🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 49
The competition was organized in a tournament format, with five teams competing. Perhaps because the first-place prize was a department store gift certificate worth 500,000 won, the competition was intense right from the start.
As soon as the whistle blew, people tripped over mismatched steps, stumbled when their feet got tangled, and collided with each other—it was chaos. Because of this, she and Manager Lee Jae-seok managed to make it to the finals without much trouble.
At first, she had told herself that simply participating was enough, but as they advanced step by step, she began to feel competitive, and at some point, she realized she was actually enjoying herself.
It was the first time she had genuinely enjoyed socializing with others since elementary school.
“Team Leader Seo, don’t you think we’re really in sync?”
“It’s thanks to your excellent guidance, Manager.”
It wasn’t a mere compliment. Without Manager Lee Jae-seok, they would never have made it this far.
“What would you do if we won the gift certificate?”
“Hmm…”
Even though the finals were still ahead, Manager Lee spoke as if first place was already theirs.
“Let’s use it to go eat something delicious.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a bit awkward to split it evenly at 250,000 won each. How about just having a dinner for the person who worked the hardest?”
Dinner with someone she wasn’t even close to? She already felt uneasy.
But with the match still ongoing, outright refusal might create awkwardness, so she tried to deflect—only to hear a voice behind her.
“Sorry, but that won’t work.”
Startled, she turned around to find Nam Do-hyun and Kim Su-ji standing there as if they had appeared out of nowhere.
When his gaze fell on her, Yeon-ha naturally looked away. At that moment, Manager Lee stepped forward.
“What do you mean?”
“First place is ours.”
“Exactly. First place is ours.”
Kim Su-ji echoed his words.
Faced with their assertiveness, Manager Lee scoffed.
“Let’s see if you can actually take it. It won’t be easy.”
“If it were easy, it wouldn’t be fun.”
The two men locked eyes fiercely, and the tension instantly blanketed the surroundings in silence.
“Now, we’ll begin the final race. Competitors, please step up to the starting line.”
At last, the two teams stood at the starting line, their gazes sharpening as if aiming at each other.
“Ready…”
Nervous from the announcer’s voice, Yeon-ha clutched Manager Lee’s arm tightly.
“Go!”
When the whistle blew, she ran in sync with Manager Lee’s pace. From the beginning, the two teams were neck and neck. Their speed alone outmatched the other teams.
However, pride drove Manager Lee to push himself even faster as a former athlete. He naturally lengthened his stride and accelerated. Yet due to an unexpected shift, Yeon-ha momentarily lost her balance and ultimately fell forward, unable to regain it.
Seizing the opportunity, Do-hyun’s team surged ahead and ultimately claimed victory.
Unlike Do-hyun’s calm demeanor, Kim Su-ji jumped up in joy, hugging him tightly.
Although Do-hyun quickly let her go, the pang of jealousy was inevitable.
Looking away to avoid seeing it, she noticed Manager Lee looking regretful.
“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
“No, I got carried away trying to win and sped up without thinking of you.”
Hearing her apology, Manager Lee swallowed his disappointment and said:
“Anyway, thanks to you, I had fun for the first time in a while.”
“Since we ended up on the same team, let’s have a meal together when you go back to Seoul. It’s on me.”
As she tried to finish and return to her seat, Manager Lee grabbed her arm.
Yeon-ha hesitated for a moment but thought of Do-hyun. Having decided to confess to him, she felt she needed to draw a clear line and said calmly:
“Sorry, but I don’t think that will be possible.”
“Why not?”
She glanced behind Manager Lee at Do-hyun, who was receiving congratulatory messages, and replied:
“My boyfriend gets really jealous.”
Manager Lee seemed momentarily stunned and couldn’t respond.
In the evening, everyone gathered for drinks. The atmosphere focused on the two who had won the three-legged race.
“How did you two work together so well?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t even see your feet!”
“Beating a former athlete? I’m genuinely surprised!”
While everyone marveled, Do-hyun modestly brushed it off as luck. However, Kim Su-ji, who enjoyed the attention, added teasingly:
“I just did what Do-hyun told me.”
“What did he say?”
Her suggestive tone piqued the curiosity of the other female employees.
“He told me to trust him and follow along.”
“Eek!”
“Wow! Amazing!”
The female employees fussed over her comment, and Do-hyun, unsure what to say, stayed silent in the lively atmosphere.
Then Deputy Manager Jeong Seong-tae poured Do-hyun a drink and spoke:
“You two look good together. Why don’t you actually go out?”
“Sir…”
“Look at you running earlier—there’s no denying the chemistry.”
Though Do-hyun tried to stop him, Assistant Manager Ahn Il-young cut him off.
“Go on a love shot together.”
“Drink! Drink!”
“Oh my, why is everyone like this?”
As the atmosphere naturally connected the two, Kim Su-ji couldn’t hide her smile despite her words.
Watching from a distance, Yeon-ha felt bitter.
When it had been known that she and Do-hyun had been together at the rest stop, people had immediately dismissed the idea that they could date. Yet just because Kim Su-ji had been on the same team in a three-legged race, people acted as if a legendary couple had formed.
Though Kim Su-ji was young and charming, Yeon-ha wasn’t inferior—except for age. She had never considered her age an obstacle, but now it made her feel bitter.
At that moment, she heard the laughter from his table. Curious but unwilling to look, Yeon-ha stared at her own glass as if it could absorb her feelings.
He hadn’t done anything wrong; he ignored Kim Su-ji’s continuous flirtations.
The problem lay with her. Once indifferent, now aware of her own feelings, every action of his caught her attention.
Though she knew Kim Su-ji meant nothing to him, she felt anxious and jealous.
To hide her gloom, she quickly finished her drink, but the alcohol only stirred her emotions further.
Fearing she might make a mistake, she excused herself and stepped outside.
Seeking some quiet, she sat on a bench away from the entrance.
Perhaps because it was far from the city, the night sky was filled with stars. Though she hadn’t seen them in a while, her unsettled mind made it hard to appreciate their beauty.
“Ha…”
Feeling blocked in her chest, she let out a long sigh. At that moment, her phone rang.
RRRRR. RRRRR. RRRRR.
It was Hwang Seong-ju, Director of the design department she had worked with before.
He had a quick temper, making him hard to follow, but she recalled learning a lot under him.
“Hello, Director.”
[Hope I’m not bothering you on the weekend.]
“It’s fine.”
She deliberately didn’t mention that she was at a workshop, not wanting him to feel bad.
[I heard you moved to Sale Wool.]
“Yes, I heard.”
She had already heard that Hwang had been scouted by Sale Wool to head a newly launched brand. They were ambitiously preparing for both the domestic and overseas markets.
[So, I need your help.]
“Pardon?”
[I need someone meticulous and quick, like Team Leader Seo.]
Taken aback by the sudden proposal, she couldn’t respond, but Hwang continued:
[I’m not just asking you to come. I’ll meet your salary expectations and even promote you to Senior. How about it?]
The offer was extraordinary—not only a competitive salary, but also a Senior title at her age, when she was already a fast-rising team leader.
Moreover, the brands Hwang had successfully launched were numerous. Working under him again would undoubtedly be a huge boost to her career.
