Chapter 349
Chapter 349
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 349. What to Do
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I knew a day like this would come someday.
I know it too. I know that the work I've been doing is a bit—no, pretty damn extraordinary.
The way I keep running into containment objects like clockwork is miraculous enough, and the fact that I keep surviving by the skin of my teeth is even more so.
But I never hoped it would go this far.
I force an awkward smile, feeling a crushing weight on my shoulders.
Part of me wants to bolt from my seat right now, but that's not how social life works.
You just grin and bear it from your spot.
Thanks to that, every eye in the room is on me, and I'm stuck there, nailed to the floor with a perfectly socialized smile.
Even most of the spotlights are beaming right at me.
"The Gangseo Branch's Human and Containment Incident Response Team has lived up to its name, resolving big and small issues within the Management Bureau."
I watch in stunned silence as the HR Team's name miraculously transforms into the Human and Containment Incident Response Team, my expression frozen as I listen to the bureau chief's words.
"And that's not all. You've averted crises in the world that no one even knew existed."
"Wow! The Gangseo Branch HR Team is the best!"
I desperately want to strangle An Sanghyeon as he cheers gleefully beside me, but since I know I wouldn't win, I hold back.
"Everyone! And so, this Management Bureau commendation plaque will be awarded to the Gangseo Branch Human and Containment Incident Response Team!"
"Wooooooooo!!!!!"
In the quiet hall, An Sanghyeon's wild cheers echo, followed by thunderous applause.
-Clap clap clap clap clap...!
Soon, everyone else joins in.
"That crazy dog from the Gangseo Branch is acting like it's his own achievement...!"
"How the hell did they win him over?"
I just told them to play along. I said I'd take responsibility.
But who would believe that even if I told them?
I let out a deep sigh from the bottom of my soul and just go with the flow of the applause.
How long does the clapping go on? The bureau chief, looking pleased as punch, keeps his eyes fixed on us.
Why? What now?
I stare back at him blankly, and he tilts his head.
"You have to come up and accept the plaque."
Oh, we have to accept it in person?
They're pulling out all the stops—drums, cymbals, the whole show.
I scan for someone to go up in my place.
Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon, avoiding my gaze.
Yoo Daon starts to stand with a bright smile, but I hurriedly raise my hand to stop her.
Right. I have to go. Who else is there?
I slowly rise and head to the stage.
The bureau chief watches me with an exasperated smile, but I don't like it one bit.
Not that I hate him—it's just this feeling that we've actually become the Containment Team I assigned us to be.
Oblivious to my thoughts, he hands me the plaque with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Kim Jaeheon. This year, you've been the hope and guiding light of our Management Bureau."
"...Ah, yeah."
I'd appreciate it if you'd cut the flowery talk.
I look at the plaque he's handed me.
[A Gift from the Management Bureau for All Your Hard Work]
"..."
Typical weird company move—work us to death and hand over a single plaque like it's enough—
[Name: Plaque]
[Age: X]
[Specialty: Alarm]
[Talent: Alarm]
[Background: The Management Bureau doesn't let promising talent slip away. They usually use this plaque to come running when things get dangerous.]
[Weakness: Quit your job.]
"..."
As I stare at the plaque with a complicated expression, the bureau chief grins at me.
He looks like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.
He knew and gave it to me anyway.
So what can I do?
Take it, obviously.
I accept the plaque, give a quick bow to the bureau chief, and he waves with that affable smile.
As I start heading back to my seat...
"Gah!"
Someone grabs my arm roughly and drags me off to the side.
The grip isn't the branch chief's strength.
If it were him, my arm might've been ripped clean off by now.
I peer into the darkness at the person pulling me along.
Tousled blonde hair sways, and Eileen in her white dress stares back at me.
"I'll show you how to use it."
"Ah, thank you."
Did she really have to follow me to this dark corner just to show me?
"Hand it over."
Eileen holds out her hand, and I place the plaque on her palm. She taps around the top edge.
-Shrrk!
With a folding sound, the plaque shrinks into a small badge, and she tugs at my collar.
"Come closer."
I lean in slowly, and she smiles before pinning the badge to my lapel.
"There. All set."
"Where'd you learn this?"
"I asked the branch chief since you were getting an award."
The branch chief taught her this too, huh.
"And he said I got one back in the day."
She mutters it like it's someone else's story and lifts her own collar.
A slightly worn badge is pinned there.
"Matching ones now."
Eileen gives a shy smile and flicks my collar.
"..."
I look from the badge to her.
Before I can say anything, she raises a hand.
"Don't apologize."
"...How'd you know?"
"Your face twists up every time you talk about stuff I don't remember."
I do that, huh.
"..."
She gently rests her raised hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay. What I want to see isn't you looking sad—it's you happy."
"...I'll try."
"Don't even try."
She taps my shoulder and looks up at me.
"I'll do the trying. You just watch from the sidelines."
"..."
How are the people around me all so incredible?
Maybe I was born under a lucky star when it comes to people.
"Let's head back."
"Together?"
"The response team's just me right now. It's lonely being alone."
Eileen smiles softly at me.
"It's okay if I come, right?"
Of course, saying no wasn't an option.
*
When Eileen and I arrive together, the other three stare at me openly.
"No wonder you vanished somewhere after getting the award."
Song Arin mutters with a sigh, while Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon stare at Eileen.
"What'd you talk about?"
Jang Chaeyeon looks at me curiously.
"Ah, nothing much."
I hold up the badge to show them and wave it off casually.
"I didn't know how to put it on, so Eileen pinned it for me."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The three fall silent at my words.
Why? It's just a badge pin.
As I look at them in confusion, Eileen smiles gently and rests her hand on my arm.
"Right. I just pinned a badge. I'm still the senior here when it comes to stuff like this."
Eileen smiles at the others, who just stare back at her.
"...Tch."
Song Arin clicks her tongue in annoyance, and Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon shoot me dissatisfied looks.
"Something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing."
Song Arin sighs deeply and points to the seat next to her.
"Sit down already. It ain't over yet."
"Got it."
I nod and sit beside Song Arin.
"..."
"..."
People chatter animatedly, and Song Arin and I keep watching.
Someone goes up for an award, then another.
Song Arin mutters.
"Never thought I'd end up here."
"First invitation?"
"You think I'd get invited first? Nah... I just said no before."
"Why?"
"It's not fun hearing about deaths from people you used to see around."
Song Arin gives a wry smile.
"So I skipped."
"Not because of the central branch lunatics, then."
"Wanna see what a real lunatic looks like?"
She glares at me with wide eyes, and I can only laugh it off like a joke.
"...Anyway, never thought I'd come in my lifetime."
She mutters, eyeing the person on stage.
"And now I'm here because of you."
"Not thanks to me?"
"As if."
Song Arin smirks and stares at the person ascending the stage.
Someone receiving the award from the bureau chief with a delighted grin.
"When I saw you up on that stage."
Song Arin murmurs softly, gazing at the scene.
"I got worried."
"Worried?"
"Yeah. Like, what if you actually die?"
"Then... I die, I guess."
Honestly, what could I do if death comes knocking?
I'd struggle with everything I had, and if there's no way out, I'd just wait for it.
"Don't say that."
Song Arin shakes her head.
"If you die, there are plenty who'd die in your place."
"Daon?"
"You're always thinking of the black hair first, huh."
Song Arin shakes her head.
"There are others who'd die for you too."
"..."
I don't add anything more.
No point probing further, and I don't even want to.
Song Arin and I just watch the awardees in silence.
"So."
She breaks the silence and looks at me.
"What are you gonna do about the white-haired girl's confession?"