📍 Next Morning – E-Palette Headquarters
Everyone gathers outside the company building.
A luxury bus is waiting.
Employees are carrying bags, cameras, snacks, and travel pillows.
The atmosphere is surprisingly cheerful.
Mr. Aura stands proudly in front of the bus.
Mr Aura: "Welcome to Team Bonding!"
Secretary Ryu whispers, "Why does that sound like a threat?"
Manager Hyun: "Because it is."
A black luxury car suddenly arrives.
Everyone turns.
Jiho steps out wearing sunglasses.
Casual white shirt.
Black jeans.
Looking way too handsome for a company trip.
Several employees immediately take photos.
Mr Aura folds his arms.
Mr Aura: "Mr. Lee."
Jiho: "Good morning."
Mr. Aura: "Why is your car here?"
Jiho: "I thought I'd drive."
Mr. Aura: "No."
Jiho: "...No?"
Mr. Aura: "This is team bonding."
Jiho: "Okay?"
Mr. Aura: "We travel together."
Jiho: "I like my car."
Mr. Aura: "I don't care."
Everyone laughs.
Manager Hyun hides his smile.
Secretary Ryu openly laughs.
Jiho: "This is discrimination."
Mr. Aura: "Get on the bus."
Jiho:"..."
Mr. Aura: "Now."
Jiho sighs dramatically.
Jiho: "I feel bullied."
🚌 Inside The Bus
Everyone begins choosing seats.
Jiho immediately looks around.
One seat remains empty.
Beside Kiara.
His eyes sparkle.
Mr. Aura notices.
Secretary Ryu notices.
Manager Hyun notices.
Even the driver notices.
Jiho walks over casually.
Too casually.
Jiho: "Is this seat taken?"
Kiara looks up.
Kiara: "No."
Jiho: "Great."
He sits.
Kiara returns to her phone.
Jiho smiles.
Small victory.
Meanwhile...
Manager Hyun sits beside Secretary Ryu.
Hyun: "Looks like we're babysitting again."
Ryu: "Unfortunately."
Hyun: "I deserve a raise."
Ryu: "I deserve two."
🎮 One Hour Later
Everyone is getting bored.
Mr. Aura suddenly stands.
Bad sign.
Very bad sign.
Mr. Aura:
"GAME TIME!"
Everyone groans.
Mr. Aura: "No complaints."
Mahi: "What game?"
Mr. Aura: "Truth Questions."
Everyone:
"NO!"
Mr. Aura:
"YES!"
🎲 Round 1
Mr. Aura suddenly stands up.
Mr. Aura: "Everyone, we're playing a game."
Employees:
"Why?"
Mr. Aura:
"Because the trip is long and I'm bored."
Secretary Ryu:
"At least he's honest."
Everyone laughs.
Mr. Aura points randomly.
Unfortunately...
Jiho.
Mr. Aura:
"Who was your first love?"
The entire bus becomes silent.
Then—
Everyone:
"OHHHHHHHHH!"
Jiho nearly chokes on his water.
Kiara immediately looks out the window.
Pretending she doesn't care.
Secretary Ryu notices.
Manager Hyun notices.
Mr. Aura definitely notices.
Jiho:
"Next question."
Everyone:
"NO!"
Mr. Aura:
"Answer."
Jiho sighs dramatically.
Jiho:
"My classmate."
The bus erupts.
Staff Member:
"High school romance?"
Another Staff Member:
"Wow!"
Mr. Aura:
"Did she reject you?"
Jiho:
"...Next question."
Everyone laughs.
Manager Hyun:
"That means yes."
Jiho:
"Hyung."
Manager Hyun:
"What?"
Jiho:
"I'm firing you."
🎲 Round 2
Mr. Aura points again.
Unfortunately...
Kiara.
Employees become excited immediately.
Mr. Aura:
"Have you ever liked someone?"
Kiara:
"No."
The whole bus:
"LIAAAAR!"
Secretary Ryu:
"Ma'am, I work for you and even I don't believe that."
Everyone laughs.
Kiara:
"Secretary Ryu."
Secretary Ryu:
"Yes, Ma'am?"
Kiara:
"Do you want unemployment?"
The bus explodes with laughter.
Jiho secretly smiles.
Kiara notices.
Without looking at him—
She lightly kicks his shoe.
Jiho:
"Ouch."
Kiara:
"Stop smiling."
Jiho:
"No."
Mr. Aura:
"Interesting."
Kiara:
"Mr. Aura."
Mr. Aura:
"Yes?"
Kiara:
"Please sit down."
Mr. Aura:
"No."
The game continues while Jiho keeps smiling and Kiara pretends not to notice.
🚢 Harbor
After several hours...
The bus arrives.
A beautiful cruise ship waits near the dock.
Everyone becomes excited.
Phones come out immediately.
Photos everywhere.
Mahi:
"WE'RE GOING ON A SHIP!"
Secretary Ryu:
"Please don't fall into the ocean."
Mahi:
"No promises."
🌊 On The Ship
The sea sparkles under the sunlight.
Cool wind.
Blue water.
Perfect weather.
Kiara stands near the railing.
Enjoying the view.
Jiho appears beside her.
Again.
Like magic.
Kiara:
"Do you ever stay in one place?"
Jiho:
"No."
Kiara:
"I noticed."
Jiho grins.
They stand quietly.
Watching the ocean.
For once...
No awkwardness.
No media.
No contracts.
Just the sea.
🌙 The Night Before The Vacation 📍 Jiho's Apartment
Jiho video-calls Cheng.
Cheng appears eating noodles.
Cheng:
"What's up?"
Jiho:
"I think she's giving me a chance."
Cheng nearly drops his noodles.
Cheng:
"WHAT?"
Jiho:
"Keep your voice down."
Cheng:
"You're going on vacation together!"
Jiho:
"Yeah."
Cheng:
"Bro."
Jiho:
"What?"
Cheng:
"THIS IS YOUR CHANCE."
Jiho:
"..."
Cheng:
"Beach."
Jiho:
"..."
Cheng:
"Sunset."
Jiho:
"..."
Cheng:
"Romantic atmosphere."
Jiho:
"..."
Cheng:
"Go win your girl."
Jiho suddenly sits up.
Jiho:
"You're right."
Cheng:
"Of course I'm right."
Jiho:
"I CAN DO THIS."
Cheng:
"YES YOU CAN."
Jiho:
"I'M GOING TO IMPRESS HER."
Cheng:
"THAT'S MY BOY."
Both celebrate dramatically.
Five minutes later.
Manager Hyun enters.
Sees Jiho dancing.
Manager Hyun:
"...I'm leaving."
🛍️ Meanwhile 📍 Shopping Mall
Kiara, Mahi, and Secretary Ryu are shopping.
Mahi is carrying six bags.
Secretary Ryu is carrying four.
Kiara carries one.
Mahi:
"How are you carrying only one bag?"
Kiara:
"Because I buy things I need."
Mahi:
"That's boring."
Secretary Ryu suddenly picks up sunglasses.
Secretary:
"These look nice."
Mahi:
"Buy them."
Secretary:
"No."
Mahi:
"Buy them."
Secretary:
"No."
Mahi:
"Buy them."
Secretary:
"...Fine."
Kiara laughs.
Mahi suddenly becomes serious.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Mahi:
"So."
Kiara:
"No."
Mahi:
"I didn't even ask."
Kiara:
"I know what you're going to ask."
Mahi:
"Do you like Jiho?"
Kiara:
"..."
Mahi:
"..."
Secretary Ryu:
"..."
Kiara:
"Let's buy ice cream."
Mahi:
"THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER."
🌴 Vacation Island – Arrival
The ship finally reaches the island.
Everyone steps out.
Beautiful beaches.
Palm trees.
Luxury resort.
Crystal-clear water.
Sunset in the distance.
Mr. Aura spreads his arms dramatically.
Mr. Aura:
"Welcome!"
Everyone cheers.
Mr. Aura smiles.
Then says the words that terrify Kiara and Jiho.
Mr. Aura:
"Tomorrow's activity schedule starts at 6 AM."
Everyone:
"WHAT?!"
Mr. Aura:
"Goodnight."
He walks away.
Everyone stares in shock.
Jiho looks at Kiara.
Kiara looks at Jiho.
For the first time all day—
They laugh together.
And neither notices how natural it feels.
To Be Continued... 🌴💕🌊