episode_0021

“……”

A fresh atmosphere, entirely different from the office, filled the car interior. Perhaps a good perfume was used, as it smelled better than the usual air freshener installed.

Despite not looking bad in the suit at all, maybe formal wear just doesn’t suit me.

“Have you decided where to get the suit?”

“Oh, yes.”

Apart from dressing well, the purpose of coming here was solely to find a business suit.

In reality, if I just lifted the skirt a bit and adjusted the shirt fit, it would be perfect. Since I’m already here, getting a new suit tailored wouldn’t hurt.

Following the address provided by the new team leader, I turned the car around. A brand store in Gangnam Station. It seemed to cater to both men and women for suits.

It took about 30 minutes due to traffic. If it was going to be like this, I should have just taken the subway.

“Wow… They even have a dedicated parking lot.”

A parking space exclusively for customers visiting this store. From the design seen through the glass outside to the dedicated parking lot, the prices were evident without even looking. Although it’s not where I live, imagining money flowing out like that made me worry.

“If I lived in a place like this…”

A spacious parking area where 1.5 cars could fit per spot. It exuded an aura that only the wealthy would utilize. Indeed, Gangnam.

“Wow….”

Even the path leading up to the store had black tiled stairs with gilded handrails. It didn’t seem like real gold, but the luxurious ambiance from the entrance alone elicited admiration.

“It’s amazing… that a place like this exists….”

“Oh? Is this your first time here too, Team Leader Shin?”

“Yes, I just searched and came.”

“Hmm….”

To search and come to such an obviously expensive place, how wealthy must one be… Living in Yeoksam was already somewhat unique.

Arriving at the main entrance, white letters on the glass door read “CDNP.” Probably the brand name.

“Welcome.”

A neatly dressed man greeted us. He seemed meticulously trained, not a single hair out of place.

“I’m here to get a suit.”

“Please come this way. Are you also getting fitted, sir?”

“No, I’m just here to help.”

The combination of black walls against white marble floors gave a clean feel, with tasteful lighting highlighting the suits on display.

In the center stood a dresser made of high-quality wood, neatly showcasing various jewelry and watches. If not for the price tags, I might have bought something out of impulse.

“Please change over here.”

Even the fitting room was luxurious. Equipped with a full-length mirror on the door and touch-operated features, it felt state-of-the-art. There were three fitting rooms like this.

Team Leader Shin went in with the clothes, while I wandered around the store in awe. Imagining how happy I would be if I had a space like this at home, I waited for Team Leader Shin.

After a short wait, the impeccably dressed Team Leader Shin emerged.

“So, how does it look…?”

A single-breasted jacket with a light check pattern on a bright gray base. Emphasizing the waist, it made Team Leader Shin’s already slender figure appear even slimmer.

Underneath, a narrow-collared white shirt complemented the jacket, both with short sleeves, giving off a sleek vibe.

The skinny jeans-like trousers accentuated his slender legs, paired with pointed grey shoes on the front. Despite the low heels, perhaps due to Team Leader Shin’s physique, he appeared taller.

With his hair down, the long, flowing hairstyle perfectly matched the image of a career woman.

Clothes make the man, they say, and the new team leader truly looked like a model. Just by awkwardly fidgeting with his hair, he exuded a charm that accentuated the gap between us.

“….It suits you well.”

He should dress like this even on regular workdays. Although I had already mentally given the okay sign, I couldn’t just buy the first outfit I saw, so I decided to try on some other clothes as well.

After the team leader went back inside, I inquired about the prices for reference.

“Um… how much does it cost?”

“The suit set is 12 million won. The shirt is an additional 700,000 won, and the shoes are 300,000 won. If you make a purchase, we offer a tie pin for men and a ribbon pin for women as a service.”

“So, for what I’m holding now…”

“Yes. The suit set is 9.6 million won.”

I almost blurted out, “That’s ridiculously expensive.” I’ve heard that celebrity suits come at such prices, but still, this seemed exorbitant. How many installments would I need to pay for this?

The nonchalant salesperson and my own flustered reaction made me realize that we lived in different worlds. My tailored suit, costing nearly a million won, suddenly seemed shabby.

But more importantly, does the team leader not care about the price…?

“What about this one?”

A black suit no different from other suits. However, the immaculate tailoring without a single lint or speck of dust indicated the use of high-quality fabric.

He wore the same shirt as before, paired with a skirt that slightly rose above his thighs this time. His white legs peeking through proved once again that dressing well was all that mattered.

Not only in terms of price, but honestly, if he had worn sheer black stockings, it would have perfectly matched my taste, so I wanted to recommend this side.

“This also suits you… How about letting your hair down?”

“U-uh, really?”

“Yes. It looks much better.”

“T-then, I guess… which one is better?”

“That would be…”

Judging by the team leader’s attitude, it seemed like he would purchase whichever I chose for him. While I believed personal preference was important, since he asked me, I had to respond by making the choice for him.

Of course, I naturally recommended the latter option.

“Thank you.”

“Have a good day.”

Although it was the team leader who made the purchase, they say being in the same space can make you feel high, right? My heart swelled inexplicably.

A complete suit set, shirt, and shoes. Initially priced at 10.6 million won, it was discounted to 8 million won after the first discount, membership benefits, and other reductions. Still, it remained expensive.

They even provided perfume and a multi-cleaner as a service. Perhaps it was meant for cleaning watches. For some reason, I received a multi-cleaner too.

“If you’re going on a business trip, this attire should suffice… I’ll drop you off at your place.”

“Oh… thank you.”

Perhaps due to buying expensive clothes, despite looking anxious, there was a hint of a smile on their face. Well, even I would be engulfed in various emotions if I had spent a fortune on clothing.

After leaving the store, it took 40 minutes to reach the team leader’s home.

“Is this it?”

“Oh, yes… please drop me off here. Thank you.”

I knew he lived in Yeoksam, but living where he lived—high-rise apartments, and in a newly built building at that.

“Oh, Manager.”

“Yes?”

“Wouldn’t you like to have a cup of tea at our place? As a token of gratitude for today.”

“No, it’s okay. It wasn’t anything extraordinary. Team leaders need rest too. Honestly, I want to rest as well.”

“Oh, okay…”

As the team leader closed the car door and gazed back, it seemed like he might sit there hesitantly and cry if I left him like that.

*Sigh…*

Chastising myself for being unnecessarily kind, I eventually parked the car in the apartment parking lot.

Enjoying a cup of coffee should be fine.

~~~

“Excuse me….”

The living room, larger than my own as befitting an apartment in Yeoksam. A wall-mounted TV that seemed to be 60 inches in size stood in front, and the kitchen was neatly decorated in white tones. It was a sophisticated home different from a typical suit shop.

“Do you live alone?”

“Yes. My mother comes up occasionally.”

“Your mother….”

“She lives in Daejeon, her hometown. That’s where my mother resides.”

“I see.”

It seems like it would be okay to live comfortably at this level, but it doesn’t seem like a good idea to meddle for no reason.

“What kind of coffee would you like? Black? Latte?”

“Oh, please give me a latte.”

After a short wait, the fragrant smell of coffee brushed past my nose. Mixed with the scent of air freshener, it somehow gave off a cafe-like atmosphere.

“It must be difficult to manage. It also costs a lot.”

“I have no money issues. There’s nowhere else to spend it.”

“… ”

It feels like I’ve touched on something I shouldn’t have. Perhaps even if I spent extravagantly without anyone to share it with, I’d still have money left over….

I feel like I know the reason why she keeps acting hysterical.

“I… I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m used to this. Please enjoy.”

“I’ll drink it well.”

The coffee tasted sweet, but the atmosphere became awkward due to her behavior just now, making it not easy to move on.

“How is it?”

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

Looking closely, even the new team leader is at an age to get married. No, it might be a bit late. The age at which people get married is getting later, but still, people tend to prefer doing it while they’re young.

She probably knows this herself, so it seemed like I touched on a sore spot.

“Do you have any thoughts about marriage, Manager?”

“…Well.”

At least not now. Probably not until Yuhee gets married. They probably decided for sure when they went to the amusement park yesterday.

“And you, Team Leader?”

“I… wanted to, but it ended up being something I had to give up.”

“Oh. It seems a bit early to give up.”

“Yes…?”

“It’s only halfway through, right? You could live comfortably, find a suitable man, and get married. Clothes matter too, don’t they? If you dress like today, won’t people pay a bit more attention? Honestly, the length of the skirt and the stockings… Oh, sorry. I spoke out of turn….”

“… ”

It wasn’t exactly counseling, but I offered some words of comfort. Revealing my preferences at the end might have been a misstep, but… since she didn’t say anything, it seems like she’s just letting it go.

After finishing the coffee, I got ready to leave.

“Manager….”

“Yes.”

“Could you possibly offer me some advice on my worries?”

“Well… I may not be able to solve them, but I can listen.”

After expressing gratitude, the new team leader took a deep breath and began speaking.

“Do you know why I haven’t been able to get married?”

“… ”

Marriage counseling, really? Especially at such a sensitive age, I felt truly sorry inside.

I reluctantly sat on the sofa across from the TV and decided to listen until the end.

“There was someone I liked for a long time. Handsome, and I thought his personality wouldn’t be great, but he took care of those around him, including me, so I started to like him.”

“Is that so.”

What? She liked someone other than me. So, the rumor Chief Choi joked about was false. I’ll have to scold him tomorrow.

“But that person didn’t pay attention to me. Even when we were together, it seemed like he was noticing other things… So, I tried various things to talk to him… but it ended up becoming poison.”

“Poison?”

“Yes… Whenever I stand in front of that person, I get nervous for no reason, end up getting angry… picking fights over trivial matters… Anyway, it seems like my affection has been expressed in a strange way. It’s gotten better now that I’ve given up on something.”

“I see…”

So that’s why she had a hysterical outburst. Because things weren’t going well with the person she liked, she ended up annoying those around her. While I can understand her feelings, I believe it was wrong to vent that anger on others.

“So… If you were the manager, how would you have approached that person?”

“I… I think I would have just confessed. If you don’t express your feelings, it could become toxic like the team leader said, right?”

“You really think so…”

“Well, yes. Are you still in contact with that person?”

“Yes… We are in touch.”

“Marriage?”

“…We haven’t gotten married.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Since that person probably wants to get married too, why not try it out as an experiment? It might be better than just suffering silently, don’t you think?”

“That’s true… Thank you. I dragged you home against your will and you even gave me advice…”

“No, I enjoyed the coffee.”

She stood up from her seat and went to the front door. It seemed like she needed to go home and take a deep breath. Being in an affluent neighborhood made her feel dizzy.

“Manager.”

As she was about to put on her shoes to leave, the new team leader grabbed her sleeve.

“You said you would confess if you were the manager.”

“Yes… Did I?”

“In that case, I… I’ll confess.”

“Yes…?”

The new team leader spoke in a hesitant voice.

“C-Can you… be in a relationship with me?”

“…”

She felt sorry for doubting Manager Choi just a moment ago.