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EP.29 Side Story - Last Chance
My heart is pounding.
The onahole modification I saw today seemed like it would become a trauma I'd never forget for the rest of my life.
Jung So-yeon took out the employee ID hanging around her neck and clutched it in her hand.
[Shared Property Facility Processing Room Researcher Jung So-yeon]
"I don't want this..."
She didn't want to become a human like them.
She absolutely couldn't be with them.
She didn't want to abandon her humanity.
She stuffed her employee ID deep into her pocket and went to find the HR manager.
Knock knock─
"Ah, come in, Ms. Jung So-yeon."
The HR manager, who already knew she was coming, was preparing refreshments for the consultation.
"Hello."
"Yes, welcome. I've been waiting for you."
Jung So-yeon, sitting across from the HR manager at a square table, took a sip of the coffee he offered.
Calming her mind, steadying her breathing...
She barely parted her lips that wouldn't separate and opened her mouth.
"Um... Manager, you know why I came, right..?"
"Yes. I received a call from Mr. Kim Jin earlier. I heard you want to resign because the company job doesn't suit your disposition, is that right?"
"Yes..."
The HR manager, holding a coffee cup with a languid expression, secretly swallowed a sigh.
An employee of the shared property facility... not knowing how dangerous it is to break the contract and resign...
Would this even have been possible in the past?
"Kids these days really..."
"Pardon?"
"It's nothing."
The HR manager, whose words had slipped out, smiled faintly and cut off the conversation.
It had already been about 20 years since he joined the shared property facility and started his company life.
While working in HR, he had seen countless types of people...
But this was the first time someone had recklessly declared resignation, ignoring the 'contract terms'.
Perhaps because she was still new to society, he thought she was truly reckless.
So...
Therefore...
As her senior in life, he wanted to persuade her somehow.
"Hmm..."
A long yet short silence followed.
The HR manager who was sparing with words, and Jung So-yeon who was hesitating with nothing to say.
She moved first, carelessly dropping her employee ID she had put in her pocket onto the table.
"I... No matter how I think about it... I really don't think I can do it. I'm sorry."
"Why don't you think about it one more time? You worked hard to get in, it's a shame."
Jung So-yeon had entered a prestigious university with the sole goal of becoming a shared property facility researcher.
After painstaking efforts, she had passed through 500-to-1 odds.
She had just started her first day at the job she had only dreamed of... Jung So-yeon's decision was too sudden and impulsive.
Wouldn't her thoughts change again tomorrow?
Wouldn't she regret it if she resigned like this now?
What about her parents who had congratulated her on getting a job?
Her friends who had envied her life success..?
"Ugh..."
Her head throbbed.
She didn't want to think about troublesome worries.
Jung So-yeon shook her head left and right to organize her thoughts, then shook her head again and answered firmly.
"Still... I'm going to resign."
It was already decided.
No matter how she thought about it, it seemed impossible to work with those crazy people.
Unable to break her firm resolve, the HR manager closed his eyes tightly then opened them.
"I see. Alright. If you don't want to work here, there's nothing we can do."
"Yes..."
"You really won't regret it?"
"Pardon?"
Why did he keep trying to persuade her...
Jung So-yeon didn't think she was that excellent of a talent, so she tilted her head questioningly.
"Ms. Jung So-yeon, I think you're misunderstanding the meaning of my words."
"What do you..."
"Ms. Jung So-yeon, you are always replaceable personnel. The reason I'm trying to keep someone like that... think about it carefully once more."
He doesn't tell her the direct reason.
The person herself has to think, worry, and decide.
After all, it's someone else's life.
"Think about it. You have plenty of time."
After taking a sip of coffee, he looked at Jung So-yeon's face with a newly serious gaze.
She still had an expression of not understanding anything.
"I'll ask for the very last time. You won't regret it, Ms. Jung So-yeon?"
The changed tone, the pressure felt.
He had given her enough time.
Now it was time to make a decision.
Suddenly tense, Jung So-yeon lightly clenched her fists.
"Well..."
She could tell without being told.
That this was her last chance.
Though she had already made up her mind, she found herself reconsidering once more.
"I..."
Jung So-yeon, who had been hesitating, let out words mixed with a sigh.
"Haah, I still can't do it. I'll resign."
She didn't need to be tied down to the company.
She was still young, after all.
If she used her prestigious university career well, she had the ability to easily enter any company.
"...I see. Alright then."
The HR manager, saying he had nothing more to say, closed his eyes tightly and sipped the remaining coffee.
"Alright. Return your employee ID, fill out the resignation form, and leave."
"Yes..."
The HR manager brought a resignation form from his desk drawer.
Unlike the employment contract that was over ten pages... the resignation form was only one page, short and concise.
Without even reading it, she filled out the resignation form and submitted it along with her employee ID.
"That's all. Though it was only one day, you worked hard, Ms. Jung So-yeon."
"Yes... Thank you."
Jung So-yeon stood up and bowed her head to the HR manager.
"Really, really for the last time... You won't regret it, right?"
"Huh? Yes. I have no regrets about my choice. The shared property facility... no matter how I think about it, it doesn't seem to suit me."
"Doesn't suit you, huh..."
The HR manager laughed emptily and slightly furrowed his brow.
"How many people in the world do you think work jobs that suit their aptitude? Everyone endures and works. That's what company life is... Well, if I talk too long I'll sound like an old fogey, so I'll stop. I hope your future is full of hope, Ms. Jung So-yeon."
"Thank you."
She bowed her head once more... to say goodbye.
The resignation process was over.
What remained was the delivery of threatening-like information to Jung So-yeon, who had violated the 'contract terms'.
"Oh right, you know the resignation takes effect immediately, right?"
"Pardon?"
"From this moment on, Ms. Jung So-yeon is no longer a 'shared property facility associate' but an 'outsider'."
"Yes... I understand."
Though it was a short time, it was a company she had worked for together.
Drawing such a clear line made Jung So-yeon feel slightly hurt.
"Originally, people who resign after their contract period expires process their resignation at outside places like cafes or libraries. But since Ms. Jung So-yeon's was so sudden... I'm sorry we had to process your resignation like this."
"No, it's fine. I'm the one who's sorry for not being able to give any trust and resigning after just one day..."
Why would he say all that... over such a trivial matter of location?
Jung So-yeon couldn't understand at all.
"Take care."
"Yes."
The HR manager waved his hand lightly as a final goodbye, and Jung So-yeon responded with a smile and left the room.
She walked down the corridor like that... got on the elevator...
And drove towards the main gate of the shared property facility in the car she had parked in the underground parking lot.
"It's over..."
Let's think of today as just a terrible nightmare.
Let's try to forget what happened in the processing room and move on with life somehow.
Jung So-yeon cheered herself on and encouraged her future.
Just as she was about to pass through the towering high walls and exit─
"Stop. Stop."
The security guard guarding the main gate stopped Jung So-yeon's vehicle.
A red [No Data] warning flashed on the facial recognition device installed at the main gate.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to check your identity for a moment."
The security guard was the one on duty she had met that morning, someone she knew by sight.
She didn't understand why he was stopping her when they knew each other's faces.
"Please present your employee ID."
"Ah, about that..."
The security guard demanded her employee ID, but unfortunately, she had just returned it moments ago.
After hesitating, Jung So-yeon took out her personal ID from her wallet and handed it over.
"I resigned today, you see? I returned my employee ID, so I don't have it."
"Is that so..?"
The security guard looked back and forth between Jung So-yeon's face and her ID with suspicious eyes.
"Come to think of it, you're an employee I saw for the first time today... Are you saying you started work today, resigned today, and are leaving?"
"What? Yes... Is there something strange about that?"
Would you call that an explanation?
It might be understandable for an ordinary company, but this is the 'shared property facility'.
It's a place where outsiders' access is strictly limited, and a place with many secrets that aren't publicly revealed.
A new employee hired as a researcher, not even general staff, quitting after just one day?
Just considering the welfare and salary, she would be receiving at least five times more than an ordinary civil servant?
Why on earth?
For what reason?
"Hmm..."
Jung So-yeon's attitude was extremely suspicious.
The security guard scanned her face with dubious eyes.
She, however, had an innocent expression as if she knew nothing.
"Why are you looking at me like that..?"
"... To be honest, you are very suspicious right now. Please understand that I have to be suspicious because there have often been journalists, protesters, or spies disguised to infiltrate the shared property facility."
"That's... That's not it. It's not."
Jung So-yeon thought something was wrong, but...
It was already water under the bridge.
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