Chapter 153:
Jang Sunho's call woke me up.
"···"
In a moment, I was back in the hotel room I had just dreamed of. As I opened my eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling, Jang Sunho asked cautiously, "Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yes? Oh, no. It wasn't bad, but…"
"If that's the case, I'm relieved. Your expression seemed a bit off, so I asked."
Listening to Jang Sunho, I got up from the bed. As always, after encountering a ghost, my body felt remarkably refreshed. However, Tadano's request continued to weigh on my mind, creating a sense of unease.
‘Protect the ramen shop where I met my first love… or something like that.'
Perhaps due to the expression "protect," the request felt quite challenging. It wasn't as clear-cut as the requests from other ghosts so far.
Not only was it not an easy request, but Tadano also mentioned that I didn't have to fulfill it.
However…
The last words Tadano said continued to shake my heart.
—
"···Given the circumstances, even if you can't grant my request, I will help you regardless."
"···"
"Still, if possible, I really hope you can grant my request. I want to see her, who has recovered, eating ramen at that ramen shop."
—
‘When he said those words, Tadano's eyes were incredibly sincere.'
Although he said I didn't have to fulfill his request, his eyes were very earnest. He genuinely wanted to see his first love enjoying ramen at that shop again.
I couldn't refuse such a heartfelt request.
"Jinseok?"
As I stared into space, contemplating, Jang Sunho called me again.
"Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I need a moment to think."
"Are you really okay? If you're not feeling well, please let me know."
"My condition is really good. It's just that…"
I hesitated. I had decided to return to Korea today, but suddenly considering staying in Japan made me feel guilty.
‘But still…'
If I went back to Korea, I felt I would be uncomfortable throughout the filming of this project. Every time I looked at his memories, I would think of the precious ramen shop that had closed down.
"Manager…"
After making my decision, I spoke to Jang Sunho.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but can I stay in Japan for a bit longer? There are some things I need to do, not that I have to do, but want to."
"···?"
Jang Sunho tilted his head in confusion.
—
Early morning at the first-floor in-house cafe of OS Entertainment.
This well-known foreign franchise offered free coffee to employees of OS Entertainment for their welfare.
"Good morning, Vice President."
"Yes~ Good morning~"
Yoon Gayeon cheerfully responded to the employee greeting her as she entered the cafe.
The cafe was always busy with employees wanting coffee to wake them up in the morning.
"Non-fat milk, pistachio deep mocha, deep cream, paraffinachino, lots of chocolate sauce, please. Oh, and just a little whipped cream, please."
After placing her order like a rap, Yoon Gayeon sat down and waited for her coffee. At that moment, she noticed Go Seoyeong, who seemed to have put extra effort into her makeup and outfit today.
Smiling like a child who discovered a new toy, Yoon Gayeon called out to Go Seoyeong.
"Good morning, Assistant Manager. But your outfit seems unusually stylish today. Planning to go somewhere after work?"
Go Seoyeong was taken aback by Yoon Gayeon's sudden question.
"What? S-sylish? Well, it's the same as usual."
"Same as usual… It's been a few days with simple outfits. Oh, right. I heard Manager Jang Sunho is coming back today; is that why?"
"Oh, no!"
"Really? It feels like you put in a lot of effort as if welcoming a returning prince from a distant land. It's quite noticeable."
"It's really not like that. I just heard that Manager Jang Sunho has to work overtime today, so I wanted to change my mood and do something different."
"Working overtime and you dress up for that?"
"…."
Despite Go Seoyeong's strong denial, to others, her strong denial seemed more like a strong affirmation. Yoon Gayeon looked at Go Seoyeong meaningfully.
"It feels like welcoming a returning prince. You can't fool me, even if you can fool others."
With Go Seoyeong unable to provide any further response, Yoon Gayeon chuckled. Go Seoyeong, who usually didn't engage in verbal sparring or maintain a conversation flow with others, seemed strangely powerless in front of Yoon Gayeon.
"It's been a while. Vice President."
At that moment, the seemingly most formal voice in OS Entertainment was heard.
Upon hearing the voice calling her name, Yoon Gayeon turned her head to see a large man striding toward her.
"Oh, Team Leader Jang Sunho, it's been a while. Did your business trip to Japan go well? But it seems like you returned earlier than planned. Was there an issue there?"
"There were some issues. I'll report the details later."
Jang Sunho briefly spoke and then looked toward Go Seoyeong.
"You mentioned ordering my coffee. Has it not arrived yet?"
"Yes. There are many orders in front, so it should be out soon."
"What? What? Assistant Manager Go Seoyeong is getting Team Leader Jang's coffee. Well, well. Seems like even my support is needed…"
Interrupting Yoon Gayeon, who was about to bring up an embarrassing topic again, Go Seoyeong quickly spoke.
"I've organized the materials you asked for, Team Leader. Profiles of actors who auditioned for OS Entertainment in the past and can speak Japanese."
"There must have been quite a few. Thank you for your hard work."
"It wasn't that difficult. But why are you suddenly gathering actors who can speak Japanese?"
"I'll explain that gradually."
During their conversation, the coffee arrived. The three of them took their ordered coffees and headed to their respective offices.
In the end, Yoon Gayeon encouraged Go Seoyeong, saying, "I support you, Assistant Manager Go Seoyeong. But Team Leader Jang Sunho has many admirers. Even new employees follow him very well. Fighting!"
Jang Sunho took the lead and entered the office of the "Kang Jinseok Team."
"Team Leader, are you here?"
"Yes. It's been a while."
After responding to the greetings from the office staff, Jang Sunho, after throwing his bag carelessly onto his seat, spoke aloud for everyone to hear.
"Please pay attention for a moment. There's been a bit of an issue with our first original production at OS Entertainment, ‘The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World.' Originally, Director Katahiro was planning to control the entire production, but due to some troublemakers, we couldn't use most of the Japanese production company and Japanese actors."
As Jang Sunho spoke, the employees exchanged puzzled glances. They didn't know the details, but the fact that there was a problem with the production was a cause for concern.
"As an alternative, I suggested to Director Katahiro that we use Korean staff and actors. So, I asked Assistant Manager Go Seoyeong to organize actors who can speak Japanese."
Go Seoyeong nodded, and Jang Sunho continued.
"First, what you all need to do is find a film production company with staff who can speak Japanese. It shouldn't be too difficult, but time is money, so please find one as quickly as possible."
"Yes!"
"Also, those of you who have evaluated audition profiles for OS Entertainment in the past will have to work overtime with me starting today. We need to select actors who can be proposed for this project. We also need to collect profiles from Japanese actor agencies, so there's a lot to do."
At the declaration of overtime by the team leader, some employees covered their faces with their hands.
From one corner, a voice was heard saying, "Ugh… overtime and I have to do overtime!" It didn't sound like a complaint or irritation but more like someone joking.
Of course, everyone disliked overtime, but since Jang Sunho was a person who always compensated for overtime, the morale of the employees was high.
The only one feeling down was Go Seoyeong. She thought she would be working overtime alone with Jang Sunho.
Go Seoyeong sighed inwardly.
‘Ugh. If I had known, I wouldn't have worn this uncomfortable semi-formal suit.'
With such thoughts and a slightly resentful look at Jang Sunho, he seemed completely unfazed.
"Well, then, let's each do our best with our respective tasks. I apologize for taking your time since this morning."
After finishing his words, Jang Sunho headed to his seat. Due to the backlog of work caused by his recent business trip, there was not much time to delay.
‘Masareti ad extension. Nothing separate for shooting; just an extension of the period, so let's go with it. Pizza King… also an extension. Two Marts are okay. Then, let's decline any TV appearances for the time being.'
Jang Sunho quickly skimmed through various reports neatly organized by the employees.
Sorting out Jinseok's schedule like solving a puzzle, Jang Sunho concentrated. Before he knew it, it was well past 12 o'clock, and while the employees went to have lunch on their own, in the office, only Jang Sunho and Go Seoyeong remained.
"Ugh~ Haha! Team leader, aren't you having lunch?"
Go Seoyeong asked, stretching widely.
"Oh, I should."
"I saw in the group chat that the president came to the cafeteria today. Employees were taking pictures and all that. I wonder if he's still there."
Jang Sunho remembered the image of Oh Haneul happily taking pictures with employees while holding a tray.
Thinking about it, Jang Sunho chuckled.
‘I tried to fill it with bread, but since the president came, I should go and greet him. He might have already left, though.'
Jang Sunho stood up and said, "I'm going to have lunch now. When are you going, Assistant Manager?"
"Oh! I'll go with you. I just finished up."
Thud!
Go Seoyeong quickly closed her laptop. Even though it didn't look like she was done with her work at all, there didn't seem to be an option to leave Jang Sunho alone.
A little later, without saying anything, the two left the office and headed to the cafeteria.
Suddenly, Go Seoyeong thought of Jinseok.
"So, did Actor Kang Jinseok come back to Korea right away?"
"He was planning to, but I gave him some time off. Since he went all the way to Japan, it's also an opportunity for him to take a break. It's hard to explain in detail."
"On vacation. Is Actor Kang Jinseok alone?"
"Yes."
"Hehe…"
Leaving Jinseok alone in Japan. As Jang Sunho, who had always stuck with Jinseok, whether it was for shooting a drama or an ad, it was something Go Seoyeong found hard to believe.
"Lately, Actor Kang Jinseok has been incredibly popular even in Japan. If any issues arise…"
"Actor Kang Jinseok is not a five-year-old child; there shouldn't be any significant problems."
"…You say that just before some issue pops up."
"In that case, I'll cancel it."
When Go Seoyeong expressed her concerns, Jang Sunho responded with a meaningful smile.
"Don't worry too much. I've taken out insurance in my own way before coming."