You Promised Me, Mr. Lee San-ha - Chapter 99



Only Noblemtl

Episode 99 False Idols (2)

It’s no wonder everyone is surprised.

“… … I will look into this case.”

Actually, it’s not something that would come out of the youngest’s mouth.

The deputy director was the first to wave his hand.

“No, no. Chief Kim, you were caught by the protesters and had your wig and gold teeth stolen. Are you crazy? Where are you going to give your youngest a chance?!”

“Nobody has ever cheated! I also oppose what this reporter tells me to do!”

Manager Kim also protested as if he was being treated unfairly.

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam also had the same opinion.

“Sanha, no, this reporter. It’s not that I don’t trust the achievements you’ve shown so far. But this is too dangerous.”

All the other seniors reacted the same way without exception.

“Don’t do that. We can’t lose this snowy mountain and river… .”

“Calm down, reporter. I get your intentions, but this could just be a case of throwing shit at people.”

“Shoot me and go.”

The entire entertainment department staff is worried about me.

I could feel anew how much love I receive within this organization.

but.

“There is a basis for doing so. It is not an abuse of power.”

“… … No. That’s not right. I think it’s right for me, as the team leader, to take responsibility.”

Team leader Yoon Yeo-gam seems to have a different opinion.

But I said in a firm voice.

“Have I ever disappointed you?”

“… … .”

I guarantee you, never.

And the person who knew that fact better than anyone was Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam.

“… … .”

Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam’s silence continues.

I added a word as if driving a wedge in.

“Of course, it would be difficult to do it alone. Please provide as much support as possible for things like contacting relevant parties and obtaining entry permits. The same goes for support from the legal team.”

Actually, I know.

That support from those who don’t play on the field is of no real help.

It was just a remark meant to ease the burden on other people’s minds.

That alone will make the executives feel more comfortable entrusting me with work.

Finally, the vice president opened his mouth.

“It seems like there’s something wrong with reporter Lee San-ha. If that’s the case, then let’s leave it to him. However, if the problem isn’t resolved… … I’ll take responsibility. Let’s disband now.”

The meeting ended with a gesture of full trust.

* * *

As soon as the meeting was over, I left the company.

Even while moving, Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam’s live report continues.

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: I tried contacting the ATP Entertainment representative, but he didn’t answer.]

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: Manager Kim is on friendly terms with the CEO there, so we are in contact… … ]

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: F**k, even Manager Kim’s contact was ignored;;]

There wasn’t much good news.

A few minutes later, another message came flying in.

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: The CEO of ATP Entertainment sent a message to Manager Kim… … The content is a bit bad. I’m sending it to you to read first.]

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: ]

I don’t think it’s at the ‘not so good’ level.

If I hadn’t been so angry in the first place, I wouldn’t have even filed a lawsuit.

Let’s think again about why the ATP representative is taking such a strong stance.

‘If it was just defamation, they wouldn’t have sued for such a large amount.’

The ATP representative said, “True Beast is the most important bread and butter.”

then…….

‘Maybe they’re trying to pressure us with a large sum of money to prevent any further involvement?’

It’s a very possible hypothesis.

[Lee San-ha: You can’t contact the ATP manager or coordinator either?]

[Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam: Yes… … .]

The manager and coordinator may even be subject to internal disciplinary action because of the article.

The number of paths that can reach ATP enters is continuously decreasing.

At first, I was going to go to the hospital where True Beast’s Jeong Jae-yeon was admitted.

However, he was reportedly transferred to the emergency room at dawn, received treatment, and returned to his accommodation.

By now, there will be no trace left of the hospital.

It is obvious that doctors will not respond to interviews because they have a duty to maintain confidentiality.

Going to the hospital is just a pointless waste of time.

‘If I think about it rationally… … I guess I have no choice but to wait at the accommodation.’

It is inconvenient in many ways, but there is nothing we can do about it.

A matter of life or death for the company.

Since he had made a bold promise to solve the biggest issue of all time, he had to do whatever he could.

As I boarded Line 2 and headed to Hapjeong-dong, I sent a message to my informant.

[Lee San-ha: I’m sorry for suddenly bringing up work after such a long time… … but let me ask you one thing.]

[Lee San-ha: Is there anyone who has enemies in ATP?]

Line 2 has almost completed half a circle.

I should be getting off soon, but I still haven’t received a reply.

‘Are you busy?’

It seems like your schedule is too busy to read the message.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

There’s plenty of time anyway.

From now on, I’ll have to keep killing myself in front of the accommodation.

* * *

I entered the residential alley of Hapjeong-dong, looking around carefully.

This is where the True Beast’s lodgings are located.

It’s for reporting purposes, but… … I still feel uncomfortable.

‘It’s like I’ve become some kind of sasaeng fan.’

Sasaeng fans are fans in name only, but in reality they are no different from criminals.

Because it causes harm through vicious stalking.

Articles about sasaeng fans that I’ve read in the past flash through my mind.

[A certain idol fan calls a locksmith and copies the key. He breaks into the idol’s dorm while he’s sleeping… ]

[Secretly installing GPS trackers in celebrities’ cars. In some cases, even wiretapping devices are installed… … .]

[Lie in wait at the event location for 2-3 days beforehand and take secret photos of celebrities on the stairs or in the bathroom… … .]

[Zooming in on the eyes reflected in the idol’s selfie. Tracking from the subway station and eventually finding the house… ]

These are all real events.

It’s a similar feeling to Kim Hyun, who used to stalk Bae Eun-ji.

‘I have to be careful not to run into those people. I wonder what they’ll do if they find out I’m a member of the TLT Times… ‘

I walked along the alleyways, checking for any sasaeng fans there might be.

So I went to the True Beast’s lodging.

“… … !”

It’s surprisingly quiet.

I used to wish there were no sasaeng fans, but now that there are none, why do I feel so empty?

“Well, anyway, it turned out well.”

I don’t think anything dangerous will happen.

I moved to the officetel building across the street.

First of all, we need a vantage point overlooking the True Beast’s quarters.

I took a seat in the 13th floor hallway, which was the same as the True Beast’s quarters, and zoomed in as far as I could with my camera to take a few photos.

‘Hmm. I can’t see it.’

In the photo, only the silhouette of a large person is barely visible.

I thought I should buy a proper lens soon.

At that moment, I could see someone coming out of the apartment building carrying a bunch of regular trash bags.

‘Are you a regular person who came out to separate trash? Hmm? Wait a minute.’

A new inference has occurred to me.

Perhaps we can obtain evidence in this way.

‘No one wants to show others that they are taking medicine… … .’

The same would apply in public settings, such as at a gym or at work.

‘The safest place from outside view is… … .’

hotel.

But True Beast has been going around to events in Seoul nonstop lately.

There is no record of anyone staying at the hotel while the event was in progress.

The only place left was, of course, the lodging.

In that case, traces of drugs may remain in the waste separated for recycling.

I left the officetel right away and headed to the apartment across the street.

“… … .”

But when I see that pile of trash again, my resolve wavers.

Is it really necessary to go this far?

Could it be that Sim Yeong-seop’s article is wrong?

Of course, such questions did not provide any solution.

Because if the article is not true, you have to find evidence that it is not true.

I sneak into the recycling center with reluctant steps.

I started to open the plastic bags one by one, from which a musty smell was rising.

Rustle, rustle-

‘Please, give me a syringe… … .’

I continue to dig through the trash with the mindset of grasping at straws.

at that time.

“What are you doing?”

“No way?!”

I just said something reflexively.

If I had known this would happen, I would have turned around and looked around.

How would I know, I’ve never dug through a trash heap in my life.

After a while, the security guard asked suspiciously.

“What number are you to make such a mess?”

“Excuse me. This is room 1302, but I lost something… … .”

“No, but even so, what if I just throw everything away like this? What the heck… .”

“I’ll clean it all up! I’m so sorry.”

“Okay. I’m going to go on patrol, so you need to get things sorted out by then.”

The security guard walked away with his luggage on his back.

Fortunately, I didn’t get caught because I had covered things up well.

‘By the way, is it possible to find this?’

There is too much.

Also, it is unlikely that a vial or syringe would have been thrown away so conspicuously.

I don’t know how many more trash bags I’ll have to open in the future.

‘I feel like a cockroach, this is it.’

Yeah, I’m a cockroach in the entertainment industry. What can I do?

While I was digging through the trash bags with a sigh.

“What are you doing?”

Again a voice was heard from behind.

This time, I answered skillfully without being surprised.

“Sorry. I’m in room 1302, and I lost something—”

When I turned my head, there was a group of female students standing there.

With a very murderous look.

“If it’s 1302, that’s my brothers’ dorm room, what the hell, are you a new member or something?”

They are sasaeng fans.

‘When digging through trash, you have to dig from an angle that allows you to secure a clear view.’

While I was feeling late regret.

bang!

A large high school girl slammed her fist into a trash can.

“… … Hey, mister!”

“Not sir―”

“Enough! Isn’t this crossing the line?!”

The momentum is tremendous.

As I was desperately trying to come up with an excuse, the black gloves spoke.

“Even if you’re an uncommon male fan, there’s a limit to how much you can tolerate! I won’t let you in front of my brothers’ dorm!”

… … I think there has been some kind of strange misunderstanding?