Chapter 4
She was not free, but she was safe—protected from unexpected attacks that might leave her injured. Her mother had always been unstable and precarious, and Jin-i had learned that she must at least keep herself grounded.
When she entered high school, Yu-min became her first assigned seat partner. As always, the school evaluated students by grades, and the homeroom teacher paired mentors with mentees—matching high achievers with lower-performing students. Jin-i, as the mentor, ended up seated next to Yu-min, and neither of them had expected that connection to last this long.
The two of them seemed completely different, yet somehow they fit together. Yu-min was strong-willed and outspoken, while Jin-i tended to absorb the moods of others and adapt rather than insist on her own way. That balance drew them closer.
Jun-young and Sang-wook had known Yu-min’s family since elementary school. They went to the same schools year after year—high school included—and even ended up in the same class. In a sense, Jin-i had been the one who arrived later, an outsider who had slipped into an established circle.
The reason their friendship had endured for so long, without ever falling apart, was that none of them harbored romantic feelings for one another.
Jun-young was quiet and serious. Sang-wook appeared cold at first glance but actually possessed a surprisingly free-spirited nature. Yu-min was outgoing and decisive, someone who drew clear boundaries. To outsiders, the three of them looked like water and oil—difficult to mix.
Yet they accepted each other’s differences and treated one another with respect. Seeing that, Jin-i opened her heart and grew closer to them.
“So when are you leaving the country?” Jun-young asked, taking a sip of a yellow sparkling drink—non-alcoholic, as always.
“In two weeks.”
“So it’s the start of your trainee program for the succession?”
“What succession? Dad’s still going strong. It’s not time for that yet. I just want to work as a regular employee for a long time and enjoy some freedom. The higher you go, the more responsibility you have, and that means more stress and less time.”
Sang-wook, the only son of a business family and someone raised under high expectations, had always felt burdened by the responsibilities waiting for him.
“You really should have applied to our company back then,” he said, tossing nuts into his mouth and crunching them. “Instead you went to a competitor. If you came with us when I get posted overseas, you wouldn’t be bored. It’d be good for you.”
Yu-min glared at him. “Why drag Jin-i into it? She finally got a job and is adjusting. Do you want to work her to death too?”
“Work her to death? That’s ridiculous. I’m just saying she’s talented, and we lost a valuable candidate.”
Jin-i almost responded, but then she changed her mind and lowered her gaze.
In fact, she had applied to Sang-wook’s company. She passed the written exam but failed the interview.
She never understood exactly why. During the interview, she sensed something had gone wrong.
These days, no one should still judge applicants by family background—but the interviewer had shown unusual interest in her father’s absence.
The moment she mentioned that she had been raised by a single mother, the interviewer’s expression shifted. That look still lingered in her memory, and she had no desire to mention it to Sang-wook or the others. It was not something she could easily talk about—one of the personal disadvantages she had carried throughout her life.
People always claimed this was a progressive country, yet deep inside, old social attitudes remained. Jin-i believed her mother was unaware of that truth.
“Talented? I just do what I’m assigned. Everywhere you go, connections and background matter. Even when they distribute work, they sort people by school and status.”
Her expression stiffened, and Yu-min gently linked arms with her.
“So come to our company. I’ve told you before—I’ll make sure you’re treated according to your ability.”
“You two are really hyping me up today. I’m finally getting used to my current job, and now you want to recruit me? That’s treason.”
Though she complained, there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.
“Anyway, if it ever feels wrong, change companies. We’ll take you anytime.”
It might have been empty talk, but it didn’t bother her. She had worked late again the night before, and a dull tightness in her shoulders made her lean her head back.
“Are your shoulders hurting?” Jun-young immediately noticed.
“Lots of overtime these days.”
“I’ve told you before—women should take care of their bodies. That way you stay healthy and fresh as you get older. You never exercise, do you?”
“I sleep when I have free time. I hate physical activity.”
It was a familiar answer, so the others barely reacted—except Jun-young. His dark eyebrows twitched slightly.
“I’ll book an appointment for physical therapy on Saturday morning. You should get a checkup while you’re there. Sang-wook and I already did ours earlier this year—you’re the only one who hasn’t.”
He wrapped his long fingers around his cup and placed it on the table in a casual motion. All their eyes were drawn to his hand. Though large, the bones beneath the pale skin were so clearly defined that it looked almost delicate—like something preserved in a museum. Sang-wook had once joked that Jun-young could flip someone off with the middle finger and still look elegant. His hands possessed a rare, almost artistic quality.
“Sleeping in on Saturday is precious. There’s no way I’m trading that for a medical checkup. Absolutely not.”
