Chapter 190
As Gaeul stepped out of TwoBear’s hallway and saw my face, she brightened up and greeted me with a lively hello before cautiously bringing up her request.
“Brother Taeyang, Gahyeon wants to participate in the briefing related to the entrance exam. Could I help Gahyeon during that time?”
I calmly responded to Gaeul’s request.
“Of course! Just tell me the time, and I’ll talk to the President to adjust your schedule.”
Once I readily agreed, Gaeul smiled shyly and cautiously said while glancing at my expression,
“Um… then, would it be possible for you to accompany us that day?”
“That won’t work.”
“…Huh?”
Gaeul’s expression turned pale, completely taken aback by my answer.
Well, if she had asked me this before, I would have stayed up all night finding time to accompany her, so I can understand why she’d feel it’s an unexpected result.
But things needed to change.
With that in mind, I spoke calmly and realistically.
“I know this is a crucial time for Gahyeon, and I understand the need for a guardian. I will make an effort to create time for you. And not just with effort; I’ll make time no matter what happens. That’s a promise and my responsibility. However, I don’t think there’s a need for two people to take time off for that briefing. It’s not something that requires authority, right?”
“….”
“It might be better for me to take your place when you can’t go next time. That way is more reasonable, right? Our roles in this company are important. It’s too risky for both of us to be away at the same time.”
At my realistic words, Gaeul seemed at a loss for words, her mouth working without sound.
Then, looking at me with trembling eyes, she earnestly replied,
“Um… but could you please go with me? It would feel so reassuring if you were there. Without you…”
I cut her off firmly.
“No, Gaeul.”
“….”
“You’ve done well without me and you’re still doing well. And you’ll continue to do well in the future.”
She was really close to becoming an adult. It wouldn’t be good to keep treating her like a child at this point.
“Then, I’ll believe you understand this will go that way. I’ll talk to the President, so don’t worry about it. Stay strong with today’s schedule.”
“Don’t worry. Let’s do our best with today’s schedule.”
With that, I turned my back and left for my next task.
The last glance at Gaeul’s face before I turned was quite precarious, but there’s no helping that level of embarrassment. It was impossible to not react to the fact that our healthy relationship was slowly settling in.
Still, this method didn’t seem wrong.
By drawing suitable lines like this, distinguishing between public and private matters.
Maintaining this attitude, I thought the kids would gradually come to accept the reality that their current relationship was quite twisted without major wounds.
So, I kept the same attitude with Yeoreum.
“Um, Team Leader Seon. My father said he wants to meet again to discuss the sponsorship investment, and I was wondering if you could find some time? A new chef has come to the VIP room of our hotel restaurant, and I thought it would be nice to chat while enjoying some light cooking there.”
“Hmm… that might be difficult.”
As I refused, which was unusual since I usually nodded at such requests, Yeoreum showed a clear look of panic.
“Well, it’s not such a difficult and burdensome place! I’ll be right there too. Just think of it as a casual and light meal….”
“Yeoreum, discussing with the main sponsor regarding investments is definitely not something you can take lightly.”
I had always approached such matters seriously and weightily.
No matter how much of an idol’s father he was, … no, rather because of that, I had to show a good image even more.
“It’s unthinkable for me to treat something so important lightly. Considering the scale of the investment, it’s too big of a task for a mere team leader like me.”
“But… my father really likes seeing Team Leader Seon….”
“That’s kind of you to say. Then, I’ll take some time beforehand and prepare the materials properly, and I’ll present it formally. Of course, I’ll adjust my schedule. During the regular meeting time, the president will also explain and discuss things formally. So, Yeoreum, you don’t have to worry about running around for such things. My job is to help you focus solely on your idol activities and enjoy them.”
“….”
“That covers everything about the sponsorship investment, right? Then, I’ll get back to my other work. Hang in there for today, Yeoreum.”
Such a response was no different for Gyeoul.
“Taeyang, Teacher! My favorite mobile game opened a collaboration café, can you go with me?”
“No.”
“…Hik.”
“…higuk.”
It felt a bit different, but in the grand scheme of things, not by much.
*
Seok Hyun-woo, who was doing some paperwork with me in the office, asked, “By the way, Team Leader Seon hasn’t been accompanying the kids on external schedules lately, has he?”
It was true. I had been intentionally avoiding it.
But I couldn’t say I had no excuses.
“That’s right. However, I believe it’s the right direction. I’ve even hired two more assistant managers, so it would be a waste of manpower for me to handle those on-site tasks.”
“Still, don’t you think the girls might feel lonely? …Honestly, I haven’t mentioned it, but the girls’ energy is completely different when you’re on-site compared to when you’re not. That means your presence gives them strength.”
I smiled bitterly and replied, “Thank you. Really.”
But we couldn’t keep doing that.
“However, we need to change. We’ll have to use the Girl Revolution case as a stepping stone to nurture other idols and expand our business, making TwoBear grow even more. It’s something we’ll experience eventually, and it’s just happening now.”
“The fact that you, Team Leader Seon, are at the center of TwoBear’s plight, feels distant to me.”
“Why are you pulling back? If I move up, the next team leader will be Manager Seok!”
“…Huh? Me?”
“Yes, Manager Seok.”
Seok Hyun-woo muttered something about being in too deep with Jinkang and whether it’s okay for him.
But it was no cause for concern. Everyone in TwoBear, including Cheon Aram, already knew that fact.
“Still, it’s a shame I won’t see Team Leader Seon more on-site.”
“If it’s due to variety show filming schedules, I’ll still make site visits in the future.”
“Still, I think Manager Seon Taeyang is really cool.”
I scratched my head at Seok Hyun-woo’s exaggerated praise and spoke with mixed emotions.
“It can’t be helped. This is the right direction.”
*
That time continued on.
“Brother Taeyang, could you just…”
“Team Leader Seon, this time I…”
“Teacher Taeyang, the collaboration café is expanding this time…”
My response was the same.
“Sorry, Gaeul. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’ll have time right now. I’ll try to find time later.”
“It seems like it’s going to be a tough one. I’ll try to find some time next time.”
“Participating in social gatherings of such conglomerates is a bit much for me. How about you have a chat with the President instead?”
“No way.”
Gradually, the kids’ demands started to decrease.
Maybe they were beginning to accept the current circumstances.
…At least that’s what I thought until yesterday.
The moment I set foot in the office, I was met with screams from every department.
“Team Leader Seon! Winter’s laughter has completely vanished! It’s supposed to be a variety show! …Well, okay, we can overlook that as a mere attitude controversy, but during filming, she’s bursting into tears out of nowhere! Like a patient with bipolar disorder! And because of that, I’m subtly being pressured by both the PD and the writer about whether we are mistreating or pushing the child too hard! I don’t know how to handle this! Please save me!”
“Road Manager Park Young-chan, reporting an emergency. It seems Ms. Yeoreum has developed anorexia. She typically demonstrates such professionalism in managing her weight and nutrition that I didn’t pay much attention. However, I noticed she appears excessively underweight on camera lately, so I checked, and it turns out she hasn’t been eating at all and is only drinking water! When I tried to force her to eat, she just kept throwing up. This is beyond what I can handle.”
“….”
It was a continuous stream of dizzying news.
…Could it be that this chaos was due to my impersonal dealings? No… that can’t be right. There’s no way my kids, who’ve faced the absurd tragedies and adversities and still stood tall, would falter just because I wasn’t being coddling enough.
They’ve endured so much pain, and now they can’t bear my slight indifference? That can’t be true!
As I was lost in these thoughts, trying to figure out how to manage the situation, someone cautiously approached from behind.
When I turned around, it was Road Manager Shin Yoorim, who was assigned to Gaeul.
“Um… Team Leader Seon. I have something to report.”
Sweating profusely and trembling, it felt like something terrible had happened. I felt a wave of intense anxiety as I asked Shin Yoorim.
“Is something wrong with Gaeul too?”
Yoorim, dripping with sweat and with eyes tightly shut, replied,
“…Gaeul can’t seem to speak.”
“….”
“It seems to be for psychological reasons. What should we do?”
…But they’re strong kids, aren’t they?
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