It is Easiest to be Obsessed by Everyone

A refreshing morning that started with a light morning session.

Jung Hyena was busy preparing for work.

I was also getting ready for my first day, putting extra effort into looking as neat and polished as possible.

Usually, people with naturally good looks can just throw something on and still shine, but I’ve got a bit more practice in looking presentable from all those times I needed to look a bit less scruffy at seminars or events.

Finally, those efforts are paying off today.

“Wow! You look really handsome.”

“Right? When you’re all dressed up, you look amazing. I could fall for you all over again.”

“Oh… did you hear that?”

Oh man, embarrassing.

I muttered to myself because I was surprised at how good I looked in the mirror, but now Jung Hyena probably thought I was narcissistic.

“You all set?”

“Yes. Shall we go?”

“Let’s go.”

Our workplace was just two bus stops away.

Luckily, we didn’t have to brave the subway crowds in Gangnam during rush hour.

Then again, that means we were not exactly in the most convenient location.

Given her budget, this was probably the best place Jung Hyena could afford.

“This feels like we’re a newlywed couple heading off to work together, doesn’t it?”

“It’s embarrassing.”

We both wore masks, though Jung Hyena didn’t usually wear makeup to work.

Even so, as soon as we got on the bus, I could feel people staring at us.

A mask wasn’t enough to keep the attention away, apparently.

“Maybe when we save up, we could get a car so we can commute together?”

“Commuting by car in Gangnam is a nightmare.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

It’d be nice to get a place close enough to walk to work, but we’ll need to save up a lot for that.

Spending on rent doesn’t make sense, so if we’re aiming for a 1,000-square-foot apartment in Gangnam, we’d need about three billion won saved up since we won’t be able to get a loan for a high-end apartment.

Assuming I make about 200 million won annually, after taxes, health insurance, and pension, I’d take home around 120 million.

Living expenses would be about 20 million per year for both of us, so we could save up about 100 million each year.

That means it’d take about 30 years to afford an apartment, assuming no changes in property prices or currency value.

“Hyena, how much longer do you think you’ll work at the studio?”

“Why do you ask? I’m not planning on changing jobs anytime soon—it’s a good place. I think I’ll stay there for at least five years.”

“I was thinking maybe we could start looking for a place nearby for a long-term lease.”

“But we don’t have enough for that. Even for rent around the office, the deposit is high.”

“Well, I’ll be working too now.”

“Oh, don’t think too far ahead. The deposit for a lease isn’t a small amount.”

“Still, it’s good to start planning.”

We got off the bus at our stop.

“Let’s part ways here. You’ll be working with clients face-to-face, and it might be awkward if they see us together all the time.”

“I don’t mind, but if it helps us save up for our lease sooner, I suppose that’s better.”

“Geez.”

Her shyness was adorable.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

I let Jung Hyena walk ahead, following at a distance, enjoying the view from behind.

She even looked beautiful from the back—her wide hips and long legs didn’t fit the usual proportions for someone from this part of the world.

Then again, Chang-woo had a slight Nordic look too.

Oh, right.

I needed to reassure my boss.

[Me] I’m waiting outside the bank near the cafe for it to open.

[Me] I’ll head to work right after taking care of my business here.

[Boss] I was practically holding my breath waiting for your message this morning.

[Boss] Take your time with the bank stuff.

[Boss] Banks are always busy on Monday mornings, so no rush.

[Boss] It’s quiet here for now anyway.

He replied instantly, like he had really been waiting for me.

I should have messaged him as soon as I woke up.

There was already a line of people waiting outside the bank.

I’d never been to the bank right at 9 a.m. on a Monday before; this is what it’s like.

I put on my mask and stood at the back of the line.

The woman in front of me glanced back and seemed startled.

What’s this?

It’s not like she knows me, right?

“Um. Are you here for bank business?”

“That’s why I’m standing in line at the bank, right?”

“I… I have some time, so you can go ahead. I’ll let you go first.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Getting priority without even asking.

Life is so good like this—I don’t get why Changwoo had so many emotional struggles.

More people continued offering, and I ended up right at the front of the line. Shortly after, the glass doors opened.

The female bank employee coming to unlock the door saw me and looked wide-eyed.

Surely she doesn’t know me?

“Welcome, sir! Please follow me.”

“Oh, shouldn’t I take a number first…?”

“That’s all right. I’ll assist you. What brings you in today?”

“I came to check an account, and if I don’t have one, I’ll open a new one.”

“Understood. Right this way, please.”

Six days since being reborn with these looks—I get it now.

She wanted to take care of me before another employee did.

When you’re helping at the counter, you get to see a client’s personal information, after all.

“Could you please show me your ID?”

She sounded a bit nervous, so I felt a little nervous myself.

I handed over my ID.

The bank clerk, Kim So-mi (as I gathered from her name tag), scrutinized my ID intently.

I knew why. Changwoo even managed to make ID photos look like magazine shots.

“All right. Let me check.”

She typed away on her laptop, taking longer than I expected.

Looking up an account doesn’t usually take this much time, does it?

“It looks like you have one regular checking account with us.”

“When was it opened? And the last withdrawal?”

“The account was opened five years ago, and the last auto-withdrawal was two weeks ago. Oh… Never mind.”

Why did she stop mid-sentence?

Did something surprise her?

Maybe there was an unexpectedly huge amount in ‘our Changwoo’s’ account?

“How much is the balance, if I may ask?”

“There’s a balance of 1,750,435 KRW.”

Oh, false alarm.

It was kind of an ambiguous amount.

Somehow, I pictured Chang-woo having millions in his account.

Then again, he lived off of Yoon Jae-kyung’s credit card, so maybe there wqs no need to stash cash in his account. Usually, he’d use the card, then withdraw cash as needed.

I applied for online banking but didn’t bother with a physical passbook.

“All set. Thank you for your patience.”

Kim So-mi handed back my ID and online banking forms, looking disappointed.

I pretended not to notice and stood up.

——-

9:30 a.m.

That’s when I arrived at the cafe.

My boss greeted me with a big smile.

“Quicker than I expected! I thought you’d be here after 10.”

“I got there as soon as the bank opened and ended up at the front of the line. Everyone in line let me go first.”

“Let me guess. Were they women?”

“Yes.”

“Ha! Figured as much.”

My boss only showed me how to use the cash register.

“You don’t need to know much else. You making coffee wouldn’t make any sense.”

“Still, for fairness’ sake, it feels strange for me, and it might look weird to others too.”

“Oh, it’s fine! Really!”

“We’ll take care of all the dirty work!”

“Seriously, it’s no problem. I’m even paying the others an extra 5,000 won per hour when you’re on shift.”

Ah! Well, that took some pressure off me.

But why was the café so packed first thing in the morning?

It felt like I should be doing something.

I got a bit embarrassed watching the baristas rush around making coffee.

A female customer came over quickly.

“Can I order now?”

“Yes, of course. Chang-woo, could you help with the payment?”

“Ah, sure. Got it, boss.”

In no time, a line formed at the counter.

Had they really just been sitting at tables waiting for me to arrive before ordering?

“A large caramel macchiato, please, and four slices of any cake.”

“Well, if you say ‘any cake,’ I’ll choose the most expensive ones. Are you okay with that?”

“Of course! I’m sure anything your staff chooses will be delicious.”

I subtly glanced at the boss for approval, then selected four of the most expensive cake slices.

Not that there’s a huge price difference — just a few thousand won per piece.

“Three caramel macchiatos, please. And three slices of cake.”

“I’ll take two coffees, and two pieces of cake.”

“We’ll have four coffees, four slices of cake, and four cookies. Just pick anything.”

I quickly entered the orders into the register.

The cakes on display sold out almost instantly.

One of the female staff hurried inside to bring more cakes from the fridge, while the others were busy making coffee.

After a whirlwind of orders, we finally caught a breather.

The boss’s face was lit up with a broad smile.

“Wow! We just made hours’ worth of sales right after opening. Chang-woo, you’re amazing.”

“I didn’t even do anything…”

“Are you kidding? You made the biggest impact here.”

With all the orders out, we finally had a little downtime.

During this break, I registered for online banking.

After issuing the digital certificate, I checked all the bank accounts under Chang-woo’s name.

It turned out he only had an account with KB, the same one I had visited earlier. Lucky guess.

But when I checked the transaction history, something seemed odd.

[Depositor: PleaseContactMeChangwooNaJoohee]

[Deposit amount: 100,000 won]

[Balance: 17,604,350 won]

What is this?

Surprised, I scrolled down through the transaction history.

[Depositor: AnswerMyCallChangwoo]

[Deposit amount: 100,000 won]

[Balance: 17,404,350 won]

[Depositor: JustMealMoneyChangwoo]

[Deposit amount: 400,000 won]

[Balance: 17,004,350 won]

[Depositor: WhenCanWeMeetImDyingHere]

[Deposit amount: 100,000 won]

[Balance: 16,904,350 won]

[Depositor: LoveYouHeejeong]

[Deposit amount: 300,000 won]

[Balance: 16,604,350 won]

Is this some kind of online donation?

It was obvious the depositors were women, based on the messages.

Each one had left their name, and those who hadn’t used their name earlier had done so by the last deposit.

Just from a quick glance, each deposit was at least 100,000 won.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

This was my sixth day as the new Chang-woo, so it had been about nine days since the old Chang-woo went off the radar.

In those nine days, since they couldn’t reach him by phone, these women had essentially donated money, leaving messages through deposits…

“1.5 million won? That’s insane.”

“Hmm? How’d you know?”

“Excuse me? About what?”

“Well, actually…”

The boss leaned in to speak quietly so only I could hear.

“The profits for the hours you’ve been here will probably come to around 1.5 million won.”

Wait, that’s not what I meant.

But what?

Profit? Not revenue?