SMNTCERR, Chapter 28 Cyan #1.

   When he opened the door to the meeting room, he found Chu Sangwoo already waiting, dressed in a blue shirt and dark jeans. Jaeyoung intentionally sat as far away as possible from the other side and looked at the brim of his cap to avoid eye contact.

   “You’re not late today.”

   “…”

   “Just twelve minutes.”

   A faint smile appeared at the corner of Sangwoo’s mouth while Jaeyoung only managed a wry smile in response. He didn’t say anything.

   Although Jaeyoung quickly dismissed the unbelievable proposal, he felt relieved. Could he encounter Chu Sangwoo in this state? Where would this relationship lead? At least it was better to stop here than to continue, that’s why he arrived at the university one hour before the meeting time.

   “I prepared it for you, hyung. Please eat plenty.”

   Yes… Sangwoo bought pastries and water and prepared them on the table. It didn’t suit him to be the one who brought them, but each item looked unusual and peculiar. Rice water, mung bean cakes, fried potato wedges with honey glaze, yakgwa [1]...

   ‘Is this some kind of special occasion?’

   Jaeyoung picked up a mung bean cake and put it in his mouth according to etiquette.

   “Thank you.”

   He chewed on a pastry quietly, glancing at Sangwoo with a cool expression, as if they had just met for the first time. Jaeyoung felt unable to speak, thinking ‘Is this the person who approached me and persuaded me to make a game together?’ Yesterday, Sangwoo’s eyes were bright and his voice was soft. Did he change?

   “If you want to work with me, please be careful about two things.”

   Sangwoo immediately got to the main point without any unnecessary words.

   “I can’t stand not keeping deadlines, and being late for meetings is the same.”

   “…Um.”

   “I won’t allow sloppy work.”

   “…”

   “If you think you can’t do these two things, you can withdraw now.”

   Jaeyoung found it increasingly difficult to control his facial expressions. Chu

   Sangwoo came to his workplace just because he wanted to work with a ‘competent designer’ but Jaeyoung’s heart couldn’t accept it. Sangwoo wasn’t just a ‘skilled programmer; The extraordinary atmosphere of the previous day seemed to have disappeared somewhere.

   “I assume you don’t have any objections.”

   Sangwoo finished summarizing and took out a sheet of A4 paper from a folder when he received the paper from the other side. Jaeyoung was speechless. When the other side talked about creating a huge game within four months, Jaeyoung thought it was just a conversation. No matter how skilled Sangwoo was, students had their limitations, and it was almost impossible to develop a game in such a short time with just two people.

   But this crazy guy was serious. In Sangwoo’s plan, he considered every step meticulously, from the flowchart drawn in the project planning stage to the QA [2] after development.

   “It’s too dense, especially your schedule.”

   Writing plans and designing weren’t much, but programming wasn’t child’s play. The timeline was short, and there were plans to release on multiple platforms like PC, iOS, and Android simultaneously. Last month was especially called the ‘death rehearsal.’ There were server connections, network system testing, security system testing, performance testing, and performance optimization for compatibility on all devices. Jaeyoung didn’t know much about programming, but just by looking at the text, he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

   Sangwoo spoke as if it wasn’t important.

   “I’m okay. Is there any problem with the graphic design table?”

   Jaeyoung frowned. The design side hadn’t finalized their plan yet, so there were still many gaps. But in the initial stages, character designs, items, and maps were planned on a daily basis. He didn’t know how the other side saw designers as automated vending machines that could draw graphics every day, three things a day, or something like that.

   “So I will assume there’s no problem…”

   This time, Sangwoo moved on to the next topic according to his own whims… The other side sat close to Jaeyoung and stared at him, making Jaeyoung feel surprised as if he were facing a real robot.

   “The profit sharing ratio is 8:2. Hyung you are the 2.”

   Jaeyoung didn’t care much about the benefits, even a little. This project was just an excuse to meet Chu Sangwoo again. Instead of letting it go, he pushed himself with full force, feeling the need to reduce that energy a little.

   “Shameless merchant.”

   “I’ve heard this word many times before. The plans are complete. It’s not difficult to draw a few lines, is it? And you’ve already used the time you wasted following me to code to work.”

   “You nerdy boy don’t think anymore.”

   Whether he intended to provoke or not, Sangwoo was pushing Jaeyoung, seeing him as a dry-hearted artist. Jaeyoung wouldn’t give in. He sat hugging his chest, leaning back on the chair.

   “It hasn’t even started yet, right? I don’t know when it will collapse. And what’s the point of talking about profit sharing? I don’t intend to design such plans again.”

   Even though he spoke forcefully, Sangwoo replied without batting an eyelid.

   “Then what should we do, hyung?”

   “Just fix the plan, idiot. Don’t bother asking me.”

   “If it were you, how would you fix it, hyung?”

   “If it were me, I would start over. How can we work with a plan like this?”

   “Okay, then. How about changing the plan here? It would be difficult. So, the seniors should fix the plan until the next meeting. Since the seniors have a part in the planning. I will adjust the sharing ratio to 5:5.”

   “What?”

   Jaeyoung fell into a pit. He had to take responsibility for writing the plan without having time to prepare. He opened his mouth to say something, but Sangwoo didn’t give him that opportunity. The other side handed Jaeyoung a document summarizing the initial concept of the game, the same document he had seen before.

   “Wasn’t it not fun before, hyung? So, then you should make it fun. If it’s not done by the next meeting, I’ll stick to the original plan. Please send the plan to the email address written there by midnight before the meeting day.”

   Jaeyoung checked the schedule and only laughed. The next meeting was tomorrow, so that meant there were just seven hours left until the meeting.

   “Are you a workaholic or something?”

   “The schedule is tight. I can’t allocate any more time for planning.”

   Sangwoo spoke coolly, collected the documents on the table, and put them in his bag. He got up without even glancing at Jaeyoung. Chu Sangwoo was the host of this meeting. Jaeyoung could guess that it wouldn’t be as he had imagined, but he didn’t expect it to be so formal.

   “Are you leaving?”

   “I have a reason for not staying long.”

   “Why?”

   “…I don’t want to tell you.”

   Sangwoo never avoided answering questions with an evasive attitude like this before. Although Jaeyoung had sharp eyes, he couldn’t figure out why the other party was in such a hurry to leave. Before he knew it, he heard the sound of the meeting room door opening.

   ‘Well, it’s good. It’s refreshing to just talk about work and be done with it.’

   Jaeyoung grumbled silently in his heart. At the same time, he felt disappointed.

   “Oh, there’s one more thing…”

   Sangwoo’s words made him raise an eyebrow, and the eyes hidden under the dark shadow of his cap looked down at Jaeyoung.

   “From now on, please refrain from physical contact without giving prior notice. It makes me very uncomfortable.”

   Those words were not spoken because he knew something, but they struck a chord in Jaeyoung’s heart, revealing a hidden desire.

   “Especially things like head-patting, wrist-grabbing, and whispering in the ear. Please be cautious.”

   “Of course.”

   “Then see you at the next meeting.”

   “Why not say it… it’s tomorrow. Just say that the next meeting is in two or three days.”

   “My business.”

   With those final words, Sangwoo left. In the meeting room where Chu Sangwoo had spoken with an indifferent attitude on one side, he was now gone. Jaeyoung sat there amidst pastries, his face looking as if he had been slapped.

   ‘What on earth is this?’

   He didn’t care about mobile game development. It wasn’t urgent enough to resist changing the schedule that was already packed. He accepted the proposition without real interest because he was fond of the word “hyung.” However, the person who appeared in the meeting was not a cute junior but a crazy workaholic.

   ‘I really don’t feel like doing this.’

   Because he was busy dealing with the food prepared by Sangwoo, Jaeyoung ended up being late for their dinner appointment.

   ⌘W[3.]

   “Just the two of us within four months? And studying too?”

   His friend shrugged. Then he assumed a new stance, as if he had come up with a new move. He positioned his feet and arms on the pool table, ready to strike the ball beautifully.

   “That’s impossible, right?”

   “It depends on the quality. If you use talented engines, you can create games like Galaga[4] in just one day.”

   “One thing for sure is that coding skills pay off big time, maybe tens of millions.”

   “Ha, no way. You’re being duped.”

   “Oh, really?”

   Having heard that, Jaeyoung smiled quietly, holding the cue stick. He assumed the correct posture, placed the cue stick between his fingers, preparing to strike, but then he heard the alert sound from his mobile phone in his shirt pocket, breaking his concentration. The continuous notification sound rang twice. So, Jaeyoung put down the cue stick for a moment and picked up his mobile phone to check.

   [Unsaved number: Only 5 minutes left. _23:55.]

   [Unsaved number: Haven’t received the email, so I’m here to remind you. _23:55.]

   Jaeyoung put his mobile phone back in his pocket, annoyed. When he saw the message, he remembered the frustrated face that had been with him all along, as if they had nothing to do with each other.

   ‘It’s not a big deal for you.’

   Jaeyoung gripped the cue stick tighter than necessary, assuming the posture, spun the white ball, and struck it hard. The white ball collided with the red ball, rolling across the table. Then it sank into the hole effortlessly.

   “Oops…  a fluke.”

   “I have impressive skill, you ass.”

   He looked at his friend’s eyes again, and this time he made the best shot as always. Then he asked.

   “You said that kid is my junior. What’s his name?”

   “Chu Sangwoo.”

   “I don’t know, but whatever. It’s been a long year… If you know the new kid who just joined school, it’s strange.”

   “It’s only been two years, you should know… The new kid at the Third Year reception said, ‘I’m good at drinking, but I don’t want to drink the alcohol from you, sunbae’“

   “Oh, that nerdy guy? Yeah, now that you mention it, I remember. He’s a programming genius, but can he work in a team?”

   “I guess so.”

   Jaeyoung didn’t respond and played another shot. The junior who worked in a team didn’t get along with the senior who had an attitude because of being called ‘hyung.’ He thought this was a really cool combination. He took a strong shot again, sinking the striped ball into a complicated circuit hole. It seemed like luck was on his side, just as his friend said.

   “You’re not going easy today, huh?”

   While he was about to answer, the phone rang loudly. Jaeyoung frowned and picked up the communication device that was lying awkwardly on the side. The number displayed on the screen was one that he hadn’t saved anymore. It was clear that he was considering whether to answer or not.

   Jaeyoung chose to ignore the call.

   They were playing pool silently for a while. Even though his friend followed him closely, it seemed like Jaeyoung was comfortably winning the bets in this game, and it wasn’t long before the phone rang again. Jaeyoung thought it would be Chu Sangwoo, but this time the number on the screen was a landline number, which Sangwoo’s apartment didn’t have, and sometimes his grandfather who didn’t use a mobile phone liked to call from hotels or something like that. So Jaeyoung answered.

   “Hello.”

   [This is Chu Sangwoo.]

   “…”

   [I noticed it’s already noon, and I haven’t received an email. So I called… Is there any reason why you couldn’t meet the deadline?]

   The dry voice sounded piercing, actually, it could have ended with just saying he didn’t want to do it, but Jaeyoung kept his cool only because the other party was Chu Sangwoo.

   “Uh, I’m a bit busy.”

   [Hyungnim.]

   “What?”

   [I heard the sound of billiards.]

   The flat tone showed no sign of reproach, but Jaeyoung couldn’t speak.

   “I just have to give it to you tomorrow, alright?”

   [Next time, please manage your time better.]

   He heard the sound of a crying child breaking through the silence of Sangwoo’s place. It seems like the other side went to borrow the phone from the neighboring house.

   “Just this much, then.”

   [Okay.]

   Jaeyoung put his mobile phone in his pocket and took a deep breath. The situation now was that he didn’t want to work but couldn’t withdraw. He had even lost interest in playing games.

   “I’ll pay for this one, go ahead.”

   “Yeah, right. Not fun at all.”

   Jaeyoung let his friend complain boredly and headed back home.

   [I’ve started working on what you left_02:47.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: How’s it going??_02:47.]

   [Really?_02:48.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: 555555555555555_02:49.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: 555555_02:49.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: When should we go out for a drink? 

   Jaeyoung^^_02:49.]

   [At least explain why the framework turned out like that_02:53.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: Do you think I made it like that from the beginning?? He’s so stubborn. He told me to fix it completely, so I did what he said^^; You also helped me fix it. Think of it as a good experience_02:54.]

   [Just forget about it_02:55.]

–                  [Han Sooyeong: Sorry~~_02:55.]

   He had no idea where to start fixing the “Vegetable Man” framework. While working on this and that late at night, Jaeyoung started feeling angry deep inside. He started feeling stressed after receiving a project that was difficult to fix, all while being stuck in the frustrating situation of seeing Chu Sangwoo as a helpless kid.

   ‘Damn it, no, this is not it.’

   If he didn’t want to do it, he shouldn’t have done it. But he endured seeing the poor quality work with his own name hanging on it. And if he wanted to come up with a new concept, it’s not something that can be done within a few hours, and he didn’t have the motivation to do it. What’s the use of that pillow? Why did he have to go all out for someone who saw him as less valuable than their own toenail?

   Chu Sangwoo… When he thought of that frowny face, he took another breath. He didn’t know he was stuck with someone who thought designing a game could be done in a day.

   ‘I don’t want to see his face, but I still do want to see him.’

   Jaeyoung’s stance was unclear. He clenched his pen with frustration. He didn’t want to do it at all, but he couldn’t just walk out of the meeting emptyhanded. Therefore, Jaeyoung uncapped his pen.

   ⌘W.

   ________________________________________.

[1]       Yakgwa: A type of Korean deep-fried pastry made by kneading together honey, oil, flour, and printing it into shapes using a mold. It is then fried or deep-fried in oil.

[2]       Quality Assurance: QA. It refers to systematic actions planned in advance to ensure confidence that a product or service will meet specified requirements.

[3]       ⌘W: Symbol for ⌘, the command button “cmd.” on MacBook and iMac. The command ⌘+W closes the window. Here, the author used it as a scene break, similar to “return 0;”.

[4]       Galaga: A game where players control a spaceship located at the bottom of the screen. Enemies gradually fly onto the screen in formations, preparing to attack the player.

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