Chapter 94
I tried to hide my surprised heart and asked as nonchalantly as possible.
“…What brings Composer James Oh to this orphanage?”
“It’s just a hobby, you know.”
So why, of all places, is that hobby leading him to volunteer at this orphanage? Especially someone as busy as him!
There was at least some context when I saw Gaeul’s stage while busking last time, but this feels way too random, doesn’t it?
I couldn’t hold back the rising question and blurted it out.
“Are you perhaps free today?”
“I’m sorry to say, but despite this appearance, I’m actually a very busy person. I squeezed in this visit from my nonexistent time.”
“I know. If you were to pick the busiest person in Korea right now, you’d definitely be in the top ranks, right? So, why this orphanage for your volunteer work? It’s not even close to where the busking happened last time?”
I mean, if it were a place he regularly visited, I might understand. But he hadn’t shown up even once when he was coming every day regarding Yeoreum’s recruitment last time, right? And suddenly picking this exact place for volunteer work? That too, just on the day Yeoreum and I are visiting?
Come to think of it, only a handful of people knew we were coming to this orphanage today, right?
…Did someone investigate me?
Yoon Haneul, who was listening to our conversation and looked flustered, seemed to be having an even harder time and explained.
“When I told him that Team Leader Seon and Yeoreum were coming today, he insisted on volunteering with us. Since I’m in a position to learn from Composer James Oh, I guess I got too friendly and spilled some personal information. It’s all my fault. I’m sorry.”
“I’m embarrassed, but I used my student card a bit. I wanted to get closer to Team Leader Seon.”
Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he’d been investigated after all.
“…That was your intent. I apologize for overreacting. But then, just contact me directly next time. Do I not have time to bring it up to Composer James Oh? I was just so surprised just now.”
Please, let’s hold back from these surprise appearances.
“I’ll make sure to do so next time.”
James Oh, nodding nonchalantly, marveled softly and said.
“By the way, although it wasn’t intended, I found your story really enjoyable. That Team Leader Seon is taking on risks so Yeoreum can chase her dreams. You’re quite an amazing person.”
“That’s an overstatement. I just felt it was a shame to let talented kids go to waste.”
“Haha, that’s definitely something you would say, Team Leader Seon.”
Chuckling, James Oh pulled out a folder from his briefcase and handed it to me.
From a glance, it looked like a basic contract.
“What’s this?”
“Well, it seemed like we were only discussing things verbally last time, so I prepared some basic conditions for treatment, just in case. Even if I say I’ll give you double, without the actual working conditions, it would be practically deceiving.”
“If you’re just talking without actual working conditions, it’s no different than fraud.”
As James Oh began to explain specific salary figures and working hours, it was an overwhelmingly generous offer that left everyone in awe.
One couldn’t help but wonder how a company could sustain itself while being so generous.
“Let’s lead the market together at our Studio. There are only three of us, including me, but these are friends I’ve carefully selected. If Team Leader Seon joins us, we can elevate beyond being number one in the country to a global level. Let’s reach the peak together.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s a proposal I already declined. I have no intention of changing my mind.”
“Of course, you did decline back then, but you might have considered it a light suggestion.”
Who in the industry would take a proposal from the number one lightly?
But James Oh seemed to think otherwise, shrugging his shoulders and saying, “Besides, if I gave up on scouting top talent just because I faced rejection once, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. So, I’m going to show you how sincere I am and persuade you.”
“….”
No matter how sincere he was, I simply can’t do it.
I lack the ability. Without compensation, I’m just a loser.
Maybe at TwoBear, but at your company, I absolutely cannot match that salary.
“If there’s anything lacking in the terms or salary listed in the proposal, we can raise it as much as you need. Honestly, when it comes to choosing a job, there’s nothing more important than treatment and salary. And I’m confident about that. That money is on the higher side.”
“They already significantly raised my salary and treatment at TwoBear a while ago. I’m very satisfied with that.”
“Then I can just raise it higher.”
At that moment, a chill voice came from behind James Oh.
“I have no intention of backing down from such a race.”
It was Yeoreum.
What about the kids surrounding her?
Looking over her shoulder at the kids, the lower-grade ones stood at attention, displaying tension, while the upper-grade kids were filled with military discipline, coaching the younger ones. It seemed her overwhelming grip on controlling dozens of kids at the orphanage hadn’t gone anywhere.
“Hmm, Ms. Yeoreum. I understand your feelings, but this is a matter between the company and the employees, so I don’t think it’s something a trainee should get involved with.”
“Since I also have the title of investor, I think I can speak from that position regarding the company.”
“That’s what someone in an appropriate position for a business relationship would say. So, I don’t think it’s appropriate for a minor to interfere…”
“Appropriate position for a business relationship, you say?”
Jin Yeoreum cut off James Oh’s words and provocatively smiled.
“Are you richer than me?”
He was the very embodiment of an arrogant third-generation chaebol.
Seeing that, Yoon Haneul gasped and asked me,
“Whoa, for someone as humble and thrifty as Yeoreum, to pull such a provocation… Wait, Team Leader Seon, what did you do to Yeoreum? It’s terrifying!”
“….”
I don’t know, I’m scared too.
*
The situation ended with my firm declaration that I would stay with TwoBear regardless of the treatment.
Yet, James Oh seemed unable to let go and lingered around, but Yeoreum, like a bodyguard, chased him off entirely.
…Feels like the roles have reversed.
After James Oh failed to achieve his goal, he decided to finish his designated volunteer hours since he was already there, teaching the kids some vocal techniques to maintain their throats healthily.
His skill in simplifying a story that could easily get too technical for the kids’ age was top-notch.
He truly was a nice guy with a great ability.
And Yeoreum and I…
“…Is this really happening again?”
We were scrubbing a urinal that we had cheerfully cleaned with bleach.
“That’s fine, but didn’t Haneul just say there wouldn’t be any need to clean the bathroom? So, what are we doing right now?”
Honestly, maybe it was newly remodeled or something, but it wasn’t that dirty at all.
There wasn’t anything wrong with it, but did we really have to do this?
Anyway, it didn’t look too dirty, so it seemed like we would finish quickly.
At my words, Yeoreum suddenly got shy and quietly said,
“I…”
There was more she wanted to say, but her voice was too soft to catch.
“Excuse me? Could you please say that a bit louder?”
“I said I wanted to do it.”
“….”
You wanted to clean the bathroom? The stinky men’s bathroom?
Hmm… I guess that could be a thing.
Don’t worry, Yeoreum. I’m an adult who respects diverse preferences.
“Oh, you have that kind of preference. I understand now. I’ll make sure to let our TwoBear’s bathroom cleaning duties fall to you every Wednesday…”
“NO! That’s not it!”
Then what is it?
“I just remembered when I first met Team Leader Seon. Back then, we were both holding onto a urinal and talking about all sorts of things… I liked that.”
“…That was the case.”
I never imagined it would turn into this kind of relationship back then.
“I liked it too. It was so charming that I was seriously considering recruiting you, Yeoreum, because we could talk so much. That’s why I was worried about how to come off as likable, desperately choosing my words carefully.”
“I was able to talk a lot. So I worried about how to come off likable, agonizing over every word before finally speaking up.”
“Yeah, back then you were totally flirting on purpose.”
I played along with the joke.
“Did it show?”
“Yeah, it showed a lot.”
“Oh dear. If Jin Baek-ho finds out, I’m dead.”
We smiled at each other.
Even in her messy apron and pink rubber gloves, her laughter was graceful.
“Don’t do that with just anyone. It’s a bit dangerous, you know?”
“I don’t do that with just anyone. It’s because it’s Ms. Yeoreum.”
“….”
She stopped sweeping and stared at me with a blank expression, saying nonchalantly like it wasn’t important.
“Actually, I haven’t had much time alone with Team Leader Seon recently, so I asked Han Gyeoul for a favor. Unlike Gyeoul, who has her Girl 100 activities, or Gaeul, who films All-Tube videos while busking, I didn’t have that time.”
I guess I could see why she might feel a bit neglected.
Thinking about how busy I’ve been lately and not talking much with Yeoreum makes it even more so.
I really need to make some time.
“Then how about we go on a field trip together?”
“A field trip?”
“Like watching a concert, or seeing a stage, or catching a performance, or watching a movie. I’ll even treat you to some delicious food afterward.”
“That sounds like just playing…”
“No way. It’s a site visit for aspiring idols. Input is important, right?”
Whoa, Yeoreum. This is work, not just fun.
“Of course, it’ll be a secret from the other friends.”
“…Yeah, I’ll definitely keep it a secret.”
In the calm and straightforward silence as we swept, Yeoreum suddenly exclaimed as if she realized something.
“Oh… I didn’t mention it because I might not remember it properly, but… I did experience that regression thing.”
“…?”
Thanks to that regression, we had exchanged a lot of information over a long time.
Yet, bringing this up suggests something from the unspoken details had surfaced for her.
“Right, that did happen. Did something particular spring to your mind?”
“…Yeah, I was overwhelmed trying to adapt to the new culture back then, but I heard that Girl 100 was revealed to have manipulated the voting and the country was thrown into chaos.”
She asked, not hiding her worried expression.
“Is Gyeoul okay? I know Team Leader Seon must have thought everything through, but I’m feeling a bit uneasy.”
“Don’t worry.”
In this regard, she could feel assured.
“I was actually getting ready to blow up the broadcast.”
And surviving that storm will be Gyeoul.
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