Chapter – 10
While I was screaming internally, Geonjer finished saying what he had to say, closed his mouth, and reached for his drink.
He emptied the glass in an instant, then pushed the coffee I had ordered toward me, as though telling me to drink it while I thought things over.
……But was there really anything left to think about?
I stared down at the coffee, which I had absolutely no desire to drink, and spoke.
“I’m sorry. I…… no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think this is for me.”
“…….”
“Of course, I don’t think this is a dream. I understand everything you explained. I know this is really happening, and I understand how important I’ve become, too…… But even so, I don’t feel like I have to do this. I don’t want to, and I don’t think I’m capable of doing it.”
I want to work at an ordinary company. No, actually, I’d rather just stay unemployed like I am now than work somewhere like that!
“I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I can do it.”
Even after hearing me, Geonjer showed no reaction. He simply moved his index finger slightly while lost in thought, and I had no idea what was going through his mind.
Could he even make facial expressions in the first place?
Maybe I had actually imagined that faint smile I saw earlier.
And just around then—
“I see.”
His answer finally came.
“I understand.”
……Huh?
“What?”
“I said I understand.”
Instead of feeling relieved by his unexpected response, I was left sitting there in a daze for a moment.
I had been nervous, you see. I had been wondering how I would get away if that man started trying to persuade me.
After all, he had said he had no intention of leaving until he had talked to me.
But apparently, talking really had been his only goal. Geonjer didn’t try to persuade me, nor did he press me for any further explanation.
Well, of course, that was a good thing for me.
“Then…… we’re finished talking now—”
“No.”
Just as my hopes of going home were beginning to rise, Geonjer spoke again.
“Let’s move on to another matter.”
And in a direction I had absolutely not expected.
Another matter?
Wasn’t that the end of it?
Unable to hide my bewilderment, I asked him,
“Um…… I just told you I wasn’t going to do it.”
“That was a request from the organization I belong to.”
Geonjer continued shamelessly.
“This one is a contract I’m proposing personally.”
Then Geonjer pulled out another piece of paper from inside his coat.
He unfolded the neatly folded sheet, about the size of his palm, and held it out toward me.
What is this?
The page was completely covered in densely packed writing, but I was so flustered that I couldn’t make out a single word.
“This is a copy of the contract. You can handle it however you like, but naturally, you may not disclose or share its contents.”
“……Excuse me?”
“If there are any terms you’d like to amend, tell me and I’ll incorporate them. Once you’ve read it, sign at the bottom.”
The more I listened, the more absurd it became that I couldn’t even find the words to respond.
This guy seemed even more forceful than when he’d brought up the Management Headquarters.
He wasn’t even giving me the option to refuse!
“Why…… would I sign it?”
“Because you already agreed to.”
“Don’t lie to me! When did I ever say that……!”
“Didn’t you clearly say so back then?”
When I asked in confusion, the man said something I never expected.
“You said that when you returned, you’d hold my hand.”
“…….”
The memory I’d buried away came rushing back in an instant.
<When we meet again after you return, you’ll hold my hand.>
And at the time, I had apparently answered—
<Ah, okay. I’ll hold it.>
<You’ve promised.>
<I said okay! I said I’d do it, so just……>
Ah.
Now I remember.
Right. That’s what happened back then.
I really did say that.
Ahaha. Haha……
……Ha.
Damn it.
Why did I say that?
By the time I returned home around sunset, I was completely drained.
My parents hadn’t gotten off work yet, so the house was still empty. I wasn’t hungry either, so I passed through the kitchen and trudged into my room.
Thump.
After taking off my coat, I collapsed face-first onto the bed.
With my face buried in the soft, fluffy blanket, I recalled the conversation from a few minutes earlier.
<I’ll give you as much time as you need to think about it.>
After we left the café, Geonjer had said that as he walked me all the way to my house.
I had stood a certain distance away from him, fidgeting with the hand I had slipped into my pocket.
The contract I’d been forced to take with me brushed irritatingly against my fingertips.
I wanted to tell him I didn’t need any time to think about it, but it was obvious he wouldn’t listen anyway, so I let his words go in one ear and out the other.
Getting inside my house immediately was more important.
<What if I still say I don’t want to do it?>
<That won’t happen.>
He had answered in a tone filled with confidence.
<Because I’ll accommodate whatever it is you want, Miss Myeong Sena.>
The thing I want most is to not sign a contract with you……
Sigh.
As I replayed everything that had happened today, a sigh escaped me on its own.
Why was getting through a single day so exhausting?
Come to think of it, was Geonjer still somewhere near my house?
He had said he was keeping an eye on those strange cultists, so…… perhaps he was still somewhere nearby.
Just thinking about that made me feel uneasy even though I was home.
After letting out another deep sigh, I slowly got up.
I took the contract out of the pocket of the coat I’d taken off and sat down at my desk.
“……I really don’t like this.”
Still, I decided to look at it.
I was going to refuse anyway, but before doing that, I wanted to see exactly what he’d written in it.
I unfolded the neatly folded sheet and began reading the words written on it, one line at a time.
[CONTRACT]
[Myeong Sena (hereinafter referred to as “Party A”) and Geonjer (hereinafter referred to as “Party B”) hereby enter into the following contract upon mutual agreement between both parties.
Article 1
- This contract shall remain in effect for 100 days from the date on which both “Party A” and “Party B” agree to its terms.
- The contract period shall end on the day the 100-day period expires.
- Any matters not agreed upon shall be settled through separate discussion.]
At least the beginning really did look like an ordinary contract.
And maybe it was just my imagination, but somehow the wording sounded like something Geonjer would say.
Pushing that thought aside, I slowly moved on to the next section.
[Article 2
- Upon execution of this contract, “Party A” shall receive an explanation from “Party B” regarding the ‘Syndrome’ possessed by “Party B.”
- Regardless of the contract period, “Party A” shall not disclose the ‘Syndrome’ possessed by “Party B” to any outside party.
- For the treatment of “Party B”’s ‘Syndrome,’ “Party A” shall permit ‘certain forms of contact’ for a period of 100 days.]
Wait a second.
I shot up from my chair.
Unable to believe what I was seeing, I read the same lines several times.
What is this supposed to mean?
Contact?
And what exactly is this ‘Syndrome’?
[4. Here, ‘certain forms of contact’ shall refer to the following acts:
(1) Handshakes
(2) Encouraging embraces
If contact beyond the above is deemed necessary, an attempt may be made only after consultation with and permission from “Party A.”
Article 3
- Following execution of the contract, “Party B” shall explain to “Party A” the ‘Syndrome’ possessed by “Party B.”
- During the contract period, “Party B” shall be obligated to protect “Party A” from all potential dangers.
- Even if “Party A” refuses to become affiliated with the Lachazert Management Headquarters, regardless of “Party A”’s decision, “Party B” shall prioritize “Party A” and do his utmost to protect “Party A” for 100 days.
- Upon completion of the contract, “Party B” shall immediately pay “Party A” the amount proposed by “Party A” on the same day. (However, the contract period may be extended upon mutual agreement between “Party A” and “Party B.”)
- If “Party B” violates any one of the above provisions, “Party B” shall compensate “Party A” according to the compensation standards proposed by “Party A.”]
My eyes continued down the page before stopping on the very last line.
[6. The contract payment shall be determined primarily according to the amount proposed by “Party A.”]
“…….”
After reading everything, I sat there blankly for several seconds.
I even checked the back of the paper because I couldn’t believe it, but there was nothing else written there.
What the hell is this?
What kind of contract is this?
I hadn’t signed many contracts in my life, but I could at least tell that this wasn’t a contract that would harm me.
<That won’t happen.>
<I’ll accommodate whatever it is you want, Miss Myeong Sena.>
There was a reason Geonjer had sounded so confident.
Because this contract was ridiculously advantageous to me.
Especially this part.
[2. Regardless of the contract period, “Party A” shall not disclose the ‘Syndrome’ possessed by “Party B” to any outside party.]
There was no clause stating what I would have to pay if I violated that provision.
That meant even if I went around telling people about his ‘Syndrome,’ I had absolutely no obligation or need to compensate Geonjer.
And then there was the matter of the contract payment.
He was saying that the amount I proposed would take priority?
“……Haha.”
I’ve got it.
This is one hundred percent a scam.
He was obviously trying to take advantage of someone desperate for a job like me.
Otherwise, why on earth would he hand me a ridiculous contract like this?
I crumpled the contract into a ball.
Thud.
I tossed it into the trash can, sat back down, and turned on my computer.
I might as well play the game I’d left unfinished last time.
What a shameless bastard.
Who does he think he’s fooling?
