episode_0105

– Squeak, squeak!

“Sigh.”

Locking the faucet, I took a final deep breath.

Whether it was fish testicles or fish penis, as soon as I realized what I had eaten, I spat it out on the spot and quickly left.

Actually, this place was quite expensive, a high-end Korean restaurant that could offer various parts of the fish, but it was all about the mood.

If I had known what part it was and just enjoyed the taste, it would have been fine, but it was the fact that it was handed to me by Director Yook, and his continuous annoying gentlemanly behavior since then that left a bad taste in my mouth.

So I decided to leave to change the mood.

I felt like it was like regretting lighting up a cigarette that I had already quit, but moments like this make me regret it a bit.

Of course, I have no intention of smoking again.

Anyway, despite gargling, the smell of fish that still lingered in my mouth made me think I should buy some throat lozenges at the convenience store, so I took out a few hand towels and wiped away the moisture around my mouth.

Then, looking at the lipstick stains on the hand towel, I took out the lipstick from my bag and applied it to my lips again.

– Click.

At that moment, someone opened the bathroom door and walked in.

“Oh, Director Jung. Are you okay?”

I turned around to see Manager Kim standing there.

“Yes, just… no. I’m fine. Hehe.”

She nodded at my response. Then, she looked back and forth between my lips and the lipstick in my hand, and with a strange smile, she said,

“It looks natural.”

“What do you mean?”

“It hasn’t been even 4 months? 5 months? Anyway, it hasn’t been half a year yet since you became a woman.”

Come to think of it, that was true. It hadn’t been long. It felt like it had been about a year, though.

“Is that… so?”

“But it looks too natural. The atmosphere coming from your appearance, your gestures, everything.”

“Really?”

“Like naturally flipping your hair behind your ear when you eat, covering your mouth when you laugh, the scent of perfume that lingers every time you move, and even the way you’re fixing your lipstick now… It’s too natural for someone who hasn’t been a woman for less than 6 months.”

Was that so?

I wasn’t sure. What she was talking about was just natural… um… habits? Gestures? Posture? Anyway, it was something that came unconsciously from the subconscious.

It wasn’t something I did consciously.

Of course, it was strange that even unconscious habits had formed in less than 6 months, as she said.

“Anyway… it’s nice. You don’t seem obsessed.”

“What?”

Her expression as she said that was quite bitter.

“It’s nothing. And, here.”

She erased the bitterness from her face and took something out of her pocket.

It was an aluminum case wrapped in plastic, and from what I remembered, it was probably mint-flavored candy.

“Since you seem to have quit smoking these days, have this as a snack.”

“Oh… thank you.”

I took it with a puzzled expression and quickly opened the package to put one in my mouth.

The smell that came out of my mouth definitely improved.

What was it? Well, honestly, as a development department manager, I didn’t have many opportunities to talk to the sales department people like her, and she wasn’t exactly a case like me who started from the bottom in this company, so we had only known each other for about 5 years.

Honestly, my image of her is more about the public sphere than the private sphere. Or rather, it’s more accurate to say that I don’t know her well personally.

She said we were like a family, but really. Isn’t that what colleagues are like? Unless you’re in a direct supervisor-subordinate relationship like Director Kang and me, or working in the same department, this is normal.

Anyway, I suddenly thought that she might be a pretty decent person in private…

“Oh, by the way, you’ve been hanging out with Kim Taehyun a lot these days. Any particular reason?”

“Yes, yes?”

“I saw it today, and I’ve come to a definite conclusion within myself. Chief Jung is no longer a man.”

What is this woman talking about?

“I’ve never experienced TS syndrome, so I don’t know much about that… But when I saw Chief Jung today, I thought, ‘Oh, that could be possible.’”

“Yes, yes?”

“Well, it’s a matter of time, a matter of consciousness, right? Eventually, the mind follows the body, doesn’t it?”

“No, what are you talking about…?”

“I’m not someone who has no experience in these matters. I don’t have a hobby of targeting other people’s saliva. That’s right. Taehyun will gladly give it to you.”

“Hey, please explain…”

“Oh, it’s a major hemorrhage. I also like pretty people, and I want to get along with Chief Jung in the future. I’ll also mark what Manager Yuk did strangely today. I’m worried that he’s suddenly acting like that at work because he’s not getting along well with his wife these days… You really know how to be lucky. So, let’s forget about what happened before and get along, okay? Haha.”

With that, she poured out all her words and left for the restroom.

What is she talking about?

Me and Kim Taehyun? Smearing saliva?

What on earth is she talking about?

Not long after she left, I returned to the drinking party.

As soon as I returned, Manager Yuk’s awkward gentlemanly behavior started again, but this time I could sit comfortably.

Kim Manager helped me by marking and preventing Manager Yuk as promised. Although it’s usually frowned upon to play tricks on men, once our team became one, I couldn’t help but feel secure.

Look at her. The way she smoothly fills the glass as soon as it empties.

That’s truly a skill.

Maybe I’ll start to admire Kim Manager? Of course, what I mistakenly talked about and imagined in the restroom is embarrassing.

“So, about Chief Jung…”

“Here, Director. Please try this. Ah~”

“Uh, uh? Oh, thank… whoop!”

-Glug glug

It’s reassuring.

“So, these days…”

“Oh my, the glass is empty. Chief Jung, would you like another drink?”

“Oh, yes.”

Later on, Kim Manager asked for my help when her repertoire ran out.

Alright. I helped her so much, I can do this much.

I took the bottle of alcohol she handed me and poured a drink, slightly raising my upper body.

“Glug glug.”

I heard rough breathing and looked ahead to see Manager Yuk staring somewhere with his nostrils flared…

“Glug glug~”

“Eek!”

His gaze was fixed, or rather, stuck on my chest, specifically the slight exposure of my collarbone due to my posture.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t say anything and just stayed still.

-Spilled!

The glass overflowed and spilled onto Manager Yuk’s hand.

“Oh! I’m sorry!”

I quickly put the bottle on the table and looked for something to wipe with, but Kim Manager was already wiping his hand with a towel.

“Haha, it’s okay. Mistakes happen.”

If it weren’t for his droopy chin, he would have looked quite forgiving.

“What, the great Jung Dohyun is getting drunk? Doing all the things he never did before.”

With a slightly flushed face, Manager Kang, who seemed to be getting tipsy, laughed.

Well, this uncle must have wished to see me drunk.

“I’m not drunk, just a little…”

Huh? Come to think of it, being drunk could be a good excuse to break this uncomfortable situation.

I quickly started acting dizzy, holding my forehead.

“Oh, looks like he’s drunk. It’s getting a bit tough, let’s just go home…”

Before the words could even finish, a loud voice filled with drunkenness erupted from the front.

“What? Manager Jung is drunk?! Hahaha! Today’s my day. Let’s go for round two. I’ll make Manager Jung lie down today!”

It was Manager Yook. Maybe he got in the mood because of Manager Kim, his face was flushed with alcohol. Calling him Manager Jung was evidence of that.

Well, I can understand being amazed that my drinking capacity is legendary even among executives… but how can this guy not even send a single helping hand?

And on top of that? Make him lie down?

“Manager Yook, that statement is a bit much.”

Even the stern Manager Kang seemed taken aback. (Although Manager Kang tends to treat Manager Yook a bit like an idiot)

“Oh, my bad. Still, you know that wasn’t my intention.”

“Anyway, please be careful.”

As Manager Kang warned, Manager Yook swallowed once and replied.

“Oh, I see. Well, anyway. It’s a good day, isn’t it? Let’s go happily.”

“Um, Manager Yook. I, uh, I’m tired… I want to go home…”

“Oh, this person. You’re the main character, where are you going?”

“Right, Assistant Manager. Let’s go. Round two.”

Two managers from the sales department, excluding Manager Kim, agreed with him.

People from other departments also seemed to be eyeing round two.

Sigh… should’ve just kept quiet about being drunk. Just had to bring it up.

Well, judging by the atmosphere, even if I didn’t say I was drunk, it felt like we would’ve gone for round two. Manager Kang seemed more like he didn’t want to go to round two, but just didn’t want to go home.

After pondering for a while, Manager Kang, who was sitting next to him, came over and lightly tapped his shoulder, whispering.

“I know you’re not drunk.”

Then, he discreetly pointed to the bottle of alcohol, nudged Manager Yook’s chin.

Made a gesture of cutting his throat.

I understood what he meant.

Yeah. Who can I blame? My own fault.

“Let’s go for round two.”

Just blame it all on the spirit of alcohol, Jung Do Hyun’s time.