Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 452

One Day Before Opening

“Hoo!”

Hyunsung took a deep breath.

It was an attempt to calm himself, even if just a little. He was undeniably nervous, hence the deep breaths he was taking almost unconsciously.

Just then,

Knock knock.

Kim Ilsoo, who would be working alongside him, opened the office door and entered.

“Oh? What brings you here so late?”

“I saw the light on in the office, so I came to check. Why are you still here so late, boss?”

“Hey, let’s drop the formalities when it’s just us.”

“It’s become a habit now. Anyway, what are you doing here so late?”

“Just thinking about things…”

Kim Ilsoo nodded understandingly.

How could he not be nervous? He had been preparing for a whopping four years, and now the day to finally unveil his hard work was tomorrow. It would be strange if he wasn’t anxious.

When Hyunsung first suggested he become a chef in his second year of high school, he promised something: that he would work with him in his restaurant later.

He honestly hadn’t believed it back then.

But after graduating and a little over a year later, Hyunsung suddenly started buying land in the town. Even then, he hadn’t imagined he would open such a large restaurant.

But one day, construction began, and the building’s outline started to take shape. Only then did he realize that Hyunsung’s words were not empty promises but the truth.

And now, the culmination of those four years of preparation would finally be revealed tomorrow.

“Are you nervous?”

“It’s a bit… I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t, to be honest.”

He had no choice but to admit it.

Until a few days ago, he thought he was fine since all the preparations were complete. But as he thought about the opening tomorrow, he couldn’t help but feel nervous without even realizing it.

Kim Ilsoo nodded and continued.

“Well, of course, you would be. It’s not just a small snack bar, but opening such a big restaurant. It would be abnormal if you weren’t nervous. How about a light beer to ease your mind?”

“Beer? Sounds good.”

“Okay, a simple drink will help you relax. Wait, I’ll get it ready right away.”

Kim Ilsoo immediately retrieved a can of beer from the refrigerator. Then, he took out a dried squid, grilled it, and placed it on the table.

A smile spread across Hyunsung’s face as he watched, and he called out to Kim Ilsoo.

“Hey, Kim Ilsoo.”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“What would I have done without you?”

“You’re saying all sorts of things. I want to say the same thing. What would I have done without you? It feels like a dream that I’m in this position now.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Of course. If you weren’t here, I’d be struggling to make a living, let alone be a decent human being.”

Pfft.

Hyunsung couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at Kim Ilsoo.

It wasn’t that his words were entirely wrong. After graduating, Kim Ilsoo had followed his two-year senior, Choi Minyoung, and sold jade floor mats, essentially scamming his friends and school seniors.

It got to the point where the alumni association even issued a warning about the two of them, so further explanation was unnecessary.

Hyunsung smiled and continued.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re satisfied. So, in the end, we both benefited from each other?”

“Of course. In that sense, let’s have a toast.”

Kim Ilsoo held out a can of beer to Hyunsung.

Hyunsung clinked his can against his.

In his previous life, they were two people who would never see each other again after graduation. But this time, they were spending time together to relieve their nervousness the day before the opening. It made him realize how much our lives are shaped by our choices.

Putting down the can of beer, Hyunsung asked.

“Other areas are important, of course, but you know the first floor is the most crucial, right?”

Kim Ilsoo was in charge of the first-floor Korean restaurant. Since the first floor would be the busiest when they started *yeong-eop* [business operations], Hyunsung was raising the issue now.

Kim Ilsoo nodded and immediately responded.

“Of course, I know. Actually, that’s why I’m worried.”

“What are you worried about?”

“As you know, the hall is so big that if customers rush in at once, there will be at least a few hundred people. I wonder if I can handle that many people efficiently.”

“It may be a little overwhelming at first, but you’ll adapt quickly. And if you think there aren’t enough people in the kitchen or the hall, let me know anytime.”

“Okay, I got it…”

Kim Ilsoo’s voice sounded less confident than before.

Hyunsung immediately asked.

“Hey, why does your voice sound so uncharacteristically down?”

“To be honest, I’m scared right now. I’m trying not to be, but it’s a bit…”

Kim Ilsoo’s voice remained weak.

Of course, Hyunsung understood.

Since the hall was so large, if customers rushed in at once, there would be at least a few hundred people, and the waiting line would be considerable, putting immense pressure on him.

But it was a necessary step in his growth.

That would be an opportunity for Kim Ilsoo to mature. But Kim Ilsoo’s experience was still limited, leading to his low confidence.

Hyunsung called out to Kim Ilsoo.

“Hey, Kim Ilsoo.”

“Huh? Uh…”

“Who am I?”

“Huh? Well, of course, you’re the owner of this restaurant.”

“And what else?”

“And… what else? What are you talking about…?”

Kim Ilsoo tilted his head, seemingly clueless.

As if he had been waiting for this, Hyunsung immediately responded.

“You idiot, what else could it be? I’m your friend, right?”

“Oh? Oh… of course, that’s obvious.”

“Now, combine those two.”

“Combine them?”

“Yeah.”

“Um… you’re the owner here and my friend, so if I combine them… my friend is the owner here? Is that right?”

Kim Ilsoo looked at Hyunsung and answered, but he smiled awkwardly.

Snap!

Hyunsung snapped his thumb and middle finger to make a sound, and then immediately said,

“Okay, that’s it. Your friend is the owner here. Do you still not understand what I’m saying even after all this?”

“Huh? Well…”

“Why are you so slow today all of a sudden?”

“What are you trying to say? I honestly don’t know what you’re getting at. Stop beating around the bush and say it plainly.”

Kim Ilsoo still didn’t understand.

Gulp gulp.

Hyunsung took a few sips of beer as if frustrated, and then continued.

“No one is going to ignore you or disrespect you. Do you understand what I’m saying now?”

“So, you’re saying that because you’re my friend, no one will ignore me or disrespect me?”

“Yeah, you idiot. And is that all? What about the significance of you being in charge of the first floor? You’re already the face of this restaurant. How can you show such a lack of confidence?”

Hyunsung deliberately emphasized that he was the owner’s friend and the importance of the first floor to instill confidence in Kim Ilsoo.

He believed that confidence was the most crucial thing for the young Kim Ilsoo in this situation.

Was it effective?

A change began to appear on his face.

Confirming that, Hyunsung continued.

“You have to be the center. Do you understand what I’m saying now?”

“Me, the center?”

“Yeah, I don’t know what you think of yourself, but when other people look at you, they won’t just see you as an ordinary chef.”

“Um…”

Kim Ilsoo didn’t say anything, lost in thought.

He spoke again a little later.

“Do you really think the employees will see me that way?”

“Of course. Why do you think I had you sit next to me when I interviewed the employees in January?”

“Wasn’t that so that the people who would be working in the kitchen could get to know you?”

“Do you really think that was the only reason?”

“I thought so, but now you’re saying there was another purpose… Am I right?”

Of course, it had seemed strange from the beginning. He couldn’t understand why he needed to be there during the employee interviews.

But Hyunsung had insisted that he be in the interview room with him.

Then, Hyunsung said something unexpected.

“Vice President.”

“What?”

Kim Ilsoo couldn’t believe his ears. The reason was simple: Hyunsung had said something he had never even dreamed of.

“What did you just say?”

“I’ve been thinking about it from the beginning.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“It’s as it sounds. I’ve been considering you for the vice president position from the start.”

“What? Does that even make sense?”

Kim Ilsoo took a few sips of canned beer as if his throat was dry, and then continued.

“What did you say a little while ago? What’s this about a vice president, and what do you mean you’ve been thinking about it from the beginning?”

“It’s as I said. I’ve been planning to appoint you as vice president from the beginning. That’s why I had you sit next to me when I was interviewing employees.”

“…….”

Kim Ilsoo was speechless. What could he even say in this situation?

Vice President….

He wasn’t so naive that he didn’t understand the significance of that position. He felt it was crucial to understand the situation.

Hyunsung continued.

“As I said earlier, I was planning to appoint you as vice president from the beginning. That’s why I had you sit next to me when I was hiring employees.”

“…….”

“Of course, the timing isn’t right now, but I was going to decide while watching you adapt.”

“…….”

Kim Ilsoo couldn’t think of anything to say. He could only listen to Hyunsung.

Hyunsung spoke again.

“But I changed my mind a little while ago. The reason I changed my mind is…”

“Wait a minute!”

Kim Ilsoo raised his hand to interrupt Hyunsung. He realized he couldn’t remain silent any longer.

Vice President.

He knew what kind of position that was. He needed to understand the situation.

“Let me ask you one thing first.”

“Yeah, go ahead. What is it?”

“Why me of all people?”

“That’s what I always say. If you ask me to explain the reason again, the answer is simple: because it’s you!”

It would be a lie to say he hadn’t considered other options. But after much deliberation, Kim Ilsoo was still the best choice. He felt there was no one else he could trust and entrust the work to as much.

Kim Ilsoo asked again.

“Um… honestly, I don’t understand no matter how much I think about it, but I’m sorry, can you explain at least one reason why it has to be me?”

“Reason?”

“Yeah, of course, I’m not saying I’m not interested, but I don’t think this is right. I didn’t graduate from college, and my skills aren’t better than other people, but vice president? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I don’t focus on that.”

“What?”

Kim Ilsoo looked at Hyunsung directly.

Then, Hyunsung immediately responded.

“The person themselves.”

“The person themselves?”

“Yeah, college or skills are secondary. What I think is most important is what kind of person you are. To be more precise, what are you thinking?”

“What kind of thinking?”

“Yeah, if you know what kind of thoughts a person has, you can understand them. That’s the most important thing to me. That’s how I can trust you.”

“The conclusion is trust? Is that what you’re saying?”

Hyunsung nodded. College or skills are all the same. The important thing is whether you can truly trust that person and entrust all the work to them.

Kim Ilsoo spoke again.

“Honestly, I don’t know. In the end, you’re saying you trust me, but I wonder if I deserve that.”

“Do you remember?”

“Huh? What?”

“Last time at the groundbreaking ceremony, you gave up a month’s salary and took a taxi from Seoul to get here?”

“Of course, that’s…”

“No, nothing is obvious. You did that because your heart was in it. Isn’t that right?”

“Well, if I become vice president for that one reason, I think I’ll be too shameless.”

Kim Ilsoo shook his head. He didn’t think it made sense to become vice president for the reason Hyunsung was giving.

Then, Hyunsung’s voice was heard again.

“Why? Are you not convinced by that reason?”

“Honestly…”

“Then how about this?”

Hyunsung took something out of his wallet and held it out to Kim Ilsoo.

Kim Ilsoo could only nod slowly, speechless, as he looked at it.

He didn’t know what it was, but it was the moment Kim Ilsoo was confirmed as the vice president.