#11

A week ago, after signing a contract with me, the members of Tartarus were immediately transferred to the hospital, where they underwent multiple examinations not only on the day of admission but also the following day.

After receiving a report that their examinations were complete, I visited the hospital and asked each member individually if I could review their results. Fortunately, every one of them gave me permission.

The examination results, unsurprisingly, were far from good.

Their bodies bore traces of broken bones that had healed, bruises that had not yet fully faded, and scars from being struck by something.

Given the bruises on Yoo Euiseo’s body, President Lee Yongjun’s attitude, and Lee Daon’s instinctive fear response, the situation was easy to infer. The members had been subjected to ongoing violence. Because of that, I felt sorrow and anger at their physical wounds, but I was not surprised.

However, when I was called into the internal medicine doctor’s office as their guardian and heard the examination results, I couldn’t help but be shocked.

“What…… did you just say?”

“Malnutrition. All five of them.”

“Mal…… malnutrition? Did you just say malnutrition?”

“Yes. I said malnutrition. From what I can see, it’s been going on for quite some time. I understand that idols need to manage their weight, but this is excessive.”

Malnutrition. In 21st-century South Korea, supposedly strong and healthy young men in their early-to-mid twenties, recognized as top idols, were suffering from malnutrition. I was completely dumbfounded upon hearing that……

That day, even in my half-dazed state, I memorized the doctor’s instructions and the necessary supplements before leaving the office. Outside, where Sung Yoojun was waiting, I spoke to him.

“Secretary Sung.”

“Yes, President.”

“What’s a meal that’s delicious, nutritious, and comes in large portions?”

“A meal that’s delicious, nutritious, and comes in large portions…… There is a Korean course meal restaurant nearby.”

I paused at the mention of a Korean course meal restaurant. If it’s Korean cuisine, there would be plenty of side dishes, lots of vegetables, and ample meat. Plus, since Koreans rely on rice for energy, it would be the best choice. But do course meals even come in takeout or delivery options?

“Can they do delivery or takeout?”

“There are very few things impossible before overwhelming capital, sir.”

In response to my cautious inquiry, Sung Yoojun answered with utmost confidence. His response made me look at him as if I had just realized a fundamental truth about the world.

“I’ll get it packed right away.”

“Yes…… Pack five servings—no, ten.”

An hour later, Sung Yoojun returned with the course meal neatly packed, and I carried it straight to the hospital room where the Tartarus members were resting.

During their hospital stay, as recommended by the doctor, I had food brought to them every day. Fortunately, the hospital had no restrictions on outside food, so no one stopped me from ensuring they had three full meals a day, along with morning and afternoon snacks.

“It’s the perfect time for lunch.”

“Is it Korean food again today?”

“Considering their health, that would be best. But if we eat Korean food again, they might get tired of it……”

Since their hospitalization, I had been providing only Korean food, except for snacks, so it was about time they got a little tired of it. Hmm, what kind of food would guys in their early twenties like? Back then, Cheon loved pizza, hamburgers, and pasta. Would the Tartarus members like those too?

“Do you think they’d dislike Western food?”

“They didn’t say anything during the last preference survey.”

“Really? Then let’s book that today.”

“Yes, understood.”

At Sung Yoojun’s calm reply, I relaxed against my seat. For someone like me, who always ate the same things or simply went with whatever Cheon wanted, deciding on a meal every time was quite exhausting.

“I never knew picking a meal could be this difficult. It’s draining.”

“Are you very tired?”

“Not quite. Just a little unfamiliar with it.”

If only the Tartarus members would tell me what they liked or wanted to eat, I could choose a restaurant accordingly. But no matter how many times I asked, they always said anything was fine.

The last preference survey Sung Yoojun mentioned had been my attempt to verify that response. Since I couldn’t trust their claim that anything was fine, I had at least wanted to find out if there were any foods they disliked or were allergic to. According to them, there weren’t. But given everything else, I wasn’t entirely convinced by that answer either.

“It’d be nice if they’d just say what they want comfortably……”

“After what they’ve been through, opening up won’t be easy.”

I muttered absentmindedly, and Sung Yoojun replied. His sudden response pulled me out of my thoughts. I blinked slowly and looked at him in the driver’s seat. Through the rearview mirror, our eyes met.

Ah, that gaze. I knew that gaze. The look of someone carefully scrutinizing another person.

I didn’t avoid his stare and met it head-on.

“……It certainly won’t be easy.”

After a long observation, Sung Yoojun finally spoke. Somehow, his words felt like they weren’t about Tartarus but about someone else entirely. Who was he thinking of?

Since I knew nothing about Goo Won in the game or about Sung Yoojun, the man driving in front of me, I chose to stay silent rather than respond.

As I did, a heavy silence settled inside the car, where only the two of us sat. Normally, I didn’t mind a quiet car, but this time, the silence was unbearably uncomfortable.

I just wanted to arrive at the office quickly. Thinking that, I turned my head to look out the window at the scenery, but then Sung Yoojun’s deep voice broke the silence.

“President.”

“……Yes, Secretary Sung.”

I couldn’t bring myself to ignore someone calling me, so I turned my gaze forward again. In the rearview mirror, Sung Yoojun’s face was still watching me. He remained silent for a moment, staring intently before finally speaking slowly.

“Are you feeling any better now?”

Better about what?

To hide my confusion, I exhaled slowly and steadied myself. What exactly was he asking about? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn’t figure out the meaning behind his question.

“……I’m not sure.”

In the end, unable to decipher his intent, I opted for a vague, evasive response. How was I supposed to know if I was better or not when I didn’t even know what had been wrong? In times like this, the best answer was something ambiguous.

“I see. I thought you might be feeling a little better.”

Seriously, what are you talking about? If you’re going to ask if I’m better, at least explain what was wrong in the first place.

“You’ve changed a lot lately.”

“Have I? If you say so, maybe I have. But I wouldn’t know.”

I kept my tone as neutral as possible, pretending not to be affected by his words.

Of course, I had changed. The person inside had been replaced, after all. But there was no way he could suspect that, so I had nothing to worry about.

Even if my behavior seemed different, at most, they’d think I had some memory issues.

Analyzing the situation objectively, I concluded that there was no real threat to me and slowly relaxed my tensed shoulders. There was no need to be unnecessarily nervous. If things got tricky, I could always claim amnesia. After all, if someone says they don’t remember, what can anyone really do?

With that nonchalant thought, I turned my gaze to the scenery outside, finally taking in the Seoul cityscape that looked no different from reality. The sight somehow calmed me, and I found myself staring at it, lost in thought—until a quiet chuckle broke through the silence.

There were only two people in this car: me and Sung Yoojun. Since I hadn’t laughed, it could only be him.

“Secretary Sung?”

Hearing laughter from someone who rarely laughed left me feeling unsettled. Not bothering to hide my bewilderment, I called his name, and he responded in a gentle voice, his face still carrying traces of amusement.

“It’s nothing. I just unconsciously thought that I like the current president much more than the previous one.”