episode_0140

– Wow!

– Squeak, squeak

The endless horizon, clear sky, the sound of the fishing boat’s motor, and the cries of seagulls made me realize that I was out at sea right now.

And most of all, the salty breeze that hit my whole body as the boat crossed the water currents, forcing me to feel the refreshing sensation more than being inside a house, provided a sense of invigoration.

“Hah, why do you like it?”

Looking at the situation alone, it’s filled with things I dislike.

A sudden appointment, being dragged here as the youngest in this situation, with superiors from the opposing faction. Moreover, the slightly sweet actions of middle-aged men who have been oddly affectionate since earlier.

Furthermore, the sharp sea breeze not only brings freshness but also an uncomfortable feeling as if it’s sticking to my head.

Yet, for some reason, I find myself oddly enjoying this situation.

Isn’t it ironic?

– Thump, thump, thump, thump

The sound of heels hitting the deck rhythmically. I turned my head to the source of the unique footsteps that could only be heard on the boat.

“How’s the seasickness?”

Approaching me was none other than Manager Kang Chan-hyuk.

“Not really. It feels like it’s not there.”

Remembering when I got on this fishing boat before and caused a commotion, Manager Kang, who seemed worried I might do the same this time, handed me both seasickness pills and a drink.

Thanks to that, or maybe my body and constitution have changed, I don’t get seasick, which is a good thing.

“Isn’t it fascinating? I didn’t want to come like this at first, but once you’re on the boat, it’s refreshing.”

Perhaps thinking the same as me, Manager Kang shared his thoughts first.

“Huh? Aren’t you glad to escape from your brother-in-law?”

“Haha! Well, I can’t deny that.”

Honestly, it’s quite pitiful. Well, he jokes around saying it’s a public service, but still.

“Well, at least it’s a relief. I thought it was bad when you were whining about being threatened by Manager Yook, but it seems like you’re enjoying it in your own way.”

“Well… if you can’t avoid it, might as well enjoy it, right?”

“Haha! If it were that easy, why would there be stress in corporate life?”

That’s also true, so I just chuckled in agreement.

While Manager Kang and I exchanged meaningless banter, the engine sound soon stopped as the boat reached the fishing spot.

“We have arrived! Let’s pick our spots!”

Spot picking. Before starting fishing in earnest, it’s the act of drawing lots to determine where to fish on the boat’s deck, aft, sides, etc.

Well, usually, a wide spot is popular as it’s less crowded and more comfortable.

But as I mentioned, it’s a drawing of lots. Unless you charter a whole boat like us, there are cases where fights break out over spots.

So spot picking is an important element in boat fishing.

“We’ll draw in order.”

The captain came out of the control room with something in his hand. Glancing over, it was a wooden stick stuck in a wooden barrel. The wooden stick seemed old and worn out.

Anyway, he started from the deck of the boat and went around the boat, letting everyone scattered around draw a lot, and Manager Kang and I quickly drew and checked our lots.

“I got number 3. What about you?”

“I… got number 1.”

It may vary from boat to boat, but generally, number 1 is considered the best spot.

“Oh, nice spot you got there.”

But well, I didn’t really come here to fish, just pretending to be interested, so it didn’t really matter if I had a good spot or not. And of course, the best spot would belong to the highest-ranking person. After all, the number one spot was reserved for the executive, no matter who drew it.

“Oh, it hasn’t been decided yet.”

Anyway, since I had to switch with the executive, the number he picked would be my number.

Thinking like that, I approached the executive and held out my lot.

“It’s fine. Well, isn’t skill more important than the spot?”

Saying that, the executive checked my lot. Ah… it would be easier to just accept it.

Anyway, since he insisted on not doing it himself, I tried to hand it to Deputy Director Kwak next in line.

“Oh, but since I’m number two anyway, I’ll be right next to you. Just take the number one spot.”

The executive nailed it with those words.

As I was about to hand over the lot, my hand and Deputy Director Kwak’s hand, reaching out to accept it, felt a bit awkward, but we both nodded and went to our respective spots.

Well, it was only natural, but my spot was to the left of the bow, with the executive taking the spot to the right.

“Alright, let’s cast the bait!”

The captain turned the boat and started throwing the bait from the bucket into the sea.

I was watching absentmindedly when the executive asked me first.

“Do you fish?”

I had said it many times, but my fishing experience was really short, to the point where I could count it on one hand. So I shook my head.

“Swish, swish, swish, that’s great. Deputy Director Kwak and Deputy Director Park have been fishing with me for so long that they’ve gotten good at it. They catch more fish than me these days. Since you’re a beginner, I’ll take my time to teach you.”

It’s like… a feeling of seeing a newbie entering a veteran game, as Daeyoung often says. Isn’t it the same thing?

Anyway, since my experience was short, not completely new, I wondered if he would be so hands-on.

-Whoosh! Swish, swish, swish!

After the bait was thrown, the executive standing next to me lightly waved his fishing rod.

I could feel his skill even in a light cast.

“Wow….”

It wasn’t intentional flattery, but a genuine admiration. There’s a way to tell if someone is a master in their field, even for beginners, right? In that sense, the executive could definitely be considered a master.

Of course, the executive wasn’t the only one who could cast like that in the hobby of fishing.

Seeing the pleased expression on the executive’s face, my pure admiration made me smile unintentionally.

-Swish.

Realizing my mistake, I quickly bowed and apologized.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry. It’s actually refreshing to feel this way after a long time. Hehehe.”

I guess, as a manager in the line of duty, I naturally acted that way towards the executive, without forcefully supporting anyone. In other words, I have a presence, but not a strong one.

But experiencing this made me think that the executive also had a good human touch.

Of course, the way he acted in private and in public at the company would be different.

“Haha, thank you. But, Executive, what’s the target fish for today? I was dragged here suddenly and didn’t hear the explanation. Hehe.”

The Sea of September. According to the words of the mother seafood information YouTuber, the season of the sea is said to be a little later than that of the land, right? The land is now in the season of high skies and plump horses, full of fertility, but the sea should still be considered summer.

So, when I asked, not knowing what kind of fish was being caught.

“Hmm… Let’s see. Today’s target fish is the Sensibility Dome at number 1.”

If you were to list the fish that Korean researchers want to catch, it would be the fish that never escapes from within three fingers.

“Is that being caught?”

“Well, it’s rare here because it’s the West Sea, but it’s not like it’s not being caught, right?”

“Ah, then what about number 2?”

“The fish that are caught a lot this season are the blueback fish. Like mackerel or saury.”

“Ah, I see.”

I felt a bit more confident about catching mackerel or saury, thinking they seemed somewhat easy to catch.

“Anyway, if you catch the right points, fishing is easy. Capturing the points is the role of the captain. I’ve been friends with the captain of this ship for over 20 years, so I guarantee my skills. But now they say ‘do your best and wait for fate.’ It means that you do everything as a human and then wait for the will of heaven. In other words, even if a person does everything, there may be things that heaven does not help with.”

“Um… I see.”

“So, don’t worry too much whether this project is successful or not.”

“Excuse me?”

I was taken aback by the sudden advice that started out of nowhere.

“This is the first time you’ve taken on such a big task, right? So whether it succeeds or fails, there’s no need to be too proud if it succeeds, or too disheartened if it fails.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was somewhat unexpected. I wasn’t someone with many different faces, but I didn’t expect to hear such gentle words.

Perhaps, the senior placed me next to him to tell me this story, but I couldn’t know for sure. Anyway, I was grateful for his kindness, so I nodded and thanked him.

“Moreover, you’ve become the promotional model this time?”

The senior suddenly turned to me and chuckled.

“Ah, yes…”

“Haha, with your looks, you’re better than most celebrities. Since it’s just taking pictures for posters and not filming videos, the photographers will handle it well. Do your best.”

“Yes. But… is it okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“To be honest, I accepted the modeling fee, but if it’s revealed later that I’m a TS syndrome patient…”

“It’s a useless worry. Of course, socially, it’s still a bit awkward. Well, it’s not a matter of ethical responsibility. It’s just an illness. However, for a company that seeks profit, it could be a risk.”

“Why are you aware of it and still tolerating it?”

“Well, beauty is justice.”

“Excuse me?”

I blinked my eyes, wondering what he meant by that.

“Is this how it’s expressed these days? I like it.”

“Hmm!”

“Just. When I hear Director Yook’s opinion, I feel that way. It might even become a topic if it’s revealed. So if it’s not revealed, it’s not revealed. If it is, there’s a plan in place, so don’t worry.”

With his words, I felt a lingering worry melt away.

“Hahaha… Thank you.”

I just bowed deeply and expressed my gratitude to him.