The Hidden Power Behind the Scenes (1)
"A private tutor?" JSD reacted, though he seemed to be pondering the suggestion with a hint of hesitation.
"Yes. My nephew is very fond of my son, so if you tell him it's for a friend of his, he'll be happy to do it without any pressure."
"Hmm..."
"Is there something that concerns you?"
"Well, an 11-year-old being a tutor is a bit... shouldn't someone who teaches others have a bit more experience under their belt?"
Since JSD’s reaction was perfectly natural, Choi Cheol-kyu was able to provide a swift and clear answer.
"You don't need to worry about that. My nephew has already achieved great results while teaching his own friend."
"He taught his own friend?"
"Yes, that's right. I believe his name was Lee Won-hee... he's the grandson of the president of Jeil Spinning. Until the first semester of his first year, the boy was mostly getting 'C's, but as soon as the second semester started, most of his grades turned into 'B's, and by the time he reached the second year, they had all become 'A's."
"Ho-ho, is that so?"
No matter how young the tutor might be, there is no parent who wouldn't be tempted by proven results. It wasn't for nothing that South Korea's fervor for education was so intense.
"If you'd like, I'll ask my nephew about it by tomorrow. What do you think?"
"I'm certainly interested, but..." JSD paused before speaking again. "Is there something you want from me?"
As a member of the Hana-hoe, JSD knew exactly what 'give and take' meant. A man he had met for the first time today was intentionally showing favor to both him and his child. He couldn't help but intuitively realize there was an ulterior motive.
"Ah... did you notice? I truly apologize."
Choi Cheol-kyu candidly admitted his intent. JSD asked with a slightly stiff expression.
"Did you already know about me?"
"Well, I wouldn't say I 'knew'..."
JSD’s hand, which was gripping the armrest of the sofa, tightened.
"What do you mean by that?"
"No, that's not it. You see, when Jae-jun came over to our house to play a while ago..."
"Ah, yes. He did."
The grip on the armrest loosened slightly.
"My wife happened to hear Jae-jun talking. He mentioned that his father was a colonel."
"Ah..."
JSD released his grip on the armrest and stroked his chin. However, his expression hadn't fully relaxed yet.
"Actually, my youngest brother is going to the military next year. It's true that I was hoping my brother might have an easier time during his service. I am truly sorry if I have offended you."
Unlike the couple, who were bowing their heads, JSD burst into a hearty laugh.
"Hahahaha, was that the reason? I suppose that's understandable."
JSD’s suspicions—that they might be North Korean spies or sent by another faction within the Hana-hoe—were mostly dispelled. What remained was just the natural suspicion one has when dealing with another person.
"But if you are the Chairman of Samwoo, couldn't you ask someone else besides me? With General Colson's background, you should have some influence in the Korean military as well."
Choi Cheol-kyu shook his head with a bitter smile.
"You see... my father is a veteran of the Korean War. Because of that, my eldest brother, my second brother, myself, and even my younger brother all had to serve in the military. While we received the college student military training benefits, we never used my father's influence to make our service easier."
"The Chairman of Samwoo is truly a patriot."
"Even now, he always tells us that we must be grateful to the country and the military."
At Choi Cheol-kyu's appropriate remark, JSD burst into laughter once again.
"I'm quite fond of my youngest brother, and I would like him to serve in a relatively comfortable unit. He's a bit frail, so as his older brother, my heart just wants him to have a safe service."
JSD smiled warmly.
"Well, it's not like I'm asking you to exempt him from service, and sending him to a place where he can serve safely isn't that difficult. However, before that..."
Choi Cheol-kyu nodded toward JSD, who had stopped speaking.
"I can give you an answer by tomorrow evening. And, of course, we must show results."
"Good. Very good."
JSD took a cigarette from his pocket, handed one to Choi Cheol-kyu, and even lit it for him. A moment later, the lighter was passed to Choi Cheol-kyu. They smoked together. Choi Cheol-kyu had successfully carried out Yoon-gi's first instruction.
Tap, tap, tap!
4:00 PM. It was still bright, and it wasn't time to leave work yet, but JSD was sitting on his sofa at home, tapping his index finger on the armrest. He felt a strange sense of relief and anticipation from the phone call he received last night. It was only natural. JSD had already finished investigating Yoon-gi to some extent.
'From the first grade to the present, he has excellent grades, a striking appearance, and a decent reputation among those around him. He's a bit young, but as a tutor, he's top-tier.'
For JSD, who was always arguing with his wife, Im Gyeong-ja, about their children's education, he saw this as a major turning point. Furthermore, if things went well, he could even create a connection with General Colson, one of the real powers among the U.S. Forces in Korea, so it was truly killing two birds with one stone.
'Still, it was easy because he's a young kid.'
If he had tried to make a connection with General Colson, he would have had to put in quite a bit of effort, but he had gained significant advantages in the table negotiations. Of course, JSD didn't even dream that Choi Cheol-kyu had intentionally entered the negotiation at a disadvantage.
Ding-dong!
After waiting for a moment following the doorbell, Yoon-gi, whom he had been anxiously waiting for, appeared at the entrance.
"Hello. My name is Choi Yoon-gi. I heard the story from my uncle and came to see you."
His greeting was polite yet filled with strength. Moreover, even though he had heard about it, seeing Yoon-gi's appearance in person was impressive.
'I've heard that the appearances of mixed-race children are striking, but he's the real deal. And even though he's mixed-race, he looks like a pure Korean.'
If JSD had a daughter, he might have momentarily thought of him as a "future son-in-law."
"Yes, have a seat."
At JSD's words, Yoon-gi sat quietly on the three-seater sofa, and a moment later, coffee was placed in front of him.
"I heard you like coffee."
"Yes, I drink a cup or two when I'm studying."
JSD was inwardly surprised by Yoon-gi's attitude, which showed no signs of being intimidated even in front of an active-duty colonel, but he soon accepted it.
'Well, his grandfather is a U.S. General.'
No matter how much this was South Korea, if he touched the grandson of a U.S. General, his head would be gone in an instant. Even President YS was walking on eggshells around the U.S. military.
"I heard you offered to tutor my son... what should we do about the costs and such?"
In fact, this was JSD's biggest concern. Even in 1978, JSD held a significant position as a colonel in the Security Brigade, but compared to the 1980s, the difference was like a full moon to a firefly. The other party was the eldest grandson of the chairman of a mid-sized company called Samwoo. Naturally, there was almost no reason for him to tutor for money, unless his grandfather or parents didn't give him pocket money.
'According to the investigation report, I know he's a kid who already has enough money...'
As JSD worried that Yoon-gi might say he wouldn't do the tutoring, Yoon-gi smiled. It was a truly bright smile.
"It's my uncle's request, so I don't need money. If there's anything I want, it's just two things..."
JSD's focus was heightened to the extreme by the words that were cut off at the perfect timing.
"One is to ask you to take good care of my youngest uncle next year..."
Yoon-gi's words continued.
"The other is that I would like you to leave the tutoring method entirely up to me."
"Leave it entirely to you...?"
"Yes. I am adopting the American method for gifted students. It's a bit different from the Korean way. So, I intend to show you everything through results. If you are not satisfied with the results of the first semester, I will take responsibility in my own way."
"Take responsibility...?"
"I will cover my own report card with 'F's."
JSD was surprised by the unexpected method of taking responsibility, but he soon accepted it. It was a method of responsibility that he couldn't help but accept. He was guaranteeing the student's grades while putting his own on the line. JSD couldn't say anything when he went that far. Moreover, the American method for gifted students. He didn't know what that was at all, but JSD's trust in Yoon-gi rose significantly at the words that sounded like something special.
"W-well, if it's to that extent, I can certainly accept it. Then, when should the tutoring start...?"
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to start right now... would that be okay?"
"Huh? O-oh, of course. That's fine."
Yoon-gi was so polite yet bold and persuasive that he surprised even JSD, who was rarely flustered.
"Jae-jun!"
At Yoon-gi's shout, Jae-jun, who had been waiting in his room, ran out into the living room.
"You shouldn't run indoors!"
It wasn't JSD who said it. It was Yoon-gi. At that, Jae-jun stopped abruptly from his running state, stood at attention, and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, hyung..."
"No, it's okay. But don't do it again. Running indoors shows others your lack of discipline."
JSD was impressed.
'How can this be? The kid who used to be so intimidated and teary-eyed when I scolded him...'
Even if he scolded his son himself, he could make him stop, but he couldn't even draw out an apology. However, the new tutor went beyond just making him stop and even drew out an apology.
'I must keep him.'
JSD vowed that he would do whatever it took to maintain his relationship with Yoon-gi.
"From today, the Colonel has asked me to tutor you."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Wow!"
Watching the two talk, JSD looked puzzled for a moment.
"Are the two of you... acquainted?"
Yoon-gi nodded.
"Yes. I received a call from my uncle and have been playing with Jae-jun along with my cousin for a few days. And we've already finished about 3 hours of tutoring."
JSD wanted to applaud inwardly, but to maintain his dignity as a father, he barely controlled his trembling lips to hold back his laughter and asked.
"Was it worth tutoring?"
His tone was extremely soft.
"Yes, looking at it, it seemed like the American study method would be more suitable than the Korean one."
For the first time in a while, JSD smiled warmly inside.
"Then I leave it to you. If you need anything, please ask me or Jae-jun's mother for everything."
"Thank you. Then, there is something I would like to ask of you..."
"Yes, tell me anything."
Yoon-gi took a glove and a ball out of the bag he was carrying on his back.
"Why don't the three of us play catch with Jae-jun for a while?"
"Dad!"
At his son Jae-jun's words, JSD caught Jae-jun's ball with his glove.
"This kid, you're getting stronger."
"Hehehehe."
A moment later, JSD threw the ball back to Jae-jun. Jae-jun also naturally caught JSD's ball and passed it back to JSD again. Yoon-gi was watching that scene through the living room balcony window. Im Gyeong-ja brought a cup of green tea to Yoon-gi.
"Teacher, thank you."
It wasn't that she had used honorifics with Yoon-gi from the beginning, but Im Gyeong-ja was already using the title "Tutor Teacher" and honorifics with Yoon-gi.
"I just provided the opportunity."
It had been 3 months since Yoon-gi became Jae-jun's tutor. The catch that the three of them did at first had become a father-son catch, and through that process, JSD had become accustomed to the "American-style education that Yoon-gi talks about," and his treatment of his sons had become quite soft. As such, Im Gyeong-ja was also quite grateful to Yoon-gi, and this was reflected in her attitude toward him.
"Still, I don't know how relieved I am these days. In the past, the kids would freeze up when their dad got off work, but now they show such a good side... His subordinates at the unit are sometimes surprised to see him at home. They say he's 180 degrees different from how he is at the unit."
There was no trace of worry in Im Gyeong-ja's expression as she smiled, covering her hand. A moment later, the 30-minute father-son catch ended, and JSD and Jae-jun came inside.
"Then, I'll be going now."
It was 8:00 PM. The first tutoring session was at 4:00 PM, but now they were doing it from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and on days when JSD got off work early, they played catch for a while.
"I'd like you to eat dinner before you go, what do you think?"
At JSD's suggestion, Yoon-gi fell into a brief moment of thought.
"Like my husband said, eat and go. I was preparing braised short ribs today anyway."
"Then, I'll take you up on that."
"What do you mean 'take you up on that'? Come on, sit down. You two go wash your hands with Jae-jun quickly."
A moment later, when the five of them sat at the table, the room felt full, and a lively mealtime continued. During that time, JSD spoke up.
"By the way, what kind of grades do you think Jae-jun will get for his first report card?"
His tone was gentle but sharp. For the past 3 months, the tone and manner of speech JSD used toward Yoon-gi had been quite respectful. That was only because he believed that Yoon-gi would help Jae-jun get good grades. If the first-semester grades were not to JSD's liking, Yoon-gi would lose all this trust, and Jae-jun would meet the same father as before. Because Yoon-gi's tutoring would have become the catalyst for JSD to be convinced that "my education method was right after all."
"As I said on the first day of tutoring..."
Yoon-gi put down his chopsticks and spoke politely and powerfully.
"I will show you everything through results."