Taekyun walked toward the elevator with steady steps.
Employees stood behind him in a straight line, shoulders squared, backs stiff.
Even the sound of breathing felt controlled in his presence.
He towered over them naturally, his aura cold and commanding, the kind that made people unconsciously stand straighter.
Yet whispers still slipped through.
"He's so innocent"
"I don't even know how to explain it.
He's beautiful."
"Right? Like someone from another world."
Taekyun heard the voices clearly.
But he didn't understand who they were talking about.
Still, without warning, a face formed in his mind.
Haneul.
Soft eyes. Pale skin.
The way he looked at Haru as if nothing else existed.
The image lingered longer than it should have.
The elevator slowed.
[7th floor]
The doors slid open.
Lihan was already standing there.
The moment Taekyun stepped out, he loosened his tie slightly and removed his coat.
Lihan took it from him smoothly.
"How was the meeting?"
Lihan asked.
"Good. As expected,"
Taekyun replied calmly.
"Check Hexas' files again. I'm doubtful."
Lihan nodded without question.
Taekyun walked toward his office, hand reaching for the door.
"I forgot to mention,"
Lihan said suddenly, stopping him.
"Haru and Haneul came about thirty minutes ago. They're inside."
Taekyun froze.
"Haru?" His voice dropped.
How was that possible?
Haru never came to his office unless he brought her himself.
And that happened only once or twice a year.
But Haneul,
Understanding came instantly.
It must have been their idea.
"Is everything okay?"
Taekyun asked quietly.
"They're fine,"
Lihan answered.
Taekyun nodded once and opened the door.
(Inside)
Haneul was sitting on the carpet with Haru.
Haru was writing something on a sheet of paper, brows furrowed in deep concentration.
Her lips curved into a small, proud smile as she admired her own writing.
Behind her,
Haneul sat almost childishly
legs folded back, elbows resting on his knees, face cupped in his hands.
He watched Haru as if she were doing something incredibly important, eyes warm and full of focus.
The scene stopped Taekyun in place.
The door closed softly.
Haneul looked up.
Their eyes met.
Haneul straightened instantly, wide eyes shining.
His cheeks flushed faintly as he stood up quickly.
"Abba!"
Haru jumped to her feet and ran.
Taekyun bent down without thinking, catching her easily and lifting her into his arms.
He adjusted her coat and smoothed her hair gently, his thumb brushing stray strands away.
"You okay?"
He asked softly.
Haru nodded.
Haneul stood a little distance away, hands clasped nervously.
Lihan entered quietly, placed Taekyun's coat and files on the desk, then left without interrupting.
Haneul stepped closer, movements slow, hesitant.
"Haru was missing you,"
He said softly.
"So, I thought I'd bring her here."
Taekyun swallowed.
"You did?"
He murmured, then nodded.
They sat on the couch together.
Haru climbed between them naturally, small hands resting on Taekyun's sleeve.
"Did you eat?"
Taekyun asked.
Haru shook her head, though she had eaten recently.
Haneul smiled faintly and shook his head too.
Taekyun was about to stand when.
"Let's eat out," Haneul said.
"If you're not busy."
Taekyun paused.
Why was Haneul speaking so easily these days?
So naturally.
As if distance no longer existed between them.
"Alright,"
He said.
Haru nodded eagerly.
Taekyun went to his desk, picked up his phone.
"Bring the car in fifteen minutes,"
He said calmly.
"And book a table at Hwang's."
He ended the call and turned back.
"From now on,"
His voice hardened slightly,
"Don't come to the office without informing me."
Haneul and Haru both looked at him.
"It's not like that,"
Haneul said quickly.
"We just wanted to see you."
Haru lowered her head.
Taekyun clenched his jaw.
He didn't dislike Haru coming here.
He didn't dislike Haneul being here either.
He just didn't want others to see them.
Especially Haneul.
"I mean"
He corrected himself quietly,
"It's cold outside. Staying home is better."
Haneul studied him for a moment then smiled gently.
"It's okay. Next time, we'll inform you."
Next time.
The words echoed in Taekyun's mind.
Will there be a next time?
A knock interrupted them.
"Sir,"
An employee said carefully,
"Mr. Jackson is here."
Taekyun's eyes sharpened.
"Jackson?"
"Yes."
"Set him in the next room. I'll come."
Taekyun stood and rested his hand on Haru's head.
"I'll ask staff to bring you something to eat,"
He told Haneul.
"I'll take some time."
"It's okay,"
Haneul replied softly.
"We'll wait."
Taekyun paused, then turned and left.
Haneul watched the door close, cheeks puffing slightly.
"Who came suddenly?"
He murmured to Haru.
"He was just going to eat with us."
[In the next room]
A man around Taekyun's age stood as he entered.
"Director Kim,"
The man greeted.
"Jackson,"
Taekyun replied, shaking his hand.
They sat.
Jackson was a renowned researcher
one of the few leading figures in paranormal studies, dimensional displacement, and interworld phenomena.
His organization had already achieved what most believed impossible:
Successfully sending people back to their original world.
That was why Taekyun had contacted him.
"You sounded urgent,"
Jackson said.
"You mentioned a special case."
"There's someone,"
Taekyun said slowly.
"He doesn't belong to this world."
Jackson's interest sharpened immediately.
"You want him sent back?"
"Yes." A pause.
"If possible peacefully."
Jackson leaned back slightly, studying him.
"You don't sound like someone who just wants results,"
He said.
"You sound conflicted."
Taekyun looked away.
"If he stays,"
He said quietly,
"This world will hurt him."
He didn't say,
Or that I might.
He didn't understand why.
But one thing was clear.
He wanted Haneul protected.
Even from himself.
Taekyun didn't understand it himself.
He only knew one thing.
He wanted to protect Haneul
from the quiet, burning hatred growing inside him,
hatred he didn't know how to control anymore.