As Na-young was exchanging messages with her colleague about work before leaving the office, she lifted her head towards Love, who was sitting across from her.

“Love, would you like to go to the mountains this weekend?”

“The mountains?”

At the sudden suggestion, Love’s eyes widened a bit.

Na-young, who enjoyed hiking, used to organize mountain climbing outings with colleagues until last year, going up the mountains once a month. However, as time passed, the group naturally dispersed, and despite her initial enthusiasm, Na-young couldn’t even wear the expensive hiking clothes she had purchased a few times. Is it possible that the hiking group is making a comeback?

“Aren’t you going with Director Dong-gi and the others from your department?”

“The PR team’s Go Joon-hyung is the only one available, but it’s a bit awkward with just the two of us.”

“Wouldn’t Director Go feel uncomfortable?”

“No, Joon-hyung suggested bringing Love along first, so I’m asking.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, he thinks it would be nice if the three of us went. We had fun drinking together last time, calling each other oppa and dongsaeng.”

At that moment, Love’s face turned heated. One day after work, Na-young and Love went to a restaurant near the office and found Su-min and Joon-hyung having a meal there. Naturally, they ended up joining them for a drink or two. Na-young and Su-min called Joon-hyung oppa since they were one year older, but Love used the title “Director” for him. It seemed awkward, so Joon-hyung suggested that Love call him oppa too. When everyone was a little tipsy, Na-young and Su-min encouraged Love, and caught up in the mood, she ended up calling him oppa. Unaware that they would be teased about it the next day, the three of them often brought up that story, making Love feel embarrassed.

“Please forget about that.”

As expected, Love blushed and looked on the verge of tears.

It was a relief that Joon-hyung wasn’t in the same team as Love.

“Why forget such a fun memory?”

“To me, it’s a dark history.”

“Anyway, let’s go together. After climbing down, I’ll treat you to duck back soup. We can have a drink and make more memories.”

“When are you going?”

“Coordinate with Love’s schedule; we’re good any time, whether it’s Saturday or Sunday.”

Encouraged by Na-young’s proactive suggestion, Love eventually nodded. Although she had plans to meet Dohan on Sunday, he had something scheduled on Saturday.

Ji-woo and Yoon-jae were also going on a date that day, so she was planning to stay home alone. The weather was said to be good on the weekend, and she thought it wouldn’t be bad to get some fresh air after a long time. She was also looking forward to the duck back soup after the hike.

“Alright. Is 9 o’clock on Saturday okay? Should we go earlier?”

“No, 9 o’clock is fine since it’s a mountain where we can go up and down in four hours. It’ll be perfect to have lunch after coming down.”

“Yes, then let me know the location later…”

“Can I come too?”

Before Love could finish speaking, Dohan abruptly interjected. Love gave him a puzzled look at his unexpected remark.
In response to his voice, Love cast a puzzled gaze. How could someone who has a friend’s wedding at 1 o’clock climb a mountain in the morning?

“Mr. Ji, do you like hiking?”

Na-young asked unexpectedly.

Considering he played foot volleyball, it seemed like he would enjoy any form of exercise, but she thought he might not like socializing with people. From the way he interacted with Su-min, who approached him in the cafeteria, and his behavior around Manager Park Tae-soo, it felt like he distanced himself from others. Of course, forming a normal human relationship with those two seemed impossible.

However, for some reason, she felt like this hiking trip might turn out to be unexpectedly enjoyable.

“Well, I don’t like it that much.”

“What?”

Na-young blinked with a puzzled expression, then looked at Love and understood his intention.

Is it because of Director Go Joon-hyung from the PR team?

For some reason, she thought it might be an interesting hiking trip.

“Whatever, you can come with us.”

“I have an appointment at 1 o’clock, so meeting at 9 might be a bit difficult. Can we meet at 8?”

“I don’t mind, but… if you have an appointment, is it okay?”

“It’s fine.”

“Alright, then. I’ll talk to Joon-hyung and suggest meeting on Saturday at 8.”

Na-young barely held back her laughter, seeing through Dohan’s true feelings.

Even hearing another guy’s name made her jealous, so meeting Joon-hyung directly in the mountains might be quite entertaining.

But Love, the actual person involved, seemed unaware of how her boyfriend was feeling at the moment.

Just looking at her clear and innocent eyes, she simply grinned.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love and Dohan met again at a restaurant after work today. They were still in the midst of their secret relationship, so they couldn’t commute together.

“Are you really going to the mountain?”

As soon as the ordered food arrived, Love asked.

It was a question she had been holding back since the office, and her heart was eager.