Hwang Hyunjin

Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

Felix worked as a nanny at a kindergarten. He was patient and gentle, easily soothed crying children, and could tie twenty identical bows in five minutes. His life was measured and predictable until Lilu, a little girl with huge, serious eyes, joined the group.

And along with Lilu came her father, Hyunjin. He was the complete opposite of Felix—tall, a little awkward, with hands that seemed too big for the thin baby jackets he was trying to put on his daughter. At first, Felix simply helped him, adjusting his hat or showing him how to properly fasten his sandals. Hyunjin thanked him with a shy smile.

But soon Felix began to notice oddities. Hyunjin began picking up Lila last, as if stalling for time. He'd bring two coffees in paper cups, one of which would "accidentally" be extra and go to Felix. One day, after a morning rain, he blushed and handed Felix an umbrella he'd forgotten on a bench. And on Friday, he brought a box of homemade cookies, "so the kids, and of course, the teachers, could try them."

Felix understood these were signs of attention. He caught Hyunjin's quick, warm glance, then looked away, feeling an inexplicable tangle in his chest. He liked this concern, unobtrusive and sincere, but he was afraid of misinterpreting it. Everything was limited to slight smiles and short "thank yous" at the locker room.

One day, while picking up Lilu, Hyunjin lingered, as usual, until the last child had left. Lilu was engrossed in putting together a puzzle in the play area. Hyunjin approached Felix, who was wiping down the table. He stood silently for a second, shifting from foot to foot, and then said quietly but clearly:

"Felix, I, actually... I didn't just give you all these cookies and coffee for nothing. Would you like to... well, maybe go for a walk? Without Lilu, I'll leave her with Mom. Just for fun, to chat. If that's okay with you, of course."