episode_0025

Camping was more accurately described as ‘work’ rather than ‘rest.’ Assembling and using tools weighing several kilograms effortlessly, that’s what it was about.

(Dismantling and organizing were taken care of by Han Hyojin’s butler.)

Anyway.

After spending the weekend camping as if it were labor, Monday felt like hell, without a doubt.

Rubbing my heavy eyelids, I expressed infinite respect for those office workers who went camping for leisure and then headed straight to work.

As respect surged, Soo-ma expanded in size proportionally. Just as he was about to reach the state of being one with the sofa –

Park Ah-young, noticing something odd from the adjacent seat, turned to me at the right moment.

“Jin-woo, are you okay?”

“Not really….”

“What’s wrong? How bad is it hurting?”

“My eyelids are so heavy that they keep closing… It feels like the long-awaited comfort and relaxation of a lifetime will soon come…”

At my response, Park Ah-young chuckled.

“You’re tired, huh?”

I nodded.

“Well… Why would our Jin-woo be tired? We finished camping on Sunday and went straight home…. You didn’t sneak out for part-time work at night, did you?”

“Do you think I’m crazy to go out…? I don’t want to ruin the truck driver’s family…. Besides, this world is too fancy.”

“Even when tired, nonsense flows smoothly from you.”

“It must be a skill engraved in my soul.”

A question about my condition transitioned into small talk. When the serious atmosphere dissipated, Han Hyojin interjected with a splash of cold water.

“Vice-chairman. There are two reasons why a man might be tired. Either he stayed up late watching adult videos and got into a fight with his daughter, or he stayed up late trying to bend over to put my things in his mouth.”

“…”

“Your question seems designed to trigger sexual embarrassment in Do Jin-woo. Next time, try asking if he properly supplemented his protein intake.”

“Yes….”

Blushing, Park Ah-young nodded her head.

Hyojin smiled satisfactorily and then turned her gaze towards me.

“Don’t stay up late trying to bend over.”

“I didn’t.”

“Was it the latter?”

“No….”

“Hmm…. Your taste is truly unique. There are several people here who would indulge you if you asked for some sexual relief….”

“Why do you keep bringing sex into this…. Isn’t that the real culprit for causing sexual embarrassment?”

Hyojin shrugged her shoulders.

“Is speaking the truth also a cause for sexual embarrassment? I’m not exactly sure.”

“…Would you help relieve my sexual desires?”

“…”

“There you go! Even though it’s based on truth or whatever, Chairman, you’ve become a mute bee stung by sexual embarrassment!”

“If I imagine swallowing truth serum, what sensation would it bring… I’ve already done some image training. Now that it’s over. Take off your pants and come here.”

“The moment of silence! Even if you try to pass it off nonchalantly, it’s too late!”

Sighing at the chaotic situation, I naturally let out a sigh. Watching me in such a state, Lee Soo-bin finally spoke sense after a long time.

“It’s all because the senior fell asleep during the meeting. Just because the boss has returned, there’s no need to sigh excessively!”

“I’m sorry….”

“If you’re sorry, please give the senior some meat….”

“Just give up on that! In the end, you’ll end up making perfume like a murderer, regretting it, and getting eaten by beggars!”

Suppressing Lee Soo-bin’s charge with a scolding, I wondered what smell emanated from my body that led to followers being created.

Perhaps that pheromone perfume called ‘What’s that smell?’ is automatically generated from the body…. Continuing with unnecessary thoughts, I apologized to the other members.

“I’m sorry. I messed up the meeting again…. I won’t die from it, but I’ll think about something else.”

“It’s not just once or twice, I’m fine.”

“I guess I have to see you naked to forgive you.”

“Isn’t that going too far….”

“If it’s not difficult, is that an apology?”

“It’s an apology…. Is a small father’s apology nothing special?”

The nameless Parakho lingered on the lips, and the atmosphere of apology faded away.

Internally expressing gratitude to Parakho, I parted my lips.

“Let’s resume the meeting. How far did we get?”

“We discussed making ‘The Greatest Sex Tournament’ and ‘How far can we push the limits with an electric bicycle dildo’ official sports events.”

“At least those two are definitely not feasible.”

“Hmm… We’ll decide on that through a vote tomorrow.”

“We don’t even need a vote for this decision.”

“Opinions can change based on whether the mood is serious or light-hearted. It’s too casual now, so deciding tomorrow is appropriate.”

It was impossible from the start…

It transcends the realm of possibility…

As I massaged my aching temple, Han Hyojin spoke up.

“In that sense, let’s end today’s meeting here. Everyone worked hard.”

“Wow! Off work!”

Though rising with hands in the air, Lee Subin said, “Weren’t you supposed to check the budget for the Judo club today? I’m the head, so I’ll go with you.”

“Ugh… Let’s do it tomorrow…”

“It’s a decided matter, so no fooling around.”

“Sigh… Overtime then…”

“To be precise, it’s a bit early to call it overtime. Let’s call it additional work hours.”

“Wow… additional work hours.”

I was thwarted by Han Hyojin.

The group naturally split. Han Hyojin and Lee Subin went for the club budget check. Park Ayeong and I were headed home.

Park Ayeong seemed to have caught on vaguely, smiling bitterly as she glanced back. Her eyes were filled with the expectation of ‘together,’ making it ambiguous not to ask.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes!”

We slung our bags over our shoulders and nodded to Han Hyojin.

“We’ll go ahead.”

“Go on in.”

“Yeah. Subin, good job.”

“Take care on your way in~.”

We waved to Lee Subin and left.

“Just a moment…”

Warm, tepid air greeted us as we stepped out. It felt like standing in the center of the Sahara Desert and catching a breeze from a fan.

Furrowing my brow, I quickly loosened my tie. Still feeling stifled, I unbuttoned a few more buttons, finally feeling relieved.

“Phew, that’s better.”

“I feel better too…”

Noticing her weakened voice, I side-glanced at Park Ayeong. She had also loosened her tie and unbuttoned her shirt, sticking out her tongue like a hot dog.

“It’s a bit revealing…”

“What?”

“Button up your shirt again.”

I approached and buttoned Park Ayeong’s shirt. As the exposed skin decreased, the now warmer Park Ayeong squinted her eyes.

“It’s… hot…”

“You’ll have to bear with it.”

“Why…”

“If someone sees, what will they think? We’re all grown-ups here. And the ‘grown-up’ we’re talking about isn’t that kind, so relax.”

“Who asked about that!? Ugh, Jinwoo is really becoming like the president… There’s no one else in the student council who has their act together…”

Park Ayeong muttered sensitively due to the heat.

“It’s not because of summer, it’s because of you.”

“Oh, it’s my fault.”

“Heh… how did I end up with someone like you…”

“Someone like me?”

When I asked, Park Ayeong was startled and closed her lips. Her rolling eyes and fidgety gestures seemed like she was gossiping.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. You might not like having someone like me in the student council! I’m sorry for taking on the role of ‘someone’ from this ‘someone!’”

“It’s not that… Ugh! I don’t know! Just being with someone like you!”

“Don’t go around saying I’m becoming like the president… How did you become so shameless? The cute taste has disappeared…”

“You’re still cute!”

“Pfft, see, you’ve become shameless.”

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Park Ayeong puffed up her cheeks and playfully hit my forearm with her untied tie.

Slap-slap- the sound echoed. Despite being the first time, she skillfully used the wrist snap!

In many ways, Park Ayeong could be described as a perfect match for the line, “You’re more suited for a whip than a pen.”

Squeak-squeak- or not….

Even though I was in pain, I walked without showing any signs of it. When Park Ayoung didn’t respond after hitting her, I stopped and asked,

“Are you taking the bus today?”

“A bus that’s right on time….”

Vroom-

…Bus number 111 had just passed by.

“Should we walk instead?”

“We’ll pass by my house on the way, right?”

“Probably.”

“Hmm!”

“Why do you like it? I have to walk for a long time on this hot day….”

I grumbled as I walked. My steps slowed infinitely under the weight of the heat. At this pace, I would arrive at work around 6 o’clock.

As I finished my calculations and was about to bring up a casual topic, a sleek white sports car pulled up in front of us.

It was a Bugatti, a symbol of wealth….

As I blinked and looked, a beauty with white hair stepped out of the driver’s seat.

A cigarette dangled from her lips. The droopy corners of her eyes indirectly expressed, “This world is messed up.”

“Musma. Aren’t you going to answer the phone?”

In a husky tone, almost sounding angry.

“Answer me. Why are kids these days so slow to respond?”

Even using a dialect that sounded like trash straight out of a drama or movie.

“What’s up, Nuna?”

There were suspicions of being a gangster, and she was the benefactor who had introduced me to a cheap place to stay.

“Open your questions with a question mark. You know that.”

“What’s up, Nuna!”

“Oh, so I missed your call.”

“I was in a meeting, so it was on silent.”

She raised the phone volume to show me.

“Well, do you know how far it is from the school? It will take at least 30 minutes, and you didn’t touch your phone until then? Impressive.”

“I don’t have a smartphone addiction like most people these days. Maybe daily life would be more active without a phone?”

“If you’re going to make excuses, shut up.”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I’ll check my phone properly.”

“Okay.”

Seolha Nuna, chewing on her cigarette, asked,

“Who’s the friend next to you?”

“Yes. Say hello, Ayoung. She’s the acquaintance who did the interior design for me.”

“Hello. I’m Jinwoo’s friend.”

Seolha Nuna raised an eyebrow.

“Nice to meet you. Thanks for being friends with our Jinwoo.”

“Hehe, no problem.”

“Hey. By the way, are you two more than just friends?”

“Wha- What do you mean by ‘more than just friends’?”

“Are you dating? Secret friends?”

She poked Seolha Nuna’s side, who raised her index finger alongside the last word.

“Don’t talk nonsense, Nuna. Don’t spit out nonsense when you barely know someone. What if I sue you for defamation?”

“You’d pay a settlement, what else.”

“Ugh.”

Some people are truly incorrigible….

I shook my head and apologized to Park Ayoung on behalf of Seolha Nuna.

“I’m sorry. She lacks a sense of reality. Her social intelligence is lacking… Can you forgive her for the lawsuit…”

“It’s okay, really. There’s nothing worth suing a secret friend for!”

The so-called secret friend isn’t really a secret friend….

I decided to hold back my words.

Because silence seemed appropriate. Park Ayoung spoke to Seolha Nuna for the first time.

“But…. If it’s not too rude to ask, what’s the relationship between you and Jinwoo? It doesn’t seem ordinary…”

“Oh, right! We’re not just ordinary friends.”

“Is that so…?”

“Like a sister-brother relationship similar to lovers. We do everything together. Calling us lovers wouldn’t be wrong!”

I pushed away Seolha Nuna’s arm, which was trying to act as a shoulder companion.

“Stop it. So why did you come here?”

“I came to pick you up. Musmaya, you’re so clueless.”

“Then get in the car. I’ll take the passenger seat.”

“Tsk. You know it all.”

Seolha Nuna got into the car.

I said goodbye to Park Ayoung, who seemed weak, and got into the passenger seat of the sports car.

“The seats are too stiff, not great. I prefer yellow over white.”

“You like yellow more than me right now…. Right?”

“Don’t call me ‘nuna.’”

Anyway, there was a lot of nonsense.

“Did you think this guy was talking nonsense?”

“Gasp. That’s the correct answer.”

“Seriously….”

“Don’t get mad while driving. Let’s hurry to work.”

“Tsk.”

Seolha turned her tongue and adjusted the air conditioner towards me. It was an action that showed she had experienced social life.

***

The new workplace where I started working….

“Um…. I usually don’t mind doing this and that, but…. It might be a bit difficult here, don’t you think…?”

“Everything is legal here. Got it?”

“I don’t know…. This person….”

It was a bar.