So That's Why You Called Me Over?
Was this why you called me here?
Have you calmed down?
You don't look like you're still in a frenzy.
Maybe the cool night breeze I got while smoking outside helped, or maybe my mind had already worked out how to save face.
I walked in acting pretty relaxed, as if nothing was wrong.
Taeseong moved slowly through the lounge, gently stirring the atmosphere. Then his gaze locked onto one spot.
It was Yoon Chaewon, chatting with the others.
“Chaewon-ah, long time no see. I loved that song from your new album.”
Taeseong smiled and walked over to her.
Ah. So Taeseong used to like Chaewon?
I've never seen the guy so much as look at one woman without trying to pick her up, so his tastes are a total mystery to me.
When Chaewon spotted Taeseong, the corner of her mouth lifted just a little. She greeted him with that perfect idol smile, the one reserved for fans.
She's pro. Straight-up professional.
Even the rabidly clinging fans who chase idols around like they're their only oxygen can be handled with a smile. It's an extreme profession, and she does it flawlessly.
“Ah, thank you, Taeseong-ah. How have you been?”
“I'm doing great. What about you? I heard you're touring overseas lately. We should definitely invite you to model for our Mobility event someday.”
Taeseong was trying to ride the wave and keep the conversation going.
Chaewon nodded politely, then suddenly turned and walked straight toward me.
“Han Yideun. Let's go outside for a bit, shall we?”
“...Me?”
“Yeah. Just for a minute.”
Chaewon didn't wait for my answer. She gently tugged at my collar and headed for the terrace.
I followed her without thinking twice.
Just as the glass door closed, Taeseong glanced back. The smile was gone. His lips were pressed tight, and his teeth were clenched like he was holding back a storm of anger.
Even then and even now, you're still not good enough for me, you bastard.
Keep collecting all that inferiority complex and wallow in it.
***
Private terrace overlooking the garden outside the lounge.
Once we were behind the glass doors, the noisy chatter inside vanished. Instead, the sound of crickets and the cool night air wrapped around us.
I leaned against the railing and watched Chaewon standing there. I tilted my head in confusion inside my head.
'Why did she call me out here anyway?'
Back in the day we were close, but now our worlds are too far apart for us to feel anything special about being alone together like this.
She must have realized there were no sticky bonds left between us.
While the awkward silence hung in the air, Chaewon finally spoke, staring at the night view beyond the railing.
“Did you forget me?”
“Eh?”
Her sudden question made me blurt out a stupid sound. Chaewon turned to look at me directly.
“I haven't forgotten you. But you... you completely forgot about me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Exactly. Even after I debuted, you barely contacted me once. It really stings.”
Chaewon pouted slightly, her voice full of hurt.
What the hell is this?
Is this the fake chaebol social-speak?
Those lines about “feeling hurt” or “missing someone” are nothing but hollow greetings we treat like small talk.
Since it was all fake anyway, I decided to play along.
“Hey, how could I possibly reach out to the top-tier idol, Yoon Chaewon? I’d get my toes chewed off by your fans.”
I answered with a playful grin, trying to laugh it off.
But Chaewon’s expression didn’t match my expectations. It was serious.
She stepped closer to me.
A faint scent of perfume lingered between us.
“It’s not an act. I’m being completely honest.”
“...What exactly is the truth?”
“Even when you cut off contact, while I was on overseas schedules, sitting in waiting rooms or on flights, I still watched your old football highlight videos to pass the time.”
Oh?
Is it really that much?
“Why would you even watch my videos?”
“Just... I remember the time you took my ball away from me in the backyard and teased me. Seeing you run around so gracefully made me nostalgic. That’s all.”
Chaewon rested her arms on the railing and gave me a lazy, affectionate smile.
“And lately, it’s even more fun.”
“What is?”
“You’re all over the news lately. You completely destroyed Gang-wi and became the chairman of the KFA as a former rookie. It’s hilarious. When I saw that, I realized there are tons of football web novels online inspired by you.”
“...Web novels?”
“Yeah. What were the titles again? Something like ‘Chaebol Brat National Team’ or whatever silly nonsense. Every time I had time, I read one. It reminded me of our old memories, and it was nice.”
Chaewon giggled and burst out laughing.
Her body and face were adult now, but the real Yoon Chaewon—the one who used to giggle and mess around beside me as a kid—felt right there in front of me.
“You really live a life that’s impossible to predict, Han Yideun. Both back then and now.”
The stiff atmosphere vanished instantly with her laughter.
I thought it was just fake politeness, but this girl had been genuinely enjoying my every move, popping popcorn like it was the best show ever.
***
My mood had lightened a lot after the unexpected talk with Chaewon.
Now that I’d seen the real Chaewon, the suffocating fake atmosphere of the room felt manageable.
We finished our awkward small talk and went back inside.
Chaewon headed toward the other group again, still wearing her elegant idol mask. I walked straight to the main VIP table where the old foxes were waiting, like they’d been expecting me.
“Oh my, our Chairman Han has arrived! We old farts should finally get to hear some of your stories too.”
Chairman Choi of K Group grinned jovially and patted the seat beside him.
Chairman Park of H Construction, seated next to him, set down his whiskey glass and jumped in.
“Not only are you all over the sports news, but now you’re covering the economy and politics too. The chairman moves like a beast after taking office, they say. He even gave a long speech encouraging the executive board to follow your lead. Hahaha.”
“You honor me, seniors. I’m just a little kid playing around on the paths you paved for me.”
I answered with a bright grin and sat down.
Compliments flew back and forth, and the conversation stayed light.
These top chaebol guys in Korea didn’t call me just because I was the youngest playboy son of a family. There had to be an ulterior motive.
The time for the real discussion was coming.
And sure enough, Park shifted the topic smoothly.
“Speaking of which, the regional association chairmen are all gathering soon, right?”
Eh?
I kept smiling while my mind raced at lightning speed.
'Wait... Regional Football Association Chairmen’s Joint Meeting?'
Even if I hadn’t looked it up, anyone would know this was public information. Still, coming from a major construction company owner, it felt deliberate.
Regional Football Association Chairmen—more accurately, the local tycoons who controlled the sports and entertainment sectors of each region.
They were the backbone of the KFA, holding the real voting power.
I nodded lightly.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s my first time meeting all the national regional chairmen since I took office.”
“Heh heh, back then...”
Park coughed and leaned toward me, his eyes flashing with something snake-like.
“All those regional chairmen are the local power brokers—mayors, governors, the usual suspects. We’re preparing a major sports complex and new stadium project in one of our local cities through H Construction.”
Aha.
The pieces were finally falling into place.
“The local government does have influence, but the opinions of the regional sports elders are even more decisive. If our Chairman Han stood up there and quietly mentioned our brochures, it would make everything flow smoothly.”
Park smiled broadly and laughed heartily.
“Of course, we’re not asking you to damage your own reputation. There’s one main sponsorship slot open at the KFA. We’ll write you a contract with H Group—fat money, the highest rate in history. How does that sound?”
Chairman Choi nodded from the side.
This was the classic chaebol deal.
This was exactly why they’d summoned me to Cheongunhoe the moment I became chairman.
They were handing me a mountain of sponsorship money in exchange for using my chairman title and power to win their regional construction contracts.
'They’ve already set up the deal before I even took office. They’re planning to stick their golden straw right down my throat.'
That sweet golden straw.
Refusing would offend the chaebol elders. Accepting would turn me into their lobbyist forever.
Hmm... honestly, though, isn’t this a good thing?
How long can I keep pumping in money to block everything?
These pot-netizens who don’t even know the difference between a football and a goal won’t understand the chairman’s hard work anyway.