When The Phone Rings

"Candidates 4, 5 and 6, please prepare."

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

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

Today was her interview at the Blue House.

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

And this morning... I'm not going to meet him here, am I?

Heeju shook her head violently.

Concentrate, just concentrate!

She tried to clear her mind, at least for now. Especially since today was a day when her hands needed to be at their 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 to a local centre or pursue international opportunities in sign language interpreting. This one line would add dimension to her CV.

Heeju went in after her name was called. As she entered, she was immediately stunned.

"...!"

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 man's piercing gaze made her heart beat wildly.

"The final interview is a practical test for interpreting live briefings," one of the interviewers began. "To conclude, we've invited Press Secretary Baek Sa-eon."

"Given the Blue House's need for real-time interpretation, quick reflexes and speed are crucial. We're looking for someone who can interpret the spokesman's words on the spot.

Heeju, who had always been able to keep her personal and professional life separate, felt a shiver run down her spine as she noticed Baek Sa-eon's unwavering gaze fixed on her.

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

"We'll start with the first task. A pre-recorded briefing will be played and each candidate will take turns interpreting. The representatives of the Association here will evaluate your performance."

As the monitor flickered to life, the Blue House's distinctive podium appeared on the screen.

"Candidate number 4, interpreter Heeju Hong, please step forward."

With a shaky breath, Heeju stepped in front of the monitor.

The video on the screen started to play and the speaker Baek Sa-eon appeared.

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

As soon as the video began to play, 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 impeccable and her gestures precise. Sa-eon couldn't take his eyes off her movements.

Her eyebrows move just like mine.

Heeju, usually quiet and reserved, now seemed like a completely different person. Her movements brimmed with energy and confidence, leaving Baek Sa-eon inwardly amazed.

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

She used her whole body to convey commas, periods and exclamation marks.

Baek Sa-eon dissected every detail.

This isn't the shy little woman who avoids my gaze. She is someone completely different.

His eyebrows furrowed slightly, as if suppressing a mixture of emotions.

And then.

"Just let me out! Please, just let me out!"

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

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

Her voice... a voice he had never heard before. A voice that still felt unfamiliar, no matter how many times he replayed it in his head.@@novelbin@@

"Ha..."

The quill in his hand bent under his tightening grip.

Unaware of her husband's inner turmoil, Heeju was completely lost in her interpretation.

***

The demonstrations for candidates 4, 5 and 6 were over and the candidates returned to their seats. Meanwhile, the interviewers began to take notes.

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

"Candidate number 4, interpreter Heeju Hong."
"...!"

Although his voice wasn't loud, it immediately caught everyone's attention.

Her eyes met his, despite all her attempts to avoid them. It was the look she had been avoiding, but now it fell upon her more coldly and dryly than she had expected.

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

"Interpreter Hong Heeju, did you know the script beforehand?"
"...!"
"Sometimes your hands seemed to move faster than your voice."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"After watching all three candidates, I noticed a particular inconsistency in one of you. Let me ask you again, interpreter Hong Heeju, did you know the script beforehand?"

His repeated question was sharp without any attachments.

Heeju bit her stiff tongue and forced herself to nod.

It was one of my training videos," she said in sign language.

Baek Sa-eon raised an eyebrow when he heard the translation from a colleague.

"Then can we test you with another video?"
"Yes.

Steeling herself, Heeju stepped forward with renewed determination.

The new video started to play. It was also a familiar briefing, from the 4th Korea-Russia Regional Cooperation.

But just as she began to interpret -

"Stop."

Baek Sa-eon abruptly stopped the video with the remote control.

"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.

"Enough. Stop."
"...!"
"This cycle is endless."

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

Finally, she gathered her courage and confessed, "Even if you play a different video, the result will be the same.

After listening to the interpretation, Baek Sa-eon asked, "All of them?"
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"

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

Perhaps it would be better to show some dedication, like a typical applicant hoping to dedicate himself to the organisation.

I practiced a lot with the videos of spokesman Baek Sa-eon.

"No matter how much you practiced..." Baek Sa-eon frowned slightly.

"The videos were selected randomly, 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 this just a coincidence?"
"..."
"And it did not happen once or twice."
"..."

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

She had tried to deliberately slow down her signing and even stumbled, but such tricks were useless against 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 fascinated by Spokesman Baek Sa-eon's briefings. I've always wanted to become a national sign language interpreter. I may have gone too far... I apologise. No matter which video you choose, the result will be the same.
"..."
"I have been studying how speaker Baek Sa-eon articulates words, paying special attention to the movement of his upper lip and teeth. Now I can roughly predict the consonants based on the sound of his tongue against his 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.

Baek Sa-eon, however, remained rigid and intimidating. But when one of the interviewers smiled at her explanation, his expression changed for a moment.

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

"Interpreter Hong Heeju," he shouted.
"...!"

But he soon returned to his stern self.

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

What?

A cold sweat ran 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 recruitment policy was based solely on sign language. He had even mentioned Heeju's long-standing selective mutism in his letter of recommendation.

Thanks to her extensive experience in interpreting in a variety of settings - broadcasts, meetings, lectures, religious services and education - she passed the document review despite the potential disadvantage.

But for Baek Sa-eon to push her like that... Isn't that just plain nitpicking?

Heeju bit her trembling lip.

"You said that you studied me with great passion."
"..."
"I would like to hear more about that."

His eyes gleamed as they fixed on her lips, as if trying to decipher her silence.