NLFSD Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The next day, Lee Jiwoon applied for a half-day leave in the afternoon. Assistant Manager Min Hyekyung, who was his immediate supervisor, asked as she entered her electronic signature into the linked approval system.

“Going somewhere fun? The weather’s great, after all.”

“Oh, no. I just have somewhere to be.”

“Really? Must be a hospital or a government office then.”

“Yeah, something like that.”

Government office it is. Today was the day he was scheduled to meet the divorce deliberation supervisor at the .

Lee Jiwoon discreetly opened his phone under the desk and checked the message again.

[Notice for Divorce Deliberation Supervisor Meeting]

• Time: 3:00 PM
• Location: Gangnam Center Annex, Room 201
• What to prepare: Log in to the “Give Deliberation a Try” app (There will be time to exchange and read each other’s deliberation journals.)
• Note: A one-day drawing lesson will be held today and is expected to take about two hours. (Finding positive qualities by drawing each other’s likeness.)

…So this is what I’m going to do, folks.

While Lee Jiwoon was feeling a light sense of disillusionment, Manager Kim sitting across from him spoke up.

“Huh? Looks like the division head is also taking a half-day today. Someone might think you two are going out together.”

The team burst into laughter. Lee Jiwoon forced a stiff smile and awkwardly joined in the laughter.

“Now that you mention it, you two were really in sync during the last sports day.”

“I was amazed. Weren’t they like a perfect duo?”

The chatter from the teammates didn’t stop. As Lee Jiwoon laughed awkwardly, Assistant Manager Min Hyekyung closely studied his expression.

What were the odds that both would take a half-day on a Tuesday, not even a Friday? One could chalk it up to coincidence, but Min—already filled with wild speculations—saw it as definite bait.

She opened her messenger screen and initiated a conversation with her peer and close friend, who also happened to be the secretary of Division Head Seo Taecheon.

Min Hyekyung

Hey, I smell an office couple.

Kim Minji

No way. Who?

Min Hyekyung

Don’t tell anyone.

I think there’s something between BBG-nim and a regular staffer.

Secretary Kim’s reaction was explosive. While furiously typing out questions like how did you know, do you have proof, and so on, Seo Taecheon stepped out of his office.

Secretary Kim smoothly stood up and greeted him.

“Please travel safely.”

“Alright. Make sure to properly log any contacts looking for me so there’s no disruption in work.”

“Understood.”

As she watched him walk away briskly, her eyes sparkled. With that, the number of people within the company suspecting something between them rose to two.

When Seo Taecheon arrived at the underground parking lot, Lee Jiwoon dashed out from behind a pillar and sprinted toward his car. The sudden move, reminiscent of a 007 agent, prompted Seo Taecheon to play along by quickly starting the engine.

“Seatbelt on, Assistant Manager Lee.”

“Oh. Right.”

Having jumped in so hastily, Jiwoon hadn’t had the chance to fasten his seatbelt. Just as he fumbled to find it, a long arm swooped in.

What the—

Before he could even react, Seo Taecheon leaned over and fastened the belt for him. In that instant, the space between them closed, and the scent and warmth of his body became blatantly perceptible.

A powerful forest scent that could only be described as seductive. Mixed with a faint chill and distant clarity, the smell distinctly marked Seo Taecheon’s individuality and presence.

…Did he always smell this good? It’s not the first time I’ve caught his scent, but today, it’s oddly more intense.

Without realizing it, Jiwoon found himself savoring the scent before snapping out of it. Come on, who cares what the guy smells like.

The road to the divorce deliberation center had light traffic. The two of them drove in silence for about 20 minutes. During that time, Jiwoon’s mind was filled with various thoughts.

Until now, it had all been just talk—divorce, deliberation—but this was his first time actually going to an offline center, meeting a supervisor, and opening their deliberation journals to each other.

What would that man have written about him? About the divorce? Would he be honest? Or would he sugarcoat things a bit?

Hmm… I tend to be overly honest, and there were days I just scribbled away. What if I get criticized for being insincere?

Jiwoon quietly opened the app and reviewed his journal entries along with the big data keyword search results. It was filled with words like ‘big build,’ ‘handsome,’ ‘somehow,’ and ‘looks normal.’ The most frequently used term was ‘black gown.’

Wait, have I really talked this much about BBG’s looks? And what’s with the black gown? I mentioned that 13 times?

While Jiwoon was muttering internally, they arrived at the center’s parking lot. After getting out and heading up to the second floor of the annex, they entered a space decorated like a café.

About five couples, who seemed to be participating in the deliberation program, were seated in the space that could accommodate about 20 people. Jiwoon and Taecheon took a seat in a secluded corner, keeping some distance between them.

As Jiwoon observed, most of the other couples looked chilly. Some sat with arms crossed, refusing to even look at each other. And yet, Jiwoon and Taecheon were attracting noticeable attention.

That alpha’s handsome. One omega whispered quietly, prompting the alpha beside her to scrunch his brow and scold her.

There was even a middle-aged alpha blatantly staring at Jiwoon.

What’s up with that guy? Why is he staring at me?

Just then, the supervisor entered. He was a man in his fifties with a warm demeanor, though his eyes were sharp and lively.

“Hello. I’m Jang Gwangcheol, your divorce deliberation supervisor.”

“Hello.”

As everyone greeted him, the supervisor took out a program booklet.

“As noted, today we will exchange deliberation journals and have a session drawing each other’s portraits. Due to time constraints, we’ll begin with the drawing class.”

Soon, assistants entered and distributed art supplies like sketchbooks and pencils.

“First step. Do not take your eyes off your spouse. Observe them quietly for three full minutes.”

“What?”

The participants voiced complaints. Jiwoon was just as flustered. They weren’t even a real couple—how could they be expected to stare into each other’s eyes for three minutes? This was torture. Embarrassing, too.

“You must do it. You won’t receive credit if you don’t complete the task.”

“Sigh… Seriously.”

Grumbling, everyone turned their chairs to face their partners.

“Let’s do it, Assistant Manager Lee.”

“Oh, uh… sure.”

Lee Jiwoon was unbearably embarrassed, but since he had no choice, he turned his chair to face Seo Taecheon. The sharply defined and bold face in front of him exuded an intense image.

As expected, this is too much pressure. He kind of looks like a foreigner, kind of like a model… Anyway, that face is ridiculously good-looking. If we hadn’t gotten involved like this, I would’ve been telling everyone how handsome our company director is.

But why is he staring at me like that? It’s making me uncomfortable.

Seo Taecheon’s gaze was intense—like someone trying to discover something inside Lee Jiwoon.

When Jiwoon tried to subtly turn his head away, the counselor walked right over and gave him a warning.

“Don’t avoid it. You must maintain eye contact. Begin.”

“…Yes, sir.”

An eternity-like three minutes passed, and finally, it was time for the drawing session. Couples seated side by side with sketchbooks and pencils on their tables were instructed to steal glances at each other and draw portraits.

“Alright, now begin drawing.”

Jiwoon was terrible at drawing and had no clue how to begin. He scratched the back of his head in confusion. In contrast, Seo Taecheon started sketching immediately, drawing guiding lines on the paper.

“Oh. Not bad.”

“I went to an arts high school. I originally wanted to become a painter.”

When Jiwoon showed a hint of interest, Seo Taecheon replied nonchalantly.

“Really? I thought you majored in business administration in the U.S.”

“That’s also true. I gave up the dream of becoming a painter.”

Hmm. I didn’t know that.

Jiwoon thought that Seo Taecheon’s stiff, emotionless demeanor didn’t suit that of a painter, then refocused on his own drawing. A crooked stick figure started to awkwardly fill the sketchbook.

Seo Taecheon silently moved his pencil. Watching him, Jiwoon couldn’t help but think he looked cool. He didn’t want to admit it, but even the sunlight coming in through the window seemed to act like a spotlight for this handsome man.

But he didn’t want to acknowledge it. And what good would it do anyway? He was just a fake husband he couldn’t wait to say goodbye to in five months. What was the point of being handsome?

Jiwoon repeatedly drew and erased his stick figure.

“Ugh…”

Though he spent a long time focused on the drawing, the result looked nothing like Seo Taecheon. Taecheon peeked at Jiwoon’s sketchbook and smirked quietly.

“Now, please exchange your drawings with your spouse. Let’s see how you perceive one another.”

At the counselor’s cue, the couples exchanged sketchbooks. Embarrassed by the crude drawing he had just barely finished, Jiwoon hesitated. Seo Taecheon casually reached out and took his sketchbook.

“This is me?”

“Ah… well,”

Jiwoon felt sheepish at the figure, which looked more like a hieroglyph or geometric symbol than a person.

“I did my best, really… ugh.”

Trying to mask his awkwardness, Jiwoon accepted the sketch Taecheon handed him—then his eyes widened. The portrait of him looked like something out of Greek mythology—breathtakingly lovely.

The delicate profile, wistful expression, and faint rosy blush—it was an artwork worthy of a museum wall.

“Th-this is a scam listing, isn’t it?”

When did I ever smile so wistfully like that? This is a beauty fraud!

“What’s with that reaction?”

“I mean, how did you draw it so well?”

“You complain even when it’s good?”

“No, it’s just… next to yours, mine looks so bad.”

As they bickered, the counselor passing by stopped in his tracks. With a surprised exclamation, he picked up Taecheon’s drawing and showed it around.

“Everyone, take a look at this portrait. Isn’t it excellent? And it’s filled with such affection in the gaze. See? Art doesn’t lie. This person still has love for their spouse.”

“Um, excuse me… Counselor.”

“I foresee a reconciliation coming soon! Let’s give them a round of applause!”

Ignoring the flustered Jiwoon, the counselor heaped praise on the couple, declaring them to be progressing wonderfully through the contemplation phase.

“Now, I’m curious about the Omega’s drawing too. Let’s take a look.”

The counselor lifted Jiwoon’s sketchbook into the air. People squinted and groaned.

“What the heck is that?!”

“It’s not even a drawing—it’s like symbols or letters or something.”

Looking at the two-head-tall stick figure, people whispered that Jiwoon must not even see Seo Taecheon as a person.