IGWKE Episode 22

Episode 22

The more he spoke, the more his emotions surged. Everything felt so unfair. Yoon-ui glared sharply at Manager Im, who was clearly at a loss for words after being struck squarely by his outburst.

“Don’t give me your hollow compliments when you won’t even let me work in the field. Who do you think you’re fooling, thinking I wouldn’t notice that you’re relieved to have me shelved away, cleaning up messes and filling a spot in an undesirable department? Maybe because I’ve been sitting quietly and doing what I’m told, you’ve forgotten who I am. I’m Jung Yoon-ui.”

After unloading his frustration, Yoon-ui left the bitter coffee and Manager Im behind, storming out. By tomorrow, rumors would undoubtedly spread: “That insolent Jung Yoon-ui, disrespecting rank and even snapping at the guide manager now.” Let them talk. He didn’t care anymore.

Back in the office, his stormy expression was enough to make Woo-joo and Jung-woo lower their eyes and pretend not to notice.

“There’s nothing to relay from the executive meeting. I’ll head out early today.”

“Ah, alright.”

“Oh, wait! Chocolate. Don’t forget your chocolate.”

As Yoon-ui packed his things, Jung-woo stopped him, seemingly unable to ignore how bad his mood was. Gently, he handed Yoon-ui a small box, urging him to enjoy it at home. It was the chocolate Heon-ju had given him, neatly rewrapped along with a message card.

“Rest up, and see you tomorrow.”

Not exactly charming, but a good kid nonetheless. Yoon-ui forced a faint smile at Jung-woo’s thoughtfulness, then hurried home.

Even in the comfort of his own space, the anger and irritation lingered. It was one of those nights when he felt keenly the loneliness of having no one to vent to, no one close enough to call and pour his heart out to.

“I should’ve been better at this… at life.”

Regret washed over him, though deep down, he knew his relationships would only grow narrower with time.

‘This is just how it goes as you get older. It’s not just me,’ he told himself, trying to self-soothe. Pulling the chocolate from his bag, he noted that there were still over five pieces left—no one seemed eager to eat the mint-flavored kind. Breaking off a piece, he let the refreshing mint aroma and the rich chocolate melt on his tongue. His mood lifted, if only slightly.

‘See? I haven’t been completely awful. I even have a thoughtful junior who gives me gifts.’

Of course, the very cause of his sour mood today was also that same junior. Still, it wasn’t Heon-ju’s fault—just the adults’ meddling. Absolutely. Feeling a little better, Yoon-ui fiddled with the message card that had come with the chocolate. The writing was neatly pressed, almost out of place for someone with hands as large as Heon-ju’s.

Staring at the unfamiliar sequence of numbers for a while, he checked the time. It was already 7:30.

He should at least thank him for the chocolate.

Normally, it was something he wouldn’t even think of doing, but today, Heon-ju had both ruined and improved his mood so drastically that he felt compelled to act. Slowly, Yoon-ui took out his phone and began to punch in Heon-ju’s number. It had been so long since he contacted an unregistered number that he double-checked it several times against the card before moving on to compose his message.

[Thanks for the chocolate. Jung Yoon-ui.]

“No, that’s weird.”

[Appreciate the chocolate. From Sunbae Yoon-ui.]

“Ugh, no, that’s even worse.”

Messages appeared and disappeared on the screen as he wrote and deleted sentences, finding them all either too formal or too casual, never quite right. After agonizing for far too long, he finally settled on a short, neutral message and sent it.

[The chocolate’s delicious.]

Heon-ju’s reply came almost instantly.

[Did you eat it? It’s good, right?]

[That place is famous for its mint chocolate.]

[Did you just get off work?]

[Have you had dinner?]

It seemed like he’d been waiting for my message. I could almost hear Heon-ju’s voice in each word, and it made me chuckle. Feeling mischievous, I sent him a playful response.

[Do you even know who I am?]

[Aren’t you Deputy Director Jung Yoon-ui?]

[Nope, I’m Joo-min.]

Why I was resorting to such childish pranks, I had no idea. But regardless, I sent the message, pretending to be someone else. This time, his reply took over a minute to arrive.

[Oh… I thought you were Deputy Director Jung Yoon-ui.]

[Did you intercept the chocolate I gave him?]

[By the way, did your number change, sis?]

His innocent confusion was endearing, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of him frantically tapping on his phone in his bulky fire-resistant suit. On a whim, I pressed the call button.

― Did your number really change? How did I not know?

“It’s me.”

― Huh?

There was a pause, followed by a clattering sound. The noise was so loud I wondered if he’d hurt himself. Alarmed, I asked quickly.

“Hey! Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”

― No!

“Oh, thank God.”

Relieved to hear his booming voice still intact, I sighed.

― I was so surprised I accidentally kicked my chair while standing up.

“You sure you’re alright?”

― Yes. I didn’t expect you to call me.

“You gave me your number, didn’t you?”

― I thought you’d just text, not call.

He had a surprising grasp of my personality, and while it amused me, it also made me self-conscious. He was right—this wasn’t something I usually did. The realization left me fumbling for my next words.

“Uh… so, how’s Busan?”

― It’s great! The building is newer than the Seoul headquarters, and I even went to see the ocean during break time.

“Good to hear.”

― Yeah. But the equipment and training programs are the same as Seoul’s, so I still don’t understand why I was suddenly sent here.

His voice sounded genuinely puzzled, and I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.

‘So they dragged me out for that mess, but didn’t bother explaining anything to their precious S-Class.’

I felt a surge of irritation but quickly let it go. Getting angry at a clueless kid who was just happy about seeing the ocean would be pointless. Instead, I listened as he rambled about his day.

― The guides here helped me start training, but honestly, I think your guidance was better.

That comment led to a series of anecdotes about how he’d been taken to a must-try restaurant for lunch, struggled to finish his training after returning from the beach, and felt cheered up by my unexpected call. None of it was particularly meaningful, but somehow, listening to his youthful, energetic voice eased my irritable mood little by little. Switching the call to speakerphone, I reached for my medicine.

“Still, what are you going to do if your training isn’t progressing?”

― I know, right? I’m starting to worry too.

“They mentioned you at today’s executive meeting.”

― What? What did they say?

“They said there’s a big anniversary event for our center in three months. Apparently, the president is going to present you with flowers for completing your S-Class training. They’re worried you won’t make it in time.”

― Oh no, what should I do?

He let out an exaggerated sigh, and I could almost picture little sparks popping out of his hair like a bonfire.

― Honestly, I don’t think I can finish in three months.

“Yeah, I don’t think so either.”

― Deputy Director, you’re so mean….

He whined, but I wasn’t one for lying. I couldn’t say things I didn’t mean, either. In my own way, I tried to offer advice.

“The problem is the guides assisting your training aren’t skilled enough. Tell them to assign someone better.”

― They’re doing their best. I can’t say that to them….

“Effort isn’t the point. Results are what matter.”

I thought I was being considerate, but in hindsight, my response might have been a bit too blunt. Realizing this, I fell silent for a moment. Fortunately, Heon-ju wasn’t as fragile as I’d feared. Though he sounded momentarily disheartened, he quickly bounced back.

― If I trained with you, I think I’d finish the course in no time.

“Of course. I’m that good.”

― I know, right?

For someone so massive, he sure said the cutest things. In just a short conversation, all the unpleasantness tied to Heon-ju was wiped from Yoon-ui’s mind. After all, none of it was Heon-ju’s fault. Plus, Yoon-ui was always quick to warm up to people who acknowledged his abilities.

― By the way, Deputy Director, can I call you “hyung” (big brother)?

“Nope, you can’t.”

But this kind of overly familiar behavior was a bit much for him. At Yoon-ui’s firm rejection, Heon-ju whined.

― Why not?

“Why would I be your hyung? Call me uncle instead. We’re a whole zodiac cycle apart.”

― Oh, then should I just drop the formal speech altogether? Like they say, even bad laws are still laws—if we’re zodiac peers, we’re basically equals….

“Yeah, and fists are still fists too, huh?”

― I’m sorry.

Heon-ju immediately backpedaled. ‘Hyung,’ he says. The kid had a sunny disposition and a cheeky streak to match. Internally, Yoon-ui clicked his tongue in disbelief.

He had never been called “hyung” much in his life. If anything, he’d been called “oppa” more often—guides were predominantly female, after all. Just imagining being called “hyung” by someone 12 years younger than him made his skin crawl. Especially by someone a full 10 centimeters taller.

― Deputy Director, when I come back to Seoul, I’ll buy you something delicious.

Being offered a treat by a kid felt bizarre, almost alien. Yoon-ui sighed.

“…Just say you want me to treat you instead.”

― No, I want to treat you!

“Wow, S-Class must come with a big training stipend, huh?”

― It does! A ton. I used to work part-time at a fast-food place after taking my college entrance exams. I got paid extra because they said I worked well, but even then, my monthly salary was a third of what I get now.

“…Good for you. Save up and buy an apartment, maybe some commercial property, and become rich.”

― I said I’m buying you something nice to eat.

“Alright… fine, thank you.”

He shook his head, suppressing a laugh. It was impossible to stay annoyed at Heon-ju’s innocent enthusiasm, even if he was a little too much at times.