Hero, the Rice Shop Daughter Hyeon Ha-yeon (5)
I figured delving deeper into the past I'd shared with the Hero wouldn't be good for my mental health. Since I'd found a clue to winning her over, I decided to wake up from the dream. Closing my eyes and wishing to escape the dream, I felt my body floating upward.
Before I knew it, I was lying in bed. I checked the time. It was still early dawn.
Looking at the business card from Saeng Saeng Rice Shop, there were no specific business hours listed. I'd already contacted the company ahead of time to clear my schedule for the day. Thanks to Choi Dae-pyo's influence, the adjustment went smoothly.
I opened the map app to gauge the distance. If I hurried to the rice shop after getting ready, the timing should work out just right. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to wash up.
"Current road traffic conditions... from Seoul..."
"A bit of congestion around the XX road area."
I'd left the radio on in case I dozed off, and traffic info was flowing out. It was reporting gridlock on the roads heading into Seoul, as if describing the opposite lane. My lane toward Gyeonggi Province was wide open, probably because it was morning. I glanced at the opposite lane. Seeing the cars pouring in like a tide while my side was completely clear made me feel refreshed. To get there even a little faster, I sped up.
I glanced at the info on the nav. I'd arrive soon. Honestly, it might be bewildering for her as the Hero. Showing up first thing in the morning to ask her to become a celebrity... How could I convince her? While I pondered, I reached the destination in no time.
*
After parking in the lot, I headed to the rice shop. Last time, it hadn't been crowded but buzzed with energy. Now, no one was wandering the streets. A few early-opening shops were visible here and there. Far off, a black-haired woman seemed to be opening early too.
Swoosh-swoosh-
SAENG SAENG RICE SHOP
The Hero was sweeping the front yard with a bamboo broom. She was even more diligent than I'd thought.
"Uh... hello?"
As I approached, she spotted me and greeted tentatively, her expression awkward.
"...You're working hard so early."
"No, it's just daily routine..."
"Did you... come because of that call...?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Ah... sorry, I should have called you."
She looked a bit apologetic. But I hadn't come to hear apologies from the Hero.
"Ha-yeon, I'm here today to convince you."
"Pardon?"
"You seem busy with opening prep, so I'll help with work first, then we can talk."
"Oh, it's fine..."
I snatched the broom from her protesting hands and ushered her inside.
"Ha-yeon, handle the inside. I'll tell you everything after."
"Um... okay..."
She eyed me curiously but went in. Eager to finish and chat with the Hero, I threw myself into cleaning for the first time since discharge.
*
Drag-
She came out from cleaning inside and looked surprised to see me.
"Wow, done already?"
"Yeah, I'm army-trained, so cleaning's no problem."
"Hehe, really?"
"Yes. Anything else?"
"Um... it's all done."
"...You're sorting rice sacks? Let me help."
"They're kinda heavy..."
"I'm ex-artillery; heavy stuff's fine."
"Ooh... then just move those over here!"
I lifted the rice sack she pointed to. Checking the label, it was 40kg.
"Hup!"
Heavier than expected; a grunt escaped.
"Hehe."
She giggled at my sack-hauling, then resumed work.
"Phew... fifteen... All done, Ha-yeon."
"Wow, thanks! Just this last one for me!"
She scooped up the last sack one-handed, like picking up a pebble. Her deep black hair swaying as she moved reminded me of the dream Hero. My unused muscles trembled after fifteen sacks.
"Done!"
Watching her place it lightly, doubt crept in.
"Good work. Eaten yet?"
"No, breakfast should be ready. Join us."
She invited me heartily. No reason to refuse.
Drag-
Opening the inner door, an auntie's voice came from inside.
"Done already?"
"Mom! The manager's here!"
"Who?"
The auntie, apron-clad from setting the table, greeted us.
"Hello."
"Oh my, from Seoul?"
She seemed surprised.
"Came for Ha-yeon business, helped with shop work."
"Ha-yeon?"
She was startled I'd come for her daughter.
"Yes. I'll explain details later. If it's okay... may I join for a meal?"
"...Sure, eat with us."
She smiled warmly despite the odd request.
*
"Nom... munch."
The Hero's little sister, Cho-yeon, was crushing fried egg onto her rice.
"Kim Cho-in... Manager?"
"Cho-in's fine."
"Okay... Cho-in. Any celebrities I know?"
"Lee Ji-yeon was under me."
"Heeek! Mom! This oppa managed Lee Ji-yeon!"
Cho-yeon exclaimed mid-bite.
"Hm..."
The auntie still looked puzzled after my explanation. Ha-yeon, beside her, wiped rice from Cho-yeon's mouth, seeming uninterested.
"...Is our Ha-yeon celebrity material?"
"I guarantee it. As a trainee... top star in two years."
"Two years?"
"Top star! Wow!"
The specific timeline piqued Ha-yeon's interest too.
"Even so, becoming one now..."
"Ma'am, Ha-yeon's twenty. Audrey Hepburn filmed Roman Holiday at twenty-four; Lee Tae-hee debuted in ads at twenty."
"Kim Na-young started as magazine model around then. Age is fine—perfect timing."
"Wow... oppa memorizes all that?"
Cho-yeon was impressed again.
"Hm... if Ha-yeon wants..."
The auntie glanced at her. Following her gaze, Ha-yeon stared at me, surprised.
"I... don't know."
She replied meekly. The auntie patted her back gently.
"...Then Ha-yeon, let's think slowly as three. Since Cho-in came, talk alone? You couldn't speak freely helping."
She backed me up. My efforts paid off.
"...Okay."
She agreed to talk.
"Thank you, ma'am."
The auntie smiled kindly.
"Cho-in, take care of my daughter."
"Ha-yeon, we'll mind the shop. Go talk."
"...Yeah."
After helping clear dishes, I took her to a nearby cafe.
*
Five minutes after seating her with coffee, her expression remained subtle.
"..."
She quietly wet her lips with coffee. I couldn't sit forever.
"...Ha-yeon, is my visit bothering you?"
"Ah! No!"
She denied earnestly, flustered.
"It's just..."
She fidgeted with her fingers, unable to continue. Something held her back.
"Tell me what's bothering you; I'll answer sincerely."
"Uh... I'm not even pretty..."
"Ha-yeon, I've seen Lee Ji-yeon my whole life. I say confidently: you're beautiful."
"Aww... even if you say that..."
She ducked shyly, gulping coffee. She didn't know her own appeal. To boost her confidence:
"Ha-yeon, I told the company you're my first to raise."
She peeked at me over her cup.
"I always said I'd stick to road manager gigs, no heavy lifting."
She set her cup down slightly.
"Yet I went to the president after seeing you first, introduced you as the one I want to manage, got the OK."
"If I fail you even slightly, I'll atone my life."
"No, not that far..."
"I need you."
"Aww..."
She blushed still.
"Just half a year—no, one month. Follow me; I'll show potential in a month."
"One month...?"
"In one, anyone will see you surpassing Lee Ji-yeon."
"Again: it has to be you, Hyeon Ha-yeon."
My firm words swayed her a bit.
"...Uh..."
"..."
I waited.
"Without me... family... can't run the shop..."
"Dad passed years ago; if shop stops, family's in trouble..."
"I... must protect family."
Family protection from her lips. Solve this, she's mine. But rookies earn nothing. Stopping here might close her opening heart.
"CG Entertainment has money."
"I have company housing."
"..."
"Training system's solid. Commuting from here's tough."
"...Yes."
"Living expenses, dignity allowance, housing provided in Seoul."
"Pardon?"
"No guilt toward CG; you'll earn astronomical sums. No need to keep shop for family."
"..."
She looked incredulous.
"I know moving family to Seoul's hard."
"But me and CG will protect you and family."
"Again: CG has money. That's pocket change investment."
"I can pull that investment."
"...Ha-yeon, follow well, become top star, protect me—I'll be grateful."
All said. Now wait.
Her flushed face looked at me.
"...Really live in Seoul with family?"
"Yes. Doubt? I'll call Choi Dae-pyo now."
"Ah, no."
"...Really protect my family?"
"Not just family—you too, Ha-yeon."
Protecting her made her redder. I waited calmly.
"...Can I really protect you, Manager?"
She asked if she could protect me. I'd seen past her protect countless times. Dream Hero was strong. But she was Hyeon Ha-yeon now.
I said confidently.
"Yes. No one but you can protect me."
Her expression shifted oddly.
"Th-then since you say only me... I'll protect you... Manager."
She smiled fresh, hiding shyness.
"Looking forward to working with you, Hyeon Ha-yeon."
I'd recruited the Hero.