#4

“I’ll step out first.”

“I will come to escort you as soon as the contract is finalized.”

At Secretary Sung Yoojun’s polite words, I gave a nod. Then, looking at the Tartarus members still huddled together by the door, I spoke.

“Let’s go out together. I don’t think there’s any need to stay here any longer.”

As I said that, I glanced at President Lee Yongjun. He was gripping the leather of the sofa tightly, looking at me with pleading eyes that practically begged me not to leave Secretary Sung Yoojun behind.

“You should leave as well.”

“Huh? But……”

“Let’s go. Right now.”

I completely ignored his desperate gaze and instead pressured Secretary Yoo Hanjin to leave the President’s office as well. Following him out, I turned to him and said.

“It would be best if you didn’t go back inside until everything is completely settled.”

“Y-Yes! I won’t go back in! Never!”

“You could also go somewhere else for a while.”

“I’ll get lost— I mean, I’ll be on my way now!”

My words came out firm and warning-like, causing Secretary Yoo Hanjin to nod frantically before dashing away in a hurry. Watching his retreating figure as he scurried off like his feet were on fire, I clicked my tongue softly.

I was fully aware that it was completely unreasonable for me to order around someone who wasn’t even my secretary but rather President Lee Yongjun’s. Still, I had done it anyway, just to buy more time for President Lee and Secretary Sung Yoojun to be alone together.

Let them enjoy some quality time together—after all, no matter how uncomfortable it was for them, it wouldn’t even come close to what they had put others through.

Thinking that, I shot a glance at the tightly shut office door before shifting my gaze to the Tartarus members, who were staring at me with expressions of bewilderment.

As soon as my eyes landed on them, I could feel their bodies stiffen in tension. Their sharp reactions, filled with clear rejection and wariness, didn’t bother me as I slowly scanned each of their faces. My gaze eventually stopped on Yoo Euiseo.

He was also looking at me, and our eyes met in midair.

“……What are you looking at?”

His tone was dripping with irritation, but there was also a faint trace of unease mixed in. My eyes remained fixed on the hands that he was still instinctively holding close to his shoulders as if protecting himself. Then, I slowly lowered my head.

“I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“I apologize for touching your clothes without your permission, Euiseo-ssi. No matter how urgent the situation was, I should have asked for your consent first…… I truly regret it.”

Yoo Euiseo looked completely taken aback by my apology. Since I had lowered my head, my view had shifted downward, allowing me to see his fingers fidgeting slightly, as if unsure how to process my words.

“……Lift your head. Why are you apologizing? It’s not like I was hurt or anything, and if you’re the president of the company we’re going to, checking our physical condition is only natural……”

Checking their physical condition is only natural if I’m the president of their company……?

Hearing the words that Euiseo had hesitated so much before finally saying, I couldn’t help but feel a bitter sensation creep up inside me.

Was that the reality they had grown used to? Having things forced upon them just because the other person held a higher position? Even when it was something that should have been entirely their own choice?

“That is not something to take for granted.”

“……What?”

“That is absolutely not something to take for granted, Euiseo-ssi.”

Unable to hold back my frustration any longer, I lifted my head and met Yoo Euiseo’s eyes, speaking firmly.

“No matter how much you belong to this company, it is wrong for someone to lift your clothes and check your body without your consent.”

“That’s…… wrong?”

“Yes. It’s extremely rude and shows a complete lack of respect for you. No one should ever treat another person like that.”

At my resolute words, Yoo Euiseo blinked with a dazed expression. He looked as if he had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

“But…… I’m just a product, aren’t I? It’s only natural for the owner to manage their product…… That’s what the president said……”

What kind of insane nonsense did that bastard fill this kid’s head with? My head throbbed as I grabbed my temples, my glare sharp as I stared toward President Lee Yongjun’s office. I seriously wanted to do something about that man. I had never felt this kind of anger toward someone in my entire life…

“W-Why are you looking at me like that? Are you mad? Did I…… did I do something wrong?”

While I struggled between my remaining sense of morality and my burning rage toward Lee Yongjun, Yoo Euiseo, who had been startled by my expression, stammered nervously.

His cautious demeanor contrasted sharply with his tall, muscular build and his playful-looking features—an odd combination for someone with such an imposing presence.

Seeing him like that, I quickly composed my expression and firmly shook my head.

“No, Euiseo-ssi. You did nothing wrong. And everything President Lee Yongjun told you is completely false. You are not his product, and he is not your owner.”

“Then…… you……?”

“And I am not your owner either. You are not my product. People can never be products. No one has the right to treat another person that way.”

“What? Then what are we supposed to be?”

Yoo Euiseo asked with a puzzled look as I calmly laid out the truth. I answered with the thoughts I had already formed in my mind.

“We are artists who soar through our dreams, talents, and efforts. And I am the president who protects, believes in, and takes care of such artists. We are not in some absurd relationship where one side exploits the other like a product and an owner. We coexist. At least, that’s what I believe. But…… do you all see it differently?”

As I said this, I looked around at the members of Tartarus. I had been worried that, like Yoo Euiseo, they might not even realize they were being mistreated, but thankfully, their faces didn’t seem to suggest that.

Except for Yoo Euiseo, who still looked confused and tilted his head, the other four members were watching me with assessing eyes as if they were trying to gauge me.

They were probably wondering if what I said was true, if I could be trusted, if I was someone who would follow through on my words.

That was a good sign. Judging someone meant they hadn’t completely given up on trusting others. They must have gone through a lot of hardships because of people, yet they still hadn’t abandoned their ability to trust. I found that admirable—something worthy of both praise and respect.

Smiling gently with that admiration in my heart, I looked at the members of Tartarus. Their eyes widened in shock.

“It’s okay. I understand that it’s hard to trust someone you’ve just met today. So, I will take my time proving that my words are true.”

Speaking in a calm voice tinged with a light smile, I met each of their gazes one by one. None of the members responded. They were still staring at me in surprise.

But that was fine. This was a natural reaction. If I were in their shoes and someone I had just met started talking about being an artist and coexisting, I wouldn’t believe it either.

“Shall we go, then?”

“……Wait!”

Just as I felt I had conveyed my stance sufficiently and was about to take a step forward, Euiseo called out to me urgently.

“Yes, Euiseo-ssi. Why did you call me?”

“Uh…… what’s your name?”

I widened my eyes at Yoo Euiseo’s question, as he asked for my name in his still somewhat awkward formal speech. Had I not introduced myself? Ah, right. I hadn’t had the chance to do so back in the President’s office.

“I don’t think I ever heard it.”

“I can’t believe I haven’t even introduced myself yet…… My apologies. I’ve been quite rude to you all today.”

I smiled slightly before continuing.

“My name is Goo Won. It’s not a common surname, and my given name is a single character with a positive meaning, so it tends to be memorable.”

“……It is definitely a unique name.”

The one who responded to my lighthearted comment, meant to ease the tense atmosphere, was Nam Yisol. His voice, now dripping with playfulness, bore no trace of the wariness he had shown earlier.

Nam Yisol had a face that anyone—regardless of age or gender—would find cute. His large eyes, slightly lined with faint double eyelids, gleamed mischievously, giving off the impression of a troublemaker who played pranks but could never truly be disliked.

“But it suits you, President.”

“That’s a kind thing to say.”

I gave a casual smile at Nam Yisol’s compliment, and he, in turn, curved his eyes sweetly as he returned the smile.

“By the way, President, earlier you said, ‘Shall we go?’ Where exactly did you mean?”

“Ah, I meant we should go collect your belongings. Once we leave this place today, we won’t be coming back. It would be best if you take everything you need with you now.”