Prologue

“…No, he’s likely busy with preparations for the exhibition. If you need to purchase something immediately, I’d recommend Kim Seolwoo’s workshop.”

With a sharp sound, Junyoung shut his locker and walked towards the mirror in the changing room, continuing his conversation. While he straightened his clothes, the person on the other end asked in a slightly troubled tone.

“Huh… Kim Seolwoo? Does he do lacquerware?”

“Yes, he makes many small crafts as well, so if your customer is interested in Korean culture, it should be a good fit.”

“But you requested Hanji crafts… I’m not sure if they’ll like it.”

“When they last visited, they said the lacquerware exhibition was the most impressive, so it should be fine.”

After checking his outfit and hair, Junyoung pinned the name tag, engraved with “Front Team Ha Junyoung,” to his chest. A glance at his wristwatch showed it was 5:37 PM. Time to head out.

“Oh? Really? Then, can you send me the address and contact details for the workshop? I should make a reservation there too, right?”

“Yes. I’ll send you the manager’s business card.”

As his shift was about to change, Junyoung quickened his pace, stepping out of the changing room just as he heard a deep sigh from the person on the line. The sigh carried the weight of fatigue.

“Thank goodness you know this client well, Junyoung. They’re pickier than I expected.”

“They have a very defined taste. They seem to have done a lot of research on Korean culture.”

“I got that impression too. Oh, by the way, they were looking for you. When I told them you moved to the Front Team, they seemed a bit disappointed.”

Hearing that someone had asked after him, Junyoung smiled, feeling a pleasant warmth. It had been three months since the downsizing and his transfer from the Concierge Team to the Front Team, and knowing a former client still remembered him was a comforting thought.

“Please thank them for remembering me.”

“Will do. Alright, talk later.”

“Yes.”

Ending the call, Junyoung quickly searched his phone for the business card of Kim Seolwoo’s workshop manager and sent it to ‘Assistant Baek Moonkyung,’ with whom he’d just spoken. Then, walking briskly, he noticed how cold the air had become. Since December started, the chill in the air had changed—cold, dry, and light.

“It’s really winter now,” he thought as he walked down the long hallway to the front desk. Inside, his colleagues greeted him first.

“Oh, Junyoung, you’re early!”

“Yes. Thank you for your work today.”

Following the usual exchange of formalities, Junyoung approached the employee he was about to relieve, who quickly briefed him on the tasks at hand. As Junyoung nodded in acknowledgment, reviewing the complaints and matters that needed attention on the tablet screen, the other employee checked the time, looking a bit impatient, as if they had plans.

“You can head out first.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes.”

“Alright then, thanks! Take care, Junyoung. You too, everyone!”

With that, his colleague’s face brightened and he quickly left the front desk. As Junyoung turned on his earpiece, Hyesoo, standing nearby, spoke to him with a curious look.

“Junyoung, aren’t you off today?”

“The manager called me in, for the VIP.”

At that brief response, Hyesoo nodded, seeming to understand the situation.

“Everyone who speaks English is being called in, huh.”

“Everyone’s good at English.”

“I mean native speakers.”

“I’m not a native speaker, though.”

“Still, you studied abroad. But who is this VIP that they’re pulling in the whole Concierge Team and even you at this hour?”

Junyoung looked around the hall slowly before glancing down at the tablet screen.

1. Baker.

The presence of a VIP who had booked the Presidential Suite, which cost over 12 million won a night, for an entire month had the entire hotel abuzz. No one had found anything on the internet about this name, despite all the searches.

“‘E’ could be Eric, Edward, Ethan, or Elijah? Since there’s nothing about them online, they’re probably not a celebrity. Maybe an unknown investor? But for someone like that, they’re surprisingly low-maintenance. I was worried we’d need to prepare something extravagant for the Presidential Suite, like a huge mirror in the bedroom or a thousand roses,” Hyesoo murmured, half-jokingly. Usually, when that room was booked, the staff would go to great lengths to accommodate the client’s specific requests, but the quietness this time was unsettling.

“We’ll find out when they arrive.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

***

“Ugh, I’m so tired.”

A little past midnight, Hyesoo stretched her back, clearly worn out. Junyoung glanced at her from beside the desk.

“You should take a break.”

“I can’t.”

She tapped the tablet resting under the desk. The most important thing—checking in the guest for the Presidential Suite—had yet to happen, leaving them stuck. Junyoung asked, “Isn’t there still some time?”

He checked his watch, recalling that the check-in time was around 1 AM. At 12:08, there was still some leeway.

“You can’t just rely on the check-in time. There are always surprises.”

While most guests arrived later than expected, there were rare cases where guests miscalculated the time zone difference or rushed from the airport in record time. Junyoung nodded at Hyesoo’s explanation just as her phone vibrated. She glanced at it, letting out a sigh.

“Looks like there’s heavy snow near Incheon. The bridge is backed up. A lot of flights are being canceled too.”

“…Snow?”

“Yeah. I hope it doesn’t snow here. There was no forecast, but now we’re getting a blizzard.”

There was a chance the check-in time might be pushed to 2 AM. While Hyesoo checked the weather in Seoul, Junyoung looked out at the dark city beyond the lobby. Fortunately, it hadn’t started snowing yet, but the air felt ominous, damp, and cold. He felt uneasy, as if snow was imminent.

His heart started racing. It felt as though his pulse was throbbing through his veins, but he suppressed the rising anxiety.

“It’s fine. It’s just a weather phenomenon. It can’t affect me in any way,” he reassured himself, trying to calm down. Just then, the lobby door opened, and a familiar face walked in.

Seeing a regular client who had visited just three days ago, Junyoung relaxed his expression. Beside him, Hyesoo nudged his side.

“Your schoolmate’s here again.”

This client had talked so much that the entire staff now knew about his connection to Junyoung from their study abroad days. Smiling awkwardly, Junyoung looked at him. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he was a bit too free-spirited, sometimes causing trouble. Actually, to be precise, they weren’t close enough to be called friends. They were just former schoolmates.

As Junyoung tried to maintain a friendly expression, the man approached and greeted him.

“Hey, friend. Long time no see. Can I get a room?”

Wearing a coat with wide collars and many decorations that made it stand out, Yeonwoo’s carefree and frivolous tone was met with a smile from Junyoung.  

“Welcome, sir. Would you like the same room as last time?”  

“Yeah, that room’s fine.”  

As expected, Yeonwoo’s response was personal and casual. When Ha Junyoung nded him the card key and the hotel guide, Yeonwoo only took the card key.  

“I already know how the hotel works, so pass. Let’s grab a drink later, friend.”  

Although Junyoung always declined this offer, Yeonwoo never failed to suggest it each time they met. As usual, Junyoung politely refused the invitation with a courteous smile.  

“Enjoy your stay.”  

“Still a brick wall, I see.”  

With a bright, amused laugh, Yeonwoo walked toward the elevator, and Junyoung lowered his gaze once again. Hyesoo, who had been standing beside him, nudged him playfully.  

“Was he like that back in college?”  

“…We were in different departments, so I’m not sure. The school was big. I only saw him a few times at the Korean student community events.”  

“He’s handsome, polite, and a good guy, but he’s too frivolous.”  

At her lament, which implied that his other qualities were wasted, Junyoung responded with an awkward smile. It was true that Yeonwoo was carefree, but his lightheartedness wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, because of it, Junyoung found it easy to interact with him without feeling burdened.  

Of course, their personalities didn’t match enough for them to become close…  

As Junyoung briefly recalled his college days, the atmosphere at the front desk suddenly grew quiet. Sensing an odd tension, Junyoung looked at Hyesoo, who nudged him again. When he turned around, he saw the manager entering the front desk area.  

His unexpected arrival caused the employees to quickly straighten up, and the manager addressed Hyesoo, the front desk team leader.  

“Team Leader Seo, have all the reserved guests checked in?”  

“We had three cancellations, but everyone else except for the guest in the Presidential Suite has checked in.”  

“Any complaints?”  

“There was a complaint from room 1503 about the heating, so we upgraded them. And…”  

After speaking to that point, Hyesoo scanned the lobby to make sure no guests were around before whispering quietly.  

“Mr. Kang Dongho made a complaint. He requested that the housekeeper be replaced with a younger female employee.”  

Junyoung, familiar with the name of the notoriously demanding customer, listened intently as Hyesoo continued.  

“You might need to add him to the list. Today, he kept making advances toward Ji-yoo and insisted on meeting her separately. There was also an incident at the restaurant where he had a disagreement with a guest at the next table.”  

“…We’ll discuss this later since a VIP guest is arriving soon. Keep an eye on the external conditions—there’s snow in the forecast for the early morning. And pay extra attention to keeping the hallways clean.”  

“Yes.”  

The staff braced themselves as the time for the VIP’s arrival drew near. With the manager’s slightly stiffened tone, signaling the VIP’s imminent arrival, the waiting employees seemed tense. Hyesoo muttered softly.  

“Ah… it’s finally snowing in Seoul, too.”  

At her words, Junyoung quickly looked up to see white snowflakes fluttering against the dark sky, and he let out a small sigh.  

The snow didn’t look like it was going to stop anytime soon. It seemed like the weather was turning into a snowstorm.  

Soon, the front desk bustled with activity again.  

“The VIP is expected to arrive soon, so keep an eye on the external conditions. Make sure the cleaning staff are on standby near the lobby.”  

As Team Leader Hyesoo hurriedly gave instructions, Junyoung reached for the phone to contact the cleaning team. Just as he was about to press the extension for the cleaning team, he saw a silver sedan slowly pull up beyond the snow-filled lobby.  

“The VIP has arrived.”  

Hyesoo straightened up after receiving the urgent message through her earpiece, and the atmosphere at the front desk immediately became tense.  

The VIP’s only request had been not to make a big fuss or prepare anything extravagant, but the staff found this more stressful. Often, what the customer requested and what they truly expected were different, making it impossible to predict what complaints might follow.  

Especially when it came to guests staying in the Presidential Suite, there was little data to anticipate their preferences, and the potential fallout could be significant, leaving everyone on edge.  

In the midst of the somewhat nervous atmosphere, Junyoung straightened his back and stood still, gazing at the entrance.  

The snow had grown heavier in the brief time that passed. It felt almost like a blizzard. His heart pounded as he tried to maintain composure, waiting for what came next.  

A man emerged from the driver’s seat, then walked over to the back door and opened it. From within, a tall man dressed in a black coat and gray scarf stepped out.  

Though it was hard to see clearly from a distance, he was a noticeably tall man in a long coat with a gray scarf. Is he Korean? Junyoung wondered, watching as another man, who had gotten out from the opposite side, approached and stood next to him.  

Both men were around the same height, and as they exchanged words, Junyoung stared at them, fixated.  

The doorman began to take out luggage from the trunk and followed them as they walked slowly into the hotel.  

As they passed through the entrance and into the carpeted lobby, a strange sense of familiarity hit Junyoung. He frowned.  

The shape of the man’s body, his walk, and the atmosphere he gave off were all too familiar. The feeling reminded him of someone from his memories, and he tried to convince himself that it couldn’t be.  

It must be someone who just looks like him, Junyoung told himself, trying to calm his racing thoughts. But as the man’s figure became clearer the closer he got, the color drained from Junyoung’s face.  

A black long coat, a gray scarf, and naturally flowing black hair. A handsome man with sharp features but soft, kind eyes when he smiled.  

Someone far too familiar, someone Ha Junyoung d missed dearly.  

His heart froze, and he couldn’t move, standing there as if in a dream, staring at him.  

As the other front desk employees greeted the men, Junyoung stood frozen, forgetting all protocol, simply staring.  

“Welcome.”  

Responding to the employees’ formal greetings, the man with the silver-rimmed glasses and a cold expression spoke in Korean.  

“We have a reservation under Eric Baker.”  

Though they had prepared for all kinds of language barriers, the man spoke fluent but slightly awkward Korean as he handed over his passport. Hyesoo took it and replied naturally.  

“Thank you for staying with us, Mr. Baker. How was your trip?”  

“It wasn’t a trip for pleasure. I’m tired and would like to head to the room now.”  

It was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic or if his Korean wasn’t perfect, but Eric’s sharp tone prompted the manager to quickly bow.  

“Yes. We’ll escort you to your room immediately.”  

As the manager offered to personally escort the VIP, the man who had remained silent until now, Eunhyuk, finally spoke.  

“I’d like Ha Junyoung to show us to the Presidential Suite.”  

Hearing his name suddenly called out, Junyoung, still in a daze, blinked in confusion. Eunhyuk gave him a gentle smile, the same kind look he had six years ago. Feeling as though he had done something wrong, Junyoung instinctively bowed his head.  

The manager, after a brief moment of hesitation, quickly nodded in agreement.  

“I’ll escort the guests to the suite, and Ha Junyoung will guide you to the Presidential Suite.”  

Even after receiving direct instructions, Junyoung hesitated, unable to move. Hyesoo nudged him lightly in the side, bringing him back to his senses. With a bow, Junyoung awkwardly stepped out from behind the desk.  

But his mind was still blank.  

It felt like he was trapped in a nightmare.  

***  

Walking through the lobby and taking the elevator to the 19th floor took less than three minutes, but it felt like an eternity.  

The air was heavy with tension.  

Junyoung’s heart felt tight, and his chest hurt as anxiety gnawed at him.  

Clenching and unclenching his fists in an attempt to calm down, Junyoung’s expression remained strained.  

The doorman, carrying the luggage, noticed Junyoung’s uncharacteristically nervous demeanor and gave him a curious glance, but Junyoung didn’t have the presence of mind to acknowledge it.  

His thoughts were in complete disarray. When they reached the room, and Junyoung entered along with the others, the doorman, who had followed them, stopped and asked a question.  

“Where should I put the bags?” the doorman asked, and Eunhyuk replied leisurely.

“Just leave them there.”

“In the hall?”

“Yes.”

With that brief answer, the doorman set the bags down in the wide hall and hurriedly left the room. Noticing the tense atmosphere between the two, he quickly made his exit, leaving only Eunhyuk and Junyoung alone in the spacious hall.

Feeling the unbearably awkward tension, Junyoung silently looked down at his feet. He wasn’t sure how to start a conversation, or even whether he should address him personally or professionally. While Junyoung stood there, lips twitching in nervous silence, Eunhyuk, who had taken off his scarf, spoke first.

“It’s been a while.”

Eunhyuk’s familiar and kind tone, as if they had just met a month ago, made Junyoung shut his eyes tightly for a moment before responding.

“How did you…”

Junyoung’s voice trembled too much for him to finish asking, “How did you book this hotel?” Eunhyuk, noticing his hesitation, casually draped his scarf over the sofa and responded.

“Do you remember Lee Jungwoo from high school?”

At the mention of Eunhyuk’s closest friend, who had occasionally visited their house back in high school, Junyoung let out a faint “Ah,” and Eunhyuk continued the conversation in a soft tone.

“He was preparing for his wedding and visited this hotel’s wedding hall. He thought he saw you in passing but wasn’t sure. But, seeing someone in a hotel uniform, he guessed you might be working here, so I decided to check.”

As Eunhyuk took off his long black coat, which suited him perfectly, Junyoung suddenly realized that no matter how much he tried to avoid familiar faces in this small country, it was impossible to completely escape them. Though it had been quite a while since he left Korea, he had only been eighteen when he left, so people who knew him well would still recognize him.

In fact, it was strange that he hadn’t been caught for six years.

“It’s odd, isn’t it? After searching for six years without finding you… I hear about you just as I was about to give up.”

Muttering in amazement, Eunhyuk laid his coat on the sofa and turned to Junyoung with a smile, the same warm, affectionate gaze as before. When Junyoung lowered his eyes again, Eunhyuk spoke once more.

“More than that, shouldn’t we greet each other first?”

Eunhyuk spread his arms, waiting naturally for Junyoung to come into his embrace. Drawn as if by magnetism, Junyoung found himself leaning into Eunhyuk’s arms, responding instinctively to the smallest gesture. Eunhyuk wrapped his arms around Junyoung’s neck and kissed him near the eye.

“I’ve missed you.”

Junyoung clenched his eyes shut in pain as Eunhyuk whispered gently in his ear, and Eunhyuk let out a small sigh.

“I was really worried. I understand you returned to Korea because you were homesick, but you can’t just cut off all contact and disappear like that.”

Though his voice remained soft, the slightly reproachful tone made Junyoung grip Eunhyuk’s arms tightly as he murmured, “…I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, you should explain why you did it.”

“…”

“Hmm?”

At Eunhyuk’s firmer tone, Junyoung whispered softly.

“…I was sorry to you.”

“Why would you feel sorry to me?” Eunhyuk asked, genuinely puzzled, and Junyoung gripped his arm even tighter, his voice thin and trembling.

“…For everything.”

At Junyoung’s faint words, Eunhyuk sighed, as if he understood, and gently stroked the back of Junyoung’s neck to comfort him.

“I think I understand what you were thinking, but… there’s nothing to be sorry about between us. We’re each other’s only family now.”

At Eunhyuk’s tender reassurance, Junyoung closed his eyes and hugged him tighter. Eunhyuk truly was his only family. They weren’t blood-related, and there was no legal connection between them, but Eunhyuk was still the one person in the world whom Junyoung could trust completely, the only person he could rely on.

He was the most precious and trustworthy person in Junyoung’s life, but at the same time, that fact caused him the greatest pain. Every time Eunhyuk looked at him with such warmth, it felt like part of his heart was crumbling.

That’s why he had no choice but to run away.

As far as possible, to put distance between them.