437 - The Outcast Writer of a Martial Arts Visual Novel

EP.437 Declaration - 1 "Ha Yeon unni, I believed youuu..." Je Gal Hyang clutched her head in agony. The plan was to make Im Ha Yeon into Mu Yeong Sin Tu. The three of them worked together as one for several months and succeeded, propelling Im Ha Yeon beyond everyone's expectations to become the leader of the Hao Mun. Once everything was finally over, Je Gal Hyang internally held hopes. I will help you. We promised one another. Since I'd been supporting Ha Yeon unni all along, now it should be my turn. With Ha Yeon unni's assistance, I could get closer to Kang Gong Ja Nim. However. "Where does she think she can disappear to just because the problem's solved?" I believed you. I believed in Ha Yeon unni! Je Gal Hyang tapped her desk in frustration, her small vexation spilling over. Alright. After this task is done, I won't say a word if Je Gal So Je monopolizes the time for a while. "What kind of monopoly is it when Kang Gong Ja Nim is out all day, and I'm stuck doing nothing but work at homeee?" A monopoly was a monopoly. After all, she was cramming all the tasks Im Ha Yeon used to handle. "Grr. I should have read the contract more closely." The elders in the family hadn't advised multiple readings of contracts and consulting them for nothing. Je Gal Hyang rested her chin on the desk, reminiscing about the departed Im Ha Yeon. 'I understand Ha Yeon unni's circumstances, but it doesn't lessen the disappointment.' Je Gal Hyang was not bitter about the events of the past few months. Ha Yeon unni hadn't intentionally tried to hog the limelight. She did consider me a lot. When I'd make it obvious near Kang Gong Ja Nim, she'd ensure he noticed, and she never failed to include me in anything happening. Sometimes, she'd even deliberately arrange for us to be alone together. But still, a disappointment was a disappointment. Je Gal Hyang sighed softly. "I want to spend time with Kang Gong Ja Nim just like Ha Yeon unniiii." There's so much work. Sometimes, Kang Gong Ja Nim doesn't even come home. At this rate, I'll end up marrying work. Je Gal Hyang closed her eyes and imagined herself clumsily suggesting something to the busy Kang Yoon Ho. Kang Gong Ja Nim. How about we go out together today? Uh? Oh... Sure, I suppose. A response neither a rejection nor an acceptance, accompanied by a vague expression. If Kang Gong Ja Nim reacted to her in such a way. "No, my heart would shatterrr!" Even imagining it constricted her chest. Je Gal Hyang brought her hands to her chest in emotional pain. "Things were better not long ago." Though there was a rival, the feeling of working tightly towards one goal was nice. The goal being something like theft was a minor issue, really. Working with the three of them together in the office, when it fell silent, either Ha Yeon unni's gaze was fixed on Kang Gong Ja Nim, or her own somehow found its way to him. Whenever Kang Gong Ja Nim noticed the odd atmosphere and looked up, they'd make eye contact and smile at one another. The flustered, blushing return to work was novel and thrilling for Je Gal Hyang. Now she sat alone in the office. Trapped amidst a pile of documents, that is. "As Ha Yeon unni said, this is a chance to monopolize him, buttt..." Now, only Kang Yoon Ho and Je Gal Hyang lived in the estate. There were no more distractions. It was undeniably a great opportunity for their relationship to progress. Yet, there was a significant problem. "I'm still the sameee." How can she approach Kang Gong Ja Nim when she hasn't changed much herself? Je Gal Hyang sighed in frustration and picked up her brush again. Morning. Afternoon. Evening. Even after finishing the day's work, she couldn't catch a glimpse of Kang Yoon Ho. "Je Gal So Je! Did you sleep well?" The next day. Kang Yoon Ho, who returned home around midnight, greeted Je Gal Hyang with a lively face. "Yes, I did." In the end, she hadn't even managed to have one single meal with Kang Gong Ja Nim yesterday. Je Gal Hyang replied in a dispirited voice. "Are you feeling unwell?" "N-No, Kang Gong Ja Nim. Here are the documents." She mustn't give the impression of being a bothersome woman. Je Gal Hyang hastily shook her head and handed the completed documents to Kang Yoon Ho. "Hmm..." However, Kang Yoon Ho didn't take them and remained silent. "Kang Gong Ja Nim?" What could be the matter? Is something wrong? Je Gal Hyang looked up at him with a puzzled expression, and much to her surprise, he spoke unexpected words. "Je Gal So Je. Let's go out together today." Wearing an irresistibly charming smile that made it impossible for Je Gal Hyang to refuse. ** "Je Gal So Je. We're here." "Da Seo Gak? Is there a problem with Da Seo Gak?" As soon as Je Gal So Je got off the carriage, she looked at me with a confused expression, wondering if there was an issue related to her responsibilities as the owner of Da Seo Gak. Actually, it was for a different reason. 'I haven't paid enough attention to Je Gal So Je.' I wasn't clueless enough not to understand why Je Gal So Je seemed so downhearted. Busy as I might be dealing with tasks piled up like vacation homework, I should still look out for Je Gal So Je. 'I mustn't take her kindness for granted.' Je Gal So Je isn't my subordinate. She is my arranged match and currently my housemate, only helping out. Taking her kindness for granted is a mistake I shouldn't make. Her personality would lead her to let her grievances accumulate quietly, not speaking to anyone about it until she breaks down. How can I rejuvenate Je Gal So Je's spirit? 'I'll host a little event for Je Gal So Je.' I had already thought of a way. "Ah! Manager Kang, you're here! Hello!" As we entered Da Seo Gak, Ha So So greeted us warmly. Other employees, who were previously distanced, subtly began approaching, surprised by my sudden appearance. "So So, tell everyone to just continue with their work." "Yes! Hehe! I'll get back to work!" It's always nice to see Ha So So's cheerful enthusiasm in her work. I led Je Gal So Je to the second floor of Da Seo Gak. "Kang Gong Ja Nim. Why are we here at Da Seo Gak?" "I'm here to have fun with you, Je Gal So Je." "Here at Da Seo Gak?" "Please, head towards the display area." With a smiling face, like a grand hotel doorman, I swung open the counter side door and gestured with my hand towards a chair in the corner. I have something prepared. Please, take a seat. "What?! Playing around here means...?!" Je Gal So Je, instead of stepping inside the counter, alternated her gaze between me and the counter in utter surprise. "Hmm?" What seemed strange? Suddenly, Je Gal So Je's face turned pale. "I-I recall hearing that cheerful men and women can flirt while working together. A snippet of youth that makes one happy just to watch! Is that what you mean?" "Ah. Well that..." Is she referring to the scene where attractive young couples, working part-time at cafes, flirt with each other? I have indeed witnessed such things occasionally. It's wonderful in that phase of life. Every time I applied for such jobs, they just made me work invisible in the kitchen. Jealous much. It was peaceful. I must leave. This place will be on the blacklist. No doubt. If there's nothing to do, they'll create dazzling youthful scenes. Unacceptable. You all deserve the punishment of the extra complex S'more Cuank Coffee Set for needing over five times the effort. "I'm sorry. I'll go back and work harder...I won't spend idle time drawing in the room. I'll work morning to night tomorrow. Just, please, anything but the counter..." At the mere thought of having to take orders at the counter, Je Gal So Je must've triggered a trauma switch, as her eyes lost focus. "Haha. You won't have to take orders or make food. Come sit next to me." Honestly, I don't want to work either. "Pardon?" "Come, have a seat. So So, as we discussed, please." "Yes! Manager!" To coax bewildered Je Gal So Je, I prepared a seat for her in the furthest corner and sat right next to it. "But why sit here..." Je Gal So Je sat awkwardly in the counter's corner and asked me. "Shh. Quiet. Just listen." "Pardon?" How could I lift Je Gal So Je's spirits? Simply stating sorry or thank you wouldn’t provide much comfort. 'I need to show Je Gal So Je something that'll give her a sense of fulfillment.' As if I were a spy involved in clandestine listening, I lowered my head and smiled warmly at Je Gal So Je. Soon, the small event I planned for her would unfold. "Finally, the work of Ho Pil is hung up this month!" "I've been waiting for this!" "Huh?" Je Gal So Je turned her head in surprise towards the voices. Today was the day a new painting by Je Gal So Je would hang in a corner of Da Seo Gak. "Look at that painting. It's overwhelming." "You can feel the resolve of Danjeong. The resolve that one can't reach the lady without crossing his body!" "What?! This month features Cheonghong, Ihwa all on one frame!" "You can feel the jealousy towards each other and the love for Danjeong, almost as if it was drawn from real life." It was indeed a day to witness the burst of reactions all at once. "This?! Is this a painting of Mu Yeong Sin Tu walking on water! Wow! It's amazing how vivid it is." "Hehe." Je Gal So Je’s lips curved upwards. Isn’t the greatest joy for a creator when people show appreciation for their work? Regardless of the hardships endured, one can’t help but take notice of positive reactions. In a world without internet or comments, there weren't many ways to hear and see people's reactions. 'As Je Gal So Je avoids crowded places, inside the counter is the perfect spot.' Just like reading all the comments while pretending to not reply to each one, having her listen in stealth was the best solution. "Who is the painter creating such works? I've never seen such a painter before." "Where did Ho Pil find such a painter! Simply amazing!" "Hehe. It's not all that..." "It surely is." "K-Kang Gong Ja Nim?!" Did she momentarily forget I was beside her? Je Gal So Je, who had been smiling widely without control of her expression, turned to me with a blushing face when I spoke. "People wait eagerly every month for Je Gal So Je's paintings. On the days her art gets displayed, the place buzzes from dawn." It was a moment to commend her efforts. I looked at Je Gal So Je with a sincere expression. "Well, it's because it's for Ho Pil's work." Je Gal So Je's confidence seemed to wane as she dropped her shoulders. "While they wait for Ho Pil's story, without your artwork, the crowds wouldn’t be this large." "Really?" "Just listen. It's nothing but praise everywhere." I pointed towards the crowd gathering in front of the scroll to the skeptical Je Gal So Je. Peeking out, Je Gal So Je avidly looked at the scene, overwhelmed by the constant stream of compliments. It was certainly a moment of happiness when compliments filled the air. "K-K-Kang Gong Ja Nim?!" I knelt on one knee and met the eyes of the startled Je Gal So Je. Our eyes met. In her flushed eyes, I was reflected fully. "Je Gal So Je." I called her name softly. "..." Je Gal So Je's eyes trembled. "Thank you, always. No amount of words can convey how grateful I am." "A-Ah?! Yes! Yes, yes!" Je Gal So Je's head bobbed up and down vigorously like a motor experiencing an overcurrent. "Shall we get going then?" It was time to move on to the next agenda. "Can’t we stay just a little longer?" Je Gal So Je looked longingly at the scroll. I understood her joy from people's reactions, but it was important not to become too absorbed or overly concerned. Was there a way to get Je Gal So Je to rise up? Yes. "Here." "Eek!" Je Gal So Je looked at my extended hand in surprise. "I’ll treat you to lunch today." Which would she choose? My hand or the crowd’s reaction. "Hehe. Yes." With little deliberation, Je Gal So Je clasped my hand tightly. "Uuuu. Manager Kang, I'm going to tell Ha Yeon unni that you were slacking off at Da Seo Gak." Give me a break, So So. ** A place situated a step away from all the chaos of the infinite. If money is said to be the root of all problems, then this mansion is positioned in the eye of the storm, the calmest part above the hurricane of wealth. The owner of the mansion, Mang Geum Jeon Ju, poured water over the orchids in their pots and began to speak. "Kang Yoon Ho. How is the boy doing these days?" "The troubles surrounding Kang Gong Ja seem to be settling down." With his head bowed, the chief steward of Mang Geum Jeon began briefly reporting on the recent affairs of Kang Yoon Ho. "And how is it going with my granddaughter?" "From what I gathered from those keeping watch at Da Seo Gak, they say just today, they held hands and went out for a meal together." "Heh." Kang Yoon Ho holding hands with his granddaughter. There’s no one who wouldn't grasp the significance of hand-holding between a man and a woman. Mang Geum Jeon Ju stroked his beard with a slight smile on his face. The orchids in the pots were bursting with fresh vitality. It seemed only suitable to transplant them into the garden. Mang Geum Jeon Ju nodded in satisfaction. "Then it is time to have a conversation with Kang Yoon Ho, that boy."