1 - [Contest 2] Can I lick you, Yeoju?

Before we begin, let me briefly explain the world of Fork and Cake. In this world, there are three types of people.

1. Fork: After a certain age, they lose their ability to taste. They appear no different from other people. They can only taste cake.

2. Cake: Cake has its own unique aroma, a scent that only a fork can perceive. It's the food of the fork. Only a fork can taste the cake. Each cake has its own unique taste and smell.

3. Ordinary person: An ordinary person who has nothing to do with forks and cake.

I didn't always know I was a cake. I only realized I was a cake after I was kidnapped by a lunatic as a child.

My family lived in considerable poverty. It wasn't a kidnapping for money, but simply for me. I remember being kidnapped by Fork, who wanted me as a cake. So, I just lived my life thinking I was a cake.

The adults were always asking, "Aren't you scared of being kidnapped? Are you traumatized by any chance?" But I wasn't scared at all. For someone who kidnapped him, he was quite affectionate.

Compared to other cakes, I was quite the nobleman. In this society, cakes were nothing more than pitiful victims of criminals like forks. Compared to cakes who were kidnapped and brutally eaten to the bone, I was incredibly lucky. All I had to do was get out quickly a few times.

I could consider myself lucky because I lived beyond the average life expectancy.

maybe

That's right.

I used to live in poverty, but as they say, even a dragon can rise from a stream. I worked hard to get into a prestigious university, graduated, and then landed a job at a major corporation, where I've been on a roll ever since. It seems my hard work has finally paid off.

I was amazed at myself for being able to provide for my family this well and for working so hard to get to this point. Although I am a bit shameless by nature, joining a large company for the first time was quite nerve-wracking for me, who had never felt much interest or tension in life.

I wiped my sweaty hands on my suit skirt, briefly staring at the employee ID I'd been issued, then stepped inside the elevator. I looked around, impressed by the luxurious interior of the building, even the elevator itself.

Despite it being rush hour, the elevator was empty, allowing me to freely explore without being noticed. The rear window was made of glass, so I could freely look out. As the elevator slowly came to a halt, I glanced up to check the floor number.

I was probably wondering why the elevator stopped even though there was still one floor left, and then I opened my eyes wide as the door opened. Ah... someone is coming. Feeling embarrassed for no reason, I lowered my hand that had been tightly gripping the handle and lowered my head.

I stayed like that for a few seconds, then, sensing no sign of life, I raised my head toward the door. There was only a man there, frozen in place, staring blankly at me. He looked a bit dazed, or perhaps even ecstatic.

김여주

Don't you like it?

변백현

Ah.. yes.. ride.

The man, frozen in place, shuddered for a moment before slowly stepping into the elevator. He wore a suit that looked quite expensive. His shoes were slicked back. His pomade was immaculate, without a single hair sticking out. For a man, his skin was clean and, for the most part, fairly bright.

In short, it was the image of a well-bred young master. I turned my head back to the window, thinking that nothing good would come of getting involved. The people looked small in a fairly tall building. They were so small that they looked like they would burst with a bang if I pressed them with my finger like an ant.

변백현

hey

김여주

...yes?

변백현

...Are you new here?

A man's sudden call woke me from a moment of deep thought. A man's low voice rang through the silence of the elevator.

김여주

Oh, yes. I just joined the company.

변백현

Ah.. I see.

김여주

...

I felt it was rude to keep looking out the window while we were talking, so I turned my head toward the man. He flinched for a moment at my sudden movement, then averted his gaze. Was he staring at me the whole time? I hope he didn't think I was rude.

Ding-

The elevator, which felt incredibly long, finally arrived at my floor. I paused for a moment, then stepped out. A feeling of inexplicable regret lingered, and I paused, turning around to look back. I don't know when it had been watching me, but a smile appeared through the closing elevator doors.

I saw a man staring at me. A strange, uneasy feeling crept up my spine, so I rubbed my arms and quickly started walking again. Something felt off from the first day...

선배 1

I'm new in the HR department. Everyone, say hello.

김여주

Hello, this is Kim Yeo-ju.

이지윤

My name is Lee Ji-yoon, and I'm a new member!

도경수

This is Do Kyungsoo.

박찬열

This is Park Chanyeol! Please take care of me!

The team atmosphere was pleasant, with the new recruits greeting each other cheerfully. Everyone was welcoming the new recruits with a cheerful air, chatting with each other about various topics.

선배 1

Huh? The team leader is here?

변백현

Ah... I guess I'm a little late.

선배 1

No! I was just introducing the new recruits.

I heard a familiar voice, fiddling with my fingernails as I turned around. The familiar man I'd seen in the elevator earlier entered the office, smiling amiably. I bit my lip as he smiled at me through his folded eyes, a slightly angular grin on his face.

I wondered for a moment if I had done something that might have made him look bad.

변백현

Well, since there are new employees today, how about having a welcoming party after work?

선배 1

Oh, great! Where should I put it?

변백현

Please make a reservation for the place you want to go.

선배 1

yes yes!

변백현

Okay, that's it.

I scratched my cheek as I watched the team leader's neat back as he turned and headed back to his seat. Was it just my delusions? Feeling embarrassed, I briefly swept my arm before turning my gaze to the still-chattering seniors.

선배2

"Well, today is the first day, so all you have to do is get assigned a seat and do some chores."

김여주

Oh, yes.

I briefly observed my colleagues, who seemed to have relaxed somewhat, before turning my gaze to the team leader, who was focused on the monitor.

Team Leader Byun Baek-hyun

Ugh. I licked my lips for a moment and turned my head away. I need to save up money quickly and escape this slum life. I tapped my fingernails and looked at my senior team members, who were still chattering away. Well, this doesn't seem like it'll be such a difficult company.

Oh, are you drunk?

선배2

Miss! Another drink! You're drinking well!

김여주

ah...

As I emptied my glass, the clear liquid trickled down, letting out a small, unseen sigh. My mind felt a little hazy, as if I was getting drunk.

My house was quite far away, so I was wondering how much more I could drink without thinking about how much more I could drink until I was about to become a dog. Then, when my senior, who had a glass full in front of him, urged me on, I finally cleared my mind and lifted my glass.

선배2

That's right! It's going in smoothly!

선배 1

Jiyoon, stop drinking?

이지윤

Ah... I'm sorry... Heh... I think I'm a little... drunk...

As I was about to empty the glass in front of me, I frowned and turned my head at the sound of conversation next to me. Turning my head, I saw Jiyoon, fiddling with her flushed cheek, unable to finish her drink.

I clicked my tongue slightly as I watched Jiyoon leaning on the person next to her, not even knowing who was next to her. How could she lean on the team leader while drunk?

박찬열

Team leader, you keep drinking.

선배 1

Are you okay?

The seniors who were pouring drinks into my glass shifted their gazes to the voices of the employees concerned about the team leader, who continued to sip alcohol without even realizing it. Their gazes fell on the team leader, who was sipping his drinks mechanically.

The team leader was shaking my shoulder as if Jiyoon was leaning on my shoulder and pushing her towards the senior sitting on the other side.

Your manners are terrible.

Even if the attention was away from me, I would quickly pour cold water into a cup and gulp it down to sober up.

In an instant, cold water was poured into my hot stomach, and I came to my senses. I really am going to have a terrible hangover tomorrow morning. I sighed and pressed my eyes tightly to my tired face.

변백현

Did you say Kim Yeo-ju?

The team leader, who had been scattering the people who had become like dog cakes, spoke quietly without any change in expression. The people who had been gulping down alcohol like water were fine, but everyone around them was sprawled out, drunk like dog cakes.

김여주

yes?

변백현

ha...

I looked at the team leader, who sighed and kept washing his face, strangely. That guy looks fine on the outside, but he's actually drunk. Am I the only one who survived by using tricks here and there?

Everyone seemed drunk and out of their minds. What should I do? I clutched my weary head, wondering what the future would be like. If I just went, would I get scolded for just leaving?

변백현

This is driving me crazy...

김여주

...?

변백현

smell..

I raised my eyebrows at the team leader, who stopped washing his face and looked at me, cupping my face. "If you're drunk, you shouldn't be so relaxed."

변백현

It smells sweet...

김여주

yes..?

변백현

From you...

I clenched my fists in a situation that felt somehow familiar. Childhood memories buried deep within my mind suddenly began to surge forth.

???

Honey, isn't that it?

김여주

...

???

You stink.

김여주

...

???

It wasn't just a smell, it was a very sweet smell.

김여주

...

???

A smell that drives people crazy.

There was a man who, licking his lips, said those words to me when I was younger. He was eventually caught and imprisoned, but his aura and the team leader's demeanor seemed remarkably similar.

변백현

Yeojuya

김여주

...

변백현

Come here.

I frowned at the team leader, who was suddenly speaking informally to me, perhaps because he was drunk. Was it time to run away? I couldn't tell if he was a fork or a regular person, just showing off his drunken habits.

If I abandon these people now and run away, I might be able to survive, but I think I'll probably get some serious criticism from the company.

변백현

If you don't come, I'll go.

I clenched my fist as the team leader crawled toward me, pushing Jiyoon aside. I was planning on giving him a good slap if he got in the way.

김여주

...

The team leader, who had already arrived right in front of me, was still clenching his fists. I gulped as he grabbed my hand and brought it to my lips. What should I do? What should I do?

Lick-

A squishy, hot pink mass left a wet mark on my hand. The fear that had been creeping in slowly disappeared as the team leader smiled brightly while licking my hand like a dog, and a snicker escaped my lips.