episode_0013

The sweet weekend passed, and Monday, the day of work, dawned again.

As usual, I shared breakfast with Taeyang and headed out of the house.

“Ugh… After being tormented by Sebit yesterday, my whole body aches…”

Not to mention that it ended with a kiss… Lately, unbelievable things seem to be happening too often. Maybe my brain can’t keep up.

Where does this uncle find something good about Sebit… He should learn to look at men differently.

I’m worried that bad guys might take advantage of such innocence.

Lost in various thoughts, I arrived at the company before I knew it.

Hmm… Come to think of it, I always used to see Manager Choi around when I arrived. Is he not here today?

Looking around,

“Sigh… Doesn’t seem like he’s here today.”

Ever since that drinking session, it’s quite scary how he looks at me disapprovingly whenever we make eye contact…

Did I make a mistake back then…?

From what I remember, there wasn’t any behavior that could be considered rude… We simply enjoyed drinks together, ending with a hot bowl of soup to soothe our stomachs.

Hmm… No matter how much I think about it, it’s puzzling…

…I don’t know! If I keep thinking like this, I’ll ask later!

“Good morning, everyone!”

“Good morning, Manager Kim!”

“Did you rest well over the weekend?”

“Haha, everyone looks so energetic. Let’s do our best today too!”

Exchanging cheerful morning greetings with colleagues and taking my seat marks the beginning of my workday.

…Or it should have been the start, but I notice a familiar face after a long time.

“Oh..? Deputy Baek, is your vacation over?”

“…Yes, Manager.”

“I heard you went to Hawaii and back…? So jealous~ I’ve only seen it on YouTube. I also want to go there and heal myself.”

“Uh… No… It wasn’t as fun as you think…”

“Maybe it’s because Manager was not there…”

“Huh?”

“What did you say?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“Oh… I brought a gift for you.”

“Wow~ Thank you so much, Deputy Baek. I thought you might forget about my gift. I’m touched.”

“I’m glad you like it… It’s a relief.”

Baek Eun-seol,

A person who appears timid to the point of being reserved. A rare sight in Korea, with her long blonde hair cascading down. Distinctive features, a prominent nose, apricot-colored lips, eyes twice the size of mine, striking and clear, giving her an elegant feline-like appearance overall.

She could easily pass for a top celebrity or actress; a flawless beauty whom you could slap across the face without hesitation.

Rumor has it she’s of foreign descent?

Her exotic appearance mixed with Korean features gives off a mysterious vibe.

If there’s a flaw, it’s her personality, as mentioned earlier.

While her first impression is lively and her face seems trustworthy, a little conversation quickly reveals misunderstandings.

She stumbles through words to the extent where you’ve never seen anyone struggle to speak smoothly.

She doesn’t realize that her odd behavior stems from her personality…

In a way, it seems fair that God distributes traits like this evenly.

“…Manager…”

“Yes?”

“I brought lunch again this time… but it seems like too much… If you’re okay with it…”

“Oh, really? Come to think of it, Deputy Baek, you haven’t had lunch in a while~”

“But isn’t it too much for you to handle? I enjoy eating delicious food for free, but…”

“Hehe… No, it’s fine. I would just throw it away if I couldn’t eat it anyway… Since you enjoy it, I’m happy to share it with you.”

“In that case…”

For a brief moment of lively conversation between us,

Something interrupts from behind.

Slap!

“Manager~!!”

“Ugh?! Deputy Choi, I told you not to do this kind of thing..!”

“Oh~ Manager, you’re so sensitive. Are you getting worked up over a junior showing some aegyo?”

“It seems like everything you do is overly sensitive…”

Sudden skinship left Minsu flustered as the gazes of two women met.

“…..”

“…..”

“Oh..? When did you arrive, Eunseol? I haven’t seen you in a while~ Thought you quit the company or something.”

“….Mina, too… Seeing your cold jokes and… teasing makes me feel relieved that you’re still the same…”

Sigh-

What’s going on?

Why is the atmosphere suddenly like this?

They seem close, but whenever they meet, it’s like this.

Even though they’re colleagues, they can’t get along well… Sigh.

“Ahem!”

“Alright, since we’ve exchanged pleasantries, let’s all go and start working.”

“Yes, Manager. See you later.”

“…Yes.”

Phew, barely managed to separate them… Seriously, seeing this kind of thing makes me feel like a child.

Just when everyone seemed at ease,

As if there was something left to say, Eunseol turned to Deputy Baek and spoke to Director Choi.

“Eunseol, I overheard you talking with the manager earlier, seems like you packed lunch… That’s great! I’m also trying to save money, can I join you?”

“Well, I can’t help it… Unlike others… my mistake is making food taste good… And… since Mina eats a lot, the food expenses will be huge…”

“Hehehe.”

“…”

Scary…

Time passed, and it was lunchtime.

“Manager Kim, are you not eating out with us today?”

“Oh, yes, Chief. Deputy Baek brought packed lunch today, so we’re planning to eat together.”

“Oh, Manager Kim, I didn’t expect you to be that popular. Envious, envious~”

“Haha… Enjoy your meal.”

“Alright then! Let’s go out together, those who are left! How about oxtail soup for lunch today?”

Ignoring their colleagues’ envious looks, they all left the empty department.

Including me, three of us settled in the empty meeting room, preparing to eat lunch.

Hmm~ The spicy pork I had last time was really delicious. I wonder what they brought today..?

Just as I was mildly curious,

Thud!

A hefty package appeared on the meeting table, shaking it.

Upon opening the package, a five-tiered lunchbox straight out of an old comic book was revealed.

W-what is this?

“I made all of this by myself…?”

“Deputy Baek…? This is too much, I don’t think I can finish it…”

“…No, Manager… I just… have big hands, so I ended up making… a bit too much…”

…A bit?

“And also… since you always enjoy my cooking… I felt happy making it… and thought… it turned out like this…”

Deputy Baek’s cooking skills were so good that I hurriedly started eating, but… Am I watching a mukbang?

Well, if Taeyang also enjoys my food, I would feel proud and fulfilled as the one who cooked it, so I understand that feeling.

“Hmm~ No matter how good you are at cooking, isn’t this amount impossible for one person? Did someone help you or something? Hehe?”

“?? Deputy Choi, please don’t say things that make me feel embarrassed…”

Flinch.

“Huh?”

“…It’s nothing. More importantly… I tried to include the dishes you like… Please try a bite. Here you go~…”

“Huh? Oh, I guess I can try…

“…Ah~…”

“…”

Feeling an intense pressure akin to pins and needles on his skin, he realized it would be risky not to eat it..!

“Okay… I’ll just eat it boldly…”

Although it’s a bit embarrassing at this age, Deputy Baek’s presence is more intimidating, so he decides to eat it as it is.

Crunch!

“Nyum nyum.”

Deputy Choi, looking like a hamster stuffing its cheeks with sunflower seeds, continues to eat eagerly.

“…Gulp.”

“Oh~ It seems like you don’t want to eat it, so I ate it instead.”

“Eunseol, can you give me some too? ㅎㅎ Once I took a bite, I kept wanting more.”

Chomp

A fierce, unfamiliar look of rivalry in Deputy Choi’s eyes now.

Shooting fiercely as if lasers were coming out of their eyes.

This is how women fight..!

Meanwhile, while the two are having a catfight to win over a rival,

A man is filming himself enjoying a delicious mukbang.

“Hmm… It’s delicious… Saving money and eating tasty food at the same time!”

Realizing that they are in the midst of a fierce eye-contact battle, which takes one’s breath away,

It was a difficult task for the clueless uncle who missed the subtle cues.

.

.

.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now, Manager Choi, Assistant Baek. See you tomorrow~”

“See you tomorrow~”

“…Goodbye.”

After finishing their day’s work and parting ways at the crossroads, the three individuals

As always, alone, Baek Eun-seol could be heard walking home in her high heels…

…Hesitating

Eun-seol, after parting ways with her companions, looks back

After confirming once again and realizing that no one is following, she turns into a side alley instead of continuing on the main road

The place she arrives at is a quiet street

“Sigh….”

How many minutes passed while standing there

As if waiting, a limousine approaches

With an emblem resembling a person leaping like a bird attached firmly to the front, as if saying, “I’m a luxury car~”

Without being flustered, Eun-seol naturally enters the back seat

Upon boarding the car, the driver promptly greets her

“Miss, you must have worked hard going straight to work after your vacation.”

“….Yes.”

“Where to? I’ll take you there quickly.”

“….Just home today, please.”

“Sure… Oh, by the way, the chairman seems curious about your work life and wants to chat about it. How should we handle that?”

“…Anyway, I’ll have to meet him… He’ll probably tell me to quit this job and join his company…”

“How long will he keep coddling me… I can manage my own life…”

“For now… I’ll talk to my father separately about the job… Please start driving.”

“Alright, understood.”

After exchanging minimal words, the driver focuses on his duty again

Through the window, the bright lights of the city and the colorful neon signs illuminate the inside of the car

In the illuminated world, Eun-seol contemplates her resentment

“Damn, that fox-like woman dares to… constantly interfere…”

“The manager might clash with a low-born like you… People meet according to their status.”

“A woman who doesn’t know her place.”

…Contrary to Minsu’s hopes, it seems quite difficult, if not impossible, for the two to become close.