It was a Saturday, and I hadn’t met Han Team Leader in a long time. I decided to do a thorough cleaning, which involved sweeping the floor with a small broom and dusting off the window frame. It had been a while since I had the time and mental space to engage in such activities.
While cleaning, I discovered something unknown in the fridge, prompting me to toss it away. For lunch, I enjoyed colorful, round cereal with milk I had purchased earlier, along with small pieces of bananas. I had bought too many bananas last time, leading to black spots on their yellow surface, so I needed to consume them whenever the opportunity arose.
In the afternoon, I contemplated going to work, but the tangled work schedule due to Han Team Leader’s business trip remained unresolved, and Deputy Park was absent from the company. Han Team Leader, who had instructed me not to work from home, was located across the sea, creating a distinct separation between us when viewed as two islands on a shrunken Earth’s surface.
Despite the physical distance, it didn’t provide the comfort I sought.
***
“No, not for that reason… While it was clear when Han Team Leader explained it over the phone, articulating it myself is proving difficult.”
Deputy Park expressed his frustration, running his fingers through his hair. Supervisor Kim, holding the newly organized work assignment chart, questioned it meticulously with a displeased expression.
“Why not call Han Team Leader?”
“If I put the call on speaker and can’t explain it properly, how do you think Han Team Leader will react?”
Deputy Park grabbed Supervisor Kim’s arm, maintaining his grip as he continued speaking.
“When I asked various things during the phone call this morning, Han Team Leader was silent for about five seconds.”
Deputy Park frowned, lowering his voice.
“‘Deputy Park, do you believe the team can’t function without me?'”
“Oh, I recognize that tone.”
“So, just wait. I’ll explain it properly during the meeting when Deputy Kwon comes back. The time is up, so let’s start the meeting once Deputy Kwon returns.”
Deputy Yoon energetically replied from the side, “Yes!” and began moving the documents to the meeting table. Although Supervisor Kim still had an uneven expression, she dragged her chair back to her seat. Deputy Park, turning off the computer screen, leaned back on the chair with half-closed eyes and said.
“After the meeting, we need to have a separate meeting, Lee Seodan.”
“Ah… Yes.”
“I read the report you gave me on Friday. I’m not sure if my feedback will be as helpful as Han Team Leader’s feedback, but I’ve written it down, so let’s discuss that later. Lee Seodan, also, the organizational chart you received via email—”
Click. A sound rang out. It was the sound of the door being closed from the direction of the door. Thinking it might be Deputy Kwon returning from the department, I reflexively looked up.
Deputy Park, who turned his head slightly later than I did, stopped talking abruptly. The middle-aged man who had just entered the meeting room closed the door behind him in one go. Slowly surveying the space with the meeting table and desks, he bent at the waist and rapped the closed door’s inside with exaggerated gestures. Deputy Yoon, closest to the door, had already bent his waist in half and was greeting.
Deputy Park finally stood up in a hurry.
“Director Kim! What brings you here…?”
“Just came to give some encouragement.”
The man, tapping Deputy Yoon generously on the back as if patting the air, now seemed familiar. The last time I saw him up close was when he was a new employee. Now, he seemed to have more baldness and a rounder face with more weight than back then.
Supervisor Kim on the other side of the partition was also standing. It was only then that I regained my senses and stood up from my seat. Director Kim walked slowly through the not-so-wide meeting room as if carefully examining it. Passing each person standing still, he shook hands with Deputy Park.
“Han Team Leader is not here today…”
“Yes, he’s on a business trip. It happened last week due to a mistake in our secretary’s office, so he went to apologize. Isn’t it time for the meeting? Sorry for not looking around enough during this time. Since we’ve come, should we have a meeting?”
Next to Deputy Park was me. Director Kim didn’t extend his hand to me but stood right in front, speaking to the air as if talking loudly. I felt his gaze falling from his lowered forehead. It was a cold gaze that contrasted with the exaggerated tone.
Just as Deputy Kwon was opening the door and coming in, he stopped abruptly with the handle in his hand. Turning his body, Director Kim smiled and clapped his hands twice as if welcoming a guest.
“This person is about to start the meeting just as he arrived for work.”
“I dropped by the department before coming…”
Deputy Kwon scattered her words into the air without waiting for a response. Deputy Park, by my side, was signaling with his eyes. Ignoring Director Kwon’s response completely, Kim gestured casually towards the meeting table.
“Think of me as absent and proceed with the meeting as usual. I know the TF schedule is tight, but if I disturb, I won’t have the face to meet Han Team Leader.”
“…Yes, then….”
Deputy Kwon quickly approached the desk, picking up materials. While passing by Deputy Park, a few whispered words were exchanged in low voices. Supervisor Kim, thinking no one could see, was openly pinching her face, and Deputy Yoon stood at attention beside the meeting table.
The prime seat at the meeting table, the usual place left empty for Han Team Leader, was now occupied by Director Kim as if he had received an invitation. Placing both hands on the table, he leaned his head attentively as if inspecting the faces on either side or checking the materials. Deputy Park pulled the whiteboard and cleared his throat. The red marker cap made a popping sound as it was pulled off.
“First, let’s organize the work assignments. The tasks we pulled forward last week will be examined in detail once Han Team Leader returns. As for the tasks postponed from last week—”
“Wait a moment.”
All heads turned simultaneously. Smiling, Director Kim tapped the table lightly and asked.
“I apologize for promising not to disturb, but why is everyone standing?”
“…Ah, we conduct our morning meetings as scrums.”
Instead of Deputy Park, who opened his mouth a beat too slowly, Deputy Kwon answered. Director Kim smirked as if he expected that.
“Of course, there are such methods these days. There are, but… it’s not easy to casually have a conversation. Especially for young people, standing all day may not be tiring, but as soon as you get a bit older, your legs start to ache. Can we have a meeting while sitting? Am I behind the times saying this?”
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After the quiet commotion of adjusting chair heights, Deputy Park stood in front of the whiteboard again. Meanwhile, Kim, with closed eyes, seemed to be gently swaying his chest up and down. The meeting resumed smoothly after a few stumbles. Everyone seemed to implicitly agree to minimize their words, and Supervisor Kim, who had been so dissatisfied earlier, now remained silent.
The problem arose towards the end. Deputy Park, with a relieved expression, said, “Then, as Rebuyer has set up,” but Director Kim, closing his eyes, suddenly spoke up.
“Will that be useful this year? The program made by Han Team Leader?”
“…Yes.”
Deputy Park, who had just opened his mouth, belatedly closed it and responded. Director Kim slowly turned his neck as if stretching.
“I highly appreciate the abilities of Han Team Leader, but this part doesn’t quite sit well with me. I’ve mentioned multiple times that it’s not a good idea for the TF to use a personal development program that no one at the company uses. But for three years, it seems nobody paid attention.”
“….”
“What do the team members think?”
The question thrown into the air wasn’t the type that lower-ranking employees would rashly answer. Kim, who had been squinting and looking around, suddenly pointed at me as if poking with his index finger.
“Speak as the new team member who joined this year. I heard the name, but I seem to have forgotten.”
“…It’s Lee Seodan.”
I answered quietly with lowered eyes. Ignoring my response as if he hadn’t heard it, Kim continued speaking.
“It’s admirable that Han Team Leader has vision, recruiting talents and training his people. With so many loyal team members, both Han Team Leader and the company are in a good position.”
“….”
“However, when a new member comes in, it might be difficult to learn and use that Rebuyer program, which is not the one they were using before. Everyone seems to be fast these days; I don’t know if it’s an old man’s perception. How does the new team member feel? What was it like using that program?”
I felt Deputy Park’s gaze somewhere on my cheek. Supervisor Kim’s white knuckles, holding something on the table, came into my view at the end. A tense silence, like a spread-out laundry clip, lingered. I lifted my eyes and responded.
“I found it more convenient than the previous one.”
Supervisor Kim subtly swept my chair leg under the table. A brief exhale from someone was audible. Director Kim squinted his eyes, drawing out an admiring sigh.
“Hmm… well, in what way, exactly?”
“I liked being able to see how my work fits into the overall project. I think it’s specialized for exchanging opinions and is suitable for small-scale projects.”
Director Kim nodded his head slowly a few times before smiling.
“Young people these days are indeed bold. It feels good to have many talents leading the company.”
“…Thank you.”
“It seems the meeting is over, so I’ll be going now. Good job, and I look forward to the presentation.”
The chair made an unpleasant creaking sound. Supervisor Kim , rising slowly, passed by those who were still sitting, lifting his arm as if to encourage them to sit down again. After exchanging greetings with Deputy Yoon, shaking hands once again with Assistant Deputy Park, who was holding the door open, he left the meeting room.
As the footsteps faded away, Deputy Park closed the door. The sound of the latch clicking made Supervisor Kim collapse onto the chair like a deflated balloon.
“This is killing me.”
People were slouched everywhere like limp dolls. Deputy Kwon also let out a groan, wetting his hair and rubbing his head.
“Usually, he doesn’t even show his face, but he specifically comes when Han Team Leader is absent… it’s really annoying.”
Deputy Park, looking towards the door, shushed and spoke with little energy, but Deputy Kwon paid no attention. He seemed thoroughly annoyed.
“That’s why it’s natural for Han Team Leader to say that nothing works when he’s not around. Regardless of whether Deputy Park is there or not, the meeting should proceed properly. Why skip over the agenda?”
Deputy Park, who was about to bury his nose in the desk, raised his head with a frown.
“Well… even if we have another meeting later among ourselves, it’s the right order to dismiss first. Logically, with Manager Kim sitting there, who would dare to say anything they want?”
Even though my name wasn’t mentioned, eyes began to turn towards me as if drawn by a magnet. Deputy Kwon’s gaze was fixed on the side of my head. I straightened up and lowered my head.
“I’m sorry.”
“…There’s nothing to apologize for.”
Deputy Park said with a subtly grimaced expression.
“You didn’t say anything wrong. But Seodan, you really…”
“…Yes?”
“No, I somehow feel like our team leader might understand what was said before. Anyway, the person who couldn’t finish speaking during the meeting earlier? Shall we discuss the task assignments again?”
At that moment, Supervisor Kim, who had been lying on the desk, raised her arm straight up like a periscope.
“Deputy Park.”
“Yes.”
“Can we take a five-minute break? I’d like to have a cup of coffee. Would you like to join?”
Without giving an answer, Deputy Park glanced at the clock with a wrinkled forehead. Usually, he would be the one suggesting a break, but with the absence of Han Team Leader, it seemed like he inherited a heavy cloak. After glancing at the blank whiteboard and seeing the exhausted people, he reluctantly nodded.
“Ten minutes. Go and have coffee, get some fresh air, and come back, everyone. Make sure to focus when you return.”
“Yes!”
With a nod, Supervisor Kim, with only her wallet in hand, swiftly exited the meeting room. While gathering my documents, I overheard Deputy Kwon asking Deputy Park in a hushed voice.
“Are you going to report to Han Team Leader?”
After hesitating, Deputy Park shook his head.
“I’ll mention it when I call in the afternoon. It’s better to discuss it then.”
“It’s probably Supervisor Kim who messed up the business trip schedule.”
“Han Team Leader is aware of that. Deputy Kwon, take a break and come back to work efficiently. Deputy Yoon, take a rest as well. … Oh, Seodan.”
I was about to turn back to my seat. Deputy Park reached out, grabbing my shoulder, and after glancing at the wall clock once more, he asked in a low voice.
“Would you like to have a brief meeting during this spare time? I’m sorry to take away your break, but I’m not sure when I’ll have time in the afternoon.”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Then let’s discuss it in the document room… No, since Deputy Kwon will be leaving anyway, let’s do it here. Wait a moment, bring the report.”
Deputy Park hastily organized the meeting room table, making space, and came back with a document bag that had torn edges. From there, my report, with a round and distinctively different handwriting from Han Team Leader, was taken out. The red letters were meticulously written all over, and while I was inspecting the top part, Deputy Park opened his mouth.
“Seodan, yes?”
“Yes.”
“The Friday report covers the content from when to when?”
When I didn’t understand the question, Deputy Park quickly flipped through the back of the report, pointing to the list of books.
“When did you start reading this list?”
“Oh… Since I couldn’t submit the report on Thursday, I started reading the content on Wednesday night.”
“So, the report you need to submit today… You read the content starting from last night?”
At those words, I recalled the materials I hadn’t submitted yet. Apologizing and seeking understanding, I rushed to my desk and brought back a backpack. Deputy Park, who had been watching with his chin resting on his hand, looked puzzled when I took out two bundles of neatly clipped documents.
“What’s this?”
“These are the reports that should have been submitted yesterday and the day before. I couldn’t meet you over the weekend, so…”
As Deputy Park took the documents, he flipped through the entire stack after glancing at the first page. His expression gradually furrowed as he rapidly turned the pages. By the time he reached the last page, his eyebrows were hidden behind his disheveled bangs.
“Seodan, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Did Han Team Leader specify a separate amount for study? Any deadlines?”
“No… he didn’t specify anything.”
He let out a long sigh. It didn’t seem to be a positive sign. I remained silent, not understanding what the problem was, while Deputy Park, after swallowing what he had intended to say, lifted his head and pushed the Friday report back toward me.
“Read the feedback for now. There might be things you don’t know.”
“Yes.”
The red text in the report I glanced at again was surprisingly kind, to the point that it made me doubt my eyes. Compared to the feedback I had received from Han Team Leader so far, it was as different as winter and spring. Phrases like ‘Great summary!’ were written, and kind compliments like ‘That’s right, this part is important!’ were sprinkled throughout. At the bottom of the last page, there was even a large smiling face circled. I stared at the red mouth drawn in the shape of a smile for a moment and then looked up. Focusing on the document, Deputy Park spoke.
“There really was nothing to criticize. Keep the reference materials if you need them later. Other than that…”
“…”
“Even what I’m seeing now, is this… Saturday? You wrote this well, even in just one day… Why that surprised look?”
I reflexively raised my hand and touched my cheek. There was no expression I could grasp. Deputy Park pointed at me with the corner of the report, questioning.
“It’s like the eyes saying you can’t believe it. Do you think I’m lying? Trying to match Seodan’s mood?”
“No.”
I shook my head. Deputy Park gathered up the documents he had been looking at, bundling them together.
“You don’t have any questions to ask?”
“Oh… no.”
“Then I’ll take this to read, and I’ll give it back later.”
“I’ll submit today’s report before the end of working hours.”
“…Alright. Really, Han Team Leader who reviewed this every day is amazing. Since there’s still time, Seodan, go grab a cup of coffee or something. If there are team members in the break room, catch them on the way.”
“Yes.”
Glancing at the clock, it was almost ten minutes past. I wondered where Supervisor Kim, who had left with her wallet, went. As I turned with a backpack containing the materials, Deputy Park, who had been leaning on the chair and watching me, suddenly spoke.
“Oh, by the way, did Seodan study well?”
“…Yes?”
Deputy Park turned his chair entirely toward me, wearing an expression as if he remembered an amusing story.
“My junior from the club, whom I met over the weekend, is in the same school year as Seodan, just one year below. I asked him just in case, and he said he knows Seodan. He recognized the name as soon as he heard it.”
“…Is that so?”
I absentmindedly tapped my shoe on the floor with a meaningless gesture.
“You attended classes together, but they said you wouldn’t recognize them. They said, Seodan has never missed a semester of the scholarship, and on top of that… private tutoring? Part-time job? They said you couldn’t participate in any department activities because of those and received a lot of resentment from seniors.”
“…Yes.”
“Anyway, that story came up yesterday, and we talked about our university days for a long time. I’m completely the opposite of Seodan, who is diligent. I skipped exams for club activities, took a leave of absence, went on trips with friends… It’s amazing that I graduated. I commuted about forty minutes from home to the university, but I only went about twice a week. I spent time drinking with friends who lived on their own.”
Deputy Park gestured as if overturning a shot glass onto a beer glass. Unsure of what to say, I just nodded my head. While reminiscing for a while, Deputy Park suddenly wrinkled his forehead.
“Those were good times. Meeting a lot of people. We didn’t know it back then, but you can really enjoy yourself as a university student. If I knew I’d rot away like this at the company, I would’ve partied more.”
“What do you mean by ‘rot away’?”
Deputy Kwon, holding a tray, opened the door. Deputy Park accepted the coffee cup with one hand and answered.
“I think university days were the best now that I think about it.”
“That’s what you call talking.”
A beer mug was pushed in front of me. Surprised, I looked up at Deputy Kwon. Not receiving it immediately, Deputy Kwon put the tray down on my table and asked.
“What are you talking about?”
Then, Supervisor Kim and Deputy Yoon, both looking brighter, entered. Deputy Park, taking out a marker, smiled at me, seemingly apologetic for not being able to take a break, and then the meeting resumed. Although Director Kim was absent this time, no one seemed to have the energy to get up, perhaps feeling drained from the morning.
***
Han Team Leader, who returned on Tuesday afternoon, had been busy the whole week without a chance to see his face. As soon as he arrived, he left his belongings in the meeting room and went upstairs. Deputy Park made a brief statement in the group chat.
「Han Team Leader has arrived. He’s going to meet Supervisor Kim now.」
「Ah…」
Below that, Deputy Kwon, who was in the department, responded. The response from the dry text seemed to echo vividly.
Until Thursday, Deputy Park had been handling my reports and meetings on my behalf. It wasn’t until Friday that I could see Han Team Leader in the data room.
Seeing him up close, I noticed that his hair had become a bit shorter. Sitting down with my hip against his, I naturally recalled the darkness inside the car where the two of us had sat alone last time. The bright lighting in the office felt cool without warmth.
I adjusted my posture. Looking impulsively at Han Team Leader focused on the tablet, I opened my mouth.
“How was your business trip?”
Even though Deputy Park had asked the same question, and despite his bland response and sharing the snacks he brought as souvenirs during the meeting.
I asked, and waited. The fingers on my knees curled inward towards my palms. After a moment of silence, Han Team Leader moved the tablet and pen aside and raised his subtly wrinkled face.
“If you’ve read the feedback, ask your questions now. I don’t have time right now.”
His tone was monotone. The boss’s expressionless face was facing me.
I felt like a glass wall had descended in front of me. I took a breath. Lowering my gaze to the table, I spoke.
“I don’t think there’s anything to ask.”
“If there’s nothing, let’s finish here for today. I think I’ll be busy with consulting work today, and from next week, my schedule should loosen up a bit. If you have any questions, ask them then.”
“Yes.”
Leaving him concentrating on the tablet, I exited the data room. Returning to my desk and looking down at the report, the red letters were unchanged from before. It had the concise style typical of Han Team Leader, and the square handwriting felt devoid of any warmth. Sitting next to Deputy Park, who was typing on the keyboard at a frightening speed, I stared at the white paper for a long time. Even after reading the sentences several times, they didn’t register.
What had I expected? Although distinguishing complete separation between work and personal life was difficult, he was a superior who scolded me at work, but a man who wanted to strip me of my leather on Saturdays. Of the two, the former was somewhat familiar and comfortable for me. However, for some reason today, his cold and business-like face felt unfamiliar, and I couldn’t understand why I felt a sense of disconnection, as if I had encountered a stranger.
This Director Kim doesn’t seem too fond of the Team Leader, I wonder if he will make trouble for him later.
Thank you for the chapter!
thank you for reading!
Thank you for the chapter ✨🩷