← The Clause We Never Signed
Ep. 6

The Hand That Let Go First

2026-06-19

Cast: Woo-hyun

Mondays never used to start like this.The spot where the pen just couldn't let go.The Hand That Let Go First #3The Hand That Let Go First #4This is just... like managing a contract.The Hand That Let Go First #5How long were you standing here, hesitating...The Hand That Let Go First #6Still warm.The Hand That Let Go First #7It means someone was here just moments ago.The Hand That Let Go First #8That glass office had been empty all morning.The Hand That Let Go First #9There I go, checking again.The Hand That Let Go First #10The Hand That Let Go First #10The Hand That Let Go First #11Exactly as much as I like it.2 PM. Break room.The Hand That Let Go First #13The Hand That Let Go First #14Coffee. You had some.The Hand That Let Go First #15Syrup. Half a pump... did I get it right?…Was it not enough?The Hand That Let Go First #17No. It was just right. Then that's fine.The Hand That Let Go First #18He wasn't looking — yet his not-looking was full of it.The Hand That Let Go First #19This one span between us feels heavier than everywhere else.The Hand That Let Go First #20You don't like acidity.The Hand That Let Go First #21…Who told you that?Nobody told me. I saw it myself.The Hand That Let Go First #23Cold here. Different from the morning coffee cup.Four in the afternoon. The answer she'd been putting off came to find her.The Hand That Let Go First #25You didn't reply, so I came myself. I'm sorry. The review ran a little late.The Hand That Let Go First #26If anything, I'm glad. It means you were careful.The Hand That Let Go First #27Before sound, before thought — warmth reaches first.The Hand That Let Go First #28By contract, I'm free. So why does that look—The Hand That Let Go First #29I'm the free one. So why am I the one who feels trapped?Behind me, the door opened.What's this about. It's the data line collaboration, Director.The Hand That Let Go First #32I've heard. It's a good proposal.The Hand That Let Go First #33It's flawless—which is exactly what unsettles me.Wednesday, two o'clock. I'll book the conference room.The distance that had closed to a single line on paper fell open again.The Hand That Let Go First #36A signal no one but me would ever catch.The Hand That Let Go First #37This person—is feeling this for the very first time.The Hand That Let Go First #38Then I'll see you Wednesday. You knew—this was someone who stepped aside, pretending not to notice.The Hand That Let Go First #39For a long while, not a word was said.The Hand That Let Go First #40Seemed like a good person.The weight of those words doesn't match the shape they came in.The Hand That Let Go First #42...Someone who does their job well. Looks like it.The Hand That Let Go First #43Wednesday meeting. Which of the working staff is coming in. Me, and Deputy Kim from the data team.The Hand That Let Go First #44...You.The Hand That Let Go First #45In the contract— ...there was no clause like that.The Hand That Let Go First #46I know exactly which clause, even without being told.The Hand That Let Go First #47The Hand That Let Go First #47The Hand That Let Go First #48...No. No, just—The Hand That Let Go First #49This time, I can't just take it.The Hand That Let Go First #50...Sorry.If I stay here any longer, I'm afraid more will slip out.The Hand That Let Go First #52The Hand That Let Go First #53Not holding my face. But still holding my hand.The Hand That Let Go First #54If I feel this much… he must feel it too.The Hand That Let Go First #55He's the one who got caught. But I'm the one who can't breathe.The Hand That Let Go First #56The Hand That Let Go First #56The Hand That Let Go First #57Grabbing lasted 0.5 seconds. Letting go took longer.The Hand That Let Go First #58…Go on in. Share the meeting materials before Wednesday.The Hand That Let Go First #59Not a mark. A sensation stayed.The Hand That Let Go First #60Fingers that held on, or fingers that let go on their own?The Hand That Let Go First #61This morning I thought it was just a note.The Hand That Let Go First #62He wasn't asking. He was driving it in — only I know.The Hand That Let Go First #63He was the one who held on. He was the one who let go.The rest of Monday afternoon stretched longer than usual.The materials. Wednesday's.The Hand That Let Go First #66You don't have to open everything up for Director Kang's side. Don't open everything. The other side of those words.The Hand That Let Go First #67먼저 들어가 봐. 늦었어.The Hand That Let Go First #68그가 가니까, 그제야 어깨가 비었다집에 와서도, 그 종이를 식탁에 올려뒀다The Hand That Let Go First #70그는 늘 나를, 직함도 이름도 아닌 '너'라고 불렀다The Hand That Let Go First #71자료, 급한 거 아니야. 수요일 아침까지면 돼.The Hand That Let Go First #72받아주면, 또 둘 다 못 본 척 넘어가는 거야The Hand That Let Go First #73실장님은 산미 좋아하세요?The Hand That Let Go First #74숨이, 평소보다 얕았다The Hand That Let Go First #75싫어해.The Hand That Let Go First #76토요일에 '네가…'를 삼키던 그 사람처럼The Hand That Let Go First #77근데 너 옆에서는 한 잔 마실 수 있을 것 같아.The Hand That Let Go First #78메모지의 그 눌린 점하고, 같은 자리에 떨어진 마침표The Hand That Let Go First #79Then after the Wednesday meeting, I'll buy you a drink.The Hand That Let Go First #80Sure. The documents aren't that urgent. That's just work, anyway.The Hand That Let Go First #81It should have faded by now. And yet it was still warm.The Hand That Let Go First #82The strength of that grip — neither of them had breathed a word about it yet.Still two days until Wednesday.