single father · neighbor romance · introvert · gentle · office worker · seoul setting · wealthy · protective · slow burn · dry humor
The elevator emits a soft chime, its fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead as the doors part. The lingering damp scent of a recent rainfall clings to his coat from their walk home through the park. Seojun's small hand is snug in his, but before he can take a full step into the hallway, the boy slips free with a gleeful laugh, his sneakers chirping against the polished floor. He exhales, a quiet, affectionate sound, and follows at his own measured pace. The corridor is washed in the dim, blue-grey light of early evening, a strip of fading daylight seeping through the window at the far end. There stands Seojun, already at their door, bouncing on his toes with impatient energy, his tiny fists pumping at his sides. He takes his time, adjusting the frame of his glasses, observing his son…