Training Department
"Hod, do me a favor…"
Netzach's figure appeared at the doorway of the director's office, finding Hod in the middle of organizing documents.
"I don't know what happened… but it looks like the Manager has already noticed that I've been using that stuff."
She gestured vaguely, her whole body seeming boneless as she leaned against the doorframe, her voice carrying its usual weariness.
"I swear, this time it was really used for proper psychological counseling…"
"Uh… Netzach."
Hod forced a gentle smile that looked stiff no matter how she tried to hold it.
She cast a troubled glance toward the tightly closed employee lounge door nearby and lowered her voice.
"…You can hear them, right?"
For Sephirah, soundproofing at this level was practically meaningless. Hearing Hod's words, Netzach frowned.
Sure enough, suppressed yet still distinct chatter drilled into her ears like an annoying swarm of mosquitoes—
"…Did you hear? Netzach actually forced Liver to participate in that program!"
"Oh my god, are you serious?! That green-haired idiot knows Liver is already on the verge of breaking down because of her useless leadership, and she still drags her into this during her rare free time?!"
"Oh my Head… these mechanical Sephirah really don't treat us like people at all!"
"Honestly, only the Manager—a real human—actually understands how hard things are for us…"
"But the Manager is way too soft! There was no need to agree to Netzach's request to install a beer vending machine!"
"The Security Department needs precision! Alcohol just interferes with work!"
"It's only because the Manager keeps indulging her that Netzach keeps pushing her luck!"
"So what do we do? Protest to the Manager?"
"Are you stupid? There's a thing called going over someone's head!"
"Netzach must've tricked the Manager somehow… we just need to report the situation truthfully!"
"Right! Let's do that! It's time to rein her in!"
—
"…Ignore them, Hod."
Netzach curled her lips dismissively.
"The Manager gives them a few small favors, and they already think they've found some incorruptible magistrate to complain to. Always so naïve…"
"Ah… Netzach…"
Hod's voice suddenly tightened, her eyes repeatedly flicking in a certain direction, as if hinting at something.
"What now?"
Netzach turned her head impatiently.
And just as her head rotated ninety degrees, her gaze locked perfectly with X , who was walking toward them from the far end of the corridor.
"..."
"..."
Even though X was still some distance away, an awkward silence descended out of nowhere, wrapping the area in an invisible tension.
Hod, too, froze in place, unsure of what to say.
"Tch…"
Netzach looked away.
She didn't know why—she usually didn't care about anyone else's opinions—but whenever X looked at her, she always felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Fortunately, in situations like this, she had a tried-and-true solution—
Run away. Avoid the Manager altogether.
"Um, Netzach?"
Just as she was about to step away, Hod grabbed her arm and quietly slipped her a portion of Enkephalin, whispering:
"This time… it's really only for psychological counseling, okay?"
—
After finishing the work for DAY 16, X remembered what had happened the day before. Taking advantage of the last bit of time before the facility closed, he contacted Hod.
After receiving a positive response, he headed straight for the Training Department.
"Ah… yes! Good afternoon, Manager."
Hod smiled and greeted him.
"You're right on time! I just finished my work as well."
"What was that green-haired one doing here?"
X glanced at Netzach's retreating back and asked curiously.
"She's been coming to the Training Department a bit too often lately, hasn't she?"
"Ah… well…"
Hod's gaze drifted unconsciously toward the employee lounge again.
"Some Security Department staff have been participating in the counseling programs… so she wanted to check on the situation."
"Oh…"
X didn't pursue the matter, nodding understandingly as he changed the subject.
"I came to apologize, actually. About yesterday… I really didn't mean to accuse you."
He looked at Hod sincerely.
"I hope you… won't take it too much to heart."
"Ah… Manager…"
At the mention of yesterday's outburst, Hod's cheeks flushed faintly. She waved her hands hurriedly, clearly flustered.
"I should be the one apologizing… My mood wasn't very good yesterday, so my emotions were… a bit intense. I made you worry…"
She bowed deeply.
"I'm truly, truly sorry…"
"..."
The scene X had anticipated—one requiring a lot of effort to calm her—never materialized.
Faced with Hod's swift and earnest apology, X opened his mouth, only to find himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Hod straightened up and looked at him quietly, her eyes—always tinged with unease—now filled with a pure, expectant gaze.
She simply stood there, waiting for her Manager to continue.
"..."
But after a long pause, silence still clung to them like thick mud.
After some time—
"…Um, Manager?"
Hod hesitated for a long while, then finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
She lifted her head and looked straight into X 's eyes, asking the question that had lingered in her heart for far too long.
"Why… does everyone hate me so much?"
"I've already been trying my very best…"
"Well…"
Given their last conversation, X chose his words even more carefully this time, afraid of making her misunderstand again.
"I thought I was already a pretty competent Sephirah…"
But Hod didn't seem to be waiting for an answer. She continued speaking, lost in her own thoughts.
"The other Sephirah don't care about their subordinates at all!"
"But I'm different! I really care about them!"
"I'm not cold and heartless like Yesod!"
"I'm not clumsy like Malkuth, always making mistakes!"
"And I'm not like Netzach—decadent and indifferent to everything!"
"So why… why is it like this…?"
"Uh… Hod?"
X was caught off guard by her sudden torrent of words, only able to call her name instinctively.
[…Announcement: The facility will close all departmental access corridors in five minutes. All personnel, please leave work areas promptly…]
The cold system broadcast cut through the conversation abruptly.
"Ah… sorry, Manager…"
Hearing X 's voice and the announcement, Hod seemed to snap out of it. She hastily wiped the corner of her eye and stepped back awkwardly.
"The company will close in five minutes… shall we… talk another day?"
"…Alright. See you, Hod."
"See you."
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