Chapter 314
Chapter 314
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 314. Who Is It?
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By now, the branch manager probably sees us as a reasonably competent Containment Team, right?
While staring at the Fun Whack Hammer lost in thought, Yoo Daon picks up the Pop Hammer.
"What is it this time?"
"Already getting a bad vibe."
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon and Song Arin looking anxiously at Yoo Daon holding the Fun Whack Hammer.
"Team Leader, um, this thing... Team Leader?"
And just like that, Team Leader has vanished. Total chaos.
"I'll read the manual."
Ignoring our concerns entirely, Yoo Daon starts reading the description.
"Hmm, 'Rock-Paper-Scissors, Fun Whack Hammer.' That's the name."
The name alone is worrying.
"Are there rules or something?"
"Yes. Let me read them."
Yoo Daon clears her throat and starts reading the description again.
"If you whack someone on the head with this Fun Whack Hammer, it forces whatever they're thinking right now straight out of their mouth."
"Put it back right now. It's a dangerous containment object."
"What exactly are you thinking about right now that makes you call it dangerous, Arin?"
"Shut up. I don't want other people reading my thoughts."
"You read other people's thoughts."
"If you don't shut up right now, I'll make you tap-dance for the rest of your life, you white-hair."
Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon growl at each other, and after watching them, I turn my gaze to Yoo Daon.
"For now, just read up to there in case, Daon?"
Hearing me, Yoo Daon mutters in a flustered voice but keeps reading the description.
"Well, it says that if you don't want to, it forces people around you to play the game."
"I'll pass."
Song Arin sighs, and Jang Chaeyeon starts cracking her knuckles.
It's called a Fun Box, but we all feel like we're prepping for war.
"To whack someone on the head with this Fun Whack Hammer, you must first play rock-paper-scissors, and only the winner has the right to strike the loser's head."
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon looks at me and the others awkwardly, while Song Arin and Park Ye-eun exchange uneasy glances.
"The person who wins the most rock-paper-scissors rounds will receive a prize from the Fun Whack Hammer. If you're unlucky, it's candy; if you're lucky, you get rights to new products from the company or entry to a demo event."
"Rights?"
"Um... let's see. It says 'Stationery Store'?"
Stationery Store—that's the place that made that game back then, right? Where I got Casanova or whatever garbage job that wrecked my dignity for a while.
Yoo Daon stumbles over the words but continues reading the description.
"And since reading this makes most people not want to play the game, it grants the people around you the right to force you to play."
"..."
"The person holding the Fun Whack Hammer starts. Uh, uh oh...!"
At the same time, Yoo Daon looks at Jang Chaeyeon beside her and holds out her hand.
"Rock-paper-scissors...!"
"...Paper..."
Jang Chaeyeon reaches out and plays against Yoo Daon's rock-paper-scissors. The result is out.
Yoo Daon: rock. Jang Chaeyeon: paper.
Jang Chaeyeon's win.
As if she expected it, Jang Chaeyeon snatches the Fun Whack Hammer and bonks Yoo Daon on the head.
*Pop!*
With a cute sound, Yoo Daon clutches her head and bows it.
"Does it hurt?"
"..."
"Daon?"
"I-I didn't hit that hard."
Jang Chaeyeon replies in a flustered voice, and soon Yoo Daon lifts her eyes to look at Jang Chaeyeon.
"..."
No words.
Just glaring at Jang Chaeyeon with eyes full of irritation.
None of us could say a thing at this expression we'd never seen from her.
Me, Song Arin, Park Ye-eun—all speechless.
It was so far from Yoo Daon's usual smile.
Jang Chaeyeon stares back at her in bewilderment for a moment, and Yoo Daon, who had been irritably glaring without a word, suddenly slaps both her cheeks and bows her head.
"S-Sorry! I must've gotten annoyed from the head bonk for a second. Chaeyeon! I'm really sorry!"
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon looks at her with a complicated expression after hearing the apology and shakes her head.
"No, don't worry about it."
"S-Sorry..."
"It's fine."
Jang Chaeyeon shakes her head again, and Yoo Daon scratches her cheek awkwardly before handing the Fun Whack Hammer to Jang Chaeyeon.
"Here."
"...Why give it to me?"
"The winner uses it. The Fun Whack Hammer told me."
"...The Fun Whack Hammer told you?"
"Yeah, you'll get it when you get hit."
Jang Chaeyeon takes the Fun Whack Hammer from Yoo Daon with a confused look and surveys the room.
She looks at Park Ye-eun, then me, then Song Arin, before approaching me.
"Let's go."
"...Me?"
"Yeah. You."
I thought she'd pick Song Arin over me. Why me?
"Play. Rock-paper-scissors."
"Uh..."
Before I can finish thinking, Jang Chaeyeon starts, and I hastily match her rhythm and throw out my hand.
Jang Chaeyeon: paper. Me: scissors.
I win.
Jang Chaeyeon lets out a small sigh, hands me the Fun Whack Hammer, and bows her head slightly.
"Hit me."
Staring at her round head, why do I feel this weird sadistic urge?
Don't think weird things. Just swing the Fun Whack Hammer.
I grip it and swing lightly at Jang Chaeyeon's head.
*Pop!*
With a deflating sound, Jang Chaeyeon clutches her head.
I didn't hit that hard.
"..."
"..."
I look around, and Yoo Daon and Song Arin are staring at Jang Chaeyeon with tense expressions.
Why so nervous? Do they think Jang Chaeyeon will attack them or something?
My thought doesn't last long—Jang Chaeyeon suddenly grabs my arm and yanks me close.
"Chaeyeon?"
Then she hugs me tight.
A citrus scent wafts over me instantly, and she squeezes even harder.
Her breath tickles my ear, and with our hearts pounding against each other, she buries her face in my shoulder.
"Ch-Ch-Ch-Chaeyeon...?"
I force down my trembling voice and call her name as calmly as possible.
I'm so flustered I can't even accept this is real.
"..."
Jang Chaeyeon keeps hugging me silently, and just as I think my face might explode, Song Arin yells irritably and wedges herself between us.
"Hey! That's enough! Enough! What, you gonna hug all day? And you—what are you doing just standing there enjoying it!"
What, should I push her off then?
I look at Song Arin all aggrieved, but she snorts and pries Jang Chaeyeon and me apart.
"...S-Sorry."
Jang Chaeyeon bows her head, unable to look at my face, and I can't properly look at hers either as I accept her apology.
"No, uh. Yeah. It happens."
"..."
"..."
The silence drags on, and Song Arin glares at me irritably.
"Hey, what are you doing. You won, so pick someone quick."
"Ah, yes. Got it."
Good thing Song Arin broke this awkward atmosphere.
I let out a small sigh and lift the hammer.
Who to hit.
"..."
Park Ye-eun, Yoo Daon, Song Arin—one of them.
I glance at Song Arin.
She's staring right at me, like she's expecting something.
Then I look at the others.
Park Ye-eun watching us with a pleased expression.
The youngest, yet always one step back observing in situations like this.
Is it pity for her, or did I just not want to be the only one suffering...
"Park Ye-eun, come here."
"...Me?"
"Yeah, you."
At my words, Park Ye-eun shuffles over hesitantly.
"Why call me instead of the others..."
"You're just watching too much."
"...I don't need consideration."
"What consideration is a kid like you talking about. Just play rock-paper-scissors quietly."
"...Got it."
I feel Song Arin staring daggers from behind, but I ignore it and raise my hand.
"Rock... paper... scissors...!"
"Rock-paper-scissors!"
My rock-paper-scissors clashes with Park Ye-eun's.
Me: rock. Park Ye-eun: paper.
"I win!"
Park Ye-eun throws both hands up, cheers gleefully, and hops around.
After a few laps around the room, she reaches out and takes the Fun Whack Hammer from me.
"Then I'll hit you with this?"
"Yeah."
Then Park Ye-eun swings the Fun Whack Hammer at my head.
"Yap!"
*Bonk!*
It connects with my head,
and instantly, a slight headache hits as my eyes close.
Thoughts flow.
My current thoughts play out like a movie beside me.
Song Arin, the manual, this and that.
Is Song Arin okay, will Yoo Daon stress over her abilities, did Jang Chaeyeon resolve things well with the Observer.
Above all,
The kid who held my hand and cried comes to mind.
Has she recovered properly?
"...Kid..."
My eyes open, and I'm uttering the last word.
"..."
I look around.
Everyone's staring at me in bewilderment.
"Uh, d-did I... say something?"
"Your worries."
Jang Chaeyeon, who had been quiet, speaks up.
Worries about me, Yoo Daon, Song Arin.
"..."
I cover my mouth with one hand and look at the three of them.
They're all staring straight at me.
Why? Are my worries that worth staring at?
As embarrassment starts to rise, Yoo Daon gives an awkward smile, scratches her cheek, and looks at me.
"Jaeheon, um, but..."
"Yes, Daon?"
"Th-that... kid...? Who is it...? You said it so heartbreakingly just now..."
"..."
I had no idea what to say.