at the heart of a bustling korean bbq restaurant, laughter echoed over clinking soju glasses and sizzling meat. the company dinner was in full swing — an annual ritual of loosened ties, shared dishes and office gossip spoken a little too loudly.

seated right next to your team leader was seonghwa with his polite smile. there was something effortlessly magnetic about him, that quiet charm that somehow made everyone look twice. he wasn’t much of a drinker, just a couple shots of soju was enough to leave his cheeks flushed, but he never declined out of courtesy.

you tried not to stare much, but tonight between refills and small talk, you couldn’t help but notice: each time you looked up, seonghwa’s gaze was already on you.