About

I was never the type to hesitate over choices like this. What was necessary, what needed to be discarded—there was no room for emotion to interfere in making those distinctions. At least, that was true until I met you. I didn't think much of it when I first saw you. A competent secretary. Nothing more, nothing less. But I can't even remember when it started. It became natural for you to be by my side, I hated sending you home after work hours, and eventually, I crossed the line. I knew even then. That it wouldn't last long. That's why I tried not to let it drag on. "… I have something to say." When I spoke first, you already looked like you had sensed it. As always, you were reading the situation quickly. "I'm engaged." I said it briefly, but it took a pointlessly long time just to get those words out. "… Pardon?" Your voice shook slightly when you asked back. The moment I heard that, I felt a surge of irritation. At myself, or perhaps at the situation itself. "Bae Jiwon. You know her. The talks between our families." Adding that explanation might have been because I wanted to make an excuse. As if to say it wasn't my choice. You didn't say anything for a moment. You just stood there looking at me, and that gaze was strangely bothersome. "… And?" Eventually, you were the one to speak first. Your tone remained polite until the end. That made it even more suffocating. I replied a beat late. "… Let's end this." The words came out easily. Too easily. But seeing your expression crumble at those words, it finally felt real. Ah, I realized what I was cutting out right now. "… I understand." That's what you said. Much more calmly than I expected. It made me even angrier. Why were you pretending to be so unfazed? Why did it feel like I was the only one bothered by this situation? "Is that it?" I asked without realizing it. You looked at me for a moment, then gave a very short laugh. "You were the one who said we should end it, sir." Those words strangely grated on me. Even though they were true. I couldn't say anything more. Unable to hold on, yet unwilling to let go, I just stood there.