episode_0057

“Branch Manager, I…!”

“Huh?!”

The branch manager, who was standing next to the desk, hurriedly turned around and let out a strange scream.

Pure white panties visible under a loose blouse.

The panties were not able to go all the way up, and were hanging precariously, half-wrapping her pert buttocks. When I focused my gaze, I caught a glimpse of a black cat between the folds.

That’s definitely the guild mascot, Chuchu… .

“Ah, ah! Sorry, I’m sorry!”

thud!

I hurriedly closed the door to the branch manager’s office that I had opened with great force.

“Haa… Haa… .”

Because of the surprise, the tension that had been tightly held snapped.

I just… feel like I did something ridiculous… .

In proportion to the hot breath escaping between my lips, my head began to slowly cool down.

“d, come in… .”

It was only then that I realized I was in big trouble and was fidgeting when I heard a small voice from beyond the firmly closed door.

“Yes, no!”

The answer is big.

“Hey… I made a big mistake! I will accept any punishment, but please don’t just fire me… .”

Apologies are quick.

“Oh, no… It was definitely my fault for not locking the door, so let’s just ignore it.”

Rather than the know-how of such a social person, I was able to be forgiven thanks to the branch manager’s generosity that was like the ocean.

As expected, she is the saint of Ist.

Behind her youthful face, which showed not a single trace of time, a brilliant light seemed to shine.

“I’ve been staying in the guild since yesterday, so I’m feeling a bit uneasy. So I took a quick shower and came out, but I never dreamed that the door wasn’t locked.”

The branch manager sat down on the reception sofa, adjusting his clothes. He kindly explained the whole story of how he ended up in this situation.

“But it’s fortunate. The person who came in was Lee Haru.”

“What does that mean… .”

It’s not like I can’t even guess what it means. If the person who came in was a male employee, it would have been even more difficult.

Thinking about it that way, my heart felt heavy, but when the branch manager specifically mentioned ‘Mr. Iharu’, I felt a lot better.

Then why did you say it was okay because it was Iharu?

“So, what is so urgent that you don’t have time to knock on the branch manager’s door?”

I couldn’t hear up to there.

Whether he didn’t hear me or was deliberately ignoring me, the branch manager poured water into a special mug and a paper cup and started talking about a completely different topic.

“Oh, it’s nothing else… .”

I didn’t think it was worth asking so persistently, so I got to the main point. In fact, this was a much more important topic.

“I’m going to give up on this promotion. I didn’t know that my acquaintance would be involved… .”

Perhaps because I was given time to catch my breath, I was able to continue speaking more calmly than I had originally planned.

But even as I spoke, my worries continued.

Giving up on promotion. Is this really the right thing to do?

Maybe it would sound like a bad thing to the branch manager and the president. Why would he refuse a promotion?

Of course, if I close my eyes here and get promoted, I will be able to live a slightly better life in the future. I will also have less worries when choosing meat at the butcher shop.

But will I feel at ease when I buy meat? When I receive my salary, eat with Mirae with that salary, and Mirae is suddenly delighted with such a sumptuous feast. Will I be able to proudly tell Mirae that I got promoted?

I didn’t have the confidence to do that. I’m just glad I didn’t cry while eating.

“You must have heard it directly from Chairman Lee Ha-neul. Well, judging from the fact that he requested Lee Ha-ru at this point, he must have been desperate to get caught. That person, even if he doesn’t look like it on the outside, is someone who secretly likes to show off.”

The branch manager answered nonchalantly as if it was nothing and handed me a paper cup.

The hot chocolate is still swirling around. The sweet and warm steam rising up brings a strange sense of stability.

I nodded, holding the paper cup with both hands, and was lost in thought for a moment.

But the conclusion was, ‘It’s not because I wanted to get caught.’

‘Mr. Chairman… I didn’t become close to you because I wanted this kind of privilege… .’

‘I know. It’s just… .’

‘Sorry, I’ll go to the guild.’

The chairman’s blue eyes that I had seen before running out of the company. The eyes that had always been straight and clear were shaking violently.

It was a commotion caused by an unexpected situation, and it was a moment when the Chairman’s strong mask cracked.

Clearly, the chairman himself must have thought that it was something that should not be done.

“Mr. Iharu, a request is a request. Once you take on a task, you have to complete it.”

While I was lost in thought, the branch manager changed the focus of the conversation.

Lack of professional consciousness. Certainly my behavior today was emotional and immature.

I have nothing to say even if I get a severe scolding, let alone get my promotion revoked.

“Of course, it’s not that I don’t understand Mr. Iharu’s feelings.”

But the branch manager’s admonition didn’t stop there.

“Hmm… If you want to convince them, it would be better to explain the guild’s circumstances first.”

The branch manager, who chose the carrot instead of the whip, confessed that he had been in contact with the chairman.

“We have been building friendly relations with the relocation group for quite some time. In fact, the help of private companies is essential to maintain the guild.”

A realistic financial issue that I hadn’t even considered. I remember seeing a column somewhere that said that the guild’s position was gradually decreasing as the balance between the number of heroes and the appearance rate of demons was broken.

“But this promotion was just a coincidence. I highly evaluated Iharu’s abilities during the grading process.”

The branch manager said this and walked towards the desk.

And I came back with a few papers in my hand, which were the evaluation forms I had used when I was judging grades.

“This is….”

“Yes. I’ve reviewed countless evaluation forms, but this is the first time I’ve seen one this densely written.”

It wasn’t just the evaluation I wrote, it was the one I brought.

The other examiners’ evaluations, which followed the branch manager’s hand and passed over, were mostly so full of blank spaces that I felt ashamed of the byproducts of my excessive enthusiasm.

Even that Justice evaluation sheet.

“The hero’s abilities vary greatly depending on each individual’s usage. This means that there are few factors that other people can interfere with. That’s why we only focus on the grade check that can objectively display the indicators.”

I guess I was being sarcastic. After all, even the same abilities can look completely different depending on each person’s experience or inclination.

“But after looking at Mr. Iharu’s evaluation… I thought it would be okay to include a little bit of advice.”

But the branch manager didn’t call it a nuisance.

“Especially for young heroes who are just beginning to develop their abilities, the insight and advice of those who have gone before them will be invaluable.”

Rather, he went so far as to praise the actions that could have been stopped in their tracks by wrapping them up in beautiful words.

“To be honest, I’m in love with Mr. Iharu.”

“Bar, half… Yes?”

“Ah, in this case, is it called being stuck?”

When I asked in confusion, the branch manager corrected me wittily and organized the evaluation forms that had been spread out on the table.

“Anyway. The boldness and sense of justice you showed in the examination room. And the meticulous and kind heart. And you also have the appearance of a hard worker. Wasn’t it hard to write the evaluation form?”

“I went without hearing any explanation… I just thought that was the way it should be done… .”

It’s not modesty, it’s the truth. If I had heard in advance that no one would write a review, I would have definitely left the review section blank.

“If you force something like Iharu’s evaluation, someone with a hasty personality will probably throw a tantrum and throw a tantrum, like Blaze. Um… Yeon.”

Yeon. You’re probably talking about Hong Yeon, Blaze’s real name. In any case, they’re the same person…

A bitter smile appeared on my face at the branch manager’s joke.

“I really appreciate your positive evaluation, but… I still have to give up on this promotion.”

No matter how much the branch manager thought, I didn’t want to take this opportunity.

A dark, uneasiness that has settled in my heart. Only time can make it go away.

“Is it a matter of mood?”

“… It may seem pathetic, but.”

“Hmm… Is that so.”

The branch manager didn’t deny it. Of course, it would be pathetic to look like that. If you get promoted at a young age, the first digit of your pension amount will change.

“But there are no seats at the reception desk right now? A new employee, Kim Min-ji, has just joined, and the person scheduled to retire is still working until tomorrow.”

Instead of answering, the branch manager smiled brightly and reminded me of the shocking reality.

Kim Min-ji, who was taking up my seat in the morning. I tried to forgive and move on from her past mistakes, but I just don’t feel like doing that now…?

“So, let me make a suggestion.”

As I was sharpening the blade of revenge, the branch manager straightened his index finger.

“Please come to work tomorrow. I think Iharu-san will be in dire need of your help. Okay, let’s go… .”

─ Chuchu, magic cat Chuchu, Chu in your heart! Sneeze, Achu!

At that moment, a cheerful ringtone came from the branch manager’s cell phone. The caller was Chairman Lee Ha-neul. It was a chairman I knew well.

“Awwow…! This is a struggle to show my loyalty to the guild… .”

The branch manager dropped his phone several times as if he was handling a hot potato, then finally picked it up.

I’m so embarrassed that I feel even more embarrassed…

“Yes, yes… . Oh, that! I’ll change it to the Chuchu bell sound too! The Chuchu Ultimate Revolution opening that just came out! I know that song too!”

Why do I know? Because the coloring set on Hanna Yeon’s phone is ‘Sneeze is Achu!’ from the opening of ‘Magical Cat Chuchu Ultimate Revolution’.

As I shouted in an exaggerated tone for the branch manager who seemed to be drowning in shame, the branch manager stepped away from me and answered the phone.

Was my reaction a little burdensome?

“Yes, Mr. Iharu…?”

The branch manager looked at me slyly.

And I nodded without knowing what was going on.

“That’s okay. Okay. I understand. Then I’ll send it to you tomorrow.”

It seems like it was about a request.

Of course I should go. I don’t want to maintain this awkward relationship with the chairman… .

“Yes. Yes, I understand.”

After exchanging a few more words, the branch manager hung up the phone and returned to the sofa.

“Please tell him I’m sorry for causing any misunderstanding. This is a big deal. That goblin-like Chairman Lee Ha-neul is already apologizing.”

What kind of person is the chairman usually? Is he always cold and businesslike toward everyone?

If that’s the case, I might be a little happy. The chairman’s wild and eccentric side is something only I and Mirae know about.

“Well, since that’s what happened, please bear with it a little. As for the promotion agenda… let’s put it on hold for now.”

While I was preoccupied with taking care of the corners of my lips that were twitching, the branch manager took a seat next to me instead of across from me.

“But I want you to know that neither I nor Chairman Lee Ha-neul had any bad intentions toward Lee Ha-ru.”

Maybe because I just came back from a bath, the faint scent of shampoo tickled my nose.

Platinum blonde hair as thin as thread. The color subtly changes depending on the angle of the light… It’s a bit pitiful for a person, but it’s definitely a mysterious appearance that doesn’t feel real.

If only they could do something about that annoying, clammy side that pops up out of nowhere, I could pick her as the most beautiful person I’ve ever met.

“Yes… Of course. And… I apologize for the inconvenience this time… .”

Leaving my impressions of the branch manager aside, I bowed my head in the still atmosphere.

“Mr. Iharu, can you give me your head for a second?”

“Head…you mean?”

And at the branch manager’s request, I brought his head back in its original, bowed state.

“Don’t be so sullen. I don’t hate honest people like Iharu who put their all into everything.”

My vision was filled with pure white light.

A warm light that seemed to flow in from another world, present yet absent.

The light streaming down from above my head spread widely inside the branch manager’s office like a firefly I encountered in the countryside.

“And… .”

While I was lost in the unexpected scenery, the branch manager’s characteristically annoying and clingy appearance began to stir again.

“Forget what you saw earlier. I bought it by mistake and I didn’t want to throw it away, so I forced myself to wear it. I really didn’t want to.”

An excuse so crude and so commonplace.

There is no way to confirm the truth, but it seems like a good match.

The sound of the Chuchu bell was like that too, so you didn’t have to make excuses.

“Ah, if I answer late, I think I’ll lose control of my ability. Maybe my ability will mess with Iharu’s brain and cause problems with his hippocampus!”

Hippocampus. A precious organ responsible for memory.

This person… is a saint, but she’s trying to physically erase my memories… .

“Ah… What was it? My memory isn’t that good… . If you don’t mind, can I ask what happened?”

There’s nothing I can do. Even though my illusions about the saint have been shattered, I have no choice but to give in to her in order to survive.

“I also like people who are quick-witted.”

Fortunately, the branch manager took his hand off my head with a satisfied smile on his face.

Okay, let’s make a note of that.

The branch manager is an old maid who likes to wear Chuchu character panties… … .

And so very kind.