The lobby was still reeling from the earlier declaration, a hush lingering in the air like the aftermath of a storm.

The man with the bouquet, however—apparently lacking the basic survival instinct—cleared his throat and stepped forward again, clutching the now-awkward flowers.

“Uh… Haneul-ssi,” he said, voice wobbling but determined, “Can I get your number? I’d really like to take you out sometime.”

A collective gasp.

Seung’s smile froze. His eyes narrowed. He took a step forward, expression dark enough to make even the bravest tremble. That classic murder-with-a-smile look.

The man didn't back down.

“Are you… taken?” he asked, glancing between Haneul and Seung, suspicion thick in the air. “I mean, is he your boyfriend?”

Even Ra Hyeon, standing nearby with his arms crossed, tilted his head ever so slightly, his gaze flickering with subtle interest.

Haneul blinked. She turned slowly to the man, then to Seung, and back to the man again. Her brows rose.

“Why on earth would I date a 19-year-old who’s four years younger than me?” she deadpanned, gesturing at Seung.

Seung gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like she’d shot him.

“Oh my Sky!” he said. “You’re in trouble because of my handsome looks, aren’t you?”

Haneul sighed.

And then, Seung—grinning like a fox—whipped out his phone.

“Here. Cub’s contact info. Read it.”

The screen lit up: Name: My One and Only Sky (Noona)
Wallpaper: A heart-melting photo—Haneul in her high school uniform, hair flowing, a bouquet of flowers in her hands, looking drop-dead gorgeous. And beside her? A smiling Seung, in a school uniform, hugging her like his whole world.

The lobby exploded.

“Whaaat—she looked like that back then?!”
“She’s even prettier than now!”
“She’s like… glowing!”
“That’s not fair, how does someone look cooler in a school uniform?!”

And the whispers grew louder: “She let him call her Sky…”
“Imagine calling her that. Lucky brat…”
“I’d sell my soul to call her that even once…”

Ra Hyeon’s jaw tightened. His eyes lingered on the photo longer than he’d like to admit.
That uniform…

A flicker of memory surfaced—a glimpse of Haneul in high school. Was she…?

But before he could dig deeper, Haneul turned to Seung, arms folded. “What are you doing in my office anyway, Cub?”

Seung smirked, completely unfazed by the chaos around him. “For your apartment keys, of course. My busy Sky forgot her cub was coming over today.”

Haneul groaned, pulling the keys out of her bag. “Sorry, my baby. Here you go.”

Everyone froze again. Did she just call him—baby?

Seung took the keys, then leaned closer, whispering, “Great news, by the way. But clearly, your mood and my mood are ruined by a certain someone. So… I’ll tell you at dinner.”

Haneul smiled. “Since you have great news, you might as well search the room for your surprise. Sorry once again. And I love you.”

And then she hugged him. Tight. Warm.

She kissed his cheek.

“Bye, Cub.”

Seung winked, looking smug as hell as he strutted off, swinging the keys.

The room was dead silent. Again.

No one had ever seen Haneul Seo like that. No ice-cold aura. No indifference. Just warmth, affection, and a blindingly soft smile.

Male employees from her previous team were shook. Jealousy hit like a truck.

Even the bouquet guy looked like he’d been hit by an emotional nuke. “She… never smiled at me like that…”

And Ra Hyeon? His jaw clenched. That lunch break where she smiled at everyone but him already annoyed him. But this?

This was war.

The elevator dinged, and Haneul turned to Ra Hyeon with her usual crisp demeanor.

“Let’s go. We’re late for the meeting.”

Ra Hyeon said nothing. He followed her inside, eyes stormy.

But inside?

His thoughts were anything but professional.