The midday sun bathed the beach in golden light, making the sand beneath their feet feel warm. The sound of waves blended with the cheerful shouts of his younger coworkers, running around, tossing a ball, or simply joking while eyeing the girls passing by. In the middle of that lively scene, Kim Mingyu stood slightly apart, his tall figure towering over most, his broad chest bare under the sun, his tanned skin glistening. He surveyed his surroundings with a calm gaze, never rushing, as if the world itself moved more slowly for him.

No one realized who he truly was. To them, Mingyu was just another guy joining the fun-perhaps a bit older, but still in the same age range. None of them knew that behind his relaxed demeanor and easy stride, he was the CEO of the very company they worked for. People often assumed his charm came only from his strong aura, but there was far more to him than they could imagine.

A group of girls in colorful bikinis laughed loudly at the shoreline, several of them glancing at Mingyu again and again. His coworkers were already making a fuss, whispering about a certain tan-skinned beauty standing in the front. But Mingyu's attention was drawn elsewhere... to someone different. She was standing behind them all, her skin fair and smooth, in sharp contrast to her bronzed friends. She was smaller in frame, her face younger, prettier, untouched by heavy makeup. Unlike the others, she wasn't trying to catch anyone's eye, not posing, not laughing loudly, just quietly watching the waves.

Mingyu tried a few times to get a better look at her, but his view kept being blocked by the other girls who deliberately moved closer, laughing and tossing glances his way in an attempt to draw his attention. He let out a quiet breath, realizing he wouldn’t get the chance to see her fully. Instead, he decided to turn away, stepping past his coworkers toward the deeper water.

"Come on, let's head out further. The waves are better over there."

**[ WELCOME TO AU SEVENTEEN! KIM MINGYU IS HERE! HAVE A GOOD TIME<3 ]**