“…….”
I only gave her a glance. Yet, there was an overwhelming pressure I felt I shouldn’t resist. Strangely, there was no unpleasantness or irritation emanating from her—no negative emotions at all.
The noisy atmosphere quickly settled down. Only then did the woman speak.
[You don’t need to worry about the time in the Human World. By the time you finish the report session and return, not even a single second will have passed.]
Is that even possible? That was my first question. But soon after came the thought, ‘It must be possible.’ If they say so, how could I not believe it?
The woman then briefly explained the schedule. It was simple and ordinary. Group meeting times, individual work sessions, meals, and sleep times all set accordingly.
[Now, please proceed in your respective groups. We hope you’ll show excellent results.]
Her explanation ended there. Watching her step down from the stage, I shifted my gaze around me.
Including me, six people were lined up in the same row since the moment we opened our eyes. And it wasn’t just here—others elsewhere had also stayed in their assigned spots from the start, as if waiting in line.
‘I may have dropped here suddenly after receiving an invitation…’
It was highly likely these people had been guided here by someone. So…
‘They’re my teammates, my coworkers?’
No matter how I looked at it, the grouping by teams was obvious.
I quickly scanned their faces. Unlike the team leaders, they didn’t wear masks, so their features were plainly visible.
‘Wait, then what about my face right now…?!’
What did I look like at this moment? Yoo Chaemin? Myung Seungho? I wondered inwardly but had already covered my face with both hands.
‘If someone recognizes me, Myung Seungho…’
What would happen?
Just then, a small hand mirror was suddenly held out before my eyes. In the mirror…
“…?!”
Nothing was reflected. The mirror was definitely there in front of me, but my reflection didn’t show.
[Now, now, it’s okay. Calm down.]
A gentle voice, but somehow unsettling to the nerves. Ironically, it was the only familiar voice in this strange place, which calmed my restless mind. When I looked up, Team Leader Kkae was standing opposite me.
He smiled faintly and covered the hand mirror with his other hand. When he withdrew his hand, the mirror had vanished as if it had never been there.
[Would you like to describe your teammates’ faces?]
Team Leader Kkae whispered softly. Following his suggestion, I recalled the faces of the teammates I had just seen.
“…….”
I couldn’t remember. I was somewhat confident in my memory, but now…
[This time, try looking at their faces directly.]
I shifted my gaze slightly to the teammate standing beside me. A man. And…
I could clearly see other people’s faces in my field of vision. Yet whenever I tried to describe their features, my mind went completely blank. Even though there was definitely someone in front of me.
[Feeling better now?]
Better? Nothing about what’s happening to me is normal. But…
If no one can see me, if even I can’t see myself…
‘Yeah, it’s fine.’
That alone was enough.
Nodding, Team Leader Kkae naturally stepped back. All eyes turned to him as he stood in the center of the six.
[Welcome, Team A members. As you know, I am Team Leader Kkaebi. This event is a place to present the results of the work you’ve done so far. Oh, of course, the achievements you present won’t remain in the memories of the regular employees here, so there’s no need to worry. What remains are only emotions. Admiration, envy, things like that. Naturally, after this report session, you’ll be filled with the motivation to work even harder, right?!]
Is this a hopeful work performance review?
[Seeing colleagues who do the same work in the same space will also foster a sense of belonging.]
I kind of understood what the company was thinking with this plan.
But would it really be effective if no one remembers each other’s faces or conversations?
No matter how much emotion remains.
[By the way, you’ll need names to call each other, right?]
I silently nodded. Were we going to have time to choose aliases? It would be nice if we could name ourselves instead of the company deciding…
[Actually, your names have already been assigned by the company.]
Oh, please. I didn’t want to be stuck with some ridiculous corporate nickname.
[Would you check your name tags?]
Name tags? I hadn’t noticed any before.
I glanced down unconsciously and, sure enough, there was a name tag pinned to the left side of my chest. The name on mine was…
[Sunny]
Oh, please. Just no.
[Hello? I’m Re, Reini. Nice to meet you.]
It seemed the company always chose a specific theme when naming new employees. This time, it looked like the theme was weather.
‘This is the Korean branch, and even high-ranking officers wear modified hanbok, so why are new employees given English names?’
Did the company in the afterlife aim to be global? Honestly, I might have felt less uneasy if I’d received a name like “Muk-sabal” instead.
‘Sunny…’
Where did this terrible naming sense come from? I have no idea what they saw in me to come up with this. Did they just throw random words on a wheel and spin it?
[Hello…! I’m Solar! Nice to meet you!]
I was busy mentally digging a hole to hide in disbelief when suddenly a voice grabbed my attention. Without realizing it, my gaze moved toward the source of the voice. It was the person sitting to my right.
I could see him but couldn’t speak. I only gathered very small bits of information. Male. Late twenties, roughly.
‘Why did I react to that voice?’
As I figured out what little I could about the man, Solar’s voice faded. I couldn’t even remember what feeling his voice had stirred in me at first.
‘They said emotions remain…’
So the information that lets me remember him doesn’t apply here?
Lost in thought, it was suddenly my turn to introduce myself. Feeling all eyes on me made my face burn awkwardly.
‘I have to say this name out loud…’
Anyway, it was on my name tag, and it was the name I’d just received. But at this moment, the only thing I could say as an introduction was this name. The only comfort was that no one could really see my face.
I just thought of it as taking on a new role. I just had to endure this awful name, which made it an easy performance.
[Hello. I’m Su… Sunny. Nice to meet you.]
‘Ha…’
No. This still doesn’t feel right.
“Wow, your name is really pretty and cute!”
Who would add fuel to the fire? I looked to see Solar smiling. His expression was pure admiration.
‘It kind of… deflates my fighting spirit…’
“Ah… th-thank you…”
After everyone’s introductions, an awkward silence fell. Team A members couldn’t find much to say and just darted their eyes around.
Then a voice cut through the tension.
[What’s for dinner tonight?]
Solar spoke, and gradually the others began to chime in.
[Let’s hope they serve something edible.]
[It’d be nice if it’s tasty. Did everyone have lunch?]
Not all six spoke. The two sitting across from each other at the far end kept their mouths tightly shut.
They didn’t even say those forced names given by the company. Though the atmospheres differed, it was clear they were unhappy with the whole situation.
‘If there are people like that, why is Team Leader Kkae watching me so closely?’
There was a more dangerous vibe coming from somewhere else. But who could tell what was really going on inside?
“Oh, actually, I didn’t eat either. So I’m really hungry right now…”
Ignoring that, Solar and the others were already talking quite comfortably.
Whenever the conversation lulled, Solar would smoothly introduce a new topic.
It wasn’t anything grand, just simple topics anyone could answer.
‘There is conversation to be had without asking each other for personal info.’
I guessed he was naturally sociable. I could see why the company gave him the name Solar. But…
‘He’s forcing himself.’
Though I couldn’t describe his face, I could tell what expression he wore. A wide smile. The smile was plausible enough to remain clearly in my mind.
You know the kind of expression people who deal with others a lot tend to wear. A deeply ingrained look.
But unfortunately, it seemed that job wasn’t quite right for Solar.
Though he smiled convincingly, every time he paused, his lips trembled slightly.
When he finished talking, he always looked down as if reviewing whether he’d made mistakes. Before starting a new topic, he bit his lips firmly and then released.
‘Does he really need to push himself that hard?’
It was like he was trying hard to leave a good impression. Maybe a little scared too.
‘But…’
Why was I watching him like this?
I found myself focusing too much on one person. Even though there was no need.
I had felt some emotion when I first heard his voice, but not anymore. Though I couldn’t help but be drawn to his voice, the initial feeling never returned.
‘After all, once this schedule ends, I might never see him again.’
I looked at Solar for a moment, then turned my gaze away.
After the group meeting time, which seemed intended to help team members get a little closer, dinner began immediately.
Of course, we moved in groups. Team Leader Kkae, who had been nowhere to be seen before, appeared and led the members.
It was my second time here, the first time leaving the auditorium.
As soon as I stepped outside, I saw an ordinary company building.
It was quite large and looked brand new, as if recently remodeled, which felt a bit odd.
There was even an elevator. Spacious and comfortable.
Taking the elevator down to the basement level, I found a large company cafeteria.
It seemed the entire floor was used as a dining area, decorated elegantly like a hotel buffet.
“Wow.”
The moment we arrived, everyone seemed to gasp in unison.
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