âI expected a lot because you said youâre original, but Iâm disappointed.â
It was something he had been prepared to hear, but the words were too strong. Jaeyoung got annoyed, but folded his arms and slouched on the chair as if he were unaffected.
âThe title and the plan remain the same, and you only modified the character. Does this art style fit our concept?â
Sangwoo put three sheets of papers with characters drawn on them on the desk. It was difficult to call them pretty fingers, since the bones were very prominent. Jaeyoung nevertheless felt a desire to put his hands in his mouth and rub the bones with his tongue. Those same fingers now slightly pulled down the ball cap and were then returned to their former place beneath the desk.
âI told you that it is for children. Young parents are potential customers, but if theyâre in their right mind, they wouldnât let their children play this type of game.â
Jaeyoung recovered his senses and stared into Sangwooâs eyes that were partially-covered by the ball cap.
âWhich part?â
The mouth, which was closed and in a straight line, was shaped in a way that displayed dissatisfaction. Sangwooâs finger reappeared and pointed to the first character. It must not have been long since he had cut his nails because they were very short. The white half-moon pattern looked clear.
âThis eggplant character: it looks like a thug with a bad kidney. Itâs not a horror game.â
Sangwoo put the paper aside and pointed to the second character.
âIs this a lettuce or a celery? I canât tell at all. Itâs an educational game, so you canât make it like this.â
It was the third characterâs turn to be criticized and rejected.
âLogically, it isnât right for sprouting potatoes to walk around on their buds. The visual is frightening. Is this really the best way for them to move?â1
Jaeyoung forced a smile, because he was speechless. He thought that Sangwoo didnât have an eye for these things, since he had passed on the plan without coming up with any solutions of his own, but Sangwoo had his own standards. Moreover, he couldnât laugh it off since it made sense.
Jaeyoung stared blankly at the sketch. In the case of the eggplant, there was a grotesque feeling that reflected his own personal tastes. The potato was fine, but he didnât know how to deal with its legs. This is why he had forced it to sprout, in spite of thinking it was a bit strange while drawing them. The lettuce was the result of having scribbled enough to fill three pages. However, he had something to say.
âWhat did you expect in a day, you devilish bastard.â
It was seven minutes of work in total, so it wasnât actually a full day. Even though he had spent less than an hour on it, Jaeyoung still banged the table as he said this. Putting employees to work on an unreasonable schedule was further evidence the employer didnât know the field well. However, Sangwoo replied without shame.
âI donât expect things from just anyone. Itâs because itâs sunbae that Iâm this way.â
ââŚâ
Those words hurt even more. Heâd rather be criticized and fight back, but he lost his nerve after hearing such a thing.
What is this?
The tightening of the heart Jaeyoung felt was an unpleasant sensation. No matter how much he would emphasize that it wasnât the result of doing his best, Chu Sangwoo wouldnât listen.
âIâll go with the original plan.â
âNo.â
âThen do you have an alternative at least?â
Sangwooâs sharp but emotionless eyes turned to Jaeyoung. The capâs brim partially covered them. Jaeyoung was thankful for that cap today.
âIâll redo the planning. From the very beginning.â
âThereâs no time to waste, though.â
âItâs fine as long as I get it done by the next meeting. When⌠itâs on Monday.â
Jaeyoung frowned. What kind of person sets up a meeting every day? Now that he was looking closely at the schedule, he saw that there was a meeting each day except for the weekend, which was when Sangwoo worked part-time. He said he had a tight schedule, so he had thought heâd turn it around quickly and focus on email-related work. To him, Jaeyoung didnât seem reliable enough not to be personally checked up on every day.
Jaeyoungâs gaze turned toward Sangwooâs firm lips. Would that mouth refrain from grunting at him and instead say nice things if he brought him work that was to his satisfaction?
âIâll be in touch, hyung.â
The unexpected voice was much more tenderly altered than it had been in reality. He had only heard gentle sounds from Sangwoo once thus far. And in that short moment, Jaeyoung had been completely KOâd. Jaeyoung shook his head to shake off that dangerous memory.
âIf youâre set on that, Iâll give you the weekend.â
Sangwoo made it seem as if he were doing him a favor by giving him a few more days.
âEmail the material by midnight on SundayâŚâ
âI wonât send it, so donât try to pressure me by calling.â
âWhy?â
âThatâs not how I work. There are times when I canât get anything done and will wait until a few hours before the deadline to finish it.â
Sangwooâs eyes narrowed. He didnât seem to like those words.
âItâs like a bomb thatâs about to explode.â
âIf you canât handle that much of a difference in working styles, doesnât that mean youâre not qualified to be a leader? Even if I work this way, Iâve never missed the deadline for an important project.â
âHow important is this project?â
âI donât know. That depends on what you do.â