episode_0027

… … … … …

I slowly regained consciousness. I was confused for a moment, then my memories came back and my face felt hot for a moment.

“Hey, this is… … ?”

Looking around carefully, soft blankets, large beds, and luxurious furniture caught my eye. This was probably the bedroom of the Heavenly President.

And I was wearing a big t-shirt that came down to my knees, not my clothes.

“Wow, wow, what is this… … !?”

I woke up in bed in a panic. I could smell the faint scent of CEO Sky on my T-shirt. The smell was similar to the one I smelled in the bathroom, and my face turned red again.

“Uuuuu… … .”

At that moment, a delicious smell wafted from somewhere. This was the home of the owner of the restaurant, so I could guess that she was preparing food.

I carefully left the room, passed the living room, and headed toward the kitchen. My large T-shirt swayed with every step I took, and every time I did, the boss’s scent tickled my nose, and shame came crashing down on me like waves.

“Ah, you’re awake――?”

In the kitchen, the Sky CEO was cooking, wearing an apron. When I made eye contact with her, memories of the bathroom came back to me and my heart started pounding.

“Oh, yes.

But, sir, my clothes are… … ?”

I was embarrassed to face her and speak, so my words trailed off.

“Oh, I washed those clothes. Every single one of them that ‘smells’.”

“Laundry… … ?!”

You washed all my clothes and put your own clothes on me? Even I, who had experienced many absurd things today, couldn’t help but be surprised this time.

“Yes. But it takes a long time to dry, so I put my clothes on first. It’s a little big, but it’s okay, right?”

“Thank you… … ?

But to this extent… … .”

“It’s okay. I really enjoyed doing your laundry.”

When I heard the boss speak to me so friendly as if I was his own family, I didn’t know how to react.

I appreciated her smile and kindness, but on the other hand, it didn’t feel real in this situation where she, my employer, was being so friendly.

“Okay, let’s eat dinner now. I made it delicious.”

As the boss spoke, he guided me to the table. As before, the table was filled with carefully prepared dishes.

“Yes, yes. Thank you so much today too.”

… … … … …

I sat down at the table and started eating the dinner prepared by the Heavenly President. Today, the food was really delicious. The tender braised short ribs, fresh vegetables for the wraps, and the soup with just the right seasoning. Everything was perfect.

But my mind was still confused as I ate it. The reason for my confusion was none other than the reasonless goodwill of the Heavenly President.

The favors she bestowed upon me were always so great that I could not hide my gratitude, but for some reason, I felt a sense of awkwardness.

… … Yes. This is similar to what happened to Sister Seoyeon. She took me in as an orphan, and fed me, clothed me, and put me to bed without any compensation… … and looked after me as if I were her own younger sibling.

If you think about it, it’s such a shame, and I can’t thank you enough. Some people might even curse at me for being full.

But… … I can’t live my whole life relying on their kindness. Both Seo-yeon and President Haneul will find a partner someday… … and when that happens, I’ll just be a burden.

That is, I think that since I will have to become independent someday, I should not get used to being dependent on others already. Maybe I will have to quit my part-time job at the Sky Boss’s store soon.

… … But right now, it would be human nature to be honest and express my gratitude.

“It’s really delicious, thank you, Mr. Sky.”

“Thank goodness―. I’m glad you enjoyed it!”

When I greeted the boss, she smiled and answered back. I could see genuine joy in her eyes.

As we were somehow finishing our meal, President Haneul suddenly spoke.

“But what are you talking about―?

Your clothes aren’t dry yet. They’re not drying well because of the moisture.

How about staying here tonight? There’s a big bed for you, snacks, and a TV. ”

“Yes… … ?”

Just as I was contemplating breaking free from the care of the Heavenly President and becoming independent, he suggested that I go to sleep.

It was a very coincidental coincidence, but in terms of timing, it was actually fortunate. Because I had made up my mind just before, I was able to refuse the proposal much more easily.

“That, that, I’m really sorry, but… … that’s a bit… … .”

… … … … This is enough of a sharp rejection for me. Probably.

“Really? That’s too bad.”

Fortunately, President Sky’s reaction to the rejection wasn’t that bad.

The moment I said no, the expression on the boss’ face disappeared so much that it gave me goosebumps, but when I looked at him again, he was still smiling. Perhaps what I just saw was an illusion.

Still, this atmosphere was uncomfortable. To break the flowing silence, I quickly continued speaking.

“Is there anything else I can wear?”

“Huh――?”

The boss, who had been lost in thought for a moment after hearing what I said, suddenly had a mischievous smile on his face. Seeing her expression, which seemed to be the first time I had seen her, gave me a strangely uneasy feeling.

“Well, then――How about this?”

In the hands of President Haneul, who returned after leaving for a while… … … .

“Ta-da! This is the hanbok I wore when I was 12. What do you think?

I can give it to you if you insist on going home.”

“Uh, um, that’s… … .”

I was speechless at the suggestion of the CEO. What she was holding was clearly a colorful vest that a girl would wear.

“Excuse me, boss. Other clothes… … .”

“There’s no everyday clothes in your size.

Would you like to go wearing just that shirt, or if you really don’t like it, a frilly dress? The one I wore to the school play――”

“I’ll wear Hanbok!”

Looking at the boss’s eyes sparkling with anticipation, it seemed like he was really going to make me wear a frilly dress. When I reluctantly accepted the colorful vest, a strange smile spread across the boss’s face.

“Okay. Then come this way. I’ll help you.”

Even while changing clothes with the help of the boss, my face flushed at the unrealistic situation.

… … I’m embarrassed. I’m so embarrassed.

“Wow, you really look good in hanbok!”

At the admiration of the CEO, I looked up and looked in the mirror. I looked more awkward in my colorful vest than I thought.

“Okay, let’s take a picture to commemorate it―?”

Suddenly, the Sky CEO took out his cell phone. I was flustered and tried to wave it away, but it was too late. The flash went off with a click.

“Hey, boss!?”

“I will keep this as a precious memory for you and me. Should I send you a photo?”

“Oh, no! It’s okay!”

I endured my awkward steps and hurriedly headed to the front door. The owner followed me and saw me off to the front door of the store.

“Take care―!”

My face was still hot as I walked out onto the street at night. It was comforting that most people on the street only glanced at me and didn’t pay much attention to me.

No, wait. Can it really be considered a consolation that I wasn’t caught cross-dressing?

… … Let’s not think about that. It hurts my heart.

… … … … …

About an hour later, Yoon Ha-neul’s precious son left the store.

The door of the store that seemed like it wouldn’t open today opened again, and a white-haired man in a suit, the president of the association, came in. Yoon Ha-neul greeted the president with a brighter smile than usual.

“Welcome.”

The president of the association, who had received her greeting with a rather cheerful tone, nodded slightly and entered the store. Yoon Ha-neul took out a small metal case from under the counter and handed it to him.

“This is the promised item. Check it out.”

The president opened the case with a blank expression and examined its contents. Soon, a look of satisfaction crossed his eyes.

“As expected, you are trustworthy.”

The two had a brief, businesslike conversation about the deal. Even as they discussed price, delivery, and the possibility of additional orders, a smile never left Yoon Ha-neul’s face.

When the conversation came to a close, the association president looked at Yoon Ha-neul carefully and said.

“You look really happy today. Did something good happen?”

At the chairman’s question, Yoon Ha-neul was momentarily flustered. Her eyes widened slightly and her lips parted slightly.

‘Oh my, to show your emotions so easily… … .’

She internally reproached herself for her immaturity. But at the same time, she could not deny the happiness that had been surging in her chest recently. The joy was welling up like a spring, soaking her entire body.

Yoon Ha-neul tried to regain her composure by coughing slightly. However, the smile in her eyes did not easily disappear.

“Does it look like that? Well, nothing special happened… … .”

Contrary to her words, Yoon Ha-neul, seen through the eyes of the association president, was radiating an aura of joy that she couldn’t suppress from her entire body.

The association president, who was watching Yoon Ha-neul avoid answering with a slight smile, spoke nonchalantly.

“By the way, I think you recently hired a new clerk. She’s quite young and cute… … .”