"It's not that I don't trust you. There's no one I trust more than you."
"Thank you."
President Nakamura's trust in me remained firm.
"If that's the case, please listen carefully to what I'm about to say. And don't misunderstand."
"All right. Say what you want to say."
"As soon as Japan collapses, its banknotes will become worthless."
"Of course."
"And the amount is too large to carry away. Gold bars are also incredibly heavy. In a situation like that…"
As my voice trailed off, President Nakamura leaned forward, listening even more intently.
Right now, I must only offer advice that benefits him.
"I recommend diamonds."
Diamonds weren't easy to acquire, but they had the highest value relative to their size.
"If diamonds are difficult to obtain, buy other gemstones—any kind will do."
I wasn't joking.
"Jewels…?"
"You need to reduce volume and weight. If you want to bring your assets back to Japan, this is the best way."
President Nakamura slowly nodded.
"But… you know."
"Yes, sir."
"It's hard to throw everything away. I don't know about other Japanese people, but the businesses I built here in Joseon—these are my life."
He had come to Joseon when he was young. He had lived here ever since.
"To me, Gyeongseong is like a second hometown."
That was the heart of a true businessman—a man who sees his company as an extension of himself.
"No parent sells their own child," I said gently. "And you raised these businesses like your own."
He nodded quietly.
"I… need to think about it more."
"Yes, sir."
"It's always you, isn't it? Hahaha!"
"You are my eternal benefactor and master."
I meant every word.
At first, I thought about betraying him after liberation.But betraying a man like this would not be human.
Our relationship wasn't built on simple profit—it was built on trust.
"I feel reassured knowing your sincerity," he said.
For a brief moment, his expression hardened with determination.
'…What is he planning?'
I knew him well.Whenever he made a major decision, he touched his right ear.
He was doing it now.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Very well. But tell me—have you ever thought of becoming independent from me?"
The question caught me off guard.
He wasn't asking as a master concerned about losing his servant.He was asking like someone trying to prepare me for a future without him.
If I answered "yes," he might even give me a store or two.
"Independence…?"
I was genuinely shocked.
"I wonder if you no longer want to live in my shadow," he said.
"I think your abilities are too great to keep you confined. And I… will have to leave someday."
Someday, I would have to stand on my own.Just as Joseon would someday become independent.
If I wanted to inherit everything from him, there were only two paths:
▪ be adopted and take his surname▪ or marry Miss Rie and enter the family
Otherwise, true inheritance was impossible.
And the time for independence had not yet come.
Much of my credibility came from President Nakamura's name.
"But I am Korean," I said calmly. "I can only use my abilities under my master's protection."
No matter how capable a Korean was, under Japanese rule he would always be ignored, always discriminated against.
And without Nakamura's shadow, the moment I showed talent, high-ranking police officers would begin spying on me.
"That's the world," he said with a bitter smile.
It was the harsh reality of colonial Korea.
"Very well. Let's speak of independence later."
"Yes, sir."
I bowed and turned away.
'His gaze has changed.'
I could feel it—his eyes were warming toward me, moving in a direction advantageous to my future.
'When I gain his full trust, I'll lower myself even further.'
Only then can our trust grow deeper.
'Perhaps he now sees me as an adoptive son…'
The thought was dangerous.
President Nakamura had no relatives.Only Miss Rie remained.
'No. Don't be greedy.'
Some things can never be mine.
Because I am Korean.
In front of the Main Gate of Myeongwolgwan
December 25, 1943
The winter of 1943 was colder than usual.
"Please… I'm asking you."
Oh Deok-su of the Korean Liberation Army stood before the gate of the gisaeng house, Myeongwolgwan, speaking quietly to a gisaeng cradling a gayageum.
Two young men stood behind him, restless, watching the surroundings carefully.
"Are you feeling all right?" the gisaeng asked softly, studying his face.
"There's nothing serious."
"I'm afraid you might get hurt again."
"I'm fine."
He looked around once more.
"I know it's dangerous, but I must plant my men here…"
"Look at me when you speak. Look at my face."
"…Ah. Sorry. I forgot again."
He lifted his gaze toward her.
"Yes, I'll be careful."
He nodded at the gisaeng, then turned to the two men behind him.
"Remember your mission here."
"Yes, Comrade Oh."
"If you need to report something urgent, come to Mapo Tavern."
"Understood."
"Until the day of liberation."
Leaving only that, Oh Deok-su slipped away into the darkness.
The gisaeng watched his disappearing figure quietly, with a sadness that clung to her expression.
"What should we do now?" one of the young men asked.
"Stay here. Do your job. Blend in."
"Yes, ma'am."
And just like that, Kim Won-mong's secret network of the Korean Liberation Army began infiltrating Myeongwolgwan.
Rie's Room
The door burst open.
"Miss, it seems Manager Kang is about to leave," Samsoon said as she stepped in.
"Is that so?"
"You should at least look at him once."
"I don't need to."
"You want to, don't you?"
"When I close my eyes, I can see his face. I can remember it clearly."
Rie smiled faintly.
"You're lovesick, miss! What will you do if your father finds out? He's trying to marry you into a noble family—"
"Let's not talk about that."
"…I apologize."
Rie had quietly fallen for the young Korean man named Kang Cheol.
"Come to think of it," Samsoon said, "Manager Kang has become quite successful. He looked like a beggar when he first came here. It's all thanks to you, miss."
"It's not me. It's his own effort."
"You're smiling again, miss! Truly lovesick."
"I know…"
"But I hear Manager Kang receives many marriage offers."
"Really…?"
"Yes. He's a bit young, but certainly old enough to marry."
Rie fell silent, lost in thought.
Courage…
She remembered the moment Kang Cheol risked his life to protect her.
'You risked everything for me…'
Then she began writing on a piece of letter paper.
"What are you writing so intently?" Samsoon asked.
"My feelings."
"Oh, miss! What do you plan to do with that?"
"If Father finds out—"
"If I do nothing, I'll regret it. Please give this to Manager Kang."
"Miss…"
"Please."
Samsoon reluctantly accepted the letter.
"And tell him… that it's from me."
"If I do this, the master will whip me for sure."
"My father is a man who wouldn't even strike someone with a flower."
"That's what you say, miss."
"…Has Father ever struck you?"
"Yes, he has."
"What? Really?"
Rie's eyes widened.
"…I'm sorry."
"It's all right. Somehow… it helped me."
"What does that mean?"
"When I first came, he scolded me, telling me to learn Korean. I didn't know why back then. But now I do."
Samsoon had learned reading and writing from Kang Cheol—both Korean and Japanese.Education changes people.
Once you start learning, you start thinking.And those in power hate people who think.
That's why, throughout every era, oppressive rulers try to keep their people ignorant—turning them into pigs and dogs.
That is how nations fall, just as Joseon fell under Japan.
"I understand," Rie said softly.
"My master is kind to me," Samsoon replied.
"Please give him the letter."
"Yes, miss."
Samsoon left, and Rie bit her lower lip.
'I love you.'
In the end, women fall for capable, handsome men.
And Kang Cheol was both.