Chapter 18

Chapter 18

I swallowed once before continuing to speak.

“It doesn’t seem like we have more to discuss. I’ve already conveyed our stance to Sanghoon. You can organize your thoughts on the matter and reply.”

Cheon Jong-hoon, as always, spoke with an arrogant voice.

“There’s no need to organize any opinions. I’m the final decision-maker in this project. Of course, it’s also possible for me to demand more authority than that.”

“Then can I interpret Team Leader Cheon Jong-hoon’s words as the will of the entire SS?”

“Of course.”

Cheon Jong-hoon said confidently.

“I thought you already knew? It’s no secret that I’m the son of Cheon Seonsu, the president of SS.”

That was a painfully well-known fact.

That’s why I wanted to avoid facing Cheon Jong-hoon.

If he thought his pride was wounded, the giant known as SS could irrationally draw its sword.

He had that authority.

The overwhelming power to initiate a losing legal battle solely out of a desire to torment the opponent.

He was the prince of SS.

“If we clash, it won’t bring good results for either side. It will leave scars in terms of time, money, and sanity.”

I took a defensive stance.

“Of course, the scars SS would bear compared to us, the weaker party, would be like scratches. You could even consider it as a rabbit declaring it will stop the lion from mutual destruction. But I believe leaving a tiny scratch on Team Leader Cheon Jong-hoon’s flawless career is a different story.”

Just because Cheon Jong-hoon had authority didn’t mean there were no risks associated with wielding it.

As a perfectionist and the embodiment of pride, the weight of that scratch would be significant to Cheon Jong-hoon.

“Honestly, isn’t it only the members of Alcest who committed the sin? The fault of SS is merely negligence—nothing more, nothing less. So I believe the relationship between SS and Gyeoul can remain friendly even now.”

That negligence was a serious sin, but I didn’t emphasize it.

“How about we leave things on a good note? I don’t think it’s worth the trouble to hold us back.”

Cheon Jong-hoon smiled as if he found it interesting.

“My thoughts differ. From my perspective, Gyeoul seems to be worth that little scratch.”

And I agreed with that sentiment.

Gyeoul had qualities that surpassed the label of genius.

She was a talent destined to become an overwhelming top idol.

“…That’s quite a scary statement. But a scratch alone won’t be enough to keep Gyeoul around. Neither I nor Gyeoul intends to stay in Alcest after experiencing this.”

“That’s only a thought you can have because you haven’t fought properly yet.”
Cheon Jong-hoon looked at Gyeoul with a sinister smile and said,

“Well, you might be able to endure it, but do you really think that fragile girl can handle it?”

I glanced at Gyeoul. Despite hearing Cheon Jong-hoon’s words, Gyeoul nodded as if to say she trusted me. It was a comforting show of support, but the situation wasn’t promising.

It was the worst-case scenario. It seemed like I had to brace myself. I needed to prepare for a dogfight against Cheon Jong-hoon and an all-out war of public opinion.

The path ahead for employment didn’t seem as easy as I had hoped. But if I had Gyeoul, I had the confidence to push through.

With a firm resolution, I looked at him, and Cheon Jong-hoon changed his expression, showing a warm smile as he said,

“Honestly, I’m hesitant to pick up such a wounded Holy Grail. Still, my greed isn’t gone… So how about you take care of Gyeoul directly?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t think too hard about it. Didn’t you want the position of road manager? That would likely be for Alcest’s road manager since they wouldn’t assign a manager to just one trainee.”

Cheon Jong-hoon skillfully brought things back to the point.

“However, given the current situation, it would be difficult to care for everyone in Alcest while also keeping an eye on Gyeoul. You probably don’t have much desire to do that. So, let’s change that up.”

“In what way are you thinking of changing it?”

“I mean to hire you as Gyeoul’s dedicated manager, not Alcest’s manager.”

Cheon Jong-hoon spoke confidently, as if he were a skilled negotiator deriving a clear answer.

“This way, you can keep tabs on Gyeoul’s every move, and even if something unfortunate happens with an Alcest member, you can directly intervene. Gyeoul can be assured to perform with you around. I’ll be content knowing that I can keep a talent like her in Alcest. It’s the best solution that benefits everyone.”

The words sounded good.

But those weren’t words that should come from Cheon Jong-hoon, who hadn’t kept his previous promises.

“Unfortunately, Team Leader Cheon Jong-hoon, you’ve lost your credibility. You didn’t keep your promise to introduce me to the hiring manager for the road manager position, did you?”

Despite my aggressive words, Cheon Jong-hoon calmly kept his composure, stroking his chin without changing his expression.

“That’s quite strange… I had suspected it was odd that your hiring was delayed.”

He looked at me with steadfast eyes and added,

“Let me clarify something. I did contact the hiring manager about you. But it seems the hiring manager wasn’t impressed with you. For them to not have contacted you at all until now… that’s pretty outrageous.”
“It seems the hiring manager didn’t like you very much. Not a single call until now… How rude.”

Cheon Jong-hoon didn’t end his statement with just a dismissive wave.

“I apologize if my eloquence failed to convey that you’re a decent candidate. I’m sorry.”

He bowed his head heavily.

I was shocked that someone as arrogant as Cheon Jong-hoon could actually apologize. At least I could feel that he meant it towards Gyeoul.

“Don’t think of this as a lie. I am a man who keeps his promises. I believe that my pride is defined by that.”

There was sincere intent behind Cheon Jong-hoon’s apology, but despite his attitude, I thought my failure to get hired was because of his interference.

In a normal world, it wouldn’t make sense that there had been no contact at all if he had told the hiring manager I was a decent person.

After all, a normal employee wouldn’t ignore what Cheon Jong-hoon said.

He even mentioned the system’s quest, saying he didn’t fulfill his promise.

So, it must mean Cheon Jong-hoon was up to something.

Maybe he said something ridiculous to the hiring manager.

Or perhaps he hinted that the manager shouldn’t contact me.

But I had no way to prove it.

And it wasn’t necessary to prove it either.

If I just go into SS pretending I don’t know anything, everything would be resolved.

By actively getting involved, I could also prevent Gyeoul from being bullied.

While it would be tough to get along, establishing a business relationship wouldn’t be that hard.

Since joining SS was my original goal, this was a proposal that benefited me.

The reason to seek employment by selling Gyeoul to an inferior agency rather than SS disappeared.

If I just bend my pride a little, I’d get the best benefits.

Logically, I felt I should accept Cheon Jong-hoon’s suggestion.

But something was off.

I couldn’t figure out what it was.

I questioned myself.

Having been betrayed before my regression, I decided not to be a kind pushover but a selfish person instead.

So what kind of choice should a selfish person make here?

“Gyeoul.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think? What choice would you like me to make?”

I wanted to hear Gyeoul’s answer before making a judgment.

“Honestly, I’m afraid of staying in SS. I don’t have confidence that I can get along well with Coco, Lily, and Yoon Jeong.”

As Gyeoul continued speaking, she tightly grasped my hand.

“But I think it would be okay if Teacher Taeyang is by my side.”

After wiping her tears, Gyeoul looked at me and smiled.

“So please do what your heart desires, Teacher Taeyang. That’s what I want.”
“Do whatever Teacher Taeyang’s heart desires. That’s all I want.”

“Whatever my heart desires?”

“…What did I want to do again?”

“I want to succeed.”

“This feeling hasn’t changed.”

But that’s not all there is to my heart.

I gazed at Gyeoul.

I looked at the older sister filming next to me.

I saw Cheon Jong-hoon staring at me with a confident look, as if waiting for a predictable answer.

And then I realized my true intention.

I wanted to mess with that punk.

“Cheon Jong-hoon, you punk! I actually didn’t like you since the last episode!”

“I refuse your offer.”

Cheon Jong-hoon looked utterly shocked, as if he never saw that coming.

“Didn’t like the treatment? Hmm… It’s understandable to think that.”

He nodded and said,

“By the way, I hadn’t mentioned it. Didn’t you say you were the manager for Elder Seonghwan? It doesn’t make sense to start again as a road manager with that experience.”

His tone became increasingly desperate.

“I promise you’ll receive treatment at a level just below team leader. While the authority might not be at that level, the salary and benefits will be completely different from the fixed salary of a road manager!”

Cheon Jong-hoon rattled off additional conditions as if I was about to leave. He was sweating a bit, clearly panicking.

Seeing him like that reminded me of a month ago when I hung up after spitting out information about Gyeoul like a rap. I almost laughed.

“You look great, Jong-hoon.”

“It’s not about the treatment.”

“Then what do you feel is lacking? I promise to improve within my means.”

“It’s not even about the improvement.”

“Then what the hell do you want!”

I want to mess with you.

But I feared the consequences of saying that out loud.

So I pulled out a reason he could understand.

“Gyeoul has to make sacrifices.”

I sold out Gyeoul again.

“…What?”

“Even if things improve, Gyeoul will still have to endure the uncomfortable air in Alcest. Will she be able to smile in that?”

How can she smile with those who used to torment her?

Pretending not to know each other is the best way to go.

“I just want the jewel named Gyeoul to shine. That’s why I wanted to join the SS agency and offer my help. But that wasn’t my only wish.”

I said with a tearful gaze.

“I hope Gyeoul can smile in that light.”

“….”

It was a thoroughly well-cooked caregiver’s sentiment.

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