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“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…Hey.”

While looking at the artwork in the art museum, Song Ah Rin couldn’t hold back any longer, poking me in the side and whispering.

“What’s up?”

“Are you, like, anxious or something? Why are you looking around so intensely?”

Song Ah Rin was right.

Ever since entering the art museum, I had been preoccupied with checking every picture and the surroundings.

Are the translucent windows above showing something or nothing?

Is that thing in the distance that looks like a person actually a containment object?

Even before coming in, I had already called two other people.

Jang Chae Yeon, who said she’d rush over if anything happened, and Yu Da On, who took off the moment I called her.

Despite me saying it might not be a big deal, there was no way to stop Yu Da On from insisting she’d wait outside the art museum.

“Honestly, isn’t it weird if I don’t feel anxious?”

“…”

At my words, Song Ah Rin pouted her lips.

“That’s true… but.”

“Exactly.”

“…Ugh. It’s totally my fault, so I can’t think of anything to say.”

Song Ah Rin huffed and pulled on my arm.

“Whatever. Hurry up.”

“Understood.”

I had done everything I could.

Now, I was sort of ready to face whatever happened next.

I admired the art along with Song Ah Rin.

To be honest, I didn’t have a lot of emotional appreciation for art itself.

“Look at this painting.”

Song Ah Rin grabbed my arm and murmured cheerfully.

“The background over there is really detailed. They did a fantastic job on the person’s clothes too.”

“Indeed.”

While she was admiring the artwork, she added,

“I guess they must hate people.”

“Excuse me?”

“They’re definitely not lacking in painting skills.”

“True.”

“But they deliberately distorted the face. Look.”

As Song Ah Rin muttered and tugged my arm closer to herself, I caught a whiff of plum scent from her.

“They probably either hate people or have some fear of them.”

“…I see.”

“And yet, they can’t help but keep painting people. That’s ironic.”

With that, Song Ah Rin smiled cheerfully, as if she enjoyed the thought.

“But overall, considering all of that, it’s an outstanding painting.”

“…”

She dragged me around, happily explaining the paintings.

“Look at this! It’s so cute, right?”

“Yeah.”

Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at pictures that I couldn’t even comprehend emotionally.

“This one’s a true masterpiece.”

“Really?”

“Oh, you don’t know? This painting is…”

With a beaming smile, she explained the artwork like a child.

Then, suddenly,

“Wow, look at this! They really painted it so suggestively…”

“…”

“…Sorry.”

As she gazed at the painting in front of her, she whispered an apology in a tiny voice.

I think I saw various sides of Song Ah Rin that I hadn’t expected.

“That was really fun.”

After listening to her joyful chatter for about two hours, Song Ah Rin stared at me while holding a straw.

“Right?”

“…Didn’t you have fun?”

She let go of the straw for a moment and glanced at me.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit.

“…What’s so funny?”

“Just, I thought A-Rin had a lot more varied expressions than I expected.”

“…”

The expressions I usually saw were mostly pouts or signs of irritation.

After hearing my words, Song Ah Rin rolled her eyes and took up the straw again.

“…So, what? Is this not good?”

“Why should it be bad?”

It’s generally nice to see different facets of someone.

It’s like they’ve decided to show me another side of themselves.

Of course, I’m not a fan of the trope where someone who seems nice turns out to be insane, though.

“If A-Rin shows me this side, I’m happy.”

“…”

Song Ah Rin’s lips sealed tight, and she just went back to sipping her drink.

“Is the coffee really that good here?”

“Uh, uh, yeah. It’s really nice. The acidity is strong, and it’s totally my taste.”

Song Ah Rin answered with a stuttering while glancing at me.

What I ordered was definitely not the one with strong acidity but one with a heavier body.

If she thinks this is strong in acidity, I’d better get her a genuinely robust coffee next time.

I watched her drinking her coffee, sinking into thought.

I still can’t forget that video file either.

How does she remember that incident?

Or is it even a good idea to bring it up?

What kind of benefit would she gain by mentioning that event?

A heavy sense of guilt or self-loathing?

It seems best to avoid touching that incident.

As long as the Branch Chief and I can stay silent, I think she can manage to overlook it without any issues.

So—

“…Hey.”

Song Ah Rin’s voice cut into my thoughts.

“Yes?”

She leaned forward and placed her hand on my forehead.

I felt a cool touch.

“I always feel this way. You’re way too obvious when you think.”

“…Really?”

“First of all, your eyes get super focused…”

She pointed to her own eyes and continued murmuring.

“It becomes your concentrating look. So I can totally tell.”

“…I see.”

Both Jang Chae Yeon and Yu Da On are the same. Am I that easy to read?

I’ve never heard anyone say I’m easy to read; in front of those three, I feel like I’m an open book.

“Anyway.”

She removed her hand and looked at me.

“I don’t know what you’re worried about, but if you’re having a tough time, talk to me.”

“…”

“I get it. I can’t listen quietly like I have white hair, nor can I truly empathize like I have black hair.”

Song Ah Rin murmured while avoiding my gaze.

“But I can always think alongside you so you can make the best choice from your perspective.”

“…Thank you.”

But how can I tell her, “Your past weighs on my mind right now.”?

“So, what is it?”

“It’s a secret.”

“Does this mean you won’t tell me even after saying that?”

She grumbled and took the straw back to her mouth.

*

It’s worrying.

With the straw in her mouth, Song Ah Rin subtly lifted her gaze to observe the man’s expression.

Recently, or rather, since the painting incident, the man had been giving her a very intense look.

And he always seemed to be on the verge of saying something but then hesitated.

It would be better if he didn’t know at all.

I mean, how could he not know?

As she sipped the last of her coffee through the straw, Song Ah Rin sighed inwardly.

Though she didn’t want to admit it, it was impossible to not notice her gaze gravitating towards that man whenever something happened.

Even while she was just staring at him drinking coffee, she knew he was making a complicated face as he looked at her.

Should I just ask him outright?

No, what if he gets mad?

But I’m curious.

What if I get hurt irreparably after asking?

She alternated between gripping the cup and setting it down.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh? Oh. Okay.”

The man’s voice jolted Song Ah Rin back to focus.

Hastily, she stood up from her seat.

“Are you really okay not having dinner together?”

“Uh, yeah. It’s fine.”

I would have wanted to take her to dinner after spending the day at the art museum…

But the reincarnator’s final mental liberation work is today.

Gritting my teeth in discontent, Song Ah Rin nodded.

“At least you came early.”

“If that’s the case…”

The man shrugged, and while internally lamenting, Song Ah Rin walked away.

“What are you doing? Let’s hurry up.”

“Ah, yes.”

On the way out of the museum, a familiar black-haired person briefly caught her eye.

Song Ah Rin turned her head sharply to look back, but—

“…”

No one was there.

It seems like I’m really losing my mind nowadays.

With a sigh, Song Ah Rin headed toward the Management Agency.

*

After taking a breather, I decided to go meet the person from the Gangdong Branch whom Jang Chae Yeon had asked for.

On the subway to Gangdong Branch, I unfolded the manual.

[Manual for Office Staff]

“…”

Now the numbers aren’t even showing up.

“Are you still looking at that?”

“Oh, haven’t you reconciled yet?”

Jang Chae Yeon peeked her head out beside me, and Yu Da On did the same from the other side to glance at the manual.

“You seem to be even more sulky than before.”

“And I apologized, but…”

“That’s just a bad habit.”

Song Ah Rin sighed while looking at me.

“What’s going on?”

And there was Park Ye Eun, looking at me with a curious expression next to her.

This time, I decided to bring her along for a visit to another branch and gather some information.

“Oh, well…”

I slowly began to explain to Park Ye Eun.

About how I shoved the manual into my mouth and the subsequent sulking situation.

“…From my perspective, I just don’t get why you’re sulking over an inanimate object…”

Park Ye Eun listened to my story and let out a sigh.

“This is more or less your fault, isn’t it?”

“I?”

“You shoved it into their mouth when they said they didn’t want it.”

“What else could I do to survive?”

“That’s that, but this is a different issue.”

Park Ye Eun shot me a sharp look as she spoke.

“Logic and emotion are different things. Even if I had to endure something rough to save others, I shouldn’t think of it as a given.”

“…That’s true.”

“See?”

Her words were so right that I couldn’t find anything to counter with.

“You’re right.”

“That’s not something for me to take credit for.”

Park Ye Eun pointed at the manual.

“Make a proper apology.”

“…Ahem.”

I cleared my throat, and as I was about to apologize, Park Ye Eun slapped my arm.

“Go to a different compartment and do it! Seriously, have some sense.”

“Alright, I got it.”

Should I really be getting lectures from a kid about ten years younger than me? But I had to admit her words made the most sense.

Taking my time, I moved to a different compartment, creating some space, and held the manual tightly with both hands.

“…I’m sorry.”

What should I even say?

“Even if I said it was necessary, I can imagine that you had a tough time. I think I might have been too rough.”

As I recalled that child, surprisingly smoother words flowed out.

“Still, thanks to you, I survived. Otherwise, I would have been stuck in a deadly situation.”

Clearing my throat again, I bowed my head.

“Thank you.”

After a moment,

– Whoosh!

The manual opened up.

<Manual for Office Staff>

1. It’s best to wrap up with a warm hug.

“…”

It really asks for a lot, doesn’t it?

Do I really have to do this?

Suppressing a sigh, I held the manual with care.

To be honest, it was not much different from just carrying it in my pocket.

“I’m sorry.”

After holding the manual for about a minute before letting go,

– Whoosh!

The manual opened again.

<Manual for Office Staff!>

QD – How to get to the Gangdong Branch

1. To get to the Gangdong Branch, take the subway!

2. Be careful as it can shake!

Why is there an exclamation mark?

*

“You’re here.”

An old, scruffy-looking man glanced at Jang Chae Yeon and Song Ah Rin before finally focusing on me.

“Seeing you keep your sanity while putting those two on the same team, I’d say your social skills are rather impressive.”

“Hey, old man!”

“…”

Song Ah Rin shouted, while Jang Chae Yeon shot the man a glare.

“Thank you for the compliment.”

At my reply, the man chuckled and opened his mouth.

“I’ll cut to the chase since time is short.”

“Got it.”

“Get ready to visit a dream.”

“Excuse me?”

All of us had to wear a bewildered expression at the man’s statement.