Chapter 211

Chapter 211

“Dongshik, contact the reporters from the social department and check on that!”

“Embargo? Senior, that sounds tough. The press conference is already live-streaming! There are dozens of guys next to me throwing out articles!”

“…Damn, article or whatever, first we need to sell the stocks.”

“President Baek, is that true? …Why aren’t you answering? Is it true, you crazy bastard?”

The reporters were in shock, each of them screaming in confusion.

As if the manager who was dating three idols at the same time didn’t even matter.

This was just perfect.

It seemed to show that the current level of interest had flipped completely.

But not everyone was acting the same.

Even in this chaos, there was someone still fixating on me.

“Well then, everyone looks busy, can I take this moment to ask a few questions?”

It was veteran reporter Park Hyungseok seated at the front row, right at the center.

“…There are dozens of bigshots getting wrecked on that screen right now, and they keep popping up. Aren’t you concerned?”

“I’m concerned, but the guys from the social department will handle that. I’m an entertainment reporter. …And it seems like the young folks over there are forgetting that, in the end, people will be interested not just in the leaked info but also in why that info was leaked. And by then, there won’t be another chance to interview Seon Taeyang like this. The entire nation will be all over it. Including law enforcement. So I won’t miss out on this golden opportunity.”

Well, that wasn’t bad.

Someone like this was essential to provide excuses for the fans.

“So, could you explain the scandal involving the three girls that happened simultaneously? There might not be many interested in this situation now, but we need to follow the proper order.”

“Sure.”

The stage had been well shaken, and the distraction accomplished; now it was time to build a case to make the kids look like the victims.

Because of that, I shared the story I had prepared in advance with him.

“So, according to Team Leader Seon, does that mean he has been gaslighting to form a relationship unilaterally? And also managed to deceive that he hasn’t reached out to the other kids?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then why did those kids choose to reveal their dating story through an interview?”

“That was a misunderstanding. I originally only wanted Gaeul to reveal our relationship. I was looking for some sort of proof, but it got tangled up.”

“And by proof, to whom…?”

I silently glanced at the screen projected before us.

Realizing what was happening, Reporter Park Hyungseok let out a deep sigh and said,

“Well, it’s an interesting story, but it doesn’t seem very convincing. It feels too drawn out. Almost as if you’re piecing things together to create this result. To put it more accurately, it seems like you’re trying to come up with excuses to get the fans to support the Girl Revolution. …So I’m wondering if what Team Leader Seon is saying comes from somewhere authorized.”
“I’m starting to wonder if there’s been some sort of directive handed down from somewhere.”

Park Hyungseok scratched his messy hair and looked at me with an intense gaze.

“Honestly, Team Leader Seon and Gyeoul, Gaeul, Yeoreum – those three have different values, right? ‘Cutting one employee to protect the core product that defines the company’s brand value’ is a rational trade, isn’t it?”

“Thinking is free, but I share the same opinion. I deceived the children. So, they are pure victims. …And, do you really think there’s someone who can execute this right now?”

“….”

We glanced over at the chaos of the press conference.

It was an unbelievable scene for just one person to have created.

“…Well, there surely can’t be anyone who could pull this off. Hehe.”

Not quite sure what was so funny, Park Hyungseok let out a hearty laugh while spinning his fan.

“Still, that story is too boring, so as a journalist, I’ll try to write a little fiction. A man named Seon Taeyang was pressured by a cartel to supply artists, including the Girl Revolution, and under that pressure, he chose to expose all the information rather than involving the members with the cartel. In the process, the dating rumors that the members ignited were actually to protect Seon Taeyang. Why? Because by gathering attention this way, he could protect himself from dangerous hands trying to silence him. What do you think?”

“Isn’t that a bit too dramatic?”

“People would definitely prefer this over the lengthy story Seon Taeyang presented, wouldn’t they? And what you intended could definitely be achieved with this content too.”

I didn’t respond. Directly commenting on that would change the game.

However, I didn’t stop my assumptions.

Even if the doubts were uncertain, that would be sufficient justification for the fans of the Girl Revolution.

Of course, if a follow-up article breaks out as the reporter said, things might shift a bit from what I’d envisioned, but that didn’t matter much.

In the end, as long as I could protect the children, I didn’t care about anything else.

No matter how abstract it might feel, fans would willingly become shields to protect them as long as it had some justification.

“Hehe, you probably won’t agree with this part due to your position, so I’ll take a hint and write it well. I was stimulated by the three consecutive exposé articles the juniors published about the Girl Revolution. I’ll make it very appealing.”

Once again, I didn’t respond.

“By the way, can you handle the aftermath of this? There’ll be no shortage of people trying to go after Team Leader Seon.”

“That’s why I made such a big deal of it. To gather the attention of the entire nation on me. That way, it won’t be easy for them to touch me.”

“Still, the things Team Leader Seon is hiding could provoke those crowds.”

“I have nothing left to hide now.”

“What?”

“I’ve organized all the related materials in the link below. Anyone can access it without needing to investigate.”

“Why… why would you do that…?”

The reason was simple.

I wanted this spark to grow into a blaze big enough to engulf the entire country.
I hope this spark grows large enough to engulf the whole country.

Above all, the very fact that there is something more hidden makes this situation even more dangerous.

So I cleared everything out neatly.

I hesitated to reveal my inner thoughts, so I simply said,

“I’m late, but I want to be a good person.”

Maybe it was words that were endlessly close to my true feelings.

“…Kuhum, hehehe, hahaha. You’re truly amazing, Team Leader Seon.”

Park Hyung-seok, who laughed heartily, casually said,

“Good luck. …Actually, I’m also a fan of Girl Revolution.”

“…”

“Oh, and I support Gyeoul and Taeyang, just so you know.”

…What am I supposed to do with that information? Seriously, man.

*

Since that press conference, I’ve had to go through countless investigations.

It was so bad that simply living my daily life was nearly impossible, with reporters swarming around and lawsuits piling up.

After that long investigation, I was tentatively declared innocent of any charges.

Not only was there no actual connection between me and them from the start, but Gyeoul, Gaeul, and the rest of my teammates actively participated in the investigation and defended me.

Especially those three, they even went to get psychiatric treatment to prove their claims weren’t the result of some so-called gaslighting!

During this process, the crazy incidents I exposed like bribery among cartels, match-fixing, drugs, tax evasion, and murder were revealed, and the situation continued to blaze out of control, with the Girl Revolution kids successfully remaining as victims in the process. While I can’t say we lost nothing, in the end, we managed to protect the kids and the company.

However, that didn’t mean I could return to everyday life. Even though there was a public announcement that I was simply a whistleblower with no connections, neither people nor the media believed it, and even if they did, they had no intention of leaving me alone.

While dodging them, I continued to move around seeking refuge in the safe houses prepared by Yeoreum and Cheon Aram, but we soon realized there was a limit and chose to escape overseas. Jin Baek-ho’s advice about a suitable hiding place was crucial.

So here I was, at the airport to flee.

The ones who came to greet me were Cheon Aram, James Oh, and Seo Soo-yeon.

From what I heard, all the original members wanted to come, but it seems they managed to narrow it down to these three to avoid drawing attention.

“They really wanted to come. It’s unfortunate.”

“They absolutely shouldn’t. There are still a few reporters stalking those kids. If a photo of the three of you along with Team Leader Seon is taken again…”

“Ah, I know. Still, it’s hard not to think about it. I wonder if Team Leader Seon might be disappointed. You’ve been too busy worrying about those gazes to even notice until now, right?”
I shook my head at James Oh’s words and replied.

“I’m alright. I’m sure we’ll meet again someday.”

After a moment of savoring my words in silence, Cheon Aram said with a resolute gaze.

“It’s not a question of whether we’ll meet; we’ll definitely see each other again. Team Leader Seon will come back to our TwoBear, right?”

“Haha, I appreciate that, but if my return to TwoBear makes media headlines now, the fans won’t just sit idly by. Strange rumors are still swirling around.”

“You can just close your eyes and ignore it. Or, why not bribe the reporters beforehand?”

“…The investigation you went through will come back too.”

“Who cares? Let them investigate. That won’t stop me.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that assertion and said,

“More than anything, I probably won’t be able to work as much as I used to. My break has been pretty long after all.”

“Hmm, that’s a problem. Someone’s going to have to stick by you and help you adjust to everything.”

At that, James Oh and Seo Soo-yeon both raised their hands simultaneously.

“I’ll help you out!”

“I’ll assist you with everything!”

The two glared at each other as if they had no intention of conceding.

Watching them while chuckling softly, Cheon Aram glanced at me, hesitating and eyeing me before she said,

“How are you feeling right now, Taeyang?”

There was no need for lengthy answers.

“I’m happy.”

“….”

Upon hearing my words, tears welled up in Cheon Aram’s eyes and soon began to flow.

Unbelievably so, just pouring down.

I gently hugged the compact Cheon Aram and patted her, asking,

“What scent do you think I have right now?”

In contrast to her usually confident demeanor, Cheon Aram, crying like a child, wiped her tears without stopping and said,

“A fragrance, so sweet and warm… It’s only that kind of scent.”

From the smell of sweat to a fragrance…

I really liked that change.

*

Time had come.

As I held my passport, preparing to board the plane, James Oh and Seo Soo-yeon waved their hands while Cheon Aram dashed out from between them and shouted.

“Taeyang!”

I turned to face her.

“I’ll save your seat, so you must come back!”

“….”

Not every moment in life will be smooth.

I’ll stumble and break or lose my way and wander around.

But if I don’t give up and keep moving forward, I can continue to face moments like this in the future.

That’s why I could step forward with anticipation for the days ahead instead of regret.

“Yes, for sure.”

I turned my back and walked ahead.

Promising the day we would meet again someday.

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