Saturday's Master

Volume 5 - Extra 4 - Arrival (1)

Even in September, the heat did not seem to go away. However, at dawn on the way to work and at sunset on the way home from work, the wind became quite chilly, and the daytime, when long clothes were hanging down and invading the realm of the night, became shorter little by little.

The team, including Sunbae Kim, looked good from the first day of September. Not surprisingly, for them, September was a month full of things to look forward to. There was a long Chuseok holiday starting at the end of the month, and a little before that, Team leader Han had a long overseas business trip of two weeks.

September was a special month for me too. It was because Team leader Han's birthday was at the end of September, when the fall season began in earnest. It was a date that coincided with the end of the business trip. In other words, he said that he would spend his birthday separately in the United States, where he was on a business trip, and I in Korea.

"Team leader."

"Huh."

The first time I knew that, I didn't understand, so I asked the Sunbae.

"Are you still celebrating birthdays, sir?"

The Sunbae covered her mouth with one hand and raised the other hand roughly. It meant waiting until you wait for her to eat everything in her mouth.

"... I'm surprised. Why are you asking that all of a sudden? Lee Seo Dan will take care of it for me?"

"Ah... I'm just curious."

All in all, seaweed soup was served in the cafeteria today. On my plate, there were round drops of oil floating on top of the clear soup, and black seaweed stalks sticking out.

The Sunbae responded while stirring the seaweed with chopsticks.

"Take it. It's not like I'm doing anything grandiose like when I was in my twenties. Around that time, I met my friends, ate, and went to my parents' house to eat. Oh, when I have a boyfriend, I meet him and date him. That much?"

"... Yes."

That was normal, I guess. It was a slightly different case since I had no one to wish me a happy birthday, but seeing as there were people carrying flowers they received as presents or posting pictures of cakes on their profile pictures, I didn't mean to forget birthdays at all because I was a member of society.

She meticulously chewed and swallowed a spoonful of rice before adding.

"February, by the way. I still have some left."

"Yes, I will remember."

"Just joking. When is Lee Seo Dan's birthday?"

"Me... It's November. End of November... ."

It seemed like they had been talking for a long time, to the point that the date didn't immediately come to mind. I haven't celebrate it since high school, so when I heard it at first glance, it didn't feel that different from other dates. "Late November," muttered the Sunbae memorably. I belatedly shook my head.

"I don't congratulate you."

"Don't congratulate me, what else is?"

"Ah... I didn't celebrate my birthday at all... ."

"You can take it from this year. I'll do it. Can I buy you something delicious then?"

The Sunbae's eyes were shining, so I couldn't tell if she was joking or serious. Feeling embarrassed, I ate half a spoonful of rice and put the spoon down.

"Team leader."

"Huh."

"For example... There are people who don't celebrate their birthdays."