It was late into the evening and Seo-jin and her team had made their way to a local korean restaurant after work. An impromptu celebration for a colleagues promotion.

 Their table buzzed with light conversation and clinking glasses, the walls echoing with laughter from the other tables around them. Steam from the tables hot pots fogged up the windows. 

Seo-jin sat near the end of the table. Her half-sleeved blouse, long pleated trousers with understated earrings a picture of work elegance. She had been listening more than talking.

Four of her colleagues shared side dishes, pouring makgeolli, and telling work gossip. One of them, a project manager with a perpetually tired expression, was poking fun at a manager they all quietly feared.

“…then he says, ‘I’m only being devil’s advocate,’ and I swear Yuna nearly flipped the whiteboard,” his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

Laughter rolled around the table. Seo-jin smiled faintly, a brief, distant expression, and checked the time on her phone.

“Sorry,” she said, gathering her things. “If I don’t leave now, I’ll end up sleeping in the office.”

“What? Now?” a third colleague said, her voice full of surprise. “You’re still working on the Guro layout?”

“Just lining up some revisions before tomorrow’s review. I’m nearly done.” She stood, taking her coat from the chair.

Just then, Ji-ho, a colleague seated diagonally across, rose as well, brushing his blazer. “I’ll head out too. Need to double-check a lighting plan before the contractors run through.” He said it casually, but his timing was clearly synced with hers.

“You two going back to the office together?” the first colleague asked, a knowing tone in their voice. “Don’t forget the air-con shuts down after eleven. You might have to huddle together for warmth.”

Ji-ho grinned sideways at Seo-jin. “Then we’ll work fast. Right, team lead?”

Seo-jin gave him a dry, unreadable look. “I’m not waiting for you at the door.” Her tone held a hint of reprimand in it.

“Of course not. I’ll race you.” he smiled back.

That got a chuckle from someone. Seo-jin nodded to the others, giving a slight bow. “Goodnight. Don’t drink too much. Please.”

She left. Ji-ho followed a few seconds later, offering the table a quick goodbye and a hurried bow. His footsteps disappeared into the room between the other tables.

The pair emerged from the restaurant. The street outside buzzed with the low hum of Seoul traffic. Seo-jin turned her collar up against the chill in the air as they turned and walked down the road. As she walked she took her phone out, its screen a small rectangle of light in the darkness. She glanced down at it, then back up at Ji-ho, their conversation a low murmur that disappeared into the Seoul night.