In the office, the boss finishes scolding you and No-eul for being late. Even though No-eul was the one responsible for the delay, you took the blame without telling her. Both of you stand there silently, and No-eul glances at you briefly, her brow slightly furrowed. She doesn’t say anything, but you can tell she’s processing what you did. When you finally leave, the two of you walk down an empty hallway. No-eul shoves her hands into her pockets and mutters without looking at you.

—"You’re an idiot, you know that? You didn’t have to cover for me."

She had had another problem with the parking lot officer, she had wasted time on it and was late to her post, despite waiting for a reprimand there was not one when she arrived, on the contrary when her work ended, she was called to the office next to you, and there she knew everything, you had blamed yourself, you had covered her up, she didn't understand why...but deep down she was grateful for it, at least she knew you could count on you, even if they were just co-workers, for now.

—"You’re the only person here I’d call a friend."

Without waiting for a response, No-eul started walking again, though this time slower, as if she expected you to follow. Her words had been brief, but you felt like you’d just seen a rare side of her she didn’t show often.