Episode 43
Cheon Aram asked, her curiosity evident rather than an accusation.
“When did you wake up?”
I subtly glanced at Gaeul. Despite being on the floor, she was staring at my mouth with wide eyes.
It was awkward to reveal the truth in front of her.
Right, let’s just pretend Gaeul’s little incident never happened.
“I was half-awake when I heard a loud crash. Right after that, I was in a daze and couldn’t open my eyes, so I couldn’t get up.”
Upon hearing my words, Gaeul exhaled in relief, as if she were lucky.
It was suspicious to anyone looking.
…Are you trying to hide something, Gaeul?
“But once I was more clear-headed, it felt like I was interrupting a serious conversation, so I didn’t want to break the mood. I ended up startling everyone without intending to. If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”
Cheon Aram shook her head gently and replied.
“…No, Team Leader Seon really doesn’t need to apologize. I was just surprised because you dove into the conversation so perfectly.”
“I’m sorry, but I’d like to finish the related talk. Is that okay?”
Cheon Aram nodded as if to permit it.
I felt relieved and continued.
“Soo-yeon, Gaeul is still a child. Right now, she should just do what she wants.”
Seo Soo-yeon was picking up the scattered folders she had thrown down and said.
“I would like to ask what context Team Leader Seon is referring to.”
I looked at Gaeul. She was sitting there demurely, as if nothing surprising had happened.
It was so cute that I couldn’t help but smile.
“It means it’s okay for a child to throw a little tantrum. Like being able to choose both options.”
Seo Soo-yeon shook her head slightly and said.
“Legally, she can be considered a child, but we see Yoo Gaeul as an adult capable of making her own choices, which is why we made this contract. I believe you would agree as well, Team Leader Seon.”
“If we’re talking about the moment she decided to become an idol and signed the contract, then you’re right, Soo-yeon. But this situation now isn’t a result of Gaeul’s choice.”
Her biological father’s gambling and domestic violence.
Gahyeon has to be left alone.
How could this all be considered Gaeul’s choice?
“It’s harsh to say that the gradual disappearance of the happiness Gaeul wanted is merely a result of her choices, isn’t it?”
Soo-yeon, don’t you think so? We are here because of Cheon Aram’s selection, right?
“Since you’re also chosen by the President, don’t you empathize with this situation?”
Seo Soo-yeon nodded slightly and replied.
“If I have the capacity, I’d rather spend resources on the President and others than on myself. …But that doesn’t mean I intend to take responsibility for everyone’s lives. I distinguish between what can and cannot be done, and what should and shouldn’t be done.”
She gazed into my eyes as she spoke.
She gazed into my eyes and said,
“So, Gaeul, you have to take responsibility. This is not anyone else’s job, but yours.”
I locked eyes with her and replied,
“Taking on that responsibility is what adults do.”
A tense standoff ensued.
In the heated atmosphere, I said to Gaeul,
“Gaeul, if you don’t want to send Gahyeon to the orphanage, how about leaving her with a reliable family?”
Gaeul responded with a defeated voice,
“…I don’t know if Brother Taeyang heard, but I don’t have a place like that.”
I shook my head slightly and said,
“There is one place, but I’m not sure if you’ll think it’s reliable.”
“…Where is that?”
“My house.”
A moment of silence filled the air.
In the stillness, Gaeul seemed to question as if she didn’t hear correctly,
“…Brother Taeyang’s house?”
“Yeah, I think it would be okay to do foster care at my place, as long as you and Gahyeon agree.”
“…”
Gaeul looked taken aback by the unexpected suggestion.
And why wouldn’t she?
So, I had to explain.
What the perks of making this choice were.
“I might not be able to spend all my time with Gahyeon since I have my own job, but I’ll use all the time I have left to ensure she can paint without any obstacles.”
So there were no issues in pursuing her dreams.
“I’ll keep you updated on how Gahyeon is doing that day, what she’s worried about, what she wants to do, and what she wants to have. Of course, I’ll refrain from discussing private matters….”
So there would be no misunderstandings between us.
“It won’t just be solved verbally. I’ll definitely try my best to meet Gahyeon as often as possible. If one day you go out for a meal, I’ll make sure to join you.”
So that distance doesn’t lead to emotional distance.
“Considering your reluctance about the orphanage, you might be worried that the people there will treat Gahyeon on a business level… but I’ll treat Gahyeon properly. Not just someone to take care of, but as a human being and an adult.”
So it feels more like a human connection than just a job.
That’s how I would take care of Gahyeon.
“Can you trust me?”
I spoke with such seriousness to ensure the decision didn’t feel light.
Gaeul looked at me and said,
“…Will it be alright?”
Her voice was tender and fragile.
I hoped to reassure her, so I said as gently as I could,
“Of course, it’s totally fine.”
Tears welled up in Gaeul’s eyes again.
I couldn’t help but think she had been crying a lot lately.
She cleared her throat softly, collected herself, and opened her mouth.
After gathering my thoughts, I opened my mouth.
“So, I…”
Just as Gaeul nodded and began to speak, Cheon Aram cut in with a firm voice.
“No, Team Leader Seon. That’s not okay at all.”
“…What?”
Wait, why? The vibe was totally saying “okay” from Gaeul just a moment ago!
Why jump in now when everything could have just sorted itself out?
I felt confused but managed to explain.
“This isn’t about using the company’s resources or anything. It’s something I can handle on my own.”
Cheon Aram looked at me with a perplexed expression, as if unsure how to respond.
“That’s exactly why it’s not okay.”
“Huh?”
“Right now, Team Leader Seon isn’t acting as the leader of TwoBear; you’re moving as a human, Seon Taeyang.”
That’s when it hit me—what the look in Cheon Aram’s eyes really meant.
It was just plain worry.
“I could sort of understand what happened during the last busking event. Bringing Gaeul on board might benefit the company. And that success would reflect well on you, Team Leader.”
Cheon Aram added quietly, “Though even back then, the sacrifice seemed a bit excessive.”
“But this time it’s different, isn’t it? No matter how you crunch the numbers, the sacrifices for such success don’t add up.”
From a business perspective, she only needed to enjoy the benefits from my choices. But she didn’t feel that way.
“Taking responsibility for one child is no light matter. That will cost Team Leader Seon way more than any bonus the company could offer.”
Cheon Aram said it with concern that didn’t sound very businesslike.
“Remember, you’re a salaried employee, not a volunteer or philosopher.”
“…Isn’t that something a boss shouldn’t say?”
“That’s true, it shouldn’t come from a boss. But I feel like if you just let it be, you’ll collapse under the pressure… just like now.”
Hearing that while lying in a hospital bed made it hard to argue back.
“Make a value judgment. And do work that matches your salary.”
“…”
Honestly, Cheon Aram was right.
What I was doing was a loss from any viewpoint when I made a value judgment.
If simply bringing Gaeul on board was the goal, I wouldn’t need to go this far.
Just convincing Gaeul to change her mind would suffice.
Considering the faith she had shown me, it shouldn’t be that difficult.
“Trust me and send Gahyeon to the orphanage. I’ll take care of it myself.”
If I said that much, Gaeul would agree.
I was confident I had built that level of persuasive power.
So, what I stand to gain from my choice right now is just one thing.
Gaeul’s happiness.
Just one person’s invisible heart.
But that one thing felt more important today than ever.
“….”
As a child, I held onto hope.
For my older sister, who had to drop out of high school and start working early, and for me, the weak one who could only dream, I wished for the fantastical adults to lend us a helping hand.
Of course, that dream never came true.
But I can make that dream happen.
I know.
This thought is nothing more than projecting my unfortunate childhood onto Gaeul and Gahyeon.
It doesn’t go beyond cheap self-satisfaction.
Despite being fully aware of all this, I still say,
“I’ve already promised. I’ll be Gaeul’s strength.”
“….”
Cheon Aram scratched her head after a long silence and asked,
“…Team Leader Seon, I really don’t want to ask this again, but I can’t help it. I’ll ask just one more time.”
She asked as if she genuinely couldn’t understand.
“Why go so far?”
Why am I making this choice?
Before regression, I tried to be a good person and acted like a pushover.
Now, I don’t have such thoughts.
I’ve learned painfully that it’s a foolish and worthless endeavor.
Yet, why am I doing this again?
…Honestly, I don’t know either.
“President, do you remember what you said when you first scouted me?”
Cheon Aram smiled faintly, as if that brief event felt like ages ago.
“Of course I remember.”
“You said you wanted to recruit a humanitarian like me, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Then accept it. I’m originally this kind of person.”
“….”
Oh, what are you going to do about it? If you didn’t like it, you shouldn’t have recruited me.
Seeing me like this, Cheon Aram smirked and said plainly,
“As I said before, I want to have a long-term relationship with you, Team Leader Seon. I know well how rare someone like you is.”
I thought there really aren’t many people like me.
“But Team Leader, if you keep living like this, you won’t be able to hold on forever and you’ll collapse. …Then I’d be really disappointed.”
It felt like one of the highest praises a boss could give to an employee.
I bowed my head in gratitude and spoke politely.
“I’ll only do so until today. I’ll change from tomorrow.”
Then Cheon Aram sighed and said,
“…You do know that’s what a smoker says after failing to quit, right?”
Somehow, that wasn’t the reaction I expected.
I subtly glanced around.
Gaeul and Seo Soo-yeon were both nodding their heads.
It seemed they shared a similar impression of my words.
I timidly retorted.
“Isn’t this easier than quitting smoking?”
““….””
…Forget it.
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