episode_0097

“My situation, you see. At least I consider it as the result of my choices.”

“What?”

“Of course, suddenly developing TS syndrome and turning into a woman was an unexpected misfortune.”

It happened one day without any input from my side.

“But the divorce is the result of my choices. So, I have to take full responsibility for it.”

I don’t necessarily think that my wife’s infidelity is solely her fault.

Usually, when a problem arises, as I mentioned before, unless it’s a sudden issue like TS syndrome, there is a clear cause and effect relationship.

So, my divorce, whether my wife is at fault or I am insensitive, there must have been warning signs, and I can’t deny my negligence in not noticing them and being careless until this situation. So, this is entirely my burden to bear.

But Kim Taehyun was different. He was just born into a wrong household. But can we really call that a mistake? I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Because if I did, then even what happened to Dayoung and Davin would become their fault.

Anyway, regardless of his own intentions, in the face of many events that unfolded that way due to his environment, I felt nothing but pity for the helpless Kim Taehyun.

“But Taehyun, that’s not true, right? And you’re still young. You can start anew anytime.”

“Of course, it’s not easy to just shake it off.”

“Moments where you have to face your past directly like today may suddenly arise.”

“It may be difficult to overcome it alone. No, it will definitely be difficult.”

“In this harsh world, it’s still livable, right?”

“So, what I’m trying to say is.”

I leaned towards Kim Taehyun and reached out my hand towards him. And gently placed my hand on his head, slowly stroking it.

“You’ve been through a lot until now. Growing up so well even in difficult situations, it’s truly admirable as an adult.”

Although he is 11 years younger than me, this young man who may seem more mature than me was quite impressive.

Feeling pity for him as he faced things he couldn’t handle and gave up things he didn’t have to, I also empathized with him as he struggled to overcome them.

Yes. In the end, this is just grooming between wounded individuals. Some may see it as ineffective communication between the weak, but isn’t that what it means to be human?

What? Who said I wanted to be stroked?

I’m almost 40, and if someone were to stroke my head, I might feel embarrassed and bite my tongue.

Anyway, thinking about how the age gap between Kim Taehyun and me matches exactly the age gap between him and our Dayoung, I might not be a child, but I could be like an older cousin to them. In fact, isn’t my younger sister Suyeon just 2 years younger than me?

Ah, thinking about it that way, she’s like a younger sister.

“Um, Manager. There are a lot of people here, so if you do this…”

He was subtly moving his body back as I stroked his head. But the slight smile on his lips didn’t seem entirely unpleasant.

“What’s the matter? I’m just like a younger brother to you.”

“Ugh, Manager. Your wording…”

“Why?”

“Even Manager Kim from the sales team said such things while stroking my butt… How disgusting must that feel.”

Ah, come to think of it, it could be like that. In a way, this could also be considered workplace sexual harassment.

“Haha, honestly, saying things like this makes me feel like a pervert, but isn’t it all about who says it?”

“What? Taehyun, were you also an outsider?”

Kim Taehyun tilted his head as if to ask what I meant.

“Appearance is everything, right? Isn’t that what our daughter used to call it?”

Either he was pretending to know everything as a young person, or he seemed like he would be really embarrassed.

“Oh, that? That’s right. Haha. But, Director, do you know that kind of talk too?”

“Why, shouldn’t I know that kind of talk?”

“It’s not that, but just… it’s fascinating. Haha.”

“Tsk, already treating me like an old man? I’m still young, you know?”

He said that with a pout, but the truth was that he had actually gotten younger, right?

“Well, it’s true that there’s no sense of discomfort at all just by looking at you.”

Should I be happy about this or sad? It’s nice to hear that I look young even when I’m nearing 40, but it’s not exactly a compliment.

“As long as it tastes good, isn’t that all that matters?”

“Isn’t that too results-oriented?”

“To be honest, saying this might be a bit unlucky, but…”

Kim Tae-hyun seemed to have something important to say, as he lowered his voice and slowly leaned his head towards me, whispering quietly.

“In my experience, being good-looking is the best.”

His casual mention of a famous movie line felt a bit audacious, but…

“I know. I was good-looking too.”

Again, I want to emphasize that the good looks of Dayoung or Davin didn’t just come from their mother. I was good-looking too.

“Tsk, that’s a bit…”

“Hey, come on. Have you seen me when I was young?”

Honestly, even though he hadn’t seen me for long, it’s a bit much to say I was good-looking until just 4 months ago. By the time he last saw me, I was boasting a dignified appearance that would make anyone envious.

But it seemed like he was more interested in my tone than the content of what I was saying.

“Oh! Director, swearing…?”

“Oh, sorry. Let’s just forget about that.”

I was originally known as a gentleman even among my colleagues with my considerate manner of speaking. Even with Kwon Sung-yeol, who could be considered my closest subordinate, there were few instances like this. Could it be that he was really starting to become friendly with me?

Well, I was a bit surprised and flustered myself, but Kim Tae-hyun quickly continued, clasping his hands together.

“No, it’s nice to see you like that. Haha. Since you always call me Tae-hyun so formally… when will you start calling me more comfortably? I used to think about that. But now that you’re treating me more comfortably, I actually like it.”

After he said that, I felt a bit awkward, thinking that maybe I had been too stiff.

“I’m sorry about that. It’s just my personality. Did I come off as too stiff?”

Kim Tae-hyun chuckled and replied.

“You did come off as stiff. It’s actually quite admirable. Other people, how should I put it… a bit…”

“Do they have a tendency to be a bit rude? Like Assistant Manager Kwon?”

They say that your mood shouldn’t become your attitude, but in reality, many people tend to show their mood through their attitude. Office workers should come to work clean and tidy.

Of course, Assistant Manager Kwon, despite his mood, generally gives off a rough impression, so he should be seen differently. But there are some people who have a tendency to be like that. Like that sales team manager, Kim.

“It’s a bit funny to say this in front of you, Director, but after working in society for a while, I’ve realized that not everyone is as different on the inside as they appear on the outside… Ah!”

He realized his mistake while speaking and quickly corrected himself, feeling embarrassed.

I looked at him as if I had caught onto something and asked, “Hmm, it seems like Taehyun, you have a big difference between your appearance and your inner self?”

“Oh, no. It’s not exactly like that. Ah, anyway! Many people say that personality is revealed through attitude. Yes, that’s what I wanted to say.”

And then he let out a sigh of relief as if he had lived through something.

Well, that’s a shame.

Well, anyway, to summarize his words, it would be this: People with a shitty attitude are likely to have a shitty personality as well.

Of course, such people are more likely to fall apart in group settings, but there are also many who survive through other means. Like through their skills, political power, or quick wit.

“It’s not entirely true, but I can somewhat relate.”

“But what about me?”

“What?”

“What do you think of me?”

“As I mentioned, I believe that attitude reflects one’s personality. You’re exaggerating, well, you’re quite gentle. Yes.”

“You don’t think it’s just superficial?”

“Oh, Dabin says that even at home….”

“Wait, hold on. You’re in contact with Dabin separately?”

Of course, I saw them exchange numbers not long ago, but I thought it was just a superficial act as usual.

“It’s just that, somehow, we ended up talking well….”

Avoiding eye contact like that, it’s definitely not intentional. It means there’s a purpose behind maintaining contact with Dabin.

“Hey, just tell me straight.”

“Haha, that’s right. It was more like a strategic move to understand our boss better….”

Was I the target?!

“You, you…!”

“Well, even if it’s for the sake of good conversation, it’s not a lie that we get along. Our hobbies and interests are similar, you know.”

Even though he says that, Kim Taehyun can’t look me in the eye until the end.

Spy. A spy has appeared!