chapter_0043

43 – Hey, Friend! Do You Know? On Halloween…

43 – Hey, Friend! Do You Know? On Halloween…

Seeing my junior trying to shove the cold fish-shaped bread from the floor into her mouth, I briefly wondered if it was too hasty to have shouted “You’re hired!” during the interview.

Well, maybe if it were somewhere without people.

In the lobby of a building where people frequently come and go, in the elevator hall.

“Three-second rule, right? It’s okay to pick it up as soon as it falls.”

“No. If I eat that, I’ll become a workplace bully. Give it here.”

“But, I’m sorry for eating the fish-shaped bread you gave me, senior…”

With no other choice, as soon as the elevator doors opened, I snatched the dusty fish-shaped bread and pushed her in with a body slam.

It was obvious that my small frame and weak strength wouldn’t be able to push her otherwise.

“Ouch.”

Seungyeon stumbled and leaned against the inside wall of the elevator.

I sighed and nodded to the security guard as an apology for the commotion before hurriedly getting into the elevator.

Drrr. Clunk.

The elevator slowly ascends to the 8th floor.

Seungyeon, leaning against the wall and glancing at me, mumbled hesitantly.

“I’m sorry…”

“No, thanks to you, I’ve become a bad senior who feeds fish-shaped bread that fell on the ground. What can I do?”

“No, that’s absolutely…”

“Quiet.”

Unlike before, my stern expression now had little effect.

The three people, excluding Gong Seung-yeon, during the interview were a good example of that.

No matter how much I frowned, squinted my eyes, or stared at them, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t smile back at me.

That bothered me so much that I hardly spoke.

Even the Boss seemed to have noticed, as he deliberately avoided talking to me during those interviews.

At least Gong Seung-yeon met all the conditions I wanted, which is why she’s here in this elevator with me.

“I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“No. You’re staring at me. It feels like something’s off…”

Maybe it’s that I’m too perceptive.

It’s better to be observant than oblivious.

But if this continues, I worry that Gong Seung-yeon might find it hard to work at the company and quit.

I can’t let her go back to being an ordinary worker after finding this MK-II.

I think I need to consider various ways to ease that tension.

Still, when the first batch of students talks, there’s a sense of camaraderie, so I hope that chatting while watching the broadcast later will naturally relieve the tension.

‘It’s not easy…’

How should I manage the junior staff?

I really don’t know since I’ve only lived as a junior.

After arriving on the 8th floor and handing Seungyeon over to the HR manager—who was going to explain everything about the employment contract and the onboarding process—I headed straight to the Boss’s office.

I was going to make coffee, but the Boss told me to just come in, which made me wonder if it was urgent. When I arrived, he said,

“From now on, you’re Majiya, the part leader. Here.”

She handed me my new employee ID.

[Majiya / Streaming Part Leader]

Me, a part leader?

“Me?”

“Yeah. Congratulations on your promotion. Majiya, part leader.”

Our company originally had 13 employees.

I had heard rumors that with the addition of three new members, three people would be promoted to part leader.

But I’m one of them?

I was completely taken aback.

Was my work worthy of being promoted to part leader?

“Is there even a reason for me to be promoted? I have one junior under me.”

“The finance team leader has two team members, including herself, but she still holds the title of team leader, right?”

“… That’s true.”

“It’s an HR decision because everyone recognized your abilities. So don’t feel pressured.”

Suddenly, I thought about salary increases.

Our company isn’t exactly wealthy, and we’ve always been walking a tightrope between employee costs and profits.

If I’m promoted to a higher position, my salary should naturally increase, right?

“If you’re thinking about money, talk to the HR manager later. It’s already been decided, so it can’t be reversed.”

“Dictator…”

I almost blurted out what the viewers call me on the broadcast without realizing it.

The perceptive Boss frowned and asked,

“Dictator? This time, I can’t give in, Majiya.”

“You look dignified like an eagle today too.”

“Yeah, my skills are top-notch today, right?”

The Boss chuckled and handed me a folder.

When I opened it, it was filled with recent advertising proposals.

One, two, three… how many are there?

“Thanks to your hard work recently, we’ve received a lot of advertising proposals targeting the first batch of students. It looks like we’ll have some financial leeway for a while, so don’t worry and enjoy your promotion.”

“Advertising doesn’t come in steadily.”

The Boss frowned.

“Hey. Just go. Hurry and see the HR manager.”

“But Boss, considering the future of our company…”

“HR manager! Here’s Majiya, no, take her away!”

— Yes, I’ll be right there!

In the end, it wasn’t long before the HR manager rushed over, gently nudging my shoulder and leading me to his office.

I shot a glare at the Boss, thinking, ‘You dictator,’ but he was too busy laughing.

No. Usually, he listens to everything I say, but today he’s really acting like a dictator.

What a ridiculous Parallel.

“Where’s Seungyeon?”

“The employment contract is all signed, and the operations manager will probably handle the basic company training all day. You can continue with your work until she comes to her desk.”

What’s “Jiapat”?

People really have a way of shortening names.

The HR manager soon handed me a document on an acrylic board.

“This is the new employment contract reflecting the salary increase. You’ve done this before, so you know? Just read and sign it, okay? The document behind it is for opening a corporate card, so fill that out carefully too.”

“A corporate card?”

“Yeah. You’re a part leader now. You need to have one personal corporate card. Return the shared corporate card you were using before. From now on, you can use your personal corporate card when you go out at night to resolve broadcast issues or when you need to move for the kids’ broadcasts.”

“Oh, okay.”

“It’s not like the limit is super high, so you can’t use it to buy goods or send super chats or donations. Got it?”

“I didn’t do that with the previous corporate card either.”

“Right, you’re smart. You understand everything with just one word.”

I focused on filling out the documents, thinking that if I kept indulging the HR manager, he would go on and on.

Employment contract.

This is the second time I’m writing it, and whether it was the first time or now, it’s still filled with difficult terms.

I trust the company and the Boss, so I’m jumping straight to the salary.

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

…

Article 6 (Overtime Work)

Due to the nature of the work, overtime work occurs regularly, so “Party A” will seek consent from “Party B” for overtime work (work hours beyond the regular working hours specified in Article 5), and “Party A” agrees to pay “Party B” for overtime pay (for extended, night, and holiday work) as specified in Article 7. (“Party B’s consent status (signature))

Article 7 (Salary Matters)

– Salary Amount

–
Base Salary (including regular work and weekly holidays): 2,612,500 won (209 hours/month)

–
Fixed Overtime Pay: None

–
Fixed Night Work Pay: 375,000 won (60 hours/month)

–
Fixed Holiday Work Pay: None

–
Overtime, night, and holiday pay: paid according to actual work

= Monthly Salary: 2,987,500 won

…

─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─

The salary stated in the previous employment contract was 2,509,500 won.

It jumped by nearly 500,000 won.

Just simple calculations show a 19% increase.

With the legal maximum of 52 hours per week filled with weekends, holidays, and night shifts, there will often be days when the statement shows close to 400 hours.

Moreover, these days, I receive bonuses every time I appear on a broadcast, and in October alone, I received nearly 1.5 million won just in bonuses.

… Did they raise it too much?

Is this what part leaders usually earn?

I’m glad that my hard work brought in a lot of advertising, but it should be that they raised my salary because the company has financial leeway.

The Boss, who is usually honest in front of me, is cautious when it comes to money, so I can only guess that it’s okay.

After quickly signing and submitting the documents to the HR manager, he asked me,

“Any complaints about the salary?”

“It’s a bit much.”

“Oh, as expected. The Boss told me to relay this message to you: ‘Take what you’re given.’”

Right.

If the Boss wants to give more, he can.

Then I’ll work even harder for the company.

Hatchlings, leaves, puddles, round faces.

I’ll lift the log a little higher.

You all pitch in too!

The money gathered will become original songs, cover songs, and new outfits!

“Here, take a copy of the contract. Let’s keep seeing good things, Jiapat.”

“Every time you say Jiapat, I feel like I’m turning into red bean paste.”

“That’s right. Koreans have a quick-tempered personality, so they have to call names quickly to make it lively.”

“I see, Manager Yeom—”

“Wow, it’s impressive that you can handle three syllables like ‘Hee, Seong, Gwa’ without a hitch. You really are a language expert. Got it, Majiya part leader. See you again.”

I’m confused, I’m confused.

The HR manager has a fierce face, but he’s a strange person.

I shook my head and returned to my desk.

“… Hmm.”

If I tiptoe a bit, I can see the Team Leader and Seungyeon chatting amiably in the meeting room.

Unlike the earlier tussle over the fish-shaped bread, they seem to be getting along well.

The Team Leader must have been managing people for a long time, as he seems to have already warmed them up.

‘Still, since she’s my senior, it’s right for me to take the lead.’

The only seniors I know are the Boss and the Team Leader.

Should I suggest we have dinner together starting tonight?

Since I can’t leave the office because of the Halloween special broadcast.

A pizza, which almost no one dislikes, would be a nutritious choice.

–

A few hours later, in the meeting room at the Parallel headquarters.

After finishing the basic company training, Team Leader Kang said with a satisfied expression,

“Surely, since you’ve learned, you understand quickly, which is great.”

“Thank you!”

“So, your favorite is Komari?”

“Yes!”

“Then, do you like cute people, by any chance?”

“Yes… Is that a bit strange…?”

“No? Who wouldn’t like cute things? Then our Majiya part leader must like them too?”

“Yes!”

At that moment, Gong Seung-yeon’s understanding of the hierarchy in the company was organized.

She was a rookie who could memorize the entire company organization chart, thanks to her parents, and she could at least draw the order from her position to the Boss.

‘Me, Jikwon D, Team Leader, and then the Boss.’

For now, Gong Seung-yeon felt relieved.

After all, she was confused about whether Majiya was at the executive level, department head level, or deputy level.

Knowing that she had a mentor and that there was a Team Leader above her brought her some comfort.

But isn’t it surprising?

Even though it’s not such a high position in the company, the fact that she came out for an interview means she’s receiving that much favor from the Boss.

I heard she joined Parallel as a former manager of Momo.

It seems she’s grabbed a golden lifeline.

“More than anything, I still remember how kind you were to me when I came in at dawn on the day of the interview! Thanks to you, I was able to rest comfortably and attend the interview!! I really think you’re a great person!”

Hearing that, Team Leader Kang burst out laughing.

“Was it you, Seungyeon, who came in at two in the morning?”

“Yes…”

The fierce energy that Team Leader Kang had been trying to maintain melted away.

The more she talked, the more upright and cheerful she seemed.

Her voice was a bit loud, but that’s something that can be improved over time, and Majiya isn’t the type to shrink away like a hamster just because someone next to her is loud.

‘If this is the case, there’s really nothing to worry about.’

I don’t know if Majiya is good at picking people.

Or if only such people gather around Majiya.

In any case, there didn’t seem to be a reason to hold onto her for a week.

Since the Boss’s top priority is for the two people who will work together to get along well and share their work diligently.

“I mainly accompany our kids when they go out, like to studios or labels. So, there probably won’t be many cases where you’ll work with me in the future. So, listen well to Majiya, part leader.”

“Oh, I see. But I’ll make sure to greet you every day!”

“Right. Even though Jia part leader seems meek, she has a lot of pride in her work and is quite picky, so don’t get on her bad side. Just work diligently, understood?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. Then let’s head back to our desks.”

Since Team Leader Kang thought that way, Gong Seung-yeon felt like she was a warm spring breeze.

Now, all she had to do was improve her relationship with Majiya for a smooth company life.

‘Ugh… about that fish-shaped bread earlier…’

I hope she’s not really mad.

I really wish she would smile and welcome me when we meet again…

“Did you come? Sit here. From now on, this will be Seungyeon’s seat.”

As Seungyeon wished, Majiya was smiling brightly.

She was cute normally, but she looked even cuter when she smiled.

I had to barely stop my hands from reaching toward her greenish hair.

Seungyeon sat down, gently wiggling her hips, leaning back against the backrest, and turning this way and that.

The backrest and the seat were perfectly supportive, making it very comfortable.

“This chair is super comfy.”

“It’s for long hours of sitting. I asked for the best chair.”

“Oh, the best welfare.”

“Right?”

Somehow, Majiya’s expression seemed better than before, and then she made a suggestion.

“And since we’ll be working together from now on, it feels a bit awkward still. How about we have dinner together later?”

If Majiya had been sulking, Seungyeon was planning to suggest dinner first.

Even though she had never experienced social life, she had plenty of experience catering to seniors during meals or drinking sessions.

But since Majiya suggested it first, Seungyeon was overjoyed.

“Wow. That sounds great. I’ll definitely join!”

“Well, since the kids’ Halloween broadcast is starting soon, we can’t eat out. We’ll just order in.”

“Oh. That’s still great. Eating while working at the company is a first for me!!”

The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.

Majiya subtly asked Team Leader Kang.

Since they were doing it anyway, wouldn’t it be nice to make it a team dinner?

“Team Leader, would you like to join us?”

“Huh? Should I? What’s the menu?”

“Pizza.”

As soon as she heard that, Team Leader Kang subtly averted his gaze.

“Oh, I just remembered that I have to pick up the kids today. I can’t make it. How about tomorrow instead?”

Majiya genuinely looked disappointed.

Team Leader Kang, with a worried voice, subtly asked Seungyeon,

“Do you like pineapple, Seungyeon?”

Seungyeon was someone who ate well without being picky.

However, she didn’t eat anything too sweet or sour.

Pineapple, being a sweet and sour fruit, was one of her favorites, whether fresh or canned.

“Yes!”

Majiya smiled even wider than before.

“Wow. You like pineapple?”

“Yes, yes! I love it!”

Team Leader Kang knew there was a huge misunderstanding between them.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

That Majiya part leader was a notorious pineapple pizza lover.

Most of the company staff liked Majiya, but at the same time, they were also taken aback by her peculiar taste.

A word from the author (author’s note)

To the readers, I present pineapple pizza as a heaping bowl of rice.