Chapter 14: The Birthday Surprise and a Brewing Concern

“……I really want some tteokbokki,” Jung-hyun mumbled, “something spicy.”

Hearing his quiet words, Yoon Tae-yeol shifted his gaze from the road ahead to Jung-hyun.

“Suddenly?”

“I ate it in a dream last night. Remember that snack bar in front of our school?”

“It’d be weirder if I didn’t. I practically lived there, like it was your house.”

“It wasn’t that bad, you punk.”

As the traffic light turned green, Jung-hyun pressed the accelerator. Again today, he happily hummed along and sang whenever a familiar song came on.

His commute companion had joined him roughly two weeks prior, with Jung-hyun being the one to first suggest carpooling.

As he had mentioned, buses rarely went deep into the main thoroughfare, so he picked Yoon Tae-yeol up from a specific spot every morning.

While they usually headed straight to the office, today they had a quick stop to make. Jung-hyun veered into the right lane and briefly pulled over in front of a commercial building.

“I’ll be right back with something.”

Returning a few minutes later, he held a rectangular box in his hands. He asked Yoon Tae-yeol for help, as it would be troublesome if it shifted or shook in the back seat.

“Could you hold this for me?”

Yoon Tae-yeol readily extended his hand without a word of complaint. It was clearly a cake box, making its contents easy to guess.

“Whose birthday is it?”

“Oh. It’s Song-hwa’s birthday.”

Despite her seemingly aloof appearance, Chae Song-hwa was a deeply affectionate person who diligently celebrated even minor anniversaries that showcased loyalty.

In February, she’d offer store-bought chocolates, and in November, she’d remember to hand over stick snacks, even if they lacked fancy packaging.

Jung-hyun, though not to that extent, always made sure to properly celebrate birthdays. As childhood friends, they had exchanged birthday wishes since they were very young.

More importantly, she was practically the company’s unofficial power broker, and upsetting her could make one’s entire day miserable.

“You’re here, boss?”

“Welcome! You too, hyung!”

Upon arriving, the office was already bustling with party preparations. Colorful garlands stretched across the white walls, and Jo Min-kyung and Choi Seon-ho, who had arrived earlier, were busy inflating letter balloons.

“Can I put these up now?”

“Yes.”

Choi Seon-ho nodded when Jung-hyun held up a finished ‘H’ shaped balloon. Jung-hyun started towards the wall, then changed his mind and handed the balloon to Yoon Tae-yeol. After all, good deeds were better when shared.

“Over there, attach it in an arch shape under the garland. Commence.”

“……”

“Hmph, why aren’t you taking it quickly? We don’t have much time.”

Yoon Tae-yeol chuckled in disbelief at Jung-hyun’s clumsy imitation of an instructor, yet he obediently took the balloon. Soon, Jung-hyun’s instructions followed from behind him: “A little more to the left. No, a little higher. That’s it, perfect right there.”

Meanwhile, Choi Seon-ho finished with the balloons and rummaged through a large box again. He pulled out headbands with candle designs, wearing one as if it were his own, then distributed them to everyone else.

Yoon Tae-yeol, who had finished his task and stood idly, was no exception.

“Wear this, hyung.”

“……”

Yoon Tae-yeol’s gaze fell upon a golden party hat adorned with flashy tassels. Mistaking his slightly stiff expression for a question, Choi Seon-ho kindly explained in an excited voice.

“It’s Director Chae’s birthday today. We all celebrate together for every employee’s birthday. The birthday person gets to come in an hour late.”

After a brief look at Jung-hyun, eyes conveying ‘Our boss is the best,’ Choi Seon-ho continued.

“Please take it.”

His expression and eyes seemed utterly innocent as he offered it. Yoon Tae-yeol reluctantly accepted, only for Choi Seon-ho to obliviously ask the next question.

“When’s your birthday, hyung?”

“January 1st.”

“Whoa, that’s super easy to remember! My birthday is November 21st, so please be here until then, hyung.”

“Stop chattering and give me one too.”

Jung-hyun interjected at the opportune moment, extending his hand. “Yes, sir!” Choi Seon-ho immediately replied, pulling out another item from the box as if drawing a raffle prize.

The prize was a headband shaped like rabbit ears. Jung-hyun wore the overwhelmingly large accessory without hesitation, one ear even adorably folded.

He then peered back into the box and pulled out something else: novelty birthday sunglasses.

Jung-hyun’s head soon turned to the back. His mischievous gaze landed on Yoon Tae-yeol.

Words were unnecessary. He extended the sunglasses as if urging Yoon Tae-yeol to take them, then abruptly approached him.

“No, thanks.”

Yoon Tae-yeol felt a sense of alarm and tried to back away, but his belated refusal was useless. Jung-hyun, closing the distance even faster, swiftly stood on his tiptoes and personally placed the sunglasses on Yoon Tae-yeol’s face.

He then, with lightning speed, put the party hat Yoon Tae-yeol was holding onto his head. Losing his balance slightly, Jung-hyun teetered, but Yoon Tae-yeol quickly steadied him.

However, that wasn’t what mattered. As soon as he let go, Jung-hyun burst into joyous laughter.

“Wow, how could this suit him so well?”

“Right? Hyung, you look totally cool.”

There was another accomplice. Even Jo Min-kyung, who usually spoke very little, had pulled out her phone and was snapping pictures from various angles.

The birthday party preparations, bittersweet for one person, continued. After finishing the wall decorations and setting up the cake and champagne bought on the way, the once-austere office transformed into a rather convincing party room.

“Good morning, everyone.”

As if she had been watching from somewhere, the day’s protagonist appeared right on cue. The chiffon dress she had carefully chosen for the special occasion suited her remarkably well.

The small party immediately began. Everyone enthusiastically sang the birthday song, then gathered closely to take a commemorative photo.

Next was the gift presentation. When the employees handed over the communal gift they had all chipped in for, Chae Song-hwa beamed with delight, her smile wide and joyous. It was, without a doubt, the brightest she smiled all year.

Jung-hyun also presented her with the gift he had prepared: a liquor set she had long raved about, claiming she’d be content just to taste it. Chae Song-hwa, having already recognized the gift by the shopping bag alone, brightened and asked,

“Is it a limited edition Rocca?”

“Yeah.”

“Awesome! Even Young-eun gave up trying to get it. How on earth did you buy it?”

“There’s always a way.”

“You’re the best, seriously.”

Unable to contain her joy, Chae Song-hwa threw her arms around Jung-hyun. Confused whether it was a chokehold or an expression of gratitude, Jung-hyun playfully gasped and groaned.

“Oh, by the way, I’m going to see my mom this weekend for the first time in a while. Any side dishes you want?”

“Auntie’s food is all delicious.”

“Then I’ll ask her to pack plenty of everything. Or, do you just want to come along? If you say you’re going, I bet my mom will run out to greet you barefoot.”

“It’s your family gathering intimately for your daughter’s birthday. It wouldn’t be right for me to intrude. I’ll visit her another time.”

“Let’s drag Seung-hyun along too.”

“Good idea.”

A villainous smile, plotting some grand scheme, appeared on both their faces. Feeling cheerful, Jung-hyun seized the momentum and boldly declared,

“Everyone, how about a company dinner this Friday?”

“Deal!”

“Sounds great!”

And so, the brief party concluded with an impromptu company dinner planned. Though he wished to linger longer, various tasks awaited them today as well.

Jung-hyun retrieved a bottled coffee from the refrigerator and headed to his desk. Sipping his coffee, he checked his emails, browsed the vendor’s website, assessed inventory, and placed orders. It was then that something suddenly crossed his mind.

‘Ah, right. I forgot to tell her that.’

His calm face darkened slightly.

Last night, he had been relaxing at home, enjoying a rare evening without plans, when Kim Min-seon called.

Jung-hyun had cheerfully answered and asked about her well-being, only to hear her say, very apologetically, “I think I’ll have to quit my job.” The reason was that the bone fracture was in a bad location, with many fragments, requiring a long recovery period.

“I’m sorry, boss.”

‘It’s because she’s hurting, so there’s nothing to be done. I’ll process her resignation, but once you feel better, stop by the office.’

While she must have been the most frustrated, Jung-hyun felt just as regretful. She was a diligent employee with deft hands, someone he had hoped to work with for a long time.

However, since it was due to health issues and not any other reason, it was difficult to persuade her to stay. He had intended to discuss this with Chae Song-hwa today, but the birthday party had distracted him, and he had completely forgotten.

He glanced back. From a distance, Chae Song-hwa was engrossed in her laptop, completely focused. Since it wasn’t an urgent matter, Jung-hyun decided to bring it up later when there was time and rose from his seat.

His steps led him to the inspection table. Yoon Tae-yeol stood facing away from it, and with every movement of his arms, the muscles in his back, encased in his shirt, moved rhythmically. Even now, Jung-hyun couldn’t help but envy his physique.