Vol 7 Chapter 42

"I don't have anyone to eat with either, would it be alright if I eat here?"

"Ah, yes. I don't mind..."

Though Kwon Cheon-woo showed a puzzled expression for a moment, he soon calmly began using his spoon again. Nam Mugeon sat down and, while eating his soup, spoke to Kwon Cheon-woo as he had planned.

"Hmm, I heard there were many incidents in the western region that Team 1 handles today, how was it?"

Though he worried it might feel too artificial, fortunately Kwon Cheon-woo's response wasn't too bad.

"There was quite a bit more work than usual today. Haha. But I handled everything enough to have time for lunch."

"You must be hungry, enjoy your meal."

At those words, Kwon Cheon-woo just smiled once before focusing on eating again. Since there hadn't been any particular friendship between them from the start, even this much conversation could be called a miracle. Excluding that cursed Twinkle Twinkle Sparkle incident, that is.

'...I need to erase that from my memory quickly. Anyway, is there anything else I can talk about after finishing eating?'

While Nam Mugeon was pondering this as he drank his soup, he heard the sound of Kwon Cheon-woo putting down his spoon, apparently finished eating. When he looked up with a start, Kwon Cheon-woo bid farewell with his characteristic bright smile.

"I finished first. Then I'll head up. Take your time eating."

"No, no. I'm done too, so let's go together."

"Pardon?"

Though he knew Kwon Cheon-woo was looking down at his tray still half full of food, Nam Mugeon put on a brazen face. He had no choice since coming to eat in the first place had just been a means to meet Kwon Cheon-woo.

"My stomach hasn't been feeling well lately. Haha."

"Ah, I see."

Fortunately, Kwon Cheon-woo seemed to accept that explanation. After returning their trays, while walking back, Nam Mugeon was watching Kwon Cheon-woo's back ahead of him when he remembered there was a company café not far away. Though it wasn't a place he frequented, if they could have coffee together, he might have more chances to talk to Kwon Cheon-woo.

"Um, Kwon Cheon-woo...ssi."

"Yes?"

"Before going up to the office, I was thinking of having a drink at the lobby café, would you like to join me? I'll treat you."

After saying this, Nam Mugeon swallowed gathered saliva feeling his heart beating faster for some reason, and waited for an answer from Kwon Cheon-woo who was blinking at the unexpected invitation.

"Director Nam wants to... buy me a drink?"

"As I said earlier... my stomach isn't feeling well so I'd like to have some tea, but it feels awkward to drink alone."

'Please just shut up and accept.'

As if hearing Nam Mugeon's inner voice, Kwon Cheon-woo scratched the back of his head and smiled slightly.

"No... how could I accept a treat from Director Nam... is what I should say to be proper, but since it's Director Nam Mugeon of all people offering first, I'll gratefully accept. Haha! If they knew, the Team 3 members who like you would be very jealous of me."

"Really, such jokes..."

As they entered the lobby, the receptionist and security guards in suits at the counter lightly greeted the two men wearing employee IDs. While returning their greetings as they passed by, Kwon Cheon-woo suddenly spoke as if remembering something.

"Actually, I had thought Director Nam was a rather cold person since you're so busy and don't talk much, but my impression has changed a lot these past few days."

"Oh? Was that so?"

When Nam Mugeon looked at him hoping their relationship had improved, Kwon Cheon-woo smiled slightly.

"Yes. If I had known you were someone who could be so casual, I would have transferred to Team 3 earlier. Come to think of it, you even have such an open mind to enjoy watching Twinkle Twinkle Sparkle."

"...Um, wait. What did you say?"

At that name he wanted to forget suddenly appearing at an unexpected moment, Nam Mugeon barely turned his stiffened neck. Haha, surely it must be a joke. Please say it's a joke.

"I said you seem to have an open mind..."

"No, never mind."

Nam Mugeon quickly cut him off and showed a forced smile while frowning as much as possible.

"I'm sorry if I seem too... favorable to you, but I don't have any particular hobby of liking children's content, so I hope you won't misunderstand."

"You can be honest..."

This octopus-like bastard seems impossible to become truly close with even if pretending. Nam Mugeon felt frustrated at his position of not being able to speak his mind.

"Ha, ha. Why would I lie to you, Kwon Cheon-woo-ssi? Ah, we're here. Please go in first."

Nam Mugeon gritted his teeth while pushing Kwon Cheon-woo's back through the café door before he could say anything more.

"Welcome, customers. What would you like to order?"

"I'll have plum tea, and Kwon Cheon-woo-ssi?"

"Ah... strawberry yogurt please."

Strawberry yogurt? Nam Mugeon stared intently at Kwon Cheon-woo for a moment wondering if he had heard wrong, but he seemed to be serious.

"Confirming your order. One plum tea. One strawberry yogurt. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Your drinks are being prepared. Please tap your payment method at the front bar."

Not long after Nam Mugeon tapped his mobile phone at the bar, the drinks came out. Fortunately, Kwon Cheon-woo didn't make any other strange remarks after that.

When they were heading to the elevators to go up to the third floor where the operations department was located, a group of people in suits entered through the revolving door at the center of the first floor. At the center of the group, whose expressions were visibly domineering at a glance, was a fat middle-aged man walking most confidently.

'That person...'

Nam Mugeon unconsciously frowned upon recognizing who he was.

"That person in front looks like the Vice Branch Manager... isn't he?"

"That should be him."

"How interesting. This is my first time seeing him in person since joining the company."

Kwon Cheon-woo looked at the Vice Branch Manager's group with curiosity.

'Well that's natural. The Vice Branch Manager is famous for not wanting to set foot in this building.'

While muttering that inwardly, Nam Mugeon outwardly nodded his head.

"Well, he usually doesn't come here."