Chapter 102: To Clear Up the Misunderstanding
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: To Clear Up the Misunderstanding
“Pick up the phone…”
I tried calling again, but Hyun-kyung didn’t answer.
—The phone is currently turned off…
Only the cold, automated response echoed hollowly.
“Sigh.”
If she wasn’t going to pick up, there was nothing I could do for now. It was difficult to get in touch with her at this moment.
I’ll leave a text and wait for her to call back.
I sent a message to Hyun-kyung’s phone.
—Everything Young-eun said is a misunderstanding, so let’s talk it over calmly. Don’t lose your focus because of a wrong assumption right now.
Now, all I could do was wait for her to contact me.
Things had spiraled out of control for no reason. I should have just ignored the call.
I had scolded Young-eun, but in reality, I was the one most at fault. I could have taken the call after parting ways with her.
“Ah, my head hurts.”
The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was sinking into a bottomless pit. Just thinking about it made my stress levels spike.
“I should just go home and work out.”
Exercise is always the best remedy for a heavy heart.
*
That day, as soon as I got home, I threw myself into my workout.
It was my day off anyway, and I wasn't in the headspace to handle other members. On days like this, I needed to focus on my own training.
That evening, I hammered my forearms and biceps. I focused my training on my upper body, specifically my arms.
After sweating buckets, my head felt a little clearer.
It was past 11:00 PM. There was still no word from Hyun-kyung.
—Let’s talk for a moment. I was a bit reckless.
A text had arrived from Young-eun.
—I’ll contact you after I clear up the misunderstanding with Hyun-kyung first.
After sending that reply, I waited for Hyun-kyung to reach out. But she never did.
“Let’s do a bit more.”
If I exhausted myself through exercise, maybe I’d be able to sleep.
I ran on the treadmill.
“Huff! Huff!”
Until sleep finally claimed me.
In the end, there was no contact until morning. There were texts and calls from Young-eun late at night, but I didn’t answer them. I believed that clearing up Hyun-kyung’s misunderstanding was the priority.
“Whew.”
After finishing my morning workout, I wiped off the sweat and turned on the TV.
—The US Open final qualifiers are about to begin.
—If she wins this match, she finally makes it to the main draw, right?
—I hope Im Hyun-kyung can overcome the pressure and perform well.
The caster and commentator exchanged remarks as they broadcast the match.
—But her expression doesn’t look great today. Did she fail to manage her condition?
—She looks particularly downcast.
Her eyes were trembling, and she couldn't keep still. Both the caster and the commentator noticed something was off about Hyun-kyung, whose appearance made viewers increasingly anxious.
—She’s facing a tough opponent, so she needs to stay focused.
—Yes! The match is about to begin!
On the screen, Hyun-kyung started her first serve with an unstable posture.
Thwack!
The ball landed in the corner.
—Despite the initial concern, she’s off to a good start!
The commentator praised her as the match began, but I could see it.
The ball is wobbling at the end of its flight.
Her condition wasn't right. Normally, she would have driven the ball much deeper into the corner to break her opponent’s stance.
But instead...
—Charles returns it brilliantly!
The ball was weak enough for her opponent to return it with ease. The ball flew back and forth.
—She looks shaky.
—Her form is unstable. Im Hyun-kyung needs to focus!
—She gives up another point. Love-thirty!
As Hyun-kyung continued to falter, the initial excitement in the casters' voices began to fade into concern.
—She looks exhausted today. Has her injury flared up again?
—She’s unable to focus on the match. She keeps missing balls she would normally never miss. She needs to recover quickly.
Despite the commentary, Hyun-kyung’s broken form showed no signs of returning to normal.
—Ah, she’s lost the first set.
She had dropped a set to an opponent she would never have lost to under normal circumstances.
—Aaaagh!
Caught on camera, Hyun-kyung threw her racket to the ground in frustration.
—She’s a highly competitive player, so she must be angry.
—This is when the coach needs to step in and get her head back in the game.
“Hyun-kyung…”
She looked so fragile. It was clear that Young-eun’s words from yesterday had affected her. If I had been able to talk to her beforehand, I could have comforted her somehow. But in this situation where she wasn't taking my calls, even that was impossible.
Just then, Coach Lee Seo-hye approached the fuming Hyun-kyung on the court.
Slap!
She struck both of Hyun-kyung’s cheeks so hard the sound was picked up by the broadcast microphones. Holding Hyun-kyung’s face, she pulled her close until their foreheads touched. She shouted something intensely, but the cameras didn't catch the words.
—I like this from the coach. When a player is struggling, you have to do whatever it takes to steel their resolve. Especially with young players… since she’s still quite young…
I bit my lip. I felt a sense of helplessness watching Hyun-kyung suffer, knowing I could do nothing.
Ultimately, I was angry at myself for the thought that I held the title of her rehabilitation trainer but couldn't provide any help.
“Hyun-kyung, you have to push through.”
Cheering from afar was all I could do.
I felt Hyun-kyung’s wavering eyes slowly regain their focus. The match resumed.
Thwack!
The ball she hit was sucked into the corner of the court. A magnificent trajectory. It wasn't the 100% she usually showed, but it was clearly effective.
—That’s it! Im Hyun-kyung! That’s what we wanted to see!
Though she remained somewhat unstable, Hyun-kyung managed to take the next two sets and pass the qualifiers. However, even in victory, there was no trademark ceremony or sign of joy. She simply wiped her sweat in silence and walked off the court.
—It seems she’s angry because her performance wasn't at 100% in the beginning…
—She looks like she feels the need to reflect. Her concentration…
The casters tried to sugarcoat her behavior. But I knew. Although she had regained her focus with Coach Lee Seo-hye’s help, a heavy weight of resentment still remained inside her.
“Sigh, Hyun-kyung.”
I was genuinely worried. I wondered if I should fly to the US right now. But I couldn't bring myself to decide, thinking it might be rude to just show up unannounced.
Regardless, she won the match. The catastrophe of failing the qualifiers because of yesterday’s events didn't happen. I had bought a little bit of time.
I looked at the missed calls from Young-eun.
It’s not polite to keep her waiting like this.
Hadn't I been calling Hyun-kyung repeatedly to clear up a misunderstanding? Young-eun was likely doing the same. She was probably waiting for my call with bated breath.
Surely, a top star like her must have reflected on her actions by now.
I opened my phone to call Young-eun.
Just then.
Vrrr, vrrr!
A call came in from an unfamiliar number.
Who… is this?
“Hello?”
—Is this Choi Jae-ho?
A dignified and imposing voice came through the receiver. It was the kind of solemn voice that allowed you to guess who it was even without hearing a name.
“Yes, that’s me. Who is this?”
—This is Chairman Yoo Taek-soo of the Jeil Group. I sent word through Secretary Choi that we would meet soon.
“Ah, Chairman. It’s a pleasure. How did you get my number…?”
—I have my ways. That’s not what’s important. I’d like to see you in person. Is that possible?
Chairman Yoo’s sudden invitation.
“It’s possible, but may I ask what this is regarding?”
—I’m sure you’ve heard the gist from Secretary Choi, but naturally, it’s about my granddaughter.
“You mean Young-eun.”
—Yes. When are you free?
“I can come right now.”
—Is that so? Then I’ll send someone for you immediately. Please follow them.
“Understood.”
I thought back to what happened yesterday. I had impulsively walked away from her because of her rude behavior. Why did Young-eun’s actions—calling and texting me repeatedly—seem so similar to my own attempts to reach Hyun-kyung?
Come to think of it…
I never did hear the reason why she said those things in front of Hyun-kyung. It looked like she was trying to brag about being by my side. It was almost as if she was trying to eliminate a rival.
I had seen that before.
When was it?
I had seen something similar from Mi-ju. When the scandal between Young-eun and me first broke, Mi-ju had come to find me. I remembered how she kept trying to assert her presence by my side.
Could it be because she has feelings for me?
Was she trying to keep me all to herself?
No way.
Maybe with Hyun-kyung, it was possible. I thought her goal—winning—combined with my hypnosis could make me seem very attractive to her.
But not Young-eun. What could she possibly be lacking? She was a chaebol, a famous celebrity, and possessed stunning beauty. Even if she had some level of affection for me…
That affection only started because she was suspicious of me.
I had never even considered that it would turn into love.
But what if? What if that high level of affection I saw really had turned into love? How should I handle that?
I didn't know.
Ding-dong!
The person sent by Chairman Yoo had arrived.
*
“This way, please.”
The man sent by Chairman Yoo was polite to the end. Unlike me, he was dressed in a suit and didn't ask a single question. Occasionally, when I asked something, he would provide a kind explanation.
After parking the car in a lot used only for private guests, I followed his guidance into an elevator.
“This is a special elevator that goes directly to the Chairman’s office. You don’t have to worry about being seen by anyone outside, Mr. Jae-ho.”
“Ah, yes.”
Was it written on my face? He spoke with a smile as if he had read my concerns.
I was wearing the clothes Young-eun had bought for me yesterday. I had rummaged through my closet for something suitable for a formal setting, but all the autumn clothes I had were functional hoodies.
It would be rude not to wear what she bought me.
So, I arrived at the Chairman’s office wearing the clothes from Her-mes.
“Chairman, Choi Jae-ho has arrived.”
Following Secretary Choi’s words at the entrance, Chairman Yoo Taek-soo’s voice came from inside.
“Tell him to come in.”
The door opened as soon as he finished speaking.
“Jae-ho, come in. I’ve been waiting.”
Chairman Yoo, already seated on a sofa meant for guests, raised a hand toward me.
“Hello. My name is Choi Jae-ho…?”
And there, sitting next to the Chairman and sipping tea as if nothing were wrong, was Yoo Young-eun.
“W-what a coincidence. Meeting like this. I happened to be here to see the Chairman as well.”
I saw it. Despite her acting as if nothing were wrong while sipping her tea, her eyes were red and swollen.
Wait, had she been crying?