Earth Peace Research Institute 46

## Chapter 46

“Hello. I’m Ha Suan. We’ve met before, right?”

“…”

“Th-this is my coworker, Heerim.”

I gathered my scattered thoughts and introduced Heerim to Ha Suan. Though the appearance of a stranger might be bewildering, Ha Suan greeted Heerim with a smile. Meanwhile, Heerim, who had claimed to be curious about my friend, didn’t even return the greeting and kept his lips tightly sealed with a displeased expression.

If you’re going to be like this, why did you even come along?

I was the only one caught in an awkward position. Truthfully, I had anticipated this situation from the moment Heerim said he would come with me.

“It’s fine. I was planning to postpone having a meal with my friend anyway.”

“You’re planning to eat with just the two of you without me later? Let’s just eat together, the three of us, while I’m here.”

What was his problem with me eating with a friend? At first, I couldn’t understand, but then I realized Heerim was jealous. I wondered if I was the only one with blinders on, because his behavior seemed incredibly cute to me. Could emotions grow so suddenly? What had started as a feeling the size of a small balloon was now rapidly expanding to the point of bursting. This was serious trouble.

Anyway, after exchanging a few more words with Heerim, I asked Ha Suan if it was okay to bring along one more person. If he had shown any sign of discomfort, I planned to use it as an excuse not to go. But Ha Suan readily agreed, and as a result, I now found myself in a situation that was beyond awkward—it was suffocating.

“L-let’s choose the menu first. I’ll pay today, so order whatever you want.”

As I handed the menu to Ha Suan, Heerim, who was sitting beside me, intercepted it.

“Why are you paying, hyung?”

“Oh, Ha Suan helped me out yesterday.”

“Helped out? How?”

Not even attempting to hide his displeasure, Heerim’s expression soured. Despite Heerim’s obvious hostility, Ha Suan, sitting across from him, showed no particular reaction. Instead, he faced Heerim with a smile.

“Yesterday, I happened to spot Jaeo walking home, so I gave him a ride. With all that chaos yesterday, does your company really let part-timers walk home alone?”

“No, that’s not it. Everyone was just busy…”

Why is he suddenly smiling and making snide remarks?

Heerim and Ha Suan stared at each other as if locked in a battle of wills. The already unpleasant atmosphere turned downright hostile.

“Excuse me! We’re ready to order!”

Sensing that this wasn’t going to end well, I quickly raised my hand to call a staff member.

“I’ll choose for both of you. No complaints. Um, three tempura rice bowls, please.”

“Certainly.”

There wasn’t even time to consider the menu, so I ordered the same dish for everyone. I just wanted to finish eating and escape this prickly situation as soon as possible.

Fortunately, neither of them spoke until the food arrived. Soon after, three rice bowls were served, and I ate with a feeling like I might choke at any moment.

“I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

As we were finishing our meal, Heerim stood up. Once Heerim disappeared, Ha Suan’s eyes narrowed.

“That person, is he really just a coworker?”

“Huh? Um? Uh… why?”

“Just seems odd. Why does he seem so possessive of you?”

I was at a loss for words. Because it was true.

“I might be overstepping, but the place you work at seems strange too. Have you ever thought about working somewhere else?”

“Huh?”

“My relative runs a company that’s looking for office staff. It’s a stable, solid place. If I put in a word for you, you could get hired right away.”

The unexpected offer made my head spin. I didn’t know what kind of company Ha Suan’s relative ran, but it was a tempting proposal. After all, there wouldn’t be many companies willing to hire a high school graduate like me with no certifications.

“It’s not a pyramid scheme, is it?”

“Oh, come on! That pyramid scheme nonsense. Have you been badly scammed before?”

“Not really… but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

“It’s a legitimate pharmaceutical company. Just a sec.”

Ha Suan took out his wallet and found a business card to give me.

Ability Pharmaceuticals

CEO Kim Woojin

It was an impressive card with gold embossing. At least from the card alone, it didn’t look like a pyramid scheme or a suspicious company.

“Search for it online. You’ll find it.”

“…”

“You should work at a proper place.”

Could I really become an ordinary office worker?

Ha Suan’s offer was like a ray of light for someone like me with no education or experience. But I couldn’t readily accept. I still had a contract with the Earth Peace Research Institute, and without me, Heerim wouldn’t be able to receive Guiding.

“Hmm. You need to think about it?”

Ha Suan looked surprised, as if he had expected me to accept immediately.

I smiled awkwardly and spoke.

“I have a one-year contract with my current workplace, so it might be difficult.”

“Do you have to pay a penalty? The company can cover that.”

“No, it’s not that issue…”

As I was trying to find a way to decline without hurting his feelings, Heerim returned with perfect timing. I unconsciously slipped the business card I was holding into my pocket.

“If you’re done eating, shall we go?”

“Ah, yes. Let me just get the bill first.”

“No need. I already paid on my way to the restroom.”

“You did, Heerim? Why?”

Heerim deliberately looked at Ha Suan as he spoke.

“Because I don’t like seeing hyung spend money on others.”

“Think about it and let me know, Jaeo. I’ll be waiting.”

Ha Suan ignored Heerim completely and addressed me. And just before leaving the restaurant, as if suddenly remembering something, he exclaimed “Ah!” and tapped Heerim’s shoulder.

“I really enjoyed the meal today. Thank you, Heerim.”

Ha Suan left the restaurant with a friendly smile. It was clearly deliberate. Heerim, standing beside me, muttered a curse under his breath. It seemed that Heerim had lost this strange battle of wills.

Only Heerim and I remained at the table. Having suffered for the past hour or so, I jabbed Heerim’s side with my elbow.

“Why do you dislike Ha Suan so much?”

“I just don’t like him. He doesn’t like me either.”

“You two really don’t know each other?”

“At least I don’t. But what did he mean about thinking it over and contacting him?”

Heerim mimicked Ha Suan’s words and pouted his lips.

How should I explain this? Should I be honest? After brief consideration, I decided there was no need to tell Heerim. It would only upset him.

“It’s nothing. Just talking about meeting up again.”

“Again? Bring me along next time too.”

You want me to go through this again? I’d rather ride in Jeongmun’s car one more time. Actually, maybe not. Anyway, I hoped the three of us would never meet again.

Several days passed. True to his word that he would be busy for a while, Heerim became extremely busy. He was so busy that he couldn’t even do the Guiding sessions he had never missed before. For this reason, I found myself sitting alone in an empty office day after day before going home. The Director said I didn’t need to come in, but receiving a salary made me too guilty not to.

I cleaned the office and stocked the refrigerator with drinks for potential clients who might come in. That’s how I kept watch over the office alone.

In truth, the guilt was just a convenient excuse. I stayed in the office because it gave me occasional chances to see Heerim when he returned.

I wasn’t expecting a romantic relationship with him, but not having any chance to see his face made me feel strangely anxious. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Heerim occupied a significant portion of my thoughts these days.

[Me: Can’t come to the office today either?]

[Heerim: I’m sorry ㅠㅠ]

[Heerim: I’ve gone all the way to Busan, so I probably won’t make it back.]

“All the way to Busan…”

Yesterday he said he was in Jeonju. The three of them were flashing east and west like Hong Gildong, searching for rifts.

[Me: Are you feeling okay? Do you need Guiding?]

[Heerim: I took medicine. I should be fine.]

If he’s fine, that’s good…

I cursed myself for feeling strange disappointment at Heerim’s assurance that he was fine, and took out a book I had borrowed from the library yesterday. I got it because there was nothing else to do in the empty office.

It felt like the first time I’d held a book since graduating high school. I had read web novels on my phone during that time, but books like this required too much energy, both mentally and time-wise, to read leisurely. The book I walked 40 minutes to the library to borrow was a social science text written by a foreign psychology professor with a difficult-to-pronounce name.

Why Do I Like That Person?

~Human Relationships Through Psychology~

I had originally planned to read a light literary novel, but this title caught my eye. It was a subject I wouldn’t normally be interested in, but I borrowed it without thinking. This too was Heerim’s influence.

I was sitting on the sofa, having turned about five pages of the book.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the office door. I put down the book and quickly opened the door. In front of it stood a man who appeared to be in his late 50s.

“Ah, hello. Are you here to make a request?”

Although I was just a part-timer, I couldn’t turn away a client. I put on a friendly smile and let the man into the office.

“What brings you here?”

I asked, handing him a vitamin drink. The man, his face full of concern, rubbed his face with his hands before speaking.

“Well… is it possible to request finding a person?”