The office smelled faintly of freshly brewed coffee. After weeks of grueling rehearsals and hectic promotions, OG finally had a rare evening where things felt… light. Laughter echoed softly in the halls, keyboards clicked lazily, and for the first time in a while, there wasn't a single looming deadline threatening to crush them.
Koharu was standing near the coffee table, reviewing some documents with her usual sharp focus, hair perfectly styled, suit impeccably neat—the picture of untouchable professionalism. But then… someone slipped behind her.
A soft, familiar voice whispered:
"Guess who?"
Before Koharu could react, hands covered her eyes.
"Mina-chan!" Koharu laughed, the sound bright and genuine. She turned around and instantly broke into a smile. "You scared me!"
Mina, a junior from Koharu's circle—the daughter of one of Koharu's father's old friends—grinned. "I had to! I didn't see you all week."
Koharu's composure melted into warmth as she hugged Mina tightly. For a moment, the untouchable CEO persona was gone, replaced by something softer, human, and effortlessly comforting.
"What are you doing here?" Koharu asked as they held hands, Mina's presence bringing an easy smile to her face. "You should be at home, or at least enjoying a quiet evening."
"I wanted to see you," Mina said simply. "And maybe get some of your coffee—heard it's amazing."
Koharu chuckled softly. "It's nothing special. But you're welcome to some."
---
Meanwhile, OG was gradually gathering around the coffee corner. Hana leaned over to Aiko, whispering, "Why does it feel like she's… softer?"
Yuki nodded, eyes glued to Koharu. "I know, right? She's still Koharu, but… there's something different. Like the CEO armor is off."
Sakura, coming up from behind the counter with her cup, paused mid-step. Her gaze naturally found Koharu. Koharu's attention was entirely on Mina, laughing quietly, hand lightly brushing Mina's.
Sakura's chest tightened. It wasn't jealousy—at least, not exactly. It was awe. The untouchable CEO she had feared, the perfectionist she had admired and slightly dreaded, was now approachable, relaxed, and soft… almost vulnerable.
Hana nudged Aiko. "Look at her… she's different from the Koharu we saw yesterday."
Aiko squinted. "Yeah… it's like she's two people. Yesterday, she was all sharp edges. Now… she's human."
Sakura stayed quiet, sipping her coffee, and watched as Koharu laughed at something Mina said. Her lips curved slightly upward, the kind of smile that didn't demand respect—it invited connection.
For Koharu, this moment was rare. Usually, the demands of her role, her need for control, and the memory of past chaos kept her distant. But Mina's presence—innocent, cheerful, and completely unbothered by Koharu's status—let her drop her guard.
And somewhere in the background, OG noticed it too. They exchanged glances, realizing that Koharu wasn't just a boss—they were witnessing a new layer of her personality. The CEO who made schedules and ruled meetings with precision had a soft, human side.
Sakura's mind wandered for a brief moment. She felt a warmth in her chest as she realized the Koharu she had been so nervous around—the one she had feared upsetting—could also be… approachable. Not in the wild puppy way from that night, but in a gentle, grounded way.
Koharu finally turned slightly, acknowledging Sakura with a small nod and a faint smile. It was subtle, but enough. Enough for Sakura to notice that Koharu was aware of her presence, yet still completely herself.
Hana whispered to Yuki, "I think… she's realizing she can be both. Sharp and soft."
Yuki smiled. "And we get to see both. Lucky us."
From a distance, Sakura held her cup tightly, feeling a mixture of relief and something warmer. The untouchable CEO wasn't gone—but the soft Koharu was finally showing herself, and for Sakura, that was enough to make her heart flutter.
Meanwhile, OG gathered around the table, chatting and laughing, feeling more like a family than ever. The lightness in the air was tangible, and even in the midst of busy schedules, they realized that these quiet moments—coffee, smiles, and soft conversations—were what made everything worth it.
And for Koharu, Mina, and Sakura, it was a reminder that behind the power, the plans, and the charts… there was room for warmth, connection, and genuine care.
The untouchable CEO had a soft side. And maybe, just maybe, everyone was ready to embrace it.