At only 24, Hwang Hyunjin is one of the youngest and most admired CEOs in all of Seoul and Busan. Known for his sharp mind, perfect record, and intimidating presence, he’s someone people admire from afar. He rarely smiles, speaks bluntly, and keeps his emotions locked behind a cold exterior… except to two people: Choi San and Choi Wooyoung, his best friends since high school and now his right-hand men in the company.

Hyunjin has everything—power, respect, wealth… except closure.

Because in high school, he confessed to one person he genuinely liked. A quiet volleyball player with soft eyes and zero interest in popularity. Kim Seungmin.

And Seungmin rejected him.

Not because he didn’t like him… but because he believed Hyunjin only asked him out to stop people from bothering the “pretty, single volleyball captain” who everyone wanted.

Years pass. They go separate ways.

Until one ordinary Tuesday morning, during the secretary interviews, someone walks in that none of them expected.

The boy who once rejected him. The boy Hyunjin never truly got over. Kim Seungmin.

And when their eyes meet, their hearts drop— Seungmin’s with guilt. Hyunjin’s with something he can’t even name.

⸻

The lobby of Hwang Corporation buzzed with reporters and employees, all whispering the same things:

“Is the CEO coming down today?” “He’s so handsome in person.” “He’s scary but… wow.”

Up on the 30th floor, Hyunjin stood by the glass wall, black suit perfectly fitted, hair styled back, eyes sharp as ice. Even standing still, he carried power. People feared disappointing him.

But inside, he was just tired.

“Interviews start in ten,” San said, straightening Hyunjin’s tie even though it didn’t need fixing.

Wooyoung sat on the desk, chewing gum. “Let’s hope these applicants don’t cry this time.”

Hyunjin sighed. “I just need someone competent. And quiet.”

San grinned. “Like someone we knew in high school?”

Hyunjin shot him a deadly look.

“Right, right. Sensitive topic. Moving on,” San coughed.

They began interviewing. One person after another walked in—confident, nervous, fake, overly flirtatious… Hyunjin rejected them all within minutes.

The last interview of the day was finally called in.

The door opened.

And Hyunjin froze.

So did San. So did Wooyoung.

Kim Seungmin stepped inside.

Same soft eyes. Same gentle expression. Just older, prettier, more put-together… but still unmistakably him.

His resume shook slightly in his hands.

Hyunjin’s throat tightened, the air knocked out of him like a punch.

Seungmin looked just as shocked—like someone ripped open a memory he tried desperately to bury.

“…H-Hyunjin?” Seungmin whispered, his voice small.

Hyunjin didn’t answer. He couldn’t. His jaw clenched, fingers curling against the table.

Seungmin bowed quickly, guilt painting his face.

“I didn’t know you were the CEO,” he said quietly. “If I had known… I—I wouldn’t have come.”

Wooyoung raised a brow. “And why not?”

Seungmin’s eyes flickered to Hyunjin’s… then dropped.

“Because I thought he’d hate me.”

Silence filled the room like cold water.

Hyunjin looked away, forcing control into his voice. “You’re here for an interview. Sit.”

Seungmin did, hands trembling.

San leaned forward. “It’s been a long time, Seungmin.”

He smiled nervously. “Yeah… it has.”

Hyunjin didn’t smile. Didn’t blink. Didn’t breathe.

He looked at Seungmin the way someone looks at a ghost.

“Why do you want this position?” Hyunjin finally asked.