Chapter 1055. Getting Ready (5)

“Please let them go home for the night, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“...”

“Don't you know that knocking off on time is an inviolable human right!”

While making an unimpressed expression, Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Jo Gyu-Min. “Out of everyone I know, only two people never knock off on time. And one of them is you, Chief Jo.”

The other person was, unsurprisingly, Lee Hyeon-Su.

Jo Gyu-Min passionately argued back. “And that’s precisely why I know how wretched this pain is better than anyone, Mister Jin-Ho. I don't mind you torturing those fellas using other methods, but not this! Promise me that you’ll let them go home on time.”

Kang Jin-Ho helplessly chuckled while mouthing a cigarette.

Currently, they were outside the classroom for a quick smoke break after Jo Gyu-Min ardently pleaded for one.

“Don't worry. I was planning to let them off the hook.”

“After the extra class? As in, in the middle of dawn?”

“No. In a little while, actually.”

“I’m sorry?” Jo Gyu-Min tilted his head in confusion.

Kang Jin-Ho nonchalantly muttered, “I’m not completely blind to common sense, Chief Jo.”

‘But, uh, you seem to lack the most basic common sense, though...?’

Jo Gyu-Min doubtfully stared at Kang Jin-Ho, prompting the latter to smirk deeply.

“Yes, I know that you must go through the correct steps in the procedure. So, I was merely planning to scare them a bit today. I know I shouldn’t cross certain lines. Not yet, anyway.”

“...Oh.” Jo Gyu-Min chuckled awkwardly. However, his cheeks were still twitching weirdly.

‘It’s still way past eleven PM, Mister Jin-Ho!’

That alone proved Kang Jin-Ho didn’t have a lick of common sense!

“So, tell me. Have I done anything wrong?”

“...Mister Jin-Ho,” Jo Gyu-Min groaned deeply. “Yes, I know that you only wanted to help your subordinates succeed. Even then, you shouldn’t restrict their lives outside of work like this. Forcing them to work harder like this is not the right way.”

“Hmm...”

“Firstly, we should help them be more passionate about...”

“Hang on. There’s something I don’t really get.”

“I’m sorry?”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned while tilting his head. “You’re trying to say that forcing the trainees to study till late at night is not the right way to improve their skill levels, yes?”

Jo Gyu-Min nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then... What about high school students?”

Jo Gyu-Min stopped nodding and clamped his mouth shut.

When no reply was forthcoming from his conversation partner, the relaxed Kang Jin-Ho decided to break the awkward silence himself.

“I wasn't like that, but from what I hear, pretty much all high schoolers are forced to study deep into the early dawn, then study some more. Isn't that true?”

“...Yes, it is true.”

“Instead of stopping them, their parents pay the tuition fees, help them in their studies, and create suitable environments for them to concentrate on studying for as long as humanly possible. Isn't that right?”

Jo Gyu-Min solemnly nodded. “Yes, that... is correct.”

“Then, is that wrong, too?”

“Uhm, well...” Jo Gyu-Min was left speechless.

Kang Jin-Ho scratched his head. His expression said he didn't get it. “No one wants to see their kids succeed more than the parents, right? Such people don't mind their kids investing their every waking hour into studying, which means they believe such an extreme study method will definitely be helpful to their kids. Isn't that right?”

Jo Gyu-Min faltered, his words getting stuck in his throat. How was he supposed to explain that away now?

He could

explain

it if he wanted to, of course. After all, what Kang Jin-Ho pointed out was the problem of South Korea’s education system that determined far too many things through just one exam rather than focusing on long-term growth. Even if that was true...

‘...At the end of the day, it’s just a lame excuse, isn’t it?’

Kang Jin-Ho lit his cigarette, then resumed from where he left off.

“I’m still not quite sure what Chairman Hwang meant by treating my subordinates like my family. I have a feeling that what he meant and how I understood him might not be the same. Even so, I believe a family shouldn’t care about pocketing benefits and always wish for its members’ continued happiness.”

“Yes, you are right.”

“But that happiness is a rather complicated concept, isn’t it?” Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. “To be happy, I believe you need both wealth and abilities. Out of the two, I think abilities are more important than wealth. You can only maintain your wealth through your abilities, after all.”

“Mm...”

“And that's where the complications ensue. Obtaining enough abilities is not easy at all. First of all, you need to work extremely hard. And you gotta give up on so many things at the same time, too. But, more often than not, that will make you very unhappy. However, not working hard right now will make your life miserable later in life.”

“Yes. It's the problem of finding the perfect balance.”

“Right, balance. But I don't know how to get that balance right,” Kang Jin-Ho shrugged while puffing away at his cigarette. “All I can do is learn from other people's examples. So, I tried to copy what other parents did to make their children's lives happier, but all the parents I know seemed to believe you should give up on the momentary happiness of now to secure your future.

“Isn't that why those parents force their kids to give up on sleep and study for long hours in various cram schools? Even though those kids should be enjoying their childhood instead?”

Jo Gyu-Min stared at Kang Jin-Ho, his opinion on the latter changing somewhat.

‘Huh. As it turns out, this guy isn’t completely thoughtless.’

There was no doubt that Kang Jin-Ho’s dilemma was a substantial one.

“You’re right, Mister Jin-Ho,” said Jo Gyu-Min.

“Mm?”

“However, I think you’re still missing something.”

“Really? What am I missing?”

Jo Gyu-Min grinned confidently. “You're forgetting the crucial element of faith.”

“...?”

“Even if your subordinates are not producing the desired results, it's still early days, Mister Jin-Ho. In my opinion, most families break apart because people don't have faith in each other.”

Kang Jin-Ho weightily nodded. That seemed like a reasonable argument.

“Mister Jin-Ho, they have only just begun the program. Please have faith in them, at least for now. I’m sure your subordinates will do a good job. It won’t be too late to scare the bejesus out of them if they fail to get good grades later on. Rushing along too fast will only ruin your relationships in the end.”

Faith, was it...? Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. How difficult was this? He couldn't help but think that every one of his relationships had proven rather tricky to maintain for one reason or the other.

“It’d be wonderful if everyone was like you, Chief Jo...”

“Haha. Finding someone like me is like winning a lottery, you know.”

“You're right. That's exactly what it feels like,” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled back. “Then, I guess I’ll get everyone ready to...”

Just before Kang Jin-Ho could finish his sentence...

Riiiiiing~!

Kang Jin-Ho's phone began ringing loudly, so he reflexively pulled the mobile device out of his pocket.

‘Is it from home?’

Considering how late it was, it made some sense that someone from home called him. He didn’t tell his family he’d be late today, after all. However, the caller’s name appearing on the phone’s screen didn’t belong to his family members.

“Mm?”

The call was from Park Yu-Min, arguably Kang Jin-Ho’s closest friend. Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Jo Gyu-Min. “I think I should answer this, so...”

“Don’t worry about me. Please answer it.”

Kang Jin-Ho walked a little distance away from Jo Gyu-Min, then answered the call. “Hey. What's up? Rare to see you calling me at this hour.”

-Hey, Jin-Ho. Are you free right now?

“Right now? Why?”

-The thing is, uh... I think I gotta speak to you in person.

“...Did something bad happen?” Kang Jin-Ho asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

Park Yu-Min was not the type to suddenly ask for an urgent meeting. Indeed, he'd always call a few days in advance. So, for him to act this urgently... It could mean something terrible must've happened.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

-Ah, no. It's not like that. I just have something to tell you, and... No, that's not true. The truth is... I have a confession to make. And beg for your forgiveness.

“...I see. Where should we meet?”

-You know where my team’s lodging is, right? Can you come there?

“Okay. Give me a minute. I’ll be there soon,” said Kang Jin-Ho. He ended the call, then glanced at Jo Gyu-Min. “Can you tell the people inside they can go home now?”

Jo Gyu-Min nodded. “I can. Did something happen?”

“I’m not sure yet. But it looks like I’ll have to go there and find out.”

“I see. Then, you should hurry. I’ll talk to the people inside.”

“Thank you. Then, later.”

Jo Gyu-Min watched Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly rush toward the underground parking lot, then shrugged as if to say there was no helping it before entering the classroom. He scanned the anxious faces of the people inside and declared, “You can all go home now!”

One of the trainees cautiously asked, “W-what about the Assembly Master?”

“He had to leave due to an emergency of some kind.”

“...! Hooray! Hooray!”

“Yes! Let’s go home! Let’s get out of here!”

“I...! I thought I was gonna spend the night here!

Sob, sniffle

...!”

Jo Gyu-Min felt the pang of sorrow dig into his heart while watching these people’s visceral reactions.

‘It really resembles a parent-child relationship, no?’

Parents always wished for their kids to be happy and successful in life. But kids only cared about having fun and enjoying life in the present.

Kang Jin-Ho’s methods might be a little ill-advised, but he ultimately did it for these people’s sake. So, the sight of the trainees celebrating so raucously like this made Jo Gyu-Min’s blood pressure gradually but rapidly spike up.

‘Now that I think about it... It’s been a while since I last phoned mom, right?’

Even though her son was getting close to forty, Jo Gyu-Min's mother still told him to look left and right before crossing the road and never forget to eat his meals on time. Remembering her kind face only added more fuel to Jo Gyu-Min's rising anger level.

He even briefly imagined a certain familiar song playing in the background as the lyrics

‘While you lay me away from the wet bedding to a dry one’

rang out into the distance![1]

How dare these immature punks behave this way! Jo Gyu-Min cocked his head from left to right. His joints seemed to pop, and he emulated that noise by briefly gritting his teeth.

“Excuse me...!”

Just as he tried to say something, though...

“Thank you, sir!”

“Yes! Thank you so much for your help!”

“Please help us next time as well!”

Jo Gyu-Min almost cried out,

I’m not your ally, you idiots! Don’t you know who I am?!

If they had no idea, he should let them know, no?

After expertly hiding his true thoughts beneath the surface, Jo Gyu-Min smiled gently at the trainees. “The Assembly Master has left, yes. That’s true. However, he still wanted me to give you a message. You’re allowed to go home today.”

“Ohh!”

“However...!” Jo Gyu-Min suddenly glared at the trainees. “Starting tomorrow, anyone failing to complete the day’s program will not be allowed to go home.”

“...!”

“That is why! No matter what you resort to! I don't care if you study ahead of time, review it repeatedly at home, or seek outside tutoring...! You better do whatever it takes to completely master each day’s lessons!”

“...!”

“Someone brought up a good point earlier. So, allow me to echo that sentiment. Without a doubt, Mister Jin-Ho, your Assembly Master, personally teaching you is an inefficient usage of his time. That’s why we will bring in additional instructors as soon as possible to hold extra ‘evening’ classes. I shall fulfill Mister Jin-Ho’s wishes and properly educate you all.”

“...!”

And then... A day later, the trainees learned the painful lesson that it might have been better to deal with Kang Jin-Ho instead.

***

Kang Jin-Ho spotted Park Yu-Min standing outside the pro-gaming team's lodging and brought his Lamborghini to a stop right in front of his friend.

“H-hey, Jin-Ho...” Park Yu-Min awkwardly waved when Kang Jin-Ho wound the window down.

“What’s going on, Yu-Min?”

“It’s, uh, kinda weird to talk about it here. Can we go to a cafe or something? I can’t drink since we’re still in the tournament season...”

“Got it. I saw a cafe nearby with its lights still on. Let's go there. Get in.”

“Okay...” Park Yu-Min nodded, his expression still cramped. The scissor door slid up, allowing Park Yu-Min to lower his head and climb inside the supercar. “You know... I always think about this whenever I get inside your car, Jin-Ho. Your car’s doors are so weird.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled slightly.

Despite riding shotgun in this very car for a number of years now, Park Yu-Min still complained of the same thing. However, that only seemed to prove that he was still the same person as all those years ago. That realization put Kang Jin-Ho's heart at ease.

However, Park Yu-Min wasn't done just yet. “It's also cramped inside, you know?”

“...”

“And the seats are super-hard, too.”

Maybe Park Yu-Min just liked to complain?

“Come on, Jin-Ho. Since you have the money to drive around an expensive car like this, couldn’t you have bought an even better one? Like, I dunno, something with comfier seats, at least?”

Kang Jin-Ho half-frowned and half-smiled just then.

‘This is one of the best cars on the market, dude! And it’s expensive, too!’

Both Park Yu-Min and Kang Jin-Ho suffered from a lack of financial sense. However, Park Yu-Min’s was a little different from his friend’s.

While Kang Jin-Ho was the type who knew the importance of money but didn't have much of a desire to spend his wealth, Park Yu-Min seemed to not care much about wealth that went beyond what he saw as “enough” for himself.

Simply put, Park Yu-Min was not really interested in money.

Once the scissor door was closed with a reassuring

thunk

, Kang Jin-Ho depressed the accelerator. He then glanced at Park Yu-Min. “Can you tell me what’s this all about?”

“Oh, uh, the thing is...” Park Yu-Min nervously fidgeted while scanning outside the windows. “Y-you know, Miss Choi Yeon-Ha?”

“Huh? Miss Yeon-Ha?”

“Yeah, her.”

“What about her?”

Park Yu-Min awkwardly explained what happened. “Well, uh... I was... I went to shoot a commercial, okay? As it turned out, the actress I was supposed to work with was Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“Oh, really? What a small world,” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled.

This world was choke-a-full of many inexplicable coincidences, but this one still seemed rather remarkable to him. To think Park Yu-Min would star opposite Choi Yeon-Ha in a commercial...

“I see. But what’s the problem? Did something happen during the shoot?”

“W-well, that, uh... I was... I got a call and answered it, right? And...”

“A call? From who?”

“It was, uhm... From Se-Yeon...”

The Lamborghini suddenly began slowing down. Eventually, the sleek supercar came to a complete standstill, and its driver, Kang Jin-Ho, stiffly turned his head to stare at the passenger next to him.

Park Yu-Min saw the pale complexion on Kang Jin-Ho’s face and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’m sorry, Jin-Ho! She questioned me on the spot, and... And I told Miss Yeon-Ha everything!”

“...”

“J-Jin-Ho? Are you okay?”

“Hah. Hahaha...” Kang Jin-Ho awkwardly laughed. “And here I was, thinking that it was something more serious. Don’t worry about it, Yu-Min.”

“Uhm... Jin-Ho?”

“Yeah?”

Park Yu-Min glanced at Kang Jin-Ho’s hands gripping the steering wheel. “You shouldn’t say that while your hands are trembling like that.”

“...Oh.”

If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you have been trembling in your boots, too?!

Kang Jin-Ho covered his face. He knew he was in deep trouble now.

1. Those lyrics come from a Korean song written in 1930 called A Mother's Heart. More specifically, the song's first verse. No official translation of the song exists, as far as I can tell, so I had to improvise a little. The “wet bedding” could actually be “a bed a baby was born moments ago” or “a bed soaked in sweat.” All in all, the original verse seems to mean a mother laying her baby down in a softer and warmer but drier cot. The song is quite famous in Korea; apparently, it's constantly played on the radio on Mother's Day. ☜