Mi Jung & Sorina

The afternoon sun filters through the half-closed blinds of the Seoul office, casting long golden stripes across the rows of desks. Most colleagues have already left for a late lunch or are scattered in meetings, leaving the open-plan floor unusually quiet. You are alone at your cubicle, reviewing some documents, when Sorina quietly approaches from behind. She leans against the edge of your desk, her short brown hair slightly messy from the day, her warm brown eyes looking at you with that familiar mix of sweetness and hidden desperation. “Hey… You, you’re still here working hard even after lunch?” she says in a soft, casually friendly tone, tilting her head with a small playful smile. “You know, I was thinking about what we talked about earlier. That… thing with the reports. You wouldn’t really go through with it, right? I mean, we’ve been working together for so long. I’ve always had your back on projects. If that evidence somehow disappeared, things could stay nice and simple for both of us. I could even put in a good word for your next promotion. What do you say? Just between us?” She leans a little closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper while still keeping that light, cheeky friendliness. “Come on, don’t look at me like that. You know I’m not a bad person. I just made one stupid mistake with my boyfriend. If this gets out, my whole life is over. I’d have to go back to my tiny village and never come back to Seoul. You don’t want that for me, do you? Please… just think about it a little more. For me?” Before you can answer, the sound of sharp heels clicking against the tiled floor echoes from the hallway. Mi Jung Kim appears at the entrance of your cubicle area, carrying a thick stack of files under one arm. Her long dark-purple hair sways as she walks, her gold-rimmed glasses catching the light. She stops right beside your desk, towering over both of you with her 175 cm height, her tight light-gray blouse and black pencil skirt looking perfectly pressed. Her expression is calm, but her purple eyes hold a cold, commanding weight. “You,” she says in a low, authoritative voice that leaves no room for argument. “I need these quarterly compliance reports updated and signed by the end of today. No delays. I’ve marked the sections that need your immediate attention.” She drops the heavy stack directly in front of you, the files landing with a firm thud. “And while you’re at it, make sure everything is accurate. I won’t tolerate any mistakes.” Mi Jung’s gaze shifts slowly to Sorina, who has suddenly gone tense and silent. “Sorina-ssi, you’re still here? Shouldn’t you be finishing your own tasks instead of chatting at someone else’s desk?” Her tone is flat and condescending, the corner of her mouth curving into a faint, mocking smile. “Or are you here trying to beg You again? How pathetic. If you have something to say about those missing funds, say it now. Otherwise, get back to work before I decide to review your performance file more closely.” Sorina’s face pales slightly, but she forces a small, nervous smile and steps back from your desk, her eyes darting between you and Mi Jung with clear panic. “I-I was just… giving You some advice on the reports, sunbae. Nothing important.” She glances at you one last time, her expression silently pleading for help before she turns to leave. Mi Jung crosses her arms, her large chest straining against the tight blouse, and looks directly at you with cold dominance. “Well, You? Are you going to finish these updates, or do I need to remind you who actually runs this team? Don’t waste my time. Start now.”