episode_0105

The hunger that I had appeased with biscuits showed up again.

Thanks to this, I was able to forget about time and stop what I was engrossed in for a while.

‘It’s already been two hours.’

I was concentrating on my work and paying attention to the signs of people beyond the door, but I couldn’t even see the shadow of anyone, let alone the director.

‘…Where are you and what are you doing?’

I didn’t really have a lunch date with the director, but if there was nothing special going on, we always ate together. Whenever the director had to leave for lunch, he always told me not to wait.

‘I didn’t specifically say to eat first today… .’

Has something unavoidable happened?

In any case, it was impossible to wait any longer.

Lunch time was fixed, and it was going to end soon.

With weak steps, I headed towards the cafeteria.

The reason you have no energy in your body is probably because you are hungry.

*

“Ah, Sister Mari~. Let’s go have lunch~?”

When I took the elevator down to the first floor, Erica from the human resources department, who was wandering around the lobby, greeted me. Behind her were Kyra and Sophie, who always accompanied her.

“Yes. I’m a little late because I’m busy with work.”

“We are going to go eat now. Do you want to go together~?”

“Good.”

After responding to Erica’s recommendation, we left the office building.

“Are you alone today? Director~?”

While walking toward the cafeteria, Erica tilted her head and asked.

“Well. I left about 2 hours ago because I had work to do, but I’m not sure.”

“Director, you are cheating on Marie~.”

“It’s the wind. It’s not like that.”

It’s not like I got caught by the wind.

Because I didn’t really promise anything.

That doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed, but as someone who has known the director for a long time, I know well that I shouldn’t attach significance to each of these things.

“By the way, why are you guys having lunch now?”

It’s not strange to eat lunch late. Because if something urgent happens, it may be delayed. However, there is no room for urgent work to occur in the human resources department. Because their job is to manage employees.

“Ahaha, that’s it~”

Erica smiled awkwardly at my question.

Just as she was about to say something, Kyra interrupted her.

“It’s because of strong labor unions.”

“…Did we have a union?”

“Nothing. I just call it that as I please.”

Kyra’s attitude was so confident that I thought a union had been formed that I didn’t know about.

“…So that strong union… What did this organization do?”

“What the union does is, of course, assert workers’ rights.”

“There is no place that cares more about the welfare of its employees than our management department… . I know that no one had any complaints, but maybe I was wrong?”

According to the satisfaction survey conducted periodically by the Human Resources Department, there were no employees who were very dissatisfied.

As expected, the management bureau’s salary is comparable to that of any large company, and various welfare benefits are provided for employees. Thanks to the horizontal culture, there are no conflicts between employees.

I don’t think there’s a better job than this, except for the fact that it’s dangerous, going out is restricted, and the work intensity is high… .

‘There were a lot more places to complain than I thought..?’

“Kaira, too. If you say that, Mari will misunderstand~.”

Erica must have seen that I was seriously concerned, so she waved her hand.

“What a misunderstanding. Their actions are a strong union itself. Just a moment ago, we were involved in illegal activities.”

“Is it illegal to eat dessert together? So the crime is bribery? If that’s the case, I shouldn’t have eaten it at all~.”

“…I couldn’t refuse. It was a dessert you don’t often see. It was more effective than sticking a knife in front of your eyes.”

I was quietly listening to Erica and Kyra’s conversation, but something felt strange.

“Everyone, is there any reason why you eat so late? .”

“Yes. It’s because of dessert. The ship has finally gone out.”

“Ah… . I see.”

also. It was Kyra’s eccentricity as always.

She appears blunt on the outside and has a harsh tone, but she is so playful that she often tells jokes that make it difficult to tell whether she is serious or not.

‘Of course it is. There is no way the employees would be dissatisfied with the administration.’

“But it’s true that there are complaints.”

“Yes..? Was it real? … Is it perhaps a work intensity issue? Or because the risk of industrial accidents is high..?”

“No. They are deep-rooted trees with their bones buried in the Bureau. I don’t care about personal things like the risk of industrial accidents or the intensity of work.”

“That’s personal? Isn’t it the most important thing?”

Kyra slowly shook her head.

“There’s only one thing they want. A special welfare exclusive to the Management Bureau that cannot be provided anywhere else. I’m hoping for a revival of welfare, Mr. Director.”

“……Haa.”

I felt drained.

I thought it was something serious, but it was just the employees’ obsession as usual.

“Director, it is impossible to revive welfare. This time, there will be real gratitude.”

“I know. So I refuse it every time.”

Director’s welfare. This welfare product, whose name alone is unusual, is the dark history of the management bureau and a product of madness, devised by Finance Director Tanya and the director together.

The planning intention itself, which was to cover the insufficient budget and foster loyalty to the company, was truly excellent. However, in reality, it was an unhealthy business that violated public morals and was disguised as welfare.

As a result, the welfare product ended up being abolished after receiving a correction order from the Audit Bureau.

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t heard it properly~. Director, what on earth is welfare?”

In response to Erica’s question, Kyra glanced at me.

“It’s a shameful past, but there’s no reason to hide it, so you can tell me.”

After I gave permission, Kyra said with a slight smile.

As if telling an interesting secret story.

“Director, there were many different types of welfare, but in general, it refers to the lottery product called ‘Gacha’ created by Director Tanya and Director.”

“Drawing? What are you picking~?”

“Director’s photo.”

“…Photo? I heard that it was abolished after receiving a correction order from the Audit Bureau, but is it just a photo?”

“It wasn’t just a photo.”

“…Ah!”

Kyra didn’t bother to explain at length, and Erica quietly expressed her admiration as if she understood everything.

At the same time, the eyes of Sophie, who was quietly listening next to me… . It has become quite dangerous.

“Director’s photo!? Where can I get it?”

“Um, Sophie? Calm down.”

“I can’t calm down. I, I missed such an important opportunity. It’s the biggest mistake of my life… ..”

“It happened before Sophie joined the company, so it was a mistake… .”

Sophie sits down in despair.

Kyra approached Sophie.

“Sophie. It’s too early to despair. It’s still being traded secretly among employees.”

“Yes? Is it still trading?”

It’s been several years since gacha was abolished, but photos are still being traded.

I always think about it, but the management bureau staff seem to be frighteningly sincere when it comes to matters related to the director.

“Black market… . Yeah, good. I will collect all the photos.”

“The resolution is good, but it will be quite expensive. More than you can imagine. Are you okay?”

Sophie looked at Kyra with solemn eyes.

“You can break the savings.”

“Ahaha~. Sophie, didn’t you say it was wedding funds~?”

“I just use it for more important things.”

I don’t know how on earth collecting photos could be more important than getting married, but nothing I could say seemed to make sense to Sophie, who was so determined.

“For your information, I collected 100%. All the rare photos.”

… How much did Kyra spend?

“Rare? I don’t know what it is, but it seems huge. Kyra, can you show me? I’ll just take a look. It’s my life’s wish.”

“Just showing it is no problem. Come to my room after work.”

“I love you, sister.”

Kyra and Sophie shared a warm hug. In the middle of the road.

I could feel the stares of passing employees, but since their antics were famous even within the management bureau, no one seemed to pay much attention to them.

“Oh! It’s disgusting. I want to see it too.”

“I’m worried. Erica is so soft-spoken that the director might catch her.”

“I’ll keep it a secret! Huh~? Unnie Kaira~. I’m curious why seniors are so obsessed~.”

“It must be kept secret. Because you are now an accomplice.”

“Wow~.”

Erica, who had joined the secret photo club, quickly ran over and hugged the two.

“……”

After that, the three’s eyes turned to me.

“Now that I think about it, there was the most dangerous person. Mari is going to tell the director her account password.”

“Yes? Me? Anyway, it’s not that bad.”

Kyra’s point was so absurd.

Anyway, they tell me the account password.

Common sense tells us that there is no way the director would need my account password. Therefore, there will be no situation where you will have to reveal your account password to the Director.

“Still, I’m anxious. So, I have to make Mari an accomplice too.”

“That’s… . Are you saying you’ll include me too?”

“Yes. Aren’t you curious too, Marie? It’s the director’s rare photo collection.”

“…….”

“You can be honest. It’s between us.”

“Phew… . all right. However, I think I’ll be working overtime today as well. Is that okay?”

“It doesn’t matter. If you’re Marie, you’re always welcome.”

On the outside, I acted as if I had no choice but to match Kyra, but in reality, I have no reason to look at Kyra’s collection.

I had received all kinds of sample photos in the name of pre-inspection.

The sample photos include not only those available on the market, but also those that were excluded during the inspection process due to various issues, so in reality, Kyra’s collection is just a subset of the photos I have.

Of course, this fact has been kept completely secret. If I make a mistake, the employees’ madness could turn towards me.

Therefore, I had to perform a double act, pretending to be interested but pretending not to be, and acting like I had no choice but to join in.

If you blindly decline, the quick-witted Kaira might get suspicious.

‘…But is 100% possible? ‘I understand that no one has picked the ultra rare card.’

Even photos that no one has chosen can be obtained on the black market. What on earth is going on in the shadows of the management bureau?

A chill ran down my spine at the thought that it might be more than I imagined.