Taeyeon's Pov:

After they reached the office, Taeyeon set up the script, ready for the drawing of the next chapter. It had been almost three months since they all began working on this massive project. If she hadn't gotten sick, they would have been able to complete other chapters by now, and the deadline would be a lot less intimidating. But what could she do?

She sighed, her eyes falling on the storyboards scattered across her desk. The characters were coming to life, but there was still so much to be done. Two prints of the storyboard lay in front of her—one hers and the other Jimin's. The differences were subtle yet telling.

Her version had more detailed backgrounds, emphasizing the setting and mood, while Jimin's focused on the characters' expressions and emotions, with the backgrounds balancing everything perfectly. The way he captured the essence of each scene made her heart flutter, even in the middle of stress.

She found herself smiling at the thought of how they complemented each other. It was as if their artistic styles were two halves of a whole, working together to tell a richer story. And that's what made him her favorite artist.

"Just don't try to give up on what you've achieved until now."  
"I understand how much you must have fought to get to this stage. You're doing amazing, Taeyeon. Just don't doubt yourself."

Yesterday's words of Jimin echoed in her mind. The way he had wrapped his arms around her, the way he smelled like sweet nectar felt so warm, just like his words.

 "You will always have me beside you from now on." 

Her lips curled into a huge grin before she realized she was blushing hard too. The warmth of his words, combined with the tenderness of the moment, left her feeling both flustered and comforted.

As she shyly smiled at the panel paper, the door to her cabin creaked open, making her jump back.

"Oh, Taeyeon-ah, I'm sorry! I must have scared you all of a sudden," Minji said with an apologetic smile.

"N-no, it's fine," she replied, quickly setting down the papers. "But maybe try knocking next time," she added, her voice light but carrying a hint of playfulness.

"Sure, sure," Minji replied with a smirk, then raised an eyebrow. "Anyway, what were you thinking about so deeply that it made you jump like that?"

Taeyeon chuckled awkwardly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Oh, nothing really. Just... lost in thought about the next chapter," she said, trying to sound nonchalant, though her heart still raced from both the surprise and the thoughts of Jimin.

Minji tilted her head, not entirely convinced but letting it slide. "Mmm-hmm," she hummed teasingly. "Well, whatever it is, it must be good if it has you grinning like that." She winked playfully.

Taeyeon blushed again, quickly changing the subject. "So, what brings you here? Need help with something?"

Minji shook her head with a light smile. "Nothing much. I just wanted to check on how far along this week's chapter is. Also, I heard you weren't feeling well. Are you okay now?" she asked.

Taeyeon formed an 'O' with her mouth, then rubbed her temples as she glanced at the screen. "I'm totally fine now," she assured, flashing a small smile. "And I've already finished the script for the next chapter."

Minji nodded slowly, glancing between the screen where the script was prepared and Taeyeon. Just as she was about to ask her next question, a knock on the door drew their attention.

"Taeyeon-shii, are you ready to—" Jimin's voice trailed off as he spotted Minji standing there.

Jimin's POV:

Jimin paced back and forth in his cabin, unsure of how to approach Taeyeon. They didn't even talk much while driving to the office but it isn't so awkward either.

The hug he had given her yesterday still lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the memory of how she broke down in tears at his soft words. All he wanted to do was comfort her in every way he could.

He recalled her red, puffy almond eyes and the way her cheeks flushed. It made him want to protect her from all her problems. He knew how hard it could be for parents to support their kids when they chose a path like art or manhwa as a career.

He had faced that struggle himself. When Taeyeon had asked about his journey in choosing this path, he felt surprisingly relieved. Sharing his story with her felt good, especially seeing her teary eyes and soft smile. In that moment, he realized he was falling in love again—this time with his best friend's sister. Someone he had met for just one night and then lost touch with, only to find her again a year later as the guest artist in her company. Knowing that he was her favorite artist and the one who inspired her to take this path made everything feel even more special.

He couldn't help but think about her awkward smiles and laughter and the way she blushed whenever he got close to her. Those little moments made his heart race, reminding him just how deeply he felt for her.

"Ah, Jimin, get a grip, idiot!" He muttered to himself, lightly patting his cheek.

He knew he had to focus on the project at hand, which was crucial for both of them but especially for Taeyeon. If they succeeded, it could lead to more offers for her to prove her skills. He wanted to help her achieve her dreams, to see her shine and recognize her talent.

His eyes lit up as a spark of inspiration hit him. Of course, he needed to work closely with her, just like they had done the other day. That way, he could talk to her, see her, and be there for her in a way that felt very easy. 

Without wasting any time, he grabbed his tablet, stylus pen, and MacBook, then walked out of his cabin with a smile stretching from ear to ear. As he reached Taeyeon's office, he knocked on the door and opened it before she could respond.

"Taeyeon-shii, are you ready to—" His voice trailed off as he spotted Minji standing there.

"Oh, Minji-shii, you're here too?" He asked, quickly hiding his cheeky smile behind a forced polite expression.

Minji raised an eyebrow. "I was just checking in on Taeyeon. Are you here for something specific?"

Jimin nodded, trying to keep his excitement in check. "Yeah, I wanted to discuss the next chapter with her." His gaze drifted to Taeyeon; he could see the smile on her face; there was no awkwardness in it anymore.

"Mmm-hmm," Minji hummed. "Then carry on. See you later, Taeyeon," she chimmed.

Jimin could sense the honey coating her voice. He had never quite felt that Minji was being entirely sincere. The question she asked on that lunch day echoed in his ears again: "You know Taeyeon even before you collaborated with this company, don't you?"

She didn't ask it as a question; it was more of a statement, as if she already knew he and Taeyeon were not strangers when they first met.

"Oh, just curious. You both seemed to have a close, that's all. It's rare to see you show so much concern."

That wasn't the kind of curiosity he thought it was. She was digging for something more.

"Of course. I didn't mean to imply anything else, but... I've noticed you've been more... attentive toward Taeyeon than with others. It's just something I picked up on, and I can't help but wonder if there's more to it."

Jimin felt a slight nervousness surround him. He remembered Minji's words: "I just wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings. There are some rumors out there that might affect this project and even yours."

The way she kept on those last words and how she suggested the rumors made him uneasy. Jimin's expression hardened slightly, remembering those words. Why was Minji so interested in their relationship? What did she know, and why did it feel like she was hinting at something deeper?

"Jimin-shi," Taeyeon's voice brought him back to the moment, so much so that he didn't even realize Minji had already left.

He blinked twice, shaking off  from that conversation. "Sorry, I was just—lost in thought, I guess," he admitted, forcing a smile as he turned his attention fully to Taeyeon.

He walked to her table and put down the equipment he brought with him

Her brow furrowed slightly with concern. "Everything okay? You seemed a bit distracted just now."

He turned back to see her furrowed eyebrows, and her concern made his heart swell. Without thinking, his hands instinctively went up to her forehead, smoothing out the lines with a huge grin that revealed his crooked teeth. He couldn't help but notice the way her eyes widened in surprise at his sudden action.

"That frown is forming lines on your forehead, Taeyeon," he said softly, his voice filled with a mix of playfulness and genuine care.

Taeyeon blinked, momentarily taken aback. A soft blush crept onto her cheeks as she processed his words. "I—I didn't realize I was frowning that much," she stammered, a hint of embarrassment lacing her voice.

Jimin chuckled lightly, finding her reaction endearing. "Well, are you ready for the next chapter?" he asked, his tone playful yet sincere.

She nodded her head and sat in her chair, pulling the script papers from the scanner beside her table. Carefully, she set the storyboard prints aside to make room for the freshly printed script papers.

He checked the script, and the chapter somehow felt touching, reflecting their own dynamic. The way the male protagonist comforted the female protagonist mirrored the warmth Jimin had felt when he held Taeyeon in his arms the previous day.

"Hey," he said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "I really like how the dialogue flows here. It feels genuine."

Taeyeon looked up, her expression brightening at his praise. "You really think so?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice.

"It's relatable," he said, leaning closer as his breath gently brushed against her face. "I wonder which scenario inspired you to write this."

He stared deeply into her dark brown eyes, his gaze shifting as if he were searching for something within them. He could hear the heartbeat, but he couldn't tell whose heart it was—his or hers.

Taeyeon's POV

Taeyeon swallowed hard, feeling her cheeks flush under his intense gaze. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his light brown ones; the way they locked onto hers made her heart race. Deep down, she didn't understand why she liked this feeling so much, and she was hesitant to admit it.

Clearing her throat, she leaned back slightly, creating some distance and placing her hands on the desk to pick up the papers. "I thought it could be a good start for the next chapter, maybe," she said, trying to sound casual.

Her words were stumbling, a reminder of her nerves, which frustrated her. She didn't want to be that awkward and anxious with Taeyeon anymore, especially after how Jimin had comforted her the night before. She was just his best friend's sister, and she had left him unanswered after their night in Tokyo, leaving only a small note behind when he deserved an explanation from her.

She wanted to work alongside him freely, just like he did. Even if he would leave the company after this project, a part of her longed to create good memories, to brush off the past ones that lingered in her mind.

But here Jimin was, making it tough for her. He made her heart jump every time he was near, just like now.

Jimin chuckled, and she could clearly see that he wasn't buying it. It was obvious to him that she was flustered, and he had a playful glint in his eyes as if he enjoyed this side of her.

"Fine, let's say it's a good start," he said, opening his tablet and tapping through the screens.

As time passed, Jimin almost finished the last panel of the chapter while Taeyeon assisted with the backgrounds. She couldn't help but notice the way Jimin's blonde locks fell over his eyes as he shook his head to push them aside.

A small smile crept onto her lips as she watched him concentrate. The way his bottom lip curled out while he focused on drawing was adorable. 

There was no wonder almost every woman fell for him, she thought. But then something hit her hard: his breakup. She was reminded of that night in Tokyo when they first met, when he told her about how his girlfriend cheated on him and how he had pushed everything aside to focus on his work.

Why had he allowed himself to get hurt so deeply? What had made him fall for her in the first place? The questions swirled in her mind, and she felt an urge to know more.

"Handsome?" Jimin's voice made her snap out of her thoughts. She blinked twice, realizing he hadn't even lifted his head from the tablet but still seemed to know she was lost in her own world.

"P-Pardon?" she replied, a bit flustered.

He chuckled softly, glancing at her with a teasing smile. "You were staring at me like I was a masterpiece or something. I wonder, Am I looking like your Manhwa hero again?" 

Her cheeks instantly heated up at the memory of that night, and she shook her head vigorously. "N-no, I-it's..." She stumbled over her words, struggling to find a reply while feeling embarrassed that he could bring up such intimate lines so casually.

He laughed heartily, covering his mouth with his hand, clearly amused by her flustered reaction. The sight of her blushing face made him chuckle even harder, deepening her embarrassment.

"Sorry...sorry, just joking," he said in between his laughter, trying to catch his breath.

His laughter was infectious, almost making her forget why she felt so flustered in the first place. She felt a strange warmth spreading through her chest, a mix of embarrassment and joy. But still, the questions nag at her mind: What did he truly feel? And how could she bring up the past without ruining this moment?

It felt like it would be too much to ask him about his past. She had already inquired about how he pursued this career, but that question felt too personal. What if he didn't want to share? What if it brought back painful memories that he wasn't ready to face again?

"Is there something you want to ask?" Jimin asked, finally looking up at her with those sharp eyes that seemed to read through her.

She froze for a moment, her mouth hanging open in surprise. How did he always know? It was almost unnerving how easily Jimin could read people. She quickly shook her head, trying to compose herself. "N-no, it's nothing," she stammered, her voice faltering slightly.

Jimin raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but still smiling softly. "You sure?" His tone was gentle, but there was a knowing glint in his eyes. "You've been quiet for a while now."

Taeyeon bit her lip, torn between wanting to ask him the questions that had been eating at her and the fear of crossing a line. "It's just... I was wondering..." she began hesitantly but stopped herself, unsure of how to continue.

She watched as Jimin shifted in his chair, setting his tablet and pen aside, giving her his full attention. The way he tilted his head, his gaze unwavering, made her feel both nervous and comforted at the same time.

"Taeyeon," he said softly, "you can ask anything—about work, art, and..." He paused, his eyes locking with hers as he added gently, "even about me."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin on his palm. There was a warmth in his eyes, one that made her heart flutter. She could feel her pulse quicken as she tried to process his words. The openness he offered her was tempting, yet daunting at the same time.

She hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the papers in front of her. Could she really ask him about something so personal? His breakup had clearly affected him, but would asking about it bring back pain he wasn't ready to confront?

But his gaze remained steady, encouraging her without pressure, as if he was saying it was okay to trust him.

She firmly shook her head, offering a small smile. "It's nothing," she replied, trying to shake off her thoughts.

Jimin's lips curled into a playful grin. "If it's nothing, then I have something to ask," he said.

Her smile turned slowly and turned into a confused frown. "What is it?" She asked.

He leaned back on his chair with a playful smirk his plum lips parted as he said "Not a question but.... I want to know about you"

His words caught her off guard, and Taeyeon blinked, feeling her heart race faster than she wanted to admit. There was a playful tone in his voice, but beneath it, she sensed something deeper—genuine curiosity, a desire to truly understand her beyond the layers she had shown so far.

"What about me?" she asked softly, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Jimin leaned back further, the playful smirk still present but his eyes holding a warmth that made her feel vulnerable. "Well, you see," he began, "I know you as the first woman I spent a night with in Tokyo, then as the one I have to work with, and next as my fan, and finally as my best friend's sister." He paused, his gaze never leaving hers. "But I want to know about the Taeyeon that I don't know."

She felt her breath catch in her throat. How could he so effortlessly bring out about that night? —Or maybe he had a lot of his mind that she needed to answer.

She felt her breath catch in her throat. How could he so effortlessly bring up that night? Or maybe he had a lot on his mind that she needed to address. But what puzzled her the most was his question: what did he mean by "the Taeyeon he doesn't know"?

The uncertainty hung in the air between them, thick with unspoken emotions, in that silence between them made her heart race.

The weight of his gaze was both comforting and challenging, making her tempting.

She wondered where this would lead. She felt something was changing between them as she stared into his light brown eyes.