When Your Pain Becomes Mine

"Look! I told you he'd come, right?"

Ari looked at Sun and shouted.

"I think he's being forced to come to dinner out of obligation."

Sun still stated, a little worried.

"Don't worry. Why are you worried about a man coming out to dinner. Anyway, I'm glad that you finished the new concept before the deadline."

Sun nodded slowly at Ari's words.

The W. Department Store was the only solution for them. However, they felt much more confident than ever before because of the widespread appeal they expected that this concept would create.

"Now, stop chatting and get back to work. Let's make the plan better and clearer."

"Get on it!"

Sun and Ari answered Eunyoung's words. The mood in the office had not felt this bright in a long time. ***

A Brunch café near Dukso.

The view of the river from the windows was picturesque.

"Hmm."

Gyeonhui put down his fork and barely touched the food.

"Isn't it tasty? The chef here is really famous."

She began eating a salad on her plate.

"It's delicious."

She smiled and put a bite of salad in her mouth. Gyeonhui grimaced and pushed the entire plate before her.

"Thank you."

She started eating the salad as if it were hers.

"... What are we doing now?"

"What?"

"What does this mean. Us. Doing this."

Chaekyeong started talking with a smile like a child when he was displeased by her.

"It's a date for me, but it's a business meeting for you."

He scowled.

"I told you if you go on a date with me ten times, I'll find the CEO of DNBM. Well, the salad is really fresh."

"... Are you sure?"

"Salad? Or CEO?"

He looked at her as if he was too bothered to even answer.

"You're not funny. Don't worry. Just focus on our date, okay?"

She asked with a childlike smile.

"Hah. Eat fast. I have to go."

He spat out his words and moved his gaze out of the window.

Chaekyeong also followed his gaze and looked out of the window filled with spring sunlight.

"... It's good. It really is."

He didn't answer.

She smiled and ate much slower than she had been. She lingered on by eating a few bits and pieces to stay with him longer.

***

In the evening, the restaurant was full of customers, even at the outdoor tables.

Ari looked at Eunwoo, who was grilling the pork belly bit and the lettuce.

"... He's handsome."

Sun could hear Ari whispering over the sound of the sizzling pork.

Although Sun noticed and stopped Ari, Ari's eyes turned naturally to Eunwoo's face.

"I think it's well cooked now."

Eunwoo was grilling the meat while speaking affectionately.

"I was curious about what kind of people Sun was working with. It's so nice to meet you all like this."

"We're glad that you're here. Hehe."

Ari responded with an excessive smile.

"I've heard that you helped Sun on the new concept that she was working on. I really appreciate you as the president of this company."

Eunyoung said, offering him a drink.

"No, all I did was just listen to Sun talking about what she had in mind. All the food looks great."

Eunwoo received a drink with a warm smile on his face.

"Now, let's eat."

When Eunwoo put the well-cooked meat in front of the people, Ari whispered to Sun.

"... Did you say he is a veterinary doctor?"

"Shut up."

Sun scolded Ari for having a louder voice than she thought.

"Hey, I think you've found your love. I can see that he likes you."

"No, it's not like that."

"Just admit it. I can see it by just looking at him."

Ari looked at Eunwoo with a confident gaze.

"Oh, so you're Labong."

Ari stroked Labong.

"I thought this puppy was the new man that Sun was seeing."

"Hey."

"Hahaha. That's possible."

When Eunwoo smiled coolly, the atmosphere became more congenial.

"But why is his name Labong? Is it French?"

"Well..."

Eunwoo paused for a moment and looked at Sun in the eyes.

Both of them knew the origin of the name Labong, laughed out loud.

"What is it? What's up? Why are you two only laughing?"

Ari pouted as if she were jealous.

The three people saw her doing it and burst into laughter again. There was a constant smile throughout the dinner.

Suddenly, Sun looked at Eunyoung, Ari, and Eunwoo. She felt warm in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

They remained happy for a long time.

***

He was tired of checking papers in his office until late, and he pressed his eyebrows downward.

He suddenly remembered a conversation with Mrs. Shin.

'I hope the DNBM acquisition gets finalized soon before the shareholders' complaints grow.'

He clenched his teeth while he was thinking about Mrs. Shin's words.

'I'll get it done...'

He held his pen in his hand as if he did not forget his determination.

"… Is there anything you need?"

Ojae asked Gyeonhui.

"... No."

He answered with a sinking voice and focused on the papers again. Suddenly, something seemed to come to mind while staring at Ojae.

"Well, what did W. decide to do?"

"Oh, that's... I think they've decided not to do business with Kidz Fan."

"What a simple-minded man."

He smiled with satisfaction as he recalled Chunduk.

"Then, I'll go ahead with the plan."

On Ojae's words, Gyeonhui nodded instead of answering.

He rose from his seat slowly, seemingly tired, and left the president's room. As he walked around the corner and down the hallway while he stretched his firm shoulders, he noticed a vacant office. After pausing for a moment, he looked at the empty room.

"... I'll see you often."

He nodded with an awkward smile.

***

The next afternoon at the Kids Fan office.

Sun and Ari finished their preparation for the meeting while waiting for Eunyoung,

"Why is she so late? She's never late for any appointments."

Ari checked the time and asked.

"Well…"

Sun had not contacted her and only looked at the doorway, seemingly worried. Feeling the ominous presentiment, Sun held the doc.u.ments tighter in her hands.

Then the door opened, and Eunyoung, who looked exhausted, entered.

"Why are you coming in now? What time is the meeting?"

After seeing Eunyoung, Ari asked like a quick-firing gun

"... Meeting…"

Eun-young plunked down on a chair and sighed, but she didn't answer.

"What is it? Why the powerless tone?"

Ari looked while wondering as she asked.

"Hah…"

Eunyoung, breathing a long sigh as she slowly started speaking.

"... It's already been decided."

"Decided? What?"

Ari asked.

"They have already chosen another company to enter their building, so we don't have a chance anymore."

Eunyoung buried her face on her desk, frustrated.

"Why, suddenly, why? They said at the meeting that they'll definitely see us again."

Ari looked at Sun, fumbling as if she couldn't believe it. In shock, Sun dropped the plan she was holding.

Her pictures were scattered on the floor of the office.

'Knock, Knock.'

"Hello."

At that moment, with the sound of knocking, he entered the office after greeting them.

"What's going on here? You all look like you're at a funeral."

Ojae jokingly uttered, but the atmosphere became even colder.

"I don't feel like dealing with you right now, so just leave us alone."

Ari barely contained her anger and said.

"I have to talk with you all."

"Hah… then finish it fast."

"Hmm. Wait a minute. Miss Hwang, Sun, and you over there. We've got all three hither. Here I go."

Ojae paused for a moment and slowly started speaking.

"We'd like to bring the Kids Fan products to Consencio."

"Sorry?"

Ari seemed surprised upon hearing Ojae's words.

"That's exactly what I said. We want you to enter our building at Consencio with the Kids Fan products."

"What the... "

Eunyoung and Ari didn't know what was going on and looked at each other.

"There are conditions, though. Kids Fans has to move into Consencio's headquarters."

The three looked at each other in amazement.

"We're not going to charge any rent, so you don't need to worry about that."

Ojae spoke in a solemn tone as if it were him who was giving the benefit to them.

An immediate notification from Mr. Song, and a proposal for entering Consencio.

Sun was listening to everything quietly but felt all the pieces of the puzzle did not match up.

"... Was this his idea?"

"Sorry?"

Ojae asked.

Even without answering, Sun was confident.

"...Eunyoung, I'll be back soon."

Sun rose from her seat with a serious face.

"Hey, Sun!"

Eunyoung called her hurriedly, but she had already run out of office.