The After 7 Years

Resigning

This finally?

That question just popped up after I got an email from Noh Jun Go last night. A final episode of The Fire Man series, as well as the end of the cooperation between us. Webtoon The Fire Man has been a witness to my career at BlueToon and I never thought it would be the end for me to stay here.

Friday night, we had a great debate –aku and Jun Go— discussed about The Fire Man project. The company I work for wants the project to continue because the response from the readers is still very good. However, Jun Go had other thoughts. He felt that The Fire Man was done. He wanted his work to have an end that was in line with his expectations. And for him, Mr. Bum Gil – main characters in his webtoonya—have no more stories to tell.  The worst thing is, Jun Go killed the main character at the end of the episode.

I could barely sleep all night thinking about how to handle it. Persuading Jun Go to change the ending was the most impossible thing I could do. For five years working with him, he never once wanted to change the story he had drawn. Another case if in the process of discussion, he is still willing to accept input even though he is reluctant to change the main plot of the story. So, the only thing I can do is ask him to continue working with BlueToon on his next work.

In the morning, I visited his residence with some food. Pressing the bell and she opened the door in a towel.

“Don't I already send the last episode?” june Go asked as soon as she saw me. He did not open the door wide, it was only fitting for him to pop his head.

“Can I log in?” ask me while lifting up my luggage to show him.

“If you're here to persuade me to change the ending, forget it. You're just going to be a waste of time, because I'm never going to change anything that I've set up in the first place.”

I just barged in. Sit on the couch, then put my luggage on the table. Jun Go looked at me fixedly as I smiled towards him. He must know that right now I am trying to persuade him to do my will.

“Jagga-nim, I will not ask you to revise The Fire Man. Although it had a sad ending, but to me it was quite meaningful. Park Bum Gil eventually became a fallen hero and all his mistakes were eventually wiped out thanks to his services. He deserves all the praise from the people.” I'm explaining.

“Finally you understand my purpose.”

“Sorry for arguing with you about this.”

“Not a problem.” She smiles. “Then, if you don't come to ask me to revise, what's your purpose here?”

“You continued your cooperation on your latest project.”

For a moment, Jun Go fell silent. His face was suddenly confused. What is he thinking right now?

“You're late, Kim PD. I signed with LeafToon.” He breathed out hard. “Nothing ... I feel that my latest work is not very suitable with your company.”

“Aren't you supposed to talk to me about this first?” My voice's up.

“I've. A year ago. And your response back then wasn't very good. You said, the story was less in demand the market and too sadistic.”

“Ya, and with a little improvement and input .. I can help you to get more attention from readers,”.

I really didn't expect that in the end he would easily move places.

I exhaled a long breath. Trying to calm down so as not to make a fuss in this house. As soon as I opened my eyes I said, “baik .. I appreciate all your decisions. Let's end this cooperative relationship well. Thank you for these five years, and .. if you have free time we can celebrate the farewell tomorrow night at the restaurant near the office. I'm the one who bought.” My voice is a little bit shaking.

“I'll think. Kukabari if you can,” he said as he grabbed the phone that lit up on the table. “Thank you for everything too. Thanks to you, I now have a big name. I really owe you, Kim PD.” His eyes were on the phone as he said so.

‘Yes, you're right. You owe me a lot. But, what's your reply? You destroyed the career of the man who raised your name,’ I muttered in my head.

“Then, I go first.”

***

And now I failed to do both. The consequence I had to accept was to go out, according to what I said at that time.

Right in front of the BlueToon building, the taxi I was riding stopped. I was silent for a while. For some reason, my legs felt heavy to step outside. Probably because I refused to hand over the letter. But a promise is a promise. A promise that has already come out of the mouth must be kept. Finally, I ventured out and walked into the twenty-story building.

I ignored the questionable gazes of almost all the officers. Walk quickly to Mr. Lee's room. Knock on the door, then open it after hearing his voice from inside the room.

“Timjangnim ..” I lowered my head in greeting, then walked over. Grabbing the bag, then issuing a resignation letter.

“I failed to persuade Noh Jun Go to cooperate in new project.” My voice sounded louder than usual. “I'm really sorry,” I said then put the letter on the table, right next to Mr. Lee's keyboard.

“You're really serious about leaving after making a mess. Cowardly once ...,” the comment.

What he said was not so bad. I am a coward. But, after all I have promised to risk my job if I fail to defend Noh Jun Go.

“I promised to resign after failure,” I obviously tried to remind him of what I said last week at the office dinner.

“Alright, it's up to you,” he said. I could see that actually, there was anger on his face. Even so, I also could not break my own promise, let alone beg him to keep me as an employee here.

“Thank you for everything. Five years working here, I gained a lot of valuable experience.”

“Ya,” the answer is short. He hated me, clearly visible from the look on his face. He was reluctant to even look me in the eye when he spoke.

Reluctantly lingering in awkwardness, I finally decided to leave the room. Clean up my stuff that is still scattered on the table and say goodbye to some of my coworkers.

As soon as I reached the last step, I turned to the entrance. Smiling, and tears suddenly just flowed down my cheeks. I am not willing to leave this place full of memories. Five years is not a short time. Five years is enough time to make me feel attached to that place. Now, I have to change everything. Start over with a new purpose. I'll start by living my childhood dream.

You can do it, Kyung Hae!

“Fighting!” I shouted out loud then turned around and stepped forward. Someone out of nowhere suddenly appeared, and I just got hit. The stuff in my box fell scattered and the guy fell stranded.

“Arghh!” He grumbled as he picked up the cell phone lying on the side. Clean it up then try to light it up. Thankfully, there was no problem with the phone.

“Sorry, I was completely unintentional,” I said trying to help by reaching out, but he ignored and got up on his own.

“You'd better be ...” He stopped the speech as he looked at me.

Wait for. Highlight these eyes? I think I've seen it.

He .... Nah! There's no way he's the Lee Young Bum I used to know.

“Forget!” she said suddenly, then left me.

Just when he was about four steps away, I shouted, “Lee Young Bum, is that you?”

Reflexively, the man stopped his steps, but after only a few seconds, he resumed his steps again like nothing had happened.

“Is he really the Lee Young Bum I know?” my thinking.