Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 18

18. Agent Kang Hyun-woo (2)

“Hmm. Is that so? That’s better than I expected.”

“Yes. After yesterday’s game, Oh Seok-hoon’s social media followers and search volume have increased more than twentyfold. And it’s still climbing.”

A faint smile touched Lim Ye-ji’s face as she flipped through the documents.

Kim Min-hwan continued his report.

“We’re also getting interview requests from a lot of media outlets. I’m planning to select a few and move forward.”

“That’s good. Please manage it carefully so it doesn’t affect his performance.”

“Yes, ma’am. And… Kang Hyun-woo has also received interview requests.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. Is it alright to proceed?”

Lim Ye-ji paused, considering, then nodded.

“Go ahead. Since he’s a former player, it should have a good promotional effect.”

Then she added a few words.

“From now on, game results are important, but it’s even more important to manage the players thoroughly so they don’t cause any problems.”

“Yes, I will warn them to avoid any trouble.”

“Please update and send me the follower counts and related articles every day. Also, if there are any significant issues, report them immediately.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Kim Min-hwan turned to leave the CEO’s office, but Lim Ye-ji’s voice stopped him.

“Ah, right. Team Leader Kim. Are you providing Hyun-woo with all the necessary support?”

“Y-yes, of course. I’m providing everything.”

“Has he made any special requests while working?”

“Um… there haven’t been any special requests yet.”

“Is that so? That’s impressive. He’s achieved this much in a short time without the company’s help?”

“Well, if you have to say it… Ah!”

Kim Min-hwan belatedly realized he had arranged the meeting between Kang Hyun-woo and Lee Jin-won and started to mention it, but the moment had passed.

“From now on, even if Hyun-woo doesn’t ask, Team Leader Kim should suggest things first. He’s getting results without the company’s help, so wouldn’t it be much better if we provided proper support? You know how important your role is at times like this, right?”

“Of course…”

Lim Ye-ji, hearing Kim Min-hwan’s answer, smiled with satisfaction and waved him away.

Kim Min-hwan, shoulders slumped, left the CEO’s office feeling powerless.

Lim Ye-ji, left alone, picked up the documents she had been reviewing again.

“Just as I expected?”

Lim Ye-ji gazed out the window, lost in thought.

* * *

“Oh, senior, you’re too kind. It’s just the beginning. Yes, thank you. I’ll work hard.”

As soon as he ended the long call, his phone rang again.

“Oh! Hey, In-gyu. Good to hear from you. How have you been?”

It was Jeong In-gyu, a high school classmate.

-I’m doing well, but I never thought I’d see my friend become an agent on TV.

“Sorry. I’ve been so busy for the past few weeks.”

-Still, you should have told me. Call me when you come down, let’s grab a meal.

“Okay, I’ll contact you during my vacation.”

After finishing the call with Jeong In-gyu, he could finally rest for a moment.

“Hoo… it never ends. It never ends.”

He felt completely drained. So he put his phone on silent.

“By the way, I think the meeting place was somewhere around here?”

He looked around, checking the signs of the stores.

“Hyun-woo, over here!”

Just ahead, someone was waving at him with a bright smile.

It was Lee Soo-min, wearing a neat white shirt and jeans.

He quickly walked towards her.

“Hello. Am I a bit late?”

“No, not at all. Thank you for coming. I was worried you might suddenly get busy and have to cancel.”

“I’m not that busy. And I definitely would have come even if I were. I promised.”

Lee Soo-min smiled shyly at his words.

“Thank you. Let’s go inside.”

“Yes.”

The cafe that Lee Soo-min had chosen was a quiet and simple space.

“What would you like to drink? It’s on me.”

“Ah. Thank you. Then I’ll have an iced Americano.”

“Okay. I’ll order it quickly.”

After a moment, Lee Soo-min returned after ordering.

“The coffee will be here soon. Would it be okay to start the interview now, since you’re probably busy?”

“Let’s do that.”

“Thank you. The photographer will be here around the end of the interview.”

Lee Soo-min took out a notebook and pen from her bag. Then she carefully began.

“Would it be okay if I record this? I’ll delete it as soon as I finish writing the article.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

When he answered readily, Lee Soo-min took out a recorder and placed it on the table. Then, she paused before pressing the record button and said.

“Actually, I’ve been so excited since last night.”

“Really? Why?”

“I can’t believe I’m interviewing a player I sincerely supported until recently.”

“Are you saying you supported me?”

“Of course. I was so happy when you said you were coming back after overcoming your injury.”

He was grateful, but also a little confused.

There were so many star players who were good-looking and great at baseball, why did she support him?

“Then I’m sorry. I should have shown you more of my playing in the first team.”

“No, you’re still great.”

He didn’t know what to say, so he just gave an awkward smile.

“But how did you suddenly decide to become an agent?”

Lee Soo-min asked, pressing the record button, as if the interview had finally begun.

“The influence of the coach who guided me during my college days was significant. Coach Yoo Seong-hwan is a benefactor I can never forget. After my head injury, I confided in him about my concerns, and I wanted to become someone like him.”

“I see. You decided to retire at a relatively young age. Did you have any regrets about not being able to play anymore after retiring?”

“Um… regrets?”

He paused to recall the memories of that time.

The events of the past few months flashed through his mind.

“To be honest, I’d be lying if I said I had no regrets. I worked really hard to try to keep playing until the very last moment.”

“Then how did you overcome that regret, or rather, that sense of frustration?”

“Rather than overcoming it, I think I just accepted and acknowledged reality as it was. Even if I thought about it myself, I didn’t seem to be competitive as a player anymore.”

“Then Kang Hyun-woo will be different as an agent, right?”

“Maybe?”

Throughout his answers, Lee Soo-min listened with a serious expression. Thanks to that, he was able to talk comfortably.

In the meantime, the employee brought the coffee they had ordered.

He took a sip of coffee and gave an awkward smile.

“Did I answer too seriously from the beginning?”

“No, I think fans will want to hear more of Hyun-woo’s stories like this.”

Then Lee Soo-min turned a page in her notebook and continued the questions.

“Here’s another question that can’t be left out. It’s the most talked about topic in the community since yesterday. What exactly did Hyun-woo do to make Oh Seok-hoon perform so well?”

“Ah… I also saw Seok-hoon’s interview yesterday. Actually, I didn’t do anything. I just created the environment that Seok-hoon needs right now. That’s all I did. The rest is all because Seok-hoon worked hard and produced those results.”

“You both say it’s thanks to each other.”

“I think I’m right.”

Lee Soo-min burst into laughter, and the corners of his mouth also turned up.

“Then what kind of agent do you want to become in the future?”

“Um… I want to become someone who gives strength to the players. When you’re exercising, there are many moments when you’re really struggling, both physically and mentally. I think I’d be happiest if I could become like an older brother [a trusted and supportive figure] who comes to mind first whenever that happens and who you can always go to and confide in your worries.”

That was also the reason why he wanted to become an agent. Imagining such a dreamlike moment, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

* * *

The next morning.

Lee Soo-min sent a message saying she had uploaded the interview.

-Now he is an agent, not a player! Oh Seok-hoon’s Super Agent Kang Hyun-woo

-I want to be an older brother who can always be a strength and rely on the players.

“What is this! I can’t stand to watch it.”

He almost dropped his phone when he saw the article she sent him.

Aside from the title and interview content, his picture, in which he was awkwardly crossing his arms and looking at the camera, was so embarrassing.

He was sure he had spent a long time thinking about which photo to choose from the ones they took that day.

His face flushed every time he saw his picture plastered so largely.

Weeing-

Then the phone rang.

“Hey, Seok-hoon.”

-Hyung [older brother/respected senior]. What is this picture? It’s so awkward. Hahaha-

Oh Seok-hoon’s hearty laughter could be heard over the phone.

Judging from the sound of another laughter next to him, Park Seong-joo seemed to be with him as well.

-Sunbae [senior/mentor]. You could have crossed your arms more naturally. You’re completely stiff.

“You guys? Hey. Stop looking at my picture and go train.”

-I’m laughing so hard that I can’t do anything.”

“Hoo… I’m glad you guys are happy.”

The sound of their laughter seemed to be getting louder than before.

He tried to move on to another topic as if nothing was wrong.

“I can’t go to the company today because I have work to do, so contact me anytime if you need anything.”

-We’re not kids, so don’t worry. We’ll be fine on our own.

“Okay. Good work.”

He hung up the phone and got out of the car.

It was the first time in a while that he was going to the office.

Kim Min-hwan had urged him to come no matter what.

He was heading to the office with mixed feelings.

“Sunbae-nim [senior]!”

Someone was approaching him.

“Oh, Jeong-hwan?”

“Sunbae-nim. How have you been?”

“Oh. I’ve been good.”

“I heard the news that you retired, but I learned the details from today’s article. I’m sorry. I should have visited you first and said hello.”

“Don’t worry about formalities. You’re busy because it’s the middle of the season.”

Perhaps because it had been a while since they had met, it felt a little awkward to talk to Choi Jeong-hwan.

The content he saw when he last met him was still floating above his head.

But the moment he shook hands with Choi Jeong-hwan, the contents began to update.

-He is suffering from guilt after hearing the news of Kang Hyun-woo’s retirement.

-He is wavering under the temptation of !@x$.