#59

“Are you really okay with not seeing them separately?”

“Yes. I’m fine. I just wanted to see the kids’ faces.”

To be more honest, I wanted to see their ‘safe’ faces, but that was something difficult to explain to Secretary Sung Yoojun…… I let out a small sigh, thinking that. Sung Yoojun, looking dissatisfied with my reluctance to speak further, followed me in silence.

“President……! Please wait a moment!”

Just as I reached the elevator and was about to press the button to go down, I heard an urgent voice calling from behind. Startled by the familiar voice, I turned around and saw Lee Gaon running toward me in a hurry.

“Gaon-ssi?”

What could be so urgent that he’s running like that? While I stood there, bewildered, Lee Gaon quickly arrived in front of me, panting, and held out his palm. Caught off guard, I looked down at his open hand and saw a few pieces of candy and chocolate, neatly wrapped, resting on it.

“This is……?”

“Eat it. Sweet things are the best when you’re feeling down.”

Uh…… So this is for me? I blinked blankly and carefully picked up the candy and chocolate from Lee Gaon’s palm. Then, leaning in slightly, he whispered softly.

“Actually, these were Daon’s. I got caught trying to take them secretly, but when he realized they were for you, he didn’t say anything. Normally, he’d have made a fuss, telling me not to take his stuff. I guess even that kid was worried about you.”

He spoke in a playful tone and grinned. In that smile, I saw his effort to cheer me up. For some reason, I felt a tightness in my chest.

“……Is that so? I should thank Daon-ssi, then.”

“No, don’t do that. He’ll definitely get embarrassed and insist he never did such a thing. That guy is really bad at being honest.”

Hearing Lee Gaon’s grumbling voice, I smiled gently.

“That’s part of Daon-ssi’s charm.”

“Ugh…… I appreciate you seeing it that way, but as his older brother, I’d rather not acknowledge it……”

Lee Gaon shook his head in exaggerated distaste. Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but laugh. When I laughed, Lee Gaon dropped his grimace and smiled along with me. Watching him, I realized that even those words had been said just to lift my spirits.

Really, he was such a kind kid. Both Lee Gaon, standing before me, and the others, who were peeking at us from behind, watching in secret.

If I wanted to go back, I’d have to make these kind kids unhappy…… How could they expect me to do something so inhumane? I thought to myself and gently tapped Lee Gaon’s nose with affection. I wanted to pat his head like I did in the morning, but I wasn’t heartless enough to ruin his perfectly styled hair after the photo shoot, so I opted for a smaller gesture.

“Thank you. I feel much better now.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Thank you for trying so hard to cheer me up, Gaon-ssi.”

Hearing my sincere gratitude, Lee Gaon smiled shyly and scratched his cheek. Seeing him like that, I leaned in slightly, just as he had done, and whispered into his ear.

“And tell the people back there not to worry too much about me—I’m okay.”

As soon as I whispered, Lee Gaon spun around, startled. At that moment, the others, who had been peeking out from behind the hallway wall, quickly ducked out of sight. Of course, it was too late—they had already been caught.

“Wait, why were they even…… Ugh. Alright, I’ll tell them……”

His face flushed red with embarrassment at his teammates’ behavior. I chuckled and gave him a light pat on the back.

“You should get going now. It looks like you stepped out in the middle of work.”

“Yes. I’ll be off, then. President, take care!”

Clearly flustered, he left in a hurry, his footsteps quick. I had a feeling that today, Tartarus members would have to endure a scolding from their youngest member. My suspicion was confirmed when, as soon as Lee Gaon disappeared behind the wall where Tartarus had been hiding, I heard a commotion. Most of it was Lee Gaon’s voice.

As their voices grew fainter, I watched the wall for a while before slowly turning around. Then, I looked up at another person who had been quietly worrying about me all this time.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Detecting the change in my mood with eerie accuracy, Secretary Sung Yoojun asked me the question. I smiled softly and nodded.

“Yes. I feel much better than before. Maybe because I finally made a decision about the problem that was weighing on me……?”

“May I ask what decision you made?”

Instead of asking about the ‘problem’ that was troubling me, Sung Yoojun asked about the ‘decision’. He probably knew I wouldn’t answer if he pried about the issue itself.

After a brief hesitation, I tilted my head slightly and openly revealed the conclusion I had reached.

“Ignore the crazy nonsense and do whatever I want…… or something like that?”

As I said that with a bright smile, Sung Yoojun stiffened. Oh, did I surprise him? Amused by his unexpectedly cute reaction, I burst out laughing. At that, he scowled at me.

“I wasn’t joking.”

“……I know. I know you weren’t joking.”

“Then why that face?”

“You weren’t joking, but you were definitely teasing me.”

Oops. That was spot on. I chuckled, entertained by how well Sung Yoojun had figured me out. Seeing me still laughing, he quickly pressed the elevator button as if eager to escape the situation.

The elevator soon arrived, and I stepped inside after him. As I did, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror.

A face identical to the one I loved.

Because I hadn’t pushed my hair back today, the resemblance to my sister was even stronger, making me flinch. My mood, which had improved, plummeted instantly.

“Sir?”

“Ah…… Yes. Sorry. I guess I was startled because I’m not used to seeing my hair down.”

It was a ridiculous excuse, and Sung Yoojun looked at me with suspicion. Avoiding his gaze, I leaned against the elevator wall and slowly blinked.

If she knew that I had found a way to return home today but decided not to act on it, how would Cheon react? Would she call me crazy? Or would she praise me?

Knowing my sister, it would probably be the latter. She’s someone who believes happiness shouldn’t come at the expense of others’ misery. She’s too kind for that. She wouldn’t be able to accept the idea of returning in such a way.

Perhaps as a way to console myself, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“Secretary Sung.”

“Yes?”

“Do you perhaps……”

Do you perhaps know anything about my sister in this world? Is she doing well?

The questions bubbled up to my lips, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.

Even though I had learned from Sung Yoojun’s investigation that this world’s Goo Won also had a twin sister named Goo Cheon, I couldn’t bring myself to ask any further.

Because I wasn’t sure if I could truly call that person my sister, when she had different memories and had lived a different life.

Still uncertain about that, I swallowed my question once more.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just head home. I’m starving since I haven’t eaten all morning. Should I ask Madam to cook something?”

“If your stomach is fine, meat would be a good choice.”

“That sounds nice. Meat is delicious, after all.”

“Understood. I’ll inform her right away.”

As I walked in stride with Sung Yoojun, who was already contacting the housekeeper, I thought about how much I wanted to go home, eat a delicious meal, soak in warm water, change into comfortable pajamas, and rest.

***

Despite my complicated circumstances, the work on Tartarus’ new album proceeded smoothly, thanks to the finalization of the album’s concept after what felt like a warlike meeting.

Among the numerous opinions presented throughout the meeting, the final choice was to maintain Tartarus’ signature sexy concept while adding a refreshing charm.

I had no expertise in this field, but even I could tell that trying to balance such contrasting elements could result in something that was neither here nor there. So, before signing off on the final approval documents, I asked if they were really sure about this direction.

And the response I received was……

‘Huh? Of course, it’ll work. With Tartarus, the best idol group, and us, the most talented professionals, what wouldn’t be possible?’

……That was it.