Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Episode 50. Shoulder Tackle
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After three days off, I headed into the office and spotted a welcome face.
Our office usually just has Manager Park, Assistant Manager Kim, and me—three guys, so it always reeks of stale manhood.
But this morning, a refreshing whiff of women's perfume cut through the air.
It was Manager Kwak from the marketing team.
What brings her to our office first thing?
"Morning, Manager Kwak! Have a great day."
"Oh~ Assistant Manager Kwon! Get some good rest yesterday?"
"How'd you know I took off yesterday?"
"Overheard it in a meeting with Manager Park~. So, what'd you do? Girlfriend? Family?"
"Huh? Uh..."
Having a manager from another department pry into my personal life first thing in the morning felt awkward.
I hesitated, and that's when Manager Park jumped in, prodding me even more.
"Date, obviously. No hardcore gamer takes a personal day just for games. Am I right?"
"I can't argue since I did use a personal day out of the blue, but... you're showing way too much interest. It's weird."
"Spill it. Date?"
"Not a date, but... yeah, I did meet a woman."
"Hear that, Manager Kwak? Pay up."
"Ugh... I'm disappointed in you, Assistant Manager Kwon..."
Manager Park held out his hand, and Manager Kwak placed a 50,000-won bill on it.
No wonder they were so overly interested...
"You two bet on me?"
Manager Kwak looked sheepish as she made excuses.
"When I heard you suddenly took a personal day, I got curious. You've always been so diligent, just work work work..."
"Exactly why it's gotta be a woman. A thirty-year-old guy acting out of character? Always woman trouble."
"I still believed in you... Thought it had to be some incident or family matter."
"Sorry to let you down. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Whoa, that's not what I meant..."
"You're not some freeloader anyway. Use your personal days guilt-free when you've earned it. And you probably worked yesterday too, right?"
That much was true.
Half my job involves liaising with outsiders, so yesterday I handled calls and emails for consultations.
"Yes, sir. Kept things running smoothly."
"See? No need to feel bad about a personal day."
I'd felt guilty for requesting it two hours before starting, but his words put me at ease.
Truth be told, I'd gone all out gaming with Dahye and even had a date vibe going. Score.
It was now 8:50.
Since I'd rested up yesterday, time to grind hard today.
Manager Kwak headed back to marketing, and I grabbed a coffee with Manager Park in the break room.
"Can you handle today's meetings solo? Stuff must be piled up."
"Yes, sir. Knock out three this afternoon, and no overtime needed. You saw the recruitment report via email?"
"Yeah. Solid work. Hey, Kwon, your face looks brighter lately?"
"My face?"
"You used to look wrecked every day, but now you've got color."
"Really?"
Checking the mirror, my skin tone was definitely brighter.
Mornings used to leave me looking murky, with dark circles under my eyes.
Probably from finally sleeping well.
I'd stumble through days half-asleep from sleep deprivation, then stress over it in bed at night.
Lately, I crash the moment my head hits the pillow—recovery's quick, mind's sharp, no stress.
Hell, I even look forward to bedtime.
With Dahye in my arms, her scent chasing away all my fears.
Am I really addicted to Park Dahye?
Come to think of it, I've never thanked her. Always mooching off her like this.
And right as I was lost in thoughts of Dahye, that name popped out of Manager Park's mouth.
Whoa.
"Park Dahye, the author?"
"Pardon?"
"The one you met yesterday. You're friends with author Park Dahye, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Suddenly wanted to hang out..."
"Well, look at you. No comeback for that confidence... "
"Park Dahye's tied to our work, so lying about her would feel off."
"Fair. Still surprising. Kwon Seonghyeon of all people, dating someone he met through meetings. Wonders never cease."
"Not dating. Don't push it."
"Oho? Getting defensive? Who's right, me or you? Guys and girls can only be friends up to college. After that? One's got feelings. Or both."
"..."
"Your face says it all. You've got the hots for her."
Ghostly intuition.
Manager Park's unflappable vibe at work probably comes from reading people like books.
Dahye claims she reads my mind, but she's light-years behind him.
No winning this—time to change the subject.
"Right, any progress on marketing's promo?"
"Dodging, huh... Just admit you're dating."
"I'm not..."
"It's on your desk. Read and report ASAP."
"Got it, sir!"
Back at my desk, a report waited—not ours, marketing's.
Titled: [New Illustrator Internet Live Promo Plan]
Manager Kwak and I had hashed this out all last week; this must be the result.
Eternal Princess players were obsessed with Park Dahye lately.
G-Fex cosplay success spiked new players, but no info on her anywhere.
Our game's fanbase thrives on otaku fuel, so dangling that bait had them in a frenzy.
Hence my pitch: release the avatar she drew while the hype's hot.
But the report was way more aggressive than I'd imagined.
'Live stream with cosplay again...'
Marketing was just as desperate.
Selling the avatar alone would've stirred buzz.
But they were gunning for Dahye herself.
The plan: Dahye cosplays Rosanne, chats with viewers, draws live.
Mentioning top streamer Dongbaekyang meant they were serious.
She's a streaming heavyweight who handles any guest well, so Dahye might nail it...
Would Dahye be up for it?
Hard to say.
Busan cosplay succeeded thanks to her grit, but back home, she barely mentioned it.
Just content she'd powered through.
Now a stream with a big streamer? Good promo could draw thousands—would she do it again?
"Sir, I'll talk to Dahye directly on marketing's plan and report back tomorrow."
"Good. Kwak's hounding me—get a firm yes or no by then."
"Yes, sir! Off to my meetings."
"Good luck. Let's see some sister-in-law perks."
"It's not like that."
"Not buying it. Go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A full day of mindless rest yesterday had me wiped today.
One meeting at city hall, one in Gangdong, then back near the office for another.
Three back-to-back, squeezing laptop work in between—it drained me.
But my steps home were light.
6 PM now.
Home by 7, dinner with Dahye, some gaming, early bed.
Never hated quitting time before, but lately, it sends my mood soaring.
What would Dahye look like greeting me today?
Dashing out at the door lock beep after a day of gaming?
Or rubbing her face on my leg like a puppy again?
I used to grumble at every welcome.
Now just thinking about it brings a smile.
Hmm...
Maybe I'm not dependent on Dahye—maybe she's taming me.
But...
Today's welcome was even more aggressive than usual.
On the taxi ride home, something outside yanked my head around.
It was Dahye.
Sitting at the bus stop, legs swinging.
A dream?
"Sir! Drop me here!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The bus stop came into view.
Bus arrives, suits and uniforms pour off, scattering in hurried steps.
Dahye sits on the bench, watching them.
Once cleared, she checks her phone; next bus, she looks up, scanning faces.
What the heck is she doing?
Silly girl.
I don't always take the bus— what made her wait there?
What if we missed each other?
I snuck behind her, grabbed her chin with one hand.
Voice low: "Move and you're dead."
"Eek! Who's that~? Classic line?"
"Nah. Dumb puppies get shot. Who said wait here?"
"Ugh... Meant to scare you... but no bus..."
"Took a taxi post-meetings. What if we'd crossed paths?"
"Mission failed, but contact made!"
She popped up, turning to me.
Skinny white tee hugging her body, wide jeans.
No sunglasses or hat, slippers dragging...
Still gorgeous.
Her makeup skills were leveling up daily.
Bet she'd gotten hit on twice sitting there.
"Hungry? Wanna grab something on the way?"
"Hell yeah!"
"What're you craving?"
"Burger!"
"Again?"
"McD's today! Gotta steal all your fries, hehe."
"Dream on. I'll eat faster."
Exhausted seconds ago.
Like rushing to heal a party member in peril.
Dahye really was a pro healer—great instincts.
She stuck to my side, linking arms naturally.
Never done this outside.
I stared, questioning; she jutted her chin, bold as brass.
Expression screaming confidence.
"Fine, do what you want."
I'd begged for hugs yesterday.
No grounds to refuse skinship now.
Pretending to cave happily, we headed home.
The burger-stuffed walk felt special.
Cool breeze, evening haze laced with kids' laughter.
Academy kids heading home with moms picking them up.
Arm-in-arm with Dahye felt odd, but to others, we'd blend right in.
Imagining that eased me.
Savoring her warm touch against my arm, we were home in a flash.
Hot shower, games, deep sleep ahead.
Full happiness combo incoming.
But the bliss didn't last.
An unwelcome guest at our apartment door.
The one jarring figure in this cozy neighborhood.
Dark gray suit, designer handbag.
Her makeup looked sharper today—or was it her expression?
Suyeon stood there.
First time in a month.
She eyed us up and down, scoffing.
"Wow... Came here and saw the weirdest shit. I must be crazy."
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