Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: One Drink
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...
...
Silence stretched on.
She's really pretty.
Eunju Lee marveled inwardly as she gazed at the woman before her.
White hair shimmering beautifully in the light, and eyes holding faint emotion.
As much as she hated to admit it, this woman was one of the most beautiful people she'd ever seen.
To the point where she couldn't even fathom why someone with such a face would work at the Management Bureau.
...
...
Silence stretched on.
"Um."
"Oh, yes, yes."
The white-haired woman spoke up, and Eunju Lee startled, quickly averting her gaze from staring.
"Aren't we going to start?"
"Oh."
She'd been staring too much.
Chaeyeon Jang began reading the paper as Eunju Lee sneaked a glance at her.
"Jang Chaeyeon... right?"
Nod.
Chaeyeon Jang nodded.
"You were on the Containment Team at the Gangdong Branch, then came to HR."
Nod.
Chaeyeon Jang nodded again without a word.
"Looking at your mental state..."
She looked at the paper.
"There don't seem to be any dangerous issues."
...
The white-haired woman nodded slowly.
"You have some mild anxiety symptoms, but that's normal for working at the Management Bureau— it'd be weirder if you didn't..."
Eunju Lee scanned the paper thoroughly before lifting her gaze to the white-haired woman.
"Among long-term Management Bureau employees, your mental stability is top-tier."
...
A faint smile crossed her face.
She can smile, Eunju Lee thought dazedly as she handed over the paper.
Chaeyeon Jang took the paper, read it expressionlessly, then met her eyes.
"Nothing to watch out for?"
"Things to watch out for..."
Eunju Lee murmured, lost in thought.
"You should cut back on stressful work, right?"
...
"What if the people around you are the stress?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind."
Chaeyeon Jang shook her head and answered softly.
"But you must've had it really tough on the Containment Team. How did you hold up?"
Eunju Lee held out the paper, asking curiously.
...
...
"Personal matters probably aren't something to pry into, huh?"
She hurriedly corrected herself after meeting the woman's icy stare.
"Here's your results."
Chaeyeon Jang took the paper without a word, gave a slight bow, and left through the door.
...
"She's scary..."
Containment Team really is Containment Team.
Eunju Lee muttered as she stared out the door.
"But she's seriously pretty..."
Who would end up with someone like that.
She muttered while reaching to close the door.
...
She saw the woman flash a soft smile and walk toward someone.
Who could it be?
Before Eunju Lee could crane her neck to look.
-Thud.
The door closed right in front of her.
*
One thing I always feel is that while I can't say the Management Bureau does its job perfectly, the welfare is pretty decent.
Like the mental exam from last year, and this one now.
...
I stared at the steel container in front of me.
No matter how wide I opened my eyes, no translucent window appeared.
"Did you forget something?"
"Oh, sorry."
I bowed my head at the voice from behind and started to sit.
...
"Branch Chief?"
"Good morning."
"Why are you here..."
"Is it that weird for me to check on my subordinate?"
The brown-haired woman sat with her legs crossed, looking at me.
Her red eyes fixed on me.
"Let me see..."
...
...
After a brief silence, she looked up at me.
I naturally glanced at her head—
"Where are you looking?"
"Sorry."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, and I immediately bowed my head to avoid her gaze.
"Kim Jaeheon from HR. Right?"
"Why ask me that..."
"Procedure. Procedure."
"Ah, yes..."
The Branch Chief smiled and continued at my response.
"You seem to be fitting in well with Management Bureau work."
"Huh?"
What was this out of nowhere.
As I looked at her puzzled, she murmured in amazement, staring at me.
"Aside from some mild obsessive tendencies, nothing major."
"Aren't mild obsessions a big deal?"
"It'd be if it were severe, but you could call it a habit."
What was she saying.
Bewildered, I stared at her, and the Branch Chief shrugged.
"For example, maybe you can't feel satisfied unless you check something."
"Ah."
I instantly realized what she meant.
It was true—I'd been diligently staring at people's heads overhead at some point.
"You know it well, huh?"
She nodded and started reading the paper again.
"Otherwise, you're remarkably stable. Amazingly so."
...
"No major trauma, no mental instability."
"Good."
"It's good, but."
The Branch Chief hummed and furrowed her brow.
Good, but? Wasn't good just good?
"Anything strange, Branch Chief?"
"Usually, someone this unshaken after Management Bureau life is suspicious in its own way."
"You're like that too, Branch Chief."
"I've surpassed that level."
"Ah, from living so long?"
"Want my left and right brain to kiss?"
"Sorry."
She spread her hand wide, and I could only apologize.
"Anyway, you've adapted unusually well."
Was this an insult?
"Am I some psychopath now..."
"No, no. Not that. I worried you needlessly."
She waved it off.
"Being this unshaken usually means one of two things."
She held up two fingers.
"First. Management Bureau work suits you so perfectly that you think of it even while eating."
...
"How about it."
"Nope."
I dream of getting off work every morning on the commute, and dread tomorrow's commute when leaving.
Every morning, I want to burrow into the ground.
"Right. Even I look at others' checkups and ponder digging underground starting tomorrow. My boss would kill me if he knew."
"Huh?"
"Sounds like a joke? It's real."
She folded one finger as she said that.
"Second..."
...
I watched her tensely.
She shrugged.
"No idea."
"Huh?"
"These cases pop up sometimes. People with freakishly strong stress resistance."
She turned her gaze to me.
"People who can step back and view situations objectively, grasping their own rationally before emotionally."
...
"Perfect temperament for Management Bureau work."
"Isn't that good?"
She nodded, looking at me.
"Of course, it has downsides."
"Huh?"
"You end up judging coworkers more coldly."
...
The Branch Chief smiled at me.
"You don't go too harsh on your team, do you?"
"Huh?"
"People—especially lonely ones—are sensitive."
...
"You need the ability to pick up on things without them saying."
She pointed to her eyes.
With eyes closed, she whispered smiling.
"I think sometimes it's good to close your eyes and just talk."
...
I think I got what she meant.
Seeing my face, the Branch Chief laughed out loud.
"You seem to get it."
She handed me the paper.
"Good work."
...
"That's it?"
"Need more?"
...
"Why'd you come?"
"Last one's HR."
"And?"
"That's it?"
The Branch Chief grinned mischievously.
"What about the necklace?"
"We'll call you in later for that."
She grinned mischievously again.
...
"You're not planning to summon me often, right?"
"I'm one of the people paying your salary. Can't I call you a bit?"
"I only take orders from superiors up to age five... ...Sorry."
Before I finished, she placed her hand on my forehead, and I had to yield again.
"Anyway."
...
"Yes."
Still with her hand on my forehead, the Branch Chief looked at me.
"Once you're out, try closing your eyes and talking."
...
"For real?"
"For real."
...
"Yes."
Gotta do what I'm told.
I shrugged, and she waved laughing.
"Then I'm off."
"Yes."
I just wanted to escape that palm.
I hurriedly turned and left the room.
Felt like her gaze followed me.
*
Stepping out, Song Arin and Park Ye-eun were waiting.
"Arin, done early?"
"This isn't my first or second time."
Song Arin sighed and stood beside me.
"You didn't tamper with the results, right?"
"I didn't tamper with the results."
She shrugged.
"Good. Ye-eun?"
"Me? It went fine."
Park Ye-eun nodded at my question.
Soon Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon emerged, looking at me.
"Jaeheon!"
...
Both came over with happy faces.
"Where's Team Leader?"
-Bang,
As soon as I spoke, a door flew open, Team Leader peeking out at us.
"Kids, go ahead."
...
"You feeling off or something?"
"No. I got caught."
"Huh?"
"Anyway, go on."
Team Leader shut the door after that.
His oddly authoritative voice made us exchange looks.
"Well, shall we go."
Everyone nodded at my words.
*
Walking back to the office, lost in thought.
Close your eyes and talk.
Not literally, surely.
What was the Branch Chief trying to say.
...
...
...
"Something bothering you?"
"Huh?"
Song Arin stood beside me, blinking at me.
"Your face looks bad."
"Bothering me..."
I recalled Song Arin's face from the company.
Her desperately clutching my arm.
I slowly turned my gaze to her.
...
"Yeah, a bit."
I forced my eyes from the translucent window above her head and looked at her face.
...
"What. Why stare into my eyes all sudden."
She avoided my gaze, her expression so unstable.
...
"Arin."
"What."
"Want to grab a drink after work? Just us?"
"Uh, huh?"
...
...
"Ooh..."
Silent Yoo Daon and Jang Chaeyeon, Park Ye-eun chiming in well.
Song Arin blinked, pointing at herself.
Her unusually dopey expression.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Just me?"
"Yes."
"Why...?"
Her voice trailed off tiny.
"I'm worried about you, Arin."
"Geez. W-worried? Who worries about who..."
She crossed her arms, turning away.
...
"I won't drink much."
She looked back at me saying that.
"Yes, sure. Let's do that."
"Y-yeah. Hurry up then."
"No need to hurry..."
Before I finished, she strode toward the office.
Her steps looked so much lighter than before.