011. Interlude (1)
Kim A-ram, doxxed on Sema Gallery and hit with a cyber lynching, was curled up like a caterpillar under her blankets, gasping for breath. Humans... society... I hate it... The world's abandoned me...
In truth, Kim A-ram's mind was remarkably resilient and strong. Honestly, this level of damage—wasn't it her parents getting flamed, not her?—wouldn't even leave a scratch. But feeling down, she wanted to indulge in some fashion-level depression.
It wasn't just the internet tormenting her.
"Eeeeek!"
She checked her phone. Just an ad text this time.
"Hic... huuuh..."
Phone addiction was a serious thing. Turning it off after checking ads would help her mental health, but she couldn't ignore yesterday's dark message. Like someone facing Pandora's box, Kim A-ram slowly slid her finger down.
"Ugh... huuuh... ugh..."
A-ram burrowed into the bed like a grub, avoiding her phone. But she couldn't escape reality.
[Ringing intensely]
"Hwaaaah!"
It felt like her heart plummeted. Clutching her head and trembling, she answered.
"H-hel... hello..."
"Hello, this is Detective Kim Ji-woon. A-ram-ssi."
"Eek... y-yes!"
Kim A-ram shivered as if already convicted.
"Why didn't you show for questioning yesterday? Should I contact your parents too?"
"Hic... hic..."
"Property damage—yes, that's the case, right, A-ram-ssi? Listen carefully. I've sent plenty of punks like you to jail..."
Her whole body felt like a desiccated mummy, blood drying up.
Eeeeeek! Kyaeeeeek!
"If you skip again, it'll go against you. The complainant already submitted evidence—it's airtight. Come in, say your piece, accept what you must."
"..."
"Sigh... I won't say more. You know fleeing means harsher punishment? You can't even leave the country with your passport."
"..."
A-ram sobbed messily on the bed. The detective hung up after his monologue, and she turned on the internet with her puffy face.
"Hic..."
She started searching.
That queen bee there was a lesbian, right...
She dove into the Lesbian Gallery, searching the most vulgar terms.
"Hic... huuuuh..."
...
Afternoon at Railroad Software.
Like any company, post-lunch was drowsy and lethargic. Maybe the early summer sun was too cozy, or food coma—whatever, the staff looked drained today.
Mostly 'cause the boss is gone.
Han Yu-ra had left for a meeting, leaving only four in the office: me, Shin Na-young, Yoon Se-hee, and Im Su-yeon.
I had to play leader.
Sigh... don't wanna.
I'm dominant-leaning, sure. But I've always hated leadership roles since kid days—like a thorn in my throat. Scolding or setting examples? Not my vibe.
Wanna hurry up and do an event with Yu-ra already.
But the world doesn't play nice.
Im Su-yeon, hunched like a squirrel, sneaked up like an assassin toward the exit.
...
I couldn't just watch.
"Su-yeon-ssi. Where to?"
"Eh...? Oh, just a smoke."
"Done everything President Han assigned?"
"...No. Working on it."
Im Su-yeon tsked irritably. I met her eyes calmly; she glared back with disgust.
Sigh... knew it'd be like this.
Im Su-yeon and I never got along. She was nice only after I got promoted—to snag scraps. But true colors don't change. Without Yu-ra, she showed her dislike fast, now just tolerating me with drop dead faces.
I told her:
"No thought to finishing quick? Open beta's soon—we gotta pull characters. Need originals fast for meetings, but design's dragging."
"A-ram-unnie left, so I got nothing to do."
"Not true. President Han did all the planning."
"Tch... doesn't know art..."
She clicked her tongue and left. Everyone eyed her uncomfortably, but contract-end Im Su-yeon didn't care.
Yeah. Short-term contracts let you act lawless.
Sigh... contracts...
Moment of clarity on why full-time exists.
Anyway...
Looking at Yu-ra's hires, few were solid. Kim A-ram: genius planner, trash personality. Im Su-yeon: viciously selfish.
To lighten the mood, I stood and approached Yoon Se-hee.
At least she's good.
Despite comms issues, five phones on her desk, diligently managing gallery quality. Shaping opinion ain't easy, but Se-hee-ssi flew through like a pro.
I grinned dad-style.
"Se-hee-ssi. What's this?"
"E-eh? Eeeh... Th-this is a burner!"
Asking about the phones spooked her bad. Shoulda been gentler? But my smile eased her; she blushed happily.
Really...
I looked at her.
Impressive.
Yu-ra's only normal hire? Talking's hard for her, yet she works so hard. Proud.
"Se-hee-ssi. Take good care of President Han."
"...E, y-yes..."
"Her college picks... sigh. Skilled, but personality-lacking. Someone normal like you would help tons."
She bowed shyly. So pure and bashful—company needs one like this.
"So, I'd love if you extended your contract. You know—no normals around Yu-ra."
"...E."
"But you're pretty normal."
"...Th-thank you for s-seeing me n-nicely..."
Yoon Se-hee's bright smile glowed in afternoon sun. Unlike her usual gloom, radiant. Made me happy too.
...
Lunchtime beer joint. Rustic with aged wood panels.
Lisa, across from Han Yu-ra, chugged beer.
"Yeah. Do threesome, man. It gotta be better than alright, okay?"
"Pardon?"
Han Yu-ra blinked like a Japanese lady. Some Vietnamese vid on "Eating Japanese Girls Easier Than Cake," but she wasn't cake-easy.
She parsed it:
Yeah. Do it. Threesome. It'll be good. Cool?
Stunned. Even abroad-educated—three people sex? Animals don't even triple-team. Anal's common in beasts, so threesomes must be barbaric.
"Why?"
"Listen."
"..."
Yu-ra sipped beer nervously. Tasted bitter today.
"No guy hates threesomes."
"No way."
Strong denial. All guys liking it? Just Lisa's study-abroad bias.
"Seong-u-ssi wouldn't."
Though dominant. Enjoys crushing, submitting, punishing women... but not threesomes. That's not lovers' stuff.
She blushed, wanting to bolt.
But Lisa cackled.
"Hahaha!"
"..."
Yu-ra got annoyed.
"Hahaha. Haha. Hahaha. Really think that? Really? Hahaha."
"..."
"Hahaha."
Lisa laughed bright—bold brows, wide mouth, neat whites like cartoon. Contagious, but Yu-ra hated it. Intensely.
She mixed casual:
"Stop laughing. Unnie."
"Okay."
Lisa caught breath.
"Look, Yu-ra. Dunno if my view's weird... but sex is everyday. Strangers on street can fuck if one wants. Motel, done."
"..."
Yu-ra's heart sank. (G-cup didn't shrink, but yeah.)
Might be true. Cultures vary on sex taboos/formality.
"Sex doesn't lead to love."
Im Seong-u... probably thinks that.
Her face darkened.
"But regular sex does. Yeah. Lotsa sex makes love. Okay?"
Shocked by the crass materialism. Didn't wanna see Lisa cheap, but Confucian girl shock.
"Your rival's... shit, sadly fucking Seong-u regular. To seduce, you gotta fuck too."
"..."
"But listen. From guy's view, which girl wins?"
"..."
Yu-ra listened intently.
"Girl A says let's threesome."
"..."
"Girl B: Eww, threesome's gross, cheap, dirty~ Then guy?"
"..."
"Think! Han Yu-ra! Think!"
Lisa poked her head, yelling.
"Sex with that other bitch—Na-young? Seong-u thinks, right?"
"What..."
"Sigh... Miss Yu-ra mentioned threesome last time... she hates it bad?"
Is Seong-u that cheap?
Yu-ra pondered. But Lisa had point. He's kinky (not pervert). Open vs. closed sexually? Guy picks open.
She got it.
Offer what Seong-u wants first... if Na-young hates, perfect.
She nodded.
But...
Can I?
Propose threesome to his face? She barely knows Na-young. Coworkers once, now rivals.
Above all... Han Yu-ra lacked courage to even talk to Im Seong-u now.
That's...
Too painful, she thought.