Chapter Text
I am Kim Dokja. Yes, my name is actually Dokja. I am a basic office worker and I am 29 years old. I’m turning 30 tomorrow though. My life won’t change either way, so that’s useless information.
I’m currently working right now. I have a seatmate, somewhere.. Where is that motherf.. Oh. Speaking of the devil.
Han Myungoh walked up to his desk, which is close to mine, and smiled happily with a hint of mischief. This guy, he'll do something, won’t he?
He sat on his chair as he used the wheels to swift, starting to speak with a tone as if he’s like Asmodeus or whatever. “Hey, Dokja! You’ll be in your 30’s tomorrow.” Han Myungoh moves closer to me. “Happy early-birthday!”
... I just sighed in response. He looks like a pregnant woman ready to see her baby. I tried continue working, except he literally turned my chair around..
“So, you’ve never been in a relationship, right?” Han Myungoh asked in a genuine tone, why does he want to know?
“Yes, I haven’t dated anyone in my life.” Is he just trying to tease me or what? That stupid and devilish aura, I hate it. He probably doesn’t have any romance experience either! I mean look at his old bum! How could he pull such love to his life? Argh.. I just stare at him. Just a simple stare, nothing more.
Han Myungoh lights up as if he just got the right answer for his question. “That’s so sad! We must get you a girlfriend before you turn 30, it would be quite depressing being a virgin for 30 years.” He giggled as if he’s mocking me.. That grandpa!!
“Why is it so important though? We don’t need romance in our life.” I responded to him, it’s true. Why was it so important anyways? It’s not like it would be the end of the world if I wasn’t in a relationship before I turn 30.
Han Myungoh frowns a bit as he groans, having a very stern look. Before laughing, excuse me? He stares at me. “Did you know..” Cutting off his words as he chuckled like an evil man. “That thirty years of virginity will make you.. A wizard?”
...
What? What did I just hear? Han Myungoh is looking at me with a cocky atmosphere. Why should I believe a thing this man says...It’s always nonsense. I face palmed myself, speaking in an annoyed tone. “A wizard? Do you believe in such urban legends like that?”
“Well, of course not! I’m not a kid. In the other hand, if it did happen..” Han Myungoh daydreamed of something for a little while. “Wouldn’t that be fascinating?” He said enthusiastically as he kept thinking of it, nodding his head in agreement to himself. This guy looks like he’s a proud mom for himself..
But, if I had to consider it... It would. I mean, a wizard? Powers?! That’d be so co— “I get it, okay? Just go back to work.” I won’t believe in such myths this guy is saying. I swear, he definitely believes in every belief possible. Where did he even get such information?
Han Myungoh scoffs as he glides and sways back to his workspace and starts looking at random documents. Haah, if that was true... What kind of magic? Like a cool one in those action-fantasy novels? That’d be cool. But, it’s not like I wanted to be a virgin either way... It’s not my fault. I’ve always wanted to be in a relationship, but I couldn’t.
Actually, that I think about it, I’m really quiet, awkward, and a bit serious too. And, I’m not even handsome. Even Han Sooyoung has to deal with my rants and bully me about it. How annoying of her, I really should ask Sooyoung to stop teasing me like that. Either way, I’m still confident I can be in a relationship.. I guess? I mean, maybe someone likes me in this world. Or in another world line, I’m handsome, cool, hot.. Just perfect in general.
But, I have fallen in love before. It didn’t work out. I was humiliated and everyone laughed. I mean, me? I am really, really reserved about my life especially on working and reading. That’s all. I really am an ordinary guy in this world.
If just maybe.. I take a glance at a girl who’s serious at her job. Seolhwa-ssi.. Hair as white as snow, lips like bloomed roses, even eyes that are cold and see-through. She’s undeniably majestic. On top of that, she’s a righteous woman and uses her abilities to the max to help anyone in our department. I find her quite kind-hearted actually.
...
But that’s about it. That really is all to it. There’s no way I’ll make a move on someone like her. I mean, she probably has a lot of guys who confessed to her! Even if she accepted my confession, it would be really awkward after. And.. I would stop working here out of embarrassment.
I got up my seat to drop off something till I stopped as I looked back to the pile of girls surrounding someone. Who.. Why...?
“Joonghyuk! Do you want to go out for lunch?”
“Oh? Hmm.. Should I ask Chief to make a get-together instead? That’d be fun.”
“Can’t the 3 of us just go?”
Yoo Joonghyuk.. He is quite popular, handsome, good-looking, and all that. Very friendly too even with such a cold and stern resting face. In fact, the bosses love him, the girls love him, everyone loves him. He’s the most handsome man. The literal ace of our department. He’s quite active too, as you can tell with those well-toned biceps and thighs.
Apart from us being both men, we have absolutely nothing in common. Looks or personality, we’re not a match. I am a more embarrassing creature or whatever I am to this world. Ahh.. To be like Joonghyuk-ssi. I bet he had a really good and normal life, unlike me.
Actually, wait..
Is he walking up to me? Shit, I was daydreaming! I shake my head and thoughts off as I look at him. “Good job today, Dokja.” Yoo Joonghyuk had a gentle smile and tone. Everything about him is blinding.. In a good way. He always shines brightly and he's perfect in every way. No wonder why he’s popular.
“Ah.. Thanks. You too.” I muttered with an anxious voice, but hopefully it wasn’t noticeable. And that’s all I can say?! Why am I such an idiot. Ahhh.. No need to impress him, Dokja, he’s popular after all. But, he’s!! Nevermind, I’ll just finish some stuff and then get ready to leave this place so I won’t get humbled just yet.
I nodded a little and sat back on my seat. Yoo Joonghyuk just kept that gentle and warm smile as he left to talk to the girls surrounding him.
“Joonghyuk, help, please!!”
“Hmm, alright.”
He walks with them and checks their computer, helping with whatever they needed. They probably just went to him so they could talk and be close. Like, you could’ve asked me. I’m right here. I am a professional. Forget it, it’s not like I look charming anyways.
If only I had Yoo Joonghyuk’s attractiveness, appeal, and.. All that, maybe I wouldn’t have gotten teased by Han Myungoh or maybe.. Just not single in general. Maybe I’d have a loving wife right now and we’d be a power couple.
Ack, whatever, shake these thoughts off, it’s useless. I have to keep on focusing so I can at least have money, something I can be proud of. Don’t try to act like Yoo Joonghyuk-ssi. Just go on with life!
-
I walked out of the building to the sounds of traffic and people talking. The smell of smoke and food everywhere, everywhere is busy.. People are surrounded and jumbled up together non-stop, without a break. It seems it’s less more people today, though.
I proceed to stroll to my usual path way home. Waiting for the traffic light to turn green, people are doing whatever they want. So many noises.. Calling, talking, swearing. It’s normal here. I’ve gotten used to it myself. I wonder what they’re thinking about.
About at least 15 minutes later, I am out of the sounds of messy voices. I’m a turn away from my home, but I stop at a food truck first. “Welcome!” I was greeted by a friendly voice, it sounded forced though.
“You know me, the usual, please.” I always order these cheap foods as I don’t want to spend much money. The shop owner gave me the food, I gave the money back of course.
He nodded. “Thank you so much~!” Whatever.. That annoying voice knowing he gains money from me everyday, what’s in his mind? He always sounds so cocky about receiving money every single time someone buys from his stall. He should be glad he has a usual customer by now.
I nodded and walked off. Such a boring day today, like always— Ahh.. I tripped. I keep getting lost in thought. That’s another thing about me. I keep on walking my way back as I groaned.
Really, if someone loved me.. Truly, to the bottom of their heart. Maybe, someone like that exists in the world and I’m just being oblivious. I hope not. Wait, either way, it sounds too good to be true. Someone.. Loving me? That would be nice.
-
Bzzt, bzzt.
The sounds of an alarm filter to my head. It’s morning already. I stay in my bed a bit before throwing my blanket off to turn off that stupid loud alarm.
Today is.. My birthday. 30th birthday. Happy birthday to me, Kim Dokja. I get my phone, seeing 2 people message me.
[ Happy 30th birthday, Dokja. Continue working hard. Sorry I couldn’t celebrate with you! ]
First of all, my mom. She’s really sweet.. But, she’s almost never there for me. It feels like being neglected. Actually, I am busy with working so fair enough. I reply back to her with a thanks as I check who’s the other person.
[ AYYY Hey, Dooookjaaaa! Happy birthday, you’re old now! Grandpa~ Either way, I hope you have a great day! Love, your best ever friend in the world. ]
It’s Han Sooyoung. I can hear her enthusiastic and annoying voice from that message as always, she’s expressive and kind. But, mean to me! Who said I’m a grandpa?! I’m just in my 30’s already.. If anything, she’s 29! She doesn’t have the right to say that about me. I sigh as I reply back to her.
[ Thank you, Sooyoung. I am looking forward for you turning into a grandma. Hope you have a great day. ]
And.. Sent. I hope she doesn’t!! That little cat like being.. Oh, actually, she seen immediately. This shows how lonely we both are, that sucks. A simple angry reaction to my message comes from her. Sooyoung, that son of a..
-
After all that, my birthday celebration is over. I have nothing special to do. I just wake up, eat, work, and repeat.
In my usual attire for the office, I walk up to the food truck again. Yes, I eat breakfast and dinner here. It’s more cheaper.
“Welcome!” That same voice I hear everyday I come here, sounding friendly and forced. I nod and ask for the usual, again. He nods back as he prepares.
Even in my 30’s, it’s still the same as when I was in my 20’s. Nothing changed much really.. Just the age did.
The store owner gave me my everyday breakfast and I gave him his money. Our hands touch and..
‘My daily pay is here!!’
Excuse me? Who said that? Was that him? It was his voice.. I stare at him in utter confusion, was that really him?
Maybe it’s nothing and my stupid little voices again. He gives his change to me, our hands touch again.
‘Doesn’t he ever get sick of eating these?!’
“What?”
“Huh? Yes?”
Huh? I should be the one saying huh. What did he just say?! But.. It didn’t look like he said it, if anything, he looks friendly as ever. Maybe I’m going insane as always.
“N-Nothing..”
“Well then, thank you~”
I immediately walk off as soon as he said that. That’s weird.. Were my voices really that mean to me?! Did Han Sooyoung put such a behavior into them?
-
‘I’m tired..’
‘Will he get fired?’
‘I don’t wanna go to work.’
‘Has tls123 updated their novel yet?’
Proceeding my way to the same crosswalk to my job, I keep bumping into people who’s also doing the same. But.. These voices! Where are they coming from? I guess people really are loud.. It doesn’t look like anyone is speaking though..?
I then accidentally step on someone’s foot, who was that? I turn back to see a man that looked at me in annoyance. I nod and apologize immediately.
“I’m sorry–“
‘What the hell... This guy stepped on my foot.’
“No worries!” He had a really kind smile and warm tone to his voice. Who said that again? I pause as I look at him for a bit with a confused and surprised look before looking back to the street. Did he say that or—?
Wha..
What’s going on?!
Forget about it! I’ll just go on with my day and ignore.. Whatever is going on! I will continue walking up this stairs and rest here a bit.. to not forget about it! How am I suppose to forget?!
I fall a bit to the ground, contemplating life. What was that? What.. What!!
A guard on duty patted my back. “Hey, Are you okay?” I looked up at him then to my behind as he touched me.
‘Is he okay? Please give me a break!’
Haaaah??! I nod my head and immediately get up, running away from such a scene. I really kept bumping into people when I walked in fear and hurry.
‘Out of my way!’
‘Who’s this ugly being?!’
‘Are you blind? Get out!’
What.. What the fuck really is going on right now?!