Hyun-woo stood at the window in his office, sipping the last of his coffee. The light was shifting to a deep blue over the city's skyline. He heard his door open, there was no knock. He turned to see Min-su closing the door behind him.

"Got a minute?" Min-su asked, his voice even.

Hyun-woo nodded. He walked back to his desk, Min-su took the seat on the opposite side of his desk. As Hyun-woo took his seat, he placed his coffee cup onto its coaster. 

"I wasn’t going to bring this up, but... I need to," Min-su began, his tone measured, neither friend or foe. "It’s about Seo-jin."

Hyun-woo looked up at him at the mention of her name. "If it’s about the rebrand, we’re aligned. I’ve reviewed..."

"It’s not the work I’m worried about," Min-su cut in, "It’s the way you are in the room." He paused briefly to get a read on Hyun-woo. "You’re part of this project not just as a lead architect, but as a face of the studio. Right now... the energy between you two? It’s visible, and it’s cutting through the team."

"I haven’t said anything inappropriate," Hyun-woo replied quietly, his voice tight.

"That’s the problem. You haven’t said anything," Min-su countered. "You don’t have to be warm, Hyun-woo. But you do have to be civil."

Hyun-woo looked away, his jaw tight. Silence stretched between them.

"You’re not the only one holding your breath in those meetings," Min-su pointed out, his voice tinged with frustration.

"I’m managing it."

"No. You’re avoiding it," Min-su corrected him sharply. "And it’s starting to feel like you’re letting a personal silence speak louder than the work."

Hyun-woo picked up his mug again from its coaster. An opportunity to force a break in the conversation. "I didn’t ask for this."

"Neither did she," Min-su responded, his voice softening slightly. "But here we are. And people are watching."

A long pause. Min-su exhaled. Softer, now, he continued, "You don't have to fix whatever's fractured between you. But don’t let it fracture the team." He paused, looking directly at Hyun-woo.

"I’m meeting her tonight," Hyun-woo stated, his voice flat.

"I heard you," Min-su affirmed. "Whatever it is. Sort it. For her sake as much as yours. If you can't get past it then Soo-hyun will take the lead on this."

Min-su stood from his chair and left the room. Hyun-woo watched him go, leaving him alone in the fading light. Hyun-woo stood and walked back over to the window, his reflection in the glass looking back at him like someone else entirely.