Photos Turned Out Well, Right? Su-yeon?
Photos turned out well, right? Su-yeon?
Trailing after the section chief and Ryu Su-yeon like some creepy stalker, the two of them emerged from the lobby cafe with coffees in hand.
"Eek."
They seemed to be heading my way, so I quickly ducked out of sight.
"Thank you... Section Chief."
"I bought it because you looked down, Su-yeon. But I can't just let someone who's thirty minutes late off without a scolding."
"Yes. I understand."
"Drink this and rest a bit before we head up."
The section chief patted Ryu Su-yeon's shoulder.
No way... Section Chief. Is that the image you project?
I'd figured she'd drag her off to some secluded corner, dredge up old stories one by one, and grill her mercilessly. This was unexpected.
If you can comfort a team member that kindly, why not do the same for me?
Now that I thought about it, I was getting a little pissed.
The two sat side by side on a bench near the lobby, sipping their coffees.
I crept closer and eavesdropped from a spot out of view.
Passersby shot me suspicious looks, but I ignored them.
I'm busy with something important right now, so buzz off.
"Su-yeon. I hate to pry, but... is it a guy problem?"
"...How did you know?"
"I'm no expert on romance, but I'm not clueless."
The section chief glanced at Ryu Su-yeon as she spoke.
Maybe she'd caught a whiff of my cum on Ryu Su-yeon and pieced it together.
"Romance? A boyfriend?"
"Not exactly a boyfriend... Hmm. More like... a guy I'm kinda into?"
"Not even a crush, but 'kinda into'? What does that mean?"
"I don't know. Even I don't know. Our relationship is just... ambiguous."
I'm no idiot either. This was definitely about me, nine times out of ten.
From Ryu Su-yeon's perspective, she'd hooked up with some faceless guy and fucked till morning, so yeah, her feelings would be all mixed up.
But at the end of the day, it was just a one-night stand between back-account randos.
Wasn't "kinda into" a weird way to put it? For a guy whose face she didn't even know?
"An ambiguous relationship, huh...?"
"It might sound weird to you, Section Chief. But... I don't really know his face well."
"You don't even know his face, and he's already won you over?"
"...Hmm. Not sure about that either."
What the hell am I supposed to do with that? I couldn't help thinking.
But the section chief nodded like she got it.
"That can happen. I get it."
"Really?"
"You just know by feel, right? Like, this guy can satisfy me..."
"...I think I know what you mean."
Nope, I had no clue.
"By the way, Section Chief... Um..."
"Yeah?"
"Is that person... Woojin?"
Seo Ji-ah flinched and froze for a second.
I couldn't see her face from behind, just her back.
After a long pause, Seo Ji-ah finally spoke.
"...No."
"It's not...? But I could've sworn it was you and Woojin..."
"No. Really, it's not. Su-yeon. Woojin is... different."
Seo Ji-ah trailed off, then whispered.
"...Just a bit different."
"Ahh."
...Come on, Section Chief.
Saying it like that was as good as admitting something's up.
Of course, even if there was, it was just a fuck-buddy thing with blackmail play.
If you're gonna deny it, deny it properly. Tsk tsk.
"Why'd you think that, Su-yeon?"
"Think what?"
"About me and Woojin."
"Ohh~. No, just... you two have been heading out together a lot lately, so..."
"...Really?"
Was it that obvious?
From the office view, it probably looked like the section chief and I were sneaking off alone a lot. We had come out separately, though.
Maybe Ryu Su-yeon was already suspicious of our relationship, so it stood out more.
I'd have to tone it down a... Nah, no need.
She'd be mine soon enough anyway.
"I figured you were always scolding Woojin 'cause he sucks at his job~."
"Woojin's work, huh."
"Right? Honestly. He's not even in the right major. Theater major or something?"
"Theater and Film."
"Ah, yeah. That's it. Huh? You know a lot about it, Section Chief?"
"...Just know my subordinate."
"Anyway, that guy. Even though he's my peer, he's kinda... low-tier? Lacking? I don't like him much. You probably get the vibe too."
This bitch.
Badmouthing me the second I'm gone? To the section chief, no less?
Still, she'd been warming up to me lately, so she'd shut this gossip down ri─
"...I get the feeling."
"Right?"
...You're agreeing?
Disappointing, Section Chief.
Looks like I'll have to drill it into her later who the real top dog is.
"As a man too... honestly, all the guys at our company are meh, but Woojin? No respect at all. That's the vibe."
"Respect?"
"You know, if they had one impressive thing, you'd go okay, credit there. But nothing."
"Hmm... Yeah?"
Seo Ji-ah seemed to ponder seriously, then murmured softly.
"...I think he has something."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Talking to myself."
Seo Ji-ah cleared her throat and turned away.
What about me does she respect?
...I had a vague idea.
I glanced down at my lower half.
A passing ajusshi eyed me. What're you staring at, old man? He turned away sharp when I glared.
"Anyway~, guys like Kang Woojin aren't my type. Ah, too crude for in front of you, Section Chief?"
"...No. It's fine. You can feel that way."
"Right? Knew you'd get it. Ahh, seriously. Average face, average height. Nothing impressive, so you just end up looking down on him."
"...Don't be too harsh."
"Huh? Covering for him? No way, Section Chief. You into that type?"
"No. Just don't want team friction."
"Hmm... If you say so. Anyway, Section Chief..."
"Let's head up, Su-yeon."
Seo Ji-ah shot to her feet.
Her coffee was finished; she tossed the cup gently into the nearby trash.
Coming this way? I darted to another blind spot.
The two approached after tidying up.
"Ah... Section Chief, you're not mad, right?"
"I told you, no. Don't overthink it, Su-yeon."
"Really? Phew. Good."
"Still, don't badmouth people. Someone might overhear─"
Our eyes met.
Not that I'd failed to hide—I'd made sure they saw me.
"W-Woojin?"
"Ah. Section Chief. Su-yeon."
I called out casually.
"Did you... hear everything?"
"Hear what?"
"Nothing! Absolutely nothing."
Ryu Su-yeon played it cool quick.
"What brings you here, Woojin? It's work hours."
"Oh, I had some business with Su-yeon. Heard she was down here."
"...With Su-yeon?"
The section chief glanced at Su-yeon.
Ryu Su-yeon mouthed me? and pointed at herself.
Yeah. You, you bitch.
The section chief eyed me, then sighed.
"Fine. I'll head up first. Don't dawdle too long."
"Yes, Section Chief."
"Ah... Yes! Thanks for the coffee, Section Chief!"
Ryu Su-yeon switched to polite junior mode, bowing deeply.
Where'd that gossipy backstabber from earlier go?
We waited till the elevator doors closed on the section chief before speaking.
"...So. What's up? Woojin."
Damn, scowling and demanding right away.
How much does she hate me?
"Nah, work-related. Hmm. Not here—somewhere else?"
"...What is it? Make it quick."
Don't worry, I'll end it quick.
Meaning this bitchy attitude of yours.
I led Ryu Su-yeon to the back of the building.
Near the freight elevator, a dim loading area with no one around. Perfect for a smoke back in the day.
"Ugh, what is it? Seriously. Do we have to come all the way out here?"
"Yep. Only place we can talk."
"...?"
Ryu Su-yeon scowled, scanning me up and down.
"...That voice just now..."
"Huh?"
"Nothing. Get on with it."
"Just need you to review some photos for that report you asked for."
"Photos? Just send 'em from the office."
"No. Gotta check 'em here."
"...?"
I pulled out my phone, gallery open, and held it out.
"...Gimme."
Ryu Su-yeon snatched it, swiping through the pics.
The photos? Legit report ones.
But the gallery had last night's videos and nudes mixed in too.
Swipe like that long enough and...
"...".
Stop.
Her fast-swiping finger froze.
I played dumb, all casual.
"You said various angles, so I shot from all over. Any good ones? I can take more if needed."
"Ah..."
"Su-yeon?"
Swipe.
Swipe.
Swipe.
My words weren't even registering.
Ryu Su-yeon scrolled slower now, scrutinizing each one.
Her hand gripping the phone trembled; the swiping finger shook too.
I kept up the clueless act, calling her name.
"Su-yeon? Su-yeon?"
"...Ngh."
Her shaking finger stopped. She slowly looked up.
"...Yes?"
"What'd you think?"
"Th-think of what...?"
"The photos. Like you asked."
"Ah..."
Our eyes met; she whipped her head away. Face beet red.
I leaned in close, whispering.
"What do you think, Su-yeon? Of the photos."
Ryu Su-yeon's lips began to quiver.