K-Producer C28 New friends

Byul-ho leaned back slightly, his eyes still fixed on Min-ji. "I have to say, I'm quite surprised by your confession. It's completely unexpected, given how our interactions have been so far."

Min-ji's smile wavered, and she quickly tried to offer a reason for her sudden openness. "Well, I just thought it was time to clear the air between us. Our business relationship was becoming... complicated."

However, her explanation felt hollow, and Byul-ho could sense there was more to it.

In truth, Min-ji was grappling with a whirlwind of unexpected emotions. She had felt a surge of discomfort and anxiety when Byul-ho so readily agreed to sell his shares. Moreover, the realization that Byul-ho had been aware of her manipulation attempts all along, yet still treated her with kindness, had stirred something unfamiliar within her.

Byul-ho simply nodded, acknowledging her words while clearly seeing through them.

He understood that Min-ji's confession was likely spontaneous, born out of a mix of emotions she herself hadn't fully processed yet. The fact that she had opened up at all, even in this limited way, was significant given her usual reserved nature.

"I see," Byul-ho said softly, deciding not to push her further. He could tell that Min-ji was still hiding her true feelings. "Thank you for being honest with me, even if it wasn't easy."

Min-ji smiled and nodded, "Is it okay if we remain friends?"

Byul-ho returned the smile, "Of course. Just don't go developing feelings for me."

Min-ji snorted, looking at him pointedly. "Don't worry. I'll never fall for someone like you."

Byul-ho maintained his smile, but inwardly he wondered, 'Am I that unattractive?' He knew his face was at least above average, even without plastic surgery. Shaking off the thought, he steered the conversation back to the main topic - the shares.

Min-ji's demeanor instantly changed, her posture straightening as she shifted into business mode. Byul-ho wasn't surprised by this transformation.

"Let's discuss the shares," Byul-ho began. He quoted a price significantly higher than Starlight Entertainment's current market value.

Min-ji's eyes widened slightly. "That's quite steep, Byul-ho-ssi. The market price is much lower."

"True," Byul-ho nodded, "But considering the amount of shares and the control they could provide, I believe it's a fair price."

Min-ji tried to negotiate, her business acumen coming to the fore. "Perhaps we could meet somewhere in the middle? Your asking price is really pushing our budget."

Byul-ho remained firm. "I understand, but I've considered this carefully. The price reflects the true value of these shares, especially given the potential they hold."

As their negotiation continued, Min-ji found herself increasingly frustrated. She had initially thought Byul-ho would be inexperienced in such matters, an easy target for her negotiation skills. However, it was becoming clear that he knew exactly what his shares were worth.

"Byul-ho-ssi, surely there's some room for flexibility here," Min-ji tried once more, her voice carrying a hint of desperation.

Byul-ho shook his head, his expression sympathetic but resolute. "I'm sorry, Min-ji-ssi, but this is my final offer. These shares represent more than just money to me. They're a part of my father's legacy, and I need to ensure they're valued appropriately."

Min-ji sat back, feeling a mix of frustration and grudging respect. She had severely underestimated Byul-ho's business acumen, and now found herself at a crossroads. The price was high, but the potential control these shares offered was indeed tempting.

As their negotiation continued, Min-ji let out a sigh, a hint of humor in her voice. "Perhaps I should just continue manipulating you. Maybe then you'd give me the shares at a lower price, or even for free."

Byul-ho laughed softly, shaking his head. "I'm afraid that won't happen."

Min-ji smiled in return, her expression a mix of resignation and respect. "Well, I'll need to discuss this with my family before making a final decision."

Byul-ho nodded understandingly. "Of course. Take the time you need."

He stood up, and Min-ji followed suit. Byul-ho extended his hand for a handshake, which Min-ji accepted. "Just call me when your family has made a decision," he said.

Min-ji nodded, and with that, Byul-ho turned to leave. As she watched him walk away, a small smile played on her lips.

Her driver, a middle-aged burly man who had been keeping a discreet watch nearby, approached her. "It's rare to see you smile so much, Miss Min-ji," he observed. "Do you like that young man?"

Min-ji's smile softened, and she shook her head. "No, I don't like him in that way. He's just... a character I find pleasant."

The driver scratched the back of his head, clearly not quite understanding but not wanting to pry further.

"Shall we head home now?" Min-ji asked, her voice returning to its usual composed tone.

The driver nodded, "Of course, Miss Min-ji."

***

The next day, Byul-ho arrived at school as usual. His interactions with Min-ji had taken on a new, more genuine quality following their conversation the previous night. A new addition to their small circle was Seul-gi, Min-ji's friend, who had developed a keen interest in Ascend.

During lunch break, the three of them sat together in the canteen. As they chatted, Seul-gi suddenly posed a question to Byul-ho.

"Why do you keep coming to school, Byul-ho? Wouldn't it be better to focus on your company and Ascend full-time?"

Min-ji also turned to Byul-ho, her eyes reflecting similar curiosity.

Byul-ho smiled, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. "Believe me, if it were possible, I would. Unfortunately, I need a valid reason to postpone my military service."

"Ah, the 병역 (byeongyeok)," Seul-gi nodded, understanding dawning on her face.

"Exactly," Byul-ho continued. "I'm using education as my reason for delay. Aiming for a master's degree gives me more time to focus on the company and Ascend before I have to enlist."

Seul-gi's eyes widened slightly. "I almost forgot about that! It must be challenging to balance everything."

Byul-ho's smile turned a bit wry. "It is. If I had the choice, I'd dedicate all my time to the company and the group. But for now, this is the best strategy."

Min-ji, who had been listening intently, spoke up. "That's quite clever, actually. You're using the system to your advantage while still fulfilling your obligations."

Byul-ho nodded appreciatively at Min-ji's observation, smiling. "Hehe, it's all about finding the right balance and making the most of the time I have."

Seul-gi leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what will Ascend perform next? Which song? I bought your EP, you know. Will it be 'Your Dream' or 'Our All'? Since you've already performed 'Ascension' in the audition and 'Precious' in the live show."

Byul-ho's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "I'm afraid that's a secret. You'll have to wait for the live show to find out."

Seul-gi pouted playfully. "Aw, come on! That means I have to wait a whole week!"

Byul-ho chuckled, appreciating her enthusiasm. He knew that the popularity of "Korea's Rising Stars" meant a longer wait between performances. With dozens of contestants, it would take a week or more before the second round of competition. It gave Ascend more time to practice and perfect their performance, but it also meant maintaining public interest over a longer period.

Despite keeping the details under wraps, Byul-ho felt a warmth of appreciation for Seul-gi. Her genuine interest in Ascend, demonstrated by her purchase of their EP and her eagerness to know more, was exactly the kind of fan support they needed.