Chapter 79. Trigger (2)

Translator: Synopsis

HeeYoon returned home early after cram school. KangYoon said that there was something important to talk about.

“Oppa.”

“You’re home?”

When HeeYoon went through the front door, KangYoon was making dinner. A nice array of food, including meat and fried chicken, were on the table.

“I’ll do it.”

“It’s fine.”

KangYoon refused her, but HeeYoon still did it anyway. She didn’t feel good about her brother doing the meals. She knew clearly how much work he was doing to support her, so she did not want to make him do work at home as well.

“I said it really is fine….”

In the end, KangYoon was forced to the table. HeeYoon was firm in this matter.

After their dinner was ready, the two siblings sat across each other. The two started eating joyfully.

“Oppa, you have something to talk about?”

“…….”

Seeing KangYoon hesitate, HeeYoon noticed that KangYoon had something to say. She felt a strange aura about her brother. A sister was a sister alright.

KangYoon thought for a moment before going into the topic.

“HeeYoon.”

“What is it? Is it something hard to talk about?”

“You know, the thing we talked about last time.”

HeeYoon also momentarily paused. This was about going to America. HeeYoon focused.

“America… right?”

“In my opinion, I think it will be better to go there as soon as possible.”

In her heart, HeeYoon had already decided to go to America. She especially focused on the fact that she would not be a burden to KangYoon anymore once she regained her health and found her dreams. There was no reason to hesitate.

“When are we going? And how long are we going to be there for?”

“I think we’ll go there in 2 months. I’ll take care of the documents, and we’ll have to learn some English too. Is that fine with you?”

“I’m fine with it. In fact, I’m really delighted.”

Seeing his sister very clear on her intentions, KangYoon sighed in relief since one of his worries was solves. He was worried that she may want to remain here in Korea. Fortunately, nothing like that happened.

The problem lay elsewhere.

“What are you going to do? Your work is important, isn’t it?”

“I’m going to go after I clean up.”

“Oppa.”

HeeYoon shook her head. She was worried that KangYoon was giving up his work for her sake. She did not want to burden her brother.

“If it’s because of me, then don’t. I can stay alone by myself.”

“HeeYoon, it’s not just because of that.”

“Then what is it? If you are going to stop working just because of me, then I’ll… just not go.”

“I said it’s not like that.”

“Oppa, do you take me for an idiot?”

HeeYoon violently shook her head.

“I know better than anyone how much you like your work right now. What would I be if you stop working and go to America just because of me? Let’s just wait and….”

“HeeYoon!”

In the end, KangYoon shouted out loud. Then, HeeYoon became quiet. However, her eyes were still blazing.

Feeling that the atmosphere had calmed down somewhat, KangYoon started talking calmly again.

“Shouldn’t I prepare myself if I want to do my own work? That’s why we’re going.”

“Your own work? What do you mean?”

“Until now, I was an employee in a company. But now, I’ll be running the business myself.”

“Eh?”

HeeYoon became absent-minded. Running his own business? This was just as shocking as when JooAh suddenly invaded her school.

“Your business? You’re going to do a business?”

“I now have enough foundation and ties with other people. So, I’m thinking of doing my own work.”

“Haha….”

HeeYoon felt weird. She was surprised when her brother stopped being a manager and became a planner, but now he was going to run his own business.

However, as always, she believed in her brother.

“Wow, so it’s a business now? It’s my brother, so of course, you’ll do well, right?”

“Thanks. It’s not like I’m going to start right away. We have plenty of time, so I’m going to study as well while you heal.”

“Study? Study what?”

“Music. I also want to study stage planning as well.”

KangYoon remembered back to Samuel Johnson’s concert. The beautiful stage filled with bright golden light flashed in his mind. He could still clearly feel the stage filled with passionate golden light among the cheers of countless people.

He felt that he was still lacking if he wanted to create such a stage.

“Then I’m going to go to school with you?”

“You’re going to study too?”

“Of course. Once I get healthy, all your worries will be over.”

“Girlie.”

KangYoon patted HeeYoon’s head in delight. HeeYoon grumbled saying that her hair got messy, but KangYoon giggled, replying that he did that on purpose.

Like that, the night for the two siblings went by.

***

During the past couple days, MG Entertainment was very noisy within the company.

Once, it was noisy about the ‘success after success’ KangYoon’s embezzlement rumors, and next, it was that that rumor was due to corruption in the audit team, as well as a director, being directly involved in it. With such rumors going around, the employees were gossiping.

And today, KangYoon put the icing on the cake.

“…What is this, Team Leader Lee?”

When KangYoon put a white envelope on the table, Chairman Won JinMoon muttered in a very awkward voice.

“It’s my letter of resignation.”

“So…. It comes to this.”

“…….”

He sighed as though he had already expected this.

“You wouldn’t want to stay behind when you were framed for embezzlement. I understand you plenty.”

“Chairman, that’s….”

“Aah, it really isn’t easy to say that it’s a pity to see you leave. Haha….”

Chairman Won JinMoon didn’t hide his feelings. KangYoon had successfully put JooAh in Japan despite many obstacles. After that, he succeeded in numerous other projects and raised MG Entertainment, which was known for its specialty in idols, in the field of concert planning and general music business. He also single-handedly raised the general music team and showed its potential. At this rate, it was only a matter of time until the team became a separate department and eventually become its own company.

However, a trivial jealousy from a director had ruined everything. He should have prevented the competition between the board of directors and the president before it went too far…. He felt that it was his own fault.

Chairman Won JinMoon sighed deeply.

“You know. I do not have a history of clinging to someone who’s about to leave the company. But you, however, are different. Right now, I really need you. I really wish you would reconsider this.”

“I apologize, Chairman. Actually, I have another reason for this.”

“Another reason?”

KangYoon talked about his sister – the fact that she must go to America to receive an organ transplant, and that he wishes to cool his head and study a little more.

With things like this, Chairman Won JinMoon could do nothing.

“…Your sister, huh. That’s an awkward time.”

“I think this is the end of me here in MG. I could only come this far thanks to you, Chairman. I will not forget this.”

“That’s a pity. When are you planning to go to America?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“In two months.”

“…Please finish up your work properly. Also, let’s have a meal before you go there.”

Since this was about his family as well, Chairman Won JinMoon no longer had an excuse to hold him here. He closed his eyes and gestured to him to leave.

Just as KangYoon left and passed by the secretary,

“Director Kim JinHo. The chairman is looking for you.”

‘Looks like he’ll get thrashed badly. Well… you reap what you sow.”

Bypassing the secretary’s office, he shrugged his shoulders. Then, he headed to his next destination, the president’s office.

In her office, there were two guests along with the president herself. It was Producer Akabashi and Oda.

“Team Leader Lee. Welcome.”

[Hello?]

[Producer, Hello.]

KangYoon shook hands with Producer Akabashi, who he never imagined seeing here. After last time, when he invited him and HeeYoon to a meal, they became very close. Producer Akabashi was also very grateful for KangYoon for giving him a clue to solve his business relationship with JooAh.

[This is Oda Futaba-san. He’s a guitarist and……]

Producer Akabashi introduced Oda to KangYoon. KangYoon greeted him as well and then heard about the reason they had come here.

[…The concert, you say?]

[I saw the breakdancing concert last time, and it was very impressive. The intro, the collaboration, and the final act was very powerful and caught the attention of the audience. I liked how you focused on the most important things.]

They were definitely here to talk about the concert. And just as he had expected, Oda wanted to request KangYoon to stage a concert in Korea.

He was thankful for Oda’s words but had to shake his head.

[I am very sorry. It will be hard for me to help you.]

[Sorry?]

For Oda, this was a completely unexpected matter. He asked back.

[You haven’t heard of my conditions yet.]

[I apologize, but I have decided to go to America due to my sister’s affair. I think it will be very difficult.]

[Ah, the lady from last time.]

Producer Akabashi interrupted. KangYoon nodded his head.

[Yes. Due to an opportunity, my sister is about to receive an organ transplant. I am very sorry, but I will have to refuse.]

Oda seemed to be very disappointed as he sighed. Since it was about his family, there were no compromises. He went left the office for a bit with Producer Akabashi, saying that he had to think about it. The office was left with KangYoon and President Lee HyunJi.

“So, you handed it in.”

“I did.”

“The chairman must have been very disappointed.”

“He called for Director Kim JinHo.”

“Looks like that guy would get thrashed. Such a foolish guy.”

President Lee HyunJi poured some tea for KangYoon.

“Thank you.”

“So our days together in the company are numbered. When are you going to America?”

“After I clean everything up, I am thinking about in two months.”

“That’s a pity. So, you’re going to study while you’re there?”

“Yes. I’m planning to cool my head for a year or so.”

“That’s good. You should properly learn everything that ChanYang-seonbae taught you too.”

Other than that, KangYoon talked about cleaning things up here and stood up from his seat. When KangYoon left, Producer Akabashi and Oda returned. President Lee HyunJi apologized to them and offered to introduce another concert planning company. Although it took a little time to persuade Oda, the matter was finished up well.

***

Recently, Eddios did not come to the company much. Due to various events and recordings for TV programmes, they would have a hard time even with body doubles.

Meanwhile, lightning struck on Jung MinAh.

“Wh…. What? He’s quitting!?”

“MinAh! Don’t open your eyes!”

While getting her eye makeup done, Jung MinAh reacted very sensitively to a huge piece of news. Thanks to that, the coordinator doing her eye makeup slipped her hand. Not caring about that, Jung MinAh turned around and nagged the one who said the news, Manager Han TaeHyung.

“What do you mean by that? Why would he quit?”

“You know about the embezzlement a few days ago, right?”

“Yes, that complete and utter nonsense… don’t tell me it’s real?”

Jung MinAh was really angry. KangYoon? Embezzlement? She started nagging Manager Han TaeHyung, saying that there’s no way her idol KangYoon, would so such things.

“There’s no way it’s true. Why would he do that in the first place?”

“Obviously. Anyway, why’s he resigning when he did nothing wrong? Just what is it? Isn’t the other side in the wrong?”

“Yes. For now, Director Kim JinHo is suspended from work for trying to frame the Team Leader of embezzlement, but…. I don’t know the details either.”

Manager Han TaeHyung didn’t know the details. Jung MinAh couldn’t hold it anymore and called KangYoon, but all she got was a robotic voice.

“I’m going to go there after this.”

“Go where?”

“Where else? The office, of course.”

After fixing her make-up, the recording began again. Although she felt nervous because of KangYoon, she was still a professional.

“Good! A little more to the left….”

After a messy round of following the photographer’s demands, the skies darkened.

When the photographer gave the okay after checking all the photos, the session ended with everyone greeting each other. Jung MinAh quickly bid them farewell and headed to the van.

‘He’s still here!’

From the outside of the company, she could see that KangYoon’s office was still lit. She didn’t even look back and ran to his office.

“Ahjussi!”

Jung MinAh burst through the door while panting.

“What the hell!?”

KangYoon, who was clearing things up, suddenly stood up in surprise due to the sudden entrance. However, he felt awkward after finding out that it was Jung MinAh.

“…At least, knock, would you?”

“Is that the problem right now?”

Usually, she would act cute or play pranks, but today was different. She started causing a mess right in front of KangYoon’s desk.

“You resigned? Why did you do that? Did something happen? Really? Really?”

“…One by one. okay?”

“Why so suddenly, why?”

“Calm down a little first.”

Jung MinAh sped up her speech in agitation. KangYoon first sat her down and gave her some tea to calm her down. She sat down on the sofa and sighed after some time.

“Phew….”

“Did you run all the way here?”

“Yes. I ran up from the ground floor.”

“That’s amazing. What’s up today? Aren’t you busy nowadays?”

“It’s….”

But now that KangYoon actually asked, she could not think of what to say. She just hated to see KangYoon quit. She just couldn’t express it.

KangYoon wondered while looking at her lips twitch.

“Didn’t you come here because you had something to say?”

“It’s…. uh.”

“Since you’re here, have some tea.”

KangYoon stood up from the sofa. Only when he cleared up his work properly could his successor succeed his work. He was busy and didn’t have time to confront her.

At that time, Jung MinAh abruptly stood up and shouted.

“Don’t go!”

“MinAh.”

“Who am I supposed to believe in once you aren’t here? Please don’t go!”

She shouted her lungs out. KangYoon ended up laughing.

“MinAh. What the heck does that mean?”

“I mean don’t go! *sob sob!*”

But her emotions seem to have overwhelmed her as she teared up before she collapsed onto the sofa and lowered her head. Her usual energy was nowhere to be seen. Once her tear glands burst, they burst like a waterfall.

“This… sheesh.”

KangYoon walked back and sat down next to her.

“*Sob… sob…!!*”

“There, there. Stop crying. You’re doing well, right now, aren’t you? Stop crying.”

“…Don’t…. go….”

Seeing Jung MinAh having difficulty saying those words while heaving, KangYoon felt both sorry and grateful. Until now, no one was this honest with him. He also felt quite emotional.

“…Thanks.”

“…*Sob… sob…*”

KangYoon hugged the girl who honestly showed her true self.

He felt bitter in one corner of his heart. Although he didn’t really take it to heart when seeing the others, he finally felt that he was actually leaving for real.

‘It really is bitter.’

Consoling Jung MinAh, KangYoon made a bitter smile.

***