The Muscle-Bound Representative
“Jong-hoon?” At Choi Cheol-ho’s words, Cha Beom-jin nodded.
“It’s a good fit, isn’t it? Jong-hoon was thinking about moving to Japan anyway, so it would be a great opportunity to build a connection with your son.”
“Hmm, Jong-hoon. What do you think?”
Seo Jong-hoon hesitated for a moment before speaking with some difficulty.
“Do you think I’m capable of handling such a heavy responsibility?”
“You double-majored in Japanese Language and Business Administration in college, didn’t you? Plus, you’ve learned the ropes under Beom-jin here.”
“That may be true, but it’s such a significant role… I’m honestly worried I might cause a loss for the President’s son.”
At Seo Jong-hoon’s words, Cha Beom-jin slapped him hard on the back. It was a palm strike that sounded like it might trigger a sonic boom, but since the recipient was also a man of pure muscle, there wasn’t even a grunt of pain.
“Have some confidence, kid. And what, are you going to live off your wife’s family for the rest of your life once you move to Japan? You need to build your own foundation to have confidence at any time. Do you know how miserable a man who doesn’t earn his own keep is? You aren’t planning on being a kept man, are you?”
“Th-that’s absolutely not it!”
Watching Seo Jong-hoon shake his head in a panic, Cha Beom-jin turned back to Yoon-gi.
“This guy’s name is Seo Jong-hoon, and he’s 31. Hard to believe, right?”
Yoon-gi, for once, let his emotions show, pulling a look of utter disbelief at the fact that a man who looked like he was in his mid-40s was actually 31.
“3… 31 years old?”
Laughter erupted in the office, and Cha Beom-jin wiped away a tear as he continued.
“They say some people are born with faith, but if there’s such a thing as being born with an ‘old face,’ this guy is the prime example.”
“Wait… if he’s 31, what does it mean that he was called the ‘King of Bicycles’ 30 years ago?”
At Yoon-gi’s reasonable question, Cha Beom-jin looked slightly regretful.
“Actually, it wasn’t this guy who was with us back then, but his eldest brother. But after that brother died in an accident, this guy came to find us, saying he wanted to take his brother’s place. He was just a normal college student, but after some hard training from us, he reached a level similar to his brother.”
“Ah… I’m sorry. I asked something I shouldn’t have.”
Seo Jong-hoon shook his head.
“It’s fine. It’s already been nine years. If anything, thanks to this old face, I was able to blend in with these people without any issues.”
“See? Sometimes an old face is a blessing, right?”
At Cha Beom-jin’s remark, Seo Jong-hoon glared at him, and Cha Beom-jin offered a sheepish smile.
“Ahem! Now, now! Jong-hoon, you explain the details to Yoon-gi. I can’t just blabber on about your business forever, can I?”
With a sigh, Seo Jong-hoon stepped a little closer to Yoon-gi.
“Shall we move to a different spot and talk?”
“That works for me.”
Choi Cheol-ho and the others looked a bit disappointed, but since Yoon-gi and Seo Jong-hoon wanted an atmosphere where they could have a serious conversation, they found a quiet, empty office.
***
“If you smoke, feel free.”
At Yoon-gi’s words, Seo Jong-hoon shook his head.
“I can’t. Smoking causes muscle loss.”
Watching Seo Jong-hoon firmly shake his head, Yoon-gi marveled inwardly.
‘To hear the term “muscle loss” in this era. The word “gym-rat” suddenly comes to mind.’
Looking at the massive Seo Jong-hoon in contrast to the small office, Yoon-gi felt as if the room was already packed to the brim.
‘If the others had come in here too…’
The thought of it filling up in an instant was terrifying.
‘Still, this guy in front of me has less muscle than the others. If the others are like embossed textures, this guy is more like… minor embossing? Well, the others have been using their bodies for over 30 years, while he’s only been at it for about nine.’
Seo Jong-hoon’s next words confirmed Yoon-gi’s thoughts.
“Actually, I didn’t have a body this good in the past.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. I was in the middle of college when my brother passed away in a car accident. My eldest brother paid for my tuition and was so good to me, and the thought that he was suddenly gone from this world made me feel like I was going to lose my mind. Seeing the President and the others wailing at the funeral, and talking to them, I realized they were truly good people.”
“They certainly seem cheerful and have a deep bond with each other.”
“Exactly. Anyway, after the funeral, I went to find them. I asked if I could take my brother’s place.”
“They must have said yes, right?”
“At first, they said it would be too hard, but I insisted. I felt like throwing up from the workouts at first, but now I can blend in without any awkwardness. My old face really did help…”
“Even so, there’s a big difference between saying it yourself and having someone else say it.”
At Yoon-gi’s precise observation, Seo Jong-hoon slapped his knee.
“That’s it. That’s exactly it.”
“But what’s this about you thinking of moving to Japan?”
“Ah, that?” Seo Jong-hoon started scratching the back of his head.
“Actually, a few years ago on a holiday, I helped a Japanese woman who was asking for directions on the street. Since I majored in Japanese, we communicated well, and she asked if she could treat me to a cup of coffee. One thing led to another, and I ended up being her guide for the day.”
“So, for her…?”
Seo Jong-hoon nodded.
“Right. We have a wedding venue booked in Japan to get married in half a year. But I don’t have parents anymore, and my other siblings have all moved out, so I didn’t really see the need to stay in Korea. That’s why I thought about moving to Japan.”
“You’re a romanticist.”
“That’s a very pleasant thing to hear. I’m just following my wife because I have no ties here, but it’s nice to have it framed that way.”
Yoon-gi shook his head.
“Come on, your entire foundation of life is in Korea, so if you go to Japan, you’re essentially becoming a live-in son-in-law. Have you found a job in Japan?”
Seo Jong-hoon shook his head, just like Yoon-gi.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t find one on my own. But I’m not too worried because my Japanese is at a native level, and since I majored in business, my father-in-law said I could just work under him.”
“What kind of work does your father-in-law do?”
“He runs a small real estate business in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo.”
“So you’ll be working as a licensed real estate agent in Japan.”
“I suppose? But your work is the priority. If you’re going to run a Japanese subsidiary, who are you thinking of as the representative? Are you planning to do it yourself?”
Yoon-gi shook his head.
“Not me. I have someone else in mind.”
“Who?”
“You, sir.”
“Me? You mean… me?” Shock washed over Seo Jong-hoon’s face.
“Is it strange? I thought you would have expected this flow after hearing about the others earlier.”
At Yoon-gi’s words, Seo Jong-hoon offered an awkward smile.
“No, I just thought I’d only have a supporting role. It’s just a bit surprising that you’d seat me as the representative…”
“After talking to you, I don’t think my father trusts you for no reason. I think it would be good for both me and you, but are you against it?”
“I’m all for it. Do you know how much your father brags about you?”
“Is that so?”
Seo Jong-hoon nodded.
“Yeah. He didn’t give me the details, saying it was confidential, but I keep hearing about how you’re good at studying, good at sports, and have a knack for business. I feel like I’ve just won the lottery.”
“It’s a winning ticket, in fact.”
It was a bold statement, but Seo Jong-hoon felt the sincerity in Yoon-gi’s words.
“Then what do I need to do?”
At Seo Jong-hoon’s sparkling-eyed question, Yoon-gi began giving very simple instructions.
“It’s simple. First, set up a corporation in Japan. It’ll likely be in publishing, but it doesn’t matter what field it is, as long as the corporation isn’t canceled even if you don’t do actual business.”
“And the second?”
“Just maintain that corporation. I’ll pay you a reasonable salary. If you just let it sit for a few years, I’ll give you some real work.”
“You’ll pay me a salary just to sit around for a few years?”
“Yes. I’d like to talk about this in more detail with your father-in-law, if that’s alright?”
“My father-in-law? I don’t see why not, but…”
Seo Jong-hoon was puzzled, but their trip to Japan was ultimately decided.
***
“Did you memorize it all?”
At Yoon-gi’s words, Jo Cheong-woo nodded.
“Yeah… I thought I was going to die…”
The complexion of Jo Cheong-woo, whom they met at the airport, was truly best described as ‘haggard.’
“You’ve worked hard. This is Seo Jong-hoon. He was my father’s bodyguard, but from now on, he’ll be the representative of the corporation I’m setting up in Japan.”
“Ah… nice to meet you. I’m Jo Cheong-woo.”
Exhausted, Jo Cheong-woo didn’t have the energy for complex thoughts, so he instinctively reached out to shake Seo Jong-hoon’s hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Seo Jong-hoon.”
Seo Jong-hoon, gripping Jo Cheong-woo’s hand, opened his mouth with a ‘Hmm’ sound.
“It seems you’re lacking muscle. That’s why you’re so tired. How about it? Why don’t you try working out with me in Japan?”
“Excuse me? Ah, no. I’m incredibly tired right now, so…”
“That’s exactly why you should work out; that fatigue will vanish completely.”
“Ugh…”
While it was fun to watch Jo Cheong-woo’s horrified expression, Yoon-gi restrained Seo Jong-hoon.
“Sir, it’s almost time for boarding, so save the conversation for the plane.”
“Shall I?”
“Please, feel free to speak comfortably until we set up the corporation.”
“No, I should adapt from now on. And it’s not just me.”
Seo Jong-hoon’s gaze turned toward another muscular man next to Yoon-gi.
“Ah, right. This is Cha Pil-gyu, the son of my father’s Chief of Staff.”
Cha Pil-gyu, characterized by his 15mm buzz cut, dark skin, and slightly slanted eyes, politely extended his hand toward Jo Cheong-woo.
“Hello. I’m Cha Pil-gyu. I look forward to working with you.”
“Ah, I’m Jo Cheong-woo.”
“Please, speak comfortably. I’m only 23.”
“Excuse me? B-but is that really okay…”
“Of course you should. That’s more comfortable for me, too.”
Cha Pil-gyu smiled at Jo Cheong-woo, and his eyes, which crinkled when he smiled, gave him a warm impression.
The words Cha Beom-jin had said when Yoon-gi was leaving his father’s office a while ago. Having met Cha Pil-gyu in person, Yoon-gi realized that unlike his expressionless face, he was a person with a very warm heart, and he confirmed Cha Pil-gyu’s employment.
Although there was a 10-year age gap, Cha Pil-gyu had used formal language with Yoon-gi from the start, and he was already showing respect to Jo Cheong-woo as well. However.
“As my uncle said, you really should work out a bit…”
“Aaaah!”
The scream of the exhausted Jo Cheong-woo rang out through Gimpo Airport.
***
“Hello, I’m Nakamura, a section chief at Hermes Japan.”
Nakamura, who spoke decent Korean, was a Japanese office worker in his 40s with a memorable nose covered in blackheads.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Yoon-gi. My foreign friends call me ‘Yoon,’ so please call me whatever is comfortable for you.”
“Understood, Yoon-nim. Do you have a hotel booked?”
“No. I was planning on heading straight to Hermes.”
“Then, we shall escort you.”
Nakamura and the attendants he brought along. Through them, Yoon-gi’s group checked into a decent hotel and then headed to Hermes Japan.
After Yoon-gi’s group waited for a while in a fairly spacious conference room, Nakamura brought in a man in his early 50s, a man with a very full head of hair and a notably red face.
“Hello. I’m Yamada, the PR Manager of Hermes Japan.”
Unlike Nakamura, Yamada spoke to Yoon-gi in decent English.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Choi Yoon-gi. My foreign friends call me Yoon, so please feel free to call me that.”
“I shall do so, Yoon-nim.”
Basic conversation followed, such as about the weather and whether the flight was comfortable. They needed to build rapport before getting to the main point. And when the atmosphere had warmed up, Yamada brought up the main topic with a somewhat troubled expression.
“Actually… there is something I must tell you.”