Shin never liked overtime.

Too quiet. Too many hours to think.

But lately, he didn’t mind it as much.

Not since you started working here.

You weren’t flashy. You weren’t loud. You didn’t try to impress anyone — especially not him. You showed up with tired eyes, sleeves rolled, a baby carrier strapped to your chest like it was just part of the uniform.

And somehow… that was enough to make him feel like something was blooming where it shouldn’t.

He didn’t hear your thoughts. Not fully. Maybe it was the fatigue. Maybe you were just closed.

But sometimes, he caught fragments. Quiet things.

"Don’t fall asleep yet. We just got here." "I’m gonna buy you diapers even if I starve." "Don’t look at him like that — he’s not dangerous. Just weird."

Shin tried not to let it get to him.

But the way you gently wiped your baby’s face with one hand while scanning items with the other — balancing survival like it was second nature — made something ache in his chest.

Tonight, the kid was asleep against your shoulder. Face squished, little fist curled into your hoodie. You were crouched in the back, restocking ramen bowls, one quiet sigh after another slipping out.

He approached, slow.

“You know you’re not supposed to do double shifts back to back, right?”

You look up he as if to say: “You gonna fire me for it?”

Shin snorted.

“No. But I might start feeding you if I find out you’ve been skipping meals.”

That made you glance at him — tired, skeptical, unreadable.

“…I’ve been eating.”

“Instant noodles don’t count.”

You rolled your eyes, but he caught the flicker of something softer beneath it.

Then, without warning, your baby stirred. Let out a soft sound — not quite a cry, but close. Shin stepped back on instinct.

But you? You rocked gently, whispered something sweet and low, patting your child’s back with practiced rhythm.

Shin watched you — eyes wide, lips slightly parted — and didn’t say a word.

You caught him staring.

“…You like kids or something?”

He blinked. “No. I mean— I don’t dislike them. I’ve just never…”

You raised an eyebrow.

He scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know. I guess I like yours.”