NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
A few days later, morning.
Taeseon visited the Department Head’s office early in the morning.
Taeseon was holding the equipment purchase request forms that were handed out a few days ago.
“Good morning! I’ve brought the equipment purchase request forms that the Department Head asked me to submit a few days ago.”
“Is that so? You’ve brought them quicker than expected.”
“It’s because the development team is a bit in a rush.”
While saying that, Taeseon passed me a few sheets of paper.
Didn’t I find this odd?
As if realizing that I felt something was off, Taeseon hastily added,
“Um, I heard from the team members that all the test equipment was transferred to the GM Studio when the studio was reorganized.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Come to think of it, a few members from the development team came by the other day and complained that all the mobile test equipment had been moved to the GM Studio.
I must have forgotten about this in the chaos.
“I’m sorry. I should have taken care of this earlier, but I forgot because of the tight schedule.”
“Not at all. The prototype implementation isn’t even finished yet.”
“I appreciate that. Anyway, go back and get to work.”
With those words, Taeseon nodded.
“Yes, understood.”
“Alright.”
After Taeseon left, I was left alone and opened the equipment purchase report he had handed me.
The familiar and nostalgic list of brands made me feel like I was back in the past.
‘Two each of Galaxy S4 and its derivatives, Pantech, HTC, LG, Apple… quite a lot, aren’t they?’
It seemed that they had requested two each for the Art Team’s testing equipment as well.
Seeing the extensive lineup of smartphone manufacturers listed was truly astonishing.
‘This is why Android version development is bound to be slow.’
As I shook my head and added my signature to the signature section of the equipment purchase request form.
***
Night had fallen far past the time of departure.
I sighed deeply while typing on the keyboard in the office.
‘How long has it been since I pulled an all-nighter…’
Because of an unexpected request for help from Myunghoon, I ended up having to work overtime.
I heard that there was some sort of accident related to the Girls’ Memorial collaboration,
but since there was no talk of diving headfirst like in the early days, it didn’t seem to be a major issue.
While preparing a report after assessing the situation on the ground, I finally couldn’t bear it anymore and rubbed my stiff eyes as I got up.
I couldn’t hold on any longer.
Deciding that I should at least get a cup of coffee, I left the office and headed towards the elevator.
As I passed by the employees who were also working overtime, I found someone waiting in front of the elevator.
It was Yerin.
“Yerin.”
“Ah, Senior…”
Yerin turned to look at me when called.
Her expression was darker than usual compared to her normal demeanor.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s just… the work isn’t going well.”
“Is the work related to character design?”
Upon hearing this, Yerin exhaled deeply.
“Ugh… you’re right. Though it’s not solely because of that.”
“Why? Did some issue arise?”
“I’m not sure. The drawings do come out, but when I complete them, they just don’t feel right…”
Listening to her, it felt like she had been in a creative slump since that day a few days ago when she had looked so down.
“Do you have an iPad?”
“Yes? Yes.”
“I’ll take a look to see what the problem is. Bring the drawings you’ve done so far on your pad and meet me at the Starbuck’s downstairs. I’ll reserve a seat, so come down.”
“Alright.”
Nodding her head lightly, Yerin turned back towards the office, and I headed downstairs to the Starbuck’s located on the first floor.
The store looked quieter and different from the busy daytime since it was well past regular working hours.
I sat down at a secluded corner where there were few people around, ordered a coffee, and waited.
Not long after that, Yerin entered the café.
“Over here.”
Hearing my voice, Yerin came over and sat down.
“Did you order your drink?”
“I’ve already ordered two. Just bring it over when the bell rings.”
“I will. I should have been the one to buy it….”
“Don’t worry about that. Did you bring your pad?”
“Ah, yes. Here it is.”
Taking the iPad Yerin handed over, I went straight into the gallery to view the drawings.
“Let’s see.”
Dozens of sketches filled the screen.
For reference, the character design specifications I had sent to Yerin were as follows:
About 160 cm in height, an average build.
Human species.
A look that resembles a high school student around the age of 17.
Outer black hair with inner red hair, a secret two-tone style, with long hair.
Since she leads the resistance in the underground city, the drawing should convey sharpness and a somber feeling.
The outfit should be a black