A Windfall and a Shopping Outing
"Mmmh..."
A lazy Saturday morning at eleven o'clock. After checking the time on my phone screen with half-lidded eyes, I stretched leisurely on the bed and rolled over for no particular reason. When I raised the blinds and cracked the window open, a cool breeze added a touch of indulgence to the holiday laziness.
"Nyaung~"
'Master? No work today?'
A sultry female voice echoed through the narrow one-room apartment where a man lived alone. I wasn't particularly surprised. I simply looked at the black cat perched lightly on the bed.
"It's my day off. I think I had plans... but I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm not sure."
I vaguely remembered making plans with the Management Team Leader, but for some reason she hadn't seemed happy. If she contacted me, we'd head out right away. If not, I'd just laze around the house with Nero. Not that I had anyone else to meet anyway.
"By the way, Nero."
'...What?'
"Haven't you been keeping your distance lately?"
Instead of climbing onto my stomach or rubbing her face against me for pets like she usually did in the mornings, Nero simply sat on the bed and stared at me. Was it because I'd been too busy with work to play with her?
"Nyaa~"
'Curious why?'
"...When you say it like that, I kind of don't want to hear it anymore."
'Well, it's not like it's something I need to hide.'
"...?"
Her tone made it sound like there really was a reason, which honestly caught me off guard. I'd only asked casually, but apparently there was something behind it. Had I done something wrong?
'You smell.'
But the answer that came back was even more shocking.
"...Smell? I definitely showered before bed yesterday."
'Still, it's awful.'
"What kind of smell? I might have to go out today if I get a call."
"Nyaauu..."
Nero licked her front paw, deliberately drawing it out. I sniffed myself all over but couldn't detect anything particularly bad.
"I don't notice anything... Maybe because it's my own scent?"
'It's not your scent. It's like... a new smell, an animal smell... and worst of all, this fishy snake smell...'
"Snake...?"
'Anyway, it's seriously creepy. What exactly are you meeting outside? Are you safe?'
"Umm... probably?"
It was a little sad that I couldn't immediately affirm that I was safe. After counseling that lying teenage girl, I'd been getting regular mental checkups and treatment. On top of that, all sorts of dangerous beings were wandering freely around the facility.
"Still, Nero... are you worried about me? That's kind of touching."
'Who said I'm worried about you? If you get hurt and don't come home, I won't have anyone to feed me or give me baths anymore!'
Seeing Nero lash her tail and smack the bedsheets in agitation, I could only feel deflated as her diligent butler. How disappointing... She could at least say something nice to her hardworking master who earned her treats. ...Well, she's cute, so I'll let it slide.
"Anyway, it's fine. Making money isn't easy, after all... Oh."
Come to think of it, the President had said she'd deposit a bonus before the weekend. Maybe it was already in? The thought alone made my heart race. If she even told me to buy something nutritious... maybe she'd given me enough for medicine at least?
Forgetting everything else, I suddenly felt cheerful. I reached out, forcibly pulled Nero—who was trying to escape—onto my stomach, and picked up my phone. The balance...
"...?"
For a moment I thought I'd misread it. I lowered the phone, made eye contact with Nero who was quietly watching me, then looked at the screen again.
"This is..."
I stared blankly at the unusually long string of numbers.
[Balance: 200,515,570 won]
Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred thousand... million... ten million...?
"Huh...?"
"Nyaauu?"
"Ughk?"
...What exactly was I supposed to eat to deserve this? At first I was flustered by the unrealistic amount, then naturally came the joy. "I was wrong. I need to work harder. It's safe here. Our company is really safe." And then the doubt—could this really be real?
"Wait, but... did they send it by mistake...?"
Settlement error? Bank error...? Or was I still dreaming the sweet dream of weekend sleep? I didn't bother pinching my cheek to check. This was definitely reality. Yet with so much money suddenly in my account, I couldn't think of a single thing to do with it. The first thought that came to mind was what to eat today, which was rather sad. No... it wasn't sad. I didn't have time to be sad.
"Haha..."
I just let out a hollow laugh and stroked Nero's soft fur.
'Hey... what's wrong with you...? Master?'
Today, Nero's coat looked especially beautiful.
"Aww, my Nero... you're so pretty... I'll wash more carefully from now on, sorry?"
'Hey... why are you suddenly acting scary?'
"It's just... suddenly everything in this world looks beautiful."
'...Are you actually sick...? Do we need to go to the hospital...?'
I ran my hand from her head down her spine to the base of her tail—the spot she liked most—rubbing and kneading. Nero stopped protesting and surrendered herself to my expert touch.
'Uung... uhuunyaaa... You're... really good at petting... Nyaung...'
"Feels good, right? Me too. Hahaha..."
I was basking in the newfound realization that the world was far more beautiful than I'd thought when—
Ding—
A message notification dropped onto the screen I'd left on. After reading the short message, I quickly asked Nero for understanding and rushed straight to the bathroom.
'Come out in front of your house by 12.'
*Vrooooom—!!*
A bright red foreign car slid into the narrow villa alley with a thunderous exhaust note. 12:15. The car only appeared fifteen minutes after our agreed time in this alley where vehicles rarely passed. I was certain it was the Management Team Leader's car. And sure enough—
Screech—!
It came to a sharp stop right in front of me. The heavily tinted passenger window rolled down, revealing the Management Team Leader gripping the steering wheel with one hand.
"This area was new to me, so I was a bit late. Get in."
"Yes...!"
Even without seeing the prancing horse emblem on the hood, the sleek exterior alone screamed expensive. I dusted off my shoes and climbed into the passenger seat. After carefully closing the door and fastening my seatbelt, the car glided forward with a powerful roar. Even the scent of the leather seats seemed to warn me that this was a very expensive vehicle.
"Why are you so stiff?"
I flinched.
"Ah... You have a really nice car, Team Leader."
Part of my stiffness came from never having ridden in something this luxurious, but the biggest reason was probably the unpleasant expression I'd last seen on her face. Yet now she wore her usual cool, composed look—the same one she'd had when we went out with Harpy.
"Do you have a driver's license, Counselor?"
A license? I didn't think I'd ever need one since I rarely went out and the subway was always available. Besides, I couldn't have afforded a car anyway.
"I figured I'd never really need to drive, so I haven't gotten one yet..."
"Get one when you have time. You might need it someday."
"...Yes, ma'am."
I supposed I should. It might have been rude to think so, but sitting primly in the passenger seat while a woman drove made me feel a little self-conscious.
"So... don't you have anything to say?"
"Yes?"
And so the moment I'd been dreading finally arrived. She was clearly upset about something I'd done, but I had no idea what. I was terrified of what might come out of her mouth next. Contrary to my expectations, however, she simply said something completely unexpected.
"Today's outfit is the kind you'd wear to a friend's wedding you didn't really want to attend."
"A friend's... wedding?"
I felt like I'd heard something similar before.
"I held back, but I did put in some effort."
"...I see."
I turned my head slightly to look at her profile as she drove. She wore the classic black jeans and white top combo, layered with a short black leather jacket. Her makeup was heavier than usual, giving her cool eyes a subtly sharp edge. Whether it was from regular exercise or some professional training like what she'd shown me in that hotel room, I didn't know—but her figure, which I'd already noticed in office wear, looked great in the monochrome outfit. And more than anything... this was just a feeling, but even the simple-looking clothes beneath the jacket probably cost hundreds. Was it really accurate to call it simple?
"You look... really pretty."
After paring down all my thoughts, that was the only cliché compliment I could manage. Still, the Management Team Leader seemed somewhat satisfied.
"I'm glad. I spent quite a while this morning deciding what to wear."
'Don't look at my chest—naturally let your gaze drift toward my legs...'
"Ah."
"?"
"No matter what thoughts cross your mind today, promise me you'll keep them from showing on your face."
"...I have enough sense to do that much."
Since she knew about my ability, I was already trying my best not to make her uncomfortable around me.
"Well, I'll trust you."
'Though it's also convenient that I can't hide it...'
"By the way, Team Leader, where are we going?"
"Didn't I say we were going shopping? I usually avoid crowds on weekends, but since you're with me today, it's fine."
I still didn't understand the connection between crowds and my presence, but there was one thing I had to ask.
"Then... should I keep calling you Management Team Leader?"
Last time we'd gone out as part of work, with me acting as Harpy's guide. This time it felt like a private outing—almost like a date, wasn't it?
"...My name is Seo Ye-rin."
Her voice pulled me out of my rambling thoughts. It was a name that suited her cool image. Unlike her usual curt way of speaking, she quietly revealed her name. For the first time, I spoke it aloud.
"Seo Ye-rin... Would that be okay?"
It was just a normal way to address someone, but hearing her real name for the first time after only knowing her by title made my chest feel strangely ticklish.
"Call me whatever you like. I'll call you Woong. It suits you better."
With that, she informed me that she'd be calling me Woong from now on. The President did it, the Team Leader did it—everyone seemed to prefer calling me Woong. Was that a compliment?