SMNTCERR, Special Chapter 14: Crash to Desktop.
Author: Mike R. Cornerman.
[02-26 MON 19:34:28]
Finally, the team has received a new employee. From now on, there will be a new person sitting next to me. I heard that he is a Korean who looks like a member of a boy band, K-pop. I wondered if he was a high school student, so I secretly asked Heather. I was surprised when the other person answered that he is 27 years old.
[03-07 WED 16:22:19]
The new coworker is polite and well-dressed, fashionable. Just as expected. He speaks a few words, according to the image. Heather asked for an easy report, but he wrote 11 pages. I saw that the woman next to him reacts positively, and it seems like he is a capable worker.
[03-15 THU 11:05:34]
I explained the related work, as requested by Mister Chu, and he listened until the end. After I finished, I told him to ask if he had any questions. He said that my talk seemed long and asked me to open the notepad to type. I haven’t met anyone who can use grammar perfectly without abbreviations or typos for months.
[04-03 TUE 16:21:55]
Luckily, there is a new employee who can communicate directly, and he is better than Louis who resigned.
[04-11 WED 14:42:15]
Mister Chu, his thinking is logical. It’s not that important, but sometimes I want to pinch his cheek.
[04-20 FRI 18:25:08]
I just found out that he is a game developer <Veggie Venturer> which was popular two to three years ago. When I told him that I really enjoy playing those games, he smiled at me for the first time.
[04-24, TUE 11:12:45.]
I tried searching on Google with the email ID of Chu’s company, but nothing came back. Then I tried searching on SNS, but it seems there is no activity. The account that I follow only has one graffiti artist.
[05-04, FRI 10:52:29.]
I just saw that he is wearing a ring on the ring finger of his left hand. Maybe it’s not because he already has a girlfriend.
[05-06, SUN 14:41:30.]
Let’s think about it. Chu’s ring looks exactly like a Rosary ring[1] my grandma, who passed away, used to wear a similar design. Is he a Roman Catholic too [2]? It doesn’t match him at all.
[05-10, THU 13:57:06.]
Jesse came to Chu’s table and kept saying that the shirt suits him well. Then she left, maybe she is interested in him
[05-15, TUE 11:09:49.]
God, Chu has understood that my name is “Michael” all along. We’ve been sitting next to each other for two months!
[05-21. MON 13:56:11.]
We had lunch together for the first time. Although the truth is that he was eating alone, I just happened to be sitting next to him.
[05-24, THU 15:01:02.]
The HR side gave Chu their business card. And he just started working, but he signed the card quickly. I asked for one of his business cards. Then he asked me what I would use it for. So, I made up a story about collecting business cards.
[05-26, SAT 15:26:09.]
I sent him a message on his mobile phone asking if he likes watching movies.
Five hours later, I got a reply saying “I watched it before, there’s a story.” but the typos don’t seem to match with Chu typing style, the number written on the business card must be wrong, right?
[06-08, FRI 14:22:06.]
He has been wearing a black t-shirt and jeans for 2 weeks now. Is something bad happening or not?
[06-11. MON 09:45:21.]
May I request something? Chu! Just call me ‘Mike.’ Not ‘Michael,’ got it!
[06-13, WED 17:41:10.]
I saw Chu secretly making a video call in his native language in the temporary accommodation room. It felt more cute and entertaining than when he speaks English.
Shall I try learning Korean sometime, shall I?
[06-21, THU 12:57:26.]
SANG-WOO… I wonder what his difficult-to-pronounce name means.
[06-26, TUE 13:31:55.]
Chu criticizes the inefficiency of my formatting code, which I quickly put together due to tight deadlines. I couldn’t argue with anything; it seems like Heather who walked by must have overheard everything.
I never thought he would be the type to undermine others to make himself shine. I’ve been really disappointed that I tried to admire him, but from today onwards, we’re enemies.
[06-27, WED 22:19:21.]
I did overtime to find Chu’s mistakes, but couldn’t find any.
[07-03, TUE 18:33:47.]
Robot, try missing a bit.
[07-12, THU 16:08:22.]
While I was thinking about how to get revenge, I came up with a not-sonice nickname and secretly told Chris, the gossip king of our team. Soon, rumors will spread throughout the company.
[07-13, FRI 18:32:11.]
Achieved great success. Now, Chuis called ‘R-Chu-D-2’ instead. Go play in the sequel of Star Wars, you tin can!
[07-16. MON 10:04:21.]
The android sitting next to me is on vacation, the area is so quiet.
[07-26, THU 17:29:56.]
Is it normal for a company to be this boring?
[07-30. MON 09:47:38.]
R-Chu-D-2 came back… I have no idea where he went for my vacation, but he looks a little gloomy. Maybe I should try tanning too.
[08-01, WED 13:47:32.]
Mia Barren placed her hand on his shoulder and praised Chu. My heart was boiling, she was impressed with him.
[08-02, THU 16:44:12.]
He called me by the name ‘Michael’ for the third time. I pretended to be shocked. Then I went to protest to Heather that I couldn’t work with a stupid person who couldn’t even remember the names of the employees sitting next to him for half a year. If not, he would have to be fired. And then I was accused of being a crazy guy.
[08-03, FRI 19:17:03.]
While I was about to leave work, Chu came and apologized for what happened yesterday and said he would treat me to lunch next Sunday. Thank God. Now he called me by my name correctly.
After returning home, my heart was still beating fast. Thank God.
[08-06. MON 13:39:41.]
Damn it! Damn it! Bastard! Why did we go for lunch with Midleton, Gregson, and Anderson, and why do I have to sit far away from him?
Chu ate silently and when we started talking, he talked more and more, ignoring me completely. So I burst out saying, “Newbie like you, I can still beat you with my feet.” The atmosphere at that time… made me feel like I had become a fool.
[08-10, FRI 09:51:36.]
It seems like Chu is angry. He has been quiet and not talking for two to three days until we accidentally bumped into each other. Then he asked me if I have any experience in being a pro-gamer. I answered casually, but he kept insisting.
[08-13. MON 16:14:28.]
The man sitting next to me is annoying and irritating. He wonders why I’m good at playing games. I don’t really know if I should like or dislike his sarcasm.
[08-16, THU 18:49:55.]
I didn’t say anything excessive, but I can’t work properly because the Android robot is broken.
[08-22, WED 23:36:12.]
And then Heather came in, but instead of scolding him as the team leader, she jokingly said we should play a game to get to know each other. The situation turned into a funny one, and we made a bet to determine the winner and loser in a game. We have five more games scheduled within a week, and the team members are all excited and placing bets.
I am currently practicing after work. I am very stressed.
[08-27. MON 22:19:34.] Hard training.
[08-28, TUE 23:57:03.]
Damn, I can’t sleep. I think I’m going to win. Maybe….
[08-29, WED 22:59:01.]
Damn it. I forgot that the other person is Korean. The score is 4:1. And I lost. Even though I have been playing with my eyes closed since I was a child, I still end up losing so easily. I feel so ashamed. Not only to my teammates but also to people from other departments who came to watch.
The final game which was <Minesweeper> ended with a blast from the first moment. I emerged as the champion.
Now I’m drinking whiskey that Charlotte bought for me a year ago from Scotland. Cheers, Charlotte. [08-30, THU 11:01:23.] Sick leave. [08-31, FRI 10:33:28.] Sick leave.
[09-03. MON 09:44:39.]
Heather helped me move my seat in the office to the farthest place from Chu.
[09-04, TUE 14:23:56.]
The new seat is nice and quiet. Even though it’s a bit annoying to have Jace and Middleton in sight.
[09-06, THU 14:41:30.]
This office is so spacious. It’s not a coincidence that we haven’t bumped into each other.
[09-19, WED 13:44:01.]
I always keep an eye on the time when he’s not at his desk and leaves his coffee behind. Damn, he caught me trying to do something sneaky with Middleton.
It seems Chu misunderstood that I was trying to secretly kill him.
[10-03, WED 15:01:22.]
While smoking a cigarette with Walker, I heard a rumor that Tiffany Clarke was interested in Chu and even told him last year that she liked him.
[10-04, THU 17:31:25.]
I accidentally had coffee with Sally and she brought up the rumor. She said, ‘Chu is cute, but giving sweet looks to someone else’s man is a bitch move.’ Fuck, what are women’s eyes made of? So, she’s cute? Who is she talking about? And she’s someone else’s man? I don’t have any words.
[10-16, TUE 14:05:51.]
Damn, Sally keeps calling Chu, ‘the man with an owner’. We argued about his rights for a while. She even said it’s a Rosary Ring thing.
[10-17, WED 11:04:55.]
I confronted Sally to check the truth, and she confirmed that Chu has a lover.
Damn, damn, damn, damn! I hate this world.
And I lost $50 in bets too.
[10-20, SAT 16:44:23.]
After drinking continuously for 4 days, I started to feel like I was addicted to alcohol.
[10-21, SUN 20:21:16.]
It must be a lie that humans with cyborgs have lovers. That cold-hearted guy would never have a lover, no matter how you look at it, right?
[10-22. MON 09:31:41.]
I waited for Chu at the office entrance and asked him if he really had a lover. He handed me his phone without saying anything, and there was a picture of a male model that I didn’t know. I thought maybe he opened the wrong file, so I followed him with my eyes until he reached his desk. He told me to wait until tomorrow, he would bring clear evidence to show me.
I hope tomorrow never comes.
[10-23, TUE 09:59:12.]
Damn it, he brought a picture of him kissing that guy from yesterday. My heart sank to my stomach, but I couldn’t help but admire his impressive editing skills.
[10-24, WED 10:16:48.]
The person who proudly claimed to be his lover sent a huge flower basket that couldn’t pass through the door to the office. Everyone went out to see and took pictures with that flower basket. The first person to take a selfie with it was, of course, Heather, who should be questioned about why she came to such a prestigious workplace.
Lovers, clearly playing a drama.
[10-25, THU 09:01:05.]
I’m focusing on my work attentively.
[10-26, FRI 11:17:37.]
I don’t miss Chu at all.
[10-30, TUE 17:24:01.]
There is a rumor that the new female programmer is all over Chu, what nonsense! Walkeger, stop asking me useless questions!
[11-05. MON 13:45:52.]
1, What have you done in the past year?
[11-09, FRI 23:17:08.] Suddenly, I miss you.
[11-11, SUN 02:14:46.]
The end-of-year party is coming up. I want to give him a gift, as he has been working hard this year. I just want to show my gratitude as a team member. I have no other intention.
[11-22, THU 19:41:29.]
What can I give as a good friendship gift? A bouquet of flowers? A necklace?
A ring?
[12-06, THU 22:45:18.]
The perfume that I ordered has arrived. When I tried tapping the bottle with my nose, it had a cool and refreshing scent that I think would suit them. I’ve been practicing what to say to them when giving the gift in front of the mirror every day, but I feel like I’m trembling and on the verge of death.
[12-11, TUE 20:38:12.]
Year-end party, D-5, I’ll go buy a new suit and necktie after work.
[12-12, WED 21:47:15.]
Year-end party, D-4. I have indigestion and insomnia.
[12-13, THU 23:48:51.]
Year-end party, D-1, Anyone can come and kill me.
[12-14, FRI 23:15:24.]
That person who claimed to be the love of Chu, came to the party. When he saw the other party, Chu, they ran over and hugged him, burying his face on their chest immediately. It was the first time I saw such an awkward Android figure and it made me feel embarrassed.
It seems that the other party is a good graphic designer but lacks substance. I think they might be an actor paid more by Chu. While holding hands and introducing themselves, he leaned towards Chu, as if truly in love. I was impressed by their good acting, but I don’t know why I squeezed my hand so tightly that it hurt a little.
I admit that he is handsome and articulate, but I don’t understand why I am jealous. Does he really have to deal with all these over-enthusiastic female employees, handsome men, smart suits, melodious voices, fun-loving, playful, and so on…
I spend my time at parties mindlessly drinking various alcoholic beverages in one corner. I can’t even grab a gift properly. I don’t have the courage to give it directly to him, so I go to the parking lot, thinking of putting the perfume on his car, Chu. And then I go home, but then… I see a picture of him kissing the partner leaning against the car.
Chu, who is unbuttoning his shirt with great enthusiasm and talking in a low, coarse voice that I have never heard before. I stubbornly float as I watch the shaking car after they both go inside before leaving the parking lot.
I hope there’s a taxi somewhere to pick me up.
[12-22, SAT 17:42:39.]
I’m taking a break, from now on I won’t think about him for real.
[12-23, SUN 10:10:08.]
Still taking a break. Now I have to stop drinking alcohol.
[12-25, TUE 19:35:10.]
Still taking a break, suddenly I wondered if Korean culture celebrates Christmas too, so I sent a message to the only Korean person I know.
I just asked a sincere question, but received a scolding as a response, in both uppercase letters and without spaces.
[12-27, THU 02:41:26.]
The actor whom Chu hired just to take video calls to threaten me neverended.
After the break ended. I guess I have to change my number.
________________________________________.
[1] Prayer ring, “rosary, ring : 목주반지.” A ring used for reciting the rosary in Roman Catholicism. In addition to the ring, there is also a long rosary necklace and a wrist rosary.
[2] Christian, a term used to refer to Christians, Roman Catholicism.
[3] R-CHU-D-2, derived from the name R2-D2, which is a robot in the Star Wars series.
*Crash, to, Desktop*, occurs when a program, “especially games,” abruptly stops working and exits to the desktop immediately. This term is typically used for sudden malfunctions that do not display an error message.
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