#51

“Yes.”

“Do you happen to know what kind of relationship Rep. Oh Hahyun has with the twins?”

At my question, Secretary Sung Yoojun immediately spoke up.

“Based on the rumors circulating publicly, their relationship is not bad. Especially, Lee Gaon-ssi follows his mother very well. Lee Daon-ssi also tends to be more well-behaved in front of Rep. Oh Hahyun.”

Oh dear. While it was a good thing that the twins got along well with their mother, it was a bit troublesome for me in this situation.

“If they find out about what’s happening, they’ll be very worried.”

“Most likely. It wouldn’t be a comfortable situation to know that their boss is in conflict with their mother.”

“I suppose there’s no helping it. Secretary Sung, please don’t mention this to the Tartarus kids. It’s better if they don’t know about this.”

At my request, which was filled with a sigh, Sung Yoojun slowly nodded and said,

“Understood. I will do as you say. However, you should be aware that no matter how tightly we try to keep this under wraps, Rep. Oh Hahyun’s side might leak the story.”

“That’s true. I’d prefer if that didn’t happen, but I don’t know if we can stop it.”

I spoke in a weary tone and let out a deep sigh. If the twins found out about this, I worried about how they would take it. How would they feel about me going against their mother?

“Secretary Sung.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If your boss and your mother were in conflict, would your boss be seen in a bad light?”

“Blood is thicker than water, so naturally, that would be the case.”

As expected, Sung Yoojun’s answer was exactly what I had anticipated, and I let out another long sigh. Just when I was finally getting along with them, things had to turn out like this. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“Don’t worry too much. They might still view the situation rationally…… hopefully. Besides, the first attack came from their side, didn’t it? We’re only defending ourselves. Lee Gaon-ssi and Lee Daon-ssi will understand that.”

Perhaps I looked too dejected, as Sung Yoojun tried to reassure me, though his voice lacked confidence. Unfortunately, his uncertain words of comfort didn’t help much.

“……If you add the phrase ‘for now’ to that statement, then that’s when the real problem starts.”

Even if she was their mother, if Rep. Oh Hahyun pushed things further, I couldn’t just sit back and take it. My position and the circumstances didn’t allow for that kind of leniency just because of personal relationships. When I voiced my thoughts, Sung Yoojun fell silent. As he shut his mouth, a heavy silence settled over the office.

“……Will they end up hating me?”

Even though it was necessary to respond to Rep. Oh Hahyun’s potential schemes, the possibility of being resented by the twins was a separate issue. After much deliberation, I carefully broke the uncomfortable silence, and Sung Yoojun frowned slightly.

“Don’t worry. If they react that way, I will take care of it.”

……Wait a second. What does he mean by ‘take care of it’? Surely, he doesn’t mean to get rid of them? I looked at him with startled eyes. He had a determined expression on his face. Judging by that look, he was dead serious.

“Secretary Sung, those kids belong to my agency. So, please don’t use the word ‘take care of’ in that sense……”

“Ah, my apologies. Then, I will change it to ‘have an in-depth conversation until they understand the situation properly’.”

Wait. He said ‘conversation’, but why does it not sound like just a conversation……? Besides, if someone’s mother and boss were in conflict, wouldn’t it be natural to take the mother’s side? It feels strange to argue with them about that. As Sung Yoojun said, blood is thicker than water.

While I was lost in thought, Sung Yoojun suddenly spoke in a stern voice.

“Sir. Were you just now siding with Lee Gaon-ssi and Lee Daon-ssi in your heart?”

“……How did you know?”

“It’s all over your face. I can see you thinking, ‘Well, it makes sense’.”

Damn. I awkwardly pulled up the corners of my lips and ran a hand over my face. Was I really that obvious……? I was curious if it was true, but since I never got to see my own face except in the mirror, I had no way of confirming it.

“I always think this, but you need to be a little more self-centered, sir.”

“I already live doing whatever I want, though.”

“……”

It’s true, though. I really do whatever I want, so why does he look like he doesn’t believe me? Why is he staring at me like I just spouted complete nonsense?

“……President.”

“Yes?”

“If you would like to know the dictionary definition of ‘self-centered’, please let me know anytime. I will gladly explain it to you.”

I narrowed my eyes and glared at him as he subtly mocked me.

“If you have something to say, why don’t you just say it directly instead of beating around the bush?”

“How could I possibly do that to you, sir? Even speaking in this roundabout way requires a great deal of courage, so I hope you can understand with a generous heart.”

……Lies. He can speak directly anytime he wants. In fact, he doesn’t even find me intimidating.

As I looked at him with a skeptical expression, he cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“Ahem. I understand that you cherish Tartarus greatly, but you must not spoil them too much. If you do, they might turn into entitled brats.”

I blinked slowly and fell into thought at his warning.

Entitled brats. Entitled brats, huh……

……But would that be such a bad thing? Wouldn’t it be better than them being unable to trust anyone like they are now?

“It would be a very bad thing, sir. Extremely bad, in fact.”

“Whoa, that startled me. Secretary Sung, you really can’t read minds, right? How do you always guess my thoughts so accurately?”

“I already told you, didn’t I? It’s written all over your face. Anyway, if they become spoiled, what will you do then? Please don’t think that way again.”

The intensity in Sung Yoojun’s voice was no joke. If I argued with him now, I’d probably be stuck in a long debate with him. Feeling pressured by his stance, I had no choice but to surrender.

“Alright, alright. Just don’t look at me so scarily. I won’t think like that again.”

“……”

“I promise. I really mean it.”

“……I’ll trust you.”

After several reassurances, he finally relented, and I let out a breath of relief. All I did was momentarily think that it might be okay for them to act spoiled, but I ended up getting scolded. Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel a little unfairly treated. While I was internally grumbling, Sung Yoojun, who had been quietly observing me, suddenly spoke up.

“President.”

“Yes?”

“I’m not sure if I should say this, but it feels like I can’t avoid bringing it up.”

Wait, wasn’t the conversation over? What else does he want to say……? A bad feeling crept up my spine, making me break into a cold sweat. I was both curious and afraid of what he would say next.

“Uh…… Please go ahead and say it……”

“To be honest, I think you sometimes forget that all of them are already adults and fully capable of taking care of themselves. I understand that Tartarus had a difficult past, and I also find that unfortunate, but wouldn’t it be better to treat them a bit more objectively?”

I blinked in surprise at his cautious words. Seeing my reaction, Sung Yoojun hurriedly added,

“Of course, this is just my personal opinion. I’m not forcing you—”

“Oh, don’t worry. I understand why you’re saying this.”

He seemed concerned that I might take it the wrong way, so I raised a hand slightly to reassure him.

I fully understood why he brought this up. To outsiders, the way I treated Tartarus might seem frustrating or even strange.

Honestly, who would treat complete strangers this way? Wrapping up their unhealed wounds, shielding them from harm, protecting them from further pain, and giving them the affection they never properly received……

“Some people might say I’m doing the right thing, while others might think I’m just a fool, or worse, a pushover.”

“Sir, I—”

“Ah, don’t. Please don’t say anything. I’m not blaming you, Secretary Sung. Anyone could think that way. People perceive things differently, after all. So someone like me, acting the way I do—some might think I’m just being foolish, that I’m not looking out for myself enough, and they might feel frustrated or worried because of it…… That’s just how some people see it.”