Soojin adjusted her blouse nervously as she stepped into the small office building on the outskirts of the city. The sun had barely risen over the quiet streets, casting a pale golden hue on the damp pavement. The air smelled faintly of dew and earth, the kind of scent that made her both calm and uncertain.
The office was modest—rows of desks neatly aligned, papers stacked with almost obsessive care, and the faint hum of a typewriter echoing somewhere in the corner. It wasn't glamorous, but it felt... stable.
"Good morning!" greeted a middle-aged woman with a warm, steady smile. "You must be Soojin. I'm Mrs. Kim. Welcome."
Soojin nodded politely, trying not to let her trembling hands show. "Good morning. Thank you for having me."
Mrs. Kim led her through the narrow workspace, introducing her to a handful of employees who smiled kindly in return. "It's quiet here," she said, her voice carrying the calm authority of someone who had been doing this for years. "We handle records, coordinate shipments, and maintain relationships with clients outside the city. If you pay attention, you'll learn quickly."
Soojin managed a small, nervous smile. "I... I hope I can keep up. I've never done office work before."
Mrs. Kim's eyes softened. "Everyone starts somewhere. I was new once too. Just take it one day at a time. Small victories count, Soojin."
Her words felt like an anchor.
Soojin found her desk — a small wooden table with a brass lamp, a stack of files, and the faint scent of old paper. She sat down, hands resting on her lap, staring at the sunlight filtering through thin curtains. The world outside seemed distant, while inside, everything felt fragile and quiet.
Can I really do this? she thought. Can I survive this new life on my own?
But somewhere beneath her fear, a quiet determination stirred — like the faint rhythm of a heartbeat reminding her to keep going.
Meanwhile, in Seoul, Min Hyun arrived early at the client's factory. The sharp tang of oil and metal filled the air as the machines rumbled to life. The men he had met at the market were already there, flipping through documents and counting inventory.
"Ah, you're here early," one of them said, raising an eyebrow.
"I like to observe before making suggestions," Min Hyun replied with a calm, practiced smile. "It helps me understand what you really need."
They toured the warehouse together, discussing products, quality, and delivery schedules. Min Hyun listened carefully, occasionally offering small insights. Every word he spoke was measured, cautious. He couldn't afford to look inexperienced.
"You have a good eye," one of the older men remarked. "Most people miss details like that."
Min Hyun nodded modestly. "Sometimes, small details make the biggest difference."
By the end of the meeting, the atmosphere had softened. The men were no longer skeptical — they were curious. Interested. Hope flickered in Min Hyun's chest.
As he left the factory and walked toward the subway, the cool morning breeze hit his face. He let out a deep breath, shoulders relaxing for the first time that day. Maybe this is the start I needed, he thought. If I can turn this opportunity into something real, maybe I still have a chance.
Back in Busan, Soojin was already knee-deep in paperwork when Hana's voice from the park echoed in her memory: "Step by step, you'll find your strength."
The office was quiet except for the soft ticking of a wall clock and the rhythmic clacking of the typewriter. It was strange — she had always feared silence. But now, that same silence felt... healing.
"One step at a time," she whispered under her breath, organizing the papers in front of her. "I can do this."
The next morning, sunlight spilled across her uncle's small living room, touching the neatly packed boxes by the door. Soojin stood silently, her heart caught between gratitude and fear. Today, she would leave the comfort of her uncle's home and move into her own small apartment — the one Hana had helped her find.
Hana appeared at the doorway, smiling gently. "Are you ready, child?"
Soojin clutched the strap of her bag, her voice trembling. "I... I think so. Thank you. For everything. For believing in me even when I didn't."
"Life isn't always kind," Hana said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "But it can be gentle, if you let it. You've already taken your first step — that's more important than anything."
Two of Hana's friends arrived, bustling into the house with cheerful energy. One carried folded blankets, the other a basket of essentials.
"Here, dear," one of them said. "A few things for your new home. And don't worry — this neighborhood is full of kind souls."
Her uncle handed her a small envelope. "For your first month," he said quietly. "Use it wisely. And remember, you're stronger than you think."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled bravely. "Thank you… I'll make you proud."
The move was a blur of laughter, chatter, and warm-hearted advice. Hana helped arrange the furniture while her friends hung a few framed photos to make the place feel lived in. When they finally left, the apartment fell into silence.
Soojin sat by the small window, watching the soft movement of people outside. Her fingers brushed the edge of her table. Everything was unfamiliar — and yet, it was hers.
"I guess this is where it begins," she murmured, smiling faintly. "My new start."
In Seoul, that same evening…
The office door slammed open.
"Min Hyun!"
He froze, turning toward the sharp voice. The manager's face was tight with frustration.
"Yes, sir?"
"You think impressing clients makes up for recklessness?" the manager snapped. "Yesterday's stunt was unapproved and risky. You're lucky it didn't collapse our deal. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Min Hyun answered quietly.
"You'll be working overtime for the next three weeks — reports, coordination, everything. Prove yourself, or you're out."
He stepped out, shoulders tight, letting out a shaky breath in the corridor.The weight pressing on him was almost physical.
"At least I'm not fired today... three weeks of hell... now how do I turn this around?"
Just then, Seojin — a colleague he had grown close to over the past month — approached, noticing the tension in his posture.
"Hey, Min Hyun... you okay? You look like you just ran a marathon."
He forced a small, tired smile."Manager's furious. Extra work for the next three weeks straight. Everything I do will be watched. One mistake... and that could be it. But at least I'm not fired today, I guess. Somehow I bought myself some time."
Seojin leaned against the wall, arms folded, thoughtful."Three weeks of nonstop work... that's brutal. So... what's the plan?"
Min Hyun rubbed his temple, his voice low and weary."Surviving isn't enough. I need to turn this into an advantage somehow. I have to prove I can handle it — even though I barely know half of what I'm doing. If I succeed, maybe they'll finally see I'm capable. If I fail..."
He sighed deeply."If I fail, I'm done. I just need a strategy."
Seojin gave a small, encouraging smile."Alright. Let's sit down somewhere and think this through. Sometimes talking it out helps more than stressing alone. We'll figure out how to make these three weeks count, instead of just dragging through them."
For a moment, the pressure on Min Hyun's chest eased.He exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing a little.
"Yeah... let's sit and think," he said quietly. "I can't fail now. Not now. I have to make this work — no matter what."
And as they walked toward the break room together, the flickering office lights cast long shadows on the floor — two silhouettes moving forward, uncertain but determined.
A single day can change everything. Maybe courage, strategy, and patience are enough to survive the impossible—or maybe, just maybe, these are the lessons that shape them into who they're meant to become.
(Let's find out in the next part coming tomorrow at 9… Stay tuned! Stay hopeful, and always be happy, guys 💛)