The restaurant was geared for business lunches and dinners. Smartly presented with a business-like minimalism and undertone. The tables were all suitably sized for larger gatherings and far enough apart for conversations to remain within the confines of a table's group.

They sat either side of a table. Menus were down, drinks were poured, and the conversations were casual with no need to discuss any further business.

Min-su had taken a seat next to Seo-jin. When the opportunity arose, he leant in slightly toward her, his voice low enough to be private. "I know this isn’t my place, but... I’ve noticed a shift. Between you and Hyun-woo."

Seo-jin didn’t react visibly, her face carefully composed, but she looked him in the face in reaction to his closeness.

"He’s always been... closed," Min-su continued softly. "But lately, it’s like he’s trying harder not to be seen."

She offered a tight smile, dismissive but not convincing. "It’s fine. We all carry our own weight differently."

"I just hope you know none of it is about the work. Or you," Min-su insisted, his gaze earnest.

Soo-hyun, across the table, abruptly coughed on his drink in a choked reaction to Min-su’s "it's not you" line. Min-su shot him an annoyed glance. "Child," he muttered, putting Soo-hyun firmly in his place. Soo-hyun looked down, chastened.

The restaurant's front door opened. Hyun-woo walked in, his eyes scanning the room briefly before he approached them. A few surprised looks went around the table.

"My schedule shifted," Hyun-woo said, as her got to the head of the table closest to the director, his voice even. "Would it be okay if I joined you? If I’m not too late?"

The Director, already standing, gestured expansively. "Please. No. Not at all. Come. Sit."

Min-su stood to make space next to Seo-jin. "Here. Take my seat."

Hyun-woo took the offered seat with a polite nod, sliding in beside Seo-jin. He didn’t explicitly look at her, but he didn’t not look either, his presence immediately settling beside her. Their shoulders nearly brushing.

Do-yeon and Sang-wook watched them like hawks. Do-yeon flashed Soo-hyun a pointed look, but he didn't see her, still recovering from Min-su’s "child" remark.

Both Hyun-woo and Seo-jin reached for the water jug at the exact same time. They paused, fingers brushing lightly. Seo-jin let him take it.

"I love how subtle we all are," Sang-wook murmured.

"Eat your food," Do-yeon responded flatly, her eyes still on Seo-jin and Hyun-woo.

Forks moved, eyes flickered across the table. Words went around them, about work and trivialities, but Hyun-woo and Seo-jin didn't speak to each other. They didn’t even make eye contact throughout the meal. Until it began to wind down.

Plates were pushed away. Glasses half-full. Hyun-woo turned slightly towards Seo-jin, finally addressing her directly. "I’d like to talk about a few points that were raised in the meeting this morning. If that's okay?"

A beat of charged silence.

"Of course," Seo-jin replied, her voice steady. "We can talk about it at the office after lunch."

"I have a site to attend later," Hyun-woo said, his gaze holding hers. "Can you make it later tonight, if you’re free that is."

She searched his face for a neutral expression for any hint of what he truly meant. Then, a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Sure."

The group filtered out of the restaurant into the afternoon air. Each party bid their farewells. Do-yeon and Sang-wook drifted closer to Seo-jin as the others began to head off in different directions.

"So… what did Mr. Glacial want?" Sang-wook asked, his tone dry.

"Yeah," Do-yeon added, "that little sidebar at the end? You didn’t even flinch. Suspiciously professional."

Seo-jin adjusted her coat, her eyes on the pavement. "He wants to talk about the project. Said there were some points from the rebrand review he wanted to go over."

"Tonight?" Do-yeon scoffed. "That couldn’t wait until morning?"

"You want backup?" Sang-wook offered instantly. "We’ll come. Pretend we just dropped by. You say the word, I’ll bring a whiteboard."

"Or snacks," Do-yeon suggested. "Intimidation works best when paired with convenience food."

Seo-jin smiled lightly, but there was a hint of tension behind it. "I appreciate it. Really. But... it doesn’t feel right." Her gaze met Do-yeon’s. "He asked for me. And I think I need to hear whatever he’s trying to say. Alone."

An understanding passed between her friends. Do-yeon exchanged a look with Sang-wook, then nodded. "Just say the word if it starts feeling less right."

"Or text a single emoji," Sang-wook added, deadpan, "and we’ll storm the place like it’s an HR intervention."

Seo-jin laughed softly, shaking her head. They continued to walk as a small group, heading back to the office, a mix of apprehension and anticipation swirling around Seo-jin.