However, the pupils of the new employee, who had no idea about the meaning of the laughter, shook in confusion.

Whether saying something or not, Dohan turned to Dongsik’s position and approved the request with shoes instead of documents.

“Team leader. Jang Hyunseong, I’ll take care of it.”

With no question of whether it was okay or not, Hyunseong’s mouth hung open at the announcement that he had to. As a newcomer who had just started working, he couldn’t understand the situation.

“Oh, our Director Ji has such strong feelings for his junior. Haha…”

At Dongsik’s laughter, other team members also chuckled. Hyunseong was at a loss, not knowing what he had done wrong. Sarang, who was trying to snatch the mentor position from Dohan, found Dohan’s attempt annoying, and her expression mocked him.

“If you want to, just do it. I won’t stop an employee who wants to do something.”

“Team leader! Hyunseong is me.”

“Sarang, you were in charge of Director Ji last year. So, this time, yield to Director Ji.”

Dongsik sided with Dohan because he couldn’t ignore the possibility of Sarang getting close to Hyunseong and creating distance between her and Dohan. As someone who wished for the marriage of the two, Dongsik did not turn down Dohan’s request, which was akin to a plea.

The mentor for the new employee could be anyone. In fact, it might be more comfortable for Hyunseong if it were a man. Of course, Dohan didn’t seem like a kind senior. Still, what could be done? As a newcomer, you had to follow the boss’s words. In his heart, Dongsik offered words of comfort to Hyunseong.

“Well then, let’s go. Mr. Jang Hyunseong.”

Dohan stared directly at the bewildered Hyunseong. Faced with the gaze that asked, “What are you doing?” Hyunseong finally came to his senses.

“Oh, yes!”

With still evident dissatisfaction in Dohan’s eyes, Hyunseong swallowed his dry saliva. He felt there was still more to hear. The gaze that there was something left to say was keenly felt.

What could it be? The new employee, who thought hard, cautiously opened his mouth, wondering if this was it.

“Senior.”

Dohan nodded briefly as if that was the correct answer. Having resolved all the issues, he left the office, and Hyunseong hurriedly followed. As the two disappeared, Sarang sat down heavily in her chair.

In the end, the newcomer was taken away. With a feeling of resentment, she glanced at Dohan’s vacant seat next to her. The inflated emotions of the past few days burst like a bubble.

After work, the welcome party for the new employee continued.

Sitting next to Hyunseong, Sarang clinked glasses with him.

“You must have been very nervous today. It’s your first day at work.”

“Yes. Honestly, I still feel disoriented.”

Having heard that a company dinner is an extension of work, Hyunseong couldn’t let go of the tension. He engraved the determination not to make mistakes and repeated it.
Sarang, sitting next to Hyunseong, clinked glasses with him.

“You must have been very nervous today. It’s your first day at work.”

“Yes. Honestly, I still feel disoriented.”

Having heard that a company dinner is an extension of work, Hyunseong couldn’t let go of the tension. He engraved the determination not to make mistakes and repeated it.

“I felt the same way for about a week after joining. Sometimes I felt dazed, not knowing what I was doing. Even in the company, I couldn’t feel reality.”

“I feel like I’m in a dream too. It’s different from the orientation for new employees.”

Hyunseong was grateful for Sarang, who understood his feelings. Being with a warm person and having a conversation, unlike with the cold supervisor, made him feel comfortable.

It was even unfair that she wasn’t his supervisor.

“But isn’t it better to go to work? The orientation for new employees in our company is really harsh. Wasn’t it tough for you, Mr. Hyunseong?”

“I found group singing competitions more challenging than anything else. Dancing on stage was the most embarrassing.”

“Me too. If I were asked to do it again, I don’t think I could. I’d rather stay up all night working on assignments.”

“That’s right. Dancing is really, ugh…”

As Hyunseong shook his head, Sarang burst into laughter.

Thinking about the orientation for new employees two years ago when he, a poor dancer, made mistakes even after practicing alone, came to mind.

“But as time passes, I think I won’t have such an experience again. There won’t be any more intensive training like that in the future, right?”

“That’s right. Gathering on the field for morning exercises from dawn, digesting the program until bedtime. It felt like re-enlisting in the military. I already miss those days.”

With the theme of the orientation for new employees, the two shared many stories. Laughter didn’t stop, and they tilted their glasses continuously.

Before they knew it, the relieved Hyunseong took out his phone from his pocket.

“Please give me your senior’s number. I haven’t saved the team’s contact information yet.”

“Oh, yes. Zero ten…”