Chapter 4: Let's Not Hold Back (2)
In my works, there were quite a few parts written while thinking of Team Leader Kim.
Because the shitty situations at the company provided much inspiration.
Readers really loved the scenes where the villainous team leader was driven out, and to think I was actually trying to do that now.
“I'm not just saying this. I'm serious. I'll help, so let's try to change things.”
Everyone just gave awkward smiles and didn't respond immediately, then answered perfunctorily.
“Ah, yes.”
“Thank you.”
“Okay. Let's work hard, fighting.”
There was no soul in it.
They thought it was necessary, but they didn't want to stick their necks out.
Didn't they see me raise such a ruckus yesterday, yet they still don't trust me?
Although this started for my own purpose, it's also something absolutely necessary for everyone.
I hope they would muster the courage now that the opportunity has come.
“Deputy Manager Song.”
Only when the recipient is clear do they answer properly.
Just like how nobody replies when an email is sent to everyone.
“Yes.”
“You have many complaints about Team Leader Kim, right? You often told me about them too.”
“…….”
“Let's voice them together. Since I've already started it.”
Deputy Manager Song answered with a troubled expression.
“Well. I do have complaints, but isn't that just how company life is?”
“…….”
“I think just Deputy Manager Go speaking up will be enough to convey the opinions.”
Deputy Manager Song suddenly smiled brightly and said.
“Ah! How about Deputy Manager Go gathers the team members' complaints and represents us to tell the team leader?”
I know how she felt.
Because I used to be like that too.
“You're the most senior among the team members, and because of yesterday's events, I don't think the team leader can ignore Deputy Manager Go's words.”
Nam Ha-neul, who had been silent until now, chimed in.
“Right! That seems like it would be efficient.”
“We must all stand up together; doing it like that won't change anything. Only one person will end up looking strange.”
Although I was speaking to the three of them, it was also something I wanted to say to myself, who had only been a bystander all along.
“How long are we going to endure unreasonable things in our company life? Let's just say 'no' to what's wrong. Please think simply.”
“…….”
“They only know if we voice it. If we just keep bottling it up, superiors mistake it as us doing fine. You all know that well.”
Memories of past events surfaced, and my voice gradually rose.
“Just look at the TO situation right now. Originally, the Operations Team had 5 people, but even though one person left, it's still running, so they don't replenish the staff. They don't know the remaining people are bleeding shit.”
“…….”
“I believe the possibility of change arises only when we voice that it's hard when it's hard, and that something is wrong when it's wrong. Ha-neul!”
“Yes, Deputy Manager.”
I looked Nam Ha-neul straight in the eye and said.
“Your company life is dreadful too, isn't it? Right?”
I looked around at the three people and said.
“Work according to your convictions, don't do useless tasks, and rest when it's time to rest.”
“…….”
“Let's try to live our company lives based on common sense.”
After pouring it all out, a moment of reality check suddenly hit me.
What was I, who had decided to quit after my royalties exceeded 100 million won a month, saying right now?
***
“Senior, are your moods perhaps swinging back and forth?”
Startled, I looked at Deputy Manager Jeon.
Did he read my mind or something?
His intuition is amazing?
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I can tell just by looking at your expression, Senior. Like you just had a reality check or something.”
As I widened my eyes in surprise, Deputy Manager Jeon smiled and said.
“We sit next to each other and see each other's faces every day, Senior. One look is all it takes.”
Guessing inner thoughts by observing expressions.
Not bad?
I should use this in a novel later.
With a theme like <The Office Worker Who Reads Expressions>.
“What are you thinking about now?”
Deputy Manager Jeon was still staring intently at my face, but I turned my face away and said.
“I'm not thinking anything. Stop staring.”
Deputy Manager Jeon smiled, took a sip of coffee, and then said.
“I didn't know you were someone with such noble thoughts about company life, Senior.”
“…….”
“Going down the middle is the hardest thing. Don't obsess over promotions, it only makes a difference of about a million won. Company life is slave life. Getting yelled at is also included in the salary, let it go in one ear and out the other…….”
“Stop it.”
Those were things I said in the past that didn't match my current actions.
It was a bit embarrassing.
“I really can't understand your sudden change in attitude, Senior. Perhaps, someone else possessed you?”
Possession?
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Deputy Manager Jeon smiled and replied.
“I'm saying it because you changed overnight. You also seem similar to the protagonist of a webnovel I'm enjoying these days. Someone who lived in an apocalypse gets possessed by the protagonist……”
As Deputy Manager Jeon briefly summarized the plot, it sounded very familiar.
No way…….
“Ahem! Th-that novel, what's the title?”
I stuttered without realizing it.
“<The Office Worker Who Came From the Apocalypse>.”
“…….”
“It's incredibly hot these days. Was the author's pen name Go-peu-ri?”
Good grief.
Deputy Manager Jeon…… was my precious reader.
It was the first time I had met a reader in the real world.
And to think he was working right next to me.
- What's a webnovel?
- Just hearing the summary sounds fun. What's the title again?
Deputy Manager Jeon smiled and told the team members.
“<The Office Worker Who Came From the Apocalypse>. I don't usually read paid content, but I couldn't help but follow this novel.”
I pretended not to know and asked.
“Do you leave comments too?”
“Of course. I leave supportive comments on every chapter.”
Deputy Manager Jeon looked lovely.
I should really treat him well from now on.
“That author must feel energized then.”
“Do you think so? It's such a popular work, and there are so many comments, I don't know if they'd see mine.”
“They definitely will.”
Since he said he reads my novel, Deputy Manager Jeon would likely understand quickly what I was trying to do.
“Deputy Manager Jeon, you must have a reason for reading refreshing company-life stories too. There are many frustrating things in company life. I'll take the lead.”
I turned towards Deputy Manager Song and Nam Ha-neul and said.
“I'm not suggesting we do something grandiose. Let's just say what we need to say.”
Perhaps because I emphasized it several times.
I could feel a change in their expressions.
This much should be enough.
Pushing further will create resistance.
Now, I could only trust and watch for their reaction.
I looked at the clock and said.
“It's about time for the team leader to arrive. Let's go up to the office.”
Deputy Manager Song and Nam Ha-neul stood up first,
I followed behind Deputy Manager Jeon, placed my hand on his shoulder, and said.
“Thanks.”
“Huh? For what?”
“Just because.”
I had always wanted to say 'thank you' if I met a reader.
“And it's not possession, it's return.”
“Huh?”
“<The Office Worker Who Came From the Apocalypse>, he dimension-hopped and then returned.”
“Ah~ Well, is that important? Looks like you know that novel too, Deputy Manager?”
I smiled slightly and answered.
“Of course. I know it well.”
***
Thump. Thump.
Team Leader Kim was heading towards the office after finishing his meeting.
He usually liked holing up in his own seat when he came to the company, but since yesterday's incident, being in the office had become uncomfortable.
‘Should I rearrange the seating chart?’
In particular, Min-hyuk, who sat directly opposite him, bothered him.
He had been hit too hard yesterday, so he hated even encountering him.
Near the Operations Team office.
Before entering, Team Leader Kim first peeked inside out of the corner of his eye.
He intended to check what the team members were doing and if Min-hyuk was at his seat, but,
‘Huh? He's not here?’
Min-hyuk was nowhere to be seen, and the remaining team members were working at their respective seats.
‘Can't do anything about Go Min-hyuk, but let's at least set the mood with the remaining team members.’
To re-establish the team leader authority that crumbled yesterday, he pondered whom to target,
‘It is… a bit tough. Team Leader.’
The words of Deputy Manager Song, who had agreed with Min-hyuk, came to mind.
His blood pressure instantly spiked, and he immediately changed direction.
“Hmph!”
As Team Leader Kim entered the office and made his presence known, the team members greeted him,
- Welcome back.
- Good work.
Unfortunately, Deputy Manager Song was focused on her work and didn't notice Team Leader Kim entering.
“Hey, Deputy Manager Song.”
At Team Leader Kim's call, Deputy Manager Song finally raised her head and greeted him.
“Ah, yes. Welcome back, Team Leader.”
“Am I being treated like a ghost?”
“Sorry?”
“Are you ignoring me?”
“I was focused on work and didn't realize you came in. I'm sorry.”
“What were you concentrating so hard on? Ah~ Trying to leave exactly on time today too?”
Thwack!
Team Leader Kim roughly threw the notebook he was holding onto the desk and said in a cold voice.
“The transmission error that occurred at midnight yesterday, why didn't you respond?”
“I confirmed that Deputy Manager Go found it first and relayed the details to the development team, so I didn't respond separately…….”
“You didn't know about the error because you were looking after your kid!”
Deputy Manager Song had been slightly late in responding to the error yesterday because her older child had a fever,
but it wasn't significant enough to cause a problem, and the Operations Team rule was that the first team member to discover an error should take action, regardless of who was assigned.
Team Leader Kim glared at Deputy Manager Song.
“Is being a working mom the ultimate excuse?”
“…….”
“Is it okay not to work because you're taking care of your kid? Then take a pay cut too!”
“…….”
“Don't tell me about your kid being sick. Just do your job properly!”
Team Leader Kim yelled abruptly.
“You don't even consider the company schedule, always using your kids as an excuse to take leave!”
Team Leader Kim pointed his finger accusingly at Deputy Manager Song.
“Is the company child's play? If your family is so precious, don't come to the company and focus on your family. A person needs to have responsibility.”
The fallout from yesterday's incident had landed on Deputy Manager Song.
Team Leader Kim continued his tirade for a long time, and Deputy Manager Song just listened silently.
Deputy Manager Jeon, unable to watch any longer, thought he should step in and was about to open his mouth.
“Ah, Team Leader, you're back? You must have worked hard.”
Min-hyuk greeted as he entered the office.
Team Leader Kim was flustered the moment he saw his face, stopped his barrage of insults, and clamped his mouth shut.
Min-hyuk sat down at his seat,
And unlike the uncomfortable Team Leader Kim, Deputy Manager Song felt courage surge as she saw Min-hyuk's face.
She sat there, her clenched fists trembling, then abruptly stood up.
“Team Leader, apologize for what you just said.”
“What?!”
Deputy Manager Song glared fiercely at Team Leader Kim.
“I have never acted against company regulations, and I believe the remarks you just made are problematic.”
Usually, when Team Leader Kim picked on Deputy Manager Song, she would hold her breath and listen, then go outside the office to wipe her tears.
“We're talking about company work, why bring up working moms and family matters?”
“Can't I even say that much? Did I say something untrue? How is that problematic…….”
Deputy Manager Song turned on her phone, pressed the record button, and then said.
“Then say what you just said to me again, exactly the same. After recording it, I will send it to the HR team to confirm if it's unproblematic.”
“…….”
“Or shall I ask the team members next to us to testify?”
Team Leader Kim swallowed dryly.
‘What's wrong with these people? Really?’
Deputy Manager Song shouted sharply.
“If you're so confident, say it again!”