Chapter 381
Chapter 381
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: I Want You to See It
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A brief silence followed before the branch manager spoke up.
"Um..."
"..."
"...That is..."
"..."
"No, you could've held back a bit."
"Did I confess or something?"
As I stared at her with a look of utter disbelief, she cleared her throat and opened her mouth.
"Anyway, it's your fault, Kim Jaeheon."
"If it's my fault, cut back on my workload."
"You're the one going around looking for work."
Hah, seriously. She let out an exasperated sigh, pursing her lips.
"...So, was that the only reason you called me here?"
Worried about a mutiny from the HR Team? Afraid I'd flip the Management Bureau if things didn't go my way? That's why you dragged me to this hideout—to take me out if I didn't listen?
As I shot her a look that said exactly that, she hurriedly waved her hands.
"I know exactly what you're thinking! But don't misunderstand. It's really not like that."
"Then what is it?"
"To get on your knees and beg you not to betray us?"
"..."
"I'm kidding."
The branch manager gave an awkward smile as she looked at me.
"I don't think you're the type to do that... But honestly, I was worried you might bring one of the other three along."
"...One of the three—you mean the HR Team folks?"
"Yeah."
She nodded calmly as she spoke.
"Whether it's Jang Chaeyeon, Song Arin, or Yoo Daon... none of them are people I could take down in one go like snatching candy from a kid..."
She trailed off.
"So, if it ever came to a real fight where lives were on the line... you'd obviously help them out..."
"No, why do you think those three would fight just because they heard this?"
"You think they wouldn't?"
Let me think about that.
If I confessed to someone, and suddenly another person called her aside to say, "Don't accept Kim Jaeheon's confession, just stay put"...
"I might kill them."
"Right?"
The branch manager continued with a sigh.
"Anyway, so I figured I'd treat it like facing the two of us alone, suppress you without any bloodshed... My thought was to secure a somewhat large, empty space for that..."
If you're gonna think like that, why say anything at all.
"We had to clear the air eventually."
The branch manager spoke in a resolute tone, then bowed her head to me in apology.
"I'm sorry. I must've made you uncomfortable for no reason."
"No... it's not like that."
I slowly shook my head, and she smiled softly as she looked at me.
"Seriously, how can someone be so decent and nice? If you'd been born just a hundred... two hundred and thirty years earlier, I could've seriously considered you as a husband."
"But you'd still be around, and I'd be dead in no time."
A hint of bitterness crossed the branch manager's face at my words.
"That's why I always think it's for the best."
"Yeah?"
"That I never fell for anyone. Otherwise, it would've just ended with both of us hurt."
"..."
She saw my expression and laughed, patting my back.
"Hey, don't make that face!"
Then she patted me more, laughing even brighter, as if delighted.
"It's just... it's been so long since I found someone who really gets me."
"Then... I'm glad, I guess."
"Yeah."
The branch manager's face looked profoundly bitter as she kept patting my back, leaving me speechless.
"Alright, shall we head up? Ye-eun's probably waiting. Maybe."
With that, we went back up and diligently did the dishes.
Our worries proved unfounded—Park Ye-eun was happily playing on her smartphone by herself.
If there was one thing that bugged me...
On the way back, with the branch manager driving and me in the passenger seat, Park Ye-eun suddenly spoke up.
"But... did you two have some kind of talk?"
"...Huh?"
"No, like... the vibe feels different."
"..."
"..."
The branch manager and I glanced at each other, and Park Ye-eun tilted her head.
"No, how to put it. You two seem closer? Like emotionally?"
"Don't ever say that in front of others."
"Yeah. Please, Ye-eun."
"Sorry, but I don't wanna die either."
Park Ye-eun laughed at our words, and the branch manager and I exchanged looks before shrugging.
*
"So, did you two have a nice cozy time?"
"Cozy time? What cozy time."
My life was literally on the line.
As I stared at Song Arin in disbelief, she smirked.
"What? Am I wrong?"
"You're wrong."
"Then what'd you do?"
Jang Chaeyeon looked at me curiously, and Yoo Daon stared with wide eyes.
Not hard to explain.
So I started telling everyone what happened.
From her greeting me and asking if the HR Team was planning a mutiny...
...I skipped the confession part. Touching that would cause a real mess.
The others listened with serious expressions, chattering among themselves.
"It's not entirely wrong."
"Mutiny..."
"If Jaeheon asked for help, I'd obviously help, but..."
That's why the branch manager fears me.
I shook my head after glancing at the other three.
"Anyway, no need to worry too much."
"You go off for a secret meeting and tell us not to worry? Yeah, I'll believe that."
Why? What's the problem?
As I thought that and looked at Song Arin, Park Ye-eun chimed in with a bright laugh.
"Yeah! You two just... um, talked about nothing special."
I glanced at Park Ye-eun, and when no one was looking, she flashed me a thumbs-up.
Good kid. Gotta buy her something tasty later.
As I was thinking that,
"Jaeheon."
The Team Leader waved at me.
"Yeah, Team Leader."
"Come help with some work if you're back. More backlog than I thought."
"Ah, sure. Okay..."
Not a big deal.
As I approached the Team Leader, he leaned in and whispered.
"If you rebel against the Management Bureau, I'll bite the branch manager right away."
"I'm not gonna, I'm not."
Why keep painting me as a potential traitor.
Like that, I finally had a truly relaxing day.
No—a few relaxing days.
The hospital issue was still nagging, but we'd gotten past it somehow, and the other stuff had settled down.
How many days passed like that?
"Oppa, aren't you bored?"
"Nah? This is great. I'd be happy if every day was like this."
"Ugh, seriously."
Park Ye-eun sighed and walked past after my carefree reply.
"I like days like this too."
"...Me too."
Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon replied calmly as they passed.
Yoo Daon too—
"A letter came."
"..."
Yoo Daon appeared holding a white envelope, mocking my peace right in front of me.
She waved the white envelope around as she looked at me.
"It's addressed to me."
"You have someone sending you letters?"
"That's why it's weird!"
Yoo Daon laughed at Song Arin's words and tore open the envelope.
"Hm..."
Then she slowly began reading the letter.
"..."
"..."
Song Arin and Jang Chaeyeon glanced at the letter like it was nothing, but I couldn't tear my eyes from Yoo Daon, gripped by an inexplicable unease as I stared at it.
"...Hm."
Yoo Daon murmured as she read.
"..."
She finished quietly, then set the letter down without a word.
"...Daon."
"Yeah?"
She turned to me with wide eyes when I called.
"...The, letter..."
"Oh, yeah. The letter. Why?"
"...Who sent it?"
Yoo Daon paused at my question, then slowly spoke.
An unfounded anxiety swelled, cold sweat gripping my hands.
After a moment, she spoke calmly.
"My parents."
"..."
Yoo Daon's parents.
I didn't know them well, but... no, undeniably, the ones who ruined her life.
I didn't know why they sold her off, but they did something no parent should.
So why was Yoo Daon...
"...You okay?"
Smiling so brightly?
She just stared at the letter in her hand, smiling like it was nothing.
"Uh... oh. The letter?"
Only then, hearing my question, did she exclaim "Ah!" and shake the letter.
"They're not really related to me anymore."
"..."
She smiled softly as she said that.
I had nothing to say at the sight, so I shut my mouth, but my hand slowly reached for the letter.
"Uh, mind if I read it?"
"Oh, sure!"
Yoo Daon nodded with a casual smile.
I looked at her and slowly took the letter, unfolding it.
"..."
[To Daon.]
It was written in neat handwriting.
[Daon. It's obvious, but when we heard you were alive, you can't imagine how happy we were. You survived that ordeal after all.]
"..."
[So, there's something I'd like to ask of you.]
[We heard you're in a good team these days and happy. If you have time, could you introduce me sometime?]
[Name: Letter]
[Age: Created 2 months ago]
[Specialty: X]
[Talent: X]
[Background: This letter is being written for you, the one reading it. Yes. For you.]
[Weakness: Tear it up.]
"..."
I quietly folded the letter.
-Rip...
And started tearing it.
Into shreds, until the letter became scraps falling to the floor.
"Jaeheon?"
Yoo Daon tilted her head at me, and I spoke.
"Let's have an emergency meeting."