Chapter 404
Chapter 404
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 404. Individuality
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I gaze at the lunchboxes right in front of me.
My god, how many are these?
"If we each take one to eat tomorrow, there'll still be leftovers, right?"
"Tomorrow, I'll pack fresh ones."
Jang Chaeyeon responds calmly to my words.
...
"Open them. Quick. They'll get cold."
"It's still morning, though?"
If I have to unwrap each one like this, I might as well get to work.
With that sentiment, I look at the Team Leader,
"Yeah, no work today."
"What? But yesterday there was that huge incident!"
"Exactly, no one got hurt!"
The Team Leader shouts proudly as he looks at me.
"There was one person who almost got jumped by a monster mimicking their junior, but our maknae handled it perfectly and got them out safely."
"That's me!"
At the Team Leader's words, Park Ye-eun puffs out her chest and declares confidently. I watch her for a moment before opening my mouth.
"...Good for you."
Everything's great, except that I apparently have to unwrap all these lunchboxes right now.
No, actually, isn't this all really good news?
With that thought, I look at the lunchboxes.
No helping it, then. Time to open them.
I look at the lunchboxes, sorted by color.
A super practical-looking one, an incredibly expensive-looking one, and a cute, colorful one.
"...Okay, this cute one must be Song Arin's purchase."
"...How'd you know?"
Song Arin looks at me at my mutter, and I shrug.
"The others wouldn't buy something like that."
Then I point to the practical one.
"This is Chaeyeon's. And this new one must be Daon's."
"Right."
"You figured it out quick."
The two nod at my words.
Honestly, they're such perfectly fitting choices for them that I don't even feel like commenting.
Yoo Daon clearly went to a department store and bought the priciest one anyone could see, while Jang Chaeyeon probably picked what she thought was the most efficient option.
"...So, whose do you plan to open first?"
Song Arin, who'd been listening to our conversation, asks in an anxious voice.
...
Whose to open first.
In a situation like this, picking one means disappointing the other two.
The classic no-win scenario where you're damned whatever you choose.
"Ye-eun."
"Yeah, oppa?"
"Wanna open a lid with your oppa?"
...
Park Ye-eun glares at me sulkily, but soon sighs and stands beside me.
"How could this lowly one defy the words of her sky-like brother?"
"Good, you... um... uh..."
Who should I have Park Ye-eun open?
This is tricky too.
"Quit screwing around and just open one already."
Song Arin, who'd been watching us, opens her mouth with a sigh,
"Then you open Arin's."
"Sure."
"Wait, why mine by him?"
"...Then you open Chaeyeon's."
...
"...Daon's..."
"...Jaeheon..."
What do you want from me?
You said pick anyone, so why?
Unable to stand it anymore, the Team Leader stands and looks at the other three.
"Kids. Go wait outside for now. If you fuss over this, you'll never get to eat lunch."
"...Team Leader..."
I'm touched, Team Leader. I'll follow you forever.
With that thought, I look at the Team Leader, and the other three pout their lips before heading out of the office as instructed.
...Whew.
"But really, whose are you opening first?"
"Why are you so curious about that?"
I turn away from Park Ye-eun, who's asking with an expression like she's watching a fun drama, and sigh.
Yeah, whose first.
Even as I think that, I can't stop my hand from reaching for Jang Chaeyeon's lunchbox.
No, but how can I not when she's the best cook?
I just want to pick the most reliable, delicious-looking food, that's all.
With that thought, I open the lunchbox,
...Oh.
As expected, it doesn't betray my expectations—a truly heartfelt lunchbox appears before my eyes.
What do you even call this.
It's like the textbook of textbooks; nothing else comes close.
Egg rolls, bulgogi, rice... what do you say? Consistently solid food?
Not just that—the side dish compartments have gujeolpan,
Every single item brimming with care.
"Wow, takes me back to my newlywed days."
"Did your wife make lunches like this back then, ma'am?"
"Nah, that's why it reminds me of what I didn't have."
"What..."
I let the Team Leader and Park Ye-eun's conversation flow in one ear and out the other as I look at the next lunchbox.
Alright. Next one...
...
These two are kinda worrying, but let's pick the least worrisome of them.
I turn my gaze to Song Arin's lunchbox.
Let's open it.
With that thought, I reach for the lunchbox,
And slowly open it to reveal a savory fried scent wafting up.
"...What is this?"
Park Ye-eun peeks over from beside me, staring, her mouth slightly agape.
"It's all drinking snacks?"
Just as she says, it's all booze accompaniments.
Fried stuff, braised, spicy, salty, sweet...
Everything super stimulating, perfect with drinks.
"Want me to grab some soju?"
"Team Leader."
Even in the Management Bureau, soju during work hours?
"Kidding."
The Team Leader sighs with an "oy vey."
"...Next..."
Park Ye-eun stares blatantly at the last lunchbox.
Yoo Daon's.
"I seriously can't get a read on this one."
"Me neither."
I think I've eaten food from Yoo Daon before, but a lunchbox is different.
With that thought, I slowly lift the lid.
...Hm.
Seaweed soup, seasoned beef... normal stuff.
Veggies too, bellflower roots, soybean sprouts...
No weird smells, nothing bizarre inside.
But...
"Isn't this hospital low-sodium food?"
"Shh."
Park Ye-eun's eyes widen, clearly thinking the same as me, and I put my index finger to my lips as I look at her.
"...Don't say it when Daon gets back."
"Oh, okay..."
As Park Ye-eun nods slowly, I glance at the door, stand, and open it.
The three are pressed against it, eavesdropping, and they jolt back in surprise.
"...Did you think I'd trash your lunches?"
"Damn... if we're gonna get caught looking this pathetic, we should've at least heard something."
Song Arin mutters incredulously, scratching her cheek and clicking her tongue.
She's getting bolder and bolder.
The three file neatly back into the office.
"You haven't eaten yet, right?"
"Nope."
"When will you?"
"Lunchtime?"
"The cafeteria got wrecked, so in the office..."
"I don't like food smells in the office."
The Team Leader cuts in calmly, and the rest of us can only exchange glances.
Can't blame him for hating food smells in the office.
"...Let's eat outside."
At my words, the three nod, we close the lids, and continue work until lunchtime.
Work is work, but really, it's just another uneventful day passing.
Soon, lunchtime arrives,
And excluding the Team Leader, we're sitting in the Management Bureau's makeshift break room.
Of course, it's not just us.
Familiar faces are everywhere.
Eileen glancing our way while chatting with her team, An Sang-hyun munching a triangle kimbap with a refreshing smile, other team members eating and talking.
Occasionally, eyes turn our way, but we can't tell why.
Because we're from HR, or...
...
I look at the lunchboxes in front of me.
Way too many.
Anyone can see the tons of effort put into them.
...Wow...
"What the..."
I can almost hear the murmurs from the crowd.
...
...
...
And the others, excluding me, seem to get the vibe too—they clear their throats awkwardly and stay quiet.
"...This is embarrassing."
Above all, Song Arin's face is beet red, but she just says that, crosses her arms, and stares at me without doing anything.
If it's that embarrassing, she could just leave.
...
"What're you starting with?"
But Jang Chaeyeon and Yoo Daon ignore it all, staring straight at me.
...
Whose first.
No, in times like this, just go for what looks tasty.
I pick up Song Arin's lunchbox and take a bite.
Just as expected.
Stimulating, spicy, salty, sweet... and that's why it's delicious.
Might wreck my body, but the flavor's solid.
"...Could sell this stuff."
What do you call it—restaurant food loaded with seasonings?
Song Arin beams confidently, arms crossed at my words.
Next...
I eat Jang Chaeyeon's lunchbox.
Stable flavor? Or familiar taste?
Always delicious, no matter when.
And it's the one I've eaten most often.
"...Delicious as always."
"...Yeah."
Jang Chaeyeon smiles softly at my words.
"I only made what you like."
"How'd you know?"
"Just from watching you eat."
How? I wonder, but don't ask.
Finally...
I look at Yoo Daon's lunchbox and take a bite.
Healthy taste, mild...
Like... hospital food...
..."Healthy flavor. Tasty."
I hesitate over my words before speaking, and Jang Chaeyeon tilts her head.
"Like hospital food?"
"N-No, not that."
"It kinda is."
Song Arin, who's snuck a bite of Yoo Daon's side dish, widens her eyes.
"Tastes just like hospital food."
"I said it's healthy."
"Haha..."
Yoo Daon gives a wry smile at my desperate defense,
"Looks great!"
The branch chief has appeared out of nowhere, looking at us.
No, with this many people? I glance around,
And everyone except An Sang-hyun has vanished like they'd planned it.
What, where'd they all run off to?
The thought doesn't last long.
"But not quite as good as mine."
The branch chief grins confidently at us, and competitive fire lights in the three women's eyes.
..."Wanna see?"
"Yeah. How good could it be?"
...
They all stare at the branch chief, who doesn't lose his smug smile as he pulls out his lunchbox.
"Don't faint when you see it."
...
I look at the lunchbox the branch chief pulls out.
...
A lunchbox container woven from wood.
Inside: barley rice, a few big chunks of radish cut in half, and perilla leaf pickles.
"Healthy and good for you at a glance, right?"
The branch chief grins confidently,
And we just exchange glances.
What do you even say to that.