Chapter 42.
……What?
Ah, no….
The desperate hope of a man who until just a moment ago was dreaming of returning home from this insufferable ghost story.
Collapsed in an instant.
Only the hard feel of the receiver in his right hand emptily filled the void in his heart.
As I swallowed tears while saying an indefinite goodbye to the receiver that seemed like it would be a reliable companion.
Crackle-
The appearance of the love-interferer who separated us two.
[I’m sorry, Employee Park Yeon-jeong. While I was briefly distracted, you must have spent a lonely time alone.]
No.
The place where I feel loneliness is this moment being with you right now.
Just now, Park Yeon-jeong was half-deprived of his will to live by Noise.
The emptiness like when parents took away junk food you were enjoying as a child.
And anger.
I shot a fierce gaze filled with misplaced emotion toward the subject before me.
Our perpetrator’s response to such a gaze was.
[So, how was it? Did the customer say they liked the item?]
This guy.
I don’t even matter to him.
My gaze, which until just now was glaring at the ceiling speaker with wide eyes, cooled instantly like extinguished embers.
“…Yes, the customer was satisfied.”
Although we nearly lost one employee in the process.
You know there’s only one employee here, right?
Crackle-
[Did you have a good conversation with the customer?]
“Yes……”
I nearly lost my innocence in the process of conversing with that customer, but I returned alive so I guess that’s enough.
“Really, they were someone who loved music.”
This seemed like an appropriate assessment.
There was no point in badmouthing the same ghost story in front of Noise. The one who wouldn’t benefit would be Park Yeon-jeong himself.
As I continued saying nice things, Noise called me to attention with a voice that was noticeably more upbeat, as if satisfied.
[Indeed, you are our company’s excellent employee! I believed that Employee Park Yeon-jeong would do well.]
I gratefully accept the praise.
Cra-crackle-
[I was worried that Employee Park Yeon-jeong might have ■■ to the customer. Or that your organs might be ■■ by the customer, or you might be ■■ed.]
“……”
[I’m glad you returned safely like this.]
Perhaps I…
Was Noise indirectly saying that returning with my limbs intact was itself incredibly lucky?
Suddenly strange thoughts won’t leave my mind.
While ruminating on the worst moments that flashed through my head and feeling deep gratitude for surviving today as well.
Crackle-
[Thank you for your hard work today as well.]
Seeing Noise clearly about to begin logout procedures, I hurriedly shouted.
“No-Noise! Before that, there’s something I’d like to ask!”
[Yes?]
During the process of dealing with this ghost story customer, I heard significant stories surrounding Noise.
Of course, I had no intention of asking all my questions.
I wanted to avoid questions that might offend Noise’s sensibilities.
Therefore, right now I wanted answers to just two questions.
One of the questions from this product sale.
“Today the customer said they would pay a ‘price’.”
At the time, due to extreme mental damage, I had no chance to ask.
But I was curious why he told me to just have a conversation with the customer and nothing else.
What purpose did he have in mind for doing this?
What intentions was he hiding?
I was curious.
So, I asked the question most likely to be answered.
Cra-crackle-
The flow of static lengthens.
When the static disappeared and what could be called a voice flowed through the speaker.
[Ah, so it was about our product sales. I never thought the day would come when I would have such an official conversation with Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[…Sniff, tears are blurring my vision.]
“……”
I just wished he would speak quickly.
After finishing his brief emotional display, Noise returned to the main topic of conversation.
[It’s just as I said this morning, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[Just sincere conversation with the customer. That alone is enough.]
[The joy that comes from customers purchasing our products! Isn’t that the satisfaction of achievement! Employee Park Yeon-jeong! This is the ultimate ecstasy!]
Honestly, I’m not sure what this ecstasy Noise speaks of is.
What’s certain is that recently, our Noise’s emotional changes have become even more pronounced.
Has he become more intense, you could say.
His overactions have become excessive, you might say.
Anyway, I knew well enough that at times like this, I needed to be especially careful in my attitude toward him.
“Then, does that mean you won’t be receiving payment in the future? What exactly do you get out of this, Noise?”
When this question consecutively rose up my throat.
[The customers will remain! So for now, I don’t plan to receive payment from any customers.]
[Yes……for the time being, that is.]
Crackle-!
[So let’s keep working hard together from now on, Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[We need to deeply imprint our existence on all customers so that no one forgets about us.]
“…Yes, I’ll try my best……and Noise.”
[…You have many questions today, don’t you?]
[It seems this task has planted a lot of motivation in Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
Motivation…that might be right.
That’s why I wanted to hear a clear answer from Noise.
The next question that will follow.
For the company’s expectations that Noise spoke of.
For my own motivation.
“Would it be alright if I also participate in product sales from now on?”
[… Employee Park Yeon-jeong, you want to sell products?]
“Yes, there’s definitely a sense of fulfillment that comes from talking with customers while giving them products.”
Obviously that’s a complete lie.
And what fulfillment?
From the moment I just survived a near-death experience.
I’ve personally experienced that even in the simple process of meeting ghost stories and selling items, I have to risk my life.
Although I desperately didn’t want to go there anymore.
I discovered a new possibility in that place.
[I’m truly fortunate to have someone as passionate about the company as Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[I am truly a blessed supervisor!]
Noise not only readily agreed to my proposal, but also recited that he would spare no effort in providing full support.
[Tomorrow, I’ll prepare a surprise gift for Employee Park Yeon-jeong.]
[Please look forward to tomorrow.]
“Yes, I understand.”
I understood all too well.
So, what you just said is also Noise’s way of speaking? Well, something like that, right?
I absolutely won’t have big expectations.
The only thought in Park Yeon-jeong’s mind after hearing Noise’s words was worry.
Embracing that emotion.
He went home from work.
Thud.
The footsteps going home are heavy.
Despite the welcome event of leaving work, numerous emotions were mixing in one man’s heart.
Not the emotion of fear.
But worry and uncertainty about how to face her.
Never having properly dated, let alone married, he felt he understood why married men didn’t want to go home after work.
…Or maybe not.
Thud, thud.
Park Yeon-jeong has been endlessly circling in front of his home entrance, unable to pass through the gate right in front of him, wasting time.
Now 30 minutes have passed.
He really couldn’t think of what to say first when meeting Soi.
-Soi, I am your father.
-My beloved daughter Soi. Let me hug you.
-I’m your father.
What am I really doing now?
Continuing this useless muttering for 30 minutes, it feels like his head might explode.
…Right.
Just do as usual.
Even if I created her, she’s not really my flesh and blood, and she’s an ghost story, isn’t she?
And look at Soi.
On the outside, she’s a mature woman who wouldn’t look strange if said to be the same age as me.
If I had given birth to Soi.
When I was a newborn baby…..
Let’s not think so foolishly. I just need to treat her as usual.
Right.
“She’s just a ghost story. What daughter?”
I voiced this aloud, proclaiming a belief that wouldn’t crumble.
Just treat Soi as usual, and simply enjoy the warm meals she makes.
Thud.
Park Yeon-jeong’s footsteps, which had been heavy until just now, began to move forward confidently as if filled with certainty.
Click.
He opened the front door with the key without any hesitation.
Slam!
He opened the door more forcefully than ever.
And before Park Yeon-jeong’s eyes.
…!!
“…Ah, Master, you’ve returned.”
“…A baseball bat.”
“Ah, the baseball bat just fell…”
Thump.
I also fell to my knees.
For some reason, Soi was holding a baseball bat in one hand, and as soon as I confirmed this, my legs gave out.
Did she perhaps hear what I was saying outside just now?
“M-Master?”
Park Yeon-jeong spoke with sincerity to the ghost story daughter who might have been hurt by his momentary slip of the tongue.
“I’ll take full responsibility!”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ll do my best to take care of you so that you won’t be uncomfortable! So please… forgive this unworthy father!”
So please put down that baseball bat!
If you hit me with that, it’s technically ‘impiety’!
Park Yeon-jeong began to beg desperately, rubbing his hands until they could catch fire.
Soi, who was watching this scene before her eyes, with a baseball bat in one hand, had a redness spreading across her face, matching her kimono.
“You’ll… take responsibility for me?”
“Yes!”
“…”
Thud!
Flinch!
Just now the wooden bat fell weakly to the floor. And my hands stopped along with it.
“…Master.”
“Y-Yes!”
Why do I always have to show this position? As tears moistened the corners of my eyes.
“Is there anything you would like to eat?”
“…Pardon?”
“I will make whatever food you desire. Because today is a happy day.”
…What?
For some unknown reason, Soi’s face now looked as if her mood had improved.
No, more than that, she was smiling at Park Yeon-jeong with a brightness beyond imagination.
That appearance.
Evoked another feeling of fear.
“Master.”
“Yes!”
“You haven’t told me what food you want to eat.”
With Soi’s inexplicable pressure, only one word crossed Park Yeon-jeong’s mind.
“D-soybean paste stew, please!”
“Are you sure? That seems like something we eat all the time.”
“The soybean paste stew that Soi makes is so delicious that I never get tired of it no matter how often I eat it!”
“…”
Hehe.
Soi’s faint laughter brushed past his ears.
“Then let’s have you shower first today… I’m already looking forward to tonight.”
Hehehe.
After that, Soi suddenly advanced toward the kitchen, letting out an eerie laugh.
And that single phrase that came from her lips kept circling in my mind.
-I’m looking forward to tonight.
I am not looking forward to it, Soi…
Dinner that day was indeed excellent. But today’s meal wasn’t so satisfying.
I couldn’t tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose. And why were Soi’s eyes constantly watching me today?
It’s scary.
And then that problematic time arrived.
Was it because I hadn’t slept properly since last night?
After finishing the meal.
A truly indescribable extreme fatigue came over me.
“Master.”
“Ah, yes!”
In my drowsy consciousness where I felt like my mind might fly off to dreamland at any moment, Soi was somehow standing in front of me.
“You look tired, let’s get you to bed.”
“Ah… yes, we should.”
Honestly, I have been extremely sleepy for a while now.
But I didn’t think I could close my eyes comfortably.
If I fell asleep like this.
I was sincerely worried that day might become my coffin.
…Blink.
My eyelids are too heavy.
It felt like Earth’s gravity was only applying to my eyelids.
With the gradually increasing illusion of shaking ground.
“…No, no more…”
Plop.
After that, my consciousness cut off at the dining table chair.
The last scene captured in my gaze was Soi’s eerie smile.
Slip.
Her falling clothing from shoulder movement was my last memory.
‘So ghost stories change clothes too.’
That was the last thought of the man called Soi’s father, as he looked at his daughter before closing his eyes.
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Lol, ty for the chapter