Chapter 252
Chapter 252
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Find It
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The atmosphere isn't good.
Of course, it'd be weird if it was good after hearing something like that.
...
Park Ye-eun is gauging my mood, and Eileen stands there quietly, not knowing what to say, before plopping down in the seat next to me.
"I don't know."
She mutters, and Song Arin closes her eyes, lets out a big sigh, crosses her legs, and turns on her computer.
Yoo Daon freezes with her hand raised, and Jang Chaeyeon stares at her intently.
...
...
...
...
"That's not wrong."
Jang Chaeyeon nods at Yoo Daon's words, then looks at me.
"Anyway, my place is empty. Want to come over?"
"That girl's got some real mental fortitude."
Song Arin mutters from the side, and Eileen nods.
"I don't mind going, but what's it about?"
"Do I need a reason to invite you?"
Jang Chaeyeon tilts her head as she looks at me, and her action leaves me speechless.
"...Yeah, probably not."
"Right? Then come."
Jang Chaeyeon says that, and Yoo Daon hums as she looks at me.
Going to Jang Chaeyeon's place? Fine, whatever.
"Daon. A word."
"Huh, Jaeheon?"
"Now."
When I speak firmly, Yoo Daon follows behind me like a kid getting scolded by her teacher.
"Go rough her up a bit."
"I'll handle it."
I respond to Song Arin and step out the door.
Soon, Yoo Daon follows.
Before Yoo Daon can speak, I open my mouth first.
"Apologize to Chaeyeon."
"Okay."
Yoo Daon nods at my words.
"...You will, right?"
"Yes, I can do it."
She looks up at me.
"If you called me out, that means Chaeyeon is upset, right?"
"...Yes. Please be more careful from now on."
"...Sorry."
Seeing my expression, Yoo Daon lowers her head, then looks back up at me.
"I-I'll fix it for sure!"
Her face full of determination.
"Please do."
She nods at my words and heads back inside.
Soon, Yoo Daon's voice comes from within.
"Chaeyeon! I'm really sorry!"
"...Come here."
"Huh?"
"Bow your head."
A massive *smack* echoes out, followed by Yoo Daon's scream from beyond the door.
Soon after, the door opens and Eileen appears holding a coffee.
"Aren't you too soft on her?"
...
I take the coffee Eileen hands me and fall into thought.
Am I soft on Yoo Daon?
"Yes. I am a bit soft on Daon."
"Why?"
"I owe her a big debt."
"What, did you save her life or something?"
"That too."
...
Eileen stares at me intently before speaking.
"You're making an expression I've never seen before."
"Huh?"
"It's super... wistful. You know that, right?"
I touch my face at Eileen's words, but of course, I have no way of knowing what expression I'm making.
"She wouldn't make you look like that just for dying for you."
"No, isn't looking like this normal if she died for me?"
Is risking your life that easy?
"That's not it."
Eileen pokes my cheek with her finger, looking annoyed.
"She did something even greater before she left. That's why you're making that face."
Something greater.
Yoo Daon's face floats into my mind.
"...Yes, she did something great before leaving."
"What did she do?"
"Something no one knows."
"You're the only one who knows?"
"It ended up that way."
"You gonna tell me?"
...
When I shut my mouth, Eileen looks at me, then leans against me with her arm linked in mine.
"I'm jealous."
"Of what?"
"I'm dying to know what she did to make you look like that. And jealous. I haven't done it yet."
Eileen mutters as she looks at me.
"But do you know what's even sadder?"
"...What?"
"By the time you make that face thinking of me, I probably won't be around anymore."
Eileen gives a wry smile and straightens up.
"Think hard about what coffee you want tomorrow. I'm heading out first."
And before I can say anything, she zips away.
...
I watch her retreating back, then head back into the office.
Yoo Daon is crouched down clutching her head, Song Arin is laughing out loud at the sight, Jang Chaeyeon is fondly stroking her own fist with a pleased look, and Park Ye-eun is doubled over laughing just like her.
"Let's work today too!"
"Hey, honestly, isn't it too much to work us like this and still make us do our jobs?"
"Let's work, work."
Song Arin grumbles at my shout, but I ignore her and yell again, so eventually everyone turns on their computers and starts working.
*
Work, though there are times when the HR Team's tasks aren't that many.
Usually it's performance reviews and such, and
"The new hire list came out this time?"
"Yeah, organize it well and send it up."
"New hires again?"
Song Arin shakes her head like she's sick of it after overhearing Team Leader and me.
"What do people like about this crazy company to keep joining?"
"The money."
"It'd be better if it was just for the money."
She mutters as she starts typing proficiently on her computer.
"Not a sense of duty? People with strong duty would work harder."
"A sense of duty isn't good."
Surprisingly, Team Leader answers my question.
"A sense of duty is good. But you can't live life on that alone."
"He's talking efficiency. Efficiency."
"People who throw themselves into the Management Bureau after losing parents, lovers, or family usually die within five years."
Team Leader answers without taking his eyes off his monitor.
"Emotions blind people. It's a dog's death."
...
"Don't set goals for life. Find meaning in the process—that way you won't stress about surviving."
"That's—"
"Don't forget, Jaeheon."
Team Leader glances at me.
"When you're walking and turn your eyes, there are many paths in the world that stop. No path where you die if you don't take it. It's not about going with the flow, but don't blindly hang your life on something."
"You talk like you've lived that life, Team Leader."
"Look at this punk."
Team Leader clicks his tongue and shakes his head.
"When I was young, I made a name for myself too. That's what I learned from it."
"...Were you on the Containment Team?"
"Think so? I've just been in the Management Bureau long enough to see all the good and bad."
Team Leader says that much and starts typing at light speed again.
I glance at Team Leader.
He's typing like an enlightened monk.
I don't bother looking above his head.
*
After the sparse workday ends, Jang Chaeyeon is watching me pack my bag.
Everyone else except Jang Chaeyeon has left already.
"Gonna make me dinner again?"
"Want me to?"
"It's fine."
Jang Chaeyeon tilts her head at me, and I shake my head.
Jang Chaeyeon's cooking is delicious, but eating it every time feels bad.
"Actually, I bought all the ingredients, so just bring yourself."
"Why ask then?"
Ridiculous.
Jang Chaeyeon smiles faintly at my words, then stands next to me once I finish packing.
"Let's go."
...
The way to Jang Chaeyeon's place isn't far.
Maybe because it's a familiar path.
People think familiar paths take less time.
On the way to Jang Chaeyeon's place, we don't say a word.
I pull my coat collar up while looking at the sunset sky.
"It's cold."
"Yeah."
I don't bother trying to start a conversation, and Jang Chaeyeon doesn't get anxious about my silence.
We enter her dark house, and Jang Chaeyeon deftly turns on the lights.
"You eating properly?"
"If I'm in the mood, I cook. If not, I buy something."
Living alone is like that.
"Not good for your nutrition."
Jang Chaeyeon looks at me sternly after hearing me, and I just shrug.
"I'll try."
"Want me to pack lunches?"
"No. The Management Bureau provides food."
As expected from a high-paying company, the lunch setup is excellent.
Korean, Chinese, Western—whatever you want.
Rumor has it a Containment Object makes the food, but I decide not to dig.
Jang Chaeyeon glares at my sharp refusal and heads into the kitchen.
"I'll make dinner."
"Okay."
After Jang Chaeyeon goes in, I flop onto her sofa uninvited and sink into thought.
Why did she call me?
Just to feed me?
Suddenly?
To hit me with another mental blow like last time and leave me speechless?
It'd be nice if the manual gave advice for this.
As if reading my mind, the manual slips from my pocket.
-Shua!
[Office Manual]
[IJ - When Entering Enemy Territory]
1. If you enter enemy territory, stay alert. Even allies might target you.
2. You never know when or how enemies will go after your precious things. Never stay over if they tell you to.
3. Even if you stay, use another room.
4. Going in just because they offer food was the problem. Get out now—
-Thud!
Useless, really.
"What're you doing?"
"Looking at the manual."
Jang Chaeyeon peeks her head out at me, and I calmly answer as I tuck the manual back in my pocket.
Don't even think about coming out today.
*
Not long after, Jang Chaeyeon stands there proudly with her arms crossed, another feast laid out before me.
"How is it?"
"Better than before?"
"Yeah."
She unties her apron and sits across from me.
"Actually, I called you because I have something to say."
...
Something to say.
What could it be.
Even I, who prides myself on reading the room, feel a bit of tension.
I clear my throat and look at Jang Chaeyeon, who stares at me before lowering her gaze.
After a brief silence, she speaks.
"Gangbuk Branch summoned me."
"...What?"
Greed.
An old man's face suddenly flashes in my mind.
"...You don't remember either, huh."
Jang Chaeyeon mutters seriously and lowers her hand.
-Shua!
The blinds drop, covering all the windows.
The lights go out, leaving only darkness.
"Listen well."
She whispers.
"We need to find what got swallowed."