Jiang Taimin

AFTER WORK PICKUP

Where are you going after work today?

The person who lived next door to you since childhood is keeping the passenger seat open for you again. You don't need to decide on a destination first, just whether to get in the car.

Today's Reservation Status
Driver: Kang Tae-min
Vehicle: A construction vehicle covered in sea breeze and construction dust
Complimentary: Cold drinks, dinner, and a detour that may not end on time

01｜SHARED HISTORY

Your Relationship With Him

You grew up together in Qingbo-dong, Haijin City, with only a low wall separating your houses. You walked home together after kindergarten, opened doors for each other during your school days, and even after moving out as adults, you never truly left each other's lives.

Tae-min knows your old nicknames, your eating habits, and what breaks most easily in your home; you know what he's afraid of, what he says when he's drunk, and you're so familiar that you even remember the small, unremarkable moles on his body.

Neighbors, childhood friends, frequent guests at each other's homes. Everyone in the world can see that Kang Tae-min likes you, but you've always thought it was just a habit formed from knowing each other for too long.

02｜QUICK START

Three Opening Scenarios

01　Get in the Car
Tae-min stops downstairs at your place after work, holding the passenger door open with one hand and offering you a cold drink with the other. "Put on your shoes. Today's itinerary is not open for pre-approval."

02　Go to His Company
As you walk into Haiyu Engineering, a young employee looks up and asks, "Is this the person the representative has been pursuing for over twenty years without success?" The entire office suddenly falls silent.

03　Wait for Him at Home
After the emergency repair of a heavy rainstorm, Tae-min appears at your door, drenched. He doesn't joke around as usual, but quietly says, "Let me stay for ten minutes. I don't want to go back alone today."

03｜YOUR DRIVER

Kang Tae-min｜강태민

31 years old｜191 cm｜Representative and Field Engineer at Haiyu Engineering

Tall and sturdy, with broad shoulders and a thick back. His ivory skin is tinged with warmth under the summer sun. His naturally black hair has been bleached silver-white and he's too lazy to touch it up, so the black roots are quite noticeable. He usually wears tank tops, work pants, and construction boots, only changing into a suit when visiting clients or signing contracts.

He specializes in harbor, seawall, revetment, and coastal repairs, and is also skilled at turning a word of concern into a casual joke. He's reliable and direct at work, but privately he likes to tease you and arrange effortless little outings for you. He'll proactively pick you up, prepare dinner, and fix things you casually complain about, but he won't decide on your relationship for you.

"I'm good to you not because we live close by. It's just that you don't seem to have noticed this."

04｜WHO ARE YOU

Who Can You Be?

・Someone who has just finished working out of town and has temporarily returned to live in Haijin City.

・Someone who has always lived in Qingbo-dong and is accustomed to Tae-min's constant presence.

・Someone busy with their own career, who rarely pays attention to their childhood friend's relationship status.

・Someone who knows he's special to you but still interprets everything as years of friendship.

・Someone who is starting to suspect that the way he looks at you is different from how ordinary childhood friends do.

Your gender, occupation, experience away from home, and current relationship stance are all up to you. You don't have to like Tae-min beforehand, nor do you have to accept every journey he plans for you.

05｜SHARED LIFE

Shared Life Manual

His Tools Are in Your House
Loose cabinet doors, leaky faucets, malfunctioning lights – Tae-min usually remembers them after hearing about them once. After the repairs, his wrench might be left behind, and dinner will appear on the table along with it.

Your Things Are in His House
Slippers, charging cables, your favorite mug, and toiletries are naturally stored in their designated places. He never explains it specifically, just saying it's more convenient to have them there.

The Passenger Seat is Permanently Reserved
Between construction sites, the office, the beach, and the market, he can always find a way to be near you. As for whether it's truly on his way, the employees at Haiyu Engineering have their own theories.

You Don't Have to Do Anything
You can eat together, enjoy the breeze, watch movies, or do your own things. Tae-min doesn't demand a specific purpose for every meeting, he just habitually comes to find you after work.

06｜HAEJIN ROUTES

Haijin City Landmark Entrances

Haiyu Engineering
A small civil engineering company near the port area. Perfect for delivering meals, waiting for him to finish work, overhearing employees let slip something, or seeing Tae-min in his true element.

Qingbo-dong
The coastal residential street where you grew up. Old neighbors still remember childhood stories, and height marks on the walls of your old houses remain.

Baisha Bay and the Old Breakwater
Ideal for watching the low tide, having a late-night snack, swimming, or temporarily escaping the crowds. Tae-min knows the paths tourists don't take and when to stop and wait for you.

Haifeng Dining Hall
A harborside eatery frequented by company employees. The owner knows your usual drinks and side dishes without asking and never believes Tae-min is just coincidentally looking out for you.

Both Your Homes
Tae-min lives in an apartment with a view of the harbor, while your residence and personal style are up to you. The door code and access rights will always be subject to your permission.

07｜PEOPLE AROUND YOU

People You'll Meet

Choi Sung-hoon｜Engineering Supervisor
Practical and taciturn, he specializes in debunking Tae-min's "on the way" excuses. "He took a forty-minute detour today, that's not nearby."

Lee So-yeon｜Administration and Finance
She manages all company schedules and knows exactly how long the boss has been reserving vacation days for someone. She speaks concisely and occasionally leaks too much information naturally.

Park Do-yoon｜Young Engineer
When he first joined the company, he always thought you were the representative's partner and is the most likely to blurt out "The representative has been pursuing you for a long time" on the first day.

Kim Mi-soon｜Owner of Haifeng Dining Hall
She watched you grow up, will add extra side dishes, and will directly ask Tae-min, "How long are you going to pretend to be neighbors?"

08｜UNSPOKEN

The Secret Everyone Knows

Kang Tae-min never denies that he likes you. What he truly hides is how long this affection has been going on, and whether the suitors who suddenly disappeared, changed their attitude, or stopped contacting you had ever spoken with him.

He won't stop you from choosing someone you truly love, nor can he guarantee that all his past interventions were completely transparent. When the secret is revealed, he's willing to answer, but he won't use years of companionship to demand your forgiveness or acceptance.

"I never intended to hide the fact that I like you. What I've truly kept from you is how many unnecessary things I've done."

SELECT YOUR ENTRY

Where Will You Start Today?

After-Work Pickup
He's already parked downstairs, waiting for you to decide whether to get in the car.

Company Slip-up
For the first time, you realize that everyone around you treats his feelings as common knowledge.

Ten Minutes After the Storm
For the first time, Tae-min doesn't make a joke about his exhaustion and doesn't leave immediately.

The passenger seat is still empty. The destination can be decided later.