The Manager Is a Gangster

9 – Who Found Whom (2)

1.

What is this?

Already in a confusing situation, being hugged by an unknown woman in the midst of it all only made my mind more bewildered.

Perhaps because my head was stiff. The muscles, already tense for the escape, remained frozen, and I found myself sitting back on the bench without being able to do anything.

Thunk.

My half-dropped buttocks stuck to the chair, and as any movement disappeared from me, the police officers’ gaze naturally turned towards the woman hugging me from behind.

“Um… do you happen to know this person?”

For some reason, looking dazed, the woman who hugged my neck answered in a very stiff voice.

“Yes, yes. I-I’m his girlfriend.”

Huh? What girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend. In the first place, the only woman I was close to was the lady.

As I was feeling even more confused by the sudden appearance of a girlfriend I didn’t know, the police, as if realizing something, half opened their mouths and muttered.

“Ah… So, that’s why you were sitting on the bench in a suit on this cold day, waiting for hours and meticulously checking the faces of passersby…”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

The middle-aged police officer who was standing behind, carrying the burden, relaxed his stiff expression, shook his head, and came forward, muttering continuously.

“That’s how it was. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”

No, what makes sense?

“hehehehe… Yeah, what does a little cold matter in the face of passionate young love? I had those days too.”

“What?”

“Still, even if your girlfriend is late for a promise, it’s not good to check every passing person’s face, young friend. I can’t lecture you too much since I had my own youthful days, but you shouldn’t make people anxious with your actions.”

The situation seemed oddly strange, but for now, it seemed to be flowing in a positive direction for me.

“And your girlfriend too. She shouldn’t make you wait in this cold weather. Well, seeing her face, every moment of waiting for a boyfriend must have been happy… but still, sitting here without a coat in this weather can hurt a person!”

The moment the word “face” came out of the middle-aged police officer’s mouth, a sudden surge of strength went into the two arms that were clutching my neck.

Although I instinctively flinched in response to the strong pressure that felt like it was choking me, it was clear that whatever I did here would be a definite mistake.

“Ah… Yes, I’m sorry.”

Awkwardly like reading a Korean language textbook, but unlike just a moment ago, the woman’s voice now sounded very natural… and very cold.

But it’s hard to feel the chill in the words on this cold day. The middle-aged police officer nodded his head a few more times with a pleased expression on his face.

“Yeah, got it. Looks like the size will fit roughly… Well, I guess there’s no need to investigate. Alright, everyone, let’s withdraw!”

With those words, the group of police officers disappeared beyond my line of sight.

Even so, I remained frozen in place until the police officers completely disappeared from view, and only then could I finally let out a relieved sigh.

“Phew… That was close.”

I was in a situation where I could have been dragged to the police station or become a fugitive, but thanks to unexpected help, I was able to survive.

I don’t know who it was, but I should thank them.

To express my gratitude, I turned my head, but as someone who rarely gets surprised, my words were stuck in my throat.

“Uh…”

Because, from the woman who saved me, a glitter similar to that of a lady emanated.

Glitter.

Humans cannot emit light physically. Because there are no organs capable of luminescence.

However, there are undoubtedly people who emit light more intensely than any luminescent object.

Yes, the superstar Nova, who can undoubtedly be called the most popular person in the current Republic of Korea, just like our lady.

A brilliant light that can only be seen in a few among the people, captivating attention, shaking hearts, and stealing minds.

Such radiance was also flowing brilliantly from the woman standing behind me.

Not only today but over the years, I have seen many people, but only a lady like her had this level of glitter.

So, perhaps. I was convinced in my heart that if she were the person in front of me, she could become the ultimate idol.

“Hey… would you like to try being an idol?”

Instead of a word of thanks, I had to make a casting proposal.

But what I received in return was not an answer to the proposal but a cold voice speaking with a chilly expression.

“That’s enough. I just helped once. You should help me a bit too.”

Although her tone of asking for help was bitterly cold and tough, as she said, I undoubtedly received help from her.

So, when a request for help comes, it’s customary to help. I smiled slyly and turned my head towards the darker alley under the darkening sky.

“Are you being chased by those people over there?”

“Yes, yes? How did you know…”

At my words, the woman’s frozen expression seemed to be surprised as I answered without her even asking for help.

Surprise is not an unusual thing. Even the older brother who usually laughs heartily had wide-open eyes when I was like this for the first time.

In that regard, the woman behind me was remarkably calm and emotionally stable.

I liked that even more.

Imperturbability, one of the essential elements for a star, was already present in her to some extent.

Even under the dark sky, her face was so beautiful that it could leave you speechless, and her aura was calm, sophisticated, and not easily swayed by emotions.

On top of that, she had a sparkling charm comparable to a young lady. She was an unparalleled talent.

I must recruit her as an idol.

How such talent appeared in front of me was not important. What mattered now was that such a perfect talent was in front of me.

To recruit her, I needed to win her favor. There’s nothing as efficient as flawlessly handling the necessary tasks to gain favor from someone you just met.

“I may have concealed my body, but it’s obvious that you can still sense my presence and gaze. Anyway, I understand. I also received help from you.”

I stood up from the bench and turned my back to the alley where they were hiding.

Then, in the chilly winter air, I gently held the small hand of the unnamed girl and whispered in a voice so soft that no one could hear.

“Let’s get out of here quickly.”

“······What?”

For the first time, a look of surprise appeared on her face.

※※※

“What the hell!”

Gangster Jocheolman, who was hiding in the alley while waiting for the chance for the police to disappear, shouted loudly without even realizing that he was hidden.

But no one hiding with him could reproach him.

Because.

“I, you guys, I throw up, hyung-nim!”

“Uh, uh, what do we do, hyung-nim?!”

Among the gangsters here, Jocheol was the most senior, and other gangsters were equally shocked, shouting in surprise.

The woman, who had been tailing them, suddenly gave a backhug to the man she had just met and sent the police after a short conversation. This was unexpected for them.

“Since she also has some dirt, it didn’t seem like she could ask the police for help, but… I didn’t expect her to escape like that.”

While the three gangsters were bewildered and shocked, Kang Jinhyuk and the woman had already run far enough to look like dots.

It was too late to chase them. Jocheol spat out saliva, took out a cigarette from his pocket, and asked, “Hey, Mansik. Do you know anyone related to that woman? Especially such a young guy?”

“No. There’s no one. Even if she knows someone, it’s only us, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, that’s right. I know that too. But what’s that?”

“I… I don’t know. But it doesn’t seem to be someone we know, hyung-nim.”

“Sigh… Well, if it’s her face, it can make a man run away even if he’s seeing a stranger for the first time. It’s a face with enough credibility.”

In response to Jocheol’s words, the two men nodded as if agreeing.

It wasn’t just pretending to agree because it was the boss’s words; it was a genuine nod of agreement with what he said.

“Indeed, with such a face, just looking at a photo can make a Chinese tycoon drool.”

“That’s right, that’s right. We should quickly make her sign the body abandonment contract and ship her off.”

While the two subordinates chatted in a voice filled with urgency, Jocheol, who had burned the cigarette to the filter, flicked the cigarette butt away with his toe and said to the two men, “It’s soon, very soon. It’s almost the final payment deadline, and I’ve been visiting everyone she works with, planting threats. Soon, very soon.”

“Yes, hyung-nim!”

“When we pass that year, our lives will also flourish, sir!”

“Sure, then······ let’s make life bloom a bit faster. How about going to her house and either killing or beating her?”

Naturally, the response that came back was quick and concise.

“Yes!”