Chapter 10

# Chapter 010

Hanguin rummaged through the list of rebuttals stored in his mind. It wasn't difficult to recall them.

However, it was hard to speak with emotion.

He was so embarrassed that he couldn't even look at the screen.

"I have a lot to say, but I'll set it aside. By the way, I didn't expect Rika to say such things. No matter what, she's still our child, yet you make her sound like a villain."

Rika's father, Ishikawa Kenta, felt bitter.

There were plenty of counterarguments to what Hanguin had just said.

Even without a logical response, he could easily dismiss it by asking, "Who are you to interfere in our family affairs?"

But he didn't feel like doing that.

"Both my wife and I grew up in poor environments. We believed that the most important thing in life was ordinariness. Basic needs, and a peaceful daily life with family. We wanted Rika to live an ordinary life."

To guarantee ordinariness, certain conditions were necessary.

In Japan, just like in Korea, a university degree is important. There's a strong tendency for the quality of life to be determined by one's educational background, whether from a prestigious or non-prestigious university.

At the very least, she needed to graduate from a decent university.

That was the condition for living an ordinary life.

"Mr. Han, you wouldn't know. How worried I was that Rika might go down the wrong path. But now, it seems our worries were superficial. Good grades don't guarantee a straight path, Rika."

At her father's call, Rika hesitantly stood in front of the screen.

"Is it fun to go around badmouthing your family to others?"

"Papa, it's not really badmouthing, um, how should I put it..."

"Didn't you fail the debut group at KS Entertainment?"

"Um, yeah..."

One of the reasons Kenta wanted Rika to come back was because she had failed the debut group.

He thought she had had enough of one try.

"You did your best."

"Uh?"

"I heard from Mr. Park Seong-pil about KS Entertainment, and how much effort it takes to be a debut candidate there."

Seong-pil had shown Rika around the company and highlighted her potential through the screen.

He had asked her uncle to translate, so the conversation was brief, but it was enough to explain Rika's achievements.

"I'm sorry. I was angry that you left suddenly and didn't care about what you were doing."

Tears welled up in Rika's eyes.

"Uh, uh, no, it's okay, I'm fine."

"Mr. Han."

Hanguin, suddenly called out, trembled.

"I was taken aback. You were criticizing us when you should have been persuading us."

"..."

"But that's why I trusted you. You really saw things from Rika's perspective."

"Thank you."

Ironically, Hanguin's blunt explanation had moved Kenta.

"I'll take care of Rika's studies as well. We'll do our best to ensure she passes the Japanese high school equivalency exam. Even if she doesn't become an idol, we'll help her find another path. You don't need to worry about that. As you can see, it's also mentioned in the contract..."

"I understand. If the company takes care of her, I have nothing more to say. Rika, do you want to stay here?"

"Uh, yeah! I'll definitely become the best idol and appear on TV!"

"I see. If it gets tough, you can always come back."

"No way!"

"Mr. Han, please take good care of our daughter."

Kenta bowed.

Hanguin, taken aback, also bowed deeply. When he raised his head, the video call had ended.

In the silence, Rika, lost in emotion, was surprised by the sudden end of the meeting.

"Eh? It's over? Really?"

She had spoken to her parents for less than 30 minutes, yet she had already received their permission.

Rika was both bewildered and happy.

I can stay in Korea!

"So, what happened?"

"I got their permission!"

"Really? It ended faster than I thought."

Rika couldn't contain her joy and jumped around.

In contrast, Hong Gyu-hun searched his pocket for a cigarette with a blank expression.

"Mr. Han, you did well. I was worried when you suddenly raised your voice."

"Um, no, it wasn't me."

"You're being modest."

"Really. It was all thanks to Mr. Park. I was just a parrot, repeating what Mr. Park told me."

Hanguin folded his arms, his hands trembling slightly.

He had never intended to persuade with such an emotional approach.

His strength was in logical explanations.

But he had only appealed to emotions because of Seong-pil's insistence.

'I can do this too.'

He had always been told he lacked sensitivity, was clueless, and was a serious person.

But today, he felt like he had broken through that barrier.

Even with Seong-pil's help, he was proud of himself for persuading Rika's parents emotionally.

"It's all thanks to Mr. Park."

Hanguin sent a warm gaze.

Seong-pil waved it off, thinking Hanguin was passing the credit.

As they each savored their victory, Rika's uncle, who had been left out, cleared his throat.

"Um, I'm Rika's guardian in Korea. Since I've gotten permission from my brother, can we talk about the contract?"

"Of course. But can we take a 5-minute break to settle the mood?"

"That's fine."

Hong Gyu-hun asked for understanding and led Seong-pil and Hanguin outside.

He took them to the balcony and patted their backs.

"I'm proud of you guys! You did great, really great!"

Hong Gyu-hun was completely different from his demeanor in the meeting room.

He smiled broadly, his ears turning red as he expressed his joy.

"When I heard that Rika's parents were against it, I was worried. But you guys did great! Hanguin!"

"Yes, sir."

"You speak Japanese so well. Are you really not Japanese?"

"..."

"And Seong-pil!"

"Yes."

"I didn't understand what Mr. Han said, but you wrote an amazing letter to Mr. Park, right? That's how Rika's parents were persuaded. You all did great, really, really great."

Hong Gyu-hun took a deep breath and put a cigarette in his mouth. Hanguin quickly lit it for him.

"This is the beginning of Garo Entertainment. Let's start from here. We'll do well. No, we will do well. The start is good."

Hong Gyu-hun was extremely happy to have Rika. Although she hadn't shown it, he had actually wanted her more than Seong-pil.

Her already well-honed qualities for becoming an idol were particularly attractive.

"Let's keep doing this from now on."

Hong Gyu-hun gripped Seong-pil's shoulder and looked at him. Trust filled her eyes.

Seong-pil felt it too.

But suddenly, an old memory surfaced.

'Kim Tae-hoon...'

When he started Success Entertainment with Kim Tae-hoon, he had trusted Seong-pil.

With a similar gaze, like the current Hong Gyu-hun.

"I'll work hard..."

Bringing Rika to Garo Entertainment was a happy event, but Seong-pil couldn't be entirely happy.

'I need to solidify my position more.'

It was too early to celebrate.

He couldn't relax until he became someone Hong Gyu-hun, the core of Garo Entertainment, truly trusted and relied on.

* * *

Seong-pil went out to see Rika's uncle off. Rika went with him.

Only Hong Gyu-hun and Hanguin remained in the office.

"Rika is a treasure."

The dance Rika performed during the test, "Make It Mine," was familiar to Hong Gyu-hun. The members of the group he had previously formed had also practiced it.

None of them had been able to master it easily.

In fact, Hong Gyu-hun and Hanguin had pretended not to know it.

They wanted to hear how Seong-pil evaluated Rika.

Through this, they could gauge Seong-pil's discernment.

"We had to secure Rika. It's fortunate that Mr. Park was so passionate."

"That's right."

Hong Gyu-hun had a preferred leadership style.

She didn't like giving orders and having subordinates work to achieve them.

She preferred subordinates to bring good suggestions, persuade the boss, and work hard to gain recognition.

This way, subordinates felt proactive and achieved a sense of accomplishment, thinking it was their own work, and worked harder than when ordered.

"If you had given up quickly, I would have had to give an order. You're exactly the type of person I like."

Hong Gyu-hun leaned back in her chair, satisfied. She stared at the ceiling, pondering for a while.

"But Mr. Park, don't you seem to be keeping your distance from me?"

"It's probably because of the previous company."

"Ah."

The favor of Kim Tae-hoon, who was like a brother, had shifted to Yoon Sang-yeol, a newcomer.

Kim Tae-hoon's change of heart, after working together from the ground up, must have been hard for Seong-pil to bear.

Hong Gyu-hun sighed.

"There are so many bad people in this world."

"That's true."

"I would never do that. I just wish you would open up more."

With that, the office fell silent.

After a while, the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs from the first floor was heard.

It must be Seong-pil and Rika.

"Good. Since Rika is here, let's have a dinner party. Let's use this as an opportunity to bond with the company. Especially, we need to get closer to Mr. Park."

* * *

Rika walked happily, humming a tune. Seong-pil couldn't help but smile at the sight.

In front, Hong Gyu-hun and Hanguin were chatting as they walked.

The night street seemed brighter than usual, perhaps because they had successfully secured Rika.

'It's a relief that it all worked out.'

He hadn't really felt it while in the office.

But now, with Hong Gyu-hun suggesting a dinner party and them on their way to a restaurant, the afterglow of success washed over him.

Seong-pil asked Rika, who was singing a strange tune in joy.

"Are you that happy?"

"Of course! A dinner party, a dinner party! We never did this at KS Entertainment. It feels like a family, you know?"

"Wow, your tone is so sweet. What's with the 'you know'?"

"Hehe."

Seong-pil said it was sweet, but he also thought it was part of Rika's charm.

'Something like a fangirl's tone. The cute way celebrities talk.'

When Rika debuts, this kind of Japanese translation style will become her trademark.

"But Rika."

"Yes?"

"Walk a bit further away."

"Ah, are you sensitive to personal space like Westerners?"

"You're too close."

"Um, this distance is perfect for me."

"If you're trying to flirt with me to win my favor, forget it. You should try to impress the boss more."

"You caught me. I was trying to make a friend in the company through 'fishing.'"

"Look at you, overstepping the line."

"I'm sorry... It was a joke, right?"

"I was joking too."

Thinking about it, Rika hadn't maintained much distance since they first met.

'Does she act like this with everyone?'

It didn't seem so.

She didn't cling to Hanguin or Hong Gyu-hun.

'Probably because we have a past, and I feel comfortable with her.'

The dinner place was a sushi restaurant.

Rika cheered when she saw the sign, but the inside was not what she had expected.

"Welcome!"

The staff's greeting was bright, but the restaurant was dark.

The lighting was dim.

At the tables, surrounded by a deep blue, customers spoke in low voices and drank.

"This isn't a sushi restaurant, it's a bar..."

"A sushi restaurant is a bar. Let's sit over there."

Hong Gyu-hun and Hanguin sat on one side, and Rika and Seong-pil on the opposite side.

When the staff came, Hong Gyu-hun skillfully ordered a special menu for four and some drinks.

"Can I see your ID, please?"

The staff asked Rika, but Hong Gyu-hun responded.

"Really. This face causes misunderstandings wherever I go. Here, look."

"Ah, yes. Thank you..."

"You look so flustered. I know they're checking because of me. Everyone else is an adult except her. She won't drink."

"Sir, if there's a minor at the table, you can't order alcohol."

"Really, she won't drink."

"I'm sorry, it's the rule."

"Hmm."

Hong Gyu-hun clicked her tongue and ordered Rika.

"Rika, move to the next table."

There was another four-person table right next to them. The staff looked troubled.

Then, Hong Gyu-hun took out a card from her wallet and gave it to Rika.

"Rika, order whatever you want from that table. This way, the restaurant won't lose money, right? We're not at the same table, after all."

In the end, the staff went to the manager and came back, saying it was fine if they used separate tables.

Rika sat at a separate table but was practically eating with them since she was close to their table.

"Wow, the boss is amazing. I would have left the restaurant or not ordered alcohol."

Rika looked at Hong Gyu-hun with admiration.

"Don't give up just because someone says you can't. You have to find a way. Got it, Ishikawa?"

"Call me Rika!"

Seong-pil noticed Rika looking at Hong Gyu-hun with admiration.

Hong Gyu-hun definitely had a commanding presence. She exuded charm as a person.

It started with her attire.

A white shirt and high-waisted slacks.

The sleeves of her shirt were all buttoned up, showing her thoroughness.

She was the epitome of neatness and tidiness.

"Cheers, to welcome Rika!"

Three beer glasses and one drink glass clinked together.

As the alcohol flowed and time passed, laughter never stopped at the table.

Not only Rika, who was practically new, but even Seong-pil, who had kept his distance, was fully enjoying himself.

"Boss."

"Yes, Mr. Park."

"You mentioned a paper mill. I've been curious since I first heard about it. Are you incredibly rich?"

"Phew! Yeah, I'm incredibly rich."

"How rich?"

Asking about someone's family background was impolite, but Seong-pil, who had drunk quite a bit, didn't care.

Hong Gyu-hun herself tried to break down barriers in such settings.

Thanks to her skills, everyone at the table felt close and comfortable.

"Ha, I don't know. I can't count it on my fingers. It's a bit annoying. Are you trying to make the boss do something annoying?"

"If you don't want to tell me, don't."

"Who said I don't want to? Let's see. Ah! I'll tell you if you're not drunk when we leave."

Seong-pil smirked slightly, emboldened by the alcohol.

'Are you challenging me to a drinking contest?'

Seong-pil, who often drank with people in the industry, was confident he wouldn't lose.

"Let's go for soju and beer."

Seong-pil's memory ended there.

* * *

"Ugh, ugh..."

His throat felt dry, but Hanguin couldn't easily get up.

He couldn't even open his eyes.

While rolling around, feeling the texture of the sheets, he faintly heard the sound of a shower.

'Who's taking a shower? Who is it?'

He pondered in his drowsy state.

He fell asleep again, and when he finally came to, light filtered through his eyelids.

It was morning.

Hanguin finally opened his eyes, and immediately, he was wide awake.

"What, what is this?"

The unfamiliar texture of the sheets.

Could such soft mattresses, sheets, and pillows exist in the world? The material was so luxurious that he couldn't help but think so.

The interior was also incredibly luxurious.

Hanguin checked his attire.

His original clothes were nowhere to be found, and he was wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts.

"Uh, uh?"

Confused, Hanguin jumped up, opened the door, and stepped out.

The hallway was long.

At the end, a living room-like space was visible. From there, the smell of something being cooked and a fragrant aroma wafted over.

Hanguin, trembling with an inexplicable premonition, went to the living room. In the kitchen connected to the living room, a woman was cooking.

She turned around at the sound of Hanguin's footsteps.

"You're up. Have breakfast."

"..."

It was the boss, Hong Gyu-hun.

She was wearing the same style of T-shirt and shorts as Hanguin.

'The clothes I'm wearing are the boss's. This house is the boss's. The room I slept in is the boss's room...'

The hangover that had been bothering Hanguin just moments ago suddenly vanished.