The Manager Is a Gangster

17 – Who found whom (10)

1.

One text message.

The tranquility of Choi Ha-an was shattered into pieces by a single letter, consisting of a photo and a single sentence.

“······.”

The slightly loosened expression on the face turned cold again, and involuntarily, my fist clenched, nails digging into the palm.

Even as the nails tore through the skin, Choi Ha-an’s expression remained unyielding.

Just blank. Staring at the text with eyes that seemed either numb or resigned, as if giving up.

“······Sigh.”

After silently gazing at the message for about 10 minutes, Choi Ha-an let out a short sigh, rose from the sofa, and headed towards the laundry drying rack.

The only thing hanging on the rack was Choi Ha-an’s thin clothes.

Caressing the worn-out coat hem, she bit it lightly, then checked the message again.

Reflected in her lifeless eyes was a photo of the Barungil building and a short message, ‘Shall we go in, or would you like to come out?’

“······.”

Having made a decision, Choi Ha-an sent a brief reply, ‘I’ll go out,’ then removed the soft and comfortable farewell pajamas and put on her rough and uncomfortable clothes.

As the coarse fabric touched her skin, Choi Ha-an let out a bitter laugh involuntarily.

“Yeah, this is me.”

A dream of one winter day.

The comfort she felt after several years disappeared as if it were a dream, leaving Choi Ha-an with nothing but unseen despair.

Nevertheless, Choi Ha-an did not show a hint of emotion.

Despair had become too familiar to her now.

“Let’s go try to win again.”

Boosted by the courage of her only ally, herself, Choi Ha-an parted her lips and stepped towards the despair looming ahead.

“······.”

As always. Alone.

2.

“Hyungnim, what are you doing?”

[Just training. Don’t we usually train when we have nothing else to do?]

“I don’t know. I went out the day before yesterday, and I didn’t properly hear what you do at work, hyung.”

[Well, that’s true. Then listen once. We’re in the midst of training right now.]

Just as hyung said, rough sounds of men exerting themselves, hitting the mitts, the noise of punching sandbags, and more echoed through the speaker.

Just hearing the sounds made me feel like I was sweating, and without realizing it, my face frowned.

Men who sweat really disgust me. It feels like I might get prison PTSD.

Listening to the sounds of ‘Euraya, euraya!’ continuously, it felt like my head was spinning.

“Seems busy. No, right? If you’re training because there’s nothing else to do, then you’re not busy, right?”

[This guy? Well, leaving that aside. So why did you call? Jinhak, there’s no way you called just to crack jokes without a reason.]

Small talk before getting to the point was entirely unnecessary between us, given hyung’s unchanged attitude. I chuckled and brought up the main topic.

“Oh, that? Well, yesterday I went out for street casting.”

[Hmm.]

“There, I met someone really pretty and sparkling.”

[······A woman?]

“Yes. A woman.”

[Hmm… So you approached a woman on the street and initiated a conversation first?]

“Yes. Of course. It’s street casting.”

[Mm-hmm…]

For some reason, the brother listening to my answer let out a sigh.

‘Is he worried about a headache or something?’ That concern briefly crossed my mind, but it vanished into thin air like smoke.

Worrying about my brother’s health is as pointless as it gets.

Anyway, since there was no need to worry, I continued with my story, regardless of whether my brother sighed or not.

“Anyway, I proposed casting to that person. Turns out, they were being chased by debt collectors. So…”

After explaining everything that happened yesterday without any embellishments, I could finally ask my brother the question I wanted to.

“Well, that person isn’t happy, so they can’t be an idol. What should I do, brother?”

[…]

Even after the lengthy story of Mr. hahahahan and me came to an end, and I threw the last question, contrary to expectations, my brother didn’t say anything.

So, I thought, ‘Even my brother, who has been through all sorts of ups and downs, can’t answer? Looks like it’s not just me facing difficulties!’

[Um, just a moment, Jinhwak. I’m asking this again because I’m not sure if my ears are playing tricks on me.]

Unfortunately, the reason my brother was speechless was not because my question was difficult.

[S-so, are you saying that you’ve brought a w-w-woman into the house? And a twenty-two-year-old at that?]

The reason my brother was tongue-tied was that the story of me and hahahahan was too shocking for him.

But to me, it’s not that shocking at all, and I confidently replied because I simply helped someone (who happens to be extremely pretty).

“Yes. Is she resting at home?”

Wearing cute pajamas, probably lying on the bed or sofa. Comfortably.

Just imagining that scene made the corners of my mouth lift.

Despite her cold demeanor, Ha-an is surprisingly adorable.

Just thinking about her makes me smile. Huh? Isn’t she like a complete idol? Ha-an should definitely become an idol. If Ha-an doesn’t become an idol, it’s a loss for humanity.

So, while I’m chuckling to myself, a thunderous roar erupts from the speaker.

[Crazy bastard!!!! How terrifying is the world these days, letting a girl you just met into your house!!!!!!]

“Surprise, huh.”

In response to the sudden outburst from my friend, I furrowed my brows and dropped my phone from my ear.

[Well, letting a girl you just met into your house is one thing. Even if there’s a problem, you can handle it within your limits. But Byul! Byul, you brought another girl into the house, you punk!]

Even with my friend’s raging voice, I couldn’t help but look around, checking the reactions of people nearby.

Fortunately, I was in the corridor outside the office. It was during office hours, and the company was so quiet and uneventful that I was the only one in the corridor.

No one heard my friend’s thunderous voice or the contents that could be misunderstood.

But just in case someone appeared and could hear, I earnestly cautioned my friend.

“Please speak quietly, friend. What if people hear? It’s embarrassing.”

[Is this the time to worry about embarrassment and self-respect? Another girl entered your house?! What if, what if she falls for Byul, you punk!!!]

“If she falls for me? Well, that’s a bit…”

If the lady sees Ha-an entering my house, wearing her pajamas, sitting face to face with me, laughing and having a meal, she might…

“Ugh. Ugh!”

The moment I imagine that scene, the imagination cuts off, and a shiver runs through my body, cold sweat streaming down my entire being.

“Im, impossible to even imagine. A horrendous event beyond imagination would unfold.”

It probably won’t end with just a sword fight.

Certainly, either me or Miss hahahahan will die. Since Miss cannot and will not kill me, it’s hahahahan who will end up dead.

“No, isn’t it? hahahahan is quite skilled in that aspect too… It might surprisingly be a good match with Miss.”

[What nonsense are you talking about!]

Certainly, what I just said was nonsense.

But bringing hahahahan into the house wasn’t for the sake of making a show, as my brother is pretending.

“But Miss is on an overseas tour. It hasn’t even been a week since it started. Wouldn’t it take a few months for her to enter Korea?”

Because Miss is not in this country right now.

When I pointed that out, my brother, a disgusting old man… Yes, he closed his ears like a conservative and only spoke what he wanted.

[Enough of that! Anyway, if you said you won’t do it, then send him away.]

“What? I don’t want to. hahahahan must become an idol.”

[Did he say he won’t do it at all, or did he explicitly refuse? How can you ask someone who even said they’re not happy and can’t become an idol?]

“I didn’t know what to do about that, so I called my brother for advice.”

But I was not the one to yield to conservative behavior, and my brother knew me well, so he had no choice but to give in.

My brother sighed deeply and finally answered my question.

[Ah… I can’t ask you to give up on your personality. Well, making someone who says they can’t be an idol because they’re not happy become an idol is not that difficult.]

“Oh! As expected of my brother! Is this the power of experience?”

[But it’s not an easy way. It might take a while over the phone, so how about coming out?]

“Should I?”

[Yeah. Since it’s almost lunchtime, let’s talk while eating.]

“Sure. Sounds good.”

[Oh, by the way. Do you know that Grandma’s Country Rice Soup place? Come there. I’ll be heading out now too.]

“Yes, hyungnim.”

After hanging up and putting the phone in my pocket, I stood in front of the elevator.

“Perfect timing, coming down now. Lucky me.”

Fortuitously, the elevator coming down from above opened its doors. I pressed the button for the lower floor with a cheerful smile.

Ding-.

As the door opened, there stood Haan, raising an eyebrow.

?”

For reference, my apartment was on the 4th floor of the Barun Gil Entertainment building.

The office where I work is on the 3rd floor.