지아는 서울 마포구에 있는 작은 출판사에서 일하고 있었어요.

Jia was working at a small publishing company in Mapo District, Seoul.

요즘 회사 일이 바빠서 매일 늦게 퇴근하고 있었어요.

These days work had been busy, so she had been leaving work late every day.

그날도 밤 아홉 시가 넘어서야 회사 건물을 나올 수 있었어요.

That day as well, she could only leave the company building after nine at night.

밖에는 가벼운 비가 내리고 있었고, 거리에는 젖은 불빛이 반짝이고 있었어요.

A light rain was falling outside, and wet city lights were glittering on the streets.

지아는 한숨을 쉬면서 가방 안을 뒤졌어요.

Jia let out a sigh and searched through her bag.

하지만 우산이 보이지 않았어요.

But she couldn't find her umbrella.

“설마… 회사에 두고 왔나?”

"No way... did I leave it at the office?"

지아는 잠시 망설였지만 다시 올라가기에는 너무 피곤했어요.

Jia hesitated for a moment, but she was too tired to go back upstairs.

그때 뒤에서 누군가 조용히 말을 걸어왔어요.

Then someone quietly spoke to her from behind.

“같이 쓰실래요?”

"Would you like to share?"

지아가 뒤를 돌아보자 검은 우산을 든 남자가 서 있었어요.

When Jia turned around, a man holding a black umbrella was standing there.

그는 같은 건물 3층에 있는 디자인 회사에서 일하는 민준이었어요.

He was Minjun, who worked at a design company on the third floor of the same building.

엘리베이터에서 몇 번 마주친 적은 있었지만, 제대로 이야기해 본 적은 없었어요.

They had run into each other several times in the elevator, but they had never properly talked.

지아는 조금 당황한 표정으로 웃었어요.

Jia smiled with a slightly flustered expression.

“아… 감사합니다.”

"Ah... thank you."

두 사람은 같은 우산 아래에서 천천히 지하철역 쪽으로 걸어가기 시작했어요.

The two began slowly walking toward the subway station under the same umbrella.

처음에는 조금 어색했지만, 민준이 먼저 가벼운 질문을 하기 시작했어요.

At first it was a little awkward, but Minjun started asking light questions first.

“출판사에서 일하면 책을 많이 읽으시겠네요.”

"You must read a lot of books if you work at a publishing company."

지아는 작게 웃으며 고개를 저었어요.

Jia smiled softly and shook her head.

“생각보다 그렇지는 않아요. 오히려 퇴근하면 아무것도 읽기 싫어질 때도 많거든요.”

"Not really as much as you'd think. Sometimes after work I don't even want to read anything."

민준은 공감한다는 듯 웃었어요.

Minjun smiled as if he understood.

“저도 그래요. 디자인 일을 하다 보면 집에서는 아무것도 안 보고 싶어져요.”

"Me too. After doing design work all day, I don't want to look at anything when I get home."

어느새 두 사람은 지하철역 앞에 도착해 있었어요.

Before they knew it, the two had arrived in front of the subway station.

비는 거의 그쳐 있었지만, 아무도 쉽게 먼저 인사를 하지 못했어요.

The rain had almost stopped, but neither of them could easily say goodbye first.

잠시 침묵이 흐른 뒤, 민준이 조심스럽게 말했어요.

After a brief silence, Minjun carefully spoke.

“내일도 늦게 퇴근하세요?”

"Will you get off work late tomorrow too?"

지아는 조금 웃으며 대답했어요.

Jia answered with a small smile.

“아마도요.”

"Probably."

민준은 잠깐 망설이다가 작게 웃었어요.

Minjun hesitated briefly and smiled softly.

“그럼 내일도 우산 챙기시는 거 잊지 마세요.”

"Then don't forget to bring your umbrella tomorrow too."

지아는 지하철역 계단을 내려가면서도 이상하게 계속 웃음이 나왔어요.

Even while walking down the subway stairs, Jia strangely couldn't stop smiling.