MBTJ 34

Chapter 34

Oh Chang-seok stomped downstairs like a wild boar.

“Who asked the chief for additional personnel? Come out right now!”

“I did.”

“Again, it’s you?”

When Morae answered, Oh Chang-seok let out an exasperated laugh.

They had received extra personnel without requesting them, and upon checking, it turned out to be the chief’s order.

How on earth did Choi Mandeok know to assign staff?

Someone had clearly bypassed him and contacted the chief directly.

“Alright, let’s hear exactly what you said to the chief.”

“I explained that with the current number of personnel, we couldn’t follow the two-person night shift rule, and asked either for an exception or for additional staff.”

“Ha…”

Oh Chang-seok let out a frustrated sigh.

“Were you trying to make me look bad? Who do you think you are, going to the chief and saying that?”

“No, team leader.”

“No, what do you mean ‘no’! You should have reported to me first if that was going to happen!”

“I thought Se-yeon had told you several times…”

“You didn’t say anything about reporting to the chief!”

Originally, he had planned to just kill time until the regular personnel transfers, then use connections to move to another department.

Why create extra work unnecessarily?

The only ones he could manage were Kang Morae, Gil Se-yeon, and Gil Lohan. He had no intention of increasing the team further.

Adding personnel always means more complaints. And if his own negligence were exposed, it would be a problem.

Morae knew that. That’s why she had deliberately gone to see the chief.

“Is this revenge for being ignored?”

But he couldn’t say that aloud—it would be admitting to negligence.

“I don’t understand what part you’re dissatisfied with. Are you upset that I didn’t persuade you first? Or is it that going to the chief without telling you was wrong?”

It was a genuine question from Morae, but it only fueled Oh Chang-seok’s anger.

“You ask that because you don’t know? And since when do you answer back like that? Did someone teach you that at home?”

Morae lowered her head when family upbringing was mentioned. Seeing her timid demeanor brought a faint thrill to Oh Chang-seok’s eyes.

“It seems Kang Morae needs a senior to guide her. She knows nothing about society at all.”

Oh Chang-seok smirked.

“Se-yeon.”

“Yes, team leader?”

“In the afternoon, two people will be joining us. That means you’ll have to reschedule, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Include me too. I’ll be Kang Morae’s night shift partner.”

“What?”

“There’s too much she doesn’t know. I, as the team leader, should teach her directly.”

It was nothing short of an open declaration of torment.

“Kang Morae, you’ll be working night shifts with me from now on. Pleasure to have you.”

Oh Chang-seok sneered thoroughly and walked out.

“Ah, Morae, what are we going to do…”

Gil Se-yeon stomped her foot anxiously. Worry was clear on Gil Lohan’s face as well.

But Morae remained calm. She had prepared herself for this from the moment she started writing the reports.

Even if it was her first time dealing with workplace politics, Morae wasn’t naive. She knew reporting directly to Choi Mandeok could lead to unpredictable outcomes.

If it were her usual self, she would have endured silently. But she couldn’t ignore Se-yeon even as she was bleeding from the nose.

“It’s fine. He hardly comes down anyway.”

She replied playfully, yet the mood did not lighten.

The heavy silence was broken by Gosan.

“Kang-ah! Go slowly! You’ll make him fall…”

The large Doberman dragging him along stopped. Its big eyes darted around, sensing the serious atmosphere.

“What’s going on?”

Morae smiled and stood up.

“No, Kang, do you want to come here?”

Kang had already been struggling to get to Morae. As Gosan released the leash, Kang leapt and bounded toward her.

“Whoa, Kang, be careful.”

Morae scratched the Doberman’s neck gently. The long-muzzled dog stretched its snout into a grin.

Watching this, Gosan let out a small laugh.

“Seems Kang likes Morae more than me.”

“No, Kang loves you too.”

“…Really? Our Kang said that?”

[Nuna, nuna, pair with our brother. He seems weak on the outside, but he’s useful underneath. I can tell.]

What on earth had it seen?

“Kang seems really… proud of him.”

Gosan’s face softened with emotion.

“Kang-ah! Big brother loves you the most in the world too!”

Growl.

[If you try to kiss me, I’ll bite.]

“Ah, why the growling again? Kang likes big brother too.”

Morae couldn’t help but laugh. Only then did Gil Se-yeon and Gil Lohan relax.

In the afternoon, with two new staff added, the workload decreased significantly.

Gil Se-yeon’s pale complexion improved, and even without saying anything, Morae could sense Gil Lohan’s mood lighten.

“Hello.”

Morae arrived in the afternoon according to schedule, and Gil Se-yeon greeted her warmly from the desk.

“Welcome, Morae. It’s hot outside, isn’t it?”

“Still, it feels cooler than yesterday.”

“Would you like some coffee?”

“Sure.”

Morae went with Se-yeon to the break room. As Se-yeon brewed the coffee, she said:

“It’s a luxury to drink coffee during work. Shamelessly, I really like it.”

Two days ago, they didn’t even have time to go to the restroom while working.

It was all thanks to Morae’s courage.

Still, Se-yeon felt uneasy leaving her to handle everything alone. She handed the coffee to Morae.

“This is your first night shift, right?”

“Yes.”

“What will you do? The eternal ghost won’t lift a finger.”

“I’ve already steeled myself.”

Morae was genuinely unbothered.

She preferred being the only one struggling rather than everyone suffering. That was her nature.

“Morae, you don’t have to endure blindly. You could anonymously report to HR. I’ll handle it this time.”

“I’ll try first. If it gets really hard, I’ll let you know.”

“Tch, you’re not going to say anything anyway.”

Se-yeon pouted. Morae smiled at the cute gesture.

“Can I take charge of the playroom today?”

“Really? We’d be so grateful!”

Taking care of one or two dogs is easy, but more than twenty is exhausting in just a couple of hours.

But for Morae, as a tamer, it was play, not work.

The playroom normally required two people to manage, yet Morae handled it alone.

No accidents, no fights. Se-yeon held Morae’s hand tightly.

“If it were you, I’d give you about a tenth of my salary.”

“I’ll let you know if I need money later.”

Morae teased, and Se-yeon laughed heartily.

They drank coffee and headed to the playroom.

[Nuna!]

[Nuna, these humans are idiots! I told them to touch the tail, and they keep patting the belly!]

[Why are you late today? Are you going to slack off again?]

The children swarmed. Even the proud little princess hopped at their feet.

Exhausted staff muttered, “It’s nap time, but the kids won’t listen…”

“I’ll put them to sleep. Go rest.”

“Ah, saved. Please take care of them for a bit.”

Once the staff left, Morae personally attended to each child.

“Kang-ah, don’t bother your friends. Mandu, put the toy down. Good. Now, let’s get ready for nap.”

As she set the rules, the previously excited dogs quickly calmed down.

Without being told, they lay down in their spots.

The noisy room instantly became quiet. Soon, soft snores could be heard.

Morae tiptoed to a chair.

At that moment, a familiar scent reached her, and a large hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind.

“Shh.”