Between The Lines

The next morning, Ji Yoon Seo arrived earlier then usual.

Not because of deadlines, and definitely not because of anyone specific- or so he told himself. The office was still mostly empty when he settled at his desk, sipping his usual iced coffee and checking emails.

He hadn't expected Kang Min Jae to already be there.

Sitting a few desks down, Min Jae was flipping through printed reports, highlighter in hand, completeley focused.

Yoon Seo tried not to look. Really, he did. But there was something about that quiet concentration- sleeves rolled up again, hair a little messy, lips slightly parted in thought- that made it harder to again.

"Morning," Min Jae said without looking up.

Yoon Seo blinked. "You're early."

Min Jae looked up then, his eyes briefly meeting his. "So are you."

Touché.

The silence streched again, but this time, it felt less like space between strangers- more like an understanding forming. Yoon Seo turned back to his screen, though part of his attention lingered on the presence a few desks away.

A few hours later, the team gathered for the weekly strategy meeting. Yoon Seo presented first- organized, clear, professional. As always.

Then it was Min Jae's turn.

Yoon Seo watched quietly as Min Jae stood in front of the screen. There were a few stumble in the beginning- small hesitations- but he kept going. He wasn't flashy or loud, but his ideas were sharp, Thoughtful.

As the others nodded along, Yoon Seo noticed the small glance- just for a second- Min Jae looked at him, like he was silently asking, "Am I doing okay?"

Yoon Seo gave the faintest nod.

No one else noticed.

After the meeting, Yoon Seo was back at his desk when a folded piece of paper launched beside his keyboard. He looked up- Min Jae was already looking.

He unfolded it.

"Thankyou. For the look."

Below it, in smaller handwriting:

"I probably would have kept talking even if you shook your head, though."

Yoon Seo couldn't help it. His lips twitched- almost a smile.

He didn't reply right away. Instead he slipped the note into the drawer, fingers lingering on the paper a moment longer then necessary.

Later that afternoon, as Yoon Seo passed by the break room, he saw Min Jae leaning against the counter, sipping from a chipped mug. Their eyes met briefly.

Min Jae raised his cups slightly in silent acknowledgement. Not a wave. Not a greeting. Just something that said: I see you.

Yoon Seo kept walking.

But the ghost of that almost- smile hadn't left his face.

It lingered like the memory of warmth in cold room, faint but undeniable. He stared into the distance, as if seeing something no one else could. A thought clung to him- bittersweet, unresolved. Whatever it was, it held him stay still. Time moved, person passed but he remained tethered to that fleeting, silent echo - unspoken, yet deeply felt. And still it held on.

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