Chapter 38: Changes

In the Starbucks located on the first floor of Enson GT headquarters.

Myung-hoon, sitting across the table from me, had a look of bewilderment plastered across his face.

"Uh, so Ho-jin? I didn't mishear you, right?"

"You heard me correctly."

"So you want me to take over the director position?"

"Yes."

"Why? Did something happen?"

"A project for the next game is about to start, and I need to move over to that side."

Surprised by this sudden bombshell, Myung-hoon asked with a shocked expression.

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you about something like this?"

"I'm just surprised you're already making the next game. Girls Memorial has only been out for a year."

"A year is about right to start preparing the next project. Mobile games have short lifespans, so now's the perfect time."

"Well, I guess that's true... But why me? There are other people too."

"Come on, who else but you, Myung-hoon? Ye-rin? You know she's an essential art personnel and needs to move to the next project."

"That's true..."

"If not Ye-rin, then Yu-mi? When the new project starts, her workload will double, so that's obviously not an option."

"Right..."

"Lastly, Seol? Senior Chae-young? Seol's personality makes it difficult, and Senior Chae-young... well."

At those words, Myung-hoon nodded with a wry expression, probably imagining Seol hiding her face or Chae-young working overtime while drinking beer.

"You're right, but Ho-jin. You know me. I'm a born engineer. I can't do broadcasts and be a figurehead like you."

"Ah, you don't need to worry about that."

"Why not?"

"I've decided to handle any public appearances myself. You just need to take care of the other directorial duties."

"If that's the case, you should've said so earlier."

Hearing my explanation, Myung-hoon's expression relaxed, seemingly relieved.

"The reorganization plan should be announced soon, so I'll contact you as soon as it's posted on the intranet."

"Alright, thanks."

*

One week after Su-yeon approved my proposal.

The reorganization plan for the mobile game development team was posted on the intranet, apparently having passed the executive meeting.

Honestly, I thought it would take at least two weeks for the plan to be approved.

I was dumbfounded that it passed in half the time I expected.

Did the CEO pull some strings?

I couldn't help but suspect this, as it was nearly impossible to shorten the schedule itself, even if the executives were favorable towards me.

The problem was, I didn't expect the reorganization plan to pass so quickly, so I hadn't had a chance to tell the team members.

As a result, my smartphone has been vibrating non-stop for a while now.

This is bad.

Feeling a headache coming on from the vibrations in my thigh, I entered the team office.

Immediately, I felt gazes from all directions.

Some looked at me with surprised expressions after checking the reorganization notice,

Others seemed shocked by the sudden announcement and stared blankly,

And some were asking their colleagues what this meant, not understanding.

The common thread was that they were all regular team members, unable to easily approach me with questions.

Ye-rin and Yu-mi came to the rescue of those who couldn't directly ask me what was going on.

"S-Senior?! Did you see the intranet?!"

"Director...! They're saying there's a reorganization?!"

Putting aside their requests for an explanation, I looked around.

If these two were this worked up, the other two would probably be the same...

Myung-hoon was the only one I had told about the reorganization in advance.

Sure enough, I spotted Seol peeking out from the planning team's entrance, glancing this way.

Seeing her, I gestured for her to come over.

Realizing she'd been caught, Seol let out a small "eep" and awkwardly approached me.

"I'll explain everything that's going on... but has anyone seen Senior Chae-young today?"

Yu-mi raised her hand in response to my question.

"I saw her going to the bathroom with half-closed eyes when I arrived this morning."

As expected.

It seemed she hadn't even thought to check the intranet due to working overtime.

We even gave her flexible working hours because she said she hated overtime, but seeing her like this...

I still can't understand her, even after all these years.

Anyway, about 5 minutes after Yu-mi went to fetch Chae-young,

Chae-young arrived at the office, led by Yu-mi's hand, wearing a sleep mask on her forehead.

"What's going on... Whatever it is, can't it wait a bit...?"

"It won't take long, so just bear with it for a moment."

"Ugh..."

Ignoring Senior Chae-young's grumbling protests beside me, I looked around the office once more.

The gazes were still fixed on me.

Feeling those stares, I opened my mouth.

"I think everyone's confused by the sudden reorganization announcement today. Right?"

"Yes!!"

Nodding at the responses coming from all directions, I continued.

"First, I want to apologize for not informing you about the reorganization in advance."

"I also didn't expect the reorganization plan to pass so quickly, so I missed the timing to inform you. I apologize for this once again."

After finishing my words and bowing my head, applause erupted from all around.

"There are two key points to this reorganization plan. First, the mobile game development team will be dissolved and reorganized into a studio system."

"Second, as a result of this reorganization, Girls Memorial will be transferred to GM Studio, and the new project will be transferred to a new studio."

The office suddenly buzzed with the voices of team members.

I calmed them down and continued.

"However, just because it's being transferred to GM Studio doesn't mean much will change. Most of the people here will remain in GM Studio, and only a small number of senior-level personnel will move to the new studio to work on the next project."

"Also, since nothing has been finalized regarding the next project, I'll speak about that later."

After finishing, I returned to my office without taking questions.

As I entered my personal office, team members followed.

Even without saying anything, they were probably aware that these were our team's directors, excluding Myung-hoon.

"Senior. Please explain this to us properly."

At Ye-rin's slightly annoyed question, the surrounding team members nodded in agreement.

"Well... Not much will change from your perspective either. If I had to say, the only differences are that the team name will change to studio, and a new headquarters will be established to oversee the studios."

"Then, will each studio have separate offices?"

"Probably."

Ye-rin nodded at that answer and asked again.

"What about the next project?"

"Same for that. The proposal just passed, so a studio for the project will be organized soon. That's all you need to know for now."

"When did you start preparing for the next project?"

"Not too long ago. Maybe 2-3 months at most?"

"You finished the proposal in just 2-3 months? How did you manage that with all the company work..."

"I got a lot of help from Seol during the story planning phase."

At those words, the gazes that were directed at me shifted to Seol.

Their eyes seemed to ask why she hadn't told them.

Sensing that the team members might misunderstand, I quickly clarified.

"I'm saying this because you seem to be misunderstanding, but Seol didn't say anything because I asked her not to."

"Senior, why did you try to hide such important news?"

"I thought the office atmosphere might suffer if news about the next project spread. It was also close to our first anniversary."

"Ah..."

"I'm sorry I couldn't relay this information earlier. The reorganization plan was revealed too quickly for me to catch the timing."

"It's okay. You didn't intentionally hide it from us, and you had your reasons."

Looking around at the team members after Ye-rin's words, their expressions had clearly softened.

They probably felt a bit hurt that I hadn't told them until now, but...

I'll have to be more careful in the future.

"Alright... Anyone else have questions?"

Then, one hand rose from behind Ye-rin.

Glancing over, it was Chae-young, looking slightly more awake.

"If we move, what about our vacant positions? Do we need to look for replacements?"

"It would be nice if you could, but it's not a big problem if you can't. I heard they'll post job openings if there's no one to promote."

"So, when do we start on the next project?"

"We still haven't found a senior-level developer to take the TD position. We'll start as soon as we find that person."

"I see..."

Seemingly relieved that we wouldn't be starting the project immediately, Chae-young yawned and plopped down on the sofa.

"If you're going to sleep, go to the nap room."

"I'm not sleeping, so don't worry."

"Alright, get up soon. Myung-hoon is coming for the handover soon."

*

Not long after the team members had left like the receding tide, Myung-hoon entered the office.

"You're here?"

"Yeah... Where should we start?"

"Just sit on the sofa for now, and I'll bring the handover materials."

As Myung-hoon headed to the sofa at my words, I gathered the handover materials and stood up.

I hadn't noticed when they were on the desk, but now that I was carrying them, I felt their considerable weight.

It seemed to symbolize the challenging handover process ahead.

"Alright, let's begin the handover."