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EP.61 Japanese Business Trip (5) – Third-Rate Play
Pressing my throbbing temples, I barely managed to lift my eyelids, heavy as lead. Every joint in my body felt stiff and creaky. The cause was obvious.
I could hardly remember how I'd fallen asleep, but what remained vivid were the sounds that seeped through the blanket I'd pulled over myself. The animalistic cries of the team leader and that man. The shameful, filthy body of mine that reached climax alone while eavesdropping on those sounds, forgetting even my own shame.
The disgusting smell lingering in the room made it clear what had happened while I slept.
"…Huh?"
Suddenly, sensing movement, I turned my head to see the team leader already up, blankly staring out the window. As for my senior-no, that man-he was nowhere to be seen in the room.
But what bothered me most right now was the team leader. Her gaze floated vacantly in the air, her brow furrowed so deeply it was almost grotesque. She looked nothing like the woman who'd clung to a man and moaned sweetly just last night.
'What is this…?'
The difference from the day before was so stark that I felt a sense of unease. Just then, the sliding door opened and the okami entered, wearing a bright smile.
"Did you all sleep well? Was your night comfortable?"
"Ah… yes, yes."
The team leader, who had been anxiously biting her nails, startled and nodded. Her voice trembled unnaturally.
"Was the room too small, perhaps? You both don't look well. Did anything happen during the night…?"
At the okami's worried question, I could clearly see the team leader's shoulders tremble. She hastily shook her head and waved her hands, insisting nothing happened, but anyone could see how suspicious her gestures were.
The okami studied her face for a moment, then straightened up with a gentle smile.
"Well, when you're ready, please come to the private room. Breakfast is prepared. Assistant Manager Lee is already there."
At the mention of that man's name, the okami's cheeks flushed. Now that I looked, even her kimono sash was a bit loose.
So that's where he was so early in the morning.
Of course, it's just what I'd expect from him.
"Yes, understood. We'll be right there."
Since the team leader didn't answer, I replied in her place.
I had no appetite and honestly wanted to just hole up in the room, but that wasn't an option. At least today, we had meetings scheduled.
Coming all the way overseas and not even enjoying it-what was I doing? All because of that man.
Grinding my teeth at the thought of his hateful face, I forced myself up.
After changing clothes and arriving at the private room, breakfast was already neatly set.
"You're late, both of you. Come eat before it gets cold."
That man was already sitting there, calmly savoring his meal with a relaxed face.
The team leader, without being told, sat right next to him, practically glued to his side. If that was all, fine-but what happened next was even more ridiculous.
"…Assistant Manager, you have sauce on your mouth."
"Oh, do I?"
"How can a grown adult be so sloppy? …Come here, I'll wipe it for you."
The anxious look she'd had this morning was gone; now she was chatting warmly with him, even wiping food from his mouth.
"I think this rolled omelet is the tastiest."
"Really? Then have some of mine. I'm not very hungry."
"Oh, but… Well, could you feed me yourself, Team Leader?"
"…Staff Park Mina is watching."
"Do you mind?"
"It's not that I mind… Sigh. Here, say 'ah~.'"
She even put her own side dish into his mouth. The sight was absurd and bizarre.
Had she completely fallen for him overnight or what?
But just for a moment-when she fed him and their eyes met-I caught a fleeting emotion deep in the team leader's eyes.
Her lips smiled warmly, but her eyes trembled ever so slightly.
That's when I felt a chilling sense of déjà vu.
'There's definitely something…'
The unease I'd felt since morning.
That attitude, those fear-filled eyes.
My suspicion was slowly turning into a dreadful certainty.
That woman was desperately acting something out.
After breakfast, we left the inn and headed to the client.
Like the day before, the meeting went smoothly, but my attention was fixed on the team leader.
She couldn't hide her instability throughout the meeting, even making small mistakes during her presentation.
"Looks like the team leader is exhausted from traveling abroad after so long."
Each time, that man would lighten the mood with a joke or supportive comment.
But for a woman usually so cool-headed to be this shaken was rare.
"…Mina."
During a short break after the meeting, while I was busy gathering materials, the team leader quietly approached me.
Her voice was so cautious, as if even a passing mouse might overhear.
"What is it?"
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
It was a sudden request, but the desperation in her eyes made me nod.
Luckily, that man seemed preoccupied chatting with the clients.
We slipped out of the meeting room and into a small lounge next door.
As soon as the door closed, the team leader spoke in a rush, as if someone might chase her.
"Staff Mina, you know too, right?"
"Sorry? Know what…?"
"That man, Assistant Manager Lee Hyunseong, he's been controlling us."
I expected it, but hearing it from her lips made my heart sink.
At the same time, her tone and expression felt oddly unnatural-like an actress reading from a well-written script.
"How do you know, Team Leader…?"
"Last night, while he was raping me, I suddenly came to my senses. I realized all the horrible things I've been through were his doing!"
Her voice trembled violently.
Her face, full of the same confusion and pain I'd felt, also carried a subtle sense of wrongness.
"After that, I was completely conscious, but he kept raping me all night."
Her eyes, twisted with shame and anger, were bloodshot.
"Staff Mina, you've been suffering under him too, haven't you? Even longer than me."
"…Yes, that's right."
A mix of relief that someone finally understood my pain, and a strange wariness, rose within me.
This was all happening too suddenly.
"We can't just let this go."
The team leader stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"What do you mean?"
"We can't go on living as his playthings."
"That's true…"
But.
"But there's no way. You know how strong he is, Team Leader. We can't resist."
At my resigned words, the team leader's eyes shone fiercely.
"No. There is a way. I have an idea."
"An idea?"
"I've figured out how he controls us."
"Is that true?!"
I couldn't help but raise my voice.
I quickly covered my mouth, freezing as we locked eyes for a few seconds.
Finally calming down, I asked again.
"Did you really figure out his method? What is it?"
She glanced around, then whispered,
"It's his phone."
"His phone?"
"Specifically, an app. A hypnosis app, I think? He's been using that to control us however he wants."
Hypnosis.
An app, even.
Who would have imagined such a thing?
But now that I thought about it, he always seemed to have his phone in hand-even during… those times.
"But how did you find out about the hypnosis app?"
"I heard it straight from Assistant Manager Lee's mouth."
"From him?"
I couldn't believe it, but she nodded.
"After last night, maybe he thought he had me completely in his grasp. He told me everything."
"He just told you?"
Still, how could he reveal something so important so easily?
Something felt off.
It all seemed to be going too smoothly. But if what she said was true…?
"So, what exactly is your plan?"
"It's simple. If he controls us with the app, we just need to take his phone. Then we'll be free!"
"Easier said than done! There's no way that cunning man wouldn't anticipate that! What if even this conversation is part of his plan…!"
"No!"
She grabbed my hand.
Her hand was icy cold and trembling.
"He always enjoys walking a tightrope. He gets off on watching us struggle! You know it too, Mina!"
There was some truth to that.
If he wanted, he could have made us mindless puppets long ago.
But still…!
"That's why we have to strike while we can! Before he decides to make us complete puppets!"
Her eyes were desperate, almost crazed, but even that felt mechanical to me.
Let's say all this is true.
But what if she's just using me?
"This is too dangerous. If we fail…"
"Mina!"
She grabbed my shoulders.
"You want to escape him, don't you? From this disgusting humiliation, from the fear! I do too! Please, help me. Let's escape hell together!"
I'd never seen Kang Jooyoung cling so desperately before.
I understood. I'd been through it myself.
"…"
I bit my lip.
My head was spinning.
Could I trust her?
Was this another trap?
"How can I trust you, Team Leader? What if you're being controlled and trying to trick me?"
"…Are you really okay with this? Don't you want to escape him?"
Her words stabbed me like a knife.
"Of course not!!"
I shook my head hard.
I didn't want to live as his slave.
Last night made it clear-if I stayed by his side any longer, I'd really lose my mind.
"…What do I need to do?"
After much thought, I decided to drink the poison called hope.
I was suspicious, but this might be my only chance.
At last, relief flashed across the team leader's face at my answer.
"Tonight, I'll distract him. Whether it's by inviting him to the hot spring or drinking, I'll get him out of the room. While he's gone, you find his phone."
"His phone…"
"Yes. As long as we get it out of his hands, we'll be free."
It was a dangerous gamble.
I didn't even want to imagine the consequences of failure.
But if we succeeded, we could finally escape him.
"…Alright. I'll do it."
Once I decided, my heart pounded so hard it felt like it would break my ribs.
My palms were slick with sweat.
That night, after dinner, the team leader acted as planned.
She seductively suggested to Lee Hyunseong that they go to the hot spring, and he accepted with a lecherous smile, as if he'd been waiting for it.
"Mina, do you want to come too?"
He asked me.
I shook my head, trying to act as natural as possible.
"No, I'm a bit tired. I'll rest in the room."
As the two of them left the room, I took a deep breath.
Now it begins.
I waited until their footsteps had fully faded, then carefully approached his sleeping area.
'Where would he put it… Inner coat pocket? Bag?'
Steeling my trembling fingers, I began searching through his belongings.
But there was no phone in his coat pockets or his bag.
'Damn! Where is it? Did he take it with him?'
Cold sweat ran down my spine.
My heart pounded with anxiety.
The team leader said she'd stall for as long as possible, but I had no idea when he might return.
Maybe he hid it somewhere else?
Desperately, I searched the room for anything that looked like a phone.
Under the pillow?
In the bedding?
Not here either.
Where on earth…!
Just then.
From behind me, a low, cold voice whispered like something from hell.
"What are you looking for so intently, Mina?"
"…!"
My blood froze.
All sound vanished, my heart stopped in terror.
Before I could even turn my head like a creaking wooden doll-
"Kyaa!"
A thick arm grabbed my waist from behind and pinned me down.
My vision flipped as I was thrown hard onto the tatami floor.
"To think a sly girl like you would fall for it so easily. You must be pretty desperate."
As I heard those words, I realized instantly.
It was a trap after all.
From the very beginning, it had been his setup.
But by the time I realized, it was far too late.
A shadow of despair loomed over me.
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