NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32
Thanks to the editor, there was a brief commotion, but fortunately, we were quickly able to settle down and sit back in our seats.
It was quite perplexing, but I felt somewhat satisfied to learn that he had a strong passion for his work. After all, I would be this person’s employer from now on.
“So, did you create all the effects yourself?”
“Yes, I know how to handle most of them.”
“By any chance, when can you start working?”
“I can start today if that’s fine, Boss.”
The editor already started calling me “Boss,” responding promptly to everything I asked like a yes-man.
What a diligent person.
Of course, it’s said that you need to get to know a person well over time to see their true value, but at least I felt he passed the first impression test with flying colors. It should be sufficient to trust him with some work for the time being.
“Here’s the contract. For now, take a look, and if the conditions are to your liking…”
I took out a single contract from my bag and handed it over to the table.
Since this was my first time hiring an editor, I did some research on industry-standard wages and set the conditions to be reasonably acceptable, but I thought I’d gently bring up that there might be parts he wanted to negotiate.
Without any hesitation, the editor tapped his thumb on a bright red ink pad that had popped up from somewhere and was ready to seal the contract without even pretending to read it.
“Should I stamp here?”
“Oh, no, please at least read it first…”
He needs to know how much he’s getting paid and the specific amount of work he’s responsible for.
As I was taken aback and tried to stop him from blindly stamping away, the editor showed signs of understanding and began to read the contract carefully.
“The conditions are quite generous, Mr. Cosmo.”
“Really? I tried to make sure they were adequate…”
In the meantime, Older Sister Seo-ha got my permission and quietly checked the contract and gave a satisfied smile that seemed to say, “I knew you’d do this.” I awkwardly scratched my cheek at the feeling of embarrassment.
“Yes, this would be top-tier treatment in this industry.”
Following that, the editor nodded his head in satisfaction as if pleased with the conditions I proposed and stamped without hesitation.
“I might hire one more person in the future, but for now, I plan to operate the YouTube channel with just the two of us.”
“Do you have a specific direction in mind for the channel?”
“Hmm, for now, I’m thinking of cutting my usual counseling segments into short clips to upload as Shorts.”
“Right, that’s trending. Then I’ll aim to have at least two Shorts and one edited version posted each week.”
That sounded more than satisfactory. To be honest, I didn’t think there’d be enough content from my past streams to upload a lot right away.
“Well, I look forward to working with you, Boss.”
“I should be the one saying that.”
Clap, clap, clap.
After we concluded our rather satisfying contract with a handshake, Older Sister Seo-ha sent a small applause in appreciation.
It felt like an atmosphere reminiscent of a summit meeting.
“Good to hear, Sung-min. I’m glad the new boss is to your liking.”
“That, indeed… Director… Huh!?”
The editor, who was responding somewhat clumsily to Older Sister’s congratulations, looked like he had seen a ghost as he gulped and glanced over here.
Before I knew it, beads of sweat were streaming down his forehead like a waterfall.
What’s wrong? Is it hot in here? It does feel a bit toasty, but that’s an excessive amount of sweat.
“Editor, are you alright? You’re sweating too much…”
“I-I’m sorry. Actually, I’m feeling a bit under the weather…”
“Oh, if I had known, I’d have suggested to meet another time. I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“No, it’s fine! I think I just need to go home and rest properly.”
Well, taking a break when you’re sick is good medicine.
The contract is done, and since the work discussion could wait, I need to send the editor home quickly. He’s the first editor for our channel; he can’t get sick.
“Then how about you head home first? We can discuss details later when you’re feeling better.”
“Really…? Is that alright?”
“Of course.”
“Ah…!”
At my suggestion, the editor looked overjoyed as if he had found enlightenment, quickly gathered his tablet and stood up. The clumsiness from a moment ago was replaced with brisk movements.
Was he just nervous earlier? No matter how much I’m about to be his employer, I’m just a small-time streamer.
The memory of Older Sister Seo-ha trembling during our first meeting flickered in my mind, and I couldn’t help but force a smile.
“Well, I’ll take my leave now, Boss. And…”
“Yes, congratulations, Sung-min. I’ll contact you separately.”
“Yes! Th-then…!”
The editor, who promptly stood up, bowed deeply, not to me but rather to Older Sister Seo-ha as he quickly exited the room.
“Hehe, that was quite an eventful meeting.”
As soon as we were left alone, Older Sister Seo-ha, wearing a noticeably more relaxed expression, murmured with her signature gentle smile.
It was the kind of enchanting smile that would make any guy lose his senses.
“The editor seems like a very passionate person.”
“Right? If he hadn’t caught my eye, I wouldn’t have introduced him to you, Mr. Cosmo.”
“I guess so.”
With a smile in her eyes, Older Sister Seo-ha responded, but there was a strange vibe in her tone that made me pause.
It felt less like introducing a close friend and more like successfully presenting a thoroughly vetted talent from a select few precious gems.
“By the way, how have you been doing lately, Mr. Cosmo?”
Now that we were alone, we leisurely sipped our coffee while catching up on each other’s recent lives.
Though the coffee we ordered was supposed to be very hot, it had cooled down to lukewarm, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable. Perhaps it was the unusually warm atmosphere that made it feel nice.
“I’ve been doing well as usual. And you, Sister?”
“I haven’t been well. Haah…”
Upon receiving my question and throwing it back, Older Sister Seo-ha let out her first deep sigh while pouting her lips.
It didn’t seem like anything had changed much about her life, so I assumed there were no major issues, but was there something bad happening?
“Why? Did something happen?”
“Actually, I was busy with work and couldn’t watch Mr. Cosmo’s stream for two days.”
“…What?”
As I asked worriedly for clarification, Older Sister Seo-ha placed a hand on her cheek, responding with a serious expression. But the content was so absurd that I thought my ears had misconstrued it.
What? Is she joking?
“You’re unexpectedly good at humor, Sister.”
Thinking it was some polite banter, I smiled and opened my mouth, only for her to whip her head around and glare at me.
This was the first time I’d ever seen her angry gaze, and I was so taken aback that, like prey before a predator, I froze in place for a moment.
“This is not a joke…! I felt like dying on the second day.”
“No way, my stream can’t have that level of impact…”
“To me, it’s that significant!”
“…Yes.”
Well, if she feels that way, who am I to argue?
Getting any more involved would likely end with me earning her wrath, so I decided to keep my mouth shut. To survive in this harsh world, one must have some sense of awareness.
Admittedly, I don’t.
“Anyway, Mr. Cosmo, you tend to underestimate yourself too much. You don’t know how much life force I’ve regained by watching your streams…”
“I-I’m sorry. I made a huge mistake…”
While sitting on the sofa, I found myself bowing my head apologetically to her, only to spend a long while listening to a lecture.
I thought it might just be the sweetest lecture I’ve ever received in my life, one that would elicit smiles.
Older Sister Seo-ha really enjoys watching my streams. I’m truly moved.
“By the way, what do you think of the new editor? Are you pleased with him?”
“Of course! If it weren’t for you, I would never have found such a great person.”
After some time, when her mood lightened, she subtly asked about her first impressions of the new editor.
I instinctively gave a thumbs up to show my satisfaction without needing to articulate my feelings.
Then, with hands modestly resting on her thighs, she glanced at me as if she had something to say.
Curious what was on her mind, I tilted my head, and she hesitated before finally speaking up.
“Um, do you remember the promise we made a while back?”
“A promise? …Oh!”
I hadn’t even recalled that we had made a promise, but suddenly, the details of our previous conversation came rushing back to my mind.
How could I forget? It was her who first brought it up.
“Of course I remember. You said that if the editor you introduced turned out well, you’d ask me a favor.”
“I’m glad you remembered. What a relief…”
Seemingly worried that I might have forgotten, she sighed in relief and stared at me earnestly. She must have had quite the favor to ask.
“Tell me. I’ll do what I can.”
The first request was for my phone number, and the second was for me to sing for her.
So what could be the third, I wondered, listening closely.
With a hesitant look but a clear voice, she made her request.
“I’d like to call you by your name.”
“By my name?”
I found it a surprisingly small request, and reflexively tilted my head.
I had thought all along that she was reluctant to call me by my name, but now it looked like she actually wanted to.
“Of course! Feel free to call me that, Sister.”
“…Okay, Woo-joo.”
As I nodded and allowed her, she said my name with a look in her eye reminiscent of a bride gazing at her husband.
It was strange that she still didn’t use my streaming nickname, and on the other hand, I felt an unexpectedly touching sense of warmth just from my name being called.
How do I describe it? It felt like a declaration that I would be treated as Kang Woo-joo, the human, rather than Cosmo, the streamer.
“Woo-joo, Woo-joo.”
“Yeah, I’m listening, so stop…”
“I won’t, Woo-joo.”
From then on, she called my name for quite some time without any particular reason, making me an unintended victim of a mental attack with her bright smile.
This is tougher than I thought.
Is it really that exhausting to be called by my name?