Outing.

The moment Yoon-ah picked up the call, she didn't even get a chance to say hello before a loud groan came through the receiver.

"Unnie, I'm quitting," Shin Min-ah declared, her voice muffled, likely from her head being buried in her desk.

Yoon-ah smirked, adjusting her Bluetooth earpiece as she skimmed through the endless emails piling up. "Already? What happened this time?"

"The same thing that happens every day!" Min-ah huffed. "Some moron thinks he can argue against facts. This time, it was some chaebol's son trying to weasel out of a fraud case, acting like I'd be charmed by his stupid Rolex and his 'Noona, you're so pretty' nonsense."

Yoon-ah wrinkled her nose. "Ew. Please tell me you made him cry."

"I wish! He was too stupid to realize how bad his situation was."

Yoon-ah chuckled, switching tabs on her screen. "You make being a prosecutor sound like a contact sport."

"It is. The only difference is, instead of fists, I use evidence and pure rage."

Yoon-ah shook her head in amusement. "I'd say you should consider therapy, but I think scaring criminals is your therapy."

Min-ah cackled. "Exactly! Speaking of suffering, how's your glorified internship at Galaxy Corporation?"

"Internship?" Yoon-ah scoffed. "Excuse you, I am a highly paid, highly stressed secretary."

"So… a glorified internship?"

"Min-ah, my paycheck is bigger than some CEOs' salaries."

A beat of silence.

Then Min-ah gasped. "Wait. How much?"

Yoon-ah took a sip of her coffee. "A little over 150 million won a year. Give or take. Plus bonuses."

Min-ah choked. "A hundred and fifty—?! Yoon-ah, that's insane! You're making more than some politicians!" This was startling information to Min-ah, she didn't even make that much as a prosecutor herself. "Wait!wait! wait! You mean you earn twelve and a half million a month?! Yoon-ah! That's more than my yearly rent! I didn't know about this Yoon-ah! Why didn't you tell me?! Is your boss by any chance looking for a law–"

"Easy there"

"Sorry bad habit!" Min-ah laughed.

Yoon-ah hummed, amused by her reaction. "Technically, I could have negotiated for more. But the unlimited corporate card, five-star business trips, and the occasional company stocks make up for it."

Min-ah groaned. "I hate rich people. You're literally working for experience, and you're out here making CEO money."

"Hey, I worked hard for this glorified internship," Yoon-ah teased. "Besides, you get to bully criminals for a living. We all win."

"Yeah, yeah, Miss Morally Rich," Min-ah muttered. "So, tell me. How's working for the Kim Tan? Is he as terrifying as they say?"

Yoon-ah groaned, rubbing her temples. "Worse. I swear, this man is impossible. If he keeps this up, I'll be the one grading his performance. I've been working with him for a little bit more than a month and he's still a bit of a pain in the behind!"

Min-ah snorted."just a bit? Give him a report card. 'Boss Attitude: D minus. Intimidation tactics: S-tier.'"

"And 'Unnecessary tests of endurance: SS-tier.'"

Min-ah howled. "I love this for you. When are you quitting?"

"Never. I like my paycheck."

"Ugh, capitalism."

They laughed, their stress momentarily forgotten.

"Alright," Min-ah said, voice softening. "You sound like you need a break. Let's meet up."

Yoon-ah hummed. "That… actually sounds perfect. When?"

"Tonight. Dinner. No excuses."

Yoon-ah grinned. "Fine. But you're paying."

Min-ah gasped. "Excuse me? Who just got a fat paycheck from an evil chaebol CEO?"

"Exactly. I have to maintain my rich girl image. You, on the other hand, already fit the 'scary career woman' aesthetic."

Min-ah groaned. "Fine. But only because I miss you."

Yoon-ah smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. "Miss you too…"

--

The restaurant Min-ah chose was sleek and modern, the kind of place perfect for unwinding after a long day. As Yoon-ah stepped inside, she immediately spotted her—Min-ah was hard to miss, standing near the entrance, tapping her foot impatiently.

"You're late," Min-ah said, arms crossed. "Did you drive that car?" The Bentley.

Yoon-ah sighed dramatically. "Yeah I did Traffic. Complain to Seoul's city planners, not me."

Min-ah rolled her eyes but grinned. "Whatever, you're here now. And I brought a surprise."

Yoon-ah frowned. "A surprise?"

Before she could ask more, Min-ah stepped aside—revealing a tall man standing behind her.

Yoon-ah's breath hitched.

Even in the dim lighting, she recognized him instantly.

Neatly styled black hair, sharp features, glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. That same cool, distant aura.

Lee Tae-mo.

A cold beauty.

She blinked, caught between shock and familiarity. Unlike Min-ah, whom she had taken a few seconds to remember back in high school, Lee Tae-mo was unforgettable.

Unapproachable. Intimidating. Untouchable.

Back then, they had been classmates, a trio–despite the fact that they were not close– and part of the merit class in school.

Shin Min-ah, the loud-mouthed weirdo who talked too much (still do) always followed Yoon-ah around.

Lee Tae-mo, the brooding loner who could have been the school's most sought-after prince if he weren't so damn cold.

And Seol Yoon-ah—back then, the fat rich kid. Smart, well-mannered, and always carrying extra snacks in her bag.

They all wore glasses back then.

Now, Min-ah and Tae-mo still did, but Yoon-ah had switched to contacts for public appearances, her glasses reserved for home only.

Most of their classmates avoided Tae-mo, mistaking his quiet nature for arrogance. Everyone thought he was too proud to associate with them—except Yoon-ah and Min-ah.

They knew better.

He wasn't arrogant. He was just alone.

But after what happened on that rooftop—after Cha Woo-in—she never saw Lee Tae-mo again.

Until now.

"Seol Yoon-ah," he greeted, voice smooth and unreadable.

She blinked. "Lee Tae-mo."

Min-ah's gaze flicked between them, clearly entertained. "Huh. You recognized him way faster than you recognized me. I feel offended."

Yoon-ah barely heard her.

Lee Tae-mo hadn't changed. If anything, time had only refined him, sharpening the edges of his already striking presence.

He was still the same—cold, distant, unreadable.

But as their eyes met, something flickered behind his glasses.

Recognition.

Not just in the way one remembers an old classmate.

But in the way someone remembers a person who disappeared.

Finally, she cleared her throat. "It's… been a while."

He nodded slightly. "It has."

A pause. Then Min-ah clapped her hands together. "Alright, enough staring. Let's eat!"

She looped her arm through Yoon-ah's and tugged her inside. "Come on, I need food and gossip. We have so much to catch up on."

As they stepped into the restaurant, Yoon-ah glanced back at Lee Tae-mo.

He was still watching her.

And for a brief second, before he looked away—

She swore she saw the faintest trace of something behind his cool exterior.

Not just amusement.

But something deeper.

Something unspoken.