Inside were a thin guidebook, a few documents, and a plastic case containing a badge and pen embossed with the SY logo.
“Oh, and the most important thing: your employee ID card is included. Please verify that there are no issues with the photo or name. You’ll need the card for entry, attendance, and using the cafeteria, so always keep it on you.”
Seungho carefully pulled out the employee ID card wedged between the papers.
The brand-new card, without a single scratch, gleamed brightly.
Beneath the professional ID photo he’d meticulously prepared for job applications, the name Seo Seungho was boldly printed.
‘Finally, I have an employee ID.’
He almost blurted the words out loud but managed to stay silent.
With a faint smile that revealed his dimples, he stared at the card for a long time.
After everyone else had put their IDs around their necks, Seungho suppressed his internal cheer and followed suit.
Then he took out all the documents in the envelope.
The first page was his assignment letter, bearing the SY Electronics emblem and details about his posting.
[HR Division – Talent Development Team]
“Seungho, which team are you in?”
Kim Jintae, seated to his right, leaned over and asked in a hushed tone.
Seungho showed him the document.
Jintae was assigned to the HR Team in the same division, while Kim Jiyoung ended up in the Production Support Team of the Display Division, expressing her disappointment.
The three of them sat together, filling out the required handwritten forms.
“Once you’ve completed the paperwork, just hand it over to me,” said Moon Chaehyuk.
After briefly reviewing their submissions, he looked up.
“Alright, let me take you to your respective departments. The layout of this building is quite complicated, and finding your way on your own for the first time won’t be easy. Be careful not to get lost.”
The new hires followed Moon Chaehyuk out of the meeting room, marking their first steps as working adults.
It was a moment to savor.
Seungho clenched his fist slightly, trying to keep his face composed.
Outside the meeting room, Moon Chaehyuk strode confidently through the segmented office spaces, the new employees trailing behind.
Their presence drew curious glances from other staff members.
Everything felt awkward and overwhelming, even breathing.
Trying to appear calm, Seungho matched steps with his peers.
Arriving at a space marked with the HR Team sign, Moon Chaehyuk escorted Jintae to his station, introduced him to the seated staff, and had a brief conversation with another employee before handing Jiyoung over.
Left alone, Seungho braced himself as Moon Chaehyuk approached.
“Seo Seungho, come with me. The Talent Development Team is on the second floor.”
Watching his peers scatter to their departments, Seungho assumed he’d be accompanied by someone else.
Instead, he found himself stuck with Moon Chaehyuk again.
Suppressing his dismay, he followed the broad figure ahead.
Suddenly, the thought struck him: Kim Jintae was in the same division as this man.
Was that a small mercy?
He felt a sense of relief at narrowly escaping being on the same team as Moon Chaehyuk.
“Seo Seungho, is this your first job?”
“Yes, it is.”
Without meaning to, his voice came out overly enthusiastic, and he coughed to steady his tone.
“You must have studied hard, huh?”
“…Studied hard?”
“You just don’t seem like the type. You give off a vibe like you had a lot of fun instead.”
This must be why first impressions matter, he thought bitterly.
Or was it lingering resentment from this morning?
Despite meeting for the first time today, Moon Chaehyuk was casually tossing sharp remarks.
Picking his words carefully, Seungho gave a neutral response.
“I had my share of fun but kept it balanced. And… I got lucky with the job, I guess.”
“That’s true. Luck plays a big role in getting hired. You’re fortunate, Seo Seungho. You’ve landed a good job and even got a great senior like me who knows how to keep secrets.”
Emphasizing the words ‘keeps secrets’ with a distinct tone, Moon Chaehyuk earned a faint, awkward laugh from Seungho.
“Yes… right.”
It was clear now—despite appearances, Moon Chaehyuk was a petty man who held grudges.
Seungho was relieved, once again, that they weren’t on the same team.
“The Talent Development Team, HR Team, and Production Support Team all belong to the same division. We may have different workspaces, but we often gather for division-wide meetings.”
“…”
“So, we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”
With his arms crossed and an exaggeratedly serious tone, Moon Chaehyuk drove home the final nail.
The small glimmer of hope that they wouldn’t have much contact was thoroughly extinguished.
As they passed through the Talent Development Team office door, a staircase leading to the second floor came into view.
Cool air seeped in through a door to the outside, providing a momentary respite from the warm, dry atmosphere of the office’s HVAC system.
Without so much as a glance back, Moon Chaehyuk began climbing the stairs at a brisk pace.
His long legs carried him quickly, forcing Seungho to nearly jog to keep up.
As Seungho climbed to the second floor, he came upon a door with a long nameplate reading ‘Learning Support Team.’
Chaehyuk tapped his employee badge on the wall-mounted security system, and the door clicked open.
“Come in.”
Unlike the spacious and open first floor, the second-floor office felt smaller and more stifling.
The space that could have accommodated multiple horizontally distributed teams was divided by numerous walls into several lecture rooms.
Following Chaehyuk, Seungho trailed nervously behind him.
The team office had five desks, centered around what appeared to be the team leader’s desk, but only one person was present.
As Chaehyuk approached, the woman, who had already been watching them, adjusted her glasses with a sly smile.
“This is our new hire, Deputy Manager Choi Yukyung.”
“Ah, finally.”
“Come here.”
Seungho, who had been standing a little apart from Chaehyuk, hurried over.
Choi Yukyung stood and extended her hand to him.
Seungho grasped his hand firmly and greeted him with an energetic voice.
“Hello! I’m the new hire, Seo Seungho!”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Deputy Manager Choi Yukyung.”
His voice, louder than intended due to his nerves, made him scratch the back of his neck awkwardly.
Choi Yukyung, with her neat short bob and crisp white blouse, looked amused.
“My, such enthusiasm. It seems like our new hire is ready to take over the team!”
“Seems that way.”
“The team leader and manager are out on a business trip to HQ today. The others won’t be back until after lunch. Shall we have some tea first? Would you like a cup, Deputy Manager Moon?”
“Sure. I’ve been so busy since morning that I haven’t even had coffee yet.”
The ever-polite and composed Chaehyuk casually responded in informal speech and sank into an empty chair.
He leaned back, crossing his long legs with a relaxed demeanor that made him look like he owned the company.
As Choi Yukyung disappeared through a door, Seungho found himself alone with Chaehyuk.
Unconsciously, he glanced nervously at him.
He wanted to act nonchalant, but the vivid memory of that morning made it impossible.
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