- - Prologue--
I frequently hear that first love is bound to fail. However, first love is never easy to forget. I can associate with those two facts. I've known him for ten years and still adore him. I never imagined that this strange creature would become someone I hold dearest in my heart. I knew a man named Han Ryu Min in college.
I can still hear your cheerful yet deep voice through the clatter around me. I can still feel your presence on the crowded street.
I can still see your image and feel your warmth. The vision of a stranger passing by, the leaf that rides the wind and sways sorrowfully,
From the night air that brushes against my face.
Everything I see, hear, and feel is real. You've appeared. When I close my eyes in search of solace after a long day, you are the first person I see. You are the excitement I feel when the soft rain falls on my face.
I can't even remember when or how you became the only man capable of turning all these miserable yet comfortable feelings into my loyal companion. Why should it be you?
When you introduced her to me at the time, I knew.... All of our memories, which I cherish, aren't as precious to you as they are to me. Maybe.... Yes, my first love was crushed into little pieces that day. But... Deep... Deep within my heart, I still longing for you like a fool.
-End of Prologue-
    It's a beautiful morning to start the day. The sun is shining brightly. The warmth gives you the confidence to begin a new day, while also illuminating a happy vibe. You get ready to go to your new workplace, CNR Company, a large and well-known company in Seoul. You've heard, read, and seen a lot about this successful company with a wide range of products. It is everyone's dream to work for this company.
    You dress to complement the company's image. You apply light and refreshing make-up to highlight your flaws, check your appearance in the mirror, and it looks perfect. You want to present the best image possible on your first day as an assistant secretary.
    You leave earlier to avoid a busy time; you don't want to be late on your first day. You get on a bus and take a seat in the middle row, near the windows. You open the window to let in some fresh air. You take a deep breath, close your eyes, and smile. You try to put on your best happy face to greet this perfect day.
   You arrived at work 20 minutes earlier. You straighten your clothes, apply your make-up, and put on your best smile. You enter the skyscraper building with confidence. The interior of the building is lavish, classic, and comfortable. You notice a tall lady with brown short hair, dressed entirely in business attire, walking towards you. She has a stern facial expression and elegant vibe.
   "Lee Hyu Ri-ssi?" She confirms your identity. You straighten your back and respond politely. Soon after, she introduces herself as Kang Jae Hee, the head secretary of the CEO company, who will be your bosses. She invites you to her office on the 11th floor and will introduce you to the CEO.
    "He has a distinct taste, is a workaholic, has a solemn demeanor, and adores his cat, Elizabeth the 3rd." You're not sure how the last information about his love for cats relates to your job. Isn't Elizabeth the Third far too extravagant name for a cat?
"Well, he never asks anyone but me to feed his cat." When she said but me, she used a pressed tone with a vague annoyed tone. You can tell she harbors some resentment toward the CEO.
"He even gives his cat to me when he's on a recent business trip when I'm allergic to cats," she rages on. She informs you that he delivered his cat to her in the middle of the night, when she was not at work.
"Well.... It's a little too much of him," you say. Your remark brought her back to reality. She resumed her stern demeanor, which contrasted sharply with her chatty personality. However, you can't blame her. But yet you can't blame her to resent the CEO. He is kinda cruel.
"Well, I'm telling you these facts so you're prepared." Jae Hee is uncomfortable. Her face is flushed. She is embarrassed because she just vented her rage at the CEO towards someone she met once. You are also her subordinate. She believes it is inappropriate for her to speak with you in this manner.
"It's fine..." You notice her awkwardness and smile at her. You have a feeling she could be a good friend for you here. She looks at you, unsure. But, in the end, smile. When the door is opened, you both rush to the elevator.
A man in a black office suit stands there. He gives you a silent stare. You are astounded to see the man in front of you. His figure, eyes, and face are all very familiar to you. All of your old memories flash through your mind at breakneck speed. Your first meeting, his silly behavior, his smile, his kindness, his way of calling your name, his way of looking you in the eyes. The face of the man you long for has now appeared in front of you.
" Hyu Ri-ssi.... This is..." You can't hear Jae Hee's voice because you turn around and flee. Your eyes are already welling up with tears. You miss him but are at a loss for what to do. You miss him, but you have no idea what to do or say right now. You don't want to look miserable with teary eyes in front of him after your long separation, so you decide to flee.
Kang Jae Hee and the man are taken aback by your unexpected escape. They are speechless as they stare at the door you just passed.
"Sajang-nim....." Jae Hee approaches the man after regaining her composure.
"What's the matter?" The CEO inquired in his usual cold and solemn deep voice. Jae Hee rigidly smiles, unsure how to respond to him because she has no idea. Certainly not.
You keep running without knowing where you're going. When you reach the balcony, you come to a halt, trying to catch your breath. You curse yourself for being completely uncool and fleeing like that. Instead of fleeing, you should greet him, say hello to him, and so on. You wiped away your tears; you don't have to be overly sensitive just because of this.
What happens next? You learn that you may be working on the same building as your first love; do you want to keep running away like that? It has been ten years. You recall the events of that day.
-Flashback-
It's your graduation day. You recently graduated from the Department of Economics and Business. You and your friends are having a great time at this ceremony. After the ceremony, you notice a dazzling man waving his hand over you. He holds out a flower in his hand.
"Congratulations on your graduation," he says as he hands you a bucket of your favorite red roses. You can't keep your smile hidden for that.
"What exactly is it? It's also your graduation season "You hit his hand in an attempt to hide your shy smile. You both decide to walk together in the empty garden, away from the crowd.
"From now on, we won't be able to play together." Ryu Min surveys his surroundings, attempting to recall every detail of this place.
"I'm going to miss you," he says with a smile. Your heart is skipping a beat as you unconsciously swallow your saliva.
"Do you recall our first meeting?" You inquire of him.
"What year was it? Did it happen at the library a year ago?" Ryu Min asks you again, and your shake of the head makes him think.
"It's here..." you say.
"I was reading a book, and when I took my gaze away from the book, I noticed you walking from that side, smiling." You point to the location you mentioned.
"At that time.... the sunlight illuminates your figure from behind, you look so dazzling when your face is lit up by the light," you say as you smile to him.
This is your first time praising him in this manner. You never show your feelings, and you even say things that do not match your feelings because you are trying to hide the fact that you like him. But now you're afraid it might be your last time with him, so you.... who always try to appear cool and uninterested, decide to confess.
"Since that day, I've run into you everywhere. Isn't it funny how we keep bumping into each other when we're in different departments? So I gradually became curious, I was looking for your ID and stalking your SNS, and every time I see your perky but strange behavior, I can't help but think "what a waste of a handsome face to be an idiot like you," but slowly.... I can't take my gaze away from you and become interested in you." Ryu Min is speechless as a result of your unexpected confession. He is looking at you with a serious expression, as if he wants to know everything you have to say, so you continue.
"I..... like you..... No.... It's so silly of me, but I..... am in love with you." You finally speak up. His eyes are teary, and he appears to be sad, but why?
"Ryu Min oppa..." a younger girl approaches him and congratulates him on his graduation. You'd never seen her. You smile absurdly as she graciously greets you. She then cheerfully inquires about your identity to Ryu Min.
"My friend.... Lee Hyu Ri," he says as he introduces you to her. He called you after your confession as a friend.
"This is......" he pauses.
"my girlfriend... Kim Ha Na"! A major disaster has struck your heart.
"Girlfriend?" You can tell by his expression that he is feeling guilty, sad, and whatever else. You laugh dryly, attempting to conceal your broken heart. You greet them goodbye before leaving, and you don't want to turn around even when he calls your name.