Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Article 5
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Uncomfortable.
It wasn't because other people were around.
Coming home after so long did feel a bit off, though.
...
...
I gaze at Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon, quietly spooning their food.
They haven't said a word to each other since their fight earlier.
Did they really go at it that bad? That could be a problem.
I glance at Yoo Daon, who gives me a troubled smile right back.
Luckily, it seems like only Yoo Daon and I are picking up on the awkwardness. Mom, mid-bite, looks at me curiously.
"By the way, you three are all in the same department?"
Come to think of it, I only told my parents the Management Bureau was a big corporation.
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Oh, so you're all regular employees?"
"Uh..."
To be honest, wouldn't Song Arin or Jang Chaeyeon outrank me in position?
As I'm pondering how to respond, Yoo Daon chimes in with a bright smile.
"Team Leader and Jaeheon started the same year. Those two are 'transferred in from other teams.'"
At Yoo Daon's words, the two set down their spoons and stare at her.
Yoo Daon tilts her head with a cheeky grin, locking eyes with them, while my sister chokes like she's suffocating and taps my arm.
"Water."
"Why."
"Why do you think? My throat's closing up. Gimme it now."
I hand her the water, and without a second thought, she chugs it.
"Oppa, what kind of life have you been living since you started working?"
"A lot's happened."
Days of cheating death left and right.
"Ah! Jaeheon, so you and Daon started together?"
"Yeah."
"If there was someone this nice, you should've at least told your mom!"
"Uh..."
"Come on, ma'am. That's..."
Yoo Daon's lips twitch.
"Kek! Kek!"
My sister, drinking her water, starts pounding her chest like crazy and taps my arm, pointing aside.
Jang Chaeyeon and Song Arin chew their food, staring at Yoo Daon.
"Oh, so what about Chaeyeon?"
Before I can say anything, Mom blinks curiously at Jang Chaeyeon, who pauses before slowly answering.
"I... came right after Yoo Daon."
"Oh, I see! Where were you before that?"
"Uh..."
Jang Chaeyeon clams up.
"So, like... um."
How do you normally describe the Containment Team?
"Stuff... using strength..."
"Using strength?"
Mom repeats, and Jang Chaeyeon hangs her head.
"Yeah..."
"Oh... so Chaeyeon, you're pretty strong?"
"...Yeah..."
Her face turns beet red, like she'd made a huge blunder, and she nods.
"Pfft."
At Song Arin's laugh, Jang Chaeyeon snaps her head up and glares, face still flushed.
Song Arin covers her mouth, undeterred, and keeps laughing.
"Oppa, I'm gonna choke."
"Then stop eating."
"...Let's just not talk."
"And Arin..."
At Mom's words, Song Arin straightens up ramrod straight.
"Y-yes."
She looks so disciplined, like a new recruit.
"Where were you from?"
"I was with the Emergency Response Team."
"Emergency Response Team?"
"You know, like... a task force..."
"Oh..."
Mom nods like she has no clue, and Song Arin gazes at her with a resolute expression, ready for more, but no questions come.
Leaving disappointed Song Arin with her eyes downcast, Mom turns to me.
"Man, takes me back."
"Takes you back?"
"You know, Jaeheon. That girl you used to play with all the time when you were little."
"Oh."
"She just vanished one day. Wonder if she's doing okay. You keep in touch?"
"...No."
I can't exactly say we don't talk much, but she pops out of books sometimes, so I shake my head.
"That's too bad."
Mom smacks her lips, and the conversation wraps up uneventfully after that.
Mom insists we all stay the night since we're already here. My sister and I balk, along with the three women, but her iron will and age leave us no choice.
*
"What? I'm supposed to put them all up?"
"You want me to do it?"
My sister, complaining in my room, gets a matter-of-fact reply from me as I glance above her head.
[Name: Kim Areum]
[Age: 24]
[Talent: Intuition]
[Background: Thinks she's intuitive, but doesn't even know it herself.]
[Weakness: No different from any human. Strike a vital spot, and she dies.]
"You..."
"There's nothing in my eyes, I said."
Before I finish, she sighs.
"Every time you call to check, it's always that. I'm fine. You're the one making me annoyed with all the calls."
My sister stares up at me.
Her tired eyes meet mine, like looking in a mirror.
"You're okay, right?"
She looks at me worriedly.
"I'm good."
"...Yeah. Maybe it's been so long, but you look kinda worn out."
Worn out?
"How do I look?"
"Uh... not bad or anything, just tired? But your vibe feels better than before, somehow."
She squints and mumbles, studying me.
"Better my ass. If anyone tries dragging you into a job, say hell no."
"What idiot would drag you and hand you a job? Wouldn't you suspect something?"
"...The pay might tempt me."
"High-paying scam gig."
"..."
"Anyway, I'll be careful."
She nods, then squints playfully at me.
"But seriously, none of them you're dating?"
"Told you, no."
"I like them all."
"Who?"
"They're all great. Pick one, and I'll finally get a sister-in-law—"
"Not happening anytime soon, so out."
"Sigh."
She sighs dramatically and nods.
"Fine. I'll stop teasing. Call if something comes up?"
"What could come up? Monster attack?"
"As if. You mean your coworkers fighting each other."
"Why would they fight? We get along fine."
Monster attack seems more likely.
"Anyway, I'm out?"
She waves and leaves my room.
Finally alone.
"Whew..."
I flop onto the bed with a groan.
Still, nice to be home after so long.
Thinking that, I change into pajamas and return to find the manual open on the bed.
On a page I check often, no less.
[Employee Manual]
[PLZ - Save the Manual]
1. Manuals are delicate. Handle with care.
2. No matter how sturdy, don't use the manual as a shield.
3. Treat it like an old friend.
4. Don't flick the manual's forehead.
5. The first thing you get when you join is the manual. Don't forget it's like every Management Bureau employee's first teammate.
What are you even trying to say?
-Smack, smack, smack!
I flick the cover three times and crash out.
That night, I dream of a kid with three bumps on his head.
"Yaaah!!! I told you not to flick me!!! Damn it, you bast—kyaaah!"
Gone is his usual mature tone; the sniveling kid kicks my shin with all his might. Half-asleep, I grab his nape and hurl him far away.
Next morning, the manual's tossed way across the room. Did I yeet it in my sleep?
*
In conclusion, nothing happened, just as the branch chief wanted.
My sister, looking hollow-eyed from lack of sleep, mutters about killing me a few times, but I slept great, so no big deal.
In the car back, we're all on edge, scanning around. Song Arin even runs a scan for weird rituals nearby, but nothing pings.
"...We really just relaxed, right?"
"Looks like it...!"
Yoo Daon and I exchange thrilled words.
Coming and going with zero incidents—pure bliss.
"Next time we need a break, your place?"
"You say stuff you can't take back."
Song Arin glares daggers, hands on hips.
"I'm good with that!"
"Me too."
Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon smile and nod.
"So, just Song Arin solo..."
"Hold up."
At my words, Song Arin's face turns desperate. She crosses her arms and mumbles.
"...Fine, if everyone's going, I guess I have no choice. It's not like I want to!"
And so our vacation ends.
*
"Sorry to ask, but could you help with something?"
After our short but satisfying break, it's Eileen knocking on HR's door.
"Oh, Eileen. Long time no see."
"Yeah, it has been."
She covers a yawn, looking beat.
"Don't tell me you need dispatch?"
"This is HR, isn't it?"
"Then is it salary negotiation gripes? Talk to Team Leader."
"Salary went smooth... If it's a benefits complaint..."
"Not that."
Eileen cuts off Team Leader's dazed mumbling.
"I want to review personnel files."
Team Leader's vibe shifts instantly.
"Got the permit?"
He eyes her sharply.
"...Yes."
Before I can react to the change, Eileen pulls a paper from her pocket and hands it over.
"Verified."
Team Leader nods, and Eileen glances at us before pulling out more sheets.
"Want to share with HR staff too. Permit included."
"Verified."
Team Leader nods again, and Eileen meets my eyes.
"Got a minute?"
The paper reads:
[Access Record Request - Kim Chanho]