The next morning, 8:36 a.m.
Hyunwoo Kang stopped as he was entering the work area.
At the end of the passage.
A single white hard hat came into view.
Even from far away, he recognized her at a glance.
He was getting ridiculously quick at it.
No one had told him, and he hadn't checked her name tag.
He just saw her.
Jia Seo.
Hyunwoo let his gaze rest there for a moment, then started walking again.
“Hyung.”
Jaehoon Kim called to him from beside him.
“What.”
“You saw her, right?”
“Saw what.”
“The safety manager.”
“She was passing by, so I saw her.”
“She was way over there.”
“I've got good eyes.”
Jaehoon snickered.
“Your eyesight's gotten really good lately.”
“Don't say useless crap first thing in the morning.”
Hyunwoo set his tool bag on the floor.
Taesik Park was already checking their work position.
“Hyunwoo.”
“Yes.”
“We'll finish this line this morning, then move to the area next door this afternoon.”
“Yes.”
“And yesterday's stop work set us back a little.”
“Understood.”
Hyunwoo put on his gloves.
He checked his hard hat's chin strap.
He lowered his safety glasses.
He even gave his safety lanyard a tug to make sure it was secure.
Seeing that, Taesik said, “You've gotten good at taking care of things yourself without me saying anything.”
Hyunwoo answered, “I was always good.”
“Always?”
Taesik stared at him.
“Yes.”
“Even before that white hard hat showed up?”
Hyunwoo's hands stopped.
“Lead.”
“What.”
“Let's just work.”
Taesik laughed.
“Fine, fine. Get to it.”
Hyunwoo bent down.
But even as he reached for his tools, one thing kept nagging at him.
Yesterday.
What Jia Seo had said.
Should I buy you one more coffee tomorrow?
He hadn't said no.
So was she really bringing him one today?
Or had it just been a joke?
Without realizing it, Hyunwoo glanced toward the passage.
Jia was already gone.
‘What are you waiting for?’
Hyunwoo shook his head.
It was just coffee.
If she didn't show up today, he could get one from the vending machine.
That's what he told himself.
9:17 a.m.
“Mr. Kang Hyunwoo.”
Hyunwoo immediately looked up.
His reaction had been too quick.
Jia raised an eyebrow slightly when she saw it.
“Why did you look over so fast?”
“You called me.”
“Still, you looked right away.”
Hyunwoo hesitated for a moment.
“Your voice was loud.”
“I didn't call you that loudly.”
“The job site was quiet.”
Jia looked around.
A grinder was running right beside them.
Brrrrrrrrrrr—
From a little farther away came the sound of a hammer too.
Clang. Clang.
Jia looked back at Hyunwoo.
“Quiet?”
Hyunwoo cleared his throat.
“Anyway.”
The corners of Jia's mouth lifted.
Hyunwoo asked, “What?”
“Nothing.”
“You're laughing again.”
“I wasn't laughing.”
“You were.”
Jia smiled even more.
Then she held out the hand she'd been keeping hidden behind her back.
A small can of coffee.
Hyunwoo's gaze dropped immediately.
“You really bought one.”
“I told you yesterday.”
“Did you write it down?”
Jia's expression froze for a moment.
Hyunwoo didn't miss it.
“No way.”
“What?”
“Did you really write it down?”
Jia looked away.
“I did not.”
“You did.”
“ I didn't.”
“Your face says you did.”
“Mr. Kang.”
“Yes.”
“Aren't you going to take the coffee?”
Hyunwoo immediately held out his hand.
“I am.”
Jia handed him the can.
It was sweet coffee again.
Hyunwoo looked at the can and said, “You remembered.”
“Remembered what?”
“That I like sweet things.”
Jia answered as if it were nothing special. “You told me yesterday.”
“I only said it once.”
“I can remember something like that.”
Hyunwoo rolled the can around in his hand.
It was cold.
She must have stopped at a convenience store on her way to work again.
“Thanks.”
“So we're even now, right?”
“Even for what?”
“The vending-machine coffee yesterday.”
“You considered that a debt?”
“I accepted something from you.”
Hyunwoo laughed.
“Then I owe you now.”
“Why?”
“I accepted this today.”
Jia thought for a moment.
“Then you can buy one tomorrow.”
Hyunwoo looked at her.
“Tomorrow too?”
“Why?”
Jia asked naturally, “Don't you want to?”
Those words.
Exactly the same as yesterday.
Hyunwoo snickered.
“There's that question again.”
“You can give the same answer too.”
Hyunwoo held up the can.
“Got it.”
“Got what?”
“I'll buy it tomorrow.”
Jia nodded.
“Good.”
Hyunwoo asked playfully, “What time should I give it to you?”
Jia answered immediately.
“Around this time?”
Hyunwoo glanced at his watch.
9:19 a.m.
“9:20?”
“Something like that.”
“Here?”
“You work here, don't you?”
“My work area might change tomorrow.”
Jia paused briefly.
“Then...”
She said it very naturally.
“I can find you.”
Hyunwoo said nothing.
It was nothing special.
The safety manager walked around the job site, after all.
It only meant she could find him even if his work area changed.
That had to be all it meant.
But it sounded strange.
I can find you.
Hyunwoo smiled without meaning to.
“Why are you smiling?”
Jia asked.
“It's nothing.”
“You were smiling.”
“I wasn't.”
“You're copying me.”
“Who started it?”
Jia laughed too.
Just then.
Someone cleared his throat behind them.
“Ahem.”
Hyunwoo and Jia turned at the same time.
It was Jaehoon.
He stood there holding a tool.
His expression was painfully awkward.
“What.”
Hyunwoo asked.
“Nothing.”
“Then go.”
“Yes.”
Jaehoon walked a few steps, then turned back.
“But, hyung.”
“What.”
“If I'm here tomorrow at 9:20 too, is that okay?”
Hyunwoo's expression hardened.
Jia burst out laughing.
“Jaehoon Kim.”
“Yes.”
“Get to work.”
“Yes.”
Jaehoon quickly disappeared.
Jia said with a laugh, “I guess he heard everything.”
“That guy's ears are way too good.”
“Are we going to be the subject of another rumor?”
Hyunwoo looked at Jia for a moment.
Then he shrugged.
“Whatever now.”
“Whatever what?”
“There was already a rumor that we're dating. Would adding one cup of coffee really change anything?”
Jia smiled faintly.
“That's true.”
“Does it bother you?”
Jia thought for a moment.
“Less than before.”
“Me too.”
They looked at each other for a moment.
Then a call came through Jia's radio.
“Safety Manager Jia Seo, please inspect Block 87.”
Jia picked up the radio.
“Yes. I'm on my way.”
Then she said to Hyunwoo, “I should go.”
“Yes.”
“Don't drink the coffee right now. Have it before lunch.”
“Why?”
“Drinking it on an empty stomach might upset your stomach.”
Hyunwoo let out a dry laugh.
“Now you're managing my stomach too?”
Jia smiled.
“There are so many things to manage.”
“How long are you going to keep saying that?”
“Until you start moving around safely.”
“I'm extremely safe these days.”
Jia nodded.
“I'll give you that.”
Hyunwoo laughed.
Jia gave him a small wave and left through the passage.
Hyunwoo watched her from behind for a moment.
Then he looked down at the coffee in his hand.
Tomorrow.
9:20.
He had agreed to buy it.
It was strange.
They didn't even have each other's phone numbers, yet they had made plans.
11:38 a.m.
In the end, Hyunwoo still hadn't drunk the coffee.
It sat untouched beside his tool bag.
Taesik asked, “Why aren't you drinking that?”
“What?”
“That.”
Taesik pointed at the coffee.
“I was going to have it later.”
“It hasn't moved since this morning.”
“Yes.”
Taesik reached for the can.
Hyunwoo immediately took it away.
“Why?”
Taesik raised an eyebrow.
“Why'd you snatch it away?”
“Because it's mine.”
“You weren't drinking it.”
“I will.”
Taesik snickered.
“Must've gotten something good.”
“It's just coffee.”
“Just coffee, but you grab it the second I touch it?”
“Want me to buy you one too, Lead?”
“I'm good.”
Taesik took off his gloves.
“But, Hyunwoo.”
“Yes.”
“Do you really not have anything going on in that head of yours?”
Hyunwoo paused briefly.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don't ask when you already know.”
Hyunwoo silently stared at the coffee.
Taesik added, “I'm not saying you shouldn't do anything.”
“You're both adults. Do what you want.”
Taesik glanced around.
“But starting something at the job site is more exhausting than you'd think.”
Hyunwoo asked, “We're not anything yet.”
“That's why I'm saying it now.”
“It's obvious you're waiting for the time she comes around these days.”
Hyunwoo immediately looked at Taesik.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“No, I'm not.”
“How many times did you look toward the passage this morning?”
Hyunwoo couldn't answer.
Taesik laughed.
“I’m with you all day.”
“I only looked because someone was passing by.”
“Sure.”
Taesik nodded.
“I guess that person in the white hard hat is the only person who counts.”
Hyunwoo sighed.
“You really know how to wear a guy out.”
But he couldn't argue.
More precisely.
He didn't know what he could say in response.
Taesik left first.
Hyunwoo was alone, staring at the can of coffee.
‘Was I waiting for her?’
Had he really been waiting for Jia that morning?
Thinking back, he had.
He'd looked toward the passage.
He'd turned around the moment he heard Jia's voice.
And seeing her bring him coffee had made him happy.
Then he'd made plans with her for tomorrow.
Hyunwoo Kang opened the can.
Pop—
He took a sip.
It was sweet.
It tasted exactly like the coffee he usually drank.
And yet somehow, it tasted better today.
“This is bad.”
Hyunwoo muttered under his breath.
1:46 p.m.
“Jia.”
Sohee Han leaned against the desk in the safety office.
Jia looked up.
“Yeah?”
“What are you doing?”
“Organizing the inspection sheets.”
“No.”
Sohee pointed at the phone lying in front of Jia.
The alarm settings screen was open.
9:15 a.m.
Jia hurriedly turned off the screen.
“Nothing.”
“I saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“The alarm.”
“What about it?”
“9:15 a.m.”
Sohee narrowed her eyes.
“The morning meeting is at eight.”
“It just is.”
“It just is what?”
Jia sighed.
“Coffee.”
“What coffee?”
“Tomorrow's.”
Sohee started grinning.
“No way.”
“Oh, seriously.”
Jia began organizing the papers.
“Mr. Kang said he'd buy me coffee tomorrow.”
“You even picked a time?”
“No.”
“Then why set an alarm?”
“I might forget while I'm making my rounds.”
“Forget meeting Mr. Kang?”
“Forget to get the coffee.”
“Isn't that the same thing?”
Jia glared at Sohee.
“Sohee Han.”
“Yeah?”
“Don't you have work to do?”
“I do, but this is more fun.”
Jia lightly tapped Sohee's arm with her clipboard.
Sohee laughed and backed away.
“But it is kind of weird.”
“What is?”
“You.”
“What's wrong with me?”
“Have you ever gotten this close to a male worker before?”
Jia stopped.
She couldn't answer Sohee right away.
No.
She talked with workers often.
About safety.
About work.
Sometimes a few jokes.
But that was all.
She'd never remembered the coffee someone liked and bought it for him on her way to work.
She'd never made plans to see someone again the next day.
She could put a bandage on someone when they got hurt.
But she'd never found herself inexplicably bothered by the fact that someone was still wearing that bandage.
Jia said, “We just got closer.”
“Just?”
“Yeah.”
Sohee nodded.
“Sure. Just.”
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't make that face.”
“I wasn't making any face.”
Jia sighed.
“Seriously.”
Sohee returned to her desk.
Jia turned her phone screen back on.
9:15 a.m.
The alarm name was blank.
Jia thought for a moment.
Then she typed a short label.
“Coffee.”
She stopped just before tapping save.
Then she deleted it.
Instead, she typed:
“Block 84.”
Jia stared at the screen.
It looked a little less strange.
At least to her.
4:22 p.m.
Hyunwoo was wrapping up work.
They'd finished the morning's work and moved to the area next door in the afternoon.
“We'll start here tomorrow,” Taesik said.
“Yes.”
“Come straight over here in the morning.”
“Understood.”
Hyunwoo nodded.
Then he suddenly remembered.
Tomorrow's work area.
It wasn't Block 84.
Hyunwoo stopped for a moment.
Jaehoon noticed.
“Why?”
“Nothing.”
“Did you leave something behind?”
“No.”
Hyunwoo almost pulled out his phone.
Then he put it away again.
Should he tell Jia that his work area would be different tomorrow?
But he had no way to contact her.
He didn't know her number.
Hyunwoo snickered.
‘Making plans when we don't even have each other's numbers.’
If Jia went to Block 84 tomorrow and didn't find him, she'd just ask another worker.
She'd said it herself earlier.
I can find you.
Hyunwoo remembered those words.
For some reason, they left him feeling strange.
Then he heard footsteps from the passage.
Hyunwoo looked up.
It was Jia Seo.
“Oh?”
The word slipped out before he could stop it.
Jia walked over.
“What?”
“How did you get here?”
“I came to inspect the area.”
“Oh.”
Jia looked around.
“Your work area changed?”
“Yes. Starting this afternoon.”
“Are you here tomorrow too?”
Hyunwoo nodded.
“Yes.”
Jia said very naturally, “Perfect.”
“What is?”
“It'll be easier to find you tomorrow.”
Hyunwoo looked at her for a moment.
Those words again.
Find you.
Hyunwoo smiled.
“Are you really coming to find me?”
Jia raised an eyebrow.
“You said you'd buy me coffee.”
“I could come to you.”
“Where?”
Hyunwoo stopped.
He vaguely knew where the safety office was, but he didn't know exactly where to meet Jia there.
Jia smiled.
“That's why I'll come to you.”
“Got it.”
Hyunwoo said, “9:20.”
“You remember?”
“We made plans.”
Jia's expression shifted ever so slightly.
It was because of that word.
Plans.
“Yes.”
Jia answered softly.
“We did.”
A brief silence passed between them.
Hyunwoo spoke first.
“What do you like?”
“Excuse me?”
“Coffee.”
“Oh.”
Jia thought.
“I like lattes.”
“Sweet?”
“A little.”
“Weren't you going for an Americano image today?”
“Image and taste are different things.”
“Fair enough.”
Hyunwoo nodded.
“Latte.”
“You'll remember?”
Hyunwoo looked at Jia.
“I can remember something like that.”
It was what Jia had said yesterday.
Whether she realized it or not, she smiled.
“You're copying me, aren't you?”
“No.”
“You are.”
“Do you have proof?”
Jia laughed.
“Never mind.”
Her radio crackled.
Jia checked the time.
“I have to go.”
“Yes.”
“Tomorrow,” Jia said.
Hyunwoo answered immediately.
“9:20.”
Jia smiled.
“Here.”
“Yes.”
Jia turned around.
She had taken a few steps when Hyunwoo called out.
“Ms. Jia Seo.”
Jia turned back.
“Yes?”
Hyunwoo hesitated for a moment.
“Don't be late tomorrow.”
Jia smiled.
“You'd better not be late, Mr. Kang.”
“I work here.”
“Then I have the advantage.”
“Why?”
“Because if you don't show up, I can find you right away.”
Hyunwoo laughed.
“That's scary.”
Jia gave him a light wave.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“At the same time.”
Hyunwoo paused briefly before answering.
“At the same time.”
Jia walked away.
Hyunwoo watched her from behind, then went back to cleaning up the work area.
It seemed he had to admit it now.
The coffee wasn't what mattered.
It didn't even matter who bought it.
Tomorrow at 9:20.
There was only one reason he was looking forward to that time.
Because he'd get to see Jia Seo again.
And that evening.
After clocking out, Hyunwoo Kang stood for a long time in front of the convenience store near his home.
He opened the refrigerator door and picked up a latte.
Then he put it back.
He picked up a different one.
Then put that one back too.
“What actually tastes good?”
He'd never taken this long to choose a coffee before.
In the end, he picked up the most ordinary-looking latte and another one that looked a little sweeter.
When he set both on the counter, the cashier asked, “Are you buying both?”
Hyunwoo paused.
“Yes.”
He paid and left the convenience store.
He carried two lattes in his hand.
He'd bought one in case she didn't like the other.
Hyunwoo chuckled to himself.
“What the hell am I doing?”
But he didn't put either one down.
Tomorrow at 9:20 a.m.
For the first time, the two of them had made plans with an exact time.
They still didn't have each other's phone numbers.
They still couldn't say they liked each other.
And yet.
They were both waiting for the same time.