I will protect you at all costs
For Hiroyuki's work, I decided to stay in Japan for the time being.
Yamamoto wanted me to continue staying at the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters, but I left the headquarters the next day and headed to Kyoto.
That was because there was a Japanese branch of the Church of Heaven there.
I intended to lead this work to the end in Kyoto.
'Because there are too many flaws in Yamamoto to completely trust him.'
I turned my head slightly and asked Kim Seon-kyung, who was sitting next to me and looking straight ahead.
"are you okay?"
"······it's okay."
Kim Seon-kyung, sitting next to me, looked visibly nervous.
"I don't know much about Seon-gyeong's past. However, I am proud to say that I have a pretty good eye for people. That's why I asked Yamamoto to give you to me. Does this behavior make you uncomfortable?"
"······."
It was something that could hurt one's pride, as it treated people like objects.
But she didn't answer readily.
Well, I'm not someone who grew up in an environment where I could easily trust people.
"I don't expect anything from you. You're a capable person, so I think you'll figure out what you want to do soon. Or is there something you want to do?"
"Just order whatever you want."
A mechanical answer came back. I shook my head as I looked at her.
"I like people who are proactive in their work. Of course, you should prioritize what I tell you to do. First, think about what you want to do."
I took her out because I felt it was a shame to see such a talented person rot away under the yakuza, but I haven't thought about what I'll do with her yet.
That's why I hoped she would find something she really wanted to do.
"I heard you went to Dongguk University."
"yes."
"Don't you want to go again?"
Kim Seon-kyung shook her head with a bitter smile at my question.
"What I learned in school was of no use. I don't want to go back."
It was completely understandable that a college student who had been doing well in school would suddenly end up in a yakuza den, showing such a cynical reaction.
Like everyone else, she worked hard to get into a good university, but in the end, she was sold to the yakuza because of her parents' gambling debts.
You may have taken classes at a different level of quality since you entered the best university in Japan, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will help you in real life.
I looked at her biting her lips bitterly and became lost in thought.
If it were me, I wouldn't have made her just a maid working at headquarters.
The business that the yakuza do is not all illegal, and there must certainly be places that need such high-level personnel.
"What was your major?"
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"It's art."
Ah, it's certainly an ambiguous specialty for the yakuza to use.
Now I think I understand why Yamamoto hired Kim Seon-gyeong, who could speak five languages, as an interpreter at headquarters.
And that's why Kim Sun-kyung said it wasn't of any help.
"If it's art, is it Eastern or Western? Which?"
"My major is East Asian studies, but I was also interested in the West, so I studied there too. Well, what does it matter now?"
A look of longing crossed Kim Seon-kyung's face as she said those words.
I could tell from looking at his face that he still wanted to study, to learn art.
"Then would you like to study more about art?"
Kim Seon-kyung, who had been looking straight ahead, looked at me.
I smiled without avoiding her eyes.
"······What do you want from me?"
Her eyes were filled with disbelief.
"What do you want······. How much do you know about me?"
"Mr. Yamamoto just said that I was an important person. He said that I should take good care of the president and his staff. He said that I should give him anything he wanted."
What she wanted. Those words contained everything she could do.
"And then today, all of a sudden, you just told me to follow the boss. What do you want from me?"
I swallowed a sigh inwardly. They really did treat people like tools.
But if you're going to send someone you've kept at headquarters, you should at least give them a good explanation.
"Ms. Kim Seon-gyeong. I am a businessman. I do a lot of business. But I only have one body, and I can't do all of those businesses by myself. That's why I choose the right person for the right job and assign them the right job. And to me, Ms. Kim Seon-gyeong seemed like a very capable person. That's why I asked Yamamoto to send you to me."
Even as I continued to explain in a whisper, Kim Seon-gyeong's eyes didn't lose their strength.
I looked straight into her eyes and smiled softly.
"The moment you come to me, all your debt to the yakuza is gone. So now you are free."
"Nothing has changed, just the creditors have changed."
Kim Seon-kyung said in a dejected voice. This is a serious misunderstanding.
"No. I have no intention of tying you down in debt. If you don't want to work with me, you can leave right now."
"······Is that true?"
There was a hint of anticipation in her eyes. I nodded and said firmly.
"I don't make promises I can't keep. Oh, of course, if you work with me, you can only leave me if I allow you to. So you have to make a good decision. You are free to come to me, but you are not free to leave. But I promise you one thing."
"Is it a promise?"
"If you help me with my work, you will have enormous wealth. Wealth so great that no one will be able to ignore you. Even Yamamoto, whom Seonkyung had to serve until recently, will be able to bow his head to you."
When I mentioned Yamamoto, she took a deep breath. There was a hint of fear in her eyes.
"Working for me means stepping inside my fence. Of course, it is up to Seon-gyeong to completely step over and become my person. I don't know yet, but I have a fence that is stronger and more durable than anyone else's. I will protect anyone in my arms no matter what. I can promise you safety along with wealth."
When I finished speaking, Kim Seon-kyung only moved her lips and said nothing.
I wondered what choice she would make. Neither I nor she completely trusted each other.
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How long do we have to know each other to trust each other?
Maybe I was acting up because I wanted to get rid of someone I didn't know in my past life, but who had caught my eye now.
At that moment, Kim Seon-kyung, who had been thinking for a moment, asked carefully.
"You just saw me for the first time a little while ago. But why are you doing this to me?"
It was a question that could naturally be raised.
But how should I answer? It was a question that was difficult to give a clear answer to.
"Think as you wish. What Seon-gyeong thinks is the answer."
"Please tell me. I want to know."
"Well······. There's no particular reason. The biggest reason is that I became interested in the fact that the person who didn't fit in there was a Zainichi Korean. Judging from the way he acted and spoke, he seemed to have a sense of humor and seemed like he would be good at work. The person who worked at my house was old, so I thought I could teach him and have him do the work. But after hearing that he went to Dongguk University, I changed my mind."
"······Did I look pitiful?"
At such an innocent question, I found myself laughing out loud.
"Mr. Seon-gyeong, let me tell you this. I don't pity anyone. I only see their abilities. Life is not my concern. Of course, if you want to work with me, I will thoroughly investigate you. I will dig up everything about your past, your family, and your grudges. I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do about it."
If Kim Sun-kyung were to work with me, I would find out everything about her, from her past to the present.
Because no one knows if a person who accidentally comes in could be the butterfly that brings a storm.
"My life is nothing special. I lived happily in a wealthy family, but then suddenly fell into the abyss. There aren't really any grudges to speak of······."
Kim Seon-kyung trailed off. I accepted her words and continued speaking.
"I heard the story from Yamamoto. His parents had a lot of gambling debt. Gambling is something that can send a person's life into ruin in an instant."
Kim Seon-kyung bit her lips tightly at my words.
He bit so hard that blood flowed from his lips.
The more I chewed my lips, the more venom appeared in my eyes. It was the first time I had seen such a sight since I met her.
'I guess there's someone I hate to death.'
Sometimes, resentment towards someone can become the driving force in life.
So I liked that kind of person.
If you give me the strength to take revenge, I will be more loyal to you than anyone else.
While I was talking to her, the scenery outside the car window changed. It felt like I had entered Kyoto.
"President Kim Mu-hyeok."
I looked back at Kim Seon-kyung, who was softly calling my name.
"You promised me a favor earlier. So, can you give me the power to take revenge on the person who did this to me?"
"Why bother going back? This is a problem I can solve."
I told her that I would get revenge on her just to see if she would like it. But she shook her head firmly.
"No. I want to take revenge with my own hands."
He has a good attitude. The more I talked to him, the more I liked him.
Yes, you have to take revenge with your own hands. I nodded, raising one corner of my mouth.
"Okay. Then I'll help you get revenge. But that's it. I'll just help you use your abilities, and it's up to you to get there. Can you do it?"
"Yes! I can. What should I do?"
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"Ms. Seon-kyung, would you like to work with me?"
"Yes, sir. I will be happy to comply."
"You didn't forget what I said earlier, did you? Once you make a decision, there's no going back. You have to think carefully before you answer."
Even though she was being threatened, Kim Seon-kyung did not back down.
She looked straight into my eyes and answered in a deep voice.
"I've already made up my mind. If I can get revenge, I'll even give my life to the devil. But didn't you promise me, Mr. President? And the fact that Mr. Yamamoto sent me without a word means that he's someone I can't treat lightly. If I cultivate my power under someone like that, I'll definitely be able to get revenge."
Both ambition and venom were passing marks. I nodded with satisfaction and continued speaking.
"Please take care of me in the future. Can we talk more comfortably from now on?"
"Please do so, sir. What should I do now?"
"Well, it's a waste of money to just leave it to someone to take care of the house. Is there anything you want to do in particular? No, what are you good at?"
"······."
Kim Seon-kyung kept her mouth shut, as if it was difficult to answer right away.
Well, since he was suddenly dropped into a yakuza den while attending college, he probably didn't even know what his talent was yet.
"Then, for now, follow me around Japan and see what I do. If there's anything you want to do in the meantime, let me know. I'll personally take on some art-related work."
"Do you also run an art business?"
"It's a bit of a stretch to call it an art business. If I were to work in the art field, I would be managing my collection of art pieces and antiques. But that would require a lot of learning."
"Are you telling me to go to college?"
I shook my head. There's a big gap between what you learn in college and what you actually do.
"It's not something you can learn in college."
In particular, art auctions are not skills that can be applied immediately after learning them in school.
It's faster to learn on the spot with your body.
"I'll send you to the auction. You can learn the job there."
"Is this an auction?"
"Can you survive at Sotheby's?"
Kim Seon-kyung opened her eyes wide, smiled brightly, and answered right away.
"Yes! I will learn everything I can! If you just send it to me, I will learn it all!"
Looking at it this way, I looked my age, unlike when I used to walk around wearing a kimono and with my hair tied up.
I said with a snicker.
"Is there anything to sort out in Japan?"
"No, there isn't."
"Okay. Then, as soon as we finish our work in Japan, let's go back to Korea together."
"yes."
I nodded and spoke to Director Ma, who was listening to our conversation from the passenger seat.
"Contact Sotheby's and ask them to train one person. I don't think they will refuse."
"Yes, boss. I will do that."
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"And find an officetel where Seon-gyeong can live. And contact Black Bear and tell them to find out everything about Seon-gyeong. Go to Korea and report back."
"Yes, boss."
After giving the order to Director Ma, he spoke to Seon-gyeong Kim again.
"Watch how I work in Japan. I never let anyone who thinks I'm funny get away with it. If you want to come inside my fence, you better keep your mouth shut. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes. That's what I do best."
I smiled faintly as I watched Kim Seon-kyung answer calmly.
As soon as I arrived in Kyoto, I called together all the people needed for this work.
A week went by and I realized that an unexpected variable had occurred.
< I will protect you at all costs > End
< Even if I'm crazy, I'm really crazy >