When The Phone Rings

Chapter 30

“Applicant numbers 4, 5, and 6, please get ready.”

The vast courtyard and the imposing blue-tiled roofs surrounding her reminded her of the significance of the place she was standing.

Heeju nervously fidgeted with the numbered tag pinned to her blouse as she stood up.

Today was her interview at the Blue House.

Even though she slept well last night, the remnants of the last call kept bothering her. Maybe it was alcohol that caused Baek Sa-eon’s somewhat comforting words to linger in her mind.

And this morning… Surely, I won’t run into him here, right?

Heeju shook her head forcefully.

‘Focus, just focus!’

She tried to empty her mind, at least for now. Especially since today was a day where her hands needed to be at their very best.

Taking a deep breath, Heeju stretched her fingers, extending them with small, practiced movements.

‘I really want this position.’

The experience of being a sign language interpreter at the Blue House would be invaluable. Whether she wanted to apply at a local center or wanted to pursue international opportunities in sign language interpretation. This one line would add dimensions to her resume.

Heeju went in after her name was called. Entering, she was immediately stupefied.

“…!”

No way! Why is he here?

The moment her eyes landed on the panel of interviewers, her vision darkened.

‘Why is he sitting among the interviewers?!’

The piercing gaze of the man made her heart beat wildly.

“The final interview is a practical test for live briefing interpretation,” one of the interviewers began. “To conclude that, we’ve invited Spokesman Baek Sa-eon to join us.”

“Given the Blue House’s need for real-time interpretation, quick reflexes and speed are crucial. We’re seeking someone who can interpret the spokesperson’s words on the spot.”

Heeju, who had always been able to keep her personal and professional lives separate, felt a chill as she noticed Baek Sa-eon’s unwavering gaze fixed entirely on her.

The harder she tried to avoid his eyes, the colder and sharper his gaze became.

“We’ll begin with the first task. A pre-recorded briefing will be played, and each candidate will interpret in turn. The representatives from the association here will evaluate your performance.”

As the monitor flickered to life, the Blue House’s signature podium appeared on screen.

“Candidate number 4, Interpreter Heeju Hong, please step forward.”

Exhaling a shaky breath, Heeju positioned herself in front of the monitor.

The video on the screen started playing, and Spokesperson Baek Sa-eon appeared.

With just a glance at his tie, the fabric of his suit, his hairstyle, and his expression, Heeju instantly recognized the briefing. It was a clip from the “8th Annual Local Autonomy Day Commemoration Speech”.

As soon as the video began playing, her hands moved fluidly to match his speech.

‘Respected citizens, residents of Gyeongbuk Province, citizens of Gyeongju, local government officials, and assembly members…’

Her timing was flawless and her gestures were precise. Sa-eon couldn’t take his eyes off her movements.

‘Her eyebrows move just like mine.’

Heeju, usually quiet and withdrawn, now seemed like an entirely different person. Her movements brimmed with energy and assurance, causing Baek Sa-eon to be inwardly astonished.

Her hands were deliberate, rhythmic, and eloquent. Her non-manual signals like facial expressions, nods, even subtle changes in her eyebrows— added nuance to every word.

With her whole body, she conveyed commas, periods, and exclamation marks.

Baek Sa-eon dissected every detail.

‘This isn’t the timid little woman who avoids my gaze. She is someone entirely different.’

His brows furrowed sligtly, as if suppressing a mix of emotions.

And then—

『”Just let me out! Please, just let me out!”』

Her voice from that night echoed in his ears, humid and heavy like a summer evening.

A cold rush swept over him, extinguishing the heat that had built inside.

Her voice… a voice he had never known. A voice that still felt unfamiliar, no matter how many times he played it back in his head.

“Ha…”

The pen in his hand bent under his tightening grip.

Oblivious to her husband’s inner turmoil, Heeju lost herself completely in her interpretation.

 

***

 

The demonstrations for applicant numbers 4, 5, and 6 concluded, and the candidates returned to their seats. The interviewers, meanwhile, began to jot down their notes.

The interviewers busily jotted down notes, while Baek Sa-eon, who had been idly tapping his cheek, finally spoke.

“Candidate number 4, Interpreter Heeju Hong.”
“…!”

Though his voice wasn’t loud, it immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Her eyes met his, despite all her attempts to avoid them. It was the gaze she had been avoiding, yet now it bore down on her more coldly and dryly than she had anticipated.

She swallowed nervously, her hands clenched tightly on her knees.

“Interpreter Hong Heeju, did you know the script beforehand?”
“…!”
“At times, your hands seemed to move faster than the voice.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Having watched all three candidates, I noticed a particular inconsistency with one of you. Let me ask again, Interpreter Hong Heeju, were you aware of the script beforehand?”

His repeated question was sharp without any attachments.

Heeju bit her stiff tongue and forced herself to nod.

‘This was one of my practice videos,’ she expressed through sign language.

Hearing the translation from a fellow interviewer, Baek Sa-eon raised an eyebrow.

“Then may we test you with another video?”
‘Yes.’

Steeling herself, Heeju stepped forward with renewed determination.

The new video started playing. This one, too, was a familiar briefing, from the 4th Korea-Russia Regional Cooperation.

But just as she began interpreting—

“Stop.”

Baek Sa-eon abruptly paused the video with the remote.

“Is this also a script you already know?”
“…!”

How did he know?

Heeju nodded with a slightly pale face.

After that, the video changed four or five more times: Briefings from the ASEAN+3 Summit, the Fair Economy Strategy Meeting, the Children’s Day event at the Blue House, and the Private-Led Innovation Growth briefing, among others.

“That’s enough. Stop.”
“…!”
“This cycle is never-ending.”

His gaze landed on Heeju with a mix of complexity and intrigue, prompting her to lower her head in embarrassment.

Finally, summoning her courage, she confessed, ‘Even if you play a different video, the result will be the same.’

After hearing the interpretation, Baek Sa-eon asked, “All of them?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask why?”

Heeju hesitated, acutely aware of the gazes of the interview panel fixed on her.

Maybe it would be better to show some devotion, like a typical job applicant hoping to dedicate themselves to the organization.

‘I practiced extensively with Spokesman Baek Sa-eon’s videos.’

“No matter how much you practiced―” Baek Sa-eon frowned slightly.

“The videos were randomly selected, without regard to year or content. And yet, Interpreter Heeju Hong, your hands moved in perfect sync with my voice, with impeccable timing that is. Is it just a coincidence?”
“…”
“And it did not happen once or twice.”
“…”

More than her rigorous preparation, Heeju was baffled by how precisely he had pinpointed her familiarity with each clip.

She had tried deliberately slowing down and even stumbling in her signing, but such tricks were futile before him.

“Interpreter Heeju Hong, answer me.”
‘It’s because… I’m obsessed with your briefing clips.’
“What did you just say?”

Baek Sa-eon raised an eyebrow.

“I mentioned that I’m captivated by Spokesman Baek Sa-eon’s briefings. I’ve always wanted to become a national sign language interpreter. I might have taken it far… I apologize. No matter what video you choose, the result will be the same.’
“…”
“I’ve studied how Spokesman Baek Sa-eon articulates words, focusing especially on the movement of his upper lip and teeth. Now, I can roughly predict consonants based on the sound of his tongue against the palate.”

‘I hope this shows how prepared I am as a candidate…!’

As she explained that her ability was the result of intense practice rather than any shortcuts, the interview panel exchanged satisfied glances among themselves.

Baek Sa-eon, however, maintained a rigid and intimidating demeanor. But when one of the interviewers relayed her explanation with a smile, his expression briefly melted.

The furrow of his brow was replaced by an uncharacteristic gentleness.

“Interpreter Hong Heeju,” he called.
“…!”

But soon he returned to his stern self.

“The interview panel is here to evaluate your performance, not to relay your words. Please speak directly!”

W- What?

A cold sweat trickled down her back.

According to Director Han Joon, personal issues or medical conditions would not affect the evaluation process.

He had assured her that their hiring policy focused solely on sign language. He had even detailed Heeju’s long-standing selective mutism in his recommendation letter.

Thanks to her extensive experience interpreting in various settings— broadcasts, meetings, lectures, religious services, and education— she passed the document screening despite the potential disadvantage.

But for Baek Sa-eon of all people to push her like this… Isn’t this outright nitpicking?

Heeju bit her trembling lip.

“You stated that you’ve studied me with great passion.”
“…”
“I would like to hear additional information about it.”

His eyes gleamed as they fixated on her lips, as though trying to unravel her silence.