Messages from Anywhere
Honestly, the reward “Receive Messages from Anywhere” from episode 59 looked like a cheap name, but it was far more powerful than it seemed. The “anywhere” in this reward didn’t just mean portable like a cell phone. It wasn’t limited to space alone—it transcended the timeline. Any message that reached me, no matter who sent it, I could check from “anywhere.” And “message” didn’t only mean text messages. Letters, chats, and if I was lucky, even video messages counted as long as they were directed at me. Of course, it wasn’t without drawbacks. Until I selected a target, I couldn’t see the contents, the visible message was chosen at random, and since it only showed what was sent in one go, there was the terrible risk of wasting the reward on something like a single “hi” in shorthand. That’s why it was important to choose someone who wouldn’t waste time on pointless small talk. For example…
[CBS Vice President – Cheon Baek-hyun (viewable)]
I had to pick someone whose identity and the quality of information were guaranteed, like the vice president of CBS. The contents of the message he would send me would surely help me understand how the future had changed in this round. After all, I had never contacted him in the previous round. Even just knowing how our connection formed would be useful for building my network. There might even be opportunities in that message that I couldn’t imagine. I didn’t necessarily have to choose CBS Vice President Cheon Baek-hyun—there were plenty of other promising options. Even among the heavy hitters I had tangled with in various ways in the predetermined future, there were names I could check messages from. Picking any one of them would probably yield useful information.
“…”
I knew exactly who I needed to choose to make proper use of this reward. Yet my hand scrolled past the names of those powerful figures and searched for only one name.
[Yale University undergraduate – Jin Yeoreum (viewable)]
My hand stopped on that single name. I knew it was a foolish choice. But I had to know. Whether our relationship had been built only on lies or whether something had been hidden, I needed to see what that sincerity really was. It might not be too late yet. So I had to do it now. I clicked on Jin Yeoreum’s name.
With a cheap “ding” sound, a single letter appeared in my hand. The letter had quite a bit of thickness to it. Unlike the letter Yoon Haneul had delivered, this one seemed to contain a considerable amount of text. At least it had avoided the disaster of leaving behind only a single shorthand like “lol.” Looking at the letter, it appeared to have been sent about three years from now. I unfolded it and checked the contents. Jin Yeoreum must have accumulated a lot to say over those three years—the writing filled quite a few pages. I read through all of it in an instant while standing there. After finishing the letter, I gripped it so tightly the paper crumpled.
“…Ha. You’re only saying that after three years?”
I opened my smartphone and called the number Seok Hyeonwu had given me under the pretext of repaying a favor. His claim that he would answer even if woken in the middle of the night hadn’t been a joke—the call connected as soon as the signal went through.
“This is Seok Hyeonwu.”
“Manager Seok. This is Team Leader Seon Taeyang.”
“Ah…”
“I’ll be direct. Where is Yeoreum right now?”
“The airport… She’s at the airport.”
Her ability to act was disgustingly fast. Or perhaps Jin Yeoreum had simply hidden things too well until it reached this point.
“Could you keep her from leaving for a moment?”
“That’s…”
“I have something I absolutely must say. I’m begging you.”
“…I won’t be able to hold her for long. But since it’s your request, Team Leader Seon, I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up and immediately started running.
—Hello, Team Leader Seon. This is Jin Yeoreum. It’s been a long time since I’ve greeted you like this.—
—Reaching out again after cutting ties so rudely… You must find it unpleasant to receive a letter like this. Hmm… I suppose you would. Even I think it’s terribly rude. …Still, I believe you would accept even someone like me gently. Because the Team Leader Seon I know is that kind of person.—
—I’m studying business administration at Yale University right now. It’s a prestigious school I wouldn’t have gotten into without legacy admission, so there are many times when I feel overwhelmed just trying to keep up with the classes. As you’d expect, all the lectures are in English. For someone who only used to dance, it’s been quite the ordeal. Still, I’m doing my best. Recently, a professor even recommended that I pursue a master’s degree. I wonder if that’s what they call being “chosen”?—
—Here, everyone calls me either “Jin” or “Summer.” I guess the name “Yeoreum” is hard for my foreign friends to pronounce. But I don’t mind. Actually, I find it rather nice. It means there’s no one here who recognizes Jin Yeoreum, the rhythmic gymnastics doping criminal.—
—I do see Korean students sometimes, but they don’t seem to think I’m that Jin Yeoreum either. Has my face changed that much since my rhythmic gymnastics days? Or is it that they can’t imagine me studying here? Either way, it’s a relief.—
—That’s how I’ve been living. Chatting about trivial things with the others, wandering around good restaurants, then holing up in the library when exams approach to cram. I spend ordinary, peaceful days. Father was right. Starting over somewhere no one knows you really is an incredible opportunity.—
—Among the trivial conversations I have with them, there’s talk about K-pop too. Maybe because the girls are interested, they often bring up Korean-related topics with me. Thanks to that, adapting has been easier. The little bit I learned while dancing with Gaeul and Gyeoul last winter helped, so I sometimes join flash mobs or show my face at the dance club. My language skills improve and I make friends quickly. And sometimes, I hear stories about the group you, Gaeul, and Gyeoul created.—
—They really are beautiful and cool. They all seem to sparkle so brightly that I feel proud myself. I wonder what it would have been like if I had joined that group? …I definitely wouldn’t have succeeded looking like that, right? Of course not—because I would have become an obstacle. It’s true that I once thought about clinging to you like a madwoman, Team Leader Seon, but I’m glad I didn’t. Running away to study abroad just because I decided to give up… Even I think it was a little ugly. Hehe. Still, I hope you can understand a little. If I hadn’t done that, I don’t think I could have resisted my selfish desires.—
—Since it’s already in the past, I’ll be a little honest. Back then, I told you I wasn’t going to become an idol because it wasn’t the best option for me. That was a lie. I actually wanted to become an idol. I made excuses about it being the best move or helping with image rehabilitation, but… in the end, there was only one real reason.—
—I wanted to become an idol with you, Team Leader Seon, and with Gyeoul and Gaeul. Truly.—
—Thank you for recommending it to me back then and for taking me seriously. It really was a happy dream. I hope you, Gyeoul, and Gaeul get to live that happy dream.—
—Remembering a midsummer night’s memory,
Jin Yeoreum.—
I sprinted like a madman toward the gate where Seok Hyeonwu was supposedly holding her. And there I found him, along with Jin Yeoreum wearing a picnic hat with a blue ribbon, a white camisole dress, and an oversized beige cardigan one size too big. I shouted her name.
“Yeoreum!”
Jin Yeoreum turned her head and looked at me.
“…Team Leader Seon?”