The team had been working nonstop for days, preparing for the upcoming fashion expo. Everyone was tired — but the kind of tired that comes with excitement. The final prep meeting was set at a luxury hotel conference room.
Minji arrived first, flawless as always, tablet in hand. Minho came in five minutes later, casual but sharp. They nodded at each other, no words. As usual.
But the real storm arrived after them.
Jiwoo, carrying two coffee cups, bumped straight into Hyunwoo at the door.
Splash.
"Yah! My shirt!" Hyunwoo shouted, staring at the coffee stain down his chest.
Jiwoo winced. "Oops. That wasn't even the hot one. Be thankful."
"Be thankful?!" he looked horrified. "This was imported. Italian."
"Well, now it's international coffee art," she smirked, brushing his chest with tissues.
He stood frozen as she dabbed his shirt — too close, too fast.
Minho and Minji, seated at the table, glanced up.
"Should we… help?" Minji whispered.
Minho leaned in. "No. I want to see how this ends."
Jiwoo suddenly realized how close she was. She stopped mid-dab. They both stared. Just for a second.
"I'll… go get you a new shirt," she muttered, avoiding his eyes.
Hyunwoo blinked, flustered. "Yeah. Thanks. Please."
Minho coughed quietly to hide his laugh. Minji raised an eyebrow but said nothing. A corner of her mouth twitched.
---
Later – After the Meeting
Jiwoo handed Hyunwoo a new shirt (hotel gift shop overpriced but clean). As he changed behind a panel, she leaned on the wall.
"You owe me lunch," she said.
"For ruining my shirt?"
"No. For making me touch your shirt," she smirked.
He peeked out, buttoning up. "Deal. But I pick the place."
"Fine. No seafood."
"No tofu."
"No spicy."
"No fusion."
They looked at each other.
"…We'll just starve."
They both burst out laughing. Something easy passed between them — something light.
Neither noticed Minho quietly watching as he packed his files. Neither saw Minji glance at them with the smallest hint of amusement in her eyes.
---
Back in the car – Minho driving Minji (again)
"Your team is getting interesting," Minho said.
"Define interesting."
"Jiwoo and Hyunwoo. They're like a rom-com disaster waiting to happen."
Minji didn't reply at first. Then:
"Maybe some people need chaos to fall in love."
Minho looked at her sideways. "And you?"
She turned to the window. "I don't need love."
Minho didn't believe her.
But he didn't say it.
He just kept driving — quietly, beside her, again.