I became very busy. 

It was to the point where even if I had two bodies, I would still be busy. Once Jin-ah appeared on the music show, things would get so busy that I would need three bodies.

And if Hee-yeon got the hang of things and started recording? At that point, even having four bodies wouldn’t be enough.

“I’m at my limit now.”

I leaned back in my office chair, tilting my neck backward. My entire body ached, and my eyes felt heavy. 

It was time to hire someone. Someone I could trust. Someone who wouldn’t even flinch at the sweet offers from HS Entertainment. Someone highly skilled and trustworthy.

Only one person came to mind. That person not only met all these conditions, but he exceeded them. However, I was still concerned about one thing.

‘Would he even want to join our company?’

Compared to major agencies, we still lacked in many ways. We had a vision, but the work environment was far from ideal.

However, we did have one clear advantage – and that was, the opportunity to hold a key position as one of the founding members.

Sure, the real founding member was Jung-han, but he still had a lot to learn. Even though he was a founding member, he couldn’t be the second-in-command. He wasn’t quite ready to be my right-hand man. It couldn’t be helped since his career was just starting.

‘I really hope he joins us after hearing our vision.’

After all, there was no more room for him to grow where he was now. Plus, our company had a lot of growth opportunities. I picked up my phone and drafted a message.

[Team Lead Na, do you have time to meet today?]

Team Lead Na.

Back when I first joined HS Entertainment, he was my manager. He scolded me a lot, but I also learned many things from him.

He earned the respect of not just me but also all the other junior employees because he was fair, diligent, and honest.

I never once saw him abuse his position or get irritated for no reason. Could you imagine that? He felt like the kind of boss you would only see in a movie. 

Whenever he got angry, there was always a valid reason. So, if he did get angry, you couldn’t help but reflect on yourself instead of feeling resentful.

Ironically, his righteous personality was the reason he couldn’t climb the ladder at HS Entertainment. It was because of office politics. However, that very quality was exactly what I needed right now.

***

HS Entertainment Management Team 3.

Team Lead Na arrived at work early. He started by reviewing yesterday’s big and small issues in the entertainment industry and moved on to news about the company’s artists.

“Ha…” he sighed, “Work became twice as hard without that guy.” The lament escaped his lips without much thought.

That guy turned everything into a success. When Na worked with him, he was so busy just rowing the boat that he felt like he could work with more vigor. 

But now? He had to constantly look over his shoulder to make sure there were no issues and no rumors floating around. He had to be cautious with every step he took. 

Compared to those days when things moved swiftly, his motivation plummeted and his energy drained quickly. Without saying, work became difficult to a ridiculous degree.

“Is everyone busy with something?”

A voice echoed through the office – the kind that sent shivers down your spine and haunted your dreams. Team Lead Na instinctively stood up and bowed.

“Good morning, Director Park.”

“Has no one shown up yet? Or are they all busy?”

“Manager Jang is with the artists at a music show, and Manager Shin is on location for a variety show.”

Director Park briefly scanned the office before giving Team Lead Na a look-over. It was obvious he was mentally searching for something to criticize.

A chill ran down Team Lead Na’s spine.

When Hyuk was still around, Director Park wasn’t like this either. They would joke with each other, and the atmosphere was more relaxed. 

Ever since Hyuk left, everything changed. No, to be exact, it started when Hee-yeon started getting more attention.

Ever since then, the management team would bear the brunt of Director Park’s stress whenever something good happened to Hyuk. He came in and out of the office at random times, always ready to criticize something.

This was especially noticeable with Team 3, the team Hyuk used to belong to. It was why Manager Jang and Manager Shin were constantly out of the office. 

Even though the tasks could be handled by assistants, they chose to do it themselves to avoid the Director coming in and giving them a hard time. It was unbearably unpleasant, so it was better to be out.

“What’s wrong with the stats for those artists?”

There was no need to ask who he was referring to. Na wasn’t clueless or inexperienced. This was just a way for the Director to vent his frustrations.

If Na asked who he was talking about, it would only lead to a long and painful discussion where he would nit-pick everything in excruciating detail.

That was why he just kept his head down. It was true that their numbers had dropped noticeably since Hyuk left.

“I’m sorry.”

“What are you even doing, Team Lead Na? If you’re getting paid, shouldn’t you at least be earning your keep? I used to value you a lot, but it’s hard for me to keep doing so if you keep disappointing me like this.”

“I’ll put in more effort.”

“I have to be able to face the Executive Director and CEO too, don’t I? Can’t you put more effort into the company? Is it that hard? At times like this, you should be showing initiative, not just sitting around wasting time. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t be able to sleep.”

“I’m sorry.”

Director Park went through his usual routine of berating Team 3. The rest of the office stayed dead silent, hoping to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. It was like the entire floor had been muted. 

Once Director Park left, the mute button lifted, and the quiet buzz of conversation returned to the office.

Team Lead Na let out a relieved sigh and slumped into his chair, leaning back. As accustomed as he had become to these public shaming sessions, it still sapped his energy.

He headed to the break room for a drink, but his steps froze when he overheard a quiet conversation from the room.

“Poor Team Lead Na. He became a team lead for that?”

“Watch your words. We’re still at the company. And… it’s not his fault he’s not competent.”

“No, it is his fault. This is a company. They used to get along so well with Director Park. The more I watch, the more pitiful he seems.”

Why did those whispered words sound so loud? Instead of turning back, he walked straight into the break room.

There was a gasp, but he just yanked a drink from the fridge, slammed it down on the table, and opened it. As he downed his drink, the other managers from Team 2 couldn’t move a muscle.

“Hey, you guys.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“Yes, sir!”

Their faces had turned pale. Team Lead Na glared at them and spoke.

“We’re out of snacks here. Are you just going to stand there?”

“N-no, sir!”

“We’ll refill them!”

As they hurried to open the drawers and arrange the snacks neatly, Na finished the drink and forcefully threw it into the trash can.

Thud!

The loud sound made them flinch. He gave them a firm pat on the shoulder and left the break room.

Back at his desk, Team Lead Na took a deep breath and felt regret over what just happened. That was immature of him. Why did he act like that? He clicked his tongue as his phone buzzed with a text notification.

[Team Lead Na, do you have time to meet today?]

Team Lead Na immediately shut off the screen and checked to see if anyone had noticed. He tapped his pen on the desk, pondering on it for about 10 minutes. 

Then, he grabbed a cigarette and headed to the rooftop smoking area.

[9 PM. At the Uleungdo seafood restaurant.]

Na sent the message and exhaled a cloud of smoke, feeling visibly more relaxed.

***
The seafood restaurant buzzed with customers. On every round table were bottles of soju laid out. People around the table talked noisily.

“It’s been a while since we came here,” I said.

“What do you mean a while? It hasn’t even been a year,” responded Team Lead Na.

“Oh, right.”

It felt like a long time for me, though, after everything that happened. As I glanced around the place, Na suddenly frowned.

“Ugh, seriously. Why do they have to smoke right by the entrance? Can’t they do it farther away? Excuse me! Can you do something about those guys over there? What are they even thinking?”

The smell of cigarette smoke wafting in from the entrance. The rowdy, drunken chatter of the people. And most of all, being here with Team Lead Na. It all felt strangely nostalgic. It had been a long time since he had seen that face.

“Looks like things are going well for you these days.”

“Yes. But there’s more you don’t know. It’s actually more promising than it seems from the outside.”

As Na slowly chewed on a piece of flatfish, he offered me his glass. We clinked glasses and downed our drinks. Na shook his head as he set the glass back down.

“You’ve really managed to survive out there. Very impressive. You do realize your reputation has gone up, right? Blowing up inside HS is one thing but making it big out there while that bastard Director Park is trying to interfere? That’s on another level.”

I chuckled at Na calling Director Park ‘that bastard.’ I remembered how, even back when they used to hang out together, Na would call him that behind his back all the time.

“How’s it been for you lately? Still hanging in there?”

“Don’t even ask. Gosh! It’s been rough.”

Seeing Na grimace like that felt oddly familiar and comforting.

“Hahahaha!”

“Hey, don’t laugh. Honestly, it’s all because of you, punk. Do you have any idea how much trouble we’ve been through because of you?”

“That’s unfair! How is any of this my fault?”

“Come on. You want me to butter you up to your face? No way, not happening.”

After a few more rounds, Na expressed some interest in my company.

“So, what was that you mentioned earlier?”

“What do you mean?”

“That part about things being more hopeful than they seem.”

I smiled, full of confidence.

“The kids are incredibly talented. You’d be amazed.”

“That’s what it was? You can tell that just by looking. I’ve been shocked more than once already. You have no idea how much it kills Director Park to see you succeeding. Your eye for talent is seriously a national treasure. You sure you don’t have some kind of superpower?”

“Haha, that would be nice.”

There was something even more impressive than what you saw from the outside, Team Lead. Na raised his glass again, and we downed the last drop.

“Why are you drinking so fast? You should slow down,” I said.

“Why drag it out when I already know what you’re going to say?” 

As expected, he came knowing everything. Just coming to this meeting showed that he understood my intentions and that he was interested in my offer. It was incredibly reassuring.

“So… if things go well, we can bring Manager Jang and Manager Shin over, too, right?”

He looked at me with a meaningful gaze. It was clear he was worried about leaving them behind, given that they were his people. 

But I would be more than happy to welcome the managers from Team 3. I knew they were capable and trustworthy.

“I really hope they come along too,” I said.

“They will. As long as I start thriving over there.” He nodded with confidence, sounding like he was making a grand promise.

“We will thrive. The kids, the company, me, and you, Team Lead Na. The kids will make it happen, I’ll make it happen, and you’ll make it happen too. Thriving is something we achieve with our own hands.”

“Yeah. Being with you, I believe we can make it happen. Even someone cautious like me didn’t hesitate to come out today because it’s you. But listen. If I join you, Director Park might get even worse. Are you ready to handle that? If it’s too much right now, I can come over a bit later.”

“I’m more than ready to deal with anything he throws at me. I’m not going to just sit and take it anymore.”

Na spoke with certainty. “If you say so, then I believe you. Alright, I’ll be in your care then. If you just look out for me, I’ll do my best.”

“Of course.”

We clinked our glasses with matching grins. I could feel the weight on my shoulders being lifted. It was like gaining a powerful ally. Even Na’s face looked noticeably brighter.

“Tonight, we drink ‘til we drop.”

“Sounds good.”

However, even Team Lead Na couldn’t keep up with me. After all, I was known as the drinking monster.

See? I told you to slow down.

—

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