Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Raise Three Idols Well And They’ll Launch a Confession Attack.

Episode 18: I Want To Fuck You Over.

I swallowed once and then spoke.

“I don’t think we have more to discuss. We’ve already communicated our stance to Mr. Sanghoon. Please organize your opinions and respond to us.”

Cheon Jonghoon spoke in his usual arrogant voice.

“There’s no need to organize opinions. I am the final decision-maker for this project. Of course, decisions requiring higher authority are also possible.”

“So, can we interpret Mr. Cheon Jonghoon’s words as the will of the entire SS?”

“That’s only natural.”

Cheon Jonghoon spoke confidently.

“I thought you already knew? Isn’t it an open secret that I am the son of Cheon Seonsu, the current president of SS?”

It was a well-known fact.

That’s why I wanted to avoid facing Cheon Jonghoon.

If he felt his pride was hurt, the giant SS might irrationally draw its sword.

Cheon Jonghoon had that kind of authority.

He had the overwhelming authority to execute a legal battle without any chance of winning, just to harass the opponent.

He was the prince of SS.

“If we clash, it won’t result in good outcomes for either of us. We’ll be left with wounds that cost time, money, and mental stress.”

I took a defensive stance.

“Of course, compared to us, SS will only get scratches. You can consider this as a rabbit asking a lion to avoid mutual destruction. But leaving that small scratch on Mr. Cheon Jonghoon’s flawless career would be a different story.”

Even if Cheon Jonghoon had authority, wielding it wasn’t without risk.

For a perfectionist and embodiment of pride like Cheon Jonghoon, the weight of one scratch was significant.

“In fact, the ones who committed the wrongdoing are Alcest’s members, right? SS’s fault is just poor management. So I believe SS and Gyeoul can still maintain a friendly relationship.”

That poor management was a big fault, but I didn’t emphasize it.

“How about leaving on good terms? I don’t think it’s worth stopping us.”

Cheon Jonghoon smiled as if finding it interesting and said,

“I think differently. In my view, Gyeoul is worth enduring that kind of scratch.”

I agreed with that sentiment.

Gyeoul had qualities that went beyond being a genius.

She was a talent who would become an overwhelming top idol.

“…That’s a scary thought. But a scratch alone won’t keep Gyeoul here. Neither Gyeoul nor I intend to stay with Alcest after experiencing this.”

“That’s because you haven’t fought a proper battle yet.”

Cheon Jonghoon looked at Gyeoul with a sinister smile and said,

“Well, you might be able to endure, but do you think that fragile child can too?”

I glanced at Gyeoul.

Despite hearing Cheon Jonghoon’s remarks, Gyeoul nodded as if she trusted me.

Such a firm expression of support was fortunate, but it wasn’t a hopeful situation.

It was the worst situation.

It seemed I had to brace myself.

Brace myself for a dirty fight and a battle of public opinion with Cheon Jonghoon.

The path to employment ahead didn’t seem as easy as I thought.

But if I had Gyeoul, I had the confidence to get through it.

With firm determination, I looked at him, and Cheon Jonghoon changed his expression and showed a warm smile as he said,

“To be honest, I also don’t want to hold a chalice full of wounds. But my greed isn’t gone… So, how about you directly taking care of Gyeoul by her side?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“Don’t think too hard. Didn’t you want the road manager position? It must be the road manager position for Alcest. It’s not like they would assign a manager to a single trainee.”

Cheon Jonghoon skillfully recalled the matter.

“But given the current situation, it would be difficult to care for everyone in Alcest while paying attention to Gyeoul. You probably wouldn’t want to either. So let’s change that.”

“How do you propose to change it?”

“I propose to hire you as Gyeoul’s dedicated manager, not Alcest’s manager.”

Cheon Jonghoon spoke confidently, like a negotiator who had come up with a clear solution.

“This way, you can take care of Gyeoul’s every move and directly prevent any mishaps with Alcest’s members. Gyeoul can also feel safe to act with you there. I’ll be satisfied keeping Gyeoul in Alcest. It’s the best solution for everyone.”

The words were good.

But they weren’t words to come from Cheon Jonghoon, who hadn’t kept his previous promises.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Cheon Jonghoon, you’ve lost your credibility. You didn’t keep your promise to introduce me to the recruitment officer for the road manager position.”

Despite my aggressive words, Cheon Jonghoon calmly stroked his chin without changing his expression and said,

“That’s strange… I did find it odd that your hiring was delayed.”

He looked at me with determined eyes and said,

“Let me clarify something. I certainly contacted the recruitment officer about you. But it seems the recruitment officer didn’t like you. It’s outrageous that they haven’t contacted you until now.”

Cheon Jonghoon didn’t just cut off the tail.

“It seems my rhetoric was lacking, and I failed to convey that you’re a good talent. I apologize for that.”

He bowed his head heavily.

I was shocked that Cheon Jonghoon, who was the embodiment of arrogance, could make such an apology.

At least I felt he was sincere about Gyeoul.

“Please don’t think of this as a lie. I’m someone who keeps the promises I make. I believe my pride as a person is determined by that.”

Cheon Jonghoon’s apology was sincere enough.

But I believe that my failure to get hired was influenced by Cheon Jonghoon’s will, regardless of his attitude.

It would be different if I had an interview and failed, but does it make sense that I didn’t get a single phone call?

Considering that Cheon Jonghoon himself gave a heads-up to the recruitment officer that I was a good person.

A normal employee wouldn’t be able to ignore Cheon Jonghoon’s words.

The system’s quest also mentioned it.

It said Cheon Jonghoon didn’t keep his promise.

Therefore, Cheon Jonghoon must have done something.

Maybe he told the wrong recruitment officer.

Or he hinted to the recruitment officer not to contact me.

But there was no way to prove it.

And there was no need to prove it.

Everything would be resolved if I joined SS while pretending not to know.

If I intervened actively, I could stop Gyeoul’s bullying.

It might be difficult to get along, but establishing a business relationship wouldn’t be hard.

Since joining SS was my original goal, it was an advantageous proposal for me.

There was no reason to try to get a job by selling Gyeoul to an agency worse than SS.

If I swallowed my pride, I would get the best benefit.

Rationally, I felt I should accept Cheon Jonghoon’s proposal.

But something was bothering me.

I couldn’t figure out what it was.

I asked myself.

Before the regression, I was betrayed and decided to become a selfish person instead of a good fool.

So what choice should a selfish person make here?

“Gyeoul.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think? What choice do you think I should make?”

Before making a judgment, I wanted to hear Gyeoul’s answer.

“Honestly, I’m scared of staying at SS. I don’t have the confidence that I can get along with Coco, Lily, and Yoon Jeong.”

As Gyeoul continued to speak, she held my hand tightly.

“But if Taeyang ssam is by my side, I think it’ll be okay.”

Gyeoul wiped her tears, looked at me, and smiled as she said,

“So please follow your heart, Taeyang ssam. That’s what I want.”

Follow my heart?

…What did I want to do?

I want to succeed.

That hasn’t changed.

But that’s not all of my heart.

I looked at Gyeoul.

I looked at my sister, who was filming.

I looked at Cheon Jonghoon, who was looking at me with a confident expression, as if waiting for an obvious answer.

And I realized my true intention.

I wanted to screw over that rude guy.

Cheon Jonghoon, you bastard!

I didn’t like you from the previous round!

“I will decline your proposal.”

Cheon Jonghoon, looking flustered as if he didn’t expect it, said,

“Were the conditions unsatisfactory? Hmm… That’s a reasonable thought.”

He nodded and said,

“Come to think of it, I didn’t mention this. You said you were the manager of Seonghwan, right? With your experience as Seonghwan’s manager, it doesn’t make sense to start as a road manager again.”

His words became more urgent.

“I promise you the treatment of a deputy team leader. While the authority won’t be the same as a team leader, the salary and benefits will be entirely different from what a road manager receives!”

Cheon Jonghoon listed additional conditions as if to keep me from leaving. He was sweating a bit, seemingly flustered.

Seeing that reminded me of how I had rattled off information about Gyeoul like a rap a month ago to keep him from hanging up, and I almost laughed.

Serves you right, Jonghoon.

“It’s not a matter of conditions.”

“Then what do you find lacking? I promise to improve it as much as I can.”

“It’s not a matter of improvement either.”

“Then what do you want?!”

I want to screw you over.

I was afraid of the repercussions of revealing my true intention.

So I gave a reason he could understand.

“Because Gyeoul has to sacrifice.”

Once again, I used Gyeoul.

“…What?”

“Even if things improve and conditions are better, it doesn’t change that Gyeoul has to endure the uncomfortable atmosphere of Alcest. Do you think Gyeoul can smile in that environment?”

How can she smile with the people who bullied her?

The best they could do was pretend each other didn’t exist.

“I do want the gem that is Gyeoul to shine. That’s why I wanted to join SS and help. But that’s not all I wanted.”

I said with a wistful look.

“I want Gyeoul to be smiling in that light.”

“…”

It was the rich, deeply considered sensitivity of a guardian.