episode_0049

In the chillingly frozen air of the meeting room, I walked to the front of the podium without a moment’s hesitation.

Son Junhyuk, flustered by my sudden action, briefly blocked my path, but I gently pushed his shoulder aside and stood before the microphone.

Instantly, all eyes in the meeting room focused on me.

The Japanese buyers’ gazes held suspicion and disappointment.

Team Leader Kang Jooyoung’s eyes were a mix of desperation and faint hope.

The other team members’ eyes showed unease and curiosity.

And Kang Jooyoung’s gaze, where desperation and faint hope intersected.

And even Park Mina’s complex, subtle gaze.

All of it felt like spotlights pouring down on an actor on stage.

First, I respectfully but confidently bowed towards Department Manager Tanaka, the eldest among them.

“Department Manager Tanaka-nim, and dear buyers. First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for the insufficient preparation on our part, which has caused you concern.”

With my calm and fluent apology, I could feel the frozen atmosphere of the meeting room softening, even if only slightly.

“It is true that there were some errors and deficiencies in the data presented by Assistant Manager Son Junhyuk.”

Without missing a beat, I continued.

“However, I daresay that this does not undermine the value of the core data we have identified. Would it be alright if I provided some supplementary explanations?”

As I finished speaking, I looked Department Manager Tanaka directly in the eyes.

He looked at me for a moment, as if evaluating me, then nodded faintly, as if intrigued.

“Very well. Let’s hear it then.”

As soon as his acceptance fell, I immediately connected my laptop and displayed the supplementary material screen I had prepared in advance.

Next to the data Son Junhyuk had presented, the materials I had re-analyzed and further investigated over several weeks appeared side by side.

“As Department Manager-nim pointed out, it is true that there was an error in the sampling for a specific period in the data presented by Assistant Manager Son. However, if you look at this data, which analyzes the overall market trends…”

Based on strengthened logic and analytical power, I acknowledged the errors while meticulously explaining why our approach was more valid.

I visually reconstructed the complex data and clearly pinpointed the subtle aspects of market and consumer psychology beyond mere statistics.

To my own surprise, words flowed like a clear stream, and in my mind, the next explanation was already perfectly organized.

As my explanation continued, the rigid expressions of Department Manager Tanaka and the other buyers began to soften little by little.

Their eyes now held curiosity and focus instead of suspicion.

“We are also fully aware of the cultural risks regarding the promotion method that Section Chief Sato-nim expressed concern about.”

Next, I moved on to the points raised by the young female buyer, Section Chief Sato.

“Assistant Manager Son-nim’s explanation seemed to highlight only the aggressive aspects, which may have led to misunderstandings.”

Rather than directly refuting Son Junhyuk’s plan, I continued by filling in its shortcomings.

“The approach we have actually prepared is not simply a direct promotion of the product’s excellence.”

I presented a new promotional idea that combined specific subculture codes popular among Japan’s younger generation with a marketing strategy focused on building empathy.

Beyond simply promoting the product, it was a much more sophisticated and effective method to build a positive image for the brand itself and cultivate a fandom.

“Oho.”

A low exclamation of admiration escaped Section Chief Sato’s lips.

Her eyes sparkled with intellectual interest.

“Lee Hyunsung Assistant Manager-nim, was it? That’s a deep analysis and a novel idea. With this, it seems the risks we were concerned about will be more than offset.”

“You flatter me.”

The atmosphere had completely reversed.

The once chilly meeting room was now filled with lively discussion and positive anticipation.

The buyers no longer questioned Son Junhyuk.

All questions were directed at me, and I answered them fluently, drawing them perfectly into my pace.

Glancing to the side, I saw Team Leader Kang Jooyoung staring at me with a nearly lost expression.

It was a gaze filled with relief, surprise, and even an awe I hadn’t seen before.

Son Junhyuk, on the other hand, had completely bowed his head and couldn’t lift his face.

I could feel his shoulders trembling slightly with anger and humiliation.

Serves him right.

The meeting ended well past the scheduled time.

The result was a great success.

“Wow, Assistant Manager Lee-nim! You’re truly amazing. That was a brilliant presentation.”

Department Manager Tanaka, who was the first to stand up, approached me with a satisfied smile and offered his hand for a handshake.

His eyes held an incomparable level of trust and goodwill compared to earlier.

“I merely placed the last stepping stone on the path Assistant Manager Son-nim had already well-paved.”

I deliberately added a remark that seemed to slightly praise Son Junhyuk.

Of course, I didn’t mean it.

Rather, it was closer to indirectly expressing his shortcomings.

At my words, I felt Son Junhyuk’s shoulders, which had been hunched in the corner of the meeting room, hunch even further.

Because nothing makes a loser more miserable than a winner’s generous praise.

“Haha. Assistant Manager Lee-nim is even humble.”

At my humble demeanor, he burst into hearty laughter.

“I am well aware of Assistant Manager Son-nim’s efforts too. Still, what Assistant Manager Lee-nim pointed out earlier truly impressed me.”

He gripped my hand firmly once more and continued.

“Honestly, at first, we had some concerns about this project, but after hearing Assistant Manager Lee-nim’s explanation today, we are confident.”

At his words, I responded with a faint smile towards Department Manager Tanaka.

“Thank you for saying that. I have been steadily studying and taking an interest in Japanese market culture, and I am glad that aspect proved helpful.”

Of course, it was a lie, but my words, reinforced by self-suggestion, gave Department Manager Tanaka incomparable trust.

“Ah, so that was it! No wonder I thought your understanding was exceptional.”

A greater sense of satisfaction spread across Department Manager Tanaka’s face.

“Regarding the project going forward, I would primarily like to discuss it with Assistant Manager Lee-nim. Would that be acceptable?”

“Yes, of course. Please feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Haha, that’s reassuring. I look forward to working with you.”

“The pleasure is all mine.”

I gripped his hand with a relaxed smile.

Everything was falling into place even more perfectly than I had planned.

****

As the Japanese buyers left the meeting room with satisfied expressions, an awkward silence briefly settled in the space that had been filled with suffocating tension.

The team members, as if still processing the situation, merely exchanged glances.

The first to break the silence was Team Leader Kang Jooyoung.

“…Assistant Manager Lee!”

She practically rushed towards me.

Anyone would have thought she was about to embrace me in triumph.

“That was truly, truly amazing. If it weren’t for Assistant Manager Lee, I don’t know what we would have done… it’s dizzying to think about.”

Her eyes sparkling like a child’s, she poured out questions she hadn’t been able to ask earlier.

“How did you come up with such ideas? And that data analysis and promotional idea, when did you…”

“Please calm down a little, Team Leader-nim.”

“Haa. Haa. Yes, yes. My apologies. I got too excited.”

Kang Jooyoung composed herself at my words, fanning her face with her hand.

I pleasurably admired the ample cleavage visible through the slightly opened gap in her blouse.

“Anyway, you really did well, Assistant Manager Lee.”

“You flatter me. I simply did what I was supposed to do as a member of the team.”

I maintained the humblest demeanor possible.

“I was mistaken. Assistant Manager Lee should have been in charge of this project from the start. I’ll report it to upper management right away and…”

“Team Leader-nim, we can discuss that later; there’s no rush.”

I once again cut her off at the opportune moment.

There was no benefit in getting ahead of ourselves.

Just then, from behind, the door was roughly pushed open with a chilly presence.

I turned around to see Son Junhyuk standing there, glaring at me with bloodshot eyes.

Without a word, he stared at me for a moment with a gaze that seemed to pour out a curse, then kicked open the meeting room door and stormed out.

From his receding back, I could feel a profound sense of humiliation along with intense hostility directed towards me.

The remaining team members, as if finally coming to their senses, began to approach me one by one, showering me with praise.

“Wow, Assistant Manager Lee-nim! You’re truly amazing! That presentation earlier was simply the best!”

“That’s right! You answered those difficult questions without a hitch; it gave me goosebumps!”

The sudden shift in attitude from those who had previously kept their distance or ignored me was amusing, but I didn’t let it show and responded appropriately to my team members’ praise.

Being looked up to by others was sweeter than I had imagined.

Park Mina watched this entire scene from a slight distance with an uneasy gaze.

When I sent a subtle wink towards her, Mina’s shoulders trembled as if she understood something.

She had waited patiently and played her part faithfully, so I would have to give her a proper ‘reward’ soon.

****

Upon returning to the office, the atmosphere had completely changed.

What had happened in the large meeting room seemed to have already spread across the entire office in an instant.

Whispers and sidelong glances directed at me could be heard everywhere.

“They say Assistant Manager Lee carried the whole thing? He convinced all the Japanese buyers by himself.”

“Really? Then what about Assistant Manager Son Junhyuk?”

“They say he was completely humiliated? Couldn’t say a proper word and whimpered away.”

“Assistant Manager Lee, he surprisingly had skills. I just thought he was a quiet person, but I see him in a new light.”

“Honestly, I hated how arrogant that Son Junhyuk human was, so it’s refreshing to see this.”

The gazes of doubt and criticism that had been directed at me just a few days ago had now turned into admiration and awe.

Colleagues who had previously avoided eye contact now subtly approached me, offering coffee or asking work-related questions.

Son Junhyuk was nowhere to be found in the office, perhaps having gone to cool off.

With this, I had overturned my reputation and solidified my position, but it wasn’t over yet.

This was merely an intermediate stage of the plan.

My ultimate goal was, after all, Kang Jooyoung.

As closing time approached, Team Leader Kang Jooyoung stood up and gathered the team members.

Her face, instead of the morning’s anxiety, was overflowing with satisfaction at the successful outcome and a sense of pride towards the entire team.

“Alright, everyone, please pay attention for a moment!”

She spoke in a voice a tone higher than usual.

“Today, our team successfully concluded a very important meeting! Of course, there are still many challenges ahead, but we have certainly overcome a major hurdle.”

The team members clapped and cheered as if they had been waiting.

“All of this is thanks to every team member doing their best in their respective roles, but there’s someone who made a particularly great contribution today, isn’t there?”

Kang Jooyoung’s gaze naturally turned to me.

The team members’ gazes also followed Kang Jooyoung in unison.

“Assistant Manager Lee Hyunsung. You truly played a significant role at a critical moment.”

Light cheers of “Ooh!” along with applause poured forth.

I stood up and gave a light bow.

“And!”

Kang Jooyoung, picking up on the mood, shouted as if delivering exciting news.

“Upper management also heard this good news and are very satisfied with today’s meeting results, so they’ve decided to fully support a team dinner as a form of encouragement!”

“Ohh!”

“Really? Awesome!”

At the unexpected news, the team members’ eyes widened.

“Yes. So, everyone, please clear your schedules for next Friday evening, no matter what. I’ll make a reservation at a very nice place.”

A bright smile bloomed on Jooyoung’s lips.

That smile was so captivating, and it thrilled me to think it was all thanks to the results I had achieved.

“Wow! Team Leader-nim, you’re the best!”

“I’m looking forward to the dinner menu!”

Most of the team members cheered excitedly.

Only Mina, in the next seat, tried to maintain a calm expression.

Son Junhyuk, who had returned at some unknown point, reluctantly clapped, only managing to force a slight upturn at the corners of his lips.

As I quietly watched them, I accidentally made eye contact with Kang Jooyoung.

In her eyes, there was a deep trust that hadn’t been there before, along with a subtle heat that only I could perceive.

I returned Kang Jooyoung’s gaze with a meaningful smile.

Next Friday night, what color of moans will that smile, imbued with naive trust, transform into and echo before me?

The time to harvest the fruit was not far off.