The bond between the two hasn't faded, but every so often, there's a flicker of sadness between them. The loneliness in the gaze of mere friendship that flies across the room leaves sparks of something that Kai and Ren chose over something they could have had. Something that they chose not to continue. Something that might never come back. They know its for the best, but they can't deny the feeling of regret that fills them whenever they pass by each other in the hallways. The elevator rides are tense, and the silence is deafening. Friends don't act like this, and they know it.
"Hey...Kai."
Ren steps up one morning. His voice is barely above a whisper.
"I..I don't like where this is going. It's all too..tense. We can't work well together like this if we're going to fight."
Kai nods slowly. He knows he misses Ren. They tried dating already, but it didn't work out. He didn't know if he wanted to take the risk again.
"Right..I don't like it either. I just.. I miss you. A lot. I can't sleep at night." Kai admits quietly. This wasn't like him, but something about this new Secretary had stunned him. It had turned him soft. He had fallen for his charms.
Kai exhales slowly.
Not in defeat.Not in heartbreak.Just… acceptance.
Ren watches him carefully, bracing for disappointment or guilt or another apology he doesn't want.
But instead, Kai straightens his shoulders, grounding himself.And when he speaks, his voice is steady.
"Ren… maybe we're not supposed to fix what we had."
Ren's eyes flicker, but he doesn't look away.He doesn't flinch.
Kai continues, quietly honest, "Maybe we're just supposed to… let it become something else instead."
Ren nods, almost instantly—as if he'd been waiting for Kai to say it first.
"I think so too," he says.His voice isn't shaky anymore.It's peaceful.
Kai lets out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"We were good together," Ren adds, softer now, "but not good for each other. At least not then."
Kai almost smiles.It's small, faint, but real.
"I like having you in my life," he admits."Even if it's not like before. Even if it's just… this."
Ren's lips lift into a quiet, relieved smile."That's all I wanted. For us not to hate each other."
"We don't," Kai says immediately.
"Good." Ren steps back—not far, just enough to show he's giving space. "Because forcing anything wouldn't feel right. I don't want to pretend we're okay when we're not. And I don't want to pretend we're still something… we aren't."
Kai nods, grateful.He respects that.He respects Ren.
"So," Ren says, lighter now, "friends?"
Kai chuckles under his breath."Friends who don't avoid elevators and hallways."
"Sounds like a plan."Ren offers his hand.
Kai doesn't hesitate.He shakes it.
Cool, simple, steady.No sparks, no heartbreak—just a warm, human agreement to start again, but differently.
Not lovers.Not exes pretending.Just two people choosing peace.
And right as their hands drop, the office door slams open.
A staff worker in a bright blue lanyard barrels in, panting like he sprinted the whole hallway.
"There you two are!" he gasp-shouts, pointing at them with a clipboard. "Big news—huge news. The entire company's doing a beach trip next week."
Ren blinks. "…What?"
Kai's eyebrows shoot up. "A beach—trip?"
"Yes!" the worker says, already flipping pages. "Team-building, bonding, trust exercises, all that corporate nonsense. Attendance is mandatory for all departments… including yours."
Ren and Kai share a look.
Not tense.Not painful.Just… mildly horrified and already exhausted.
The staff member continues, oblivious:"Starts Friday! Pack swimwear, casual clothes, sunscreen—the whole thing. Oh, and everyone's bunking two per room, so I'll need your roommate preferences by the end of the day. Got it? Great!"
And before either of them can speak, he's already gone.
The door clicks shut.
Silence.
Ren stares at Kai.
Kai stares at Ren.
"…We just agreed to be friends," Ren says.
"…We did," Kai answers.
"And now we have to survive a company beach trip. Together."
Kai presses his lips together. "…Apparently."
Ren sighs deeply, rubbing his forehead."We're going to die, aren't we."
Kai snorts. "Probably."
But there's no ache in his chest this time.No tightness.No fear.
Just the absurdity of timing…and the strangely comfortable feeling of knowing that whatever happens next, it won't be running away.
Not romantic.Not dramatic.
Just… two friends about to get dragged into the chaos of matching rooms, sand, sunburns, and long days near the ocean.
And for the first time in a long time—Kai doesn't dread it.Ren doesn't either.
It's not a beginning.It's not an ending.
It's just the next chapter. The next chapter of something new. Something that could lead onto something else.