#82.

Late at night, the management office was shrouded in darkness. Faint moonlight seeped through the window, softly illuminating the interior. Park Min-ah’s breathing, leaning on Lee Han’s arm, filled the quiet space.

Park Min-ah, with her eyes closed, was savoring the afterglow, feeling Lee Han’s body temperature. Her hair gently touched Lee Han’s shoulder, and his scent stimulated the tip of her nose. Park Min-ah’s lips were slightly parted, and her cheeks were still flushed.

Lee Han’s fingers slowly moved along Park Min-ah’s arm. Her body trembled slightly at his touch. It seemed that traces of the passion the two had shared a moment ago still lingered on their skin.

“Ah…” A small sigh escaped from Park Min-ah’s lips.

Lee Han brought his lips to her ear and whispered, “Are you okay?”

Park Min-ah nodded instead of answering. Her hand went up to Lee Han’s chest and felt his heartbeat. Feeling his heart still beating fast, a smile spread across Park Min-ah’s lips.

Lee Han gave Park Min-ah a soft kiss on the forehead. His hand slowly went down her back. Park Min-ah’s body responded, arching like a bow.

The breaths of the two mingled in the quiet office. The beads of sweat on their skin reflected the moonlight, shining softly. The lingering afterglow of the passion they had shared a moment ago still lingered in the air.

“Min-ah-ssi,” Lee Han’s low voice broke the silence. “That Kang Ji-won woman… what kind of person do you think she is?”

Park Min-ah slowly opened her eyes and pondered Lee Han’s question. A shadow of worry briefly crossed her face.

“Well… Ji-won-ssi is…” Park Min-ah opened her mouth. “She’s a warm and kind person. Maybe it’s because she’s a kindergarten teacher, but she has a knack for making others feel comfortable, like she’s dealing with children.”

Lee Han nodded and listened to Park Min-ah’s words. “Is that so? What do you think about her, Min-ah-ssi?”

Park Min-ah hesitated for a moment before answering. “I… I don’t really know. I know she’s a good person, but I get a strange feeling.”

A smile spread across Lee Han’s lips. “A strange feeling, huh…”

He gently lifted Park Min-ah’s chin and looked into her eyes. “Kang Ji-won, isn’t she quite an attractive woman?”

A moment of bewilderment flashed in Park Min-ah’s eyes. There was a slight edge to her voice. “Heum… Do you think so, Sojang-nim?”

Lee Han laughed silently at Park Min-ah’s reaction. He pulled her closer and whispered, “I think this is the only way we can be together, Min-ah-ssi.”

A moment of regret flashed in Park Min-ah’s eyes, but soon her expression softened. “If we can just be together…” she murmured.

Slightly chilled, she snuggled deeper into Lee Han’s arms, and a happy smile spread across Park Min-ah’s lips.

In the darkness of the management office, only the breaths of the two echoed quietly. The moonlight visible through the window seemed to be watching their secret conversation.

—

The warm sunlight of midday brightly illuminated the kindergarten classroom. Kang Ji-won was sitting in a circle with the children, reading a fairy tale book. Her soft voice filled the classroom.

“So the rabbit said to the turtle. ‘Do you think you can beat me?'”

The children’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. But Kang Ji-won’s mind was already elsewhere. Park Min-ah’s smile, her voice, and the conversation they had shared last night flashed through Kang Ji-won’s mind.

“Teacher! What happens next?”

Kang Ji-won returned to reality at the sound of a child’s voice. She smiled, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Ah, that’s right. Sorry. Where did I leave off…”

Kang Ji-won turned the page and continued the story, but her mind was still on Park Min-ah. Even while playing hand games with the children, her hands seemed to be moving automatically.

‘Why am I like this?’ Kang Ji-won asked herself. ‘Is it right for me to think about Min-ah-ssi like this?’

During lunchtime, while the children were eating their school lunch, Kang Ji-won briefly looked out the window. The cool autumn breeze was shaking the leaves. Her heart was also shaking like those leaves.

“Teacher, please give me more rice!”

Kang Ji-won returned to reality once again at the sound of a child’s voice. She went to the child, gave him more rice, and smiled.

‘I need to concentrate,’ she vowed in her heart. ‘The children need me.’

But in a corner of her heart, thoughts of Park Min-ah still lingered. Her heart fluttered with anticipation at the thought of meeting her after work.

‘If I try a little harder… couldn’t our relationship become closer?’

Kang Ji-won smiled slightly at the thought. But soon that smile disappeared. She was confused by her own feelings, but on the other hand, she was filled with anticipation.

During afternoon class, Kang Ji-won was drawing with the children. She praised a child’s drawing, but her mind was already picturing the time after work.

‘What kind of things will we talk about today? What does Min-ah-ssi think of me?’

Anticipation and anxiety crossed Kang Ji-won’s eyes as she looked at the clock. As the end of the work day approached, her heart became even more complicated.

–

Late at night, the park in the apartment complex was quiet. The streetlights dimly illuminated the benches, and the leaves rustled in the occasional breeze. Kang Ji-won and Park Min-ah were sitting side by side, the distance between them subtly closer.

“Min-ah-ssi, you seem very tired these days,” Kang Ji-won said cautiously.

Park Min-ah hesitated for a moment before answering. “Yeah… I’ve had some complicated things going on lately…”

Kang Ji-won carefully examined Park Min-ah’s expression. The sadness and worry in her eyes pained her heart. Kang Ji-won naturally reached out and gently wrapped her arm around Park Min-ah’s shoulder.

“It’s okay. Tell me anytime if you’re having a hard time. I’ll listen.”

Park Min-ah was startled by Kang Ji-won’s sudden touch, but soon seemed to entrust herself to the warmth. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Thank you, I’m so glad you’re here, Ji-won-ssi.”

Kang Ji-won mustered her courage and gently took Park Min-ah’s hand. She could feel Park Min-ah’s hand trembling. But she didn’t pull her hand away.

“Min-ah-ssi…” Kang Ji-won’s voice trembled. “I… I’ll be by your side.”

Park Min-ah looked up at Kang Ji-won. Their eyes met. Park Min-ah’s pupils sparkled under the moonlight. Kang Ji-won felt an irresistible urge.

Slowly, very slowly, Kang Ji-won leaned towards Park Min-ah. Park Min-ah closed her eyes. The moment their lips were almost touching-

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps made the two hurriedly pull away. Someone was walking towards them from a distance.

Kang Ji-won’s heart was pounding. The moment before felt like a dream. She glanced at Park Min-ah. Park Min-ah’s cheeks were flushed red.

“I… I think I should go in now,” Park Min-ah said in a small voice.

Kang Ji-won nodded, unable to hide her disappointment. “Okay. Go in carefully.”

Just as Park Min-ah was about to get up, Kang Ji-won grabbed her hand once more.

“See you… tomorrow.”

Park Min-ah smiled. “Yes, see you tomorrow.”

The two reluctantly let go of each other’s hands. Even after Park Min-ah disappeared, Kang Ji-won sat on the bench for a while. Hope and anxiety were mixed together in her heart.

–

Late at night, Kang Ji-won was swept away by a heart-pounding anticipation and hurriedly changed her clothes. With a meeting with Park Min-ah ahead of her, her steps became lighter. While crossing the apartment complex, her mind was filled with nothing but Park Min-ah.

However, as she got closer to the bench, Kang Ji-won’s steps gradually slowed down. She could see the silhouettes of two people in the distance. One was definitely Park Min-ah, and the other was… a man. Kang Ji-won’s heart sank.

Instinctively, she hid behind a nearby tree. Her heart was pounding in her ears. She couldn’t hear their conversation, but the atmosphere didn’t seem right.

The man said something, and Park Min-ah lowered her head. She could see her shoulders shaking. Kang Ji-won clenched her fingernails tightly. ‘Is she crying?’

The man sighed and looked around. When his gaze turned in the direction of Kang Ji-won, she quickly hid herself. She felt like her heart was about to explode.

After a while, the sound of the man’s footsteps faded away. Kang Ji-won carefully peeked out and looked at his back. Suddenly, her eyes widened. ‘That man… I saw him at the management office…’

Park Min-ah was left alone on the bench. Her shoulders were still shaking. Kang Ji-won couldn’t take it anymore. She ran towards the bench.

“Min-ah-ssi!”

Park Min-ah looked up. Her eyes were filled with tears. Kang Ji-won’s heart ached.

“Are you okay?” Kang Ji-won sat next to Park Min-ah and took her hand.

Instead of answering, Park Min-ah leaned on Kang Ji-won’s shoulder and sobbed. Kang Ji-won carefully reached out and hugged her. She could feel Park Min-ah’s warmth.

Kang Ji-won’s mind was complicated. Holding Park Min-ah now, her heart was filled with comfort and questions at the same time. Who is that man, and what is his relationship with Park Min-ah? Why did he make Park Min-ah cry?

“It’s okay, Min-ah-ssi. I’m here,” Kang Ji-won whispered, gently stroking Park Min-ah’s back.

The night air felt cold, but the body temperatures of the two were warm. Kang Ji-won hugged Park Min-ah even tighter. Although anxiety and worry were taking root in a corner of her heart, she decided to focus only on comforting Park Min-ah for now.