Director Lee (smiling): "That's great, Mr. Han. Mr. Ryu is ready to teach you. Mr. Han, please read the main lines—we'll take a little trial."
Minwoo nodded, holding the script nervously. "Yep, I'm ready."
Director Lee gave the signal.
Jihan stood up smoothly, walked over to Minwoo's chair, and suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Jihan (in character): "You think study is more important than our matter?"
Minwoo blinked, caught off guard, but quickly followed the script.
Minwoo: "Just forget about it, Jin. We should forget about it."
Without missing a beat, Jihan pushed Minwoo closer. Their eyes locked.
Jihan (softly): "You really think I can?"
Then, without waiting, he leaned in and kissed Minwoo softly.
Jihan (still in character, pulling away): "I like you, June."
A short pause filled the room before Director Lee spoke up.
Director Lee (enthusiastically): "Okay, cut! Woo! Mr. Ryu, like always, you did great. And Mr. Han—you did well too. I'm impressed. I'm really looking forward to this. Our series is going to be the greatest ever."
Jihan was still holding Minwoo's wrist, his eyes locked with him. Minwoo's heart raced uncontrollably. After a moment, Jihan let go and returned to his seat like nothing had happened.
Director Lee stood up and clapped his hands together.
Director Lee: "So, we'll start working next week."
Jihan nodded silently.
Director Lee: "Have a good day."
He left the room, leaving the two alone.
Minwoo remained standing, feeling the warmth of Jihan's hand still lingering on his skin.
Minwoo: "Then I should go…"
He turned to leave, but Jihan's cold voice stopped him.
Jihan: "Who allowed you?"
Minwoo froze and turned back slowly.
Jihan: "Sit down."
Without further question, Minwoo sat down quietly. Jihan glanced down at the script, then let his eyes shift back to Minwoo.
Jihan: "Why were you nervous while acting? You're not a newbie in this field."
Minwoo bit his lower lip.
Minwoo: "It's not usual… I get nervous at acting but…"
Jihan: "You need to put more emotion in your lines. If you act like that, you can't be a successful actor."
Minwoo looked down, shame blooming in his chest.
Indeed… he was right.
"How can those cold eyes melt and turn into warmth like that?"
Minwoo couldn't stop thinking—Jihan really is such a great actor.
Jihan's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then stood and answered the call, walking toward the window.
Minwoo remained seated, thoughts swirling uncontrollably.
If I get nervous like that in front of Ryu Jihan… I won't be able to complete this series. I need to focus… Minwoo, focus.
The call ended. Jihan turned and walked slowly back toward him.
Minwoo was still lost in thought, looking down.
Suddenly, Jihan leaned down over him. Minwoo leaned back in his chair, startled.
Jihan: "Kiss me."
Minwoo blinked, shocked.
Minwoo: "Huh…?"
Jihan: "Kiss me. I want to know how you kiss."
Minwoo's mind went blank. But this man—this man always made the rules.
He slowly reached out, softly cupping Jihan's face. Their eyes locked—an intimate gaze that stole Minwoo's breath.
Minwoo closed his eyes and gently, softly kissed him.
Jihan's eyes stayed on Minwoo, unblinking, even after the kiss ended. He straightened up and stepped back.
Jihan (flatly): "You don't know how to kiss."
Minwoo's face turned red. He looked down, unable to reply—still in shock at what he had just done.
"I'll teach you how to kiss," Jihan said, his voice calm—cold even—but something simmered beneath the surface.
Minwoo finally looked up at him, startled.
Without waiting, Jihan grabbed Minwoo's wrist, pulled him up from the chair, and pushed him close—too close. Their breaths mingled in the small space between them.
Minwoo hesitated, but he knew… he had no choice.
Jihan's tone was low and instructive, almost clinical.
Jihan: "When you kiss… open your mouth a little bit."
His fingers gently traced Minwoo's lips.
Jihan: "And use your tongue."
Minwoo's breath hitched. Jihan parted his lips with the pad of his thumb, slow and deliberate. Then, he leaned in and kissed him—firmly, but with a building intensity.
Minwoo's eyes fluttered shut. The warmth of Jihan's mouth made his chest thrum. The kiss deepened, turning passionate, their mouths moving together as if they'd done it a hundred times before.
But it wasn't practice.
It didn't feel like practice.
It felt dangerous… real.
Finally, they pulled apart.
Minwoo's breath came fast and shallow as Jihan calmly walked back to his seat.
Jihan (coldly): "Now you can go."
Minwoo adjusted the collar of his shirt, trying to compose himself. Without saying a word, he turned and left the room. His heart pounded painfully in his chest.
Why is my chest so tight? he wondered, struggling to calm down as he walked down the hall.
Outside, Joon and Donghae sat at a table, waiting. Joon stood quickly when he saw Minwoo approaching.
Joon (whispering): "Why is your face completely red?"
Minwoo instinctively touched his cheek.
Minwoo: "Nope—I'm okay. I just need some fresh air."
Donghae smiled politely.
Donghae: "Mr. Han, if you'd like, I can give you a tour of our company."
Minwoo: "That's a good idea, but… I'm not ready today. Maybe we can do that later?"
Donghae nodded.
Donghae: "Of course, Mr. Han. Have a good day, Mr. Han, Mr. Joon. I'll send you the next schedule for the upcoming photoshoot with Mr. Ryu."
Joon: "Thank you."
Minwoo and Joon exited together.
Once inside the car, Minwoo leaned back in the seat, trying to shake the feeling—but he couldn't.
He stared out the window, whispering to himself:
Minwoo: "Why does he act so normal after doing something that weird…?"
As Joon drove, the mood inside the car was light—at least on his side.
Joon (cheerfully): "Minwoo, the company workers are so polite. Especially Mr. Donghae—how perfect is he? I had a great time with them."
He glanced at Minwoo, waiting for a response. But Minwoo remained silent, staring blankly out the window.
Joon (curious): "And you? How was the meeting?"
Still no reply. Joon frowned slightly and called again.
Joon: "Minwoo… what are you thinking about?"
Minwoo blinked, finally snapping out of his thoughts.
Minwoo: "What?"
Joon (smiling): "I asked—how was your meeting?"
Minwoo: "It was good. The director's nice."
Joon: "That's good. Then what about dinner at your favorite place? After such a great opportunity, you should treat me!"
Minwoo offered a small smile.
Minwoo: "Let's go. But to your favorite place instead."
Joon (grinning): "Deal. Let's go."
As the car moved forward, Minwoo turned his gaze back to the road, thoughts lingering behind his calm expression.
I need to forget about Jihan, he told himself. Act like nothing happened. Be normal…
At restaurant....
Minwoo and Joon sat at a quiet table in the corner of the restaurant. Joon picked up the menu, scanning it with excitement.
Joon (teasing): "Minwoo, what do you want to eat?"
Minwoo: "Anything."
Joon looked up, noticing Minwoo's lack of energy.
Joon: "Why are you acting weird today?"
Minwoo didn't answer. He just kept his eyes low. Joon sighed and went ahead with the order anyway.
Joon: "Alright. I'll choose for you. I'm heading to the restroom for a bit."
Minwoo gave a small nod. Joon stood and walked away, leaving Minwoo sitting alone. He looked around the restaurant, then checked his phone.
Why is Joon taking so long…?
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.
???: "Han Minwoo."
Minwoo turned, his eyes widening slightly.
Minwoo (softly): "Kang Harin…"
Kang Harin walked toward him with a bright smile.
Kang Harin: "Wow, today must be my lucky day. I just happened to run into you."
Minwoo offered a polite smile and nodded.
Kang Harin (smiling): "Han Minwoo, are you alone here?"
Minwoo: "Nope, I'm with my friend."
Harin sat down slightly on the edge of the table, still smiling.
Kang Harin: "Congratulations on your new series. You're so lucky to be working with Ryu Jihan. Everyone wants him, you know."
Minwoo forced a small smile. Deep down, he wasn't happy to see Kang Harin. After all, it was Harin who had taken his role in the previous series—right after Minwoo was dumped by Cha Yejun. Yejun had chosen Harin as his new on-screen partner, replacing Minwoo without warning.
Just then, Joon returned from the restroom. His expression changed the moment he saw Kang Harin talking to Minwoo. He quickly walked over.
Joon: "I'm sorry, Minwoo, I took a little long."
Kang Harin (still smiling): "Han Minwoo, mind if I join you?"
Minwoo didn't answer, his expression unreadable. Before the silence could stretch, Joon stepped in with a calm but sharp tone.
Joon: "I'm sorry, Mr. Kang. We have some private discussions. And if you want to meet with Han Minwoo, you should contact his secretary—because you're not his friend at all."
Kang Harin's smile twitched slightly, the fake warmth cracking for just a moment. He forced it back on.
Kang Harin: "It's okay then. I should take my leave."
He turned and walked away, leaving Minwoo and Joon at the table. Minwoo exhaled quietly, not saying a word.
Meanwhile, Jihan lay on his bed, one arm resting over his forehead as he stared at the ceiling. His mind, despite the silence around him, was loud—with thoughts of Minwoo.
Jihan (murmuring to himself): "How innocent he still is… he didn't even know how to kiss."
He let out a small chuckle, remembering the look on Minwoo's face—the hesitation, the soft lips, the way his eyes fluttered shut.
Jihan (softly): "His eyes… they haven't changed at all. He's still the same."
His gaze drifted to the ceiling again, voice growing even quieter.
Jihan: "Still the same coffee boy… Finally, I found you.....