Epilogue 2. How Much Is It?

“I have a Jeju Island forum in the evening, so I’ll have to reschedule the newsletter interview for another day.”

The schedule report from the Innovation Strategy Division took place in the VIP lounge at the airport before takeoff. It wasn’t a meeting originally planned by Tae-ha’s secretarial office.

A few days earlier, among the countless proposals waiting for approval on Tae-ha’s desk, the newsletter proposal from the Media Production Team had caught his eye. To be precise, it was the name ”Han Ji-soo, Announcer, Media Production Team” that had stood out.

“Lock in the newsletter interview.”

Tae-ha tossed out the reply as he skimmed the one-page proposal. To the scheduling secretary, his tone sounded like a mischievous child idly throwing a stone into a pond. But Tae-ha never spoke without reason. Every minute of his tightly packed schedule was meticulously planned—there was no room for meaningless words or actions.

There was no real need to squeeze this into his already packed schedule. A written interview would have sufficed.

Though curious about Tae-ha’s intentions, the secretary quietly confirmed the interview schedule with the Media Production Team.

“The interviewer will be Han Ji-soo.”

The quiet addition was even more unexpected. The secretary, caught off guard by the unfamiliar name, tried to recall any connection between the two. She vaguely remembered hearing they were university seniors and juniors.

Unlike others who tried to force a connection with Tae-ha, Ji-soo had always kept her distance. Even the secretary, who managed Tae-ha’s personal schedule, only learned about their shared history through the Taesung Group alumni newsletter.

Darkness settled over the runway. As deep as the night, Tae-ha’s thoughts darkened as well.

He recalled Ji-soo’s face from a few days ago when he’d seen her by chance outside the company. She had been smiling warmly next to Kang Eun-ho.

From his car, Tae-ha had watched them, easily sensing the direction of her heart. Was that why? Since then, an inexplicable emotion he’d long forgotten had begun to stir. The sight of Kang Eun-ho and Han Ji-soo’s names side by side on the interview proposal had irked him.

In Tae-ha’s memory, Ji-soo was an audacious person. Despite their shared history as university seniors and juniors—though their encounters had been brief—her acting like a stranger had been irritating.

From their school days until now, there had been no particularly memorable events between them. Yet, Ji-soo occasionally crept into Tae-ha’s thoughts, leaving him annoyed by the strange, unfamiliar emotions she evoked.

“Han Ji-soo.”

He rolled her name around in his mouth again. Speaking it aloud brought back an old memory. Ah, yes. There was something worth remembering.

The first person to ever give him five thousand won.

________________________________________

Leaving the library, Tae-ha quietly watched a girl swiftly pass by him. He remembered giving an umbrella to a high school student wrapped in a shabby raincoat months ago. Soon, he realized the girl in uniform and the one who had just slipped into the convenience store were the same person.

After entering university, Tae-ha visited the convenience store for the first time. The first visit was out of simple curiosity. The second was purely impulsive.

How could someone wearing what looked like a repurposed flood tarp still shine so brightly? Tae-ha didn’t bother stopping himself from looking at her.

“Ji-soo! Thank you so much! Here, I’ll give you five thousand won extra!”

“Oh, no need! Helping each other is what life’s about. Go on, have fun with your boyfriend!”

The girl who had been a high schooler months ago was now a college student named Ji-soo. This was a first for Tae-ha. As he wandered the cramped store, he tried to figure out how to start a conversation.

“Hey, you shouldn’t handle things like that. If you touch it, you have to buy it.”

He hadn’t even realized he’d been absentmindedly poking at the plastic-wrapped chocolate and veggie buns. Ji-soo approached him, tilting her head.

Does she not remember me? I recognized her instantly—the girl in the shabby raincoat.

“Hehe, just kidding. We’re about to close, and since there are only two left, I’ll give them to you for the price of one.”

When Ji-soo looked up at him, her cheerful expression stiffened. Tae-ha noticed it immediately. There’s no way she doesn’t recognize me. I gave her an umbrella.

“Two for three thousand won. If you buy coffee too, I’ll give you all three for five thousand.”

What was I expecting from this kid? Suddenly, Tae-ha found his own behavior ridiculous. Why had he followed her into the store just to scowl like this?

He wanted to bolt, but he didn’t want to show her his back. Not to this girl who was just covering a shift at the store and getting an extra five thousand won for it.

As Tae-ha approached the counter, Ji-soo packed the remaining buns and coffee for him.

“So, how much is it?”

Tae-ha tapped his finger lightly on Ji-soo’s round forehead.

“Huh?”

“You said if I touch it, I have to buy it. So, how much?”

When he removed his finger, Ji-soo blinked her big eyes.

She’s kind of cute. The thought surprised Tae-ha in a different way. Even in clothes that looked like they belonged in a rag bin, she could still be adorable.

“Ah, five thousand won. You got a steal.”

Tae-ha held out his card. Ji-soo stared at him with the same awkward expression he’d had when pretending not to recognize her earlier.

“Uh, this is a clearance sale, so cards aren’t accepted.”

He had never carried cash before. He fumbled through his pockets.

“I don’t have any money...”

Perhaps his words sounded pitiful, because Ji-soo, who had been watching him with sympathy, pulled out her wallet.

“Then... I’ll cover it. You can go ahead. Enjoy!”

She took out a five-thousand-won bill and slipped it into the cash register. Tae-ha, about to say something else, simply took the discounted buns and coffee and left. The back of his neck burned—his second encounter with Ji-soo.

________________________________________

Tae-ha headed to a members-only club where young entrepreneurs gathered. Though the rowdy atmosphere wasn’t his preference, maintaining connections across various fields was necessary.

Amid drunken laughter, a sly voice cut through.

“The girl who’s killing it right now is coming here.”

“Who?”

“The one who made it to the finals this time. I almost lost it just seeing her photo.”

“Seriously, she’s insane. Just last week, you were drooling over Song Ye-ra, throwing money at ads and sponsorships. How can you move on in just ten days?”

“Just wait till you see her. If tonight goes well, I’m taking her upstairs.”

“All three of us?”

Even though Tae-ha wasn’t part of the conversation, just listening made his ears rot. Deciding there was no benefit in associating with these lowlifes, he stood to leave.

Soon, he discovered who the subject of their vulgar chatter was.

Ji-soo entered cautiously, her neat attire clashing with the club’s debauched atmosphere. She looked like she was here for a corporate final interview.

The club manager guided her toward the group. Tense, Ji-soo walked past Tae-ha without even glancing at him, heading straight for the sleazy men.

“Hey, pretty noona.”

“You’re gorgeous standing, but you’d look even sexier sitting. Take a seat.”

Hesitating, Ji-soo sat across from them, as if in an interview.

“Let’s drink. What’ll it be? Something that hits fast or something that creeps up on you?”

“Let’s hurry up and go upstairs. I’m kind of impatient.”

Ji-soo’s eyes darted between the snickering men before she abruptly stood.

“I think I came to the wrong place. I didn’t realize it was this kind of gathering. I was told it was just a quick introduction... Excuse me.”

The ringleader grabbed her wrist as she tried to leave.

“Let go.”

“You’re acting high and mighty for someone with nothing to offer. Didn’t you come here to get sponsored? We’ll pay top dollar for that body.”

“No! Let me go!”

Ji-soo stumbled as the two men held her thin arms. She looked around for help, but no one in the club dared interfere with the owner’s desires.

“Aaaah!”

A sharp scream rang out as alcohol splashed onto Ji-soo’s face.

Tae-ha took off his jacket and draped it over her. He signaled the manager to escort her out. The moment Ji-soo disappeared into the elevator, Tae-ha’s fist collided with one of the men’s filthy mouths.

Crash!

The sound of shattering glass and the dull thud of flesh being pummeled mixed together.

Once again, the club members just watched. Used to dull, repetitive scenes, they found this spectacle quite entertaining.

After turning the place into a wreck, Tae-ha called the manager.

“She said to thank you. She seemed really shaken, so I just sent her home.”

“Good.”

He hadn’t expected gratitude, but he wanted to meet her properly this time—face to face. And his wish was soon granted.

He had only pulled a few strings because he didn’t want her stolen by a broadcasting company. Ji-soo, who kept reaching the finals only to be rejected, would come to Taesung Group on her own.

“Hello. I’m Han Ji-soo.”

Her clear voice brightened the monochrome interview room. Tae-ha looked up at her. This time, their eyes met properly.

Not the brat who took his umbrella, not the convenience store girl who pitied him, not the aspiring announcer who unknowingly walked into a sponsorship trap.

This was the real Han Ji-soo.