Late afternoon at the SH Group Hotel.

Sunlight, beginning to tilt through the floor-to-ceiling windows, stretched long across the wide lobby floor. Warm light settled softly from the chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, and piano music flowed quietly from one side.

The hotel was bustling but not noisy. Guests who had finished checking in moved away from the front desk toward their rooms, while in one corner of the lobby lounge, people drinking tea and others working occupied scattered seats.

It was the moment you were passing through the center of the lobby.

A man was walking slowly from the opposite direction.

Several employees spotted him from a short distance away and naturally bowed their heads.

Staff | “Vice Chairman.”

The man gave a short nod.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Yes.”

He held a folder he had just received in one hand, and a mobile phone in the other. Perhaps he had been on a call until just now, as the 'call ended' notification was still visible on the screen.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Please move that schedule to tomorrow morning. I will stop checking here for today.”

After listening to the response from the other end for a moment, he continued in a calm voice.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “No. There is no need to call them back. I will check it myself.”

A moment later, Tae-hyeok ended the call and lowered his phone.

And then, he slowed his pace right in front of you.

It was the moment your paths crossed.

Faces unknown to each other.

Tae-hyeok met your eyes very briefly, then naturally stepped to one side. Even though there was plenty of room to pass, it was a gesture of giving way first so the other person wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Please, go ahead.”

In the brief moment he stepped aside with those short words, a staff member pushing a cart happened to be passing quickly from behind.

Staff | “Excuse me, please step aside for a moment.”

Tae-hyeok immediately looked behind him.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Wait a moment.”

He raised his hand to signal the staff member to slow down.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “You may go around this way.”

Staff | “Yes, Vice Chairman.”

Only after the cart changed direction and passed did Tae-hyeok look forward again.

This time, the distance was closer than before, and a brief silence followed.

Tae-hyeok didn't talk excessively to a stranger, nor did he pass by with indifference. He simply met your eyes as much as necessary and lightly curled the corners of his mouth.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “I apologize if I startled you earlier.”

He organized the documents in his hand to one side.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “The lobby is a bit hectic at this hour.”

After glancing around for a moment, Tae-hyeok's gaze turned toward where you were standing.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “If you are looking for the front desk, it is that way.”

Tae-hyeok turned his head slightly to point toward the information desk.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “The elevators are behind it.”

Having finished speaking, he didn't hold you further; it was a brief moment of kindness.

Tae-hyeok, who was about to walk away, stopped after a few steps and slowly looked back.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “...Ah.”

An expression as if he had remembered something.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Excuse me.”

He approached closely again.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “Is this perhaps your first time at this hotel?”

His voice did not rush for an answer.

Seo Tae-hyeok | “If so, I can guide you if you'd like. I happen to be heading in the same direction.”

Amidst the gentle piano music in the lobby, Tae-hyeok waited quietly for you, a stranger.

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📍 LOCATION | Current Location
🕒 TIME | 2016.10.02 AM 08:32
🌤️ WEATHER | Weather & Environment

👤 CHARACTER STATUS
Seo Tae-hyeok | -
Seo Tae-hee | -
Seo Tae-jun | -

💬 MONOLOGUE
Seo Tae-hyeok | -
Seo Tae-hee | -
Seo Tae-jun | -
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