Chapter 253
By the time I showed up to work, the office was bustling, but now it was just me and the Second Manager left.
Everyone had their own stuff to deal with, plus it’s year-end, so team leaders are busy compiling reports. It’s not exactly normal for them to gather in the Executive Manager’s office.
“What’s your deal being here?”
The real oddball was, of course, the Second Manager.
“Me? I just deal with my tasks and prefer to relax afterwards, you know.”
“No, I mean, why are you relaxing here?”
This dude thinks this is a break room.
But my bluntness didn’t faze the Second Manager at all. He just chuckled and took a swig from his canteen. I could smell faint alcohol seeping out; it’s like he’s filled it with something stronger.
“Yeah, just drink up and pass out. That’s way better than sticking around to bother me.”
“Did you make the Senior Manager cry again?”
Unfortunately, as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I raised my left hand quietly. Actions speak louder than words and all that.
“Oh wow.”
The moment the Second Manager saw my hand, his eyes bulged out in surprise.
I can’t blame him for that reaction. My thumb, index, middle, ring, and pinky fingers all had half-rings on them.
“Pretty cool, huh?”
“It’s cool, but I don’t want to copy it.”
“Dude, come on.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the Second Manager’s reaction. I’m not exactly thrilled about this either, so if he thinks it’s weird, I can’t do anything about it.
If only I had an even number of rings, then I could split them between my left and right hands. But of course, I ended up with five, which leads to chaotic situations. An odd number means now I have to decide which hand will have more rings.
“Honestly, you did this quicker than I thought. I thought it’d take you until next year.”
The Second Manager, looking puzzled, tilted his head. He knew about my slip-up on the joint marriage thing and my ring-buying spree, so of course, he had a solid idea of who I ended up confessing to.
It seems he didn’t expect me to respond before the year was out.
“When have our predictions ever been spot on?”
“Fair point.”
No one really knows what life’s gonna throw at us.
“Anyway, congrats! If you’re happy, that’s what counts, right?”
The Second Manager took another gulp of his drink and grinned softly, a different expression than before.
“There may be an element of suddenness to it, but if the Executive Manager has feelings, that’s all that matters. Even if emotions are lacking initially, they can build up over time, right?”
With such warm words of congratulations, I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Have you set a date yet?”
“…Yeah.”
Receiving this sudden inquisitive look from the Second Manager, I just chuckled. That comment was very calculated. With my wedding approaching, I was hoping to avoid any awkwardness and just move on without rubbing each other the wrong way.
“Well, it’s obvious you’re not the kind of guy to make sweet, heartfelt remarks.”
I accepted that for what it was. If I got into a screaming match, I might have to marry five times. It’s better to resolve things here than drag them out.
And then an uncomfortable silence settled over the office.
“Marriage is the grave of life.”
A place where folks about to get buried and those forecasted to go five times meet.
Makes sense for the quiet.
*
The journey home was a bit longer than usual, thanks to the First Manager insisting on walking all the way to the Masalo family mansion.
It was a relief it was on the way; if it had been in the opposite direction, I’d really be in for a trek. The capital is pretty expansive, making walking a chore.
“So, we’re commuting together tomorrow too, right?”
“Are you serious?”
“Aw, come on…”
I shot down the First Manager’s hopeful suggestion, but he clearly wasn’t too bothered about it and went along with it.
Sure, commuting is a bit tricky. I could adjust knock-off times, but everyone’s arrival varies.
“By the way, Executive Manager, you shouldn’t wear all those rings at once. They look kind of ridiculous.”
At the mansion’s gate, the First Manager, who was about to enter, hesitated and opened his mouth. Five rings on one hand? Yeah, that’s a sight!
“Should I just wear yours on my right hand instead?”
“You’re such a bad guy.”
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh at how the First Manager pouted. It’s not like this dude had any other option but to wear them all on one hand.
“If I wear them separately, someone might think I’m playing favorites. It’s not like I can fit them all properly on my ring finger anyway.”
At first, I thought I could fit all five half-rings on my ring finger, but that turned out to be a futile effort.
I could get them on, but moving my fingers became impossible. Better to skip that.
“And what if I end up getting one more?”
He casually threw out that nightmarish scenario, leading me to instinctively grab the First Manager’s mouth.
But it wasn’t meant to hurt. Just a tiny touch between lovers or a gentle teasing of a partner who slipped up.
“That’s not something you say.”
So I said softly. If he ended up adding one more, that would cause a huge problem. Counting five with one hand is different from counting six between two hands, you know?
I vaguely remember hearing the Gold Duke mention that when you have fingers to spare, you tend to think twice about getting yourself a wife.
To be fair, he did stop at twelve, but still…
“Ughhh!”
Fortunately, the First Manager seemed to reflect on this and was vigorously patting my hand while nodding.
This kid isn’t a total goofball, just a bit mischievous. Having called him out, I’m sure he won’t bring this up again.
“But, you can’t predict what could happen…”
As I released his lips, he had to start blabbering again. Ah, it’s depressing. I really don’t want to hurt my potential fiancée.
Feeling a bit sorry, I reached out, and the First Manager quickly shut his mouth.
‘…Can’t blame him.’
In truth, the First Manager’s worries weren’t entirely unfounded. After all, I’m the one wearing five rings now. If one more showed up in a day, it wouldn’t be surprising.
“If it grows, we’ll just split them up. What else can we do?”
I gently patted his head which was under my outstretched hand.
Of course, I’m not actually expecting one more to show up.
After all, the confession chain had only recently begun, and it’s not like more can pop up out of nowhere.
*
The Executive Manager gently patted my head a few times before going back to work. Do you think I’d enjoy this just because I’m older?
Of course, I’m glad! I’d even appreciate a pat on the chin!
But now’s not the time to get wrapped up in those little joys.
‘This can’t go on for long.’
From the Executive Manager’s reaction, it looks like I really might be the last one to confess. Up ahead, there are four potential fiancées lined up, but no one behind.
The fact that those four—Princess Marghetta, Duke Marcilio, and two Academy students—confessed to the Executive Manager before me hits a sore spot, but that’s not the main issue.
‘Penelia’s missing.’
I can’t let this slide. I need Penelia here. I’m certain she likes the Executive Manager too.
But how long is she going to be stuck up in the northern region? No word from her. While I and everyone else are busy confessing, she’s been completely inactive.
And the Executive Manager seems to be solidifying five fiancées meanwhile. And now that all the confessions are done, they’ll be moving into next year?
‘No way.’
This just gets more challenging. The burden of going from five to six on top of the pressure of crossing into a new year. These are no small chains to ignore.
I casually proposed adding in another ring to the Executive Manager—
“If a new one comes, we’ll just have to split them up.”
…Looks like I dodged the bullet there, at least ‘that’ll never happen!’ isn’t the vibe. But still, the disappointment on his face was unmistakable.
‘Seriously, what are we even doing here?’
I tried to hold back a sigh, but it escaped. Now I find myself resenting not just Penelia, but also the Special Services and Enen. Why did they have to send her away during such a critical moment? Why did this particular incident have to happen?
Feeling defeated, I quietly switched on the communication device. She probably won’t be available today either, but I have to get in touch at least once a day. That way, she might see the stack of calls and finally reach back to me—
– This is Captain Mukgwang.
Huh?
I totally expected not to reach anyone at all. Yet, here I was, suddenly looking at Penelia’s face for the first time since the Red Wave operation.
My heart blanked out for a moment due to the unexpected situation, but I quickly regained focus.
“Hey! Why did it take you so long to answer?”
At least she picked up before the day ended. That matters.
And with my outburst, Penelia’s expression soured just a touch.
– I’ve already been chewed out by Yuris. We’re done talking now.
Whoever Yuris is, they seem to be feeling as frustrated as I am.
*
As I approached the mansion, an unexpected scene unfolded before my eyes.
‘Who’s that?’
A brown-haired girl chatting with the guards. If serious and stern guards are treating an informal kid so warmly, it can only be one of two people. After all, there are only two brown-haired girls in this mansion.
“Ah, Master!”
As I took a few steps, the girl spotted me and bowed. Hearing her voice, I knew it was Yuris.
I nodded back at the guards who were following her lead and ruffled Yuris’s hair while she was busy loitering outside by herself.
“Did you finish everything and just hang out here?”
“Of course!”
“Well, it’s cold, so you should play inside.”
I turned her around and pushed her gently toward the mansion.
It worries me when a little kid plays outside in the cold. A simple fall could turn into a disaster compared to other seasons.
“Master, let’s go in together.”
“Alright.”
Naturally, I said yes and walked alongside Yuris toward the mansion.
And as I patted her head again, I opened my mouth.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
I could feel her hesitate a little at my question. Even though she’s a smart kid, her youth is showing through again.
‘This isn’t a casual waiting game at all.’
Yuris hates the cold, so she wouldn’t come out just to play. If she were playing just for the sake of it, she’d have Sophia tagging along.
So that meant she was waiting for me, likely to discuss something urgent.
“Uh… Master…”
“Yeah. Spill it out.”
What kind of thing does a little girl want to say to her master? So far, my experience shows Yuris isn’t asking for anything too extravagant.
At most, it’s probably about a fun dessert? Or maybe she wants to help me with my wallet by mentioning some bonuses? Perhaps she wants to invite me to a year-end party or a New Year’s gathering?
“What do you think of Penelia, big sister?”
I was taken aback by her unexpected words. Why the sudden inquiry about the Fourth Manager?
“She’s a great person! Good at her job and an even better human being. You don’t come across someone like that easily.”
The answer came instantly. The Fourth Manager was a ray of hope during my time with the utterly hopeless Manager trio. Thanks to the lineup of the Senior, Fourth, and Fifth Managers, I could breathe easy.
Plus, she’s been leading our Fourth Department splendidly, polite and achieving results.
I can’t even think of any flaws…
“How do you see her as a woman?”
As soon as Yuris asked, my hand that had been ruffling her hair froze mid-motion.
No way, is she asking me what I think about her significance as a woman right now?
“She’s an awesome woman.”
But Yuris pressed on, seemingly asserting herself against my initial response.
“Penelia is also a really great woman, you know.”
And just like that, Yuris dropped a wedge right in front of me.
This question at this timing. As a self-proclaimed expert in the chain of confessions, I’m all too aware.
‘…The sixth one?’
My mouth went dry. I thought everything was wrapped up, but there’s more on the roster?
“What if another one shows up?”
The words of the First Manager echoed in my mind.
It felt prophetic…
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