Sooyeon's POV

"Good morning!" a familiar voice chimed behind her. She turned around to see her best friend standing there with a bright smile on her face. Her downturned ash-brown eyes always gleamed with warmth and kindness, even in the darkest of times.

Her oval face was framed by long, flowing black hair that cascaded down her back. Sooyeon's eyes softened as she returned the smile. "What's with that? Secretary Pae"

"Oh, cheering my best friend's first day as team leader," she replied, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Thank you, Secretary Pae. I wish you to not be clumsy as always." Sooyeon replied with a knowing smirk.

"Oh come on, Soo, you cannot be serious all the time," Secretary Pae teased, nudging her playfully. Sooyeon snickered and shook her head. "Okay, Myung Myung."

"Yah, not that," Secretary Pae pouted, crossing her arms at Sooyeon's usual nickname. "Alright, but Myung-sook-shi sounds too formal for us, don't you think?" Sooyeon suggested, raising an eyebrow. Secretary Pae chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Whatever, Soo-ya, I love what my girlfriend calls me," she said, giving Sooyeon a playful wink. Sooyeon rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at her lips.

She is the one who always reveals the person Sooyeon hides behind his professional and serious mask. Pae Myung-sook, the sweetest yet most mischievous person for Sooyeon. She is always nice to everyone, and not to forget the clumsiest secretary for the clumsiest CEO, Kim Namjoon. But also so smart as to be able to work and quick to correct any mistakes that may arise.

She is light for Sooyeon's darkness, bringing laughter and joy into her life. Myung-sook truly is a ray of sunshine in Sooyeon's world. But can also sometimes be a bit of a troublemaker and also knows exactly how to push Sooyeon's buttons in some situations, yet she never left her hand in times of need, always standing by her side through thick and thin. Myung-sook is the person that no one can replace for Sooyeon.

"Done staring at me?" Myung asked with a smirk, and Sooyeon blinked that she had lost herself in thoughts of their friendship. "I know you love Me Soo-ya," she sang as she playfully nudged Sooyeon's shoulder.

Sooyeon rolled her eyes, shaking her head., "If you keep saying that, they will start spreading rumors about us."

"About us being more than friends?" Myung teased, raising an eyebrow. "Tch, I regret the day I introduced you as my best friend," Sooyeon replied with a playful eye roll.

As they walked side by side and talked about work, Sooyeon told about the night before, how Sooyeon's mother was disappointed when she canceled her plan to visit their home because of the party, which Myungsook couldn't attend.

Myung's lips pressed into a thin line as she listened to Sooyeon's story. Myung knows Sooyeon would easily feel guilty about that even if it's not her fault. Myung reached out and squeezed Sooyeon's hand in reassurance, "Don't worry about it; I'm sure eomma understands. Once you said about your promotion..."

A sigh of exhaustion escaped from her lips as she thought about the pressure of balancing work and family expectations. "I guess so," Sooyeon said with a weak smile. "I just hate disappointing her," she added, her shoulders slumping slightly. Myung nodded in understanding, knowing all too well the weight of familial responsibilities.

Before Myung comforted Sooyeon with her words, her phone screen lit up with a notification from the CEO, Kim Namjoon. She quickly excused herself to check the message, hoping it wasn't urgent. Myung gave her a reassuring smile before turning her attention back to Sooyeon.

"What was that?" Sooyeon asked, noticing Myung's sudden distraction. Myung simply shook her head and replied, "Just work stuff."

Maybe I shouldn't stop her now; we need to focus on work.. Sooyeon thought to herself, she never wanted to burden Myung with her problems.
"Soo-ya!" Myung called out, bringing Sooyeon back to the present moment. "Let's grab a coffee and talk about what's been on your mind," Myung suggested, wanting to be there for her friend in any way she could.

But Sooyeon shook her head and forced a smile. "I need to arrange some things first, Myung."

Myung, the one who could read Sooyeon as a book, understood what Sooyeon was thinking, but she didn't push Sooyeon further, knowing that she would open up when she was ready. Myung nodded understandingly and gave Sooyeon a reassuring smile before returning to her own work.

As Sooyeon walked into her office, every employee of the team bowed their heads in respect to their new team leader. Sooyeon greeted them back with the same respect; no matter how high she goes, she would never forget where she came from and the hard work that got her to where she is now. It's the same team with which she first worked as an employee, then as an assistant manager, and now as a deputy head manager, though there is criticism she has faced, but many of them have also shown unwavering support.
Her hands met the cold metal, pulling the glass door open, and she walked into the new room. Her eye scanned the room, which is now her office room.
The white curtains closed the glass door from where she entered, creating a sense of privacy. It somehow felt luxurious and empowering to have her own space to lead and make decisions. The desk in the center of the room was clean and organized, ready for her to start her day as the deputy head manager.

"Nice," she thought to herself as she settled into her chair comfortably. Just as she sat down, getting some peace, her phone buzzed with a notification, reminding her of the meeting she had scheduled in fifteen minutes. She quickly checked her calendar and prepared herself for the day ahead.

She took the notes to note the points in the meeting and made sure to gather all necessary documents before heading to the conference room. As she walked confidently towards the meeting, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to lead and make a difference in her role as deputy head manager.

As she opened the glass door, moving the curtains aside, she met the broad shoulders and straight posture that were immediately striking, exuding a quiet confidence that commanded attention. She is so familiar with the new head manager.

"Bujang-nim," she mumbled to herself, using the respectful Korean term for manager.

Maybe her mumble isn't just too low, which was caught by the new head manager. He turned around, his lips always having that warm yet confident smile that always fluttered her heart, which she never shows on.

Like, who wouldn't feel that?

His flawless face and captivating charisma attracted everyone's attention. Like a full moon, which appears so lovely from a distance but has all the craters and flaws seen up close, who knows? Perhaps the perfection also covers their greatest scars.

She shook her thoughts away and smiled back and bowed her head in respect. She reminded herself that everyone has their own struggles and insecurities, no matter how perfect they may seem on the outside.

"Oh, Ms. Jin," With the same smile that always motivated them—their team—to do their best, he chirped, "Good morning." He said, "Ready for work today," and Sooyeon nodded.

As they entered the conference room, the head manager, deputy head manager, and team leaders from each department were present. Sooyeon's eyes met with Myung's, who smiled seeing her best friend. Sooyeon smiled back before taking her seat at the table.
Sooyeon is somehow nervous, like who wouldn't be when they got promoted to a higher position? However, she reminded herself that she was capable and deserving of the promotion, just like everyone else in the room. She took a deep breath and prepared to voice her ideas confidently during the meeting.
"It's okay to be nervous, Ms. Jin; I'm with you," a low voice murmured beside her, soft enough for only her to hear.

Sooyeon turned slightly to Seokjin, who offered her a reassuring smile—steady and dependable, just like him. It almost felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders knowing she had someone supporting her. She may be an independent woman, but it's not like she doesn't need that encouragement and reassurance from time to time. She has seen Seokjin's support of their team and willingness to help whenever needed on numerous occasions.

The meeting commenced, the room settling into a focused silence as the head manager began outlining the agenda. Charts and graphs displayed on the large screen illuminated the space, while each team leader provided updates on their respective departments. Sooyeon listened intently, jotting down key points and mentally preparing for her part.

Each team leader presented updates on their respective departments, their voices clear and concise. Sooyeon listened intently, her pen gliding swiftly across her notepad as she jotted down key points. Her focus sharpened, and she mentally rehearsed her part of the presentation, mapping out the flow of her ideas.

And then, Myung-sook's voice broke through the discussion.

"Next, the production department."

Sooyeon's breath hitched for just a second—it was their department's time now. The room shifted slightly as eyes turned in their direction. She straightened her back, her professional demeanor never faltering as she gathered her materials.

Seokjin gave her a small nod, his quiet reassurance grounding her once more.

With a deep breath, Sooyeon rose from her seat, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she moved to the front of the room. The screen behind her shifted to the production department's key presentation slide, her name neatly displayed alongside the department's title.

She took a steadying breath before turning to face the room. Her gaze briefly swept across the familiar faces—the head manager seated at the head of the table, Seokjin with his calm presence just a few seats away, and Myung-sook, her best friend, offering an encouraging smile from across the table.

"Good morning, everyone," Sooyeon began, her voice steady and professional. "I'll be presenting the updates and future projections for the production department."

With practiced confidence, she launched into her presentation. The data flowed smoothly as she explained the department's recent accomplishments—improvements in production efficiency, the implementation of new quality control measures, and the successful completion of major projects. Every point was held up by carefully considered graphics, including clear graphs, clear figures, and effective highlights.

Despite the initial nerves, Sooyeon felt herself settle into her rhythm. She had worked tirelessly to prepare for this moment, and it showed. Her voice carried authority and clarity; her knowledge of the subject showed in every word.

The room remained involved, several team leaders nodding in acknowledgment or jotting down notes. Occasionally, the CEO chimed in with questions, which Sooyeon answered seamlessly.

Midway through, Seokjin caught her eye and gave the smallest of nods—a silent "You're doing great." It was subtle, but it fueled her confidence even more.

"As for our projections," Sooyeon continued, moving smoothly into the next section, "we anticipate a 15% increase in production output by the next quarter, thanks to the new resource allocation strategy we've developed." She pointed to the screen, where a detailed chart displayed the anticipated growth. "This will not only streamline our current workflow but also create a foundation for scaling operations long-term."

When she finally concluded, the room was quiet for a beat before a round of polite applause broke out. Namjoon smiled warmly.

"Excellent work, Ms. Jin," he said, his tone genuine. "Your department's efforts are clearly yielding strong results. Thank you for the thorough update."

"Thank you, sir," Sooyeon replied, bowing slightly before returning to her seat.

As she sat down, her heart swelled with a mix of pride and relief. Myung-sook flashed her a thumbs-up under the table, and Seokjin leaned slightly toward her, his voice low.

"I told you—you've got this," he whispered with a grin.

Sooyeon let out a soft breath, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile.

Seokjin's POV

To be honest, he had been more nervous than his deputy manager. Though he had been telling her to not be nervous, when Sooyeon stepped up to present, he couldn't hold that longer; he had been watching her closely, his hands clasped together under the table to keep himself from fidgeting.

What if she stumbles? What if someone throws an unexpected question at her? The thoughts echoed endlessly in his head, even though he was the one standing up there, speaking to the room.

It wasn't because he doubted her skills—no, never that. Sooyeon was sharp. Probably the sharpest person in the company. She worked harder than anyone, constantly pushing herself to prove her worth. Seokjin knew that better than anyone because he had seen it—over the last six years, even when their interactions were few.

She was the type to stay late without a single complaint, burning the midnight oil while everyone else left the office lights behind. She never asked for recognition or rewards, though she deserved all of it. And yet, she never showed off her abilities or her connections—like her well-known friendship with the company secretary, Myung-sook. If anything, Sooyeon always worked harder, as if afraid someone would say she didn't earn her place.

And Seokjin? He admired her for that.

Still, today—this moment—he felt an odd weight in his chest, a nervous feeling he couldn't shake. Maybe it was because he knew how much this presentation meant to her to prove that she earned it by her work, not by any luck.

Seokjin didn't want her to fail. No, more than that—he didn't want her to doubt herself.

The second she started speaking, though, everything shifted. He could see her nervousness fade like morning mist under sunlight, replaced by a calm, collected confidence. Her voice held steady and calm, delivering each word with clarity. Every question thrown her way was answered smoothly—almost effortlessly.

His lips twitched into a small, satisfied smile. This was hers. This was the woman he had quietly observed all these years—the hard worker, the one who never gave herself enough credit.

And yet, even now, he couldn't help but feel protective. That was just who Seokjin was. Whether it was his team, his friends, or his family, he always carried that unspoken responsibility to support them. To be there.

He glanced toward her one more time as she wrapped up, a spark of pride flickering in his chest.

You did well, he thought silently, his usual calm demeanor masking just how relieved and proud he truly was.

She sat back down, exhaling softly, and he leaned closer, keeping his voice low.

"I told you—you've got this."

The way her lips curved into a small, humble smile was enough to soothe him completely. That smile was rare, the kind she offered only when she let her guard down. It was quiet, soft—so Sooyeon. It was subtle, but enough to remind him:

Sometimes, even the strongest people just need someone in their corner.

Part of Seokjin's mind was still on her as he sat back in his chair and quickly shifted his attention to the meeting that was starting up again around them. There was something about the way Sooyeon carried herself—strong and poised on the outside, yet so careful not to show too much of her vulnerability.

And it's not like he never noticed it in her... but he always admired her ability to remain composed in any situation.

It reminded him of the moon on a cloudy night—visible, luminous, but partially hidden.

He often wondered if anyone else noticed it, the subtle way her shoulders relaxed only when someone reassured her. Or the way her confidence grew when she knew someone believed in her. Seokjin knew, though. And for some reason, seeing her make it felt just as fulfilling as his own promotion.

Maybe it was because he always saw leadership not as standing above someone but with them. Being a part of their journey, steady and unwavering, just as he was now.

A faint hum of conversation from across the table brought him back. The CEO moved to the next agenda item, and Seokjin watched Sooyeon straighten her back slightly, returning to her professional demeanor—calm, collected, ready to take on whatever came next.

But that small, quiet smile she'd given him lingered in his mind.

It was rare—so rare—that made Seokjin think he'd probably do whatever it took to see it again.

'She is prettier than in the photo,' the words were Jungkook's in the morning. And he felt that not true; she looked more beautiful while smiling like this. For the first time, he hadn't seen the weight in her eyes at least a bit, which he always sees.

Seokjin's thoughts wandered as he continued to observe Sooyeon, his mind tracing the faint echo of the poem that had suddenly come to mind. The words felt strangely familiar, almost as if they were written with her in mind, as if someone had captured the exact essence of what he had seen in her eyes all these years.

I long to smile, free of sorrow's weight,
without the burden that my eyes betray.

He recalled the silent weariness that mentioned long hours and unsaid concerns, as well as the weight that seemed to always be present in Sooyeon's eyes. It wasn't that she tried to hide it—it was just who she was. The hard-working, uncompromising woman who looked upon her responsibilities as if they were the entire world.

I wonder if they see the ache I hide,
fearing they'll glimpse the weakness I deny.

Seokjin couldn't help but feel as if this poem perfectly expressed Sooyeon's unspoken struggles. He had always seen that hidden ache in her gaze, the way she tucked away her flaws, never letting anyone in too close. She was a fortress, standing tall and strong, but Seokjin knew—he knew—that even the strongest walls had cracks.

But today... that smile, that rare, honest smile she had shared, had unlocked something in him. Something about her always made him want to protect her, to be the one to mend those cracks in her walls.

Does he really have a crush on her? As soon as he thought of that, he looked away, feeling a mix of embarrassment and excitement swirling inside him. Embarrassment at the thought of having a crush on his coworker and excitement he doesn't even know why he is feeling excited at that thought.

He gritted his teeth, closing his eyes, regretting the conversation with Jungkook in the morning. 'Jeon Jungkook, when I catch you, Jungkook,' he thought, as if it's the younger's fault for his thoughts.
_______________________________________________________________________

Jungkook POV

As he is drinking water, he suddenly choked on it, coughing and spluttering as he tried to catch his breath. "Oh man, what happened?" a girl beside Jungkook said as she patted him on the back.

"I...don't know," he said between coughs.
"Someone must have mentioned you or something." She said, raising an eyebrow at him in concern. "Are you okay?"

He scoffed at the part of her suggesting that someone mentioning him could cause him to choke on water. "I'm fine," he replied, still catching his breath. "Just went down the wrong pipe. Don't be a granny, Ma Ga-young."

Though he didn't believe that someone mentioning him could cause him to choke, he somehow felt like maybe—just maybe—that was true. But he quickly shook off the thought and took a deep breath, feeling the water finally clear from his windpipe.

But if it's then it must be Seokjin hyung.... He thought