LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 209
Chapter 209
I had a long conversation.
It was rather awkward, especially since Oh Yoori was mercilessly poking at my weakest moments.
It was uncomfortable and a bit embarrassing, but surprisingly, it was also a pretty decent chat. Still, I thought I might need to talk more later…
Anyway, it really helped me整理 and objectify who I am right now.
After finishing my conversation with her, I found myself alone on the balcony, murmuring to myself with a peculiar sense of sentiment.
“A mix of fragrance and stench… I really am a complicated guy.”
I finally understood why Cheon Aram said she hadn’t seen many cases of what you might call ‘sweaty smells’ other than me and Oh Yoori.
After all, it’s not every day you find someone who can hold onto such a firm ‘value system’ that swings like a pendulum between wanting to sacrifice for others and wanting others to sacrifice for themselves.
“…But hey, I’ve changed. I guess.”
After getting betrayed in the first round and losing everything, I promised I would change.
I vowed I wouldn’t just be a good person who’s easy to use, but rather a selfish person thinking about my own success.
It seemed like being a pushover was just my nature because it didn’t quite go according to plan, but following all those selfish methods in the quests must have changed me a little.
Not completely transformed, still in a half-hearted state though.
Half-and-half.
With doubts in my mind thinking it wouldn’t be true, my conversation with Oh Yoori gave me a bit of realization.
It was a purely objective evaluation.
After all, I could feel that I was shaking quite a bit.
Just like Cheon Aram said, I felt the urge to run away and grab new opportunities at SS.
I also felt the longing to protect the kids who would get hurt in the crashing waves that I always blabber about.
I was wavering, not knowing which direction to go.
“…Let’s just head out for now.”
So, without even giving a reply, I moved my feet.
Armed with nothing but the fragmented information that the time Cheon Aram mentioned had come, I simply walked toward the meeting room.
I didn’t even know what I should say when I got there.
*
Inside the meeting room, a meeting was in full swing.
I entered as cautiously as possible so as not to disturb them.
They were so engrossed in the meeting that they didn’t even notice my careful entrance; no one turned to look at me, all raising their voices to assert their thoughts.
Among them, James Oh, his face flushed red, slammed his hand on the table with a loud ‘bang’ and declared,
“I’m declaring war on all the media outlets! It’s time to confront the haters against Team Leader Seon and the kids head-on! Let’s have a fight until one of us is left standing, whether the company collapses or they give up!”
“Let’s have a duel where one of us dies!”
Isabella tilted her head and asked,
“…James, I agree that we should prioritize the protection of the kids and Team Leader Seon, but is it okay to fight like that when half the nation could become those haters, not just the media?”
“Whether it’s okay or not, we have to do it. So, should we leave the kids and Team Leader Seon irresponsibly unprotected?”
Jo Narae agreed with that statement, and Seo Soo-yeon continued,
“Yes, we shouldn’t apologize right now. The company needs to act as a shield. Only with a barrier against this wave of public opinion can Gaeul, Yeoreum, Gyeoul, and Team Leader Seon endure.”
“I think we should apologize. But maybe we can frame it not as mismanagement, but as a misunderstanding of information?”
“Could you elaborate?”
“Let’s say it was a marketing mistake. The fact is, the interview with the three was supposed to be a viral snippet showcasing the world view of the next album, but TwoBear underestimated the waves it would create.”
Song Johan chuckled and nodded along.
“Well, the company would get blasted for that. The stock price would plummet… But hey, it would do its job as a shield. I like that!”
Then Seok Hyun-woo shook his head and spoke.
“Hmm, the direction is good but, even in the process, arrows may still be directed at the kids and Team Leader Seon. Even if they were demanded for something, shouldn’t we have thought it over and stopped it? Therefore, if I’m going to be the villain, I’d say let’s make it really clear. TwoBear tried to maintain an exploitative contract with Girl Revolution through illegal means, but when the media completely blocked it off, the kids resorted to extreme measures to make the situation known. What do you think about that?”
“But aren’t our contract conditions pretty good?”
“We can manipulate that.”
“Wow, TwoBear would be completely obliterated then… Should we do it right away?”
Hearing such absurd claims, Cheon Aram clicked her tongue and said,
“Hey, it’s fine to throw out ideas, but we need to think of more realistic alternatives!”
“We’re all being serious here… So, do you have a realistic solution?”
“…Declare that we’ll sue everyone who slanders Team Leader Seon and the kids, then pull out of operations entirely to go all-in on the branch in Japan? We’re doing well there too, right?”
“Wow, now that’s a business mindset! Let’s give her a round of applause, everyone.”
They genuinely looked impressed, getting up to clap, and Cheon Aram scratched her head awkwardly while laughing lightly.
Is it said that when a situation gets ridiculous, it surpasses being awkward and turns into laughter?
But what they were showing now was beyond amusing; it was a bizarre spectacle.
The discussion that followed was similar.
They were seriously trying to figure out how to protect the kids and me, even if it meant destroying the company.
“…”
Seeing that reminded me of old times.
Right before the collapse of the company I started due to the collusion between Flower Entertainment and Ban Seong-cheol before my first regression.
Desperate moments, clinging to everyone I thought I had helped to protect that company and the artists.
“Mint…, no, Ji-won. Help me out, okay? For the event you’re going to, can you get my kids in? I don’t need any money! Just letting people know we’re still active is all I want!”
“Taeyang, thanks for stopping that scandal before, and I totally get how you feel. But the agency doesn’t seem to want it. It’s hard for me since I just moved to a new company and I’m trying to adjust, sorry.”
Even Mint, whom I discovered and helped to rise as a successful singer.
“PD Kim, can you let Grace participate in this music show just this once? You know how her music show performance has been, right? Things are getting tangled now, but if she appears just once, it’ll clear up easily! Please help me out, I won’t forget this favor!”
“President, you do realize this could be seen as lobbying, right? Requesting to put someone on the broadcast could be legal trouble… Remember when you helped me book artists for my debut? That was a mutual benefit! We had a hit with Leo’s image change back then! Anyway, I’d prefer if you didn’t contact me about this in the future.”
Even PD Kim Han-su, who fell behind in company politics but survived thanks to my help.
“Jin-woo, any chance you could give me just one of those B-cut tracks we set aside? You said it would be nice for Seri to sing a ballad back then. It’s not an easy situation, but if we release a single, I think we could knock on some doors. Just help me out once!”
“I’m saying this because I owe you, but many agencies are planning to blacklist you and the artists from your company. They don’t want to set a precedent. So honestly, it’ll be tough to get a track. Don’t waste your energy and look for something else.”
Even composer Oh Jin-woo, whom I helped secure copyright for.
They all turned their backs on me.
At that time, I thought I was betrayed simply because I had become worthless.
Despite pouring out everything I had to win people’s goodwill, I failed and lost my value, leading to the collapse of all those relationships.
So, I decided to succeed.
I vowed to use every means necessary to ensure that no one ever saw me as worthless again, that I wouldn’t lose my so-called value ever again.
Yeah, I tried to become a selfish person.
But I think that thought was fundamentally flawed.
I feel like this.
I was selfish from the very beginning.
From that first run where I thought I was kind.
I showed kindness to others and shared my belongings, but I chose whom to be kind to.
Maybe I didn’t at first. But that ‘choosing’ became clearer over time.
To those who whispered sweeter words to me, to those who seemed more helpful, I didn’t even consider who those people were, I foolishly got drunk on the sweetness of the moment.
That wasn’t a good deed or an altruistic act, nor was it sharing with others.
It was merely a transaction. I sold my time, efforts, and money cheaply for a moment of flattery and sweet talk.
So, the previous run didn’t betray me; I just failed.
…However, it seems I didn’t fail this time.
“Uh? Team Leader Seon, you’re here? Perfect timing. Come sit… Wait, Team Leader, are you crying?”
“Yes? Team Leader? Are… are you okay?”
“Oh no, seeing you shed tears is just heartbreaking… Hey, this is all because of you, James, and your ridiculously stupid opinions, right?! You’re making her anxious and overwhelmed!”
“Is that really it? Um, I’m sorry. I… I’m not sure if this will console you, but I’ll gather the lawyers from my connections, they’re good friends!”
“Are you really just worried? Please, rest assured. We’ll handle everything somehow!”
“Exactly. We’ll carry our luggage and face whatever happens at TwoBear, but we’ll protect the kids and Team Leader Seon no matter what! We all owe Team Leader Seon that much!”
“Well, I agree, but seriously, if we do that, won’t we all end up as debtors?”
“Then let’s do it one more time! We’ve come this far from nothing, right? Can’t we do it a second time?”
“Hehe, did you hear that, Team Leader?”
Cheon Aram smiled softly while watching her teammates mumble anxiously.
“Trust us.”
“…”
I wondered if they even realized how they looked, comforting me with awkward smiles.
On top of that, James Oh was going the extra mile, dialing somewhere to hire a real lawyer, while Seo Soo-yeon hesitantly pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and looked at me.
Thanks to them, I realized.
I hadn’t merely avoided failure.
I had succeeded.
In life, in my existence, and in my goals.
Wiping my flowing tears roughly with my sleeve, I spoke with conviction.
“I have a plan.”
There was no more trembling.