#38

“It’s nothing. No pressure at all. It makes sense that you’d be curious after hearing something like that. Besides, your request was much better than those who keep pestering me just because they can’t even muster the courage to say a single word to you—while sending you all sorts of delicious treats to curry favor. So don’t worry about it.”

Seeing Team Leader Seohee’s truly exasperated expression, I could vaguely imagine just how much she had been tormented by the other team leaders.

Feeling a bit sorry for her, I looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Noticing my gaze, Team Leader Seohee smirked mischievously.

“Are you feeling bad for me? Then how about doing me a little favor for revenge?”

Amused by her playful suggestion, I chuckled softly and nodded.

“Sure. If our dear Team Leader Seohee wants something, of course, I should do it. What kind of revenge do you have in mind?”

“They’re so annoying, so just send them all back. And make sure to give them a proper warning, like, ‘This is the wrath of Team Leader Seohee!’. I need to see their faces twist in despair.”

As she spoke, Team Leader Seohee pointed at the massive pile of snacks still stacked on the table.

“Also, start working on the new album right away so they’ll be too busy to send you any more snack tributes. And lastly, only eat the snacks I bring you. That way, I can rub it in their faces properly.”

With every word spoken in her teasing tone, I gradually realized that this wasn’t really for her revenge—it was her way of looking out for me. She must have noticed how uncomfortable I was with the excessive snacks.

A warm, gentle feeling spread through me, like basking in the sunlight on a park bench on a clear day. She was such a thoughtful person. Team Leader Seohee, Secretary Sung Yoojun too…… maybe everyone in this company.

“You promised you’d do anything for me, remember? So, will you do it?”

“Team Leader Seohee, you really don’t have to do this for me. I’ll take care of it myself, so please don’t worry about it too much.”

“Oh my? Who said I was worried about you? I genuinely want my revenge. You just happen to benefit from it as a side effect, so you don’t have to overthink it.”

“Even so, I can’t do it. I just can’t.”

I didn’t want to use Team Leader Seohee as a shield to handle something I couldn’t refuse myself. That wouldn’t be fair to her, nor would it be fair to the people who had given me snacks out of goodwill. And even if Team Leader Seohee insisted it was fine, there was always a chance someone might hold a grudge against her for it. I couldn’t risk that.

“Do you really hate the idea? You said the snacks were overwhelming.”

“That’s true. But that doesn’t mean I want to hide behind you to deal with it. If I ever feel like I truly can’t handle it anymore, I’ll refuse on my own. So, Team Leader Seohee, you really don’t have to worry.”

To be completely honest, I didn’t want to take advantage of someone who was going out of their way to help me.

Receiving kindness from someone is a precious thing. So, I wanted to cherish and respect those who offered it to me. 

Hoping my sincerity would be conveyed, I looked directly at Team Leader Seohee. She met my gaze in silence before letting out a small, amused hum.

“Hmm…… Judging by your expression, I suppose you really won’t give in. A bit of a shame, but oh well. I’ll find another way to get my revenge.”

“I’m sorry for not keeping my promise to do anything you ask, Team Leader Seohee.”

“Eh, it’s fine. I can tell you turned me down for my own sake, so I can’t exactly whine about it.”

She shrugged lightly as she spoke, a gentle smile forming on her lips.

I had been a little worried that she might be upset about my refusal, but fortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case. She accepted my decision with a calmness that suggested she had expected this outcome all along.

“Instead, you’ll at least start the album work right away and put the other team leaders through hell, right?”

“……Do you really dislike them that much?”

“Yes. They were seriously annoying. I mean it.”

Her response was so firm and immediate that I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Alright. I’ll start the album work right away and make sure they roll around in exhaustion.”

Hearing the light amusement in my voice, Team Leader Seohee’s face lit up with excitement. She looked genuinely thrilled.

Honestly, once album production started, everyone in the company would be swamped with work anyway, so even without me doing anything, her wish would naturally come true.

“Great! I’m really looking forward to it!”

With both fists clenched in front of her chest, Team Leader Seohee looked genuinely excited. Watching her, I finally asked something that had been on my mind for a while.

“But Team Leader Seohee, once the album production starts, the management support team is going to be extremely busy too. Are you sure that’s okay?”

“Of course! This is the perfect chance for me to show off my skills. How could that not be okay?”

The bright smile on Team Leader Seohee’s face overflowed with genuine love for her work. She was someone who had confidence in her own abilities and truly loved what she did. Working with someone like that was bound to be an incredible experience.

“And I think the other team leaders and employees probably feel the same way. They might say they’re being overworked or that it’s tough, but in the end, they do it because they love it. So don’t take their complaints too seriously. I know I was the one who asked for it, but knowing you, I feel like you’d take everything to heart, and that worries me a little.”

Her words were filled with concern for me, and I blinked in surprise. It almost felt like she was an older sister worrying about her younger sibling. For some reason, it made me feel both awkward and a little embarrassed.

Just as I was lost in that odd feeling, a faint vibration sounded, and Team Leader Seohee took out her phone from her pocket. After hurriedly checking the message, she sighed in exasperation.

“My team’s telling me to hurry back. They need me to approve some documents.”

“Oh, then you should go quickly.”

“Yes! I’ll get going now. Have a great day, sir!”

I watched as Team Leader Seohee got up and walked out of the office with light, energetic steps. Through the closing door, I could see her figure gradually moving away. Staring at the door until it fully shut, I cautiously spoke up.

“Secretary Sung.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Does Team Leader Seohee have any siblings?”

“Yes. She has a younger brother. They have quite an age gap.”

……So that’s it. She has a younger brother. Is that why she keeps unconsciously treating me like one?

I tilted my head, lost in thought, when Secretary Sung Yoojun spoke up.

“Is something on your mind?”

“Ah…… It’s nothing major, but…… I just get the feeling that Team Leader Seohee sometimes treats me like a younger brother. She always brings me snacks, and when she saw me struggling, she even tried to take the heat for me. It’s not like I dislike it or anything, but… it feels kind of awkward? Maybe it’s because I’ve never been anyone’s younger sibling before……”

I trailed off, rubbing my cheek with my index finger in embarrassment.

Secretary Sung Yoojun pressed his lips together tightly. That was his signature move when he was holding back laughter.

I had no idea what was so funny about this situation. Sighing quietly, I muttered,

“If it’s funny, just go ahead and laugh.”

“It’s not that. It’s just… You have more adorable sides than expected, and that makes me smile.”

……Isn’t that basically the same thing?

Just as I was contemplating this, Secretary Sung, as if reading my thoughts, added firmly,

“It’s completely different.”

His insistence was so unwavering that I had no choice but to nod in bewilderment. Only then did his serious expression soften.

“Don’t worry too much about it. Team Leader Seohee doesn’t have any particular intentions—she just naturally sees you as a younger sibling. She’s the type of person who’s weak against people like you. If it ever starts to bother you, just let her know. She’ll stop right away and even apologize on the spot. And if you ever feel uncomfortable bringing it up yourself, just tell me. I’ll handle it for you.”