This is the Shithole! ~Hope Arc~ (5) The Day Drinking Soju with Super-Hyper Shin Na-young
We stepped into the barbecue joint. Drunken office workers swayed under the flickering lights, and pork belly sizzled on the grill, filling the air with its savory aroma. Being able to booze it up freely even on a weekday like this—that was the perk of unemployment.
Shin Na-young poured soju into a clear shot glass.
"Hah, fuck. I applied for this company interview and I think I'm gonna bomb it... What do I do?"
She filled it right to the surface tension limit, then lifted it with precise technique, demanding a toast. She'd clearly put a lot of effort into this interview.
"Seong-u, give us a toast."
"To the sparkle in your eyes."
"Cut the crap."
"What, you moron."
We clinked glasses. Naturally, a bit of soju spilled over, but we weren't the type to sweat the small stuff like that.
"Hits the spot."
"Right?"
"By the way, which company was the interview for?"
"Oh, that one?"
Shin Na-young's mouth fell open.
"Railroad Software."
"Huh?"
Why the hell was that name coming out of your mouth? I looked around in bewilderment. Was this some hidden camera prank? Was Han Yu-ra lurking nearby, watching us? Nah, it wasn't that.
"Why? Isn't that where you used to work?"
"Yeah. I told you about it all the time."
"Oh. Kinda rings a bell?"
Super-hyper Shin Na-young had a habit of forgetting unimportant details amid her hyper lifestyle. So it wasn't surprising she didn't remember my company's name. Still, I double-checked.
"Isn't the CEO there named Han Yu-ra?"
Shin Na-young's eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"Oh! So you really did work there!"
It felt kinda weird. Two meaningful women from my life potentially crossing paths in the same space. But more than that, I had something to say.
"Na-young."
"Yeah?"
"I'm seriously recommending you don't go there. Not sure if you'll pass or not, though."
"...Why."
Her face flushed a slight pink. Her dark eyes had no double eyelids, but their sly, cat-like curve was plenty to captivate a guy.
"Honestly, I'll go wherever accepts me."
"..."
"Of course, I'll pick the one with the best offer."
If I'd never seen my childhood friend as a woman, that'd be a lie. I still harbored a bit of hope. I was just anxious about getting closer.
"But Na-young."
"Yeah?"
"Why'd you suddenly learn programming?"
Na-young gazed outside.
"I... didn't wanna keep living like this."
Shin Na-young had more years in the workforce than me. She'd graduated from a two-year college early and been working since childhood to cover living expenses. Restaurant gigs, art teaching, hospital admin—nothing she hadn't tried.
"Honestly, I hate studying."
"..."
"But if I run from it, I won't make money... You know? Now I'm trying to tough it out even if it's hard."
"I see."
"Programming doesn't suit me, but if I keep at it, maybe I'll become a decent dev someday?"
"Yeah, probably."
The world was tough. Prices kept rising, wages froze. "You'll never own a home" had become common sense.
"So I'm gonna grit my teeth and get in anywhere. They say the first step is half the battle."
"Just... if you get more than one offer, skip Railroad."
"Why? It's your old company. Did you fight with the CEO?"
Deep in my memories, the shit I'd tried to erase started bubbling up.
-Honestly, you don't do any work, do you?
After overtime.
-Please, just try doing something. Okay? You majored in programming in college...
While crushed by deadlines.
-Before asking for a raise, let's just finish the open beta first. Seong-u.
When I couldn't take it anymore.
I felt a little unhappy.
"There's a reason. You mad at that company?"
"Mad?"
Yeah. Pretty damn mad. No matter how hard I tried to forget or play it cool, some things stuck.
Kim A-ram always belittled me. Im Su-yeon was her lackey. Han Yu-ra was too naive, swayed by office politics.
Two years in the military were rough. My first startup in college was too. But that year at the shithole company was the rock bottom of my life.
The contempt I faced there, the treatment... That look from planner Kim A-ram, that bitch...
Workplace bullying for no reason.
Crack...
"Ah."
"Huh?"
The glass in my palm shattered. I stared at my hand, blood streaming out.
...
"You're insane!"
Under the stark white streetlamp, Shin Na-young stared at my palm wrapped in white bandages. We'd done first aid, but shards were removed and a few stitches sewn in.
"Seriously... No matter how pissed you are, smashing a glass? Mid-twenties, not even thirty yet."
Her eyes glared angrily.
What are you to me?
Buzzed on booze, I was lost in dumb thoughts, but she looked genuinely worried. It wasn't fatal.
"What are you? Out for revenge or something?"
"Revenge..."
I mulled her word. Revenge. Honestly, I wanted payback on Kim A-ram and Han Yu-ra. Even that annoying Im Su-yeon.
The company made games I loved, but it wrecked me just as much.
But revenge is inefficient.
Life's rules are hard to grasp. Hate something intensely, and you're bound to it.
I never wanted to hear "Railroad" again. I hated Han Yu-ra. I wanted to fight her, see her squirm. Same for the others.
But realistically, was there a way?
"Seong-u."
"Yeah?"
"...You really don't want me going to Railroad that bad?"
Her eyes were resolute. Childhood friend perks. If I said never, she'd drop it even if she passed.
But I didn't want that.
"Do what you want. Just... that company's no good, so watch out for that."
"...Okay."
Maybe the booze—her cheeks were flushed.
"Seong-u."
"Yeah?"
"It'll be fine. If I get in, I'll snag all their secrets on the way out."
"...Yeah."
And so the night passed.
...
A week later.
...
85 days to open beta. Not just CEO Han Yu-ra, but the staff were getting anxious too. Fail to launch in time, and investors would hound them in creative ways—nitpicking paperwork, micromanaging every move, constant nitpicking.
But lawsuits scared most. Han Yu-ra had bet her life on the open beta.
The problem? No hires.
"CEO."
"Yes?"
"Over the hiring?"
Kim A-ram said with a pitying look (eyebrows arched like inverted V).
Not comforting to Han Yu-ra.
"CEO, why not just pick anyone? They're all the same, right?"
"Yeah. Hire a girl. Girls."
Is gender the priority now?
Kim A-ram wrote good docs but often acted immature. Han Yu-ra sighed.
Probably only she cared about the company. Staff agreed to stock options, but no IPO yet—just a simple contract. No motivation. They'd lost initial passion, coasting on inertia.
"I like Shin Na-young."
Kim A-ram said; Im Su-yeon chimed, "Me too, Shin Na-young."
Han Yu-ra swallowed a groan.
"Why? She's from a tourism college, no relevant experience."
"...Other applicants are the same? Even programming majors sucked."
True. Programming majors applied, but showed less game dev talent than Shin Na-young.
"Right. Programming skills are all meh anyway! Judge by attitude!"
"Exactly!"
Im Su-yeon giggled in agreement. Han Yu-ra liked them but often wanted to smack their heads lately. And with three against one, persuasion was easy.
Fine. Between a true retard and a winning retard... pick the winner.
Suppose two people you love equally, but one has big tits, one small. Which? Kid body vs. mature woman? Obvious.
Pick small? ...
Anyway, Han Yu-ra thought similarly. Similar skills? Pick good attitude. Passion means faster learning, willing overtime.
Good. Go with her.
Han Yu-ra texted Shin Na-young to start this week.
Han Yu-ra gave a wry smile.
...
Shin Na-young bounced around sending texts. Wonder what face Im Seong-u would make knowing Railroad Software was her only offer. She decided not to dwell.
I'll work hard and make it good. That's Seong-u's revenge.
Today, she was in a great mood. Shin Na-young had mood levels: first was bouncy Shin Na-young—smiley, polite responses.
Second: super-bouncy—polite, agrees, hypes the vibe, total social butterfly.
Today, job secured, dev job of her dreams: ultra-super-bouncy Shin Na-young level.
Grinning ear-to-ear, she texted.
Im Seong-u took forever to reply.
Yeah, bad memories...
Just that short congrats.
...
With trembling excitement, she opened her new workplace door.
"Hello!"
"Oh, Na-young!"
Planner Kim A-ram.
"It's Na-young!"
Illustrator Im Su-yeon.
"Nice to meet you."
CEO Han Yu-ra.
And, "H-hello..."
Animator Yoon Se-hee.
Shin Na-young beamed and sat in Im Seong-u's old spot. It smelled like him, stirring odd nostalgia.
How many years have we known each other?
High school friends... about 10 years?
Bad at math, but she knew it was long, and he was precious.
I'll do my best, Seong-u.
Smiling, she said, "Boss! What should I do?"
"Review the code Seong-u was on first."
"Got it!"
She wouldn't slack—she plopped energetically into his chair, booted the PC.
Then, planner Kim A-ram spoke.
"Oh, Na-young?"
"Yes?"
"No coffee today?"
Do you say that to newbies? Even cheap coffee comes from her wallet.
Her mood dipped. She glanced around.
Kim A-ram looked pretty and sharp. Im Su-yeon cute. But an inexplicable unease hung in the office.
"Should I grab some now?"
"Nah, no need."
Kim A-ram's desk: stickers, dolls. Im Su-yeon's: idol pics.
Im Seong-u's: bare. Seeing it soured her mood more.
She wasn't super-hyper anymore. Just Shin Na-young.
CEO Han Yu-ra joked, "What're you doing, A-ram? Forcing coffee?"
"Hey! Just kidding."
"..."
"But Na-young, follow this."
Im Su-yeon said, "As newbie, come early, clean up. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Shin Na-young smiled brightly in reply.