Reincarnated Hero Management Chapter 7: The Hero, Rice Shop Daughter Hyeon Ha-yeon (2)
I waved goodbye to the auntie and stepped out of the rice shop. Watching Ha-yeon effortlessly lift heavy sacks of rice—bags that would strain even a grown man—I racked my brain for a natural way to pitch her. But it was my first time scouting someone, and it felt awkward as hell.
"Um... is it okay if I call you Ha-yeon?"
"Huh? You heard my name?"
"I overheard your mom earlier."
"Oh~ Sure, that's fine."
As we chatted about this and that, the public parking lot came into view. I had to find some way to keep her there long enough to slip her my business card naturally.
"Where's your car parked, Manager?"
"...Over there, that's mine."
"Open the trunk, and I'll load it for you~"
I slipped my hand into the inner pocket of my jacket, thinking desperately of a plan. The moment my fingers closed around the car key inside, an idea flashed through my mind.
"Oh, uh... oh! My key!"
I put on the most awkward act imaginable, patting myself down dramatically. It was the kind of performance you couldn't watch with your eyes open.
"What? You lost your key?!"
Thankfully, she didn't seem to notice how fake it was.
"Ah... where could I have dropped it?"
If Lee Ji-yeon had seen me, she'd have been rolling on the floor laughing at my crappy acting.
"Oh no... what are we gonna do, Manager?"
"Should I go back to the shop and look for it?"
Even in a mess like this, she was offering to help search like it was her problem. A pang of guilt hit me, but there was no choice.
"No, it's fine—I never even took the key out, so it shouldn't be there. I've got my wallet... but..."
"Aww..."
"Is there a place around here that makes duplicate keys? I'm not familiar with..."
"I'll go check!"
She set down the rice and dashed off somewhere. Watching her black hair flutter as she ran, I told myself again that it couldn't be helped.
*
"Let's see... 4444... CG Enter... Yep, got it."
"Uh... should I call a nearby service for you?"
"Yes, please—that would be a huge help."
Shortly after Ha-yeon left, a police car pulled up. Her solution had been to call in the authorities.
"Whoa~ Officer Kim, isn't CG Entertainment that place?"
"What about it?"
"You know that pretty actress Lee Ji-yeon you mentioned last time? He's from her agency."
"Lee Ji-yeon? For real?"
The young officer who'd checked my business card and ID whispered to his partner about CG Entertainment. Their eyes scanned me up and down with a hint of suspicion. They seemed to know the company well, and things might just work out. I had to seize the moment.
"Yes, that's right. I'm Lee Ji-yeon's manager."
"Whoa! He's a manager—a real manager!"
"Why would Lee Ji-yeon's manager lose his keys around here?"
"Scouting talent, duh?"
"Scouting?"
This was it! I leaned in conspiratorially and glanced at Ha-yeon, who was watching from the side.
"How'd you know? Actually, there's a gem here who could rival Lee Ji-yeon—that's why I came."
The officers followed my gaze to Ha-yeon and nodded in understanding.
"Ahh~"
"Knew it!"
"...?"
Ha-yeon, watching from the side, looked utterly confused and stared at me. As the officers chattered, I shot her a subtle wink.
"Uh, y-yeah! Scouting!"
She caught on to my intent and hurriedly played along.
"Whoa, we're getting a celebrity from our neighborhood! Haha!"
"Yeah, with Ha-yeon's personality, she's sweet and could make it big."
"...Haha..."
She gave an awkward laugh as I turned to the officers.
"Ahem... any idea when the service will get here?"
"Oh right! We'll call 'em—we forgot!"
"We'll give you the number, so we're off!"
"Ha-yeon, give it a shot! Better than rotting in this countryside—go make it in Seoul! Haha!"
Thrilled at the idea of someone they knew becoming a star, they encouraged her with jokes and drove off.
"..."
"..."
The parking lot fell quiet once they were gone.
"...Ha-yeon, thank you so much for your help."
"Oh, n-no, it was nothing..."
"..."
"..."
Her reaction was subtle now that we'd actually done it, and my heart raced with anxiety. I had to steer the conversation and hand her my card somehow!
"Ha-yeon, know any good restaurants around?"
"H-Huh!?"
She jumped at my words, blurting out a startled reply.
"I haven't eaten yet, and you've helped me out big time. If it's okay, want to grab a meal together?"
"...Sure."
I'd pulled it off somehow!
*
"And next up is Shining Girls' You’re the Only One! We'll be right back—music start!"
"I love you~ I love only you~ Hundreds, thousands of times, only you~~"
The car was silent as I drove back to the office with the rice loaded up. The upbeat radio song clashed with my darkened expression.
'...Ha-yeon, what I said earlier was serious.'
'Huh?'
'I really came because I wanted to talk with you.'
Her face and reactions had been off throughout the meal, growing even stranger.
'From the moment I saw you, I thought of scouting you.'
'I couldn't say it properly then, but you're the first person I've wanted to make into a star.'
'Me... the first...?'
'Yes, I'm not just saying it—you can definitely make it.'
'Here's my card.'
She took the card I'd thrust at her, examining it like a precious treasure.
'If you're interested, please contact me.'
The meal was nearly over, and dragging it out further would seem forced, so in my haste, I'd given her the card. Up to that point, I thought it'd worked... but
'...Sorry, Manager...'
Her hands trembled as she handed it back.
'...Why?'
'...Someone like me, a celebrity? No way...'
'You can definitely do it... Please, just take the card—no pressure?'
'I need to report to the company, so take your time and contact me anytime.'
'...Okay.'
"Phew..."
I'd at least managed to get the card into her hands. But even as we parted in the parking lot, a shadow lingered on her face.
I couldn't figure out why she'd refused. At the restaurant Ha-yeon recommended, locals recognized and greeted her. Apparently, she was famous in the village as the pretty, strong rice shop daughter. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't find a way to convince her.
For now, I needed to get backup from the company rep, or the plan would hit a major snag. My meeting with Choi Dae-pyo was soon, so I pondered how to persuade him as I sped up a bit.
*
Knock knock
"It's Kim Cho-in."
"Come in."
"Long time no see, Kim Cho-in."
"Yes, it's been a while, sir."
"Have a seat. What brings you here in person?"
Choi Dae-pyo welcomed me warmly. Sitting before him, I cautiously broached the topic.
"Sir, it's been nine years since I started as a manager."
"...You here to quit?"
"No."
"Then why the grim face?"
"Sir, do you remember the day I brought in Ji-yeon?"
"Ji-yeon? Ha! How could I forget the kid who barged into the president's office, insisting on turning a model wannabe into a singer no matter what?"
"...I want to get serious about my work now too."
"Haha, you who said you'd die before chasing promotions—what changed your mind?"
"I want to raise my own celebrity now."
"Found a regular person who meets your standards?"
He grinned slyly at me.
"I guarantee it—she's at least Ji-yeon level."
"At least?"
"Yes. Want to see her profile?"
Before parting with Ha-yeon, I'd jotted down a rough profile and photos on my phone and showed them to Choi Dae-pyo. He examined it closely.
"Hyeon Ha-yeon... twenty... special skills: super strength...?"
"Hm... where'd you find a civilian with this look? She's not a trainee?"
"Ran into her by chance and gave her my card. She's a total ordinary girl."
"Hmm... so she hasn't agreed yet?"
He nailed it exactly.
"...Yes. But if you approve first, it'll help convince her."
"Hmm... age, looks—no flaws. Personality?"
"Bright, quick-witted, polite—word around town is she's the best kid there."
"...Single mom, little sister, runs the rice shop? Girl head of household..."
"Nice. Good image too—looks solid..."
He reviewed the profile again, then set it down.
"Kim Cho-in."
"Yes."
"Can you bring her in?"
"Absolutely."
"Good—make it happen!"
One mountain down.
*
"In-seok, something up?"
It was a rare group schedule for Shining Boys, so we were all in the waiting room. Jang-woo, the third member fiddling with his phone, stared at me and spoke up.
"...Huh? Nothing's up."
"...Nah, something's off with hyung."
"It's nothing—why are you pacing like you're waiting for a girlfriend text?"
"Girlfriend!? In-seok hyung has a girlfriend?!"
"Whoa! Inssi has a girl? No wonder he's been MIA lately."
Sang-min, Jin-woo, In-seok, and Jang-woo's banter had suddenly given me a girlfriend out of nowhere. The excited kids were in a frenzy, and even the staff were chiming in.
I knew denying it wouldn't end it, so I just asked them to quiet down a bit—but it only got rowdier.
"Hyung, show us a pic~"
"She's gotta be hot—my girl's perfect~ Kyaa!"
"Inssi, pic now!"
"Jealous—I want a girlfriend too..."
Bang!
Someone kicked open the waiting room door, and the noise died instantly.
"Who... got a girlfriend?"
Her face showed no emotion, but her voice was ice-cold.
"Who?"
Lee Ji-yeon had arrived.