Chapter 43

Chapter 43

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

Episode 43: Come Live With Me.

Cheon Aram asked, her expression showing pure curiosity rather than condemnation.

“When did you wake up?”

I glanced at Gaeul.

Even though she was lying on the floor, she was staring at my mouth, her face pale.

It was awkward to reveal the truth in front of such a kid.

Let’s pretend what Gaeul did never happened.

“When I heard the thud, the bed shook, and I half-woke up. After that, I was in a daze, so I couldn’t fully wake up.”

Gaeul sighed in relief at my words.

It was a suspicious sight to anyone.

…Are you even trying to hide it, Gaeul?

“But when I finally became fully conscious, a serious conversation was going on, and I didn’t want to interrupt. So I ended up startling you unintentionally. I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable.”

Cheon Aram shook her head slightly and said.

“…No, there’s nothing for you to apologize for, Team Leader Seon. I was just surprised by how perfectly you joined the conversation.”

“Sorry, but I’d like to continue the conversation related to that, if you don’t mind?”

Cheon Aram nodded, indicating her permission.

I continued, reassured.

“Soo-yeon. Gaeul is still a child. Right now, she should just do what she wants to do.”

Seo Soo-yeon, picking up the files she had thrown, said.

“I’d like to ask what context you’re speaking from, Team Leader Seon.”

I looked at Gaeul.

She was sitting modestly as if nothing had happened.

I found her cute and smiled slightly as I spoke.

“I mean it’s okay for a child to throw a bit of a tantrum. Like choosing both options, for instance.”

Seo Soo-yeon shook her head slightly and said.

“Legally, she might be considered a child, but we signed a contract with Yoo Gaeul, considering her as an adult with sufficient decision-making ability. I believe you agree with this, Team Leader Seon.”

“When she decided to become an idol and signed the contract, I agree with you. But the current situation is not a result of Gaeul’s choices.”

Her father’s gambling and domestic violence.

Gahyeon being left alone.

How could all of this be considered Gaeul’s choice?

“Isn’t it cruel to see this situation, where the happiness Gaeul wanted is disappearing one by one, as all her choice?”

Soo-yeon, don’t you think so too? We’re the ones Cheon Aram selected, aren’t we?

“Soo-yeon, as someone chosen by the President, don’t you sympathize with this?”

Seo Soo-yeon nodded slightly and said.

“If I had the capacity, I would prefer to use it for the President and others rather than myself. …But that doesn’t mean I will take responsibility for everyone’s life. I distinguish between what I can do and cannot do, and what I should and shouldn’t do.”

She looked into my eyes and said.

“So Gaeul must take responsibility. This is her issue, not anyone else’s.”

I also looked into her eyes and said.

“Taking that responsibility for her is what an adult should do.”

A tense confrontation ensued.

In the heated atmosphere, I spoke to Gaeul.

“Gaeul, if you don’t want to send Gahyeon to an orphanage, how about entrusting him to a reliable family?”

Gaeul spoke in a defeated voice.

“…Taeyang Oppa, you might have heard, but I don’t have such a place.”

I shook my head slightly and said.

“There is one. I’m not sure if you’ll think it’s trustworthy, Gaeul.”

“…Where is that?”

“Our house.”

A moment of silence ensued.

In the stillness, Gaeul asked again, as if she hadn’t heard correctly.

“…Taeyang Oppa’s house?”

“Yes, I think we can do foster care at our house. If you and Gahyeon agree.”

“….”

Gaeul looked flustered at the unexpected proposal.

It was natural.

So I had to explain.

What benefits would come from this choice.

“I probably won’t be able to spend all my time on Gahyeon because of my job, but I’ll use all my remaining time to help him pursue art without obstacles.”

To ensure he could pursue his dreams without difficulty.

“I’ll tell you everything about how Gahyeon was that day so you don’t worry, what he’s concerned about, what he wants to do, what he wants to have. Of course, I’ll refrain from private stories…”

To ensure there were no misunderstandings between us.

“It’s not just about verbal promises. I’ll do my best to make sure you can meet Gahyeon often. If there’s ever a moment when you go out to eat, I’ll make sure he can join you.”

To ensure that distance doesn’t make the hearts grow apart.

“Considering your reluctance towards the orphanage, you might be worried that the staff there would treat Gahyeon formally. I’ll face Gahyeon properly, not as someone to be entrusted and taken care of, but as a human being and as an adult.”

To make it feel like a personal relationship, not a professional one.

That’s how I’d take care of Gahyeon.

“Can you trust me?”

I spoke in a serious tone, so my determination didn’t feel light.

Gaeul looked at me and said.

“…Is it really okay?”

It was a fragile voice that seemed about to break.

I spoke as gently as possible, hoping to reassure her.

“Yes, of course, it’s okay.”

Tears welled up again in Gaeul’s eyes.

It seemed she had many reasons to cry these days.

She cleared her throat slightly and then spoke.

“Then I…”

As Gaeul nodded and spoke, Cheon Aram said firmly.

“No, Team Leader Seon. It’s not okay at all.”

“…What?”

Wait, why? The atmosphere just now was signaling Gaeul’s agreement.

If left alone, everything would have been resolved, so why intervene now?

Feeling puzzled, I explained.

“This doesn’t involve using the company’s funds. It’s something I can handle on my own.”

Cheon Aram looked at me with a troubled expression, as if not knowing what to do.

“That’s why it’s not okay.”

“What?”

“Right now, you’re not acting as a Team Leader of TwoBear, but as the person Seon Taeyang.”

I finally understood the meaning behind the look Cheon Aram was giving me.

It was deep concern.

“I could understand what happened during the busking incident after giving it a lot of thought. Recruiting Gaeul would benefit the company, and that benefit would influence your success as well.”

Cheon Aram added softly, “Even then, the sacrifice seemed excessive,” and continued.

“But now it’s different, isn’t it? No matter how you calculate it, this sacrifice can’t be replaced with the success you’re aiming for.”

From a business perspective, she could just enjoy the benefits of my choice. But she didn’t.

“Taking responsibility for and caring for a child is not a light matter. That will make you lose something much bigger than the bonus salary the company can give you.”

Cheon Aram spoke with an unusual concern for a businessperson.

“Remember, Team Leader Seon, you’re a salaried employee. Not a volunteer or a philosopher.”

“…Isn’t that something the President shouldn’t say?”

“You’re right. It’s not something a president should say. But I feel like if I leave you alone, you’ll collapse from overworking yourself… like now.”

Hearing that while lying in the hospital made it hard to refute.

“Make value judgments. And do work that matches your salary.”

“….”

In fact, Cheon Aram was right.

What I was doing now was a loss, no matter how you look at it from a value judgment perspective.

If the sole purpose was to recruit Gaeul, I wouldn’t have to go this far.

Just changing Gaeul’s mind would be enough.

Considering the trust Gaeul had shown me, it wouldn’t be that difficult.

“Trust me and send Gahyeon to the orphanage. I’ll take care of him personally.”

If I said this much, Gaeul would agree.

I prided myself on having built that level of persuasiveness.

So what I’d gain from my choice now was just one thing.

Gaeul’s happiness.

The intangible heart of one person.

But today, that one thing felt more important than anything.

“…”

In my childhood, I had harbored hope.

I hoped that an adult would extend a helping hand to my sister, who had to drop out of high school and start working early, and to me, who only knew how to dream.

Of course, that dream didn’t come true.

But I could make that dream come true.

I knew.

That this thought was merely projecting my unfortunate childhood onto Gaeul and Gahyeon.

That it didn’t go beyond cheap self-satisfaction.

Even knowing all of this, I still said it.

“I’ve already promised to be Gaeul’s strength.”

“…”

After a long silence, Cheon Aram scratched her head slightly and asked.

“…Team Leader Seon, I don’t want to ask the same question again, but it’s hard to hold back my curiosity. I’ll ask just one more time.”

She asked as if she genuinely couldn’t understand.

“Why are you trying to go this far?”

Why am I making this choice?

Before my return, I acted like a pushover because I wanted to be a good person.

Now I don’t have such thoughts.

Because I’ve painfully learned that it’s foolish and worthless.

So why am I doing this again?

…Honestly, I don’t know.

“President, do you remember what you said when you first came to scout me?”

Cheon Aram smiled faintly, as if the not-so-distant event felt like a long time ago.

“Of course, I remember.”

“You said you wanted to recruit me because you wanted a humanist.”

“Yes, I did.”

“Then accept it. This is who I am.”

“….”

Ah, this is how I am. If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t have recruited me.

Seeing me, Cheon Aram chuckled.

And she spoke plainly.

“I’ve said this before, but I want to have a long-lasting relationship with you, Team Leader Seon. I know all too well how rare someone like you is.”

Even I thought there weren’t many people like me.

“But Team Leader Seon, if you live like that, you’ll collapse someday. Then I’ll be very disappointed.”

I thought it was one of the highest praises a boss could give to an employee.

I bowed my head in gratitude and said respectfully.

“I’ll only do this until today. I’ll change tomorrow.”

Then Cheon Aram sighed and said.

“…You know that’s what smokers who failed to quit always say, right?”

It wasn’t the reaction I expected.

I glanced around.

Gaeul and Seo Soo-yeon were also nodding.

Both seemed to have received a similar impression from my words.

I timidly retorted.

“Isn’t this easier than quitting smoking?”

“….”

…Or maybe not.