Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 328



Only Noblemtl

Episode 328

Seongpil had a feeling that this moment would come.

I simulated several times what I would say. I thought about how to refuse her while respecting her dignity and authority.

But at this point, I didn’t care about plans like that.

Seongpil decided to reveal his true feelings rather than show off his decorated appearance.

“I’m sorry. I cannot accept Seiko’s feelings.”

It is a rejection that leaves no room for even the slightest leeway.

I didn’t want to give her even a moment of anticipation by saying, “I’m happy” or “I’m surprised” first.

“Of course I’m happy. Seiko-san’s heart is very happy. But I can’t accept it.”

Seiko’s face did not change.

But the gesture with which she held the edge of the table told us what she was thinking.

It feels like my heart is being squeezed by chains.

It’s a feeling that Seongpil also knows.

“Do you hate me?”

“No. What man would hate someone like Seiko?”

“Then is there any other reason?”

Seiko looked at the floor and exhaled. Then she raised her head again.

“Is it because we only meet a few times a year, or because we are different nationalities? You said that no man would dislike a woman like me. If that is true, can you not accept it? I will visit you more often. Or, if there is another reason, I will adjust it… … .”

Seongpil listened to Seiko’s story calmly.

As her promises piled closer to the ceiling, Sungpil’s heart was crushed even more deeply.

There is someone who loves you so much. But you cannot repay that love. You cannot love that much.

I even feel sorry.

“Can’t we? Can’t we fit it together like stacking blocks little by little?”

Seiko’s story is over.

Seongpil began to tell his story.

“Until our kids… …the Girls’ League gets to the top, I can’t worry about anyone else.”

“… …Girls League?”

It was something between the two of them.

But then, all of a sudden, a group called the Girls’ League came in.

“I can’t find that balance. To put it bluntly, even when I’m meeting Seiko, I think of the kids. Even now. Every waking hour of the year, 365 days a year, I think of the kids. I want to focus on them. Even in my dreams.”

“… … .”

“I think it’s rude to meet other people with that kind of attitude.”

I was sincere.

Seongpil sometimes jokingly mentions marriage to Son Hyebin.

Son Hye-bin also agrees. She says that if she doesn’t have a partner even after she turns 40, she will take her.

Then Seongpil is delighted and happy.

Seongpil knows.

While the Girls’ League was on its way to the top, and while Sungpil was getting older, he would never have a partner in his life.

So, even though he knew it was a joke, he might have happily accepted Son Hye-bin’s joke.

“I can’t… do something like that.”

Seiko burst into laughter.

“Himura is right.”

“yes?”

“The reason men usually reject someone is because of work… It’s their own business… … That’s the easiest excuse… … .”

Seiko shed the tears she had been holding back.

When Seongpil got up from his seat to wipe away her tears, she raised her palm to stop him.

“I know. I know how sincere Director Paku is to those kids. I also know that it’s not just an excuse. I know… … .”

It hurts so much.

Earlier, Seiko had wondered why humans hate others.

But now I understand.

It is clear that the experience of being rejected by others is the root of all evil. Otherwise, people would not be so miserable.

“Then promise me this one thing.”

Seiko roughly wiped away her tears with the back of her hand. She no longer showed any signs of crying.

“See you again in five years.”

“Seiko-san… … .”

“It’s not a childish request to date in five years. Let’s just meet up in five years and have a meal together.”

After five years, the Girls’ League’s seven-year contract ends.

By then, Seongpil will also have some free time.

“I just eat.”

“… … .”

“I know, too. By then, Director Paku might have a lover who is not as good as me, but is still okay. He might even be ungrateful and already married with a child. But… … .”

Seiko smiled brightly.

“That’s the same for me! When we meet in five years, there might not be just me in this house, but my husband and kids. Or there might be a bedroom full of handsome band members who spend their days playing the guitar!”

“… … .”

“I’ll come back here in five years, eat the food I made, and then I’ll… … ask you again.”

We have some good wine.

“You could both laugh and say, ‘We were young back then,’ and end it. You could say it was a good memory and just have a meal and part ways. Or you could go with the flow and head straight to the bedroom, or leave the avant-garde of the night even though you both have partners!”

No one knows what will happen in five years.

“So, please come back later, with a light heart. Again, again, again in five years… … .”

Seiko covered her face with her palms. Through them, tears and sobs flowed out without stopping.

Seongpil approached her, removed his palm, looked at her face, and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

“Director Paku, well, you understand? Five years later. By then, Director Paku will have become the best producer in Korea. If he had decided to turn down Kafu Seiko and devote himself to his work, that would be the extent of it. Isn’t it?”

“That’s right. I’ll become the best producer in Korea, become the director of the entertainment company with the largest market capitalization, and come back here after raising a mountain of globally successful groups and artists.”

“haha…….”

Seiko sniffled and spoke in a choked voice.

“I guess it has to be at least that much for me to be on the same page… … .”

“It’s a bit shabby now, isn’t it?”

“no…….”

Would Seiko have fallen in love with such a shabby person?

* * *

The Girls’ League members left the dormitory front door slightly open and waited for Seongpil to come up.

“When will Director Park come back?”

Rika sat on the porch, her chin resting on her hand, looking bored.

Shin A-reum, sitting next to him as a conversation partner, was engrossed in a game on her cell phone.

“I don’t know. If things go well, I might not come back.”

Shin A-reum suddenly frowned.

“Imagine how unlucky you are. Rika, why do you make people feel bad by saying things like that?”

“I didn’t say anything! Arami imagined it on her own!”

Even cell phone games aren’t fun anymore.

Shin A-reum carelessly threw her cell phone away and lay down in the hallway.

“Please, Seiko-san, you’re acting strangely, Team Leader, you’re going to get all kinds of bad luck.”

“What kind of thing?”

“Like opening your mouth and making a slurping sound while eating.”

“Even a thousand years of love will grow cold!”

As I was giggling, I heard footsteps coming from down the stairs.

Rika and Shin Areum perked up their ears.

The lights were coming on at the bottom of the stairs. Someone was coming up.

As I was watching with my heart pounding, Seongpil’s head came into view.

“Director!”

Rika ran out without even putting on her shoes and met Seongpil at the bottom of the stairs.

“It only takes two hours… … !”

Seongpil handed over the bag he was holding to Rika, who ran towards him as if to hug him.

Rika, who smelled a delicious scent, ran to the bag and snatched it away from Seongpil.

“chicken!”

“Team Leader, why did you come so early?”

Seongpil didn’t say anything until he reached the fifth floor. Only after he reached the top did he approach Shin A-reum and stroke the back of her head.

“I came quickly because I missed you.”

“If you eat with that guy, Seiko, you’ll get a perfect estimate, right?”

“What is that tone you are using!”

“Nothing happened?”

Seongpil laughed out loud because he was so dumbfounded.

“No, that’s not true. This beautiful guy, can’t you see me in a good light? He’s just asking if I’m ruined or not.”

“You said you came because you missed me. Then smile more.”

“Look at this, Beauty! There’s so much chicken! Where did you get it?”

“Shin-Okubo. You guys are going back tomorrow. Let’s eat a lot here and go back without the boss finding out.”

Rika rushed into the dorm with the chicken on her head.

Seongpil looked at the sight with pride and headed towards his quarters.

“Team leader, aren’t you going to eat with us?”

“I ate and came. You guys eat together.”

“The adults bought it for us, so how can we be the only ones eating it? Come here and set the mood.”

“What kind of help am I? Why are you guys having fun while you eat?”

“It’s the last day! Ah, hurry up!”

“Okay, I’ll go change my clothes.”

“You can just come like that.”

Shin A-reum glanced at Seong-pil’s full armor as if she was disappointed, and went into the dorm first.

Seongpil also went into his room to change clothes.

As the dark room greeted him, Seongpil let out a deep sigh and went into the living room to lie down.

In the darkness, Seongpil took out the incense that Seiko had given him as a gift from a paper bag.

“… … .”

Seongpil, who had been staring blankly at it, suddenly got up, turned on the fluorescent light, and took out a scented candle.

After checking the instructions on the incense, I lit it.

The faintly spreading scent was the same as the scent that came from Seiko’s house.

‘It’s a woody scent. They say that smell is the sense most directly related to human memory. From now on, Isa Paku will be a woody scent to me, and Isa Paku will be a woody scent to me.’

A nutty, refreshing woody scent that gently lingers in the nose.

“That’s true.”

When I smell it, it really reminds me of Seiko.

Seongpil put out the wick with his thumb and index finger, changed into casual clothes, and went to the Girls’ League dormitory.

“Director, hurry up!”

Rika, whose mouth was drooling, grabbed Seongpil’s wrist and led him from the entrance.

As I went inside, I saw the Girls’ League members sitting around a chicken in the middle.

Seongpil’s face brightened.

“Let’s eat and die today!”

“Team leader, you said you ate.”

“What else are you going to eat?”

“Ah, sir, don’t eat the chicken legs!”

“I bought it and it’s really too much.”

“Rika, what if you steal food from an adult?”

“ouch!”

“I’m sorry, sir. Rika got too excited… … .”

“No, Seol-ha. That could be the case.”

“Oh, that’s what the teacher said. Take this.”

“I won’t eat anything that has your hands on it.”

“Sonna (like that)!”

“Hahaha, Rika is such an idiot.”

“So direct?! Hayang, your personality has changed so much these days! You used to be more kind!”

“You idiot, you piece of shit.”

“That (Sonna)!”

“Hey Shin A-reum, why are you only eating the potatoes?”

“Wouldn’t it be better if you just eat potatoes? You eat a lot of chicken.”

“No, it’s not much, but it’s a problem because I keep eating it! Let me eat some too!”

“Team Leader, look at that guy’s greedy appetite. That’s why his legs are getting fat.”

“Sir, please say something to him… … .”

The members’ words suddenly stopped.

Because Seongpil was laughing. He laughed. He laughed so hard that he even shed tears.

* * *

On the day of departure.

Seongpil and the Girls’ League members arrived in front of the airport in a van driven by Shuichi.

When Seongpil extended his hand, Shuichi shook it earnestly, though he was taken aback.

“Mr. Shuichi, you’ve worked really hard for the past three months.”

“You speak as if you were someone I would never see again.”

Shuichi will stay one more day and then return to Garo Enter.

“Brother.”

Starting with Joara patting Shuichi on the back, the members expressed their regret at the separation by patting his shoulders and arms.

“You can live well without us.”

“Why is everyone like this… … . Was there something I didn’t know about? Am I not supposed to be in Garo Enter anymore?”

“That’s why I can’t stop teasing you.”

When Shuichi opened his eyes, everyone laughed.

He also chuckled, said his final goodbyes, and entered the van. At the same time, a car parked behind Shuichi’s van.

“What a rude person… …!”

Himura and Misato came out of the car.

“Hello, Director, Head of Headquarters!”

Shuichi ran out of the car in a huff and bowed to the two men.

The two simply waved to Shuichi and stood in front of Seongpil and the Girls’ League.

“I’m sorry, Director Park. It took a while for Chief Misato to put on makeup.”

“That’s a lie. It’s so annoying to have to use the excuse of being late to put on some women’s makeup… .”

“Anyway, I’m sorry I’m late.”

“You came just in time.”

Seongpil and Himura held hands tightly.

“Thank you, Director Himura. I can’t express how grateful I am for all the care you give our children. I don’t know how I can repay this favor.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one to use the word ‘grace’?”

Since it seemed like the public speaking session would just be a waste of time, Seongpil only responded with a smile.

Next, Seongpil shook hands with Misato.

“Director Park, I’m really, really sorry to send you off like this… … .”

“I understand. I understand even if you don’t say it.”

Misato laughed with tears in her eyes. After all, she had been overflowing with gratitude towards Seongpil.

The more I do it, the more boring it will be.

As Misato was about to pull away, Seongpil approached her and whispered.

“I heard it from Seiko.”

“What?”

“Misato-san, he’s my boyfriend.”

Misato’s face turned bright red.

“I hope we get a chance to meet later.”

“……yes.”

Seongpil took his hand away. He looked back and forth between Himura and Misato, then turned his gaze to the car they had come in.

“Seiko didn’t come.”

Seongpil expected that to happen.

It’s hard for anyone to have the courage to meet someone who has rejected them again the next day.

“I went to the fitness center to work out.”

“Yes. Then, say hello to Seiko-san… .”

“It’s true.”

Misato chuckled.

“This time I really went to work out.”

Either you don’t have the courage to tell Sungpil what you need, or the Girls’ League members suddenly show up and you run away.

It wasn’t the excuse that was commonly given at such times.

“You have to live regularly.”

“ah…….”

The words that Misato told me made me much happier than the farewell I had exchanged directly with Seiko.

I feel like the month I spent in the hospital and the nearly month I spent on crutches wasn’t in vain.

No, more than that, I was happy that a singer like Seiko found her passion for life again.

“Then let’s go.”

After Sungpil and the Girls’ League members bowed to the two, they headed toward the airport building.

At that moment, Himura’s scream was heard from behind.

“Everyone! This time we went to Budokan as a joint concert, but next time we will make sure to go to Budokan by ourselves! Next time, for sure!”

In the name of Webex.

It was a declaration that was all the more welcome because I knew it wasn’t just words.

Seongpil looked at Himura again and said.

“Next time I come back, I’ll be back much more grown up than I am now. I’ll make you feel lucky to be managing the Girls’ League, because I’ll make you sit on a pile of money. Just wait!”

The two waved their hands vigorously as they saw each other off.

When Sungpil looked forward again, the members had moved away, perhaps not confident enough to hear the heated and embarrassing conversation between the two men.

Only Rika was shivering with her arms wrapped around his shoulders.

“Have you finished taking pictures of the sports cartoons?”

“This is life.”

“Hurry up! The plane will be leaving soon!”

After walking a few steps, Rika looked at Seongpil’s legs and said with regret.

“It’s a shame that Director Park’s leg has gotten better.”

“That’s got to be in the top ten most horrible things I’ve ever heard in my life. Do you hate me for being better?”

“It was nice to rely on Atashi (me)!”

“You forced yourself to support me. I don’t call that dependence.”

“Please continue to rely on me in the future!”

“I always rely on you.”

Rika smiled proudly. She took a book out of her bag and held it out.

“Director, a gift!”

This is a paperback version of Natsume Soseki’s ‘Master’.

Seongpil suddenly remembered the future he had seen when he talked to Himura. Perhaps this moment was the same time zone as the future he had seen then.

In that future, Rika gave him the same gift.

‘With a more gloomy face than now.’

Rika, who was currently in front of Seongpil, had happiness all over her face, like a cactus covered in dew.

Seongpil gratefully accepted the title of ‘Master.’

“The first step to understanding a friend is understanding each other’s culture! One director said that there is nothing better than literature!”

“I already know a lot about Rika?”

“Then tell me! What kind of person am I?”

“hmm…….”

Seongpil thought for a moment and then answered lightly.

“Rika is like a flower.”

“It’s so cliché! It’s so anachronistic to compare women to flowers!”

“Don’t go to botanical gardens or flower fields. You’ll get confused with other flowers and won’t be able to find them.”

“… … It might not be bad?”

“Anyway, thank you for the gift. I’ll read it carefully. I’ll have to keep a Chinese character dictionary next to me and read it.”

“Please work hard! You will have to take the naturalization test later!”

As usual, Rika confidently emphasized the necessity of naturalization. But then the lively atmosphere suddenly stopped, and she asked timidly, which was unusual for her.

“Japan… … how was it?”

“japan?”

Just before entering the airport terminal.

As Sungpil stepped into the doorway, the automatic door opened. It stopped at the border between Japan and Korea, the border between the airport and the outside world.

He turned around and shouted.

“Japan is the best!”

Seongpil read all of Jeong Hohwan’s interviews.

So I know how he felt when he first created idols.

After he became successful by creating idols, he suddenly realized something.

The Korean music market is too small. Even if you succeed here, you won’t be able to become a big company.

So, Jeong Ho-hwan attempted to advance into Japan.

The world’s second largest music market. If only we could enter that market, the Korean idol industry would grow by leaps and bounds.

It truly was so.

Seongpil felt it himself.

“I’ll definitely come back!”

The Girls’ League’s remarkable achievements in Japan have become a stepping stone for them to advance even further.

Commercially, it has grown almost twice.

It’s a feat that allows a Korean person to tap dance and do back tumbling.

How can you not like a country like this?

“This much. How is it? Are you satisfied?”

Rika was so embarrassed by Seongpil’s antics that she almost died. She watched the people around her and dragged Seongpil into the building.

“Okay, then come in quickly!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

The two entered the building and went down the road leading to Korea. The backs of the two people became smaller and smaller.

Then suddenly Rika turned around and stretched her index finger forward.

“I won! Part 3 is over!”

“Rika, why are you so embarrassing?”

“Can’t you remember what the director just did?! That’s my favorite line from a comic book! I really wanted to try it!”

“It’s so random. Why are we starting from part 3? Where did parts 1 and 2 go?”

“Ahh… … Isn’t the period until debuting part 1 and the period until receiving the main award part 2!”

“Rika, life isn’t a cartoon. I understand that life feels like a cartoon because you live as a celebrity.”

“Just please, please! I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking about doing this with the director!”

“Ugh.”

Seongpil made a pistol shape with his hand and stretched it forward at the same time as Rika.

“I won! Part 3 is over!”

Seongpil laughed heartily and blew air into the muzzle of his index finger gun like a western gunfighter.

“It’s fun when you actually try it, right?”

“No, I think part 3 isn’t over yet.”

“Hi (yes)?”

When Rika looked puzzled, Seongpil said.

With aspiration and ambition.

“There are still concerts and overseas tours left.”

“… … That’s right.”

Rika stretched her index finger forward again.

“Our fight will continue… …!”

“Hey you two, stop being so annoying and come here quickly!”

At Joara’s scream, the two people went inside, crouching.

Now, back to Korea.