TPG 45

After a strange standoff in which Lee Si-woo avoided eye contact with Han Soo-hyeok until the end, Kang Jin-ha spoke.

“Thank you for your interest in my brand.”

His straightforward greeting was impressive.

“Indeed. I didn’t know that interest would flow this way.”

Han Soo-hyeok’s low murmur slipped out.

“The Sebaro brand isn’t well-known in Korea yet.”

Han Soo-hyeok naturally followed up on the president’s objective assessment of his own brand.

“It’s a brand with originality in design and a wide lineup that can cover the entire lifestyle.”

“Yes. We are expanding not only into clothing, bags, and accessories, but also into interior design objects. Pursuing a sense of style in everyday life is the core value of our Sebaro.”

Kang Jin-ha spoke, looking flushed, as if he had never seen his brand objectively before.

“I’m trying to create value for the brand, but frankly, I was surprised. You gave me good feedback on the original design and such, but this is one of the leading department stores in Korea. There must be plenty of well-known brands that meet the conditions you have in mind, President.”

Han Soo-hyeok smiled and replied.

“I like your honesty. I chose Sebaro because it has something that the well-known brands don’t.”

“What is it?”

“Potential.”

Kang Jin-ha’s eyes glazed over.

“I chose it because Sebaro’s scalability is clear. Since there is a consistent sensibility in each product, please plan to proceed with various lines.”

Even though the decision had already been made, the atmosphere softened as they discussed why he had chosen it.

“One last question. Do you think Sebaro will blend well with the other stores, President?”

At Kang Jin-ha’s question, Lee Si-woo watched Han Soo-hyeok’s expression. He was curious what kind of answer would come out.

Hadn’t Lee Si-woo become the most focused on their conversation?

“What do you think, President Kang? Do you think it will go well?”

Han Soo-hyeok chose the same question instead of answering. Kang Jin-ha looked as if he had been struck, then smiled as though his lips were crumbling.

“Yes, I’m confident.”

“Good. The store opening will proceed as promised, so please finish the preparations by then.”

At Han Soo-hyeok’s conclusion, Kang Jin-ha quickly reached out.

“Just a moment. I’d like to change the opening date. Is that possible?”

“Do you want to open sooner? Or?”

“I’d rather postpone it. To coincide with that Confession Day.”

Confession Day… From a marketing perspective, it was a decent event day, but compared to days with established names like Valentine’s Day or White Day, it felt somewhat lacking.

“I thought it might fit well with the Sebaro concept.”

Kang Jin-ha tilted his head from side to side.

“I also have a rough idea of what kind of picture to draw on the mural.”

So that was why he had left the white wall as it was.

Han Soo-hyeok fell into thought at Kang Jin-ha’s suggestion.

“Are you okay with the attention being diverted?”

Kang Jin-ha immediately brought up the reason he had chosen Confession Day.

“I mentioned that Sebaro pursues a sense of style in everyday life. I’d like to carry out a project that can blend into people’s daily lives on Confession Day. So I’m going to prepare a special item that can convey feelings.”

“So you’re going to strengthen the nature of the event.”

Han Soo-hyeok turned to Lee Si-woo.

“Is there anything that will conflict with the schedules we’ve confirmed within this quarter?”

As Lee Si-woo answered, he glanced at Kang Jin-ha.

“It seems like it will fit well.”

It could blend in with other stores and appear harmonious. However, that also meant boldly reducing exposure at the opening. Still, President Kang Jin-ha had requested it himself.

“Good. Please proceed with the detailed planning with the existing person in charge.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ha’s face brightened even more.

Lee Si-woo needed to check with marketing, public relations, and related departments to adjust the schedule due to the change in the opening date.

“Can I ask you for one more thing?”

As Lee Si-woo was organizing his thoughts to contact the person in charge of the practical work, he felt a gaze. When he looked up, Kang Jin-ha, who was looking at him, smiled as their eyes met.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I get some help from Secretary Lee?”

At the sudden request for help, both Lee Si-woo and Han Soo-hyeok reacted rather strongly.

“That’s rude.”

Kang Jin-ha immediately accepted Han Soo-hyeok’s refusal.

“Ah… I see. Right.”

Caught between the two, Lee Si-woo looked at Kang Jin-ha with a puzzled expression.

“Why me?”

“Actually, there are things to coordinate regarding the store wall design, and I definitely need opinions on the customer experience side. I still remember the conversation we had earlier.”

By now, Lee Si-woo felt he understood President Kang Jin-ha’s personality to some extent. He spoke gently, but pushed forward firmly with what he wanted.

“What do you think, Secretary Lee?”

Han Soo-hyeok asked, and Lee Si-woo thought for a moment before answering.

“If I can be of help, I’d like to help.”

“Okay, then do that.”

Perhaps that was why Han Soo-hyeok did not refuse a second time.

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ha greeted him with a brightness that felt stronger than before, and Lee Si-woo bowed his head absentmindedly as well. It did not seem like there was anything to be thanked for, but he simply followed the atmosphere.

---

Han Jeong-hyeon rested his chin on his hand and looked at the people passing by.

“Should I have come to the department store instead of the headquarters?”

He muttered as he looked at customers in the department store after being used to seeing only busy office workers. The lack of strength in his voice, however, suggested that he did not truly want to be there. As Han Jeong-hyeon looked around, a familiar person caught his eye.

“This way.”

The person who turned at his voice was Eun Hee-yoon.

“Why did you call me?”

Even when Han Jeong-hyeon had suddenly visited his restaurant before, Eun Hee-yoon had said nothing, but this time he showed discomfort for the first time. Looking around, the reason was clear. He must have been worried about running into Han Soo-hyeok by chance in the department store.

“The CEO must be in the CEO’s office.”

Han Jeong-hyeon spoke as if coincidences were not worth considering, but Eun Hee-yoon did not let his guard down.

“We run into each other more often than you think.”

As he recalled the past and fell silent, Han Jeong-hyeon did not press him further.

“If it’s about that proposal I mentioned last time…”

The weariness in Eun Hee-yoon’s eyes revealed how much he had deliberated.

“I don’t understand it well.”

At the time, he had been emotional and unable to think of anything else.

“Even if it’s an engagement, nothing will change much, right?”

“Why not?”

Han Jeong-hyeon laughed as he retorted. It seemed like he had once had a similar conversation with Chairman Lee Jeong-gyun, yet Eun Hee-yoon was repeating it now. This time, however, he did not answer. There was no reason to tell Eun Hee-yoon that Han Soo-hyeok had no intention of getting married; it would only dampen his enthusiasm.

“It’s your choice, so I won’t force you. But this will be your only chance.”

Han Jeong-hyeon said he would leave the rest to him and deliberately held back his words. Eun Hee-yoon was silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“Can I just stay still?”

“Of course. I didn’t say that expecting anything from you anyway.”

Han Jeong-hyeon neatly concluded.

“However, picking up Soo-hyeok when he’s alone will be your job.”

“Why are you trying to help?”

“Hmm?”

Han Jeong-hyeon answered absentmindedly and only then realized. He had not let go of his last suspicion about why he was doing this.

“Consolation that I’m not alone?”

Eun Hee-yoon understood after hearing his answer. Regardless of his choice, Han Jeong-hyeon was already planning to set things in motion. Eun Hee-yoon wondered whether he could truly trust him, but he knew Han Jeong-hyeon would not change his mind. His desire for Han Soo-hyeok was that strong.

“If there’s ever a time when you need me, let me know.”

It was an answer no different from accepting Han Jeong-hyeon’s proposal.

“It’s very reassuring to hear you say that.”

“Don’t overdo it.”

Eun Hee-yoon voiced his concern belatedly.

“I’m curious. Why do you like Soo-hyeok so much?”

Han Jeong-hyeon’s curiosity turned back toward Eun Hee-yoon. Before his face could redden at the casual question, the words slipped out.

“You’ll know if you’re by his side.”

Eun Hee-yoon spoke calmly, with a subtle excitement beneath it.

“That’s… a difficult answer.”

Han Jeong-hyeon would not feel that way because he was his hyung.

“There’s something like that.”

Eun Hee-yoon did not try to explain further, and Han Jeong-hyeon did not push him.

“I won’t ask any more questions.”

“But why did you insist on meeting here?”

“Ah, I wanted to see what brand is replacing Gayul.”

Han Jeong-hyeon’s lips curved upward.

“I’m curious.”

Gayul, which he had once tried to push in, had already been rejected. Before he could dwell on how that had felt, curiosity surfaced instead. What brand had his younger brother chosen?

“So I came to see…”

Han Jeong-hyeon, who had been trailing off, narrowed his eyes as he noticed something. Eun Hee-yoon followed his gaze.

“Soo-hyeok?”