In the end, Jiyeon took a leave of absence from work.

She wasn't planning to stay away for long. They had no idea when Seongho might turn back, or how long this idol business would even last.

The agency was small. Since Seongho was unusually comfortable around Jiyeon, the CEO agreed to let her work as his dedicated manager for the time being.

Schedule management.

Transportation.

Checking outfits and supplies.

Taking care of whatever he needed on set.

Jiyeon sighed over the schedule sheet on her first day.

(Jiyeon) : “Why am I actually doing this?”

Seongho pulled his cap lower over his face.

(Seongho) : “Because of me.”

(Jiyeon) : “You think I didn't know that?”

Seongho laughed.

When they arrived at the agency, the staff greeted them.

(Staff) : “Seongho, you know you've got profile photos today, right?”

(Seongho) : “Yes.”

(Staff) : “And Manager Jiyeon, we're counting on you too.”

Jiyeon bowed awkwardly.

Being called “Manager” still felt strange.

What came next was stranger.

In front of the staff, Seongho called out to her.

(Seongho) : “Jiyeon noona.”

Jiyeon stopped walking.

Seongho looked completely innocent.

(Seongho) : “Where's my water?”

Jiyeon handed him a bottle with a smile.

(Jiyeon) : “Here.”

Then, still smiling, she hissed under her breath,

(Jiyeon) : “Don't call me noona.”

Seongho whispered back with the same smile.

(Seongho) : “Then what should I call you?”

(Jiyeon) : “Just call me Manager.”

(Seongho) : “How about honey?”

Jiyeon stepped on his foot.

(Seongho) : “Ow.”

A staff member turned around.

(Staff) : “What's wrong?”

Seongho's expression changed instantly.

(Seongho) : “Nothing. My shoelace got stepped on.”

Jiyeon thought,

That reflex alone might make him idol material.

The profile shoot began.

Jiyeon watched from one side with her arms crossed.

She expected Seongho to be awkward.

He wasn't.

When the photographer told him to lift his chin, he did. When asked to lower his gaze, his whole mood changed.

(Photographer) : “A little colder this time.”

Seongho's eyes cooled.

(Photographer) : “Good. Now smile.”

His lips curved into a soft smile.

A staff member murmured,

(Staff) : “He's really good.”

Jiyeon couldn't believe it.

At home, whenever she asked him to pose for a photo, all he ever did was the exact same V-sign.

Yet in front of a camera, he was changing the angle of his chin and using his expressions like he'd done it for years.

When the shoot ended, a staff member said,

(Staff) : “Seongho, you've really never done this before?”

(Seongho) : “No. First time.”

(Staff) : “You've got a good instinct for it.”

Seongho gave a shy smile.

(Seongho) : “Thank you.”

Jiyeon narrowed her eyes at him.

The second they got in the car, she asked,

(Jiyeon) : “Since when could you smile like that?”

(Seongho) : “Like what?”

(Jiyeon) : “That thing you just did.”

(Seongho) : “What thing?”

(Jiyeon) : “I've never seen it before.”

Seongho flipped down the visor mirror and gave the same little smile.

(Seongho) : “This?”

Jiyeon immediately pushed the mirror back up.

(Jiyeon) : “Don't.”

(Seongho) : “Why? You said I was good.”

(Jiyeon) : “Because it's annoying.”

Seongho laughed for a long time.

That afternoon, he had dance practice.

With a twenty-year-old body, Seongho had plenty of stamina. Even after hours of movement, he didn't tire much.

The problem was his mind.

When the choreographer said they'd increase practice time starting the following week, Seongho asked seriously,

(Seongho) : “Every day?”

(Choreographer) : “Yes. Maybe more before debut.”

Seongho's expression turned grave.

(Seongho) : “If I use my body like this at twenty, am I going to get a slipped disc at forty?”

The studio went quiet.

Jiyeon closed her eyes.

The choreographer laughed.

(Choreographer) : “You're already worrying about forty?”

Seongho answered smoothly.

(Seongho) : “You have to manage your health early.”

Everyone laughed.

Only Jiyeon knew.

He wasn't worrying in advance.

He already was forty.

After practice, Seongho dropped onto the waiting-room sofa and immediately opened his phone.

Jiyeon glanced at the screen.

Not stocks this time.

His retirement account.

(Jiyeon) : “You're incredible.”

(Seongho) : “Why?”

(Jiyeon) : “I've never seen a twenty-year-old check his pension account.”

(Seongho) : “Compound interest needs time.”

(Jiyeon) : “Your time just went backward.”

Seongho paused.

(Seongho) : “Isn't that even better?”

Jiyeon had nothing to say.

A few days later, it was time for his first stage-outfit fitting.

Jiyeon waited outside the fitting room while discussing the schedule with the stylist.

A moment later, the curtain opened.

Seongho stepped out.

He wasn't wearing his usual jeans and T-shirt.

Black pants. A fitted shirt. His hair was styled to show a little forehead, and makeup made the lines of his face look even clearer.

Seongho stood in front of the mirror and adjusted his collar.

The stylist looked pleased.

(Stylist) : “Wow. That really suits you.”

Jiyeon looked at him without thinking.

And for a moment, she couldn't look away.

Twenty.

He really looked like a twenty-year-old man.

No.

He looked like a man she'd never seen before.

Seongho caught her eyes in the mirror.

The corner of his mouth lifted.

(Seongho) : “Why are you staring?”

Jiyeon immediately looked away.

(Jiyeon) : “I'm not.”

Seongho laughed.

(Seongho) : “You were.”

Jiyeon pointlessly opened her schedule sheet.

It was strange.

He was definitely her husband.

But today,

he felt a little unfamiliar.