All stories are delusions of the author.
©️ Ji Jin-jeong in My Head (2022)
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Today is the day of the monthly meeting.
Seokjin paid a little more attention to the meeting because Director Min Seon-ye, his former team leader, was attending in person for the first time in a long while.
Hmm, you're doing well..
Today, the young team leader who personally proposed and led this project took charge of the interim progress report. Since it was a proposal he had personally suggested, the young team leader answered the executives' various questions with flexibility, just as Seokjin had expected, and concluded the meeting.
As soon as the meeting ended,
Seokjin approached Sunye and greeted her.
Director Min, it's been a while!
Manager Kim, long time no see~ How have you been?
Shall we grab a quick cup of coffee?
That's good~
Back when you were at the head office, Director
The cafe I used to go to often is still there,
Shall I buy it there?
When Seokjin was an assistant manager,
Sunye, who joined as a specially recruited team leader after studying abroad
We spent the hardest times together while working at the company,
They had that much camaraderie and bond with each other.
Although there were aspects where we were a good match professionally,
As a senior, Sunye listened a lot to the difficulties Seokjin faced while raising his child. Until she was elected as a director last year, Sunye gave a lot of advice and help to Seokjin, who was raising his child alone.
Upon being elected as a director, Sunye actively recommended Seokjin as her successor, and Seokjin was able to rise to his current position as department head.
Therefore, today's meeting also served to show Director Min how well Seokjin had managed the department so far. Because he greatly respected Sunye, who emphasized horizontal relationships and a cooperative attitude with subordinates, Seokjin wanted to demonstrate that he was following in her footsteps by entrusting the presentation to the young team leader today.
Director Min shook his head at Seokjin, who offered to buy drinks.
Why go through the trouble of making subordinates do the work...
Times have changed these days, so you can't do that.
We'll just go to the cafe ourselves.
.
.
.
The two sat facing each other for the first time in a long while.
Don't you sometimes miss being at headquarters?
You must be very busy since becoming a director...?
That's right... I was so busy when I first joined the head office too...
I didn't know how busy it would be, but
It’s not quite that much, but there’s still quite a lot to do.
I have a lot of business trips to the provinces... and I travel abroad a lot too..
Seokjin stroked the cup
I started talking about what was really bothering me.
Director Min, weren't you lonely when the kids were growing up?
I feel really empty these days now that the female lead has grown up..
Well, as for you... since Yeoju is your only family...
It really must be much worse...
So, when women grow up
There is always a moment when I get really down.
Sunye gulped down her coffee through a straw and grinned.
When my kids were in middle and high school,
I almost felt a bit lonely, but
We were really busy with work back then, you know.
I just passed by without thinking.
So I feel a bit sorry, too...
Now that even the youngest has gone to college and grown up,
Now, our house is
It's basically just a boarding house where I sleep... well.
Sunye gave a bitter smile.
By the way, doesn't Manager Kim meet people separately...?
Now, even Manager Kim... if Yeoju goes to college
They will leave the embrace just like our children...
It's me. I have a husband, but
Our Manager Kim needs to make a fresh start now, too...”
Seokjin almost spat out his coffee.
No... Jungkook and Yoongi were like that too when I met them over the weekend...
Even Director Min... T_T
Why does it always end that way..?
I got a job early and got married, so I didn't listen to anything at all
When are you going to get a job?
or
So, when are you getting married?
nagging
Change it to 'When are you going to date?'
I guess I'm finally catching up on listening to them all at once.
Noticing Seokjin's embarrassment, Sunye quickly added.
No... Mr. Seokjin,
I'm not saying you necessarily have to meet new people,
To fill the lonely times ahead
It means you should try doing something.
It would be good to have some regular gatherings...
Of course, if you plan to live immersed in work,
I won't stop you..
If you want, I could even throw a big project at you... haha.
Shall we give it another run, just like we used to?
Seokjin shook his head at Sunye's wicked suggestion.
No. How much more do you intend to boss me around again..!
To me, weekends are very precious, even without my daughter.
Of course, if you give it to me, I should gratefully accept it, but
Living like the old days, staying up all night working...
I really don't think it's right.
Seokjin shuddered as he recalled his days as an assistant manager, when work at the company was at its most difficult. He had taken on a new project and started with great enthusiasm, but the work was much tougher than he had anticipated, making it a daily occurrence to pull all-nighters or work on weekends.
Seokjin would push young Sunye out of work, telling her to go home while he took care of everything, and would often stay up all night. Unable to withstand his nagging, Sunye would go home, put the children to sleep, and then return to the office to take care of business.
During the course of that project, there were often tasks that required the two of them to stay up all night, and that was the most difficult time for them throughout their more than 20 years at the company.
Afterwards, Sunye was promoted thanks to the success of the project, and she significantly changed the atmosphere in the department to eliminate overtime or weekend work. Thanks to this, Seokjin did not have to worry much about working late or overtime when his wife started to get sick.
Even now, Seokjin was following in Sunye's footsteps, managing the department to ensure work was completed as efficiently as possible within the designated working hours.
Since leaving work and holidays are important to Seokjin himself, the fact that he monitors work hours even more strictly under the pretext of employee welfare is a secret known only to Director Min.
"Ah, Seokjin, you play tennis, right?"
We have a tennis meetup every other week; do you want to come?
There are some who used to be pros, but most of them are amateurs.
Hmm... a tennis gathering...
Seokjin is reluctant to meet new people, but
It seemed like it would be okay to play tennis on a weekend without Yeoju.
Playing tennis is nice..
If you invite me, I will definitely come.
Sunye was satisfied with Seokjin's reaction.
There are some nice ladies at the tennis club...
I guess I'll have to start by taking him to the gathering~ haha
Whether or not they know Sunye's true feelings
Seokjin was simply looking forward to the tennis gathering.
I ordered coffee delivery for the department,
Sunye and Seokjin left the cafe.
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Sixth episode
The End of the Side Story for Yeoju's Dad Seokjin
This episode is turning into a bit of an adult story.
It feels a bit like TMI... haha
I'll be back next week with the female lead's story~💜
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