“Sorry. But don’t you think it would really suit the Leader?”
Yoon Jaemin, chastised by Lee Jak, still retorted. Lee Jak pondered for a moment, seemingly considering if this would really suit Jiwon.
“I don’t think it’s bad.”
Jiwon had less resistance than expected. After all, he was already acting as the Leader. Would it make much difference to add another layer of acting?
At Jiwon’s words, Yoon Jaemin’s face lit up. Excited, he started listing various settings he had thought of.
“How about this? The Leader, as an angel, is teased by fallen angels, and then the archangel Kim Seonghee appears to save you…”
Jiwon flinched. An unwanted memory surfaced. Noticing his reaction, Lee Jak stopped Yoon Jaemin.
“Let’s avoid settings with multiple people.”
“But it’s exciting. What a waste.”
Yoon Jaemin pouted but continued suggesting other ideas. Jiwon half-listened, tuning him out. Lee Jak kept correcting Yoon Jaemin as the conversation continued.
Life really flows in unexpected directions. Jiwon never imagined he’d end up listening to men discuss such things.
“Isn’t the concept of the Leader of <Land of Happiness> being cute?”
“That’s right. Because we want to cherish you.”
“Then I still think we should let the followers participate so they can experience a little of that cuteness. That will ultimately connect to their happiness.”
“But the Leader is resistant to being with multiple people.”
Lee Jak and Yoon Jaemin were still seriously debating. Jiwon still found it hard to agree with being called cute or cherished. It was embarrassing, and he regretted agreeing to participate in the planning.
“This part is important, so let’s discuss it again once the Leader has sorted out his thoughts.”
“Yes. Let’s do that.”
“…”
So I have to think about it… Jiwon regretted it a lot, not just a little. He decided to read the book Kim Seonghee had lent him. I’m supposed to do this with Kim Seonghee? Jiwon was horrified but read on. As he started reading, Lee Jak spoke up.
“Ah. Leader. There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Go ahead.”
“It happens occasionally… There are people who want to meet you personally.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Most want to receive happiness, but there’s someone who claims to know you personally.”
“…What?”
Jiwon was so shocked he almost dropped the book. Someone knew him?
“D, definitely mosaicked. No one should recognize me.”
“We did. But as I said, it happens occasionally. Many people lie. You can check if you really know them, and if you don’t want to meet them, you can refuse.”
“Ah…”
Jiwon felt a little relieved. He nodded, and Lee Jak showed him the list of people who had requested a meeting after a moment.
“Photos, names, and reasons. Take a look.”
As Lee Jak said, they were all strangers. Most wrote that they wanted to receive happiness by meeting the Leader. Jiwon’s startled heart began to calm down. But then—
“Uh…”
A familiar face appeared. The name was familiar too. Jiwon’s heart started pounding.
“Strange…”
He definitely knew this person. The prominent bone structure, deep features, and large build. The man who always looked at him with a strange gaze.
“Why is he…”
Unlike the others, who wrote lengthy reasons, this person had only one line:
[I want to hold an alumni meeting with the Leader.]
He was Park Cha-young, Jiwon’s junior from university.
The university Jiwon graduated from wasn’t a prestigious one, but it was known for its engineering department. Jiwon majored in electrical engineering there. Students rarely took leaves of absence, and strangely, many were very close-knit, so the senior-junior relationships were intimate.
Jiwon was, if he had to say, somewhere in the core group. He wasn’t the type to stand out, but he wasn’t the type to avoid or dislike people either. In fact, he got along well with everyone. Especially the seniors took good care of him. But sometimes, there were people who disliked him for no reason.
Park Cha-young was one of them. He often looked at Jiwon with cold eyes or made discriminatory remarks. Usually, Jiwon’s friends handled it without him needing to step in, but sometimes Park Cha-young directly said something to Jiwon.
So Jiwon disliked Park Cha-young, and whenever he tried to keep his distance, Park Cha-young would look at him with an even more displeased expression. Jiwon hated that look.
“You seem to know him.”
“Ah…”
Jiwon closed his mouth. Then he looked at Lee Jak. He needed his help.
“Weren’t you on bad terms?”
“Yes, somewhat.”
“Then it’s probably better not to meet him. Just say you don’t know him and refuse.”
“W, wait a minute.”
He hesitated. Regardless of whether he disliked Park Cha-young or thought he was awful, they had mutual acquaintances. The promotional video had mosaics on the face, but the distinctive body shape and voice could give him away.
Moreover, Park Cha-young wanted to hold an alumni meeting. The Park Cha-young Jiwon knew was the type to actually hold an alumni meeting and play the video, pointing out that it was Jiwon. And if the video spread further…?
Jiwon’s mind raced with countless scenarios, like a train speeding toward misery. The promotional video was already out, and the second one would be released soon. Things might spiral out of control. He had to make a decision now.
“I’ll meet him. I’ll meet this person.”
It was obvious why he wanted to meet. Jiwon had to stop Park Cha-young somehow.
“…Understood. I’ll clear my schedule the day after tomorrow, so I’ll go with you.”
“I’ll meet him alone.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“…What about Yoon Jaemin? Wouldn’t it be better to have him with you?”
“No. I prefer to be alone.”
This was personal. Jiwon didn’t want to share his private matters with the cult members. Lee Jak pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Understood. Then I’ll contact this person and set a date.”
“Yes. Please do.”
“I’ll have Yoon Jaemin adjust his schedule for the next medical checkup.”
Lee Jak and Yoon Jaemin left to arrange the meeting. Jiwon’s palms were damp with sweat.
***
The meeting with Park Cha-young was quickly arranged. Lee Jak suggested it would be better to meet before the additional promotional video was released, and Jiwon agreed.
The meeting place was the reception room next to the Leader’s room. Jiwon was told that Park Cha-young had arrived and was waiting in the reception room. Wearing the white Leader’s robe and a veil on his head, he headed to the reception room. Lee Jak was busy and couldn’t attend, but he had Yoon Jaemin wait outside the reception room just in case.
“Have a good meeting.”
Yoon Jaemin greeted Jiwon and opened the door for him. Jiwon entered the reception room.
Although it was called a reception room, there was nothing special inside. Just a stiff wooden chair and a low coffee table. And Park Cha-young was sitting on the chair. The door closed, and Jiwon walked toward the chair. He didn’t sit. He intended to end the conversation quickly and leave.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
