Chapter 37

Chapter 37

I gasped and exclaimed.

“Dae-su’s father is a congressman?!”

I immersed myself in the act, trembling my eyes and slumping my shoulders.

“Isn’t it strange for the son of someone like that to be in a school like this? Shouldn’t he be going to a prestigious middle school?”

Dae-su’s mother, seemingly taken aback by my sudden change in attitude, soon accepted the situation and burst into hearty laughter.

“This is where he lays the foundation. He’s not planning on staying in a cheap school like this for high school.”

“…I see.”

“Hah… Do you understand who you’ve touched now?”

“No! I can’t believe it! A congressman’s son showing up in a place like this? Impossible!”

I said, wearing a pitiful expression as if I desperately wished it weren’t true.

“Please state your name. Although I’m sure it’s a lie!”

Then, the middle-aged woman burst out laughing.

“You wouldn’t happen to not know the name Woo Chang-ho, would you?”

As if that weren’t enough, she even revealed a family photo. There, along with Dae-su and his mother, was Congressman Woo Chang-ho.

It was undeniably the current congressman, Woo Chang-ho.

“…Oh my gosh, it really is Congressman Woo Chang-ho!”

The woman seemed pleased with my flustered state.

“Kneel down right now. …No, that wouldn’t be enough. Bow your heads too! All three of you!”

“Team Leader Seon….”

Gaeul had a look of utter helplessness, feeling sorry for how things had escalated.

I patted her on the head and said, “Did you take pictures?”

“Yes, I did.”

The older sister pulled out a smartphone from the upper pocket of her shirt and said, “I also recorded the audio.”

“…”

Silence enveloped the room.

I broke that silence.

“Congressman Woo Chang-ho is a first-term member, right? Seems like the fame and solid support are quite a stretch.”

“…Why is that?”

“Why would the party protect a first-term member like that? Or would they just cut him loose?”

The answer was obvious.

“Cut loose? Who do you think you’re saying that in front of!”

“I’m talking to the wife of Congressman Woo Chang-ho.”

In fact, the term “cut loose” was an overestimation.

From what I recalled, Woo Chang-ho was just a first-term congressman wrapping up his political career.

“….”

“I’m thinking of uploading this video and the transcripts on OTTube, SNS, and internet communities. So, I think getting expelled from the party is a certainty, right? You should prepare yourself.”

She trembled with fright.

“Transcripts? You think a recording of you threatening me will help you? You think you’ll come out unscathed?”

Of course, I’d edit it before uploading, you foolish woman.

Did you think your husband being a congressman meant you could walk away unscathed? The moment you said that, you were already in deep trouble.

Thanks for being such a dim-witted idiot, though.

I didn’t say any of that; I just shrugged and said, “Let’s see the response to the video first. Then you can judge whose life is on the line.”

The entitlement of a parent and the identity of a sexually harassing middle school student? They were the spouse and child of a current congressman. They couldn’t avoid watching the video.

“Well then, I hope the rest of this conversation will take place in court.”

Dae-su’s mother hurriedly made a phone call, probably to Woo Chang-ho.

But her expression turned pale upon hearing the conversation on the other end.

I helped the collapsed Gahyeon to his feet and led Gaeul away, showing no signs of lingering attachment.

And without hesitation, I walked straight out the door.

At that moment, a faint voice from behind reached my ears.
“…Hold on a sec.”

I shot a cold glance at Dae-su and the woman.

“Do you have any more business?”

The middle-aged woman stuttered as she continued, “…Do we really have to go this far? This is just kids having a spat.”

“Kids, you say?”

“Yeah, isn’t it a bit ugly for adults to interfere in a kids’ fight like this? How about we wrap things up here?”

Such an audacious attitude! Maybe she realized it too because she stole a glance around.

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to have an adult fight?”

“Okay, I admit, I may have spoken too rashly. But thinking about it, it doesn’t seem worth the hustle…”

I watched Dae-su’s mom, sweating profusely and waving her hands, while casting a dazed gaze at Gahyeon and Gaeul.

I really wanted to give these kids a good show.

“If you show a bit of sincerity, we can settle this here.”

“…Sincerity? What’s that?”

I stepped forward, looking down at the middle-aged woman.

“Get on your knees in front of Gahyeon and Gaeul. And apologize. Say, ‘I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.’”

Let me teach you this essential lesson you should’ve learned back in elementary school, lady.

“Oh, you really don’t have to crumple yourself like a bug. I do have that much consideration.”

And quite frankly, such a disgraceful sight wouldn’t be good for education.

“I wouldn’t stoop so low…”

“Then I guess our conversation ends here. See you in court.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Dae-su’s mom dropped to her knees.

“…I’m sorry.”

What a pitiful sight.

“Stop looking at me and focus on Gaeul and Gahyeon.”

The woman, unable to contain her bubbling anger, still managed to glance at Gaeul and Gahyeon while speaking.

“…I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Seeing that pathetic state made me chuckle lightly.

“Since you’ve shown sincerity, we’ll wrap this up here. I trust the teacher will handle it well.”

“…Ah, yes. That I will!”

“Of course, keep in mind that if any gossip comes out, the flames can easily ignite again.”

The teacher gulped hard.

I gave Gaeul, who was staring at me blankly, a slight smile before saying.

“Let’s head out.”

As we stepped out of the school gates, Gahyeon asked with a worried expression.

“Is it really okay?”

I could see why the kid felt anxious. For Gahyeon, who had to attend school with that Dae-su punk, the future probably felt daunting.

“Don’t worry. When the time is right, I’ll edit the footage and recordings and drop it like a bomb. I’ll make sure Dae-su can’t go to school. Plus, I’ll send that lady packing too.”

You know I’m all about top-notch after-service.

*

While I was smoking a cigarette in the corner of the gym next to where I parked the car, my older sister spoke to me.

“You know this time was way riskier than last time, right?”

“…Yeah.”

She was right. Honestly, I was incredibly lucky. From being able to check Dae-su’s account to that woman foolishly revealing her husband was a councilman—it was all pure fortune.

“But I just couldn’t hold back.”

Seeing the two kids looking as guilty as if they’d committed a crime was unbearable. They weren’t criminals.

My sister looked at me with a mysterious smile and said, “Aren’t you over that by now?”

“….”

“You said you’d succeed, even if it meant using people and making them trip, right?”
I definitely told my older sister that.

It was like a promise of sorts.

Having returned, it was a declaration that I would live a different life.

“I didn’t say it lightly.”

“I know you’re not the type to speak lightly.”

“Thanks for thinking that way.”

My sister shrugged and said.

“And I don’t think your meddlesome nature is entirely bad. It’s part of what makes you… you. But I can’t help being worried.”

She took a puff of her cigarette.

The smoke slowly drifted up toward the sky through the ventilation of the smoking room.

“So I’ll only nag you once.”

She extinguished her cigarette, looked at me, and said.

“It’s tough to balance your desire for success with that soft heart of yours.”

“You’re even softer than me!”

“That’s why I can say this.”

“….”

“If you can’t decide on a direction firmly, you’ll get hurt someday.”

It was words borne of experience. I painfully agreed with her.

“I hope Taeyang doesn’t get hurt no matter which path he chooses.”

I confidently said that so my sister wouldn’t worry.

“I’ve decided my direction. I’ll move as I told you back then. Even if it’s selfish or unilateral, I will succeed.”

“So what about the current situation? Is this selfish step toward that success too?”

There was a reason, but I couldn’t say it.

How could I possibly say that in front of my sister?

That Gaeul looked like she was sacrificing herself for me.

Instead, I squeezed out a miserable excuse.

“…A brief deviation?”

My sister looked at me with a small smile and ruffled my hair. Then she walked out of the smoking room and said.

“I’ll go ahead.”

“Why don’t we go home together? I’ll drive you.”

“That’s company car. You shouldn’t use it for personal matters.”

A classic stiff-minded sister thought.

“I’ll drop off that Gahyeon kid, so don’t worry.”

“Just get in the car. Our President isn’t the type to make a big deal out of that.”

My sister huffed in annoyance.

“You clueless brat. Gaeul seems to have a lot to say to you, so why not go listen?”

“Words? We can talk in the car.”

My sister turned her back and casually called for Gahyeon.

“Gahyeon, I’ll drop you off. Come with me.”

Gahyeon looked between me and Gaeul and said.

“What about my sister?”

“Your sister has something to discuss with Team Leader Seon. How about you sense the moment and back off for a bit?”

Upon hearing that, Gahyeon gasped in realization and eagerly followed my sister.

And when they had put some distance between us, Gahyeon turned back to look at Gaeul and said.

“Rooting for you, sister! I think you’re great! I’ll cheer for you!”

…What does he even mean by cheering?

Gaeul’s face turned bright red, as if recalling an embarrassing memory.

With her small face and fair skin, the redness showed up very clearly.

I asked purely out of curiosity.

“What does Gahyeon mean by cheering?”

“…I don’t know either.”

She definitely looked like she was hiding something, but I decided to pretend I didn’t know.

Gaeul and I got into the car.

It was then that I realized I had been overdue in reporting to Cheon Aram about the progress of my work.

I called up Cheon Aram to apologize.

She kindly asked about Gaeul’s well-being and suggested I clock out on-site today.
권했다.

It was a warmth rarely seen in the president of a planning agency.

Thankful for Cheon Aram’s consideration, I drove the car toward Gaeul’s house.

Gaeul remained silent, only stealing glances at me.

Having gone through such an experience just moments ago, even the ultimate social butterfly, Gaeul, seemed hesitant to speak.

But seeing Gaeul in that state made it hard for me to utter a word as well.

So we remained silent until we reached the hill in front of Gaeul’s house.

If that’s the case, shouldn’t I have just picked up 누나 and Gahyeon instead?

“Here we are. Shall we get out?”

Gaeul hesitated even at my suggestion and didn’t get out.

Was she reluctant to get out, or did she still have something to say? It was confusing.

Watching her, I suddenly realized I had something prepared.

“Oh! Wait a second. I’ve got something for you.”

I left the car with Gaeul looking puzzled and pulled out a shopping bag from the trunk.

After getting back into the car, I handed the shopping bag to Gaeul.

“…What’s this?”

“It’s for you, Gaeul. You can check it out.”

Gaeul opened the shopping bag and pulled out a packaged item.

It was a yellow Adidas jersey that matched her warm brown hair perfectly.

“I saw Gyeoul wearing this in the morning and thought it looked pretty. I even said I was envious.”

“….”

“But I thought you had no reason to be jealous, Gaeul. I thought this would look great on you too.”

Gaeul stammered her response.

“…W-Why are you giving me something like this?”

Her awkward speech didn’t feel like a positive reaction.

Didn’t she like it? Should I not have trusted my sense of style?

It seemed the gift was a failure. I hoped not to burden her and tried to sound casual about it.

“Tomorrow’s Children’s Day, right?”

“….”

“You said you’d become an adult for me then, right? So I wanted to give you something.”

“….”

I thought it was something adults should do.

Judging by her response, that thought didn’t seem right.

“I’ve included the receipt inside, so if you don’t like it, you can exchange it for something else….”

Gaeul, who had been silent, suddenly looked at me as if she couldn’t let that comment slide and shouted.

“How could I not like it?!”

“…Gaeul?”

Gaeul, clutching the yellow Adidas jersey, was in tears.

“Getting something like this… sniff I can’t possibly… sniff, sniff”

I silently grabbed a tissue to wipe her tears, but Gaeul took hold of my hand that held the tissue, wiping her tears instead.

“…”

There was a child who had to bloom despite being unripe.

That child endured the harsh winds and wicked bugs all alone.

But perhaps the morning dew was too cold for that child to endure.

So that child had to return to being a bud, trembling with its small, tender leaves.

I stayed by her side until that bud could spit out the dew and pretend to be a full bloom once again.

*

“…Team Leader Seon.”

“Yeah?”

“…Can I call you ‘Oppa’?”

That sounded like a signal that Gaeul was beginning to trust me, and I was glad.

…But ‘Oppa’ seems a bit much; there’s an age difference here.

I didn’t want to end up like Ban Seong-cheol, who forced trainees to call him ‘Oppa.’

“‘Oppa’ sounds difficult, but ‘uncle’ might be….”

“Oppa.”

She said it firmly, not allowing any rebuttal.

There was something daunting about her determination that made me a bit intimidated.

“…Alright, you can call me however you want.”

“…Oppa.”

Gaeul smiled warmly amid her tears, feeling almost as if warmth emanated from her.

“Brother Taeyang.”

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