Chapter 31

Chapter 31

“Are you okay?”

Seo Soo-yeon said as she wiped the sweat off Cheon Aram, who had just emerged from the bathroom after throwing up for 30 minutes.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little clammy, feeling chills, a headache, and some nausea?”

“…Typically, that’s not what one would call okay.”

“By my standards, this is actually quite a good condition.”

With a gaunt face, Cheon Aram shrugged as if it were no big deal.

Seeing that, Seo Soo-yeon let out a deep sigh and said,

“So as Team Leader Seon said, you should have come about 10 minutes before the end of the stage. It’s only natural to end up like this after watching a performance in such a crowded place for two hours.”

Her tone was accusatory, but there was deep concern for Cheon Aram in her words.

Cheon Aram appreciated that side of Seo Soo-yeon.

“I won’t deny that it was a bit of a foolish choice. But it was definitely a worthwhile one.”

“…I don’t want to say it was without value either.”

Seo Soo-yeon, still flushed with emotions, replied.

“Yoo Gaeul’s stage was really amazing, after all.”

Cheon Aram, seeing that expression on Seo Soo-yeon’s face, smiled lightly and said,

“…Hmm, I admit Gaeul was impressive, but I was more focused on someone else.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Seon Taeyang.”

“Team Leader Seon?”

Seo Soo-yeon, who had been puzzled for a moment, nodded and said,

“…He certainly seemed quite capable as a marketer.”

“No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”

Cheon Aram recalled their first song, “Memories of the Sea and Leaves.”

“Do you remember the first stage?”

“If you’re talking about ‘Memories of the Sea and Leaves,’ then yes, I remember. It was my favorite stage.”

“Why do you think that stage was the best? Among all the performances that Yoo Gaeul sang, why that one?”

Seo Soo-yeon was lip-syncing but couldn’t find an answer.

“I’m sorry, but my understanding is lacking… It just felt deeper somehow.”

Cheon Aram smiled at her and kindly explained.

“Sure, the star of that stage was Yoo Gaeul. But if you ask who made that stage perfect, I’m raising Team Leader Seon’s hand.”

Seon Taeyang’s near-professional piano skills were undoubtedly commendable.

But that wasn’t all.

Cheon Aram was already familiar with the song “Memories of the Sea and Leaves.”

So from the second piano solo in the middle, she could distinctly feel that the piece was completely different from the original.

The funky, sexy, and addictive change in the flow could be summed up in one word.
It was defined in a word.

It was sophisticated.

This simple phrase was the highest praise that Cheon Aram, the president of the industry who must lead the flow without losing focus, could give.

“Jong-hoon oppa doesn’t just think anyone can surpass him for nothing.”

As those words spread, Seo Soo-yeon’s usually expressionless face cracked.

“Did that Cheon Jong-hoon really say something like that?”

Her face was filled with shock.

Seeing that rare change in her expression, Cheon Aram laughed heartily.

“I told you! Even I can’t believe my own words.”

After thoroughly enjoying Soo-yeon’s dazed expression, Cheon Aram tidied her outfit, tied her hair up, and said,

“Okay… Now that I’ve caught my breath, let’s get going.”

Soo-yeon, as if that surge of emotion had just been a figment of her imagination, quickly returned to her usual poker face and responded like a top-notch secretary.

“Yes, I’ll take you home.”

Then Cheon Aram, as if she’d heard a ridiculous response, looked surprised and said,

“What are you talking about? It’s not off work yet! We need to work.”

Soo-yeon shook her head and said,

“But in your current condition, you should rest.”

“No time for that. As Team Leader Seon mentioned, I have to be quite busy to handle things at the Seed Foundation.”

“If that’s all, I can take care of it for you…”

“And I need to meet with the investors from my family after a long time too.”

Soo-yeon gasped and asked,

“You’re meeting them?”

“Yeah, since I’m officially jumping into the industry now, it’s something I have to do.”

Listening to that, her face showed deep worry and concern for Cheon Aram, deeper than when she had just coughed and sweated.

“President Cheon, you extremely disliked meeting those people, right? Didn’t you say you could barely endure them for 10 minutes because of their awful stench?”

“…That is true.”

“There’s no reason to go that far. You originally set up TwoBear Entertainment just to have a reason to step back from the heir competition, right?”

That was true. Cheon Aram never intended to use TwoBear Entertainment to create a girl group.

Taking on the role of president was more of a political statement that she wouldn’t compete with Cheon Jong-hoon for succession.

She didn’t even plan to use the state-of-the-art facilities of TwoBear Entertainment directly.

This was merely an investment aimed at selling the entertainment office later.

But her mind had changed.

“I also want to do something genuinely.”

It must have been from the moment she learned of Seon Taeyang’s existence from Cheon Jong-hoon’s mouth.

Cheon Aram smiled brightly, as if that change was something she welcomed immensely.
“Han Gyeoul, Yoo Gaeul, and Seon Taeyang. I can’t believe such perfect people gathered here.”

Like a gentle breeze, it sucked her in slowly.

Cheon Aram had become a fan of theirs, even before they officially debuted.

“Aren’t you curious about what kind of group these friends will form?”

“…”

“To be honest, I’ve always been picky about people. Since my childhood in Cheon-ga, that’s just how I lived, and my major is related to that, so I can’t help it. But in front of these friends, I don’t want to be that way anymore.”

“That means….”

“I don’t want to be constrained by profitability, capital, or investment justification anymore. I can handle that myself. …I’m going to be their pillar.”

Saying this made her blush slightly, and she smiled awkwardly.

“Doesn’t that sound a bit cool?”

Seo Soo-yeon had never seen this side of Cheon Aram before.

For Cheon Aram, humans had always been something to avoid.

The fact that she could smile just by repeating their names was unimaginable.

Seo Soo-yeon hoped that smile of her long-time friend would last.

“In that case, I will use my abilities to the fullest for TwoBear.”

She stated her firm determination.

“Yeah, I look forward to working with you, Soo-yeon!”

Seeing Seo Soo-yeon like that, Cheon Aram smiled brightly.

*

“Therefore, I’ll leave the contract to you.”

Cheon Aram said as she handed over the contract reflecting their discussions.

“Am I really allowed to do this?”

It was a contract that required quite a bit of money.

Though she was grateful for the trust placed in her, it felt a bit overwhelming considering she hadn’t even been employed for a month yet.

“What are you saying after causing such a ruckus just yesterday?”

She had no response to that.

The busking incident and the hasty contract she’d signed were, by her own estimation, over the line.

Honestly, it was something she did with the mindset that if it failed, she could just run away like Gyeoul.

“I’m sorry. I won’t do anything to shake the President’s authority again.”

As I bowed my head to apologize, Cheon Aram waved her hand dismissively.

“It’s fine. I actually saw that in a somewhat positive light. In the end, you took action to help the company, right?”

No, I just wanted to help myself.

“To be honest, I did have some strange suspicions about Team Leader Seon. Wanting to trust someone and blindly sending trust are two different things. However, after yesterday, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to trust Team Leader Seon.… Am I not just saying this lightly?”

Silence was her only answer.
“Please don’t betray my trust.”

Cheon Aram’s gaze shone intimidatingly like a viper.

I shivered slightly, goosebumps crawling up my neck.

That glare is something I just can’t get used to.

“I will honor your trust.”

“Great! Then go and come back.”

I asked with a trace of regret.

“Wouldn’t it be better for Seo Soo-yeon, who seemed well-versed in accounting matters, to handle this?”

“Soo-yeon is tied up with the work Team Leader Seon started. I need to go investigate the investment case too.”

“…I apologize once again. I’m sorry.”

In the end, it seemed I was destined to come back with a contract.

I nodded towards Cheon Aram and exited the president’s office.

When I came into the lobby, I spotted Gaeul kneeling on a chair, nervous despite no one watching.

“Gaeul, why are you in such an uncomfortable position?”

“…Y-yes?”

Gaeul glanced at the sign that read “TwoBear” in the lobby and said,

“Ah… coming to the company really makes me feel like I’ve entered the adult world.”

I thought to myself, “High school seniors are really sensitive.”

To ease her tension, I casually remarked,

“The part-time job you usually do is also an adult job. There’s not much difference between this and that.”

“…True, that’s an adult job too.”

It felt somehow self-deprecating.

Realizing I might have said something wrong, I quickly changed the subject.

“First, to formalize the contract, we need your guardian’s consent, especially since a large sum of money is involved.”

Even though the topic change wasn’t particularly cheerful, it was something we had to discuss.

“So, I’d like to see your guardian now and talk about the contract. Is that okay?”

“…Yes, that needs to be done. We’ll need the guardian’s consent.”

We drove to the parking lot and got into the company’s car.

Gaeul hesitated to speak the address, closing her mouth after that.

It was an unusual silence for someone who usually chattered non-stop.

I patiently waited for her, knowing her mind must be racing.

After about twenty minutes in the car, Gaeul finally spoke.

“…Well, my father might come across as a bit strange.”

“A bit strange, you say?”

Gaeul fidgeted with her hands, showing signs of anxiety before saying,

“…Actually, very strange.”

…Somehow, this didn’t seem like an easy task at all.

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