Dormitory, Park Ji-hoon's room.
RRRR!
Today, the phone rings loudly as usual.
At that moment, I was certain.
'It must be Tennessee!'
As soon as I picked up the receiver, sure enough, a familiar voice came through.
(I've signed the contract.)
"Really?"
(Yes.)
"But why does your voice sound like that?"
(What's wrong with my voice?)
You sound really tired.
(It's late, you know.)
I looked at the clock and it was only 8 o'clock.
Anyway!
"You've worked hard."
(It seems so.)
"What?"
(Oh, and.)
"...?"
(I'm going to focus on what I do best for a while.)
After a brief pause, he continued.
(The collaboration stock is finished. Did you secretly sell it?)
"Yes."
(I'll handle that.)
"You will? How?"
(It's surprising, isn't it? The Grosvenor family has always been like that.)
I was just blinking in confusion.
(We're partners, right? You gain the people, and I make the enemies.)
"It would be enough to just follow the law, but…"
(I follow the law too.)
"..."
(Just faster and more certain.)
Our call ended like that.
'I mean, how long has it been since he came to England… and he's already talking about Gucci.'
Since Tennessee is working so hard, I guess I have to produce results as a partner too?
I grabbed my coat and left the room.
*
Queensman.
When I entered the store, I saw the face of CEO Victor Wenyard talking to Faber, looking somewhat flushed.
Suddenly, Victor turned his head as if he heard footsteps.
"Ah, you've arrived?"
Victor immediately grabbed my hand.
"Out of all the people, to choose us… How surprised I was when I got the call…"
"Why are you surprised? You did such a good briefing."
"Ah, I was so out of it… I don't even remember what I said at that time."
"Please, have a seat."
"Ah, yes."
We discussed the concept for the collaboration.
Some themes were quite challenging for a luxury brand, but Victor always responded with a bright smile.
"You've pulled someone out of the mire. Anything is okay with me."
"Still…"
"If I wanted to do it my way alone, why would I have proposed a collaboration? Just make it easy, I mean it."
Perhaps it was because the CEO gave his approval.
Faber started to suggest even more daring ideas.
It's okay.
In the future, Mallenciaga will line up even more… ahem.
Due to our free-spirited nature, clothes, bags, and shoes were easily settled.
But just one thing.
Faber tilted his head at the accessories.
"Boss, I'm not good at everything, you know."
"Oh come on…"
"Really. Watches, bracelets, you know, things you wrap around your hand. I just don't have the knack for those."
I looked back at Victor.
"It's fine to leave out the accessories, right?"
"No, that's not it."
"...?"
"Would it be okay to entrust the accessories to another brand?"
During my stay in the U.S., Joseph Duke had meticulously handled the tasks I entrusted to him.
He had recruited a promising talent for Gucci.
'Above all!'
He had acquired a brand newly started in LA (specifically, 51 percent of the shares for 5.1 million dollars).
Having spent the money, it was now time to let the world know.
"Shall I show you a sample?"
"No, I trust your decision to proceed…"
"You should see it and decide."
I pulled a small case from my bag.
Though it will grow to represent America as a luxury brand in the future, at this time it was still fledgling.
Naturally, the case looked unremarkable.
However, the ring inside it held an aura that was anything but ordinary.
"Oh my, what's all this writing? The font is quite unique…"
"It's 'Forever'."
"Ah, 'Forever', I see."
Victor stared intently at the ring for a while.
"It looks like silver at a glance."
"Yes. Their goal is to create silver that's more valuable than diamonds."
A questioning look as if asking if that was possible.
My answer was simple.
"Have you ever heard of a stone more expensive than gold?"
"That can't be."
"Stones are much cheaper than gold. But what happens if Michelangelo were to sculpt them?"
"…!"
"Wouldn't the result be more precious than gold, not to mention diamonds?"
"So focusing on silver as a material… is like evaluating the raw cost of a stone in front of a piece of art… is that what you're saying?"
Of course, such an evaluation becomes possible only when it reaches the realm of art.
But naturally, they ultimately prove it.
"Is the brand name by any chance…?"
"Gromharts."
*
An hour later.
After finishing the meeting, I headed straight to Dmitri's accommodation.
It was just a call out of courtesy.
If it hadn't been too late, I would have visited right away… I held back thinking he might be tired… but the response came back that thanks to a Red Bull, his condition was top-notch.
A chuckle.
That's why I immediately got the address and rushed over.
But.
'Huh? It's not a hotel?'
At first, I was a bit puzzled, but considering it's an old and established family, they must own several houses.
I assumed they had lent one of them.
The place I headed to was…
Surprisingly, it was a castle.
I've heard of guest rooms before.
Yes, considering it's the Grosvenor, I tried to understand up to a guest house.
But what is this?
A castle for guest accommodation!
'Can this even make sense?'
Surprisingly, it seems it does.
Upon arrival.
"Heh."
It was small in scale, but unmistakably a castle.
On a cliff overlooking a lush river, stood the castle, nobly raising its head.
'As always, it surpasses expectations.'
Dmitri was already in the reception room.
It seems he wasn't quite adapted to this either.
He asked with an awkward expression,
"Are you the CEO?"
"Yes. I'm Park Ji-hoon."
Perhaps because he's a businessman.
"I'm Dmitri, who ran Red Bull and became a sudden millionaire after meeting a benefactor and settling my shares."
He made a joke as a form of ice-breaking.
Then I should respond in kind.
"I am one of those benefactors."
"Oh, what a privilege to meet someone so important in such a grand place."
I heard there was also a share transfer contract written.
Tennessee and I each have 40 percent.
Dmitri held the remaining 20 percent.
"There's something I wanted to ask…"
"Please, speak informally."
"No, no. You're the CEO after all. This feels more comfortable."
He waved his hands and continued,
"You could have just taken over the shares. Why recruit me as well? I haven't yet heard the reason."
"Because you're absolutely necessary."
"Why do you feel I'm necessary…?"
My answer was simple.
"Red Bull, give it wings."
"…!"
"Is there a better catchphrase than that?"
"Uh, I don't know how you knew that. If it was really such a great slogan, it should have sold like it had wings…"
"It did sell."
"Ah, right. Well, the company sold, not the drink."
After exchanging light jokes,
"I have invited Mr. Dmitri as a marketing expert. It's good to grow Red Bull, but…"
I'm well aware of Red Bull's success model.
Therefore,
"I'd like to ask you to oversee the marketing of the businesses I'm involved in."
What if Dmitri plans the marketing for Capsulemon, Queensman, Ultimate, and Gromharts?
Going further,
If Dmitri takes charge of the future mobile phone promotional planning for Hyungang!
"The payment will be made in whatever form you prefer, salary or shares."
"You trust me to do all that based on…?"
"'Give it wings,' that phrase."
"…?"
"To me, that sentence offers more trust than an Austrian government bond."
At my answer, Dmitri's eyes narrowed.
*
The next day, in the sophomore student council room.
Ralph was sitting at his desk, looking down at a Forbes magazine.
In the photo, Ji-hoon Park's face beamed back, smiling brightly.
Under 40 and one of the top 20 most influential people in the world?
And he created Queensman and Ultimate too?
Ha… Such a big shot, huh?
'Even if it's foul, make sure it's captured thoroughly, camera or not!'
"Damn it."
He could have ruined his life if he had made any wrong move.
He shuddered as he thought about it again, as if it sent chills down his spine.
It wasn't like he had refused Carl's words outright.
He had gone after Park Ji-hoon several times, as if he would kill him if he didn't.
But each time, he was subdued so easily, pressed down by the back of his neck!
At the time, it was baffling.
'Maybe it was fortunate…'
What if they had just fought it out?
After competing for position against Park Ji-hoon, he felt it.
'Even if I really fought, I think I would have lost.'
If he had been beaten up then, at least his mind would be at peace now!
Haaaa.
Ralph sighed belatedly.
Knock knock!
The door opened with the sound of a knock.
"Are you ready?"
A staff member popped their head in and asked.
"Is it my turn already?"
"No, Carl is giving his statement right now."
"But why are you calling me then…?"
"Ah, that's because…"
"…?"
"Carl claims he never ordered any of it. Ralph, you were just overly loyal… he claims he knows nothing about it."
"Consistently the same."
"Huh?"
"He consistently treats people like they're nothing."
Ralph spilled everything without holding back.
He confessed not only the wrongdoings Carl had orchestrated but also the mistakes he had actively participated in.
Then.
"I will submit my resignation and leave, so please proceed according to the school's policy, whether you accept it or reject and expel me."
Ralph then left the academic office.
It's late, but maybe now he can start to make amends.
Asking for forgiveness seemed too much to hope for.
'As a human, I should at least apologize before I go.'
Ralph stopped by the freshman classroom and bowed his head to Jack and Peter.
Perhaps it was because he stood in contrast to Carl, who held out to the end.
Or maybe the rumor that he was withdrawing had already spread.
Thankfully, they accepted Ralph's apology.
Damn it…
'What the hell have I been doing all this time?'
Tears welled up, but what good would regret do now?
"Where's Ji-hoon Park?"
"Probably on the bench?"
"In class…"
"He does that sometimes."
"Ah."
As Peter said, Ji-hoon Park was indeed sitting on the bench.
He held a latte and stared blankly at the ground.
Ralph, like he did with Jack and Peter, bowed his head first.
He listed his own faults one by one.
And acknowledged all the harm Ji-hoon might have suffered during the process.
He was about to bow his head again, promising to strive for compensation regardless of any lawsuit, when—
"What's with the grand speech?"
Ji-hoon Park unexpectedly broke the ice.
"From what I hear, you were just cleaning up Carl's messes. Isn't this the first time you've harassed someone?"
"I haven't exactly led a commendable life before this."
At Ralph's words, Ji-hoon chuckled.
"So you're trying to pay for your sins with resignation?"
"It might not be enough, but it's the least…"
"Resignation just makes it easier for you."
"What?"
"Wouldn't staying and facing ridicule from the juniors be a bigger punishment?"
Ralph looked at Ji-hoon quietly.
This was not the gaze of someone who wanted to torment him till the end.
You can tell such things.
He had seen Carl's eyes every day for the past year.
"If you stay, you'll be too wary to do anything bad, right?"
"I… I was the one trying to torment you."
"Everyone tries something ridiculous at least once."
"Won't you feel uncomfortable if I stay?"
"Me?"
"…?"
"The discomfort is yours, always busy trying to avoid me."
"Why… why are you giving me this chance?"
"Because you're not the kind of trash that denies everything to the end."
"…!"
"And you're not shameless enough to need forgiveness to be satisfied."
Rather curse me…
"Maybe I saw a spark of rehabilitation in your persistence in apologizing to the freshmen, even if you could just not see them after resigning."
"Got anything else to say?"
"Your face tells me I should stop now."
Honestly, at this moment, he wished he could hide in a mouse hole.
The fact that he had followed someone like Carl as a leader.
It was excruciatingly, terribly, deathly embarrassing.
And… he shouldn't think this way, and if he had any conscience he really shouldn't say it, but.
Damn it! Damn it all! Damn it!
He was envious of the freshmen.
If only he had been born a year later, he could have attended school with these guys.
It was when Ralph was about to swallow a deep sigh.
"So, we've come to an agreement then."
"What?"
"You've repented, right? So we've settled on something reasonable."
"…!"
"Ah, right. I forgot to mention the settlement money."
Was he seeing things?
For a brief moment, a mischievous smirk seemed to play on Ji-hoon Park's lips.
"It'd be odd to take money from a senior."
"…?"
"I'm shooting an ad soon. We need a villain. How about you star in it?"