"Senior, it's about ti we..."
"Hmm? Oh, it's already this late. Alright, let's get ready to leave."
After lunch, we returned to the office and got back to work. As I was processing so tasks, my junior’s voice reminded to check the ti. Sure enough, it was already the end of the workday. Other employees were subtly glancing at the clock, preparing to go ho, so I, too, started tidying up my desk to get ready for my dinner appointnt with my junior.
"Hey, do you have ti tonight? I’m thinking of grabbing a drink after work."
"Oh, boss..."
It was the departnt head, who had just finished getting ready to leave. He casually approached and suggested we go for a drink. He often invited to dinner when he didn’t want to drink alone, and I usually accompanied him, acting as his conversational partner. Today, it seed he had the sa idea.
The departnt head was generally a kind boss, even though he tended to go on lengthy rants when he drank too much. On any other day, I would’ve gone along, but today, I had already made plans with my junior for dinner. I hesitated, trying to figure out how to decline without making him feel bad.
"Oh, sorry, boss! My senior actually already promised to have dinner with tonight."
"What?! Oh, uh, I see... Well, if that’s the case, I can’t intrude on a dinner between my staff. You two have fun."
Before I could respond, my junior stepped in and firmly but politely turned down the boss’s offer. I was relieved—no need for to struggle with an excuse anymore—but I couldn’t help but be taken aback by how bold my junior was. Is this what they call the "MZ generation"? It amazed how they could speak so bluntly to soone of a much higher rank. If it had been soone like Manager Han, instead of our easygoing boss, I’m sure we would’ve been reprimanded.
"Look at these rude youngsters! How dare you turn down a dinner invitation from the great departnt head! You should’ve just said yes. These days, no one has any manners. Isn’t that right, boss? How about we call for a team dinner to teach these kids so discipline?"
As if on cue, Manager Han, who overheard our conversation, approached, wagging his finger at us. His ntion of a team dinner visibly deflated the mood of the other employees preparing to leave. Manager Han was infamous for currying favor with higher-ups and pushing for things like mandatory team dinners, often convincing the boss to go along with them.
"What? A team dinner? Are you out of your mind?!"
But surprisingly, the boss’s reaction was different today.
Normally, he would laugh off Manager Han’s antics, but this ti, he scolded him sharply. Manager Han was equally caught off guard.
"Boss? What’s going on?"
"What do you an ‘what’s going on’?! You’re trying to ruin the rest of my work life just before retirent with this nonsense! What made you think forcing a dinner was a good idea? Do you still think this company operates like it did in the past?!"
"Uh, no, that’s not it..."
"Not it? I don’t care! Co with ! I’m going to give you a proper talking-to so you don’t spout this garbage again!"
With that, the boss, still fuming, dragged Manager Han off sowhere.
The situation unfolded like a whirlwind, leaving and the rest of the staff, equally bewildered, standing in stunned silence. I heard my junior mutter under their breath.
"Huh, looks like even the big boss can read the room sotis."
"What do you an?"
"Nothing. Co on, the boss took care of Manager Han for us. Let’s get going."
And so, with a smile, my junior led out of the office.
As we headed into the evening, the streets were bustling with people, all eager to begin their night after work. We found ourselves at a barbecue restaurant nearby. The place was packed with the noise of office workers and others out for dinner, their lively chatter filling the space. My junior sighed in slight disappointnt.
"Do we really have to eat sowhere this crowded? I was hoping for a quieter place, sowhere we could talk just the two of us."
"Where do you think we could find a quiet place at this hour? You saw the streets—everywhere is packed."
Despite seeing the crowded streets, my junior grumbled.
"There is one place I know that’s always quiet."
"Really? Where?"
"The hotel restaurant nearby."
"...Rest...aurant?"
The re ntion of a hotel restaurant sent a shiver down my spine. The phrase alone conjured up images of opulence and expense far beyond my ans. I had no idea how much a al there might cost, but I could guess it would be out of my budget. Still, I had promised to buy dinner. If my junior insisted on going there...
I ntally calculated the days until my next paycheck and glanced at my bank account balance before replying.
"Well... if that’s where you want to go... I guess we can..."
Goodbye, my ergency savings. Goodbye, the chicken I planned to eat while reading my novel tomorrow night.
As I internally mourned the loss of my carefully saved money, my junior laughed.
"Really? You were seriously going to take there? All because I visited you when you were sick?"
"...Yeah?"
"Do you know how much a al costs there?"
"...No idea. But I was really grateful for what you did, so I figured one al wouldn’t hurt."
I thought back to the ti my junior visited while I was ill.
"When you're sick, especially when you're alone, it can feel so much worse. There’s no one to take care of you, and it can get really lonely. I was a bit scared, too, thinking if sothing went wrong, no one would be there to help. So, when you showed up and took care of everything, I was really thankful."
I smiled, genuinely expressing my gratitude.
"So, pick wherever you want. I’ll buy you dinner."
My junior looked at for a mont, almost like they were observing a child showing off for the first ti, before smiling.
"It’s fine, really. I’m not that shaless to let you pay for sothing that expensive. Dinner here will be enough."
"Really? Well, in that case, let’s grab a seat. There’s a spot open."
Relieved that I wouldn’t have to part with my ergency fund after all, I quickly found us a seat.
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