WFLRN 35

The Job Offer

Vendia, who had been striding forward pretending not to notice him, finally turned around.

“Why are you following me?”

“What am I supposed to do now that I’m here?”

“That’s your problem, isn’t it? I’m busy, so let’s part ways here.” She waved her hand in an exasperated motion.

Ron’s grandfather had dropped them off in front of The Line. He hadn’t forgotten to add a threat: If the “employee” story turned out to be a lie, he would break Ron’s legs and drag him back home.

“Do you think that old man won’t check? You said I was your employee.”

“I’ll put your name on the employee list. Ron, right?”

“He’s going to check to see if I’m actually working.”

“So you’re saying you’ll actually work? Here?” Vendia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. It was impossible, wasn’t it? She had realized from the automatic carriage that Ron came from a family with a certain amount of wealth. Living in an expensive mansion without a job meant he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

“Why couldn’t I?” Ron suddenly raised an eyebrow, a hint of dissatisfaction in his expression.

“Huh? Are you serious?”

“Do you think it’s pathetic that I’m like this, too?”

“…Huh?”

What’s he talking about now?

Vendia was quite surprised to hear the word “pathetic” come from his mouth. Wasn’t he the type who thought he was the best? Was what his grandfather said earlier bothering him? He looked more lost in thought than usual.

“Um, well…”

“Forget it.” Before she could answer, he turned his head away, as if he hadn’t expected an answer anyway.

“Everyone has their own time, you know.” But at Vendia’s words, his eyes focused on her again.

“What grand thing do you have to accomplish at 24? Do you have to save a country to not be pathetic?”

In the world she came from, he would be a college student at 24. Since he was a man, he would have either gone to the army or, if not a student, he would be a young professional who just started his first job or was working part-time. It was an age where he might not even know what he wanted to do yet. Since she was actually 29, she had faced similar struggles herself. Others had dreams and worked hard for them, while she just worked a job given to her like a machine to fit a certain criteria.

But she had quickly corrected that mindset. If even I think I’m pathetic, then who will be there for me? Realizing no one would, she let go of the thought for her own sake. She might not have a grand dream, but she was a person who worked hard every day to take care of herself.

“Some people achieve their goals at 30, some at 40, and some at 60, don’t they? And if you don’t achieve them, that’s okay, too. What’s wrong with that?”

“So you’re saying it doesn’t matter if I live like a playboy?”

Oh… he has good self-awareness. Vendia’s eyes widened in surprise as she continued.

“Isn’t it okay if you’re aware of it yourself? It’s fine to wander and rebel, as long as it’s within legal bounds.”

No one is born with a predetermined use or purpose. Life is full of ups and downs. As long as you have the mental clarity to properly recognize your current situation, you’ll be able to get back on your feet someday.

“Are you anxious?”

“Anxious? Me?”

“You look it.”

“…” Ron just stared at Vendia in silence. In her transparent, clear blue eyes, his own confused face wavered.

Ah, so that’s what it was. I was anxious.

He had to admit it. How could he not be? Everyone around him who saw his situation reacted the same way as his grandfather. Is this really the time for you to be like this? You’re pathetic. Get it together. Why are you acting so special?

Yeah, maybe he was being special. But he wasn’t sure. He just needed more time. So he ran away. But running away wasn’t a form of rest. He had been filled with endless doubt, wondering if he was truly okay like this.

“Everyone has their own pace, you know. There are flowers that bloom late, aren’t there?”

Ron’s red eyes widened. He was surprised. No one had ever said something like that to him before. And maybe it was what he had wanted to hear the most.

“Oh, and for the record, I’m not saying this because of the rent.”

“Ha…” At Vendia’s quick addition to avoid misunderstanding, Ron, who had been deep in thought, let out an involuntary snort of laughter.

She’s a truly funny woman. And from this funny woman, Ron had found some comfort.

“Everyone goes through this struggle. I did, too. At 24, you’re still just a baby. A baby.”

“A baby?”

What is this? This way of speaking, like she’s talking to her immature little brother? Ron’s lips, which had been turned up in a smile, went back down.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-three.”

“You wanna die?” Ron’s face scrunched up in annoyance.

“No! I’m just exceptionally competent!” Vendia shrieked, flustered. This is awkward. I can’t exactly say I’m 29.

Before Ron’s glare could kill her, she quickly spoke again. “So you’ll work, right? The cafe is short-staffed. Can you help with the serving?”

“Are you crazy? How could I do that?”

“You said you’d work!”

“Something else.”

“This is driving me crazy. Now the employee is lording it over the boss?”

“Something. Else.”

Watching Ron speak so obnoxiously and clearly, Vendia’s lips twitched from the rising frustration. “Then since you’re good at fighting, what about security for the Second District…”

“No.”

“We’re having a coconut chip tasting event, so what about being a tasting agent…”

“Do you think that would work?”

“Then what will you do?! Just don’t work! Don’t work at all!”

Vendia finally exploded, shouting loudly. She was panting with a flushed face when Ron calmly spoke.

“Something where I don’t show my face. It would be a problem if people swarmed because of me.”

“What did you say?”

I’m speechless. She took back what she said about him not being pathetic. She felt like grabbing a mascot costume and putting it on his expensive face.

“Sis! Siiis!” Just then, a voice filled with excitement came from behind her.

She turned to see Julise running toward her with a bright smile.

“Sales went up by 300%! Our total sales are 300% higher than last month!” Julise ran up to her and grabbed both of Vendia’s hands.

“It’s all thanks to you, Sis. Because of you, the Second District… huh?” Julise, who had been excitedly immersed in her joy, saw Ron next to Vendia, and her eyes widened.

“Could you be Shen…”

“WAAAH!” Ron suddenly started screaming like a crazy person.

“Ah, you startled me. Why did you suddenly scream?” A startled Vendia looked at Ron, her heart pounding.

“Shen…!”

“The sky is so clear today!” This time, he suddenly looked up and shouted at the sky.

What’s wrong with him?

“Huh?” Unlike Vendia, who was frowning at Ron, Julise, whose words had been cut off twice, blinked in confusion. Then, she saw Ron subtly signaling to her while feigning indifference. Julise had a moment of enlightenment.

“My Lady?”

“Oh, ah! Sis! It’s all thanks to you! Our sales are up by a whopping 300% compared to last month!” Julise, now back to her senses, stopped paying attention to Ron and jumped up and down while shaking Vendia’s hands.

“That’s great. I knew we could do it.” Vendia smiled with Julise. She had expected it after seeing the sudden increase in customers, but 300% was more than she had hoped for.

“So you’re not just a consultant in name.”

“Of course not! Our Sis is so amazing! The reason there are so many customers here now is all thanks to her. The most popular cafe and the coconut chips, she planned all of it herself!” Julise, who had heard Ron’s mumbled remark, flared up and started listing her praises at lightning speed.

Vendia’s face turned hot from the sudden “prison of compliments,” but since it was all true, her shoulders naturally went up.

“You did?”

What is he trying to pick a fight about now? Vendia was ready to retort, but she was stunned.

“That’s amazing.”

An unexpected compliment had come from his lips. She blinked a few times.

Did that guy just compliment me?

“Say it again.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Say it again! My compliment!”

“You get one chance to hear it.” Ron smiled with satisfaction as Vendia grabbed his sleeve.