‣ office

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Hyungjung swallowed heavily as his hand landed on her shoulder. It was not in any means heavy, but she swore she could feel the warmth of his grip through the jacket as she nodded. “I can just stay on the couch or something,” she continued, already trying to plan out how to best go about this. It must have been years she had been this spontaneous, taking not only steps but leaps out of her comfort zone. Was it just the air around the man that made her feel so bold as to go with his suggestions? Was it the promise of the quiet calm he somehow seemed to permanently exist within?

Shrugging her bag a bit better onto her shoulder she started after him, making sure to keep up close as the darkness slowly formed around them. The vaguest hint of the streetlights behind them still illuminated the path somewhat. But as it faded she subconsciously stepped closer to the professor, his sure footing a slight comfort as she allowed her eyes to better adjust. It took a moment of two of her walking in near pitch blackness before things slowly came into better focus. She still relied somewhat on her hearing and his steps to keep herself from tripping, one hand steadied out before her to grab his shirt if she was to stumble.

Luckily there had been no need. Her vision cleared up after a bit, being able to make out the forest path before them as the two walked quietly. Every now and then when the ground seemed the most level Hyunjung would halt her steps for but a moment to look up at the sky. And from her lips escaped a short sight. It was nowhere near as majestic as the starry sky above the Lan Mountains, but it sure beat the look from her apartment. Here should could make out several constellations and planets, tracking her eyes over the familiar shapes dotted out across the dark sky.

“Hm?”
Her head had snapped back down at the sound of his voce, so soft that she had momentarily thought he had been whispering. Did he truly have any reason to thank her? A few strands of hair danced over her face as she tilted her head a little, studying his expression for a few seconds before speaking. “I put no more trust in you than you did me,” she replied, her voice calm and matter-of-fact. “Should I then thank you too? Because then-“ Hyunjung paused, her lips pursed in thought before she bowed. “Thank you, Kang. For trusting me too.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ When Hyunjung started rambling, Kang's initial instinct was to reassure her, to tell her it was perfectly fine if she wanted to refuse. He hadn't meant to put her on the spot for it had been a fleeting thought, a spontaneous suggestion on his part, and he wasn’t the type to press. His fingers twitched slightly, tempted to reach out, but something in the way she was working through her thoughts made him pause. Instead, he waited patiently, a soft smile of understanding curving his lips as he listened. And when she turned toward him with her answer, Kang blinked, surprised for only a moment before a gentle smile formed, the kind that carried both gratitude and amusement. “Of course, Hyunjung.” he said easily. “It’s the least I could do after you accepted my invitation, right?”

His hand lifted instinctively, a light touch patting her arm, a quiet acknowledgment of the internal debate she had just gone through. He had seen it play out in real-time, the push and pull of her own hesitation against the desire to say yes. And she had chosen to step outside her comfort zone. He respected that. “Shall we, then?” His dark eyes gleamed with excitement, like a child eager to share a newfound discovery. With a small nod, he motioned for her to follow, turning toward the forest path.

Slipping his hands back into his pockets, he glanced over at her as they walked. There was something humbling about the trust she had just placed in him, something that warmed him far beyond the crisp night air. His voice was softer when he spoke next, carrying a quiet sincerity. "Thank you for the trust, Hyunjung. I appreciate it." He said with a small, earnest smile, one that held no expectations, only gratitude. The night stretched before them, crisp and quiet, and Kang couldn't help but feel that this would be a night to remember.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ “Go stargazing?”
As nice as the idea sounded Hyunjung could not disguise the uncertainty in her voice. She had never been the most spontaneous person, preferring her schedules and rules over just doing what fancied her. There was so much that usually needed to be planned to do anything like what Kang suggested.

Her gaze lifted back towards the sky as her steps slowed. One hand moved to her hair, gently combing through the waves of blue as she considered his preposition. “I like the sound of that, but-“ How long had it ever been since she broke her rule of when to go to sleep? How long had it been since she had just stayed out late at night with a friend and stared up at the sky? And what of the day after? She would be a broken mess getting into work, even before the worries of smelling like the forest and yesterday’s sweat. “I don’t know…”

She wished she could have been more relaxed like the professor was; to simply allow herself to flow with the stream. Yet the few times she had tried the thoughts and worries came flooding in. “I didn’t really pack for staying out. And I would need sleep before work.” Slowly her gaze fell back down to the city before her, her lips pursing a little. “Though I think the bus already stopped going.” Her words kept going even as her tone lowered, speaking more to herself than the man next to her. “An Uber maybe? But the drivers… I can’t walk the whole wa-“

Hyunjung’s sentence abruptly stopped, as did her body; freezing fully in place. Despite everything in her head screaming no she had turned towards Kang, ignoring the warmth spreading out over the bridge of her nose as she spoke: “If you got a place I could stay for the night I guess we could… take the long way through the forest.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Of course, even without her meaning to, Kang found her adorable in her own way, especially in the way she shyly thanked him, as if unsure whether to accept the compliment at all. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, I'm only stating the truth, so no need to thank me for it." he murmured, though he couldn't quite suppress the small smile tugging at his lips.

As she echoed his sentiment about finding quiet moments, Kang simply hummed in agreement. He hadn't expected her to share what she had been thinking about, but the fact that she did made something warm settle in his chest. Her words painted a peaceful picture, one that resonated with him more than he expected.

His gaze lifted toward the sky again, his pace slowing before he eventually stopped altogether. The stars stretched above them, faint against the glow of the city but still visible, still vast. "You know what..." Kang suddenly said, his voice light with a spark of spontaneity. "How about we go stargazing tonight?" He turned toward her, eyes catching the soft glow of the streetlights. "The sky's looking pretty nice, and if we head toward the forest, it'll be even clearer." He nodded to himself as if convincing himself of the idea. "No pressure, of course. Just thought... maybe it'd be nice?"

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ It was hard to know what to say in the face of the professor’s natural charm. It made her feel uncharacteristically defenceless, as if the man already knew her far better than she herself even did. For with just a few words he managed to lure out that small smile over and over, her eyes quickly averting from his as she tried not to let it show. It was not like she in any way disliked it. He was a warm person and it just sort of seemed to radiate. Her voice was near a whisper as she managed to force out a short: “Thank you…”

Though her days could be hectic Hyunjung had found that she often got all the quiet time she needed by her lonesome when working. Beyond extraneous circumstances where most of her caution was thrown to the wind Kang had been the first person to truly ‘bother’ her while working. And to her surprise it had not just made her more focused as she worked, but it had also given her the benefit of feeling acknowledged. “I guess we all need that from time to time.”

Her eyes were hesitant as she glanced back over, lips pursed as she debated what to tell him. It was not as if she would lie. And as he himself stated there was no direct need to share. If only he hadn’t tilted his head like that, looking more than anything like an adorable puppy one would just want to pick up and smoosh with love. Damn those weak defences.
“I was just imagining the peace. Laying beneath the stars without any worry or responsibility. Just a moment alone in peace.” Blissful and stress-free.

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ “That you do, Hyunjung.” Kang reaffirmed with a small nod, his voice warm with quiet conviction. The more time he spent with her, the more he noticed the little things, like the effortless way she carried herself, her sharp mind, the way she had a natural presence without needing to demand attention. She had a kind of quiet coolness to her, something understated but undeniably there.

“Hm. Sometimes we just need a quiet time for ourselves, right?” he mused, his voice thoughtful. These evening walks, however brief, were a ritual of sorts for him. A moment to breathe, reflect, and process the day before it faded into memory. He wondered if she had something similar, something that helped her wind down, or if she simply pushed through each day without pause.

Noticing her absent gaze, the way she had been lost in thought, Kang tilted his head slightly, a small smile forming in understanding. “It’s alright. What were you thinking about?” His tone was gentle, more curious than prying. Then, sensing that she might not want to share, he quickly added, “You don’t have to say if you’re not comfortable.”He noticed that Hyunjung often seemed to carry her thoughts quietly, letting them swirl in that sharp, brilliant mind of hers. He had no intention of pushing but just had a simple curiosity about what might be on her mind.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Hearing anybody refer to her as cool in any other sense than her mood and expressions lured out a small smile. Not much but a mere quirk of the corner of her lips, but no less a genuine one. Such compliments seemed reserved for someone far different from her. “I guess I have my cool sides as well,” she hummed with a faint hint of pride to her voice.

A welcome chill rushed in with the wind from outside as Kang opened the door. Hyunjung drew in a deep breath as she stepped outside, letting the crisp air rush into her lungs and help ease the heat that seemed to radiate from deep in her chest. Once her skin had seemed to ease back to its normal temperature she pulled the jacket a little closer, staving off some of the cold air that rolled over her neck and shoulders.
“That seems quite calming,” she admitted. It had started to dawn on her just why she felt peaceful around the man. Clearly everything he did in life was in the pursuit of calm tranquility. Everything from massages to tea and peaceful walks; the man was a walking piece of meditation in the hustle and bustle of modern life.

“Hm?”
Hyunjung’s fleeting attention snapped back to reality as she looked back up, meeting his gaze. She followed it towards herself, not realizing she had been holding her jacket quite tightly around herself. “Oh, y-yeah, I-“ she stammered as she eased up the tension in her shoulders, letting the leather jacket drift back open. “-was a bit lost in thought is all.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang let out a soft hum as he nodded, listening to her. At the mention of the bus, he glanced at his watch, checking the time. He wasn’t entirely sure if it was too late to catch one, but he figured they'll just have to find out then. His attention shifted back to her, his brows lifting slightly in surprise before his lips curled into an amused smile.“Bike? You’re much cooler than I thought, Hyunjung.” he mused, a quiet chuckle escaping him. Cycling was definitely one way to get around and he should consider it sometime.

Her question caught him slightly off guard, but a small smile formed on his lips as he looked at her. So far, he had gathered that she was the type to answer only what was asked, which he didn’t mind. Still, it was nice to hear her ask something back. He took it as a small sign that she wanted to keep the conversation going. “I don’t live far from campus..” he explained as they reached the building doors. He stepped forward, pushing one open and holding it for her. The evening air rushed in, crisp and cool, nipping at his skin the moment they stepped outside. Kang instinctively slipped his hands into his pockets for warmth. “I usually take a walk home.” he continued, tilting his head slightly as he considered his usual route. “If I’m feeling a bit adventurous or just need more time to think, I take the path through the forest.” He chuckled softly, glancing up at the sky. Tonight, it was clear, with a few stars scattered faintly above. If Hyunjung weren’t here, he would have definitely taken the long way through the trees. There was something about the quiet solitude of the forest that he found strangely comforting, though, at the moment, he didn’t mind the company either.

After a moment, Kang turned his head to look at her again, his gaze flickering over her face before settling on the way she held herself against the cold. “Are you warm enough?” he asked, voice gentle, walking somewhat closer to her. “You okay?”

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ The hallways were unusually empty, though for what time they were wandering through them it was probably a given. Their footsteps echoed throughout the hall, the only real sound except for her own and Kang’s low breathing. Hyunjung kept fidgeting with the keys in her pocket, the soft click and clack of the metal barely audible over their steps.

Though only a few minutes had passed between seeing each other something about how Kang moved was different. He was still all well postured and tall, but something just seemed off. It was as if his shoulders were too stiff or something with his smile that did not feel as warm as it had not too long ago. She was tempted to ask. In fact she almost felt curious as to why. And yet she could not make herself be the first to speak up, as if her bringing it up would somehow ruin what had been a pleasant night so far.

Hyunjung’s gaze turned ever so slightly towards him, her head tilted back as she looked up at him. “Just to the bus towards downtown,” she answered. “That is if it still goes at this hour.” She lifted her shoulders in a light shrug. “Normally don’t take my bike until it gets a bit warmer.” Was that too much information? He had just asked about where she was headed, after all, not how she was headed there. It was probably just an attempt to fill the dead air, she thought to herself, quickly trying to come up with a way to continue the conversation instead of her train of thought. “What about you? What’s the way home to Hope like?”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ On his way back, Kang felt the buzz of his phone in his pocket. He barely hesitated before fishing it out, his eyes scanning the message he had just received. Whatever it was, it must have been frustrating, his expression remaining neutral, but there was a brief flicker of something in his gaze. He exhaled quietly through his nose, his thumb hovering over the screen before the sound of approaching footsteps pulled him back to the present.

He quickly tucked his phone away, his posture shifting as he looked up to see Hyunjung coming toward him. Kang’s lips curled into a soft smile, though this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Ready to go?” he asked, falling into step beside her as they naturally moved toward the exit.

As they walked, he cast a sidelong glance at her, curiosity lacing his tone. “So… where would you be going home, Hyunjung?” His voice was casual, but there was genuine interest behind the question. His fingers curled around the strap of his laptop bag, securing it over his shoulder, while his other hand remained comfortably tucked in his pocket.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Hyunjung mulled it over for only a moment before frowning slightly. “I would rather not fall asleep at work in general. It makes me feel sluggish and unproductive.” Probably not the answer he wanted, but the only truth she could give him. At least it did prove that his intensions had been more innocent than his words had sounded, proving that the professor truly was who he seemed like on the surface.

“Yeah. See you soon,” she had hurriedly replied before he left, leaving her alone to stew in her own embarrassment for a moment. Hyunjung leaned over her desk, the blue and bleached strands of her hair cascading down around her face as she placed her face in her hands. Why had she just put her hand there? He had clearly spoken about the cups, and yet she had so readily just grabbed his hand. But it was normal, right? Getting helped up from a seat was just courteous, and the professor had shown himself to be quite the courteous person.
But why? Why did she do that….

She fanned at her face a little, hoping the flush of warmth she felt was less visible on her face than it felt on the inside. All she had to do now was pack up and then she could escape back home and finally sleep. Hopefully the rest would help her clear her mind a little. Giving her desk a final inspection to ensure nothing was out of place, Hyunjung eventually got up from her seat and grabbed for her jacket. She pulled it on, finding a bit of comfort in the warmth of the sturdy jackets embrace.

Grabbing her shoulderbag and her keys off of the table she began turning off lights and locking up. The school’s hallways were so empty at this hour that the sound of the bolt sliding into place on her office door seemed to echo down against the walls around her. With everything sorted she shoved her hands back into the pockets of her jacket before starting towards the staff room.

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang shook his head, his smile warm as he watched her settle into the shift in formality. “Now that sounds better, yeah?” he teased lightly.

Her reaction to his earlier statement only made his amusement grow. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I just meant when we’re in the staff room or somewhere you’re not afraid to fall asleep.” He shrugged, but as the words left his lips, he realized how open-ended they sounded. Where would be appropriate, really? It wasn’t like he could casually show up at her place, nor would she likely even consider such a thing. And it wasn’t as if he could invite her over, either. He hadn’t thought that far ahead, just making conversation, but now the consideration of it lingered in his mind more than he had expected.

Still, he hadn’t anticipated what happened next. The warmth of her hand in his was brief but surprising, his fingers instinctively closing around hers before she seemed to realize what she had done. The way she quickly withdrew, replacing it with the empty mug, was both endearing and slightly amusing. Kang didn’t for it, though. He just accepted the cup with a nod, a soft smile on his lips, not because he wanted to fluster her more, but because it made him happy in a quiet, unspoken way. She was getting comfortable around him.

“I’ll meet you out in the hallway then?” he echoed her words. He his heel, stepping out of the office, the warmth of her lingering touch still fresh in his mind. At the staff room, he gave both mugs a proper wash, making sure to leave them on the drying rack before grabbing a few tissues to dry his hands. As he left, he moved back toward the direction of Hyunjung's office, naturally moving to meet her halfway.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ “Oh yeah.” Hyujung gently wrinkled her nose, thinking back to how she had requested him not to be so formal, only to be more formal herself after the fact. Up until then she had been less formal with him too, so for her to go back on it when he had not felt unfair towards him. “My bad,” she hummed, lifting one hand in a small apologetic gesture. “Kang.” She smiled ever so faintly as she took another sip of the comforting warm beverage. It really did make her feel more relaxed.

Her gaze studied him quietly for a moment, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she did. “What do you mean more appropriate?” It had already felt somewhat inappropriate the last time, the sounds she made far from any sound one should have ever made at work. The only way it would have been appropriate was in an entirely different atmosphere, one she somewhat doubted that he had meant with his suggestion.

What transpired next she could only chalk up to her own tired mind working on autopilot. When the professor had gotten up and stepped closer she had not even thought for a second before placing her hand in his, pausing only when she caught what he said. “O-oh.” Quickly withdrawing her hand, Hyunjung instead replaced it with her empty cup. Her head bobbed in a singular grateful nod. “I’ll… uhm… Finish packing my things.” A faint line of red had made itself visible over the bridge of her nose as she glanced up at him. “See you in a few?”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang’s smile deepened at her reaction, the way she tried to hide behind her tea only making it more obvious. He leaned back slightly in his chair, resting one arm on the table as he regarded her with quiet amusement. "No need to thank me. And you can just call me Kang." he reminded her with a small chuckle. "You did say we didn’t have to be formal with each other, right? I’ve been calling you Hyunjung since then. It’s a bit awkward having you still call me Professor." His tone was light, teasing, but there was an underlying sincerity to it. He didn’t mind titles when it came to work, but here, in this quiet space, it felt unnecessary.

His smirk widened slightly at the way she reacted to his playful suggestion. He caught the way her tired eyes fluttered for a moment, almost as if she were already sinking into the thought. "Perhaps next time, when the setting is more appropriate." he quipped, his voice carrying the kind of ease that suggested he wouldn’t mind making good on the offer if she ever took him up on it.

Still, when she straightened up and set her glasses aside with a sigh, he knew it was time to call it a night. Nodding at her suggestion, he reached for his laptop bag, slipping his device inside before hoisting the strap over his shoulder. With his other hand, he reached toward her, palm open. "Can I take your empty mug?" he offered, holding his own in his opposite hand. "I just need to drop by the staff room to return these if that’s alright with you?" Making it clear she didn’t have to worry about the small task.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ “You did well today.”
Hyunjung was glad the cup was rested against her lips, hiding the doofy smile on her lips at hearing those words. How long had it not been since she had gotten any affirmations like that? They were small and yet they bounced around within her like a rocket set loose, and all she could do to not grin brightly was take another sip of her tea. “Thank you, Professor.”

Though the moment of peace was short lasted as he raised his voice again, earning him a stern look over the edge of her fogged glasses that she had been too tired to pluck off of her nose. “Yah… Are you trying to make me fall asleep here?” she asked him back, finishing the statement with a short scoff before taking another sip. “You better be. I would fall asleep immediately.”

If only brains had been so great as to not immediately imagine what was put before her. Even just the mention of a massage brought back lingering feelings of the one had given her earlier, faint echoes that seemed to glide over her skin and ever so slightly ease the tension in her shoulder. Hyunjung could feel her eyelids fluttering at the sensation as she tried to cling onto reality. Eventually she sat up straighter, putting her glasses aside as she sighed. “Should we pack up and begin our path home?”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang’s smile grew when she voiced her approval of the tea. He gave a small, pleased nod. "I'm glad you liked it. I'll be sure to make you a better one next time." His voice was light, carrying the warmth of an unspoken promise.

Taking another careful sip of his own tea, he let his gaze wander back to her workspace, shaking his head slightly at her words. "No rush." he assured her. He made no effort to move, simply settling deeper into his chair and letting himself enjoy the moment. Watching her work had a strange sort of appeal. There was something captivating about her focus, the way her hands moved with certainty, even as exhaustion no doubt pulled at her. He found himself admiring that dedication.

By the time she placed the last laptop onto the finished pile, Kang had drained the last of his tea, resting the cup idly in his lap. He watched as she leaned back into her chair, taking another well earned sip of her drink. A soft smile crossed his lips. "Good job, Hyunjung." he murmured, tilting his head slightly as he regarded her with quiet admiration. "You did well today."

There was a brief pause before his lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Would you like another massage?" He threw the suggestion out in a playful tone, his eyes glinting with mischief as he chuckled softly, already shaking his head before she could respond. "Just kidding." he added, smiling as he thought about her earlier statement of him being evil for trying to make her sleep with the massage.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ With Kang to back her up on her decision Hyunjung gave a nod of determination. “One last one,” she promised. That way she would be all done and tomorrow could be a breeze. Boring maybe, but at least she would not have to stress about fixing anything. All she had to do was call in the students to pick up their gear, and it would be all smooth sailing.
She got to work quickly, giving the last PC a quick once over on the outside before looking up at him moving about. “Be careful,” was all she managed to get out before focusing back on her work, the desk-lamp by her side keeping up the illusion of it not being as late as it actually was.

By the time Kang poked his head back in she had discovered the fault. A wire connecting the charging port to the battery had frayed, the splitting end having burnt its way through its own casing until the connection broke fully. She looked up after cutting the piece of wire loose, eyeing him innocently as he stepped in. The scent of spiced tealeaves hit her before she saw the two mugs he held in his hands. She had not thought about how try was before she saw the tea being pushed towards her.

“Thank you.” There was genuine stunned confusion in her voice as she reached over, picking the mug up and lifting it closer, letting the warm aroma ease the tension in her body a little. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as she took a sip, the warm liquid lubricating her parched throat. “It might just be the best instant tea bag I’ve had in a while,” the IT rep sighed in relief as she carefully placed it aside on the table, making sure not to bump into anything. “I’m almost done,” she quickly added as she pushed the glasses back up on the bridge of her nose. “Just need to replace this one cable and we should be good.”

It was clear that the hours of work had started taking a toll, but Hyunjung persevered, pushing herself just a little to finish up. She quickly cut off the needed length from a spool of wire, stripping the ends even before she had turned her chair back to the desk. There was nothing she wanted more than to finish up her work and get home to drift off to sleep in her bed. With some quick patchwork of solder sleeves she got it placed back into the computer, testing it by giving the battery a quick charge and seeing the meter on the side go up. With a relieved sigh she finally replaced the screws and the backplate, putting the laptop atop the already large stack. “There.” Hyunjung reached back for the tea-cup, giving it another sip as she sunk back into her chair.

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang lingered for a moment, his gaze settling on the last laptop awaiting repair before nodding with a soft smile. “Alright. One last one, and then we’ll call it a day, okay?” If this was the final stretch, he figured she might as well finish so she could actually rest tomorrow, though whether she would take that opportunity was another question entirely. He then stretched slightly before glancing back at her. “Excuse me for a moment, alright?” He didn’t wait for an answer before stepping away, gathering his things just enough to make it clear he wasn’t leaving for good. As he reached the door, he cast a glance over his shoulder with a playful smirk. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back.” His tone was light, teasing, as if expecting her to miss him in the brief time he was gone.

Stepping out into the dimly lit hallway, Kang made his way toward the staff room. He wasn’t gone for too long, though it took him a little longer than planned. When he finally returned, he knocked lightly before pushing the door open just enough to poke his head in. “It’s me, Kang. Back again.” he announced, as if she might have somehow forgotten him in the few minutes he had been gone. He stepped inside fully, now holding two cups of warm tea in his hands. Carefully, he walked over to her desk, setting one of the mugs down and gently pushing it toward her. “It’s not my usual tea preparation.” he admitted with a small chuckle. “Had to settle for instant tea bags, but I hope it’s to your liking.”

With that, he settled back into his seat, crossing one leg over the other as he got comfortable. Lifting his own cup, he took a careful sip, letting the warmth seep through his fingers. It wasn’t much, but after such a long stretch of work, a bit of warmth and something to drink seemed like the least he could offer. And he vaguley remember promising her tea sometime before but it was more of the ceremonial tea preparation, which he'll definitely have to do for her next time.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Some of the repairs had been more fiddly than others. The first one after the fan had been simple, just some light water damage having rusted the USB port. But the one after was a small nightmare. Hyungjung could swore she had torn the entire thing to pieces before finding out that two of the connector points on the motherboard had been burnt off due to a power-surge, cutting of the power to the whole thing. In the end it was a quick fix too, even if everything preceding the fix had been complicated.

She sighed as she placed it atop the rest of the fixed laptops, taking only a momentary break to reach for the next. Luckily there were only a few of them left and then she would be done for the day. Using her thumb she nudged her glasses better onto her nose as she flipped another laptop over, her eyes giving the whole case a quick inspection. Nothing visual. A screwdriver twirled effortlessly between her fingers as she began undoing the screws, sorting them out in the tray as she had every laptop before it.

It had taken her a few minutes to find the fault; a loose video-cabel, before she had heard Kang’s voice. It made her jump ever so slightly, having almost forgotten he was there amidst her own focus. Yet as she looked up at him she caught the faint lack of sunlight dancing over his features like it had earlier that day, altering her to it being far later than intended. It seemed his presence had lulled her into a state of focused bliss. “I… think I am almost done with this one, and then I only have one more,” Hyunjung hummed, placing a hand on the last laptop that needed fixing. But as she glanced up at him she saw that he was distracted by something else. Her gaze followed his, letting out a small sound when she saw the time. “Oh…”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang remained focused on his own work, diligently taking notes on the changes made in the code. He even jotted down a few terms to research later, unwilling to let his curiosity go unanswered. The steady, rhythmic sounds of Hyunjung working in the background didn’t distract him, instead, they provided a quiet sense of companionship. It was comforting, almost grounding, to know someone was working alongside him. It made the usual solitude of his office feel distant, as if this space, shared in quiet diligence, held a different kind of warmth.

Every so often, he glanced up from his screen to check on her. She was, as always, deeply engrossed in her task, glasses perched on her nose, hands moving with practiced precision. He found himself smiling softly at the sight, admiring the sheer dedication she put into even the smallest of repairs. That focus, that meticulous nature, he understood it well. And perhaps it was the quiet determination in the air that made his own work flow so smoothly. Before he realized it, he had finished several lesson plans, wrapping up his tasks far faster than usual.

Eventually, with nothing else pressing to do, Kang let out a quiet breath and closed his laptop, stretching his arms before rubbing the back of his neck. His gaze flicked toward Hyunjung’s desk. Since his arrival, she had completed two more laptops on top of the one she had been working on earlier, a steady, impressive pace. Standing, he moved carefully toward her, not wanting to break her concentration but feeling the need to check in. His voice was soft when he spoke. "How’s it going?" He cast a brief glance toward the clock on the wall, only to blink in mild surprise. It was a little past 11 PM. He hadn’t even noticed how late it had gotten and been just as caught up in the work as she had.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ A man who could admit defeat. The thought itself was almost shocking. And yet here he was, smiling as he agreed with no hesitation. This professor was something else, that was for certain, and he kept proving it to her over and over. Once he had settled in she did as well, hoisting the little sorting tray back to its spot on the desk as she began working too.

She grabbed the fan from earlier, slotting her glasses back onto her nose as she studied it quietly in the light. The epoxy seemed to have hardened, proven by a little testing nudge against the blade to see if it still wobbled or not. Luckily it did not. Spinning back to her shelves of stuff, Hyunjung quickly found a set of sanding sticks, starting the slow and meticulous work of sanding down the epoxy to fit the fan snuggly back down into the casing. At least the operations did not need her to get it down to the right size on the micron scale, but she still did her very best to make it as smooth and unnoticeable as she could. Drag by slow drag of the sanding stick she whittled led it down, finally feeling satisfied when she ran her finger over the seam without feeling anything.

Placing it back into the computer she quickly began replacing screws and connector cables, giving the whole thing an extra spritz of canned air just to ensure there was no dust before placing the cover neatly back on and screwing it in place. Good as new. Or almost at least. Giving it a final once over to be certain she placed it over onto the pile of completed work before reaching for the next laptop. And so she continued for at least another good hour, going neatly through the operation of every broken laptop to find what was wrong and fix it.

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang arched a brow, mirroring her expression with an amused glint in his eyes. A faint smile tugged at his lips, knowing he had successfully made his point. "Uh-huh…" he murmured in quiet triumph, nodding as if to say, Exactly. While he wasn’t entirely sure about the academy’s policies either, it seemed reasonable to assume there was no explicit rule against staff resting in a room specifically designated for them.

When she flipped his own words back on him, Kang let out a chuckle, nodding in playful surrender. "You’re right. I was just assuming." he admitted without hesitation. Leaning forward, he rested his forearms on his thighs, his gaze settling on her with a lingering trace of amusement. Seeing her smile, even just a little was surprisingly satisfying.

"Well then, I must stay to make sure you don’t push yourself too hard." he quipped, grabbing his laptop once more and flipping it open. He settled it on his lap, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Don’t mind me, Ms. Lan. I’ll just be doing some work of my own." he said smoothly. "And I’ll be sure to remind you when it’s time to call it a day, alright?" With a small nod, he shifted his focus to the screen, scanning through the edits she had made to the program. His eyes flickered between the revised code and its previous version, genuinely curious about the changes she had implemented, trying to understand not just what she had fixed, but how and why.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ “I-“ Hyunjung began as stubbornly, though her expression quickly changed. First her brows raised, her eyes blinking rapidly before her brows knitted back together. A singular hand moved up, her thumb gently brushing the bottom of her lip. When she at least spoke up again her voice was far more reserved, almost contemplative. “I guess they never strictly said it was off limits…”
Though the professor’s way of thinking strayed from her own it was no less logical. With her mindset she had simply inferred from the rest of the rules that an act like staying the night to rest was prohibited. But never once had she actually read anything stating it outright.

It was her time to switch up the tables on him. With the same puzzled expression she tilted her head lightly. “Have I actually said so?” she asked, the faintest hint of a smile dancing on her lips. “Or are we just assuming?” Humor had always seemed to be the crux of her existence as her more logical mindset had resulted in humor so dry most did not laugh. This, however, seemed a joke that anyone could laugh at, so long as they did not take themselves too seriously that was.

His notion of ensuring she did not overwork herself did earn him a small guilty smile. And as he went on the smile did not disappear, though it was soon enough accompanied by the faintest hint of red bridging her nose. “I will admit I was planning to stay until I had finished my current workload. Be that in a few hours or midnight,” Hyunjung admitted. “So perhaps some company to aid me in time management would not be so… unwelcome.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes as he listened to her matter-of-fact reasoning. Her dedication to the rules was admirable, but he couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at his lips. "Fair enough.." he conceded, nodding. "Though I think even the strictest rules can make exceptions for exhausted staff." A playful glint remained in his gaze as he added, "Besides, is there actually a rule against staff sleeping in the staff room? Or are we just assuming?" His curiosity was genuine.

At her question, his expression softened. "Have I bothered you?" he echoed, his fingers drumming lightly against his laptop. "I just figured I might be intruding on your time." His smirk gave way to something more thoughtful as his eyes flickered to the stack of laptops waiting to be repaired. "But… I have to admit, it’s been nice. And I’m rather tempted to stay, just to make sure you don’t overwork yourself." He chuckled, shrugging casually before leaning back in his chair. "I mean, I wouldn’t want my massage to go to waste, you know?" He flashed her an innocent smile, showing her his hands then. "Or maybe you'd want another session?"

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ Seeing him lift his hands in mock surrender while laughing was oddly charming, causing a rare genuine smile to spread on Hyunjung’s lips. At least he did not take it as an offence, as she had not intended for it to be one. It was just an attempt to poke at him a little for what he had done, causing reactions she would rather not have had anyone else see. But he was already here.

“Though it is a room for staff, it does not mean we should brush off every other rule related to the school building,” she retorted, still matter-of-factly and with a stubborn nod of her head. Her honor as a Lan rested on her following the rules set upon them by society. And this was one of them. “The school grounds are meant for work and teaching. A nap would be perfectly reasonable, but staying the night…” Her voice drifted off with a hint of shame.

Hyunjung’s gaze slowly moved over towards the professor, the chair squeaking ever so slightly as she turned. “Have you?” The question was perfectly innocent, matching the puzzled expression on her face. She did not mind his presence there. In fact there was a lightness to the air when he was around.

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Her correction earned another laugh from Kang, who held his hands up in mock surrender. “Evil man, yes.” he conceded. He had a feeling Hyunjung was the type to be precise with her words, ensuring everything was properly defined. He found that quality rather endearing.

However, when she admitted and somewhat grudgingly to having slept in the staff room before, Kang was momentarily caught off guard. He had only been joking, but it turned out to be true. Shaking his head with a soft chuckle, he leaned slightly against the desk. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sleeping in the staff room.” he reassured her, his tone sincere. “I mean, it is a room for the staff, isn’t it? I’m sure we’re allowed to use it if needed.” His voice softened slightly as he added, “Besides, you do so much for the academy. You deserve to rest when you need to.” There was no teasing in his tone now, just quiet acknowledgment.

With that, Kang gently closed his laptop, the soft smile never leaving his face as he turned his gaze toward her. "I suppose I've taken up enough of your time, Hyunjung." Kang said with a small smile. Still, he couldn't deny that he had enjoyed their time together, getting a glimpse of her personality beyond their usual interactions had been unexpectedly pleasant.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ “Evil,” Hyunjung correct, one hand lazily raised with a singular finger in the air. “Not bad.” Though the distinctions could be hard to make there was quite a hard line between them in her mind. Just because he with something that he could tell was getting a reaction out of her did not mean he did anything inherently wrong. But certainly he must have been delighting a little in her reactions, based on his melodic half-laughter from beside her.

She pursed her lips ever so slightly, running her tongue along the bottom of her teeth as she thought it through. “I guess that is a sensible solution.” He too was a Lan. At least he would be able to bring her home if needed without breaking any doctrines. But at his suggestion she shot him a little side-eyed glance, wondering if he had caught her once before doing the exact same thing once before. “That only happened once,” she commented shortly, rolling her neck a little to regain her composure. “It is rather unbecoming of me to do so, so it is a mistake I won’t let happen again.”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in her words. “That is most definitely true.” he mused, his tone light as his fingers idly scrolled through the codes on his laptop. He wasn’t actually reviewing them for he had full confidence in Hyunjung’s work, but rather just keeping his hands busy. Her groan of protest, followed by the familiar accusation of him being an “evil man.” made him chuckle. He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other, amusement dancing in his gaze. “I didn’t think giving massages would make me a bad man.” he remarked, feigning a contemplative tone.

Her question, however, had him humming softly in thought. He tilted his head slightly, genuinely considering it. “Well, I suppose I should ask for your address now, so I can help you get back home if needed..” he suggested, entirely serious. But then, his lips quirked up in playful mischief as he added, “Or… I could always carry you to the staff room and let you sleep through the night.” His tone was lighthearted, clearly teasing, though he knew well enough that he wouldn’t actually do that since Hyunjung seemed the type to fight him the entire way. Still, the mental image was amusing.

@☁︎┊lan kang ᵃ The man seemed far to casual about the notion of Hyunjung falling asleep, as if nothing about that would have brought her any embarrassment at all. She could see how it could symbolize his effectiveness, but she had never heard anyone say it as if there was no downsides at all. The way he spoke about it one would think he was talking about any other topic in the world. All she was certain of was that if he had fallen asleep while she visited his office she would have felt frozen to the spot until he woke up.

It was far from a logical sense, and yet it was the only logical conclusion she could pull to what she felt herself. When he finally noticed the laptop on her thighs and picked it up she let out a small sigh, the tension in her thighs still just as palpable.

Hyunjung slowly rolled her chair in against the desk, finding some normalcy to her erratic breathing. Soon enough the epoxy would have hardened enough and she could continue her work, being one laptop closer to home. At most the rest would take her maybe two or three hours tops, as long as nothing intense caught my attention. “Better do today what I should not let slip until tomorrow,” she responds, unsure if it was an actual saying or just felt like it. Even if her shoulders felt like jelly she was sure she could manage a least a few more of them. And as he suggested sticking around for another massage, Hyunjung openly groaned. “You are an evil, evil man, professor,” her words passed her lips, her fingers digging back into the familiar grooves her hands had made on her dress earlier. “How would I get home if you did that?”

@☁︎┊lan hyunjung ᵒ Kang quirked a brow at her words, amusement flickering in his gaze as a light chuckle left his lips. Being called an "evil man" after simply giving a massage was certainly not something he had expected, though he knew she hadn’t meant it in a serious way.

“Well, I wouldn’t have minded if you did fall asleep. It would only mean my massage was truly effective.” he mused, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. There was a subtle sense of satisfaction in knowing he had helped her relax, especially since she seemed the type to always keep herself wound up in work. Seeing her chuckle, her guard lowering even a fraction, was a small victory in itself.

His eyes flickered to his laptop still resting on her lap, and with quick but careful movements, he reached forward to retrieve it. “Ah, sorry about this.” he murmured, offering a small smile as he took the device from her. Instead of standing up, Kang leaned back into his chair and rolled himself across the small distance between them with an effortless push of his foot against the floor. He settled back into his original position across from her, propping the laptop open with a casual ease. But his attention drifted back to the stack of laptops still sitting on her desk, his head tilting slightly. “Are you really still going to go through all of these?” he asked, arching a skeptical brow curiously. After all, she had just been on the verge of melting into her seat, and yet, she was still determined to push through her workload. "I might have to stick around and five you another massage after you know." He added with a playful tone this time.