French Cup: A Neighborhood Story

Chapter 109: -Gyeong-Wan- A Tropical Flower in a Cold Environment

This familiar path up the sidewalk had been lovingly salted by someone. Perhaps there would be snow later, because it was too cold for rain. Thinking about it, it could have been anyone. Absolutely everyone in this neighborhood cared for it, other than the people in the hotel. No one in the hotel would have salted the sidewalk like this.

Just imagining "the hotel", without saying I was a part of it. Referring to it in this neutral way, without ownership. Not working there anymore, so simple to be removed from it. It had seemed so huge in my world, and now it was just removed. I wasn't bold enough to say it was as if a tumor had been removed from my body. Though, there was a strange emptiness. But, not a longing.

There was nothing there for me anymore. In fact, I didn't know what I'd find today. Would it have been completely cleaned, looking as it had last week? How neat and tidy it had been, despite what was happening in the rest of the neighborhood. A rudeness, to be that neat and tidy when the rest of the neighborhood had been in chaos.

It only reminded me of my goal. What I wanted to tell corporate. Likely, I wouldn't know the person from corporate personally. However, if he were from headquarters in Seoul then he'd be Korean. I'd be able to speak openly, because none of my co-workers would know what I was saying. Well, former co-workers. Thinking of them this way further made my brain hurt.

Had corporate received my letter? Had anyone read it? Either way, I would repeat what I had said in there. Telling this person, no matter if I was speaking over them. I didn't work for them anymore, either. I could say whatever I wanted. This idea created a certain pep in my step. Hurrying more, rather than fear. I would have felt fear if summoned this way before. But now, I was just thinking about Kazuya inside French Cup. Greeting customers and old faces, bravely being happy. 

How brave everyone was. Over the past few days, what we'd accomplished had been monumental. What impact we might have, I didn't know. It could be as large as a mountain, or maybe no one would notice. But, what it meant to us was more than any impact it might have for others. Knowing that we were strong. And myself, standing up finally. It was invigorating, that same fire igniting in my heart again, so hot against the cold air around me. Making me forget about the cold.

As I thought about the fire in my heart, I moved forward. Going up this familiar sidewalk, more determination in every step.

As I opened the door to the basement, the meeting room was already silent. However, rather than being all serious, I saw there was still a remnant of chaos, as many were looking at their phones. It made me breathe out. Upstairs, the lobby had indeed been put back together again. No pizza boxes, no silverware all over the carpet. Even the pillows on the couches had been hand chopped into their V-shapes, overly neat and tidy. However, the difference had been that there were no guests milling about. I didn't know if there were guests inside or not, but there certainly weren't enough to be in the lobby.

As soon as I entered, the kitchen manager waved to me as an old friend though we'd only known each other for barely over a month. Slowly, silent greetings went around the table, until my eyes landed on someone I didn't know. 

A woman in a black power suit sat at the head. Her hair was pin straight and shoulder length, a half up and half down style. Her face was definitely Korean to me, tellable and unique. Strangely, once again rather than fear, it only sent warmth in my heart. Seeing someone who was from home. It was a silky feeling, like chocolate.

When I approached her, she let out a hand to shake in the western style. I accepted it and we shook hands firmly. Her grip was stronger than mine, maybe showing dominance. She deserved to have it, and I was glad she had authority in this situation. It showed that things would be under control. I bowed to her and she bowed to me, and I sat in the vacant seat to her right.