's little sister."
"You have a sister?" Ji-hye's mouth fell open. "Wait—YOU were the girl who came to see him that day!"
"Yes!" Ye-seul beamed.
Ji-hye gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, Ga-young thought you were his—"
Pinch.
Ji-hye yelped, spinning around to glare at Ga-young.
"Let's sit before you say something you can't take back," Ga-young said with a too-sweet smile.
They all sat, Ji-hye still grumbling under her breath. "You're so pretty," she told Ye-seul, then glanced at Min-jae. "And he's… well, he's Min-jae."
"Thank you," Ye-seul said, blushing.
"How did you meet Ga-young?" Ji-hye asked.
"She saved me—"
"Ms. Choi happened to be there when Ye-seul almost fell," Min-jae interrupted.
Ye-seul gasped. "Oppa! You ruined the whole story!"
"If I let you talk, you'd turn it to a whole k-drama scene" Min-jae said dryly.
"Because it was a whole k-drama scene!" Ye-seul said, looking at Ga-young. "She's my hero."
"It wasn't that deep," Ga-young said, but her small smile betrayed her.
"How old are you?" Ji-hye asked.
"Just turned twenty-two," Ye-seul replied.
"Wow. That's eleven years younger than Min-jae."
"I know, right? He's practically an ahjussi," Ye-seul teased.
Ji-hye grinned and raised her glass. "I like you."
Min-jae looked away — only to meet Ga-young's quiet, steady gaze.
"How did things at the office go today?" he asked suddenly, surprising even himself.
"I reviewed all the proposals, flagged the best ones for you to go through. A client almost caused a scene, but I handled it. Everything's under control," Ga-young reported smoothly.
"I wasn't worried, I knew you'd take care of things" Min-jae said casually, but there was something in his tone that made Ye-seul nudge him under the table.
"Are you two flirting or work-flirting?" Ji-hye teased.
Ye-seul grinned nudging him again.
Min-jae shot her a look. "Behave."
"Hey! Don't talk to her like that," Ji-hye snapped.
Min-jae gave a short, humorless laugh. "I remember being way older than you, Mrs. Hyun-woo?"
Ji-hye glared but finally sank back into her chair. "Let's just eat."
Ga-young smiled faintly, watching Ji-hye sulk — but her gaze flicked back to Min-jae, lingering just a second too long, before looking down at her food and with a smile she continued eating.
Suddenly, Ga-young's phone buzzed against the table, the screen lighting up.
Ji-hoon.
Her fingers hesitated for a fraction of a second before she reached for it, but not fast enough — Min-jae's eyes had already caught the name. His face carried no emotions though.
Ji-hye leaned forward like a hawk. "Ohhh, who's calling?" She squinted, then gasped. "Ji-hoon?"
Ye-seul blinked curiously. "Who's Ji-hoon?"
She glanced at Ji-hye, then at Min-jae.
"Let me get this," she murmured, standing and slipping outside before answering.
"Ga-young!" Ji-hoon's vibrant voice filled her ear.
"Good evening—is it?" Ga-young asked, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
Ji-hoon chuckled. "No, it's actually morning here. How was your day?"
"Well… it went well, I can say." She exhaled, easing against the wall. "How was your flight, by the way?"
"I arrived safely. I guess that's all that matters," Ji-hoon said, pacing slowly across his hotel room.
"Ready for your big meeting?" she asked curiously.
"Yes!" Ji-hoon replied, nodding even though she couldn't see him.
"You're smart," Ga-young said persuasively. "I'm sure it'll be a breeze for you."
"Thank you, Ms. Choi," Ji-hoon teased. Then, after a small pause: "By the way… are you home yet?"
"No. I'm out with Ji-hye and… her friends," Ga-young replied.
"Hm." Ji-hoon exhaled, the sound thoughtful. "Make sure you get home safely. Force Min-jae to take you himself — Ji-hye is a terrible driver."
Ga-young froze, surprised he knew exactly who she was with.
"I shouldn't disturb your outing," he added gently. "You should probably go back."
"Thank you," Ga-young said quietly.
"Good night," Ji-hoon murmured.
"Good luck with your proposal," she replied.
"Okay, Good night!" he said, then hung up