A subtle love triangle

Episode 2. The Man Next Door

"Manager Jung.","What kind of handsome guy did you bring along behind you?","Is he maybe our team’s newbie?"

Our team’s big mouth, Manager Lee,

asked, looking at Jihoon standing behind me.





"He’s our team’s new hire, Park Jihoon.

Jihoon. Come here.





This is the obnoxious Manager Lee."

I brought Jihoon over in front of the manager.

"Manager! Where’s the team lead?"




"He went into the morning meeting."




"Hello.





I’m Park Jihoon, a new hire in the marketing team.





Please take care of me, Manager."

"Wow~~ Did they pick you just for your face?

You’ve got a great look!"





"Thank you."
 
"I’ll introduce him to the team."





"So Manager Jung has finally escaped rookie status?





Congrats, Assistant Manager Yura!!"





"Jihoon, come here.

I’ll introduce you to everyone on our team."





Before we really got started with morning work,

I introduced Jihoon to the team.





The team members, jealous of the fresh-faced new hire,

each took turns saying something,





reminiscing about their own rookie days before they got worn down by office life.

The newbie’s seat was right next to my desk.

From now on, I’d be his mentor,
 




and I’d have to teach him the work.

It turned out to be a much bigger responsibility than I’d expected.

After showing Jihoon to his seat

and just sitting back down at my own desk,





[Yura. Did you get to work okay today?

I heard your team got a newbie too?





Our Yura has finally escaped being the youngest, huh?ㅎㅎ]

It was a message from Oppa Jinu.

[Aren’t you the youngest on your team too?




Don’t even start. My team’s newbie




embarrassed me first thing this morning.

That’s enough questions!!

Let’s talk later when we meet. I’m busy right now.]

Monday came again after the weekend.

I was tired, but Mondays were especially hectic.





Not only did I have my own work to handle,

I also had to keep an eye on the new hire’s work




and give him directions.

The morning flew by in a blur.




But whenever I got up from my seat, Jihoon would

follow right after me like a ghost.

At this rate, he’d end up going to the bathroom with me too.



When noon hit,





everyone was rushing out to get lunch.

"Jihoon. I’m busy on Mondays, so





I usually just have salad for lunch.

Go eat with the other team members."

"No.





You don’t even get to eat properly, Assistant Manager,

so how could I eat alone?

I won’t eat either."

"No, no!! Why are you starving too, Jihoon?





Assistant Manager Lee. Please take Jihoon with you too."

"No."





"Pardon?"




"I’ll stay with Assistant Manager Yura."




Jihoon watched the other team members leaving





and then sat down in the seat next to me.

'Ugh... why is he being so clingy... '




"Then at least share my salad."




"Yes, Assistant Manager."





But a little while later,





his stomach growled.

The sound was so clear I could hear it perfectly.

"Jihoon, are you really hungry right now?"




"No, ma’am.





I’m sorry my stomach made that embarrassing noise."

"Haa... get up.





Come with me for lunch."

"You don’t have to go out of your way because of me, Assistant Manager."





"Jihoon.

If you keep making those noises next to me all afternoon,




I won’t be able to focus either.

So get up, quickly."

"Then... shall we, Assistant Manager?"

Jihoon smiled brightly





and sprang up from his seat.




'What is this... why is his smile so cute... '

I took him out of the office.



"There is a cafeteria too,




but today’s menu is something I hate...




Is that okay, Jihoon?

I’ll buy lunch today instead."

"I eat anything happily.

What do you want to eat, Yura?"





"Hmm... how about pho?"

"If Yura likes it, then anything is fine with me!!"





We went into a nearby pho place.





Jihoon pulled out my chair and offered me a seat.





"Yura. Sit here."

"Jihoon.




Why do you keep calling me Assistant Manager Yura?"




"Because it feels more friendly than just calling you Manager Jung.

Does it bother you?"




"No, I was just curious.

You must be pretty easy to get along with.

We just met today..."




"I’m not like that with just anyone.

Assistant Manager Yura."

He looked into my eyes and smiled gently.




For some reason,

I didn’t dislike how he came up to me without hesitation.




"Here’s your water and chopsticks."

"Thanks, Jihoon."

Just then, the food we’d ordered arrived,





and we were about to start eating.





"Manager Jung.





I see you here. Enjoy your meal."

Looking to the side, Oppa Jinu and a few team members





had come in together to eat.

But among them was an unfamiliar female employee.




There was one.

'A newbie...? '

I quickly picked up my phone and sent a message.

[Who?]




[Our team’s newbie]



[She’s pretty~ Lucky you, Oppa🤭]




[The newbie next to you is seriously a handsome guy?




Be careful. He’s really good at putting up walls!!





But why are the two of you having lunch alone?☹️]




[I’ll answer all your questions later at once.

Enjoy your meal!!😘]

After lunch,





I spent the afternoon in a frenzy,

handling meeting prep and the project work





that had joined us not long ago.

Finally, it was the quitting time I’d been waiting for.

I hurried out of the office

so I wouldn’t be late for my Monday Pilates class.




But even after work,




Jihoon still wouldn’t leave my side.

I looked back several times,




but he was still following behind me.

"Jihoon. Go home now.




You’re not planning to follow me all the way to my place, are you?"

"I’m on my way home too,





Yura."

"Where do you live? Is it this way?





Do you walk?"

"My commute was rough, so I moved last week





to an officetel near the company."

"Where is that?"





"The Yeoksam officetel."

"What???"





"Why? Assistant Manager?





Why are you so surprised?"





"That... is where I live...





What unit are you in?"

"1201."





"What?? You’re my next-door neighbor??"

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.





😮Yura’s inner thoughts





: Isn’t this a bit much for a coincidence?"




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