Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: #bridge We're Pretty Close
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The amazing thing was that Kim Woohyun and U Dayoung didn't seem to mind at all when they heard about it.
It probably wasn't because of Influence, but more because they knew my personality well.
"Siu's always been so sociable, so it makes sense you'd get close quick."
Kim Woohyun accepted it as completely natural, without a second thought.
Thanks to that, I could keep up the act of being buddies and chat naturally.
"Noona, you just came to drop off coffee?"
"Hmm~, came to see our Siu."
"Wow."
They knew U Dahee's personality too, so they just smiled it off.
"Alright, break's over~. Back to work."
We finished our coffee and jumped right back into the remaining tasks.
We had to stick with it all day if we wanted to wrap up by tonight.
"Since you're here, Noona, help out too."
"How?"
U Dahee had come in clean clothes, so I couldn't give her anything too dusty—just had her pick up and collect the trash simply.
Clack clack.
I never realized it before, but now I got why hammering sounds were described as "clack clack."
Vrrr.
Then the electric drill buzzed loudly.
"Where's the thinner? Gotta mix it with the paint."
"Haven't opened it yet."
It reminded me of that time in college when friends went volunteering and painted together.
"This really takes me back to college."
"Oh, the orphanage volunteer work?"
"Yeah."
Since we were tackling it bit by bit as a group, even mistakes just got laughs.
Swoosh.
After painting too, it actually started looking like a decent space.
We even ordered jjajangmyeon for lunch midway, so it felt a bit like moving in.
"Gotta leave the windows open in here. Smells strong."
"Yeah, planning to air it out over the weekend. No rain, right?"
I remembered the forecast saying clear skies for a few days after the rainy season ended.
"Should be fine. If it rains, I'll come shut 'em."
"That'd be a hassle."
"......Can't just lock up either."
By the time we finished, the sun was setting.
As the sunset faded, a purple sky took over, and I finally dragged my tired body to a chair.
"Whew, exhausting."
Not just sweat—my body felt limp from all the constant movement.
"This calls for a sauna pounding."
As I grumbled with a weary face, Kim Woohyun chuckled and handed me ice cream he'd bought outside.
"Have one."
"Huh, thanks."
We ate our ice cream, gazing at the studio we'd built, smiling contentedly.
"It's coming together, bit by bit."
"Yeah."
I rested my work gloves on my knee and mumbled around the ice cream.
"How we gonna clean this mess?"
Scrap materials and trash were scattered everywhere, so I scratched my cheek.
Kim Woohyun placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Siu."
"Yeah?"
As I pondered the trash cleanup, he called my name in a serious low voice, so I looked up.
"Thanks."
"......You've been saying 'thanks' a ton lately? What's up. Need a guarantor?"
"Haha! Nah, just... You quit a steady job after hearing my pitch and started this with me."
"......'Started this'? Make me co-CEO then."
The earnest praise felt cringy and unfamiliar, so it came out jokey.
He knew me well, so he just smiled.
"What's that smile? Uncomfortable~. Explain yourself."
"No, just... You followed me out without a second thought."
"Hated the old company, that's why. Don't sweat it."
He didn't bring it up again.
I twirled the ice cream stick I'd finished and stood.
"If you're that grateful, buy dinner. Throat's oily from all the dust~."
"Pfft, sure. Was gonna do a team dinner anyway."
We brushed off the dust and started tidying.
With six people, it wrapped up quick.
"Pile the materials in the corner—waste pickup Monday."
We sorted trash per Kim Woohyun's instructions, then mopped the floor with water.
"Let's eat, guys~."
Watching him thank everyone one by one, I thought, Same age, but he's got that adult vibe.
Of course, cringe crossed my mind too.
Sizzle.
The meat hitting the grill always sounded perfect.
"Everyone worked hard today—thanks for the help~. Ji Hwan too."
Found out the pro's friend's name was Ji Hwan.
"Alright~, cheers~!"
As drinks piled up, U Dahee next to me slyly said,
"Hubby's on a business trip tonight—crash at your place?"
"......That's adultery, sis."
I shoved aside the tipsy-faced U Dahee, and U Dayoung took her spot.
"Sis must've had a lot. Make sure you get her home safe."
"Taking her to the parents' tonight."
If no one was watching, I'd have, but eyes were on us.
Hunting at a bar? Fine. But family around? Instinct said it'd go south.
Man, the Scenario Book's power was nuts.
"Hmm~, too bad~."
U Dahee wasn't blackout drunk—she knew better.
She grinned and called to Won Yuchan across.
"Yuchan, play with Noona instead."
"Ah, sure."
"Ji Hwan-ssi, drink up too."
Somehow it split 3:3.
Across from me, Kim Woohyun with flushed face poured drinks.
"You can't hold your liquor—why pour his?"
"He's in a good mood today~."
I shrugged at U Dayoung's words. No wonder he's been sentimental.
"Yeah, damn. Full. I'm done."
"Huh? Eat more. Can order extra."
"Nah, belly'll burst. Gonna smoke."
"Eww~, cig smell."
I playfully tapped teasing U Dayoung's head and stepped out to light up.
I savored the burning tip and stale smoke deep in my lungs, then exhaled long.
"Hoo."
Cloudless night sky, speckled with stars.
Thud.
Stamped out the butt and went back in—Kim Woohyun was passed out face-down.
Kicked off shoes climbing up and asked,
"He said he'd pay—if he passes out?"
"Don't worry, won't ditch. I'll cover."
"Aww~, proper wife material."
U Dayoung pouted at my tease.
"I got shares in this company too~."
"Right right. So, no wedding plans?"
Sat, poured water, sipped, and asked. U Dayoung propped her chin, eyeing passed-out Kim Woohyun.
"We will."
"Huh? When?"
"Once the company's settled. Got some breathing room."
"......Sigh, next life?"
"Wanna die?"
U Dayoung kicked my thigh under the table.
Still, her certainty meant they'd talked privately.
I nodded, offering congrats early.
"Congrats on the wedding in advance."
"Heh."
"What's that laugh? Kinda off."
"Whaaat~."
Their marriage might ease my ant-toe-sized guilt a bit.
"......Hmm."
I glanced between Kim Woohyun and U Dayoung, then nodded.
"Guess I'll borrow you occasionally then."
"......?"
U Dayoung didn't get it. No plans to explain.
"Looks like they're done over there—let's head out."
"Ah, yeah."
We wrapped up, piled into taxis.
"Dayoung-ah, get him home safe. Noona, take care~."
Shoved sisters and Kim Woohyun into one cab.
Ji Hwan, whom I knew only by name, bowed and hopped in his.
Just me and Won Yuchan left—he lit a smoke and asked,
"Hyungnim, seniors don't live together?"
"Ah~, sleeping at their place tonight."
"Eh, that okay? Parents there too?"
"Already promised marriage, met families plenty."
Dated 7 years, parents liked him—went on trips sometimes.
Not my business anyway. Pushed smoke-finished Won Yuchan's back.
"Get in already. Gotta see you off."
"Aigoo, hyungnim, thanks for your hard work. Heading out."
"Yeah~."
Last, sent Won Yuchan off and grabbed a passing cab.
Back seat hit, and booze surged up.
"Hic, damn hiccups. Fuck. Hic."
§
Mid-August.
Monday.
Promo editing was going smoothly.
Mid-check via video call got approval, so we could keep at it.
"Yawwwn."
I stretched a yawn, and Won Yuchan next to me yawned too.
"Yawwwn.... Hyungnim. Not sleepy?"
"Sleepy as hell, for real."
"Right? Ugh.... Nice weather too."
Outside was that deep blue sky you hear about.
"Chinese not sending smog lately?"
"Hmm.... Could start again."
"Curse 'em to send it all."
Grabbed smokes to chase sleep and stood.
"You want one?"
"Nah, got work."
Left Won Yuchan, went down, lit up.
Chiiik.
Looking up from the alley's narrow path, sky felt like a frog in a well.
"Excuse me."
"......?"
Exhaling smoke skyward, a voice called—I looked down to see a woman.
Calm black bob, flour-white face in contrast.
Tiny face, fist-sized maybe—cat-like upturned big eyes, perky nose, deep red lips staring at me.
Her bob-matching calm expression seemed cold, like she hated smokers and wanted a fight.
"Got a light?"
"......"
Small face, petite—looked like a student in a suit.
Pondered nearby companies—nope.
Swoosh.
Silently offered lighter; she put cig to tiny lips, took it.
"You smoke 'w' brand."
"......"
Tried chatting—she glanced coldly, ignored.
"Hoo."
She turned back silently after lighter.
Bitch, I thought, finished smoke, tossed butt in paint can.
Stomp stomp.
Back to office, to water cooler.
"Huh? Cano okay? Taking it."
"Ah, yeah, go for it. Oh. Siu, help with interview prep."
"......?"
Brewed coffee, set chairs and snacks in our studio.
"What's that. Interview at what time?"
"One hour left, perfect."
"Already?"
Interviewers: Kim Woohyun and U Dayoung.
They'd asked me too—I passed on purpose.
Hated hassle; U Dayoung seemed better at reading people.
"No high school girl with service. Vet with service."
"......Intern newbie—makes sense?"
U Dayoung stared dumbfounded.
"Major preferred, at least 3 certs."
"Who takes 18 mil salary with that?"
"Huh? 1,800?"
She nodded.
"Newbie intern, no experience."
"......Why?"
"Broke~."
"Fair."
Knew the reason, but hearing it made me scratch my cheek.
Whatever—doomed, that's key.
"1,800 means pray for vet at least...."
Wished for a guy. Easier to grind.
Back to work; interview time—candidates entered.
Spooked by vast office, then empty desks.
"......First-timers think ghost company?"
"Probably......"
Won Yuchan agreed. Gray space, few desks—fair.
"......Hyungnim."
"Yeah?"
"......Expect vet high school girl?"
"Why."
Glanced at waiters—all women.
"......Think majors."
"......Too fresh for majors......?"
Checked faces—kids, literally.
Three-ish; one familiar: cig girl from hour ago.
"......Thought company nearby—not."
"What?"
"Borrowed cig earlier. End there."
"Ah....... Scary-looking—hope no hire......"
Tough-woman-phobic Won Yuchan clasped hands praying.
I draped arm over his shoulder.
"Pray like that, she'll get it."
"......Please......"
"1,800 salary. Monthly 130k-ish."
"......More please....... Low pay hard work quit fast......"
Low pay grind? Could chase quitters. No complaints planned, but tough for worker.
"......Hyungnim train 'em."
"......Fuck."