For a while, The Hall of Purity and Elegance, which had no master, was peaceful.
But today, it was bustling with people working at Seocheon Flower Garden.
At the center of it all was Shinsomi, the Head of the Farming Team.
“Please, have a seat, have a seat.”
Anyone watching might have mistaken her for the owner of The Hall of Purity and Elegance.
Though her face was set with a serious look, a smile still crept at the corners of her lips.
Just then, the Head of the Meal Service Team, sitting beside the Head of the Farming Team, let out a pitiful groan.
“An athletic meet… Every time I think about it since yesterday, I feel like I’m going to die. I can’t even breathe.”
“Oh dear, what shall we do. Our delicate Meal Service Team Leader must be under so much stress.”
Shinsomi, the Head of the Farming Team, looked at her with an exaggerated expression of sympathy.
But as she turned her head back to face forward, she could not hide the look of satisfaction in her eyes.
“But it’s not only the Meal Service Team that’s struggling. All of us received a bombshell yesterday, didn’t we?”
“……”
There was a silent exchange of meaningful glances among the Shinsomis, sensing something strange in the air.
The Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, maintained a smooth demeanor.
“But what can we do? No matter how hard it is, we must find a solution, mustn’t we? Fortunately….”
Her eyes shifted toward the PR Team.
Sitting at the very end, directly across from her, Mujae involuntarily flinched.
“All the major tasks for this year’s athletic meet have been entrusted to the PR Team.”
‘She definitely wants something.’
Even in that brief moment, he could read her desires.
Still, Mujae replied calmly.
“That’s right. According to the official letter, the PR Team is in charge of operations, planning, and filming.”
“Will you be okay?”
The Head of the Fertilizer Team, Shinsomi, asked in a blunt but genuinely concerned voice.
“Filming is your specialty, but can the three of you handle all the operations and planning?”
“She’s right. We’ll probably need some extra hands.”
It was an opportunity Mujae had come across by chance.
He tried his best to put on a pitiful face.
“If possible, could you support us by providing some staff for the event operations….”
“Hmm! That’s a great idea.”
But before Mujae could finish, the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, cut in.
“Then let’s list what we need, one by one. First, the venue.”
It seemed that most people had caught on by now.
That Shinsomi, the Head of the Farming Team, was enjoying this situation.
‘She wants to seize the initiative.’
He recalled what the Shinsomis who’d visited the PR Team had said.
Now that Ggotgam Officer wasn’t here, it was clear who really wanted to take the lead.
“No one’s saying anything? Then I’ll start.”
As if she had prepared for this, she opened her laptop.
A projector lowered behind her, displaying a map of Seocheon Flower Garden.
“As you know, the Farming Team manages the largest area of land. But as I mentioned, it’s right now the peak season for harvesting the Flesh Rebirth Flower, so we’re extremely busy.”
-Click click.
With a few clicks of her mouse, a red square appeared at the center of the map.
“So I think this spot would be best.”
Shinsomi, the Head of the Farming Team, grinned confidently.
A stir spread among the Shinsomis.
“That place is….”
Finally, the Head of the Education Team, Shinsomi, cautiously raised her hand.
“Isn’t that the area for the Flesh Rebirth Flower you just mentioned?”
“That’s right! Exactly!”
Her overly cheerful voice echoed through The Hall of Purity and Elegance.
Hallakgoong, seemingly catching on to her real intention, made a dazed sound.
“Ah.”
“I thought about it. Over 80% of Seocheon Flower Garden’s land is managed by the Farming Team. So, is there really any empty land? Of course not, right? Because we plant and harvest crops needed all year round.”
Her calculated shrug seemed almost perfect.
It was clear the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, had practiced this presentation ever since she saw the official letter yesterday.
“So I changed the question. ‘If there’s no empty land, where can we borrow some?’”
“…The area that’s due for harvest.”
“Oh! Exactly!”
At Hallakgoong’s words, the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, clapped enthusiastically, as if she’d been waiting for this.
On the other hand, the atmosphere in the room grew cold.
Everyone had realized her hidden agenda.
“We just need to quickly harvest the Flesh Rebirth Flower!”
“What?”
Caught off guard, Mujae couldn’t help but shout.
Zack nodded in understanding.
Buoyed by this response, the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, pressed her point energetically.
“As I mentioned, the Farming Team is already at its limit with extra orders and urgent requests from Geomsu Hell. So, each department should provide people to help harvest the Flesh Rebirth Flower, and we’ll finish it quickly!”
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Unlike the triumphant attitude of the Head of the Farming Team, the other Shinsomis began to grow anxious.
Even the previously cooperative team leaders were now visibly tense.
“My team members have no farming experience at all.”
The first to change her stance was the Head of the Education Team, Shinsomi.
But the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, replied nonchalantly.
“They can learn! It’s not hard at all.”
“It’s impossible.”
The Head of the Facilities Team, Shinsomi, spoke firmly.
“If we’re going to hold the athletic meet, the facilities preparation will already be in full swing, and now you want us to send people to harvest the Flesh Rebirth Flower too? That’s too much.”
The Head of the Meal Service Team also added fuel to the fire.
She had recently clashed with the Farming Team, after all.
“…That’s ridiculous!”
Clenching her fists, the Head of the Meal Service Team shouted in a trembling voice.
“Everything has its set time. It’s Gamjang Season for us, and if we hold the athletic meet now, food supplies for the year will be delayed. And now you want us to support the Farming Team too?”
“Is there any team here that isn’t busy? We’re all short-handed and pressed for time….”
“Using the athletic meet as an excuse to supplement the Farming Team’s manpower doesn’t make sense.”
The mood turned grim.
Even the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, fell silent at last.
‘The resistance is fiercer than I expected.’
She had thought it was a great opportunity, but now she wondered if she’d have to back down.
At that moment, someone quietly raised their hand from the back.
The Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, caught it gladly, surprised by the unexpected participant.
“The PR Team? Do you have an opinion?”
Mujae and Hallakgoong turned around in surprise.
The one raising his hand amidst all this commotion was Zack, his cow-like droopy eyes blinking.
“Zack? Zack, you raised your hand?”
Mujae asked in disbelief, but pure-hearted Zack nodded with a smile.
Hallakgoong squeezed his eyes shut as if he couldn’t bear to watch.
Seeing this, the Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, was convinced Zack would never say anything against her. Smiling brightly, she encouraged him kindly.
“Zack! Yes, what’s your opinion? Please, speak freely.”
Zack raised both hands and expressed his opinion in sign language.
“Ah.”
The Head of the Research Team, Shinsomi, seemed to understand, but few others knew sign language.
Mujae, watching, translated for him.
But his trembling voice, full of embarrassment, echoed in the conference room.
“So what Zack is saying! Is that… we make this itself! Into an athletic event….”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
Murmurs.
Confusion spread again among the Shinsomis.
But Zack’s signing wasn’t done, and Mujae was at a loss for words, too flustered to continue.
The Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, who didn’t know sign language, grew frustrated.
“PR Team Leader? Zack is still signing, could you please interpret?”
“Well….”
Mujae was at a loss as to how to translate this.
Hallakgoong frowned deeply, eyes closed, lost in thought.
At that moment, someone with no intention of beating around the bush stepped up.
“…He’s suggesting we make harvesting the Flesh Rebirth Flower itself an athletic event.”
It was the Head of the Research Team, Shinsomi.
Adjusting her glasses, she interpreted Zack’s sign language perfectly, not missing a single gesture.
“Compete to see who can harvest the most Flesh Rebirth Flowers, and who can do it the fastest.”
“What did you say?”
Shinsomi, the Head of the Farming Team, let out a dazed sound at the unexpected idea.
But the Head of the Research Team, Shinsomi, continued her explanation.
“And he thinks other things could be events too. Like who can make the most kimchi, or a compost-carrying contest. Anything could become our very own Seocheon Flower Garden sports event.”
Murmurs.
Yet the previous tension began to fade away.
The Head of the Education Team, Shinsomi, eyes sparkling, spoke up.
“That actually sounds fun! Events that highlight each department’s strengths….”
The Head of the Facilities Team, Shinsomi, nodded.
“So not just farming work, but every team gets to experience each other’s roles.”
The Head of the Meal Service Team was already imagining what she’d have people do.
“Then let’s make kimchi, brew some soybean paste… Oh! Should we peel persimmons too? Maybe make dried persimmons.”
The atmosphere had turned much warmer than before.
In the midst of this, Hallakgoong pressed his temple.
‘Is this really okay?’
He was uncertain if it was alright for the PR Team to end up taking the lead like this again.
Hallakgoong’s head was already spinning for so many reasons.
In his mind, the existence of the Soul Rebirth Flower kept slipping away.
-Buzzzzz
“?”
Startled by the vibration of his phone, Hallakgoong opened his eyes.
But before he could check, Mujae, face gone pale, raised his hand.
“Um, about the official letter.”
He seemed much calmer than when he’d been sweating bullets earlier.
Hallakgoong figured he must have come up with some clever solution.
“The Ggotgam Officer instructed the PR Team to handle operations, planning, and filming. And the other departments were told to suggest event ideas.”
“That’s correct.”
“And there’s still about two weeks left before the deadline, so I think this is enough for our first meeting.”
Mujae swallowed nervously.
“Team leaders, please talk with your members and suggest events. The PR Team will gather your ideas and compile them for everyone.”
“That sounds good.”
“If you have venue suggestions as well, let us know and we’ll review and discuss them at the next meeting.”
The Head of the Farming Team, Shinsomi, nodded.
The other Shinsomis also seemed satisfied, thinking that they’d reached a compromise.
But Mujae’s face was growing even paler.
‘What’s going on? Isn’t this wrapping up?’
Only then did Hallakgoong get a strange feeling.
But it was already too late.
“And there’s something else I need to mention.”
With a pale face, Mujae fidgeted with both hands as he continued.
“…We just received something like this in the PR Team’s email.”
Hallakgoong looked closely and saw Mujae’s eyes shaking like an earthquake as he held his phone.
Mujae, who looked as though he was crying despite his smile, shouted in a trembling voice.
“[Advance Cooperation Request for Seocheon Flower Garden Performance], it says… What’s this about?”
“What did you say??”
What in the world is that?
The meeting had taken another unexpected turn.
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