“…….”
Um.
It feels awkward.
As I relaxed my mind a bit and popped something into my mouth, I half-impulsively called Yang Hye-in into my room. Using Sohee’s work phone, Yang Hye-in arrived in no time.
It wasn’t so much that I was happy; it was more like moving like this had become a habit for her. Yang Hye-in was still one of my direct maids, and she had been doing this job for several years now.
She seemed to think that I had called her for some task.
Sohee was also considered my maid, but since she was a minor, technically she wasn’t supposed to work after her shifts. Plus, since she was my friend, I intentionally didn’t make her work.
Isn’t that right? No matter how much they were maid and employer, if I kept giving her tasks and Sohee kept taking them on, that relationship was bound to break. A kind of hierarchy would be created between us.
So… If I had to pick the “real, proper” maid out of the two working under me, it would have to be Yang Hye-in. This wasn’t about Sohee being incapable or not.
“…….”
The problem is that this not-so-friendly relationship makes the current situation feel incredibly awkward.
I called Yang Hye-in before I’d even finished the snacks. If I called after eating them all, it wouldn’t be considerate; it would be like I called her just to make her work. I was thinking of cleaning up the trash together anyway.
But I had never had an open conversation with Yang Hye-in like this.
In fact, no one here had ever had an honest conversation with her.
So, naturally, having Yang Hye-in joining this snack party turned it all uncomfortable.
…Ah, this feeling seems familiar somehow. I can’t quite remember when I felt it.
Is, is this how it’s going to be?
Sara also seemed pretty uncomfortable in the situation.
Right, what should we do about this situation?
“Don’t you like snacks?”
“No, I do like them.”
Only after my question did Yang Hye-in mechanically reach for a snack and pop it into her mouth.
…She actually checked what kind of snack it was before eating it, right?
She put in her favorite one, didn’t she?
I really hope that’s the case. Otherwise, I might actually feel sorry for having called her.
Ah, right, I remember now. I think I kind of understand what this situation is.
So, this situation is like that.
It’s like an awkward loner who hardly talks to colleagues suddenly being thrust into a social gathering of popular kids.
The popular kids called her since they’re in the same cohort, but it turns out the loner doesn’t really like drinking.
She doesn’t particularly enjoy karaoke either, and she definitely doesn’t believe in things like after-parties for drinks.
Even if they try to chat, their hobbies and interests are so different that there’s hardly any communication, or they’ve never chatted before, so there’s nothing to talk about.
And another reason I couldn’t immediately recall that situation.
Yeah, back then, that “loner” was me.
Still, I don’t have a particularly monotone personality, so even when I was invited to group meetings or end-of-group-project gatherings, I usually went. But I would head home right after the first round because I didn’t particularly like drinking, nor could I hold my liquor.
I usually spent my time reading web novels, watching Internet broadcasts, or playing single-player games that most people don’t engage in, so there was hardly anything to share with those kids.
…The reason I couldn’t immediately recall that situation was simply because my position is entirely flipped now.
While I still wouldn’t classify myself as the popular type at school, in this situation, it would count as my side.
Thinking back, I realize I don’t know what kind of person Yang Hye-in is.
Sara would likely think the same. I don’t recall ever seeing Sara have a personal conversation with Yang Hye-in in the memories I have of her.
“So, um…”
I slowly opened my mouth.
“The reason I called you today… is not for any particular reason. I haven’t talked with you much until now, and I figured we should know a little bit about each other since we’ll probably see each other around more often…”
I almost said, ‘I think we should get to know each other better,’ but quickly changed my wording.
Saying ‘I want to be closer to you’ might put too much pressure on her.
Honestly, I felt a bit pressured saying it myself.
She’s someone who might be almost the same age as me or perhaps even younger, but right now, I look significantly younger than Yang Hye-in. Yet, saying ‘I want to get close’ felt strangely repulsive.
If it were a natural connection, I wouldn’t mind, but…
“Really?”
Yang Hye-in politely responded.
……
Before I knew it, she had both hands clasped, listening attentively to what I was saying.
Naturally, she had stopped eating the snacks.
But it felt a bit awkward to tell her to eat the snacks over there. What if she actually doesn’t like this stuff? After all, there are people who don’t like sweet things in this world.
“…….”
“…….”
Another silence.
Ah, is she waiting for me to ask something?
But what should I even ask? Should I ask about her hobbies?
“Ah, Senior!”
In the end, the first one unable to withstand the situation was Sohee.
“Didn’t you say your hobby was embroidery?”
And the words that came out of Sohee’s mouth were quite shocking.
“Ah, we’ve had a lot of chances to chat.”
When I widened my eyes and looked at Sohee, she just smiled and said so.
Well, it’s true that not long ago, we used to go down to the first floor together every morning to prepare for work. We wouldn’t have spent all that time in silence, so we must have exchanged at least some words.
“You do embroidery?”
Anyway, I couldn’t just let go of the opportunity that Sohee had created, so I quickly asked.
“Yes, I do it a bit when I have time.”
Yang Hye-in looked a bit flustered at my enthusiastic reaction.
That’s only natural. Until just a little while ago, I hadn’t shown any particular interest in Yang Hye-in’s personal matters.
Honestly, I didn’t have any interest at all.
But now that I think she’s definitely on my side, I started having these thoughts.
“Embroidery…”
I tried to continue the conversation, but once again, I hit a wall.
Right. Embroidery.
I’ve never seen anyone around me have embroidery as a hobby.
No, I don’t even think I’ve seen anyone who considered it a career.
All my friends were filled with games and anime.
…Wait, even if I had a girlfriend, I doubt her hobby would be embroidery. Was embroidery really that mainstream of a hobby?
My level of curiosity for embroidery was even weaker than any interest I ever had in Yang Hye-in before. To express it in words, it was like ‘Oh, that exists.’
“Is there a reason why you started embroidery?”
Ultimately, I could only ask a stiff question that would seem appropriate for a craftsman interview.
But thankfully, upon hearing my question, Yang Hye-in pondered for a moment before responding earnestly,
“Because it allows me to spend my time calmly. When focused on one task, I hardly notice the time passing.”
She answered me sincerely.
“Time?”
“Yes. After you went to school, I haven’t had much scheduled.”
“Ah…”
So, it seems this hobby developed after she got this job.
But still, isn’t there plenty of other things to do if you’re trying to spend time? Like watching the internet, dramas, movies… or at least reading?
Not that I’m saying embroidery is bad or anything.
…My instincts were telling me that this person probably wasn’t ordinary even before she became a maid.
“So, do you have a favorite food?”
After noticing my struggle for words, Ha Neul quickly jumped into the conversation.
“Food I like… well, I prefer clean and simple flavors rather than any particular favorites.”
Yang Hye-in replied diligently again.
…Right in front of her were these extremely sweet and salty snacks.
Could she really not be eating them because she doesn’t like snacks?
“Do you have a favorite singer or song?”
This time, Sua asked.
“I don’t usually listen to music much.”
“…….”
I imagined what Yang Hye-in might be doing while waiting for me at the mansion.
Sitting alone in a staff break room with no staff, not turning on music or TV, and just doing embroidery while wearing her maid outfit.
…Strangely enough, that visual suited Yang Hye-in exceptionally well.
Thinking that, I couldn’t bring myself to criticize that scenario.
“…….”
And then more silence.
Since Yang Hye-in wasn’t eating the snacks, it felt somehow wrong for us to eat as well. It felt like we had purposefully bought snacks we didn’t even like.
What on earth would make her genuinely enjoy something?
I thought I should seriously consider that.
……I really hadn’t expected to stumble into this kind of situation at first.
I begrudgingly had to admit that Choi Na-kyung picked people appropriately in a way that left me amazed.
