Chapter 5: Next door if you go home

In the taxi on the way home.

Siyeon felt strangely uncomfortable in the back seat, which could fit two or three people.

‘…What’s wrong with her?’

The reason was…

Her housemate, friend, and now workplace colleague, who was riding with her.

Usually, she would have linked arms with Siyeon….

And chattered away endlessly, regardless of Siyeon’s reaction.

But for some reason, today she just quietly stared out the window.

To be precise, after the conversation with the CEO ended….

From the moment they called the taxi until now, she hadn’t said a single word.

‘Did I say something wrong?’

Feeling self-conscious, Siyeon racked her brain….

But no matter how much she replayed it, she couldn’t recall misspeaking.

The conversation itself was short, and there wasn’t much to it anyway, so even more so.

…The answer to that question came rather anticlimactically.

“…Siyeon-ah.”

“…Yeah?”

“Do you… really have to go?”

They arrived home amidst a strange atmosphere.

Jiah, who had been silent all along….

Suddenly hugged Siyeon.

‘…Ah, so that’s what it was about.’

“But it can’t be helped. You heard her, right?”

“Still.”

“It’s not just us; it becomes a hassle for the company.”

“…Still.”

‘…Good grief.’

‘Getting sulky over something like this, she’s not a child.’

“Are you mad? Because I said I’d leave without looking back?”

“…No.”

“Then why were you like that? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.”

Now, perhaps feeling embarrassed about her own actions….

Siyeon hugged Jiah, who was suddenly fidgeting, and continued speaking calmly.

“Are you disappointed? Because you can’t eat my cooking anymore?”

“That too, and….”

“I’ll come over and cook for you often. Between us, can’t I at least do that much?”

It was a little bewildering to see the girl who used to live just fine on her own suddenly act like this.

‘Well, it can happen.’

For the past few months, someone else had done all her chores….

If Siyeon left, Jiah would have to do them herself again.

Besides, Siyeon had even taken care of her meal worries… so it would be even more troublesome for her.

“Then….”

“Then…?”

“Then, live here.”

‘…However, the state of this conversation is strange?’

‘Surely, she hasn’t been listening until now?’

‘No. She answered properly, didn’t she? What is it then?’

‘Well… is she confident she can persuade the CEO or something?’

‘To cause friction over such a trivial thing…?’

Siyeon frowned at that and was about to say something.

…Jiah’s intention was far beyond her expectations.

“There are plenty of empty rooms here, so pick one.”

“…Jiah?”

“No, you don’t even need to choose. The place next door is empty, so let’s go there.”

So, to summarize.

If Siyeon was going to move out anyway, Jiah would provide a place to live… so they should live as close as possible.

Siyeon didn’t know why, but Jiah was okay with her moving out…

But she absolutely, under no circumstances, even if she died and came back to life, could not stand them living far apart.

‘Well, I mean, if you think about it, it’s a gain for me, but….’

‘But… is this right? Is this really okay?’

“Answer.”

“…Uh, okay.”

…Or so Siyeon thought.

But Jiah was being uncharacteristically forceful, and Siyeon got swept up in the atmosphere and couldn’t refuse.

‘…What’s with this building owner’s tyranny?’

---

[…So, you’re just moving rooms?]

“Yes, well….”

First, Siyeon called the CEO.

‘…Well, what? I can’t not tell her.’

‘Even if we decide amongst ourselves, if the higher-ups reject it, there’s nothing we can do.’

‘I’m not an independent contractor, so I have to discuss it and proceed.’

“Is this… really okay?”

[…The problem is your voice getting picked up during broadcasts, so as long as you’re not in the same house, it should be fine.]

“That’s a relief then.”

[Just give me the address later. We need to install a soundproof booth.]

…Fortunately, she got permission.

‘Phew, I’ll save on rent.’

‘I’m really lucky to have such a good friend.’

[Anyway… since things turned out this way, please take good care of Jiah.]

“…Jiah? Suddenly?”

[Her talent is certain, but her personality is quite unstable.]

Just as Siyeon was relaxing and continuing the conversation.

The CEO suddenly made an absurd request.

‘Jiah… well….’

‘Even if she didn’t say it, I’d take care of her anyway.’

‘But the CEO is saying this?’

[There are many reasons why I picked you… but a significant part of it is for you to cover for Jiah. To reduce the manpower we need to invest.]

“Hey, cover? Jiah has a great personality.”

[…What?]

‘…Huh? Her reaction is strange.’

‘I definitely just stated a fact…?’

“…Am I wrong?”

[…Never mind. Get some rest.]

“Yes… goodbye.”

Thanks to the other side ending the call appropriately, it didn’t turn into a debate.

…But because of that, a corner of Siyeon’s mind felt strangely uneasy.

‘…Is she really being tyrannical or something?’

‘I can’t even ask. This is….’

---

“…Sigh, nothing strange will happen, right?”

At the same time.

Kang Yoora, who had just finished the call, was also feeling something similar to Siyeon.

“Ms. CEO~!”

“Ah.”

It was due to the intrusion of none other than Lunavis’s founding contributor….

And at the same time, a relentless uninvited guest who practically lived at the company.

“Who was that just now? Your girlfriend?”

“A newbie. And how many times do I have to tell you I’m a woman?”

“Hey, considering what kind of world do we live in these days?”

“Be quiet.”

One of the three members of Lunavis’s 1st generation, collectively known as [Abyss].

Her stage name, Ichihana Ren.

She would be Siyeon and Jiah’s senior.

“But, a newbie? Our company has another newbie?”

“I used my authority as CEO to make a special recruitment.”

“A special recruitment? You were just lamenting that there was no talent in this batch.”

“No, she wasn’t an applicant…”

That’s when Ichihana Ren showed interest.

At this, Kang Yoora…

Figured she’d find out eventually, so it would be okay to tell her in advance.

After briefly pondering how to explain it….

“…Street casting?”

“What’s that?”

“That’s how it happened. Just roughly understand.”

Feeling suddenly bothered, Kang Yoora vaguely summed it up.

As it was, she was scheduled for overtime.

If she got pestered further by this senior and talkative person here… she would only be at a loss.

‘I said newbie… but honestly, it’s not completely confirmed yet.’

‘For the next few months, as long as no disqualifying reasons are found….’

‘Once it’s certain, I can introduce her then. Yes.’

“Ms. CEO, Ms. CEO.”

“What now.”

“The newbie, the one from before.”

…Was it because of that?

Instead of the CEO, who was clearly annoyed at dealing with her….

“Where does she live now?”

The mysterious newbie had caught the senior’s attention.