“Ah, senior, didn’t you say your home isn’t in Seoul?”

It was thanks to Sohee that we managed to shake off some of the awkwardness while chatting. Perhaps it was because we were both from the same workplace that we found ourselves chatting about various things.

…Well, when a quiet senior and a lively junior work together, the lively one tends to try to maintain the relationship, doesn’t it? Since we’d clearly continue to see each other at work, it would be good to have at least a minimal acquaintance.

It didn’t seem like the people working in this mansion were intentionally trying to keep silent, either. But Sohee had always been quite sociable, so sitting silently and just working might not have suited her nature.

Moreover, for some reason, Sohee seemed to really enjoy being my maid. I can’t comment on the workload since I hadn’t seen the actual duties, but Sohee looked much happier while working here than when she sat with a dull expression in class.

This bright expression was only for when we were together. Though she didn’t always wear such an expression at school, it was restricted to interactions with us.

The only other person she was somewhat friendly with was Lead Committee Member Son Ah-reum, and she acted almost hostile toward other students, growling at them like a cat.

Her attitude escalated even more when it came to teachers.

How should I put it? It felt like the atmosphere was one where she was defending me.

“My hometown is in Gangwon-do. I mostly lived in Seoul since middle school…”

“Gangwon-do?”

I found myself asking that without realizing it, then quickly shut my mouth.

It wasn’t about whether it fit or not; it was simply that I had never thought about Yang Hye-in’s hometown at all. Even during my military service in Gangwon-do, I hadn’t felt like the locals had dialects, and living for a long time in Seoul probably meant I didn’t use any dialect either.

Besides a few years spent in different regions due to military and university issues, I had lived my entire life in Seoul, so when I saw someone working here who didn’t use the dialect, I naturally assumed they must be from Seoul, too.

Strangely enough, my excuse got longer, but anyway, the reason I asked was because of that fact.

“Yes, my grandmother lives there.”

“Oh, really?”

Having a grandmother living in Gangwon-do might be somewhat comparable to saying “my hometown is in Gangwon-do.” If she moved to Seoul as a child and lived there from middle school to university, it might imply she spent her growing up years in Seoul.

So where are her parents living? Do they live in Seoul?

What about her other family members?

…Various questions popped up, but they were all strangely hard to ask.

If we were friends, I wouldn’t need to pry into personal matters like that; over a long time together, it would come up naturally. However, the relationship between Yang Hye-in and me was ‘decently old’, but not that intimate.

In fact, even among close friends, such family matters are often not discussed. They just come out occasionally in conversation.

…Wait a moment.

The fact that Yang Hye-in has family means…

“Um, how many days a year do you go home?”

That’s what I asked.

Yang Hye-in had almost always existed in Sara’s memories. At least, she almost always went out together with Sara whenever Sara went outside.

Though there might have been days when Yang Hye-in took leave to go home when Sara didn’t go out… if I thought about how she was there every time Sara went out, it seemed easier to assume there hadn’t been any leave at all.

“…I live here.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yang Hye-in answered that way.

“….”

Silence.

The other children listening to Yang Hye-in were momentarily stunned; her words were shocking.

So, saying “I live here” means she hadn’t gone home at all…?

“…Can I ask what your working hours are?”

I calmly inquired. Well, Sohee changes into comfortable clothes and relaxes after finishing her working hours. Perhaps her parents live nearby, and in the evening, she changes into casual clothes and shows her face for a bit. Then, she wouldn’t need to request leave to see her family.

“…The working hours are followed according to law and contract.”

“…”

I had heard that Yang Hye-in’s salary was five hundred million won. If you count the digits for work, she’d probably earn a bit more than that.

If you’re paying someone five hundred million won, how many hours could you make them work in a day?

Of course, there are legally set working hours, and it could be said that the money includes overtime pay. In that case, sleeping time at night could also be considered non-working hours.

Still, even so, isn’t it essentially a state of practically never clocking out?

When I first arrived in this world, Yang Hye-in came into my room as soon as she heard my scream.

I pinched the bridge of my nose with my finger. Hearing this made me feel a bit dizzy.

“When was the last time you clocked out?”

“…I clock out every day.”

“I mean, aside from the time spent eating and sleeping in this mansion. When was the last time you properly left the mansion and went back to your family’s house?”

“…”

At my words, Yang Hye-in sank into silence for a long time.

“Was that such a difficult question to answer?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“No, there’s no reason to apologize…”

I held back a sigh that was about to escape.

What should I say? I wasn’t sure if she was foolish or just work-obsessed.

Or was five hundred million won something that required such a level of obsession with work?

“…”

I briefly contemplated. Is it really right to just leave this person as is?

Putting personal feelings aside, somehow, it felt wrong as an employer to do that. It seemed way too unethical. I couldn’t hide behind Choi Na-kyung anymore either.

“Then, how about you take a vacation? I’ll give you paid leave.”

“Excuse me?”

My sudden suggestion seemed to shock Yang Hye-in, who rarely showed such expressions.

…I mean, maybe it’s not so rare anymore. Just because she has a blank expression normally doesn’t mean she’s incapable of showing emotions like a robot. Recently, she had been reacting to my words.

“You haven’t properly rested in the past few years while working.”

“No, I haven’t.”

But contrary to my expectations, Yang Hye-in shook her head and clearly expressed her refusal.

“Eh?”

Now it was my turn to be surprised.

I mean, usually, when someone offers paid leave, don’t they get excited to go out? No matter how much they enjoy their job as a hobby, being able to do it without worrying is still a good deal.

Reading novels during work is one thing, but rolling around in bed and reading could be much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Of course, cross-stitching isn’t really a hobby you can do while lounging in bed.

…Or is it? I’m not sure.

However, no matter how much it is considered a day off legally, and even if there’s truly nothing to do at home, there’s still a significant difference between resting in the workplace dorm and resting at home.

The problem is—

“We have yet to locate former Chairwoman Choi Na-kyung. The police are after her, but it still poses a significant threat to your safety.”

Yang Hye-in asserted this as her reason for rejecting my proposal.

“…”

Uh… well, I understand that Yang Hye-in had been a great help last time. If it weren’t for her, I might have gotten into serious trouble. By now, I might have been locked away in some terrifying underground place, suffering a dreadful time and feeling despair.

But then again, even so, I didn’t think her absence would pose a big problem right now.

At least, someone like Choi Na-kyung wouldn’t call me privately again, and the school wouldn’t allow even that after we had already gone through such a significant incident.

Above all, I was determined to refuse.

Since Choi Na-kyung had been reported to the police, several cops had been following me, without me being aware of it. I’ve heard rumors about police higher-ups being dismissed, and I wasn’t quite sure if that was because of me or not.

Anyway, so… I didn’t think that losing just Yang Hye-in would cause a major issue.

…But how could I say that right in front of her?

It would be like telling her that she wasn’t needed for the time being.

“…”

And while Yang Hye-in still held her blank expression, there was something subtly desperate lurking beneath her words.

I held back a sigh that wanted to escape.