Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Hero
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“What’s with the sudden craving for pork bones?”
JD Enter’s CEO Park Jae-yong and Director Lee Sun arrived at the parking lot of a pork bone soup restaurant.
“Nostalgia just leads to pork bone soup, you know?”
“Ah? Don’t tell me this is…?”
They looked at each other and shared a bitter smile.
“Yep. The place where our members spent their short-lived runaway.”
The two entered the restaurant, where more than half of the fifteen tables were occupied.
“Ah!”
“Huh?”
“Wow.”
The eyes of the customers who recognized them gathered, and Park Jae-yong greeted them with his signature beaming smile.
“Yes. Hello. Yes, that’s right, I’m Park Jae-yong.”
For decades, Park Jae-yong had savored the looks of people who recognized him.
CEO Park Jae-yong and Director Lee Sun sat down at a table.
“Aigoo! Lee Sun, you’re here!”
“Hello. Business is good, I see, ma’am.”
Director Lee Sun greeted her with a bright smile, a rare departure from her usual stern demeanor.
“Thanks to you, it is. Oh my…”
The owner, a woman in her sixties, smiled as she looked at Park Jae-yong, seemingly unable to recall his name. Park Jae-yong smiled back tensely, hoping she would say it.
“Park Jae-yong…”
“Oh my, that’s right! This is what happens when you get old. Park Jae-yong, you’re a singer, right?”
“Yes… yes.”
The surrounding customers stifled their laughter at Park Jae-yong’s bittersweet smile.
“Should I get you the braised seafood pork bones?”
“Yes, please.”
Soon, a three-story tower of nine massive pork bones arrived, accompanied by a side of appetizing red fried rice.
“……”
Director Lee Sun gazed at the tower of bones, savoring the pleasant memories.
“Jeez. Manager Ji stayed up for three nights because of you kids. Without a wink of sleep.”
“They were about to send kids who’d never even been to Jeju Island on a month-long overseas schedule without a translator. Of course we would do that.”
“…But we didn’t go, did we?”
“Only because we raised such a fuss. I still get chills thinking about it. That broker, or local manager, or whatever he was—it was a scam, wasn’t it?”
“Ahem! Let’s keep it down. There are people around.”
Park Jae-yong’s face flushed at the embarrassing memory as he began to dismantle the pork bones.
“The meat’s tender. I’ll give you that.”
“…Oppa, please stop using the kids’ slang. It’s awkward.”
“As long as I pull it off. Over-the-top tuna mackerel.”
“…I regret coming here with you.”
—This is the headline news. About an hour ago, a cardiac arrest patient was reported on a beach in Sokcho, Gangwon Province…
The news from Sokcho, where Answer’s schedule was taking place, made Director Lee Sun and CEO Park Jae-yong turn their heads. On the screen, a video played of a woman with purple hair performing CPR on a patient.
“Huh?”
“That’s Seol-ah!”
—Fortunately, thanks to the emergency first aid administered by a member and manager of the girl group Answer, who were participants at the popular variety show set…
“No way!”
“No way!”
A startled CEO Park Jae-yong rushed to the TV and pointed at the screen.
“That’s a member of our group, Answer. I’m so proud! Wow! She saved someone’s life!”
CEO Park Jae-yong started clapping, and the restaurant patrons, caught by surprise, joined in.
—And for our next story.
As the news changed, an embarrassed Park Jae-yong bowed to everyone before returning to his seat.
“Why are you being so embarrassing?”
“Sun-ah, aren’t you proud of our girls?”
“That’s one thing, this is another.”
But contrary to her words, a smile lingered on Director Lee Sun’s lips.
“Don’t call them. They must be busy. Just text them later or something.”
“Ah, right, right, right.”
Placing his phone on the table, CEO Park Jae-yong cheerfully picked the meat off a bone.
“You know… it used to be that if I fell backward, I’d still break my nose. But these days, it feels like even if I fall off a cliff, I’d land in a field of money, don’t you think?”
“Ever since Min-jun joined.”
“Yeah. There’s something about that kid.”
“Our projected revenue for the next quarter is up by 20%. And that’s even after cutting back on Sung-hoon’s schedule.”
“I know. Let’s make sure we hold onto him so he can’t run away. Ma’am! Can we get two aprons and a beer over here, please!”
“What about driving?”
“Who cares? We’ll get a designated driver.”
Unable to contain his good mood, CEO Park Jae-yong shot up from his seat.
“Ma’am! I’m buying a round for the house! Two beers for every table!”
Park Jae-yong went to the drink fridge and started pulling out beers. Director Lee Sun let out a small laugh and joined him in handing them out.
“Oh my, what’s all this… Thank you!”
“To get a beer from Park Jae-yong himself, what an honor!”
“I can’t drink because I have to drive…”
“Then just take it home with you! Everyone has to be treated fairly! Hahaha!”
With two celebrities handing out beer, the atmosphere in the restaurant soon became warm and cheerful.
* * *
With Seol-ah as the goalie, Yi-na on defense, Ro-si in the center, and Seul-bi on offense, the water handball match began.
—Ro-si of Answer gets the ball and passes it to Seul-bi. Wow, she’s fast! She’s not even swimming, how can she be so quick?
Following my instructions, Answer’s performance was overwhelming.
It was incredibly difficult to stop the members, who never lost the ball once they had it. It took at least two opponents ganging up on them to even force a rare mistake.
—3-to-0! Answer wins! What a relentless offense. They’re completely outmatched! Are they really from the same girl group category?
The host marveled at Answer’s dominant performance.
“Haa, haa, haa.”
“Whoa, we only played for a bit, but I’m starving!”
“How much time has passed?”
“Seven minutes.”
“Seol-ah, are your hand and shoulder okay?”
“…It’s just a little sore.”
For Seol-ah to say that, it must be quite painful.
⋮
“Seol-ah hurt her hand, so she won’t be able to move well. Target that. All we have to do is block the ball from getting to Seul-bi, so Perry, you’re tall, you take Seul-bi…”
I could hear the members of Your Girl, who had won the first round and were now facing Answer in the finals, despicably plotting to exploit Seol-ah’s injury.
They had rotten personalities.
“Huh? But Unni, you’re taller. You just don’t want to do it, right?”
“Hey, no, that’s not it. This is to win… Fine, I’ll take care of that bitch Seul-bi. You guys just focus on scoring.”
“If you can just stop that bitch Seul-bi, we can win. The rest of those rejects are weak.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stop her even if I have to rip her pants off. Just watch me screw them over.”
“Ooh.”
Their foul play knew no bounds.
And what? Rejects?
“Seul-bi.”
“Yes, Oppa?”
“If… and it’s not going to happen, but…”
“Ugh, what is it? Just spit it out.”
It was embarrassing to even say it out loud.
“What if Your Girl tries to stop you by, say, pulling your pants down…”
“Pfft!”
Ro-si covered her mouth and laughed.
“Ugh! I’d just dunk them in the water! Those girls are totally capable of doing it on purpose.”
Seul-bi spoke angrily, as if it had happened to her before.
“We’ll become your love! Your Girl, fighting!”
“Yeah, right, ‘pretty.’”
At Your Girl’s cheer, fire blazed in the eyes of the Answer members.
“Fight, win, shine! Answer, fighting!”
—Wahaha! Answer’s spirit is formidable as they face Your Girl. We may be in the water, but I expect a fiery showdown. Alright, take your positions.
*Tweet.*
“Uwaaah!”
“Kyaak!”
*Splash!*
A huge splash erupted as Seul-bi leaped into the air to snatch the ball, shoving Your Girl’s Se-yeon aside and charging forward.
“Good start.”
*Bzzz.*
—CEO Park Jae-yong: A call totally doable?
Did he really have to add ‘totally’?
I shook my head as I called CEO Park Jae-yong.
—Hey! Min-jun! I heard Seol-ah saved someone!
“Yes. My report was late. I sent the photos and video through reporter Shin Dong-min. I believe the production crew’s cameras captured it as well.”
—Heck yeah! Hey, I was so happy I bought a round of beers for the whole restaurant.
“…You did well. Also, I heard from the VR Rhythm Saber team.”
—Hm? Why them?
“They said they liked the map I made and want to work together.”
—…Min-jun…
“…Yes?”
CEO Park Jae-yong’s voice turned incredibly gloomy.
—How could you do this to me? You’re the youngest team leader in the industry, and the company has been treating you as best as we possibly can…
I held back a laugh at his wild assumption and listened silently.
—What, is Team Leader Min quitting?
—Hang on a second. I’m talking.
Hearing Director Lee Sun’s surprised voice, I felt a strange sense of pride.
—And that’s not all we’ve done for you. I know how much you’ve contributed to our company’s growth… Right! Look, man, I was even thinking of splitting off some of my own shares for you, and when we go public, stock options too…
Choi Yoo-jun blinked at me, curious about the amused expression on my face as I listened to CEO Park Jae-yong’s sweet talk.
—Just know that Director Lee and I care about you that much, and think it over, man. No matter how great a big corporation is, a producer with a hit song makes way more money.
“Then please don’t forget what you just said. I look forward to working with you.”
—Hey! You brat! Of course, I think of you like a little brother!
“Anyway, I think there will be a lot to discuss with the developers, starting with a collaboration for Answer’s new song.”
—How are you thinking of doing it?
“I’m thinking of creating a music pack centered on Answer’s songs or JD Enter’s hits and officially releasing it.”
—Hey! That sounds like a huge hit! Great idea!
“So I’ll need you to handle the copyright law issues for that.”
—Hey, hey, I’ll take care of all of that… But you weren’t thinking of quitting, were you?
It seemed he was finally realizing something was off.
“…I never said I was quitting.”
—You little! You were messing with your hyung! Argh! I oughta, argh!
I could picture CEO Park Jae-yong’s fuming face.
“I’m in the middle of filming. I’ll call you back.”
—You, you, you!
Underneath his angry tone, I could hear a subtle sense of relief.
“Kyaat!”
“Woooah!”
—1-to-0! Answer scores the first goal.
As Seul-bi scored past the goalie, the other cast members clapped as if they were enjoying the show.
Your Girl’s attack began. Se-yeon grabbed Seul-bi’s arm to obstruct her defense, while Mi-ji and Perry used passes to get past Ro-si.
“Ah! Ugh!”
Mi-ji grabbed Yi-na’s waist to immobilize her, while Perry pushed Seol-ah with her back.
“Ugh!”
Seol-ah, who normally wouldn’t be overpowered, looked troubled as Perry’s body subtly targeted her wrist.
“Ah!”
An attack on her wrist threw Seol-ah off balance, and Perry seized the opportunity to send the ball into the goal.
—One to one!
“Hey! That’s cheap! Did you see that? She pushed her wrist!”
“……”
“How can someone with a personality like that even be a celebrity these days? Seriously?”
An agitated Choi Yoo-jun said loudly.
“Over there! Please be mindful of the ambiance!”
“Sorry.”
The assistant director grumbled in annoyance.
“Ambiance?”
“He’s saying not to ruin the ambient sound.”
I said, pointing to the two boom mics attached to a large stand.
“Ah! Oh…”
—The game seems to be getting a bit rough. I understand your desire for a delicious lunch, but I ask you all to be careful not to hurt each other.
A venomous look entered the eyes of Seul-bi and the other members.
—The game resumes. Ro-si passes to Seul-bi, but it’s long. The ball goes to the defender, Ra-mi, but wait! Seul-bi dives and snatches the ball. A physical battle with Ra-mi begins.
—At the crucial moment when Ra-mi is being pushed back, Se-yeon joins in. Surrounded from the front and back, Seul-bi is in a crisis.
—Ah! Seul-bi’s struggle causes Ra-mi to lose her balance and fall into the water. Seizing the opportunity, Seul-bi pushes forward, but Se-yeon grabs her by the waist!
The host commentated as if he were a soccer announcer. The game, which was bound to be slow in the water, felt thrilling.
—To stop the rapidly advancing Seul-bi, Se-yeon grabs her by the waist.
“Kyaak! My pants! My pants!”
Seul-bi let out a sharp scream, but her expression held not a single shred of tension.
“What the!”
“Calm down! It’s Seul-bi’s plan.”
“Huh?”
Just as Se-yeon feigned a fall while trying to pull down Seul-bi’s bottoms, I saw Seul-bi’s sly smile.
The silhouette of the underwater scene, invisible to others, was reflected in my ‘Third Eye.’