On Monday morning, three days after signing the contract, the news of Kwon Jaekyung's collaboration with them spread quickly. As soon as the articles were published, chaos ensued in Spoin's office, with journalists cutting off all phone lines requesting official comment, and the company's mailboxes and faxes flooded with numerous recruitment requests. At a time when almost all employees were engaged in an unequal battle with the media, Jihong was busy cleaning. He had always tried to keep his desk tidy, but in three years he had accumulated a lot of unnecessary things.

"Mr. Jeong, are you really leaving? In earnest? It's true? - Assistant manager Nam repeatedly asked, clutching a stapler hidden from Jihon's box, with the help of which he depicted a ridiculous scene with the seizure of a hostage. "No, you can't leave!"

"I don't want to leave either," was the first time Jihong had spoken so sincerely.

"A lie. You got a promotion. How can you not like it? You'll be spending all your time with Kwon Jaekyung himself!

Jihong couldn't explain the reason for his own anxiety and tried to change the subject: "This is a parting gift, Mr. Nam."

The guy quickly put the stapler back in its place and added, "Oh, no. I don't need it. You don't have to give it to me."

Mr. Nam is not just a senior colleague, but a friend. Being the same age and year of graduation, they treated each other with respect, trusting and expressing disappointment with the agency or the boss. Jihon's mood was often lifted by his comrade's angry curses. Moreover, they smoked the same brand of cigarettes.

"We'll continue to see each other often

As the public relations team belonged to the marketing department and the management team belonged to the planning department, the offices were separated but within walking distance. In addition, they can meet in the smoking room or in the lobby. To Jihon's attempts to calm down his friend, Nam's manager replied only with a grunt: "Mr. Jeong, you will practically not appear in the office."

"I don't think so

That is why Jihon did not like the new appointment. For the first time since his employment, he wanted to go to work every day. For the rest of us, however, this state of affairs is comparable to God's blessing, which is why he tried to speak as quietly as possible and focused solely on packing.

"Then I'll go." Thank you for everything.

When he had finished, Jihon bowed to the people and went out. Heading to a new place with a box of junk in his hands, he could not believe what was happening. Just last week, he laughed at a colleague's bizarre suggestion: "Our company can join the fight, too. The CEO said that he wants to contact Kwon Jaekyung, and his manager will arrange the meeting." But today, exactly one week later, Jiheon takes up a new position and now manages Kwon Jaekyung's projects. He was not in the mood for jokes: reality was breathing down his neck, becoming not something ephemeral, but his personal business.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Chung. You must have had a hard time translating," Lee Yu-jung said as she greeted him warmly. Until recently, they did not know each other well, since they were in different departments, but now the lady's cold attitude was replaced by cordiality.

"So, let's decide where it will be more comfortable for you to sit?" asked Ms. Li as she looked around the room. The office was almost empty, because the employees mostly worked outside the agency.

"Does it suit you?" It's free on both sides, so you can sit quietly," Ms. Li clarified, pointing to the table.

— Yes, thank you. I'll unpack immediately."

"Take your time. Don't forget that you have an appointment in the afternoon with the chairman

Yes, and I think I should also pay a visit to the federation.

"After all the meetings, go home immediately. There is no need to come back here.

— And what about the huge number of unsolved problems?

As he spoke, Jihong sighed, but Team Leader Lee reassured him with a smile: "It's okay. Until an exclusive team is formed, you will be supported by our entire department. You don't have to cope with everything alone"

"Thank you

Jihon bowed in agreement. Team Leader Li crossed her arms over her chest and laughed heartily, and her face clearly expressed a sense of satisfaction: "It must be your first time working as a personal manager, but how did you manage to get in touch with such a difficult athlete? You will have a hard time."

"Does this mean that Jaekyung is a big shot or is he difficult to deal with?" asked Jihong.

Probably, both. Grinning, he lowered his head. Suddenly, a mobile phone sounded in his trouser pocket. Speaking of the devil, it was none other than the mother of our difficult athlete who called.

                                                                                               ***

"I saw the article, it was published by Spoin, right?" said Mrs. Shim, opening the door.

"Yes, ma'am. We sent out a press release to everyone.

- I see. I'm glad we don't have to talk to reporters anymore. It's so exhausting. Today, as soon as the news came out, journalists kept calling me. But I sent them to you for an official comment and hung up

"Good approach, ma'am. From now on, we take care of all issues related to the media

Mrs. Shim nodded happily and led Jihon into the living room.

"You must have been surprised when I invited you to lunch together, right?" We are now like one family

As she spoke, Jihong noticed a table covered with homemade food. He believed that they would see each other in the hotel restaurant.

"Did you cook yourself, ma'am?"

"Yes, of course. I like to do this from time to time, especially for our guests. Mrs. Shim smiled as she continued. "That's why I rented an apartment. But these days, they are often equipped with induction hobs. Since I prefer gas, cooking caused some difficulties."

Jihong followed Mrs. Shim's advice and sat down in the center. If you look closely, the menu turned out to be quite diverse: braised ribs, grilled abalone, haesinthan [1] - protein-rich dishes that are healthy and demonstrate the skills of the athlete's mother.

"Jaekyung is not picky about food, but sometimes, when he is in other countries, he wants Korean food. There aren't many Korean restaurants there, so I'd rather cook myself than take the time to travel looking for a place.

"I don't think any establishment will be able to surpass your culinary skills," he expressed his admiration before trying it. In fact, the taste matched the effort put into it. Jihon felt the attention to detail and the aroma.

"When he retires from the sport, I will feel relieved that I will not have to do this again.

"Are you going to leave him to his fate?"

Mrs. Shim playfully replied to Jihon's joke: "Naturally. After his resignation, I will not care where and what he eats."

"One of the company's goals is to provide a comfortable life for athletes after retirement. I think I should sign up for a cooking class right away."

"God, there's no need for that. It doesn't matter if a rich person buys food or eats homemade food." Mrs. Shim said.

Jihong laughed as he watched her emotions. At that moment, the door opened and Jaekyung walked out.

"Mr. Kwon Jaekyung, good afternoon

"What's wrong with your way of speaking again?" replied Jaekyung, frowning.

"He's right. Communicate informally, especially in private with us," Mrs. Shim added with a smile.

"This guy didn't say anything when we were talking on the phone this morning, but he suddenly came home, explaining that he was tired. Because of this, I had to cook haesinthan in a hurry.

"Oh, I see

Even though his mother was talking about her son while nearby, Jaekyung didn't show any interest. Jihon turned to the guy, who was sitting in an uncomfortable position, leaning over a low table.

"Are you not feeling well?"

"I'll take care of myself." Don't pay attention

"Jaekyung-ah, I've asked you not to behave like that many times

After scolding him, she turned to Jihon and clarified while smiling awkwardly, "He didn't mean anything bad, he just doesn't want anyone to worry about him."

He felt a little sorry for Mrs. Shim, because she had to rebuke her own child's harsh tone every time.

— Yes, I know, ma'am.

Seeing Jihon's calm reaction, she took a deep breath.

"In fact, he does not know how to express thoughts correctly...

"That is, to be honest," Jaekyung snapped in, shifting the chicken from the soup to the plate.

"What are you talking about?"

Mrs. Shim couldn't control herself and exclaimed, "While others see ordinary disrespect, do you continue to call it honesty? You have to learn how to build relationships with people, and not spit out everything that comes out of your mouth."

Jihong was in some shock from the woman's fighting spirit. He believed that Jaekyung's unsociability might have something to do with his upbringing or family atmosphere. But it is obvious that this is not the case. Judging by the woman's manner of speech, it seemed that he was often reprimanded for a similar reason. As if he was originally like that. And all the socialization skills remained somewhere in the womb of the mother when he was born.