“It’s a death penalty, and if it ends in dismissal, it’s a light one.”

Kwon Seungjoo said, tapping the paper roughly with the end of his pen.

“In the future, both inside and outside the company, make sure nothing noticeable happens to the victim. Of course, no contact either.”

“…”

“If you do, you’ll painfully learn what personal sanctions are.”

Before the morning work was over, rumors spread throughout the office.

“You know that Deputy who went to the sales team last year. They suddenly received an order to reflect at home today!”

“Really? Why?”

“I don’t know what happened, but the disciplinary committee is convening. It seems like they’re already taking their desk away?”

“Huh, then it’s not reflection but dismissal, right?”

Hearing the conversation among seniors, Eunseo flinched. Come to think of it, the voice she heard on the phone last night seemed similar to that employee.

The person in question was a deputy in his early thirties. Eunseo had worked with him for about six months, even though they were in the same department, they had not been involved in work-related matters. Apart from a few words exchanged during company dinners, they hadn’t talked much. So, it was a bit awkward when he suddenly suggested having a meal together.
Perhaps he had considered if there was any romantic interest from me, but I wasn’t particularly attracted to him. Moreover, regardless of who the other person was, Eunseo had no intention of dating as she was busy looking for Eunho.

So, she had made up a suitable excuse to reject him and moved on…

“Was it him?”

She had planned to visit the police station during lunchtime. Even before reporting to the police, she was grateful and reassured that the man who had discreetly dealt with the situation without facing her was the same one.

Eunseo recalled how he had embraced her with wide arms yesterday. For the first time since birth, she felt the precious sense of being protected by someone.

“Adults aren’t that bad.”

Before she knew it, Eunseo was thinking like that.

In the evening, she received a confirmation call from Naeun. It was a video call.

Unnie, did you vote for Chris?

“I did. I’m not particularly interested, but you kept bothering me about it.”

Eunseo responded, lying down on her bed and lifting her chin. Instead of being called an auntie, they had agreed that Naeun would call her unnie in return for her vote.

But the background in this episode was your house, right? Is that correct?

“Yeah.”

Awesome! Did you see them filming? Chris was there too!

“What’s there to see? I couldn’t watch because of security reasons, so I was at a friend’s house.”

Right. They said your house collapsed! Unnie, are you okay?

“They ask quickly.”

So, where are you staying now?

“Just at a friend’s house.”

Eunseo answered vaguely.

What about Seungjoo oppa after that incident? Is he doing well?

It was embarrassing to say that she had confessed to liking him or that she was currently at his house. Besides, Naeun knew that she liked Seungjoo, making it even more awkward.

“Just so-so, I guess.”

But soon, she regretted it. She should have just told the truth.

I knew it would be like this. When you were eighteen, it was understandable because you were naive, but now that you’ve come to your senses, why get involved with unnie? There are many pretty girls out there.

Eunseo snapped.

“I was trying not to say it. Ugh! You and Seungjoo oppa! I! Ate together! Had dinner together! Even kissed!”

She imitated lines from movies, but the response she received was shamelessly audacious.

You’re lying~.

Is there any place for her to feel unjust? Eunseo shouted into the phone.

“Oh, it’s real!”

Did you sleep? Have you slept?

Eunseo’s face turned bright red, and she didn’t know what to do.

“Just, ignore the minors!”

You didn’t sleep. Well, they say we’ve all had sex education, right?

Naeun replied casually and then asked again.

So, where are you now?

“Just, at a friend’s.”

Eunseo mumbled vaguely.

Our Seungjoo oppa, what’s happened since then? Is he well?

It felt childish to be silly when talking with Naeun. Blushing, Eunseo covered her eyes with her phone.
“Ha! How do you know whether Seungjoo oppa is disappointed or not?”

Ask oppa directly, then. He’d never say he’s not disappointed, right?

“Just wait, I’ll really ask him.”

Eunseo, who had reached her limit, abruptly stood up. She didn’t realize that Naeun inside the phone was covering her mouth and chuckling.

Of course, she had no intention of actually asking.

‘Do you want to sleep with me or not?’

How can I ask such a question? So, the plan was just to pretend to go and come back…

As luck would have it, who would have known that the person involved would be standing in front of the door!

“…….”

As soon as she opened the door, Seungjoo spoke to the frozen Eunseo with a serious face.

“If you give me a chance, I’ll do my best.”

Eunseo dropped her phone. She screamed internally and jumped onto the bed, flipping the blanket over herself.

“……!”

It felt like her face was on fire. Wasn’t this the perfect time for the Earth to perish? Hasn’t it happened yet? Anyway, if the world is going to end someday, it might as well be now!

Outside the blanket, she heard the sound of the call continuing.

“Hey, little one.”

Oh, Seungjoo oppa! What’s up? Are you living with unnie by any chance?

“Mister, it’s not like calling anyone oppa, oppa.”

Changing the address, Seungjoo spoke sternly.

“I told you not to interfere in adult matters.”

A slightly awkward voice followed.

“And… I’m disappointed.”