Chemistry Novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5A Day in the Life of a Chemical Company Intern(3)

You guys are dancing well.

Jeong-woo was admiring the free electronic dance that the stardust was showing, but he reacted quickly when the old man raised his head.

Other passengers who happened to be watching this burst into laughter at the old mans hair, which had just been stretched out to the sky.

Whats that sound? The old man looked around, but no one was talking about his hair, probably because of his mischievous behavior just now.

This is Yongsan Station, Yongsan.

Ahem!

The old man stood up with his newspaper, wondering if he should get off.

How about you go out and look at the mirror, grandpa?

The train doors opened and the old man disappeared. He would probably cause laughter as he passed by on the street.

The little boy who was watching burst into laughter and looked at Jeong-woo.

Hey, youre not crying anymore.

Yeah, magic is fun.

Magic?

Jeong-woo didnt an to show him, but he involuntarily straightened his shoulders when the little boy looked up at him.

Ahem. I dont usually do this kind of thing, but I showed you sothing special.

The little boys eyes sparkled with admiration.

Whats your na?

Eun-soo.

Where are you going?

Im going to my aunts house with my mom. Were going to eat sothing delicious.

During the conversation, the little boys mother sent a grateful glance at Jeong-woo. The boy seed to have adapted well to the unfamiliar subway landscape and had beco much more comfortable.

A mont later.

Jeong-woo waved goodbye to Eun-su and walked towards the exit. He looked at the subway map and checked the ti, which was 7:45.

I might be late if I transfer and take three more stops. I should run as soon as the gate opens.

Jeong-woo was about to run as soon as the gate opened, but suddenly felt a fierce flow of dust particles, so he turned his head in surprise.

The woman in the electrostatic bomb coat from earlier was approaching right next to him.

Oh no.

Jeong-woo pretended not to see her and only looked outside, but her cute face reflected in the glass window startled him.

A plain appearance with no makeup. She was as pretty as expected, but looked younger than he had thought.

She stood right next to Jeong-woo. Jeong-woo reflexively stepped back.

Excuse .

Huh?

Jeong-woo pointed to himself with his finger in response to her call.

?

Yes, you.

She nodded her head and took a step closer.

While he was thinking that he should apologize for staring at her unnecessarily a few minutes ago, she asked an unexpected question.

How did you induce the static electricity just with your hand?

What?

She covered her mouth and whispered quietly.

Just now. You were moving the old mans hair with your hand.

Oh, that.

The subway train gradually slowed down. Jeong-woo said apologetically with a regretful expression.

Im sorry, I have to get off here this ti. I dont have ti to explain.

Im getting off too.

I see. But I have to transfer quickly.

Im transferring too.

Jeong-woo was slightly scared at the mont.

What is this? Is she part of a cult or sothing?

If soone with that kind of beauty asks, Do you know the way? he would be willing to follow her. He shook his head nervously at the thought.

anwhile, she asked.

Are you going to the KG Chemical Central Research Institute?

A real chill ran down his spine. These days, it seed like the cults knew everything, even their personal information and how to approach them.

How did you know that?

Dont misunderstand.

She quickly pulled out her ID card from her coat.

Song Boyeong from KG Chemical Central Research Institute.

Jeong-woo, who was reading the na, had to swallow his groan. The company was certainly big. Even if it was nearby, he didnt expect to run into a colleague on his first day of work.

Do you know ?

After taking off her na tag, Song Boyeong quickly said.

I asked soone I know in the personnel departnt, so dont be too surprised. I work for the sa company as you.

It had been several hours since he had signed the contract. Jeong-woo cald his flustered heart and offered a greeting.

Hello, Im Han Jeong-woo.

Yes, nice to et you, Mr. Parachute.

Parachute?

Isnt that right?

Uh, yes.

Jeong-woo nodded, rembering Dr. Moons warning.

Han Jeong-woo kept examining Song Boyeong closely, which made her feel burdened. Because she looked like a freshman who needed to do well, it was hard to believe that she was actually a company employee.

While he was thinking that even Dr. Moon might prioritize a womans appearance when selecting a female researcher at KG Chemicals, Song Boyeong asked a question.

Earlier, you warned

about static electricity, didnt you?

?

Yes, you did. Definitely.

Click.

As the subway doors opened, people began to pour out, and Jeong-woo was pushed out along with them.

Song Boyeong naturally followed suit.

Co on, tell . Why did you say that?

On the way to the transfer gate, Song Boyeong urged him with a gaze full of academic fervor.

Its hard to grasp.

The principle was simple, it was just about detecting the movent of free electrons and reporting it as it was.

However, convincing soone who has a completely different perspective on chemical phenona was another problem.

If I start talking about dust particles and so on, they might think Im crazy.

Was it like trying to explain what color and shape an apology is to soone who cant see?

Jeong-woo glanced briefly at the static bomb coat and spoke.

Thats a bomb coat.

Jeongwoo picked at Song Boyeongs coat with his finger.

Theres a lot of sodium carbonate stuck to it. So, static electricity would have accumulated excessively.

Sodium carbonate? What are you talking about?

Jeongwoo narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her coat even more.

Theres optical brightener in polycarboxylic acid, and zeolite residue too. Wait, if they all co together, it would be a cleansing agent, right? Oh, right. It was a detergent.

At these words, Song Boyeongs eyes widened even more.

Hey, parachute guy. Are you saying theres detergent powder on my clothes now?

Its not enough to be noticeable.

Ridiculous.

As Song Boyeong looked at Jeongwoo incredulously, she flicked her coat, causing white detergent powder to fly into the air.

Huh? There was more in the lining. No wonder.

Jeongwoo nodded his head as if he had solved a puzzle.

I make mistakes when I do laundry too. Like accidentally putting in detergent when I spin dry. Then I get a good scolding from my mother.

Even though Jeong-woo didnt seem to care much, Song Boyeongs pupils shook like an earthquake. She looked at Jeong-woo nervously several tis before looking at the area where the powder fell.

The two of them passed through the transfer gate and boarded Line 9. Since it wasnt as crowded as Line 1 and the fare wasnt as expensive, Jeong-woo was able to take a seat with so ease.

And what about your hands? Did you purposely induce that static electricity or was it just a coincidence?

It was just a coincidence, replied Jeong-woo.

Ah, I see.

Thinking that her curiosity was now satisfied, Song Boyeong imdiately asked another question.

Mr. Parachute, did you co recomnded by Professor Cheon Seung-guk? Are you his disciple too?

Dr. Moon had told him to use the excuse of being recomnded by Professor Cheon Seung-guk, so Jeong-woo nodded his head. When he gave her a definite answer, Song Boyeongs eyes sparkled more than ever before.

Where is he now? Is he in good health? Even though I suddenly wanted to see him, I couldnt find him anywhere.

I dont really know much about that.

Why not?

I dont know.

He couldnt reveal any details related to the contract, and he really didnt know anything else.

Can you keep it a secret?

Song Boyeongs eyes widened.

Just tell

one thing.

Even if you beg

Just tell

where he is.

Well, hes probably doing well sowhere.

As he continued to refuse, Song Boyoungs cheeks puffed up as if she had been offended. She couldnt get any news out of Jeong-woo, so she decided it was enough and turned her head sharply.

Oh well, sothing seems strange. He always complains about there being no space, even when he appealed so hard to be chosen for the project. Isnt it because hes trying to fill that position with his recomnded disciple, Mr. Parachute? The talk about that detergent earlier was just like Professor Cheons style. He really surprised . Who is his disciple and who is being ignored? Its frustrating, really.

Uh, Song Boyeong, Im still right here.

I said it so you could hear it.

Why do I have to hear that?

Because were rivals.

Jeong-woo didnt know how to react since he didnt know why they were rivals.

Song Boyeong now remained silent, as if she had sealed her lips shut, and looked out the window as if nothing had happened.

Is she angry?

Her eyes were round and adorable, making her seem cute instead of scary when she was angry. It felt like he was looking at a pet dog that had beco sullen because it hadnt received any treats.

The subway arrived at Yeouido station.

Jeong-woo looked at the clock on the information board and was surprised. It was 7:57 am. There were only three minutes left until the interns limit for arriving at work.

Jeong-woo hurriedly told Song Boyeong as they got off the platform, We need to hurry. Theres only three minutes left.

Three minutes? Song Boyeong replied. The start ti is until 9 am.

Jeong-woo saw Song Boyeongs expression, as if he had misunderstood sothing. He quickly got on the escalator and turned his back.

No, thats not it.

He had been trying to talk about the positive impression of his first day as an intern, but he was taken aback when he saw her coat. People passing by, and before he knew it, dust particles had gathered around her like clouds.

Defcon 1.

What?

As Song Boyeong put her hand on the escalator handle, she let out a short scream at the crackling static electricity spark.

Ouch. Againoh

Annoyed, she shook her hand and suddenly lost her balance. Jeong-woo reached out to her unconsciously.

Snap.

Their hands touched, and static electricity sparked.

The two looked at each other for a mont as the silence lingered.

Thank you.

Youre welco.

Jeong-woo looked at her hand that he had unintentionally grabbed, and flinched. A lot of free electrons were flowing out of her coat from his fingertips.

Dont touch , Whoo.

Jeong-woo quickly let go of her hand and said, When you go outside, solve that static bomb first.

Song Boyeong was slowly taking off her coat and nodded her head.

Yeah, I should do that.

And leave the laundry to the professionals.

I guess I should Youre so funny!

Song Boyoung suddenly lifted her head up.

Ziiing.

Jeong-woos phone in his pocket rang, and he took it out. It was a ssage from Dr. Moon.

[I contacted the personnel departnt, so go there first.]

Hes like a knife. Its already 8 am.

Jeong-woo said to Song Boyeong as they arrived at the end of the escalator.

I have to go in quickly. Nice eting you, Song Boyeong.

You too, Mr. Parachute.

Jeong-woo ran towards the exit.

Song Boyeong watched his back in silence.