Chapter 48 : The New Employee

We decided to handle the dubbing work at the studio and after drafting a simple contract, the meeting ended there.

Furthermore, perhaps because she took a liking to me, voice actress Oh Sena offered to help a lot with the dubbing.

Anyway, today’s work is done!

Just as I was preparing to leave after the meeting ended.

“Ms. Nammi.”

“Yes?”

Team Leader Choi Sungnam spoke up after pondering with a slightly serious face.

“Do you still have no intention of becoming a pro?”

 is the Team Leader also suggesting it?

Of course, I’m grateful for the suggestion, but I have no intention of becoming one.

” I like things the way they are now.”

“I see. Understood.”

“But-“

Nammi briefly recalled a memory from before.

When she met and competed against various pros.

When she devised and executed all sorts of strategies to beat the pros.

And when she finally reached 5000 points.

The result achieved after enduring hardships brought a catharsis she had never felt before.

‘If I were to participate in a tournament, could I feel that same excitement again?’

Nammi pondered for a moment before speaking.

“I would like to try participating in a tournament just once.”

That feeling back then was truly unforgettable.

Hearing my answer, Choi Sungnam simply nodded with a smile.

“I see. Understood.”

“If I get the chance, I’ll participate later. Well then, goodbye.”

“Yes. Take care on your way back.”

After Nammi left, Choi Sungnam was lost in thought for a moment.

An email had arrived from Volvord headquarters yesterday.

A massive Time Click tournament starting this year.

It was about the Time Click World Cup, held on a global scale.

Of course, the tournament itself is scheduled for the latter half of the year, and the players representing the country haven’t been selected yet.

“Sigh- It would be perfect if Ms. Nammi joined as the main dealer here·····.”

Well, contrary to his wishes, there was no information on how the World Cup representatives would be chosen, so he couldn’t just pick the players he wanted right now.

Regardless, since it’s a tournament hosted by headquarters, they had no choice but to follow headquarters’ guidelines.

Besides, there are so many skilled players, they can’t just pick anyone.

For now, it’s a story for the distant future.

Still, just in case.

If skill were the only criterion, she had a high chance of being on the selection list.

After all, she was a user acknowledged even by the pros.

I thought we were heading straight home in CEO Cho Ha’s car, but huh?

“Nammi.”

“Yes?”

“You have time, right?”

“Uh·····, yes.”

“Alright, then shall we go see how well our Nammi sings?”

Nammi was slightly flustered by this.

“You definitely said that would start next week·····-“

“I just want to see your level. If you’re good, it might finish in one go. Plus, there’s something else I want to show you.”

“Something you want to show me?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

And so, vrooom~ contrary to my expectations, the car headed towards the studio.

A few minutes later, after arriving at the studio and getting out of the car, Nammi entered the studio with the CEO.

“I think we came to the wrong place.”

“We came to the right place.”

Originally, this studio, despite its name, had many empty rooms except for the CEO’s office.

Even the largest space on the 2nd floor was so empty you could dance and run around.

But now, that 2nd-floor space had desks, chairs, and even computers.

It looked just like a scene from some company’s office.

Nammi looked at the CEO with trembling eyes.

At that, Cho Ha grinned and showed a faint smile as if asking, “How is it?”

Cho Ha said.

“It’s about time our Blue Art Studio started hiring employees.”

“A-are you really going to run it like a real company?”

“Oh dear, Nammi. What are you saying? Our Blue Art Studio was always a company.”

“Then those seats, don’t tell me?”

“They’re seats for the employees we’ll be hiring.”

“Wow·····.”

‘CEO.’

‘Are you really getting serious about this?’

“We’ll be recruiting 2nd generation members soon, and also hiring one manager. Well, even though I say that, we won’t hire that many

people. For now, about ? Seyun can’t handle it all alone right now. We need to distribute the work a bit.”

“Come to think of it·····, what does the manager do?”

“Hmm·····, planning, PR, finance, operations, etcetera?”

‘Is it okay to say this?’

‘To just blurt out what’s on my mind?’

“Uh, um, what’s wrong, Nammi?”

Cho Ha, having said it, also felt something was off and asked Nammi with an awkward laugh.

Nammi just spoke frankly.

“Are you perhaps an unscrupulous company-“

“Ahem, it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“Still, doing all that work alone must have been torture, right?”

“Do you really think Seyun did all that work alone? Of course, I helped too. Well, still·····, it was manageable back then, but not anymore.

Because of someone.”

With those words, Cho Ha glanced sideways at Nammi.

Nammi tilted her head.

Nammi pretended not to know and averted her gaze.

“I see. I don’t know whose fault it is, but I hope the manager can also work while getting some rest.”

“Why are you pretending not to know? I think you’re aware it’s because of you?”

 me? What did I do?”

“Our Nammi became so popular it spurred the studio’s growth? Naturally, Seyun’s workload increased too?”

“You’re the one who made the decision, CEO. I just think I gave it a little push.”

“This little rascal, trying not to lose even once in words.”

Just then, the door burst open.

It was none other than Manager Jin Seyun opening the door and entering.

“CEO. I’m here. Oh? Ms. Nammi, you’re here too?”

“Hello.”

“Good work, Seyun. So, the new employee?”

“Of course, I brought her. Ms. Songah, you can come in.”

“Ye-yes·····.”

Someone entered with a trembling voice.

“Ah, hello.”

A woman, about 160cm tall with a ponytail, bowed deeply towards the CEO with a nervous face and continued speaking.

“Um·····, I’m Hong Songah. Please take good care of me.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.”

It seems this person is the new employee who will be working at Blue Art Studio from now on.

Wow·····, our company has an employee now.

It felt somewhat strange.

As I stared blankly at her with such thoughts, did she feel my gaze?

Hong Songah’s eyes turned towards me.

And the moment she saw me, her eyes seemed to sparkle, looking at me with admiration.

It seems she realized who I was at first glance.

Well, hearing this voice, she probably couldn’t help but recognize me instantly.

I waited quietly for her to speak to me.

And as expected, she opened her mouth towards me.

“How old are you?”

“·····?”

“I have candy, want some?”

My eyes blinked automatically.

Did I hear wrong just now?

Swoosh– I shifted my gaze to the CEO and Manager Seyun; they were already covering their mouths, shaking and holding back laughter.

Uh, um·····, perhaps?

“What flavor candy do you have?”

“Uh, strawberry and grape.”

“I like grape.”

“Okay, here you go.”

I immediately unwrapped the candy Hong Songah handed me and popped it into my mouth.

As I rolled the candy in my mouth, I thought.

Hmm·····, it seems like she mistook me for a child due to my appearance and height.

But the situation is kind of funny, should I let her misunderstand for a bit?

Then the CEO spoke.

“Ms. Songah. You seem quite used to taking care of young children?”

“Uh·····, hehe, yes. I have many younger siblings. Is she perhaps the CEO’s relative?”

“Hmm·····, yes. In a way, she’s like a daughter to me, right?”

“Gasp! R-really? Wow·····, but she’s so cute. How old is she, perhaps?”

“Alright, Nammi. She’s asking how old you are. You should introduce yourself, right?”

At that, Nammi spoke in a very polite voice.

“My name is Ha Nammi, and I am 20 years old. I look forward to working with you.”

“·····???”

And with my answer, Hong Songah’s face froze.

It was like her brain had overloaded.

“T-twenty years old?”

When I answered again, Hong Songah froze once more with the same bewildered expression.

Hmm·····, maybe I should stop teasing her here?

However, contrary to my thoughts, the CEO and the Manager seemed to have no intention of stopping.

The CEO said.

“For reference, Ms. Nammi right here holds a higher position than our manager.”

“Director Ha Nammi. Have you eaten?”

“Meal? Hmm·····, I’m craving some Hanwoo beef today.”

“Hoho, as you heard, Director Nammi has a lot of money and is supporting our company.”

The moment she heard that far.

Ah, she broke.

An incoherent sound flowed strangely from Hong Songah’s mouth.