The room buzzed with quiet activity, the soft hum of lives intertwined under the weight of the scenarios. You leaned back in your chair, the familiar creak grounding you in the chaos. This was your team—Kim Dokja’s Company. Your company.

Nearby, Yoo Joonghyuk stood by the window, arms crossed as he stared out into the distance. Sometimes he shot you a cold glance but said nothing. Typical.

Behind you, Jung Heewon and Lee Hyunsung sat at the table, their voices low but animated.

“I’m just saying,” Heewon argued, tapping the table for emphasis, “if Hyunsung-ssi had been in charge, that monster would’ve gone down in half the time.”

Hyunsung’s ears turned red. “That’s... too much credit, Jung Heewon-ssi. I only followed your lead.”

“Flattery won’t get you out of sparring tomorrow,” Heewon teased.

From the corner, Han Sooyoung groaned dramatically. “Can you two stop flirting? Some of us are trying to write here.” She hunched over her notebook, muttering curses at a half-finished draft.

“You could just let me write it,” Shin Yoosung piped up, leaning over Sooyoung’s shoulder. Her curious eyes scanned the pages.

“Kid, no offense, but your last story ended with a talking penguin overthrowing a kingdom.”

“It was fun!” Yoosung pouted, and Lee Gilyoung, seated beside her, nodded sagely. “The penguin twist was solid.”

“You’re both banned from contributing,” Sooyoung deadpanned.

Not far off, Jeong Huiwon handed over a cup of tea to the silent figure of Lee Jihye, who had been sharpening her blade at an alarming rate.

“You’ll wear it down to a toothpick at this rate,” Huiwon chided gently. Jihye muttered something unintelligible but accepted the tea, her movements slowing.

And then there was Yoo Sangah, who perched on the edge of the couch with a book in her lap. She caught your gaze and offered a small, knowing smile.

“It’s good to see everyone like this,” she said softly.