"Wow, is the Korean economy booming these days?"
It was when I responded with a smile instead of words.
Ring!
Music signaling the start of class filled the air.
"Oh dear, I seem to have taken up all your break time."
"...."
"Ji-hoon, could we have conversations like this more often?"
As I stood up, I briefly looked into Gary's eyes and replied.
"As teacher and student? Or are you talking about a relationship between a capitalist and an investment advisor?"
"Wouldn't it be more comfortable to start as teacher and student?"
A sly expression suddenly appeared.
Oh my.
Anyone would think he has a few different faces prepared.
I bowed slightly and left Gary's office.
I started walking in the opposite direction of the lecture hall.
"A law firm and a department store, huh."
It was because the words I saw earlier kept lingering in my mind.
Since the topic came up, I might as well take care of it right away.
I headed toward the public phone in the middle of the campus.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
The recipient was Yang Eok-gwan.
"This is Park Ji-hoon."
(Yes, sir!)
"Are you available to talk?"
(Of course. But why are you suddenly speaking in Japanese…?)
"There are too many ears around."
I was talking from a public phone at school.
Although class had ended, someone could still overhear, so I chose to speak in Japanese.
"I don't have much time, so I'll get straight to the point."
(Yes.)
"I want to know the relationship between Clifford Brookhouse and Harris Department Store."
A brief silence.
Yang Eok-gwan was likely mulling over the intent of my question.
(It doesn't seem to be about investment, right?)
"The complete opposite."
(Ah.)
Perhaps detecting the firmness in my voice, he asked me to wait a moment.
Then, he seemed to be making calls here and there.
After about five minutes, Yang Eok-gwan picked up the receiver again.
(Sorry for the delay. From what I've heard, the Harris family is the law firm's most reliable backer.)
"Backer?"
(To put it simply, the Harris Department Store family essentially brought a struggling lawyer into the family.)
"So, they set up a law firm with the father-in-law's help?"
(Yes. That's why the law firm is influenced by the department store's stock price.)
"Hmm."
Even if the law firm is brought down, its main body remains elsewhere.
'That means…'
If the department store is shattered, the law firm collapses automatically.
I see, so that's how it is.
"How large is Harris Department Store?"
(It's among the top in Europe. It has numerous chains, not only in the UK but also in France, Italy, Switzerland, and more.)
"What's their most iconic location?"
Soon, I heard the sound of keyboard typing from the other side of the receiver.
I guessed he was searching on a Bloomberg terminal.
(Undoubtedly, the London flagship store is the best in terms of scale and sales.)
The London flagship, huh.
"Who's the target customer?"
(It mainly targets VIPs. They run an independent luxury goods section, which accounts for their standout sales.)
I started out just to fix the law firm, but somehow ended up dealing with Europe's top department store chain.
'Should I just moderately crush the law firm as planned?'
No way.
Smirk.
The corners of my mouth lifted.
***
Meanwhile,
Tennessee Grosvenor was sitting alone in the courtyard.
He actually wanted a smoothie, but concerned about others' gazes, he settled for coffee instead.
Whether he attended class or not.
"...."
He was staring blankly at the grass when it happened.
Huh?
A man carrying a large load appeared in the distance.
The silhouette seemed familiar.
'Where have I seen him before?'
The bundle in the man's arms was none other than a stack of school uniforms.
At that moment, a buried memory resurfaced.
'Clothes are just shells, so why make such a fuss over them?'
Tennessee had spoken coldly to the tailor who had come all the way to his house.
'Oh, but of course, there are those who dedicate their lives to shells….'
Recalling that incident made Tennessee's face flush.
His gaze lingered on the tailor, unable to look away.
Tennessee then walked into the café as if making a big decision.
With the dignity of a noble family, he deliberately lowered his voice.
"Anything will do, just make it quick."
"Would you like it to go?"
He almost answered, "Yes," politely.
Instead, Tennessee nodded belatedly.
"I'll give you a bottled drink."
He took the juice in one hand and quickly left the store.
But to his surprise, no matter how much he looked around, the tailor was nowhere to be seen.
Phew.
'Maybe it's for the best.'
As Tennessee made an awkward expression, a voice came from behind him.
"What are you doing here?"
Startled, he turned around.
"Aren't you going to class?"
An unusually tall Asian man was looking at Tennessee.
***
While on the phone, quite a bit of class time had passed.
'Already late anyway.'
As I walked through the courtyard, I spotted Tennessee.
"Why are you holding two drinks?"
"No reason."
"What do you mean, no reason?"
"...."
"Sit."
Caught off guard, he sat on the bench.
"Are you going to drink both?"
He quietly handed me the bottle.
Taking a sip, I asked, "You used to play rugby, right?"
"...."
We were silent for a while.
As the silence dragged on, the bottle grew lighter.
By the time the juice was nearly finished, I asked, "Do you like games?"
"No, not at all."
As always, he got serious whenever games were mentioned.
"Is liking games a crime?"
"I told you, I don't like them."
"Fine, then."
Just as he tried to stand, signaling he didn't want to talk anymore, I spoke while keeping my eyes on his shoes.
"Nice shoes."
Tennessee then looked down at his own shoes.
"Where'd you get them?"
"...."
"At a department store?"
"Why are you asking?"
"Why else? They look good, so I want a pair too."
He made a blunt face.
"Could I find them at a place like Harris Luxury Store?"
"A craftsman's work is not displayed in department stores."
"Then where?"
Perhaps finding the conversation dull, he said, "John Green."
"Huh?"
"If you're looking for good shoes, go to John Green."
With that, Tennessee walked away.
As he faded into the distance.
Step, step.
The artisan-made heels produced a pleasant sound.
Even after Tennessee left, I sat on the bench for a while.
'An artisan's work isn't displayed in department stores….'
His words lingered in my ears for a long time.
Could I possibly strike a blow to a massive department store chain?
'It's tough.'
But what if I narrowed the target to the London flagship store?
To drastically reduce the sales of Harris Department Store's iconic London flagship?
'It's not entirely impossible.'
More importantly.
Taking on the law firm is merely personal revenge.
In contrast.
Competing with Harris Department Store aligns directly with my future ambition to establish 'Hyungang of Design.'
'Maybe it's for the best after all.'
Of course, there was one critical problem.
To compete with Harris Department Store, I'd have to accelerate the plans I intended to carry out gradually over three years of high school!
'Accelerate? Can I still pull it off?'
After that, I was lost in thought for a long time.
I needed a groundbreaking strategy capable of reducing sales at the London flagship.
The conclusion reached after much deliberation.
'If I can make the department store feel like an outdated space, while my store becomes the hottest spot in London. Then I have a chance to win.'
To achieve that, I must secure a brand that will lead the fashion industry for the next 30 years.
'Professor, are you doing well?'
***
Meanwhile, in the United States.
Jo Soo-deok was wandering around New York with just two clues in hand.
A stylish individual who likes skateboarding.
"...."
Finding a ring dropped in the sand seemed easier than this.
For several days, he aimlessly searched through every park he could find.
Whenever he encountered a well-dressed skater, he followed them relentlessly.
But the results? Nothing, nothing, and more nothing!
So Jo Soo-deok decided to use his usual approach: leveraging all his connections.
(Skateboarding? I have no idea about that.)
Among university professors, board culture was bound to be unfamiliar.
Phew.
But he couldn't just give up.
'There's got to be a way.'
After racking his brains over and over, he finally found a lifeline.
And that was none other than:
'The man who dominates the American fashion scene, Ralph Warren!'
On the day of the Royal School's entrance ceremony, Jo Soo-deok had seen it clearly.
That day, Boss and Ralph Warren exchanged a very warm handshake.
It wasn't just a handshake.
Didn't Ralph Warren hand over a prepared gift to Boss?
'When did he establish connections with such a big shot?'
Anyway!
If Ralph Warren, a leading figure in American fashion, couldn't recommend someone decent with just the keyword "skateboarding," who could?
Yes, that's right.
Hadn't he succeeded in missions even harder than this one?
With a burst of optimism, a plausible possibility came to mind.
Ralph Warren is a peak figure in his field.
In this industry, he must have an immense network of information!
'Please, pleaaaase!'
Fueled by vague hope, Jo Soo-deok arrived at Ralph Warren's headquarters.
'What an impressive neighborhood.'
Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and so on.
The fact that a fashion company could have its headquarters in the heart of New York.
Awestruck by its grandeur, he stepped into the building.
Maybe it was his shabby gait that caught attention.
Unfortunately, he was stopped right at the entrance.
"What brings you here?"
"I'm here to meet the president."
The staff member slowly examined Jo Soo-deok's appearance.
Though he wore a brand-name coat, it was old, making him look distinctly shabby.
The employee's expression gradually showed suspicion.
"Do you have an appointment?"
If he said no, he'd obviously be denied entry.
Quick on his feet, Jo Soo-deok adjusted his posture and said,
"It's been a while since we set it up, so I'm not sure if he remembers."
"...."
"Why don't you give him a call?"
"May I have your name?"
"There's no need for my name."
"...?"
"Just tell him that Park Ji-hoon from the Royal School sent someone. That should prompt a reaction."
He delivered the line without batting an eye.
Perhaps it was his audacity.
Though doubtful, the staff member picked up the phone.
"President, there's a visitor in the lobby. From the Royal School…."
After a brief exchange, the staff member approached Jo Soo-deok with a stiff expression.
Grr.
So, it's not working after all.
But then, at that very moment.
"The president has requested that you be escorted respectfully. Would it be alright if I personally guide you?"
At this moment, only one thought crossed Jo Soo-deok's mind.
'It… it actually worked?'