🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 14
Ring, ring, ring.
[Administrative Support Department]
Snapped out of her thoughts by the ringing phone, Somang quickly picked up the receiver.
“Yes, this is TF Team, Baek Somang.”
-You need to pick up the team uniforms, but no one from the TF Team has come down yet. Could you come before lunch?
Checking the time, Somang apologized repeatedly before ending the call. Her mind was entirely preoccupied with the coffee Hangyeol had taken.
“Did anyone happen to see?”
Muttering to herself, Somang looked around desperately, trying to check the coffee inside the manager’s office. Team members were coming in and out for approvals and reports, and through the slightly open blinds, the coffee still sat on his desk.
He had taken it to drink but hadn’t even offered to share.
“I should at least sneak the straw into the trash.”
She had no intention of fueling any gossip in the wild jungle of office life. And now even her neighbor Minchan had probably noticed. It was only a matter of time before the whole team knew.
Her thoughts were interrupted again by the ringing phone beside her. Ah—team uniforms!
“Minchan, do you want to go to the administrative support department first? No, let’s go together.”
Deciding it would be better to move and distract herself from her worries, Somang stood up.
“Okay.”
Following behind her, Minchan suppressed a laugh that threatened to escape.
Their observing manager watched all day like a frightened squirrel, eyes fixed on the manager’s office. When someone entered, he would gnaw at his nails nervously; when they left, he’d sigh in relief. The range of expressions was mesmerizing.
When Minchan went to deliver some documents to the manager’s office, he understood immediately why everyone was so tense: a paper straw with lipstick on it.
Minchan’s gaze lingered on the coffee next to the monitor.
Interesting. So this is what office life is like.
After delivering the documents and leaving the office, Minchan caught Somang peeking over the partition. She gave him a sideways glance, full of questioning expressions until she sat down.
Somang, heading briskly toward the administrative support department, was called by Minchan:
“Deputy Manager.”
“Yes?”
Her voice wavered slightly at the small call, showing her nervousness.
Minchan, sensing an opportunity, changed the subject.
“So, what kind of uniforms are these?”
Somang, now calm, explained energetically:
“Oh, every year on the first Saturday of September, the company holds a hiking workshop.”
“Hiking?”
“Yes. They hide a ton of prizes along the hiking course, so even though it’s the weekend, the participation rate is super high.”
Even as Somang spoke passionately, Minchan seemed indifferent, so she quickly added:
“When I was a rookie, I wondered why the company did this. But all the prizes are the latest electronics—you’d be tempted too!”
She listed the prizes while folding her slender fingers: laptops, air purifiers, robot vacuums, and even a clothes steamer. Her small eyes twinkled with greed, subtly asking if he wanted to join.
Having just acted like a nervous squirrel hiding acorns, she now appeared innocent like a child.
Minchan couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle at her unpredictable behavior.
Walking back, they handed out the team uniforms they had collected. Chattering about this year’s hiking workshop prizes with colleagues, lunchtime arrived before they realized it.
The company cafeteria seemed busier than usual, probably because the menu featured hamburger steak.
“Can I sit with you? My whole team is out today,” Dahee said, approaching the TF Team as usual.
As always, Eunjung and Dahee’s high energy sparked even more conversation than usual.
“I have a blind date this week—what should I wear?”
The ever-honest Eunjung opened her phone to help Dahee choose her outfit.
“For a blind date, the outfit is obviously a dress. Wear this one.”
Then, suddenly remembering something, Dahee clapped her hands.
“Somang, what’s your type?”
Somang, mid-bite of her hamburger steak, tilted her head instead of answering.
“Why? Are you setting me up on a blind date?”
Interrupting her, Eunjung teased excitedly.
“But Deputy Manager, you seem really picky. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you date anyone.”
Somang, chewing, quickly swallowed some water to avoid showing any reaction. She felt Hangyeol’s presence in her mind.
“I just don’t show it. And I’m not picky.”
Eunjung and Dahee pressed her to elaborate. Dahee put down her chopsticks, opening her phone’s note app with determination to record Somang’s perfect ideal type without missing a detail.
“I’d like him to be a bit short.”
“Huh?”
Eunjung asked in disbelief. Somang nodded, visualizing Hangyeol’s facial features.
“His skin should be dark, and he should look a bit tired. His nose should be a bit low and rounded, which looks nice.”
“Uh…? This is really your type, right?”
Dahee jotted down notes, uncertain if she got it right.
Somang then imagined his firm chest below the neck:
“A body that’s soft and comforting when hugged. Exactly that style.”
Pointing toward someone entering the cafeteria, Somang extended her arm.
As the bulky figure revealed his face, Eunjung’s expression instantly contorted. Beside him, Minchan buried his head, trying not to laugh.
“Deputy Manager Gam… are you serious?”
Somang realized her mistake too late—her eyes had already met Daesik’s. She waved her hand frantically, and he approached, laughing.
“Deputy Baek, want me to buy you coffee outside?”
“No, your outfit today really suits you.”
Gam smiled brightly at her comment, thinking deeply about something.
“Deputy Baek, you’re really ‘ne-joh’ today!”
Eunjung and Dahee frowned.
“Huh?”
“‘Ne-joh’ means feeling good~ Young people today don’t understand these words. ‘Ne-joh’ canceled.”
Somang awkwardly laughed and sent Deputy Manager Gam to lunch.
“So… your ideal type is Deputy Manager Gam?”
“Really?”
Eunjung and Dahee exchanged sympathetic glances.
“Still, I heard he was really smart when he was young,” Somang added.
Hangyeol, quietly listening, put down his utensils and wiped his lips.
“Well, is a match possible?”
Even though Hangyeol’s face was neutral, his voice carried a teasing tone.
“I’ll do my best.”
Dahee made a fighting gesture toward Somang. Grateful as she was, it almost brought tears to her eyes.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do your best.”
Losing her appetite, Somang gathered the remaining rice into her soup bowl and followed the team members to the dish return. From behind, she heard stifled laughter and saw Minchan laughing at her and Hangyeol.
That night, tossing and turning in bed, Somang finally sprang up.
“Ugh, something feels off. What is it?”
Could he have noticed she was living with Hangyeol?
“The new guy seems incredibly perceptive,” she thought.
She needed to be careful. Getting ready, she put on her jacket and headed to the convenience store. One can of beer should be enough to make her sleepy.
“Perfect!”
As she reached for the last new beer, a large man next to her grabbed it first.
“I got it first…” she mumbled nervously.
A man in a black hoodie slowly removed his hood.
“Ah, Deputy Baek.”
“Minchan?”
By coincidence, it was her junior, Park Minchan, who had also reached for the last beer. Somang hesitated at the unexpected encounter.
“You live here?”
“Yes, over there,” Minchan replied, pointing to the apartment opposite hers, which was also high-end.
So even the illegitimate child’s apartment is different, she thought.
“Here, you take this,” Minchan handed Somang the cold beer.
“Since you gave me the beer, can I ask you something in return?”
“What is it?”
Just as Somang reached for her card to pay, Minchan asked,
“Deputy, does the team leader still like you?”
Startled, Somang dropped the beer can. It fell and hit the top of her foot hard.
