User: Translate the text i give you to english. they are chapters form korean novel
Assistant: Of course! Please provide the text you'd like me to translate, and I'll be happy to help you with the translation.
User: translate this novels to english: 제가 볼 때, 대표님은 절대 이렇게 무너지실 분이 아닙니다.

“듣기 좋은 얘기도 할 줄 아시는 분이었네요. 재판 준비하면서 맨날 안 된다, 어렵다, 소리만 하시더니.”

-제가 그런 재주가 있는 놈이었으면 잘나가는 로펌 때려치우고 나와서 혼자 이 고생을 하고 있진 않았을 겁니다.

“농담도 잘하셔.”

-저 정말 진심으로 하는 얘기입니다.

나는 눈을 지그시 감았다. 바람소리가 귓가를 스쳤다.

-대표님. 분명 다른 기회가 있으실 겁니다. 그러니까 부디 너무 낙담하지 마시고….

“…….”

휴대폰을 귀에서 떼어내자 김영준 변호사의 목소리가 아득히 멀게 느껴졌다.

-……표님, …님? 지금 대체 어디……!

흐릿하게 들려오는 목소리를 애써 무시했다. 새벽 공기를 폐부 가득 밀어 넣고는 두 눈을 번쩍 떴다.

「현무」

“하아.”

거대한 전광판에 애증 어린 그룹의 이름이 큼지막하게 새겨져있었다. 한때 내 인생 최고의 사업 파트너라 여겼고, 다음 순간 돌변해 내 모든 것을 앗아간 그 이름을 하염없이 바라보았다.

허리춤까지 오는 난간에 몸을 기댄 채 고갤 푹 숙였다. 까마득한 어둠이 시야를 가득 채우고, 아찔한 감각이 아래서부터 용솟음쳤다.

오싹, 등줄기를 타고 소름이 끼쳤다.

“다른 기회라….”

나는 김 변호사가 했던 말을 작게 중얼거려보았다.

“그런 게 있으면 좋겠네.”

허탈한 웃음을 터뜨린 뒤, 고갤 절레절레 내저었다.

이대로 삶의 끈을 놓고 싶은 마음도 굴뚝같지만, 아직 마무리해야 할 일들이 남아있었다.

“이대로 혼자 죽을 수는 없지.”

나는 작은 USB를 손에 꼭 쥐었다. 내가 현무와 함께 일할 때 수집해둔 여러 정보들이었다.

비밀유지서약을 작성한 터라 그동안 입 다물고 있었지만, 이렇게 궁지에 몰린 이상 나도 가만히 있을 순 없었다.

이 내용이 공개되면 제아무리 현무라 할지라도 무사하진 못하리라.

“최 기자가 아직 일어나있으려나. 간만에 특종거리 가져왔다고 좋아할 텐데….”

막 뒤돌아 옥상에서 내려가려는 찰나였다.

후욱!

“…어?”

누군가 등을 떠밀었다. 덕분에 난간에 기대있던 몸이 균형을 잃고 앞으로 고꾸라지고 말았다.

휘이이익!

거친 바람 소리가 귀청을 찢을 듯 울려 퍼졌다.

추락하는 시야 가득 「현무」의 간판 불빛이 번뜩였다.

그게 내 마지막 기억이었다.

***

“……! …연! 야, 송우연!”

“?!”

나는 화들짝 놀라 고갤 들었다. 뭐지? 누가 내 이름을 저렇게 격 없이 막 부른단 말인가.

의아해하는 내 앞에 익숙한 사장님의 얼굴이 보였다.

“야, 인마. 내가 여기 테이블 다 닦아두라고 했어, 안 했어. 평소엔 빠릿빠릿한 놈이 왜 멍을 때리고 있어?”

“예?”

“여기 닦으라니까?”

나는 내게 버럭 소리를 지르는 사장의 얼굴을 가만히 들여다보았다.

이인철 사장. 그를 어떻게 잊겠는가? 내 모든 사업의 시작점이 바로 그였는데.

비록 내가 고꾸라지면서 이인철 사장은 장사를 접고 그대로 은퇴하긴 했지만….

연락이 끊긴 지 한참인 이인철 사장이 왜 여기 있는가, 보다도 더 놀라운 일이 있었다.

“사장님 언제 이렇게 회춘하셨대?”

최소 스무 살은 젊어진 것 같았다! 분명 60대 후반을 바라볼 나이일 텐데 지금 그는 40대 후반쯤밖에 안 되어 보였으니까.

그래. 마치 처음 그와 만났을 때처럼.

이인철이 작은 국밥집 사장이고 내가 그 아래서 일하는 알바생이었던 시절만큼 젊어 보였다.

“뭐?”

이인철이 어처구니없다는 듯 나를 바라보았다.

“아니, 내가 네 친구야? 어디서 말끝을 짧게 하고 있어?”

“우리 사이에 뭐 그런 걸….”

“오냐. 말 잘했다. 우리가 무슨 사이긴. 응?”

이인철이 내 앞에 놓인 테이블을 가리키며 한 번 더 소리쳤다.

“사장하고 알바생 아녀! 근데 지금 나한테 하극상을 일으키겠단 거여? 가뜩이나 손님 없어서 화딱지 나는데 너까지 이럴래?!”

사장과 알바생. 족히 20년은 젊어 보이는 이인철 사장. 그리고 확장 이전하기 전과 똑같은 가게 배치.

벽에 걸린 큼지막한 달력에는 큼지막하게 ‘2014년’이라 쓰여 있었다.

2014년이라고?

몇 가지 키워드에 나는 벼락이라도 맞은 것처럼 정신이 번쩍 들었다.

‘잠깐만. 이거 설마…?’

나는 황급히 가게 한쪽 면에 걸린 거울을 들여다봤다. 옆에서 이인철 사장이 무어라 또 소리치는 게 들렸지만 귀에 들어오지도 않았다.

“허어.”

나는 거울에 비친 내 얼굴을 빤히 들여다보았다. 이인철 사장만 젊어진 게 아니었다. 나도 족히 20년은 어려져있었다.

아니, 정확히는 동네 국밥집에서 첫 알바를 시작할 때의 그 모습이었다. 완벽하게!

“말도 안 돼….”

작게 중얼거리며 내 얼굴을 만지작거렸다. 혹시 내가 꿈이라도 꾸고 있나 싶어 뺨을 꼬집어봤는데 따끔하게 아팠다.

현실이었다.

‘돌아왔다.’

그제야 상황파악이 됐다. 이 영화 같은 일을 대체 뭐라 불러야 할지 알 수 없었다.

-대표님. 분명 다른 기회가 있으실 겁니다.

김영준 변호사의 목소리가 귓가에 아른거리는 듯했다.

그래. 이건 기회였다.

‘똑같은 실수를 반복하지 않을 수 있는 기회.’

꽈악 주먹을 움켜쥐자 비로소 현실감이 들었다.

“일 안 하냐?!”

“네엡. 테이블부터 바로 닦을게요…!”

일단은 일부터 하고!

***

“햐. 송우연이. 오늘 하극상한 게 미안하긴 했나 보지? 일 이렇게 열심히 하는 거 보니까.”

이인철이 반짝반짝 빛이 나는 주방을 보며 괜스레 농담을 던졌다. 나는 소매로 이마의 땀을 슥 닦으며 겨우 허리를 폈다.

어우, 허리야. 젊다 못해 어린 나이라 그런가. 근육이 영 부족하네.

“아까는 제가 잠깐 말이 헛나와가지고…. 죄송했습니다!”

“됐다, 됐다. 지난 일주일 동안 네가 일 똑띠 잘해서 내가 참는 거야!”

말은 그렇게 하지만 얼굴에 미소가 가득했다. 거친 말과 달리 속은 항상 여리고 정이 많으셨지.

젊은 이인철 사장님과 마주하고 있자니 감회가 새로웠다.

“이만 퇴근해라.”

“여기만 마무리 짓고 퇴근할게요.”

“치아라. 그냥 가라.”

이인철이 손을 휘휘 내저으며 가까운 의자를 끌어다 털썩 앉았다.

“열심히 청소하면 뭐 하나. 손님이 없는데….”

자조 어린 중얼거림에 나도 슬그머니 행주를 내려놓았다. 안 그래도 그 얘길 하고 싶은 참이었다.

“우연아. 오늘 장사해서 내가 얼마 벌었는지 아나. 딱 10만 원 벌었다. 10만 원.”

으음. 심각하군.

하루 매출 10만 원이면 휴무 없이 일해도 월 매출이 300만 원 가량이란 소리다.

거기에 임대료며 재료값이며 빼고 나면 남는 게 없는 수준이다.

“이 가게에서 네가 제일 많이 가져간다!”

알바생보다 못 가져가는 사장이라. 회귀 전에도 무수히 많이 봤던 사례였다.

“에휴. 내가 진짜 이유를 모르겠다. 응? 국밥 맛있고, 가격 싸고, 양도 푸짐~하게 내주는데. 대체 뭐가 문제고?”

뭔가 문제냐고?

나는 가게를 슥 훑어보았다. 눈에 걸리는 것 하나하나가 다 문제점이었다.

이것만 고치면, 저것만 손대면 훨씬 나을 텐데 하고 아쉬움이 남는 점이 한두 가지가 아니었다.

물론 과거 이 시절의 내 눈에는 평범한 가게 내부처럼 보였겠으나….

지금의 나는 다르다.

수십 년간 외식업계에 종사하며 쌓인 경험은, 나를 완전히 다른 사람으로 탈바꿈시켜놓았으니까.

문제점을 제대로 모르는 게 문제라고 말하고 싶지만. 일단은 입술을 꾹 깨물고 참았다.

“내가 이 가게에 정이 많이 들어서…. 그만두고 떠나기도 마음 아프고, 참.”

이인철이 쯧쯧 혀를 찼다.

수많은 자영업자들이 대박을 꿈꾸며 창업하지만 개중 대다수는 채 5년을 버티지 못하고 폐업한다. 그게 냉혹한 현실이다.

이인철의 국밥집 <정성회관>도 그 많고 많은 폐업행 가게들 중 하나였다.

다만 차이점이라면,

“저, 사장님. 한 가지 드릴 말씀이 있는데요.”

이곳에는 바로 나, 송우연이 있다는 것이었다.

“제가 가게 매출을 3배, 아니, 10배 늘릴 방법이 있다고 하면 어떨 거 같으세요?”

그것도 20년 넘게 요식업계에서 구르며 경력을 쌓은 송우연이 말이다.


Assistant: Here’s the translation of the text you provided:

---

In my opinion, the CEO is definitely not someone who would crumble like this.

“You were someone who knew how to say nice things. While preparing for the trial, you kept saying it wouldn’t work, that it was difficult.”

- If I had that kind of talent, I wouldn’t have left a successful law firm to struggle alone like this.

“You're good at jokes too.”

- I’m speaking sincerely.

I closed my eyes tightly. The sound of the wind brushed against my ears.

- CEO. There will definitely be other opportunities. So please don’t be too discouraged…

“……”

When I took my phone away from my ear, the voice of lawyer Kim Young-jun felt distant.

- …CEO, …where are you right now…?

I tried to ignore the faintly heard voice. I inhaled the dawn air deeply and opened my eyes wide.

「Hyunmu」

“Ha.”

The name of the group, filled with love and hate, was inscribed large on the massive electronic billboard. I stared blankly at the name that I once considered the best business partner of my life, only to have it suddenly take everything from me.

Leaning against the railing that reached my waist, I bowed my head deeply. The overwhelming darkness filled my vision, and a dizzying sensation surged from below.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Another opportunity…”

I muttered quietly the words lawyer Kim had said.

“I hope so.”

After letting out a hollow laugh, I shook my head.

As much as I wanted to let go of the thread of life like this, there were still things I had to finish.

“I can’t just die alone like this.”

I tightly gripped a small USB in my hand. It contained various information I had collected while working with Hyunmu.

Having signed a non-disclosure agreement, I had kept my mouth shut until now, but being in such a predicament, I couldn’t just sit still.

If this information were to be made public, no matter how powerful Hyunmu was, they wouldn’t be safe.

“I wonder if reporter Choi is still awake. He would be delighted to hear I brought a scoop after a long time…”

Just as I was about to turn and head down from the rooftop.

Whoosh!

“…Huh?”

Someone pushed me from behind. Thanks to that, my body, which was leaning against the railing, lost its balance and I fell forward.

Whoosh!

The sound of the harsh wind seemed to tear through my ears.

As my vision fell, the neon lights of the 「Hyunmu」 sign flashed before me.

That was my last memory.

***

“……! …Woo-yeon! Song Woo-yeon!”

“?!”

I jumped in surprise and lifted my head. What? Who is calling my name so casually?

In front of me stood the familiar face of my boss.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to wipe down the tables here? Why are you spacing out when you’re usually so quick on your feet?”

“Excuse me?”

“I told you to wipe this down, didn’t I?”

I quietly looked at my boss, who was shouting at me.

CEO Lee In-cheol. How could I ever forget him? He was the starting point of all my businesses.

Even though I had fallen and he had closed his business and retired just like that…

More surprising than the fact that CEO Lee In-cheol was here, was how much he seemed to have rejuvenated.

“When did you become so youthful, CEO?”

He looked at least twenty years younger! He should be in his late sixties, but he looked like he was in his late forties.

Right. He looked just like when I first met him.

He looked as young as when he was the owner of a small soup restaurant and I was just a part-timer working for him.

“What?”

Lee In-cheol looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Am I your friend? Why are you speaking so curtly?”

“What does it matter between us…?”

“Alright. Good point. What kind of relationship do we have? Huh?”

Lee In-cheol pointed at the table in front of me and shouted again.

“We’re the boss and the part-timer! But are you trying to rebel against me right now? I’m already annoyed that we have no customers, and now you’re acting like this?!”

The boss and the part-timer. Lee In-cheol, looking at least twenty years younger. And the store layout was exactly the same as before the expansion.

The large calendar hanging on the wall read ‘2014’ in big letters.

2014?

With a few keywords, I felt as if I had been struck by lightning, my mind suddenly clearing.

‘Wait a minute. Could this be…?’

I hurriedly looked into the mirror hanging on one side of the store. I could hear Lee In-cheol shouting something again, but it didn’t register in
User: do not use bullets and use proper spacing and translate this in novel format: 비극은 기회의 탈을 쓰고 나타난다고 하던가.

-사장님. 우리 한번 제대로 일 벌여보죠.

그 말이 꼭 맞았다. 대기업의 이름값과 함께 내밀어진 손을 맞잡았을 때, 나는 비로소 장밋빛 미래가 펼쳐질 줄 알았다.

“잘 부탁드립니다! 그동안 구상만 해놓고 있던 사업 아이템들이 많거든요. 아, 처음 시작은 그것부터 하면 어떨까요? 우선은….”

신이 나서 떠들어대는 나를 바라보던 그의 얼굴이 어땠더라. 그건 분명, 먹잇감을 꿀꺽 삼키기 전 포식자의 눈빛이었다.

***

-뚜르르르. 뚜르르르.

통화음이 길게 울려 퍼지다가 이내 뚝, 끊겼다.

-여보세요.

“김 변호사님. 저예요.”

-아, 송 대표님….

김영준 변호사의 목소리에 수심이 가득했다. 말하지 않아도 재판 결과를 알 것만 같았다.

그럼에도 물어볼 수밖에 없었다.

“어떻게 됐나요?”

-그게……. 죄송합니다. 저희도 열심히 노력해봤지만, 결과를 뒤집기에는 역부족이었나 봅니다.

예상한 결과인데도 막상 내 귀로 직접 들으니 가슴이 꽉 막힌 듯 답답해졌다.

눈을 천천히 감았다 뜨며 심호흡을 했다.

-아무래도 상대가 워낙 대기업인 데다가 상표권도 상대 쪽에서 먼저 등록했다 보니, 저희가 원조라는 걸 증명하기가 너무 어렵습니다.

“…그렇군요.”

-다 제가 부족한 탓입니다.

“아니에요. 변호사님께서 여러모로 애써주신 것도 다 아는걸요. …제가 수임료라도 더 두둑하게 챙겨드렸어야 했는데. 사정이 여의치 않아 죄송하게 됐습니다.”

-그 수임료 말입니다만.

김영준 변호사가 조심스레 말을 꺼냈다.

-아마 상대 쪽에서 패소한 만큼 소송비용을 지불하라고 요구할 겁니다. 패소한 만큼 비용을 0으로 만들긴 어렵겠지만 제가 조금이라도 적게 나오게끔 힘써보면….

“김 변호사님.”

나는 터져 나오려는 헛웃음을 겨우 참아냈다.

“아시잖아요. 저 개털 된 거. 아이디어는 다 빼앗기고, 이 재판에 제 전부를 쏟아부어서 이제 남은 돈도 얼마 없습니다. 지금 사는 집까지 담보로 잡혀있어요.”

-…….

“이 이상 발버둥 쳐봤자… 크게 달라지지 않는단 거, 저도 압니다.”

차가운 밤공기가 뺨을 스쳤다. 그보다도 내 마음속이 더 서늘해서 추위를 느낄 새가 없었다.

손끝이 빨갛게 변해 절로 오그라드는데도 아픈 줄을 몰랐다.

“그동안 감사했습니다.”

지난했던 재판이 겨우 끝났다. 허탈함과 동시에 약간의 해방감마저 느껴졌다.

길고 긴 터널의 끝을 드디어 목도한 기분이었다. 그것이 비록 내 처참한 패배라 할지라도, 차라리 속 시원했다.

그래.

이만하면 할 만큼 했다.

전화기를 귀에서 막 떼어놓으려는 찰나였다. 김영준 변호사의 목소리가 아득하게 들려왔다.

-송 대표님. 저도 변호사 생활 오래 하면서 쌓인 관록이란 게 있습니다. 사람 보는 눈 하나만큼은 자부하는 편입니다.

진솔하게 터놓고 하는 얘기라는 게 느껴져서 차마 통화종료 버튼을 누르지 못했다.

-허황되게 느껴질지도 모르겠습니다만…. 송 대표님. 제가 볼 때, 대표님은 절대 이렇게 무너지실 분이 아닙니다.

“듣기 좋은 얘기도 할 줄 아시는 분이었네요. 재판 준비하면서 맨날 안 된다, 어렵다, 소리만 하시더니.”

-제가 그런 재주가 있는 놈이었으면 잘나가는 로펌 때려치우고 나와서 혼자 이 고생을 하고 있진 않았을 겁니다.

“농담도 잘하셔.”

-저 정말 진심으로 하는 얘기입니다.

나는 눈을 지그시 감았다. 바람소리가 귓가를 스쳤다.

-대표님. 분명 다른 기회가 있으실 겁니다. 그러니까 부디 너무 낙담하지 마시고….

“…….”

휴대폰을 귀에서 떼어내자 김영준 변호사의 목소리가 아득히 멀게 느껴졌다.

-……표님, …님? 지금 대체 어디……!

흐릿하게 들려오는 목소리를 애써 무시했다. 새벽 공기를 폐부 가득 밀어 넣고는 두 눈을 번쩍 떴다.

「현무」

“하아.”

거대한 전광판에 애증 어린 그룹의 이름이 큼지막하게 새겨져있었다. 한때 내 인생 최고의 사업 파트너라 여겼고, 다음 순간 돌변해 내 모든 것을 앗아간 그 이름을 하염없이 바라보았다.

허리춤까지 오는 난간에 몸을 기댄 채 고갤 푹 숙였다. 까마득한 어둠이 시야를 가득 채우고, 아찔한 감각이 아래서부터 용솟음쳤다.

오싹, 등줄기를 타고 소름이 끼쳤다.

“다른 기회라….”

나는 김 변호사가 했던 말을 작게 중얼거려보았다.

“그런 게 있으면 좋겠네.”

허탈한 웃음을 터뜨린 뒤, 고갤 절레절레 내저었다.

이대로 삶의 끈을 놓고 싶은 마음도 굴뚝같지만, 아직 마무리해야 할 일들이 남아있었다.

“이대로 혼자 죽을 수는 없지.”

나는 작은 USB를 손에 꼭 쥐었다. 내가 현무와 함께 일할 때 수집해둔 여러 정보들이었다.

비밀유지서약을 작성한 터라 그동안 입 다물고 있었지만, 이렇게 궁지에 몰린 이상 나도 가만히 있을 순 없었다.

이 내용이 공개되면 제아무리 현무라 할지라도 무사하진 못하리라.

“최 기자가 아직 일어나있으려나. 간만에 특종거리 가져왔다고 좋아할 텐데….”

막 뒤돌아 옥상에서 내려가려는 찰나였다.

후욱!

“…어?”

누군가 등을 떠밀었다. 덕분에 난간에 기대있던 몸이 균형을 잃고 앞으로 고꾸라지고 말았다.

휘이이익!

거친 바람 소리가 귀청을 찢을 듯 울려 퍼졌다.

추락하는 시야 가득 「현무」의 간판 불빛이 번뜩였다.

그게 내 마지막 기억이었다.

***

“……! …연! 야, 송우연!”

“?!”

나는 화들짝 놀라 고갤 들었다. 뭐지? 누가 내 이름을 저렇게 격 없이 막 부른단 말인가.

의아해하는 내 앞에 익숙한 사장님의 얼굴이 보였다.

“야, 인마. 내가 여기 테이블 다 닦아두라고 했어, 안 했어. 평소엔 빠릿빠릿한 놈이 왜 멍을 때리고 있어?”

“예?”

“여기 닦으라니까?”

나는 내게 버럭 소리를 지르는 사장의 얼굴을 가만히 들여다보았다.

이인철 사장. 그를 어떻게 잊겠는가? 내 모든 사업의 시작점이 바로 그였는데.

비록 내가 고꾸라지면서 이인철 사장은 장사를 접고 그대로 은퇴하긴 했지만….

연락이 끊긴 지 한참인 이인철 사장이 왜 여기 있는가, 보다도 더 놀라운 일이 있었다.

“사장님 언제 이렇게 회춘하셨대?”

최소 스무 살은 젊어진 것 같았다! 분명 60대 후반을 바라볼 나이일 텐데 지금 그는 40대 후반쯤밖에 안 되어 보였으니까.

그래. 마치 처음 그와 만났을 때처럼.

이인철이 작은 국밥집 사장이고 내가 그 아래서 일하는 알바생이었던 시절만큼 젊어 보였다.

“뭐?”

이인철이 어처구니없다는 듯 나를 바라보았다.

“아니, 내가 네 친구야? 어디서 말끝을 짧게 하고 있어?”

“우리 사이에 뭐 그런 걸….”

“오냐. 말 잘했다. 우리가 무슨 사이긴. 응?”

이인철이 내 앞에 놓인 테이블을 가리키며 한 번 더 소리쳤다.

“사장하고 알바생 아녀! 근데 지금 나한테 하극상을 일으키겠단 거여? 가뜩이나 손님 없어서 화딱지 나는데 너까지 이럴래?!”

사장과 알바생. 족히 20년은 젊어 보이는 이인철 사장. 그리고 확장 이전하기 전과 똑같은 가게 배치.

벽에 걸린 큼지막한 달력에는 큼지막하게 ‘2014년’이라 쓰여 있었다.

2014년이라고?

몇 가지 키워드에 나는 벼락이라도 맞은 것처럼 정신이 번쩍 들었다.

‘잠깐만. 이거 설마…?’

나는 황급히 가게 한쪽 면에 걸린 거울을 들여다봤다. 옆에서 이인철 사장이 무어라 또 소리치는 게 들렸지만 귀에 들어오지도 않았다.

“허어.”

나는 거울에 비친 내 얼굴을 빤히 들여다보았다. 이인철 사장만 젊어진 게 아니었다. 나도 족히 20년은 어려져있었다.

아니, 정확히는 동네 국밥집에서 첫 알바를 시작할 때의 그 모습이었다. 완벽하게!

“말도 안 돼….”

작게 중얼거리며 내 얼굴을 만지작거렸다. 혹시 내가 꿈이라도 꾸고 있나 싶어 뺨을 꼬집어봤는데 따끔하게 아팠다.

현실이었다.

‘돌아왔다.’

그제야 상황파악이 됐다. 이 영화 같은 일을 대체 뭐라 불러야 할지 알 수 없었다.

-대표님. 분명 다른 기회가 있으실 겁니다.

김영준 변호사의 목소리가 귓가에 아른거리는 듯했다.

그래. 이건 기회였다.

‘똑같은 실수를 반복하지 않을 수 있는 기회.’

꽈악 주먹을 움켜쥐자 비로소 현실감이 들었다.

“일 안 하냐?!”

“네엡. 테이블부터 바로 닦을게요…!”

일단은 일부터 하고!

***

“햐. 송우연이. 오늘 하극상한 게 미안하긴 했나 보지? 일 이렇게 열심히 하는 거 보니까.”

이인철이 반짝반짝 빛이 나는 주방을 보며 괜스레 농담을 던졌다. 나는 소매로 이마의 땀을 슥 닦으며 겨우 허리를 폈다.

어우, 허리야. 젊다 못해 어린 나이라 그런가. 근육이 영 부족하네.

“아까는 제가 잠깐 말이 헛나와가지고…. 죄송했습니다!”

“됐다, 됐다. 지난 일주일 동안 네가 일 똑띠 잘해서 내가 참는 거야!”

말은 그렇게 하지만 얼굴에 미소가 가득했다. 거친 말과 달리 속은 항상 여리고 정이 많으셨지.

젊은 이인철 사장님과 마주하고 있자니 감회가 새로웠다.

“이만 퇴근해라.”

“여기만 마무리 짓고 퇴근할게요.”

“치아라. 그냥 가라.”

이인철이 손을 휘휘 내저으며 가까운 의자를 끌어다 털썩 앉았다.

“열심히 청소하면 뭐 하나. 손님이 없는데….”

자조 어린 중얼거림에 나도 슬그머니 행주를 내려놓았다. 안 그래도 그 얘길 하고 싶은 참이었다.

“우연아. 오늘 장사해서 내가 얼마 벌었는지 아나. 딱 10만 원 벌었다. 10만 원.”

으음. 심각하군.

하루 매출 10만 원이면 휴무 없이 일해도 월 매출이 300만 원 가량이란 소리다.

거기에 임대료며 재료값이며 빼고 나면 남는 게 없는 수준이다.

“이 가게에서 네가 제일 많이 가져간다!”

알바생보다 못 가져가는 사장이라. 회귀 전에도 무수히 많이 봤던 사례였다.

“에휴. 내가 진짜 이유를 모르겠다. 응? 국밥 맛있고, 가격 싸고, 양도 푸짐~하게 내주는데. 대체 뭐가 문제고?”

뭔가 문제냐고?

나는 가게를 슥 훑어보았다. 눈에 걸리는 것 하나하나가 다 문제점이었다.

이것만 고치면, 저것만 손대면 훨씬 나을 텐데 하고 아쉬움이 남는 점이 한두 가지가 아니었다.

물론 과거 이 시절의 내 눈에는 평범한 가게 내부처럼 보였겠으나….

지금의 나는 다르다.

수십 년간 외식업계에 종사하며 쌓인 경험은, 나를 완전히 다른 사람으로 탈바꿈시켜놓았으니까.

문제점을 제대로 모르는 게 문제라고 말하고 싶지만. 일단은 입술을 꾹 깨물고 참았다.

“내가 이 가게에 정이 많이 들어서…. 그만두고 떠나기도 마음 아프고, 참.”

이인철이 쯧쯧 혀를 찼다.

수많은 자영업자들이 대박을 꿈꾸며 창업하지만 개중 대다수는 채 5년을 버티지 못하고 폐업한다. 그게 냉혹한 현실이다.

이인철의 국밥집 <정성회관>도 그 많고 많은 폐업행 가게들 중 하나였다.

다만 차이점이라면,

“저, 사장님. 한 가지 드릴 말씀이 있는데요.”

이곳에는 바로 나, 송우연이 있다는 것이었다.

“제가 가게 매출을 3배, 아니, 10배 늘릴 방법이 있다고 하면 어떨 거 같으세요?”

그것도 20년 넘게 요식업계에서 구르며 경력을 쌓은 송우연이 말이다.
Assistant: They say that tragedy disguises itself as opportunity.

“Boss, let’s get serious this time.”

Those words rang true. When I took the hand extended to me, backed by the reputation of a major corporation, I finally thought a rosy future awaited me.

“I’m counting on you! I've had so many business ideas just waiting to be executed. Maybe we should start with this one? First, we...”

The look on his face as he watched me chatter excitedly—how could I describe it? It was undoubtedly the gaze of a predator, just before it devours its prey.

***

“Ring-ring. Ring-ring.”

The call tone droned on and then abruptly stopped.

“Hello.”

“Attorney Kim, it's me.”

“Ah, CEO Song...”

Attorney Kim Young-jun’s voice was heavy with worry. Even without him saying a word, I could almost tell the outcome of the trial.

Yet, I had no choice but to ask.

“How did it go?”

“It’s... I’m sorry. We tried our best, but it wasn’t enough to overturn the result.”

Though I had expected it, actually hearing it felt as if my chest was compressed.

I slowly closed my eyes, then opened them while taking a deep breath.

“Given the fact they’re a massive corporation and had registered the trademark first, it was exceedingly difficult to prove we were the original.”

“I see.”

“It’s my fault for not being more capable.”

“No, I know you’ve done all you could, Attorney. I should’ve at least paid you better, but my situation is tight, and for that, I apologize.”

“About the legal fees...”

Kim Young-jun hesitated before continuing.

“The other party will likely demand payment for the litigation costs since we lost. It’ll be tough to reduce them to zero, but I’ll do my utmost to minimize the amount...”

“Attorney Kim.”

I barely held back a hollow laugh.

“You know, don't you? I'm broke. All my ideas have been stolen, and I poured everything into this trial, leaving me with very little now. Even the house I live in is under collateral.”

“......”

“I know that struggling any further won’t change much.”

The cold night air brushed against my cheek. More so, I felt an even deeper chill within, leaving no room to shudder from the cold.

Even as my fingertips turned red and curled up, I couldn't feel the pain.

“Thank you for everything.”

The long and arduous trial had finally drawn to a close. I felt a mix of emptiness and a strange sense of liberation.

It felt like I’d finally witnessed the end of a long, dark tunnel. Even though it came at the cost of my disastrous defeat, it felt somewhat relieving.

Yes.

I’ve done all I could.

Just as I was about to remove the phone from my ear, Kim Young-jun’s voice drifted faintly into the aether between us.

“CEO Song. I have gained insights after years of being a lawyer. If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's my ability to see people for who they are.”

It felt genuine and honest, and I couldn’t quite bring myself to tap the end call button.

“It might sound far-fetched, but... CEO Song. In my view, you're definitely not someone who would crumble like this.”

“You’re someone who knows how to say encouraging things. When we were preparing for the trial, you kept saying it wouldn’t work, that it was difficult.”

“If I were that talented, I wouldn't have left a successful law firm to struggle on my own.”

“You’re also good at joking.”

“I’m being sincere.”

I closed my eyes gently. The sound of the wind brushed past my ears.

“CEO, there will surely be other opportunities. So please, don’t be too discouraged…”

“……”

As I took the phone away from my ear, Kim Young-jun’s voice felt distant.

“…CEO, …where are you exactly…!”

I tried hard to ignore the fading voice. Taking in a deep breath of the dawn air, I snapped my eyes open.

“Hyunmu”

“Hah.”

The love-hate name of the group was emblazoned large across the giant electronic billboard. I stared endlessly at the name I once considered my greatest business partner, which suddenly turned into the entity that took everything from me.

Leaning against the railing that reached my waist, I bowed my head deeply. The overwhelming darkness filled my vision, and a dizzying sensation surged from below.

A chilling shiver ran down my spine.

“Another opportunity…”

I murmured quietly, recalling what Attorney Kim had said.

“It’d be nice if there was such a thing.”

After letting out a hollow laugh, I shook my head.

As much as I wanted to let go of life’s thread right here, there were still tasks needing closure.

“I can’t just die alone like this.”

I gripped a small USB tightly in my hand. It was filled with information I’d gathered while working with Hyunmu.

Having signed a non-disclosure agreement, I’d kept my mouth shut until now, but being backed into a corner like this left me no choice.

Once this content is released, no matter how powerful Hyunmu is, they won’t emerge unscathed.

“I wonder if reporter Choi is still awake. He’d be delighted to hear I brought a scoop after some time…”

Just as I was about to turn and descend from the rooftop.

Whoosh!

“…Huh?”

Someone pushed me from behind. My body, which had been resting against the railing, lost its balance and toppled forward.

Whoosh!

The fierce sound of the wind roared as if tearing through my ears.

The neon lights of the “Hyunmu” sign flashed vividly through my plummeting vision.

That was my last memory.

***

“…! …wooyeon! Hey, Song Wooyeon!”

“?!”

I jolted upright in surprise. What’s going on? Who is calling my name so casually?

In front of me, my perplexed boss’s face came into view.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you to wipe down all the tables here? Why are you spacing out when you’re usually so quick?”

“Huh?”

“I told you to wipe this!”

I quietly gazed at my boss’s face as he shouted at me.

CEO Lee In-cheol. How could I ever forget him? He was the starting point of all my businesses.

Even though I had stumbled, leading to Lee In-cheol closing his business and retiring…

There was something even more surprising than the fact that I hadn’t heard from CEO Lee In-cheol in a long time and here he was.

“When did you become so youthful, boss?”

He looked at least twenty years younger! He should’ve been in his late sixties, but now he appeared only in his late forties.

Right. Just like the first time I met him.

He looked as young as when he was the owner of a small soup restaurant, and I was just a part-timer working under him.

“What?”

Lee In-cheol looked at me, bewildered.

“What, am I your friend? Since when are you speaking so curtly?”

“What does it matter between us…?”

“All right. Good point. What kind of relationship do we have? Huh?”

Lee In-cheol pointed at the table in front of me and shouted again.

“We’re the boss and the part-timer! But you're starting a mutiny against me now? We barely have any customers, and now you’re pulling this stunt?!”

The boss and the part-timer. CEO Lee In-cheol, looking at least twenty years younger. And the store layout was exactly the same as before the expansion.

The large calendar hanging on the wall boldly said ‘2014’.

2014?

With a few keywords, it felt as if a lightning bolt struck my mind into clarity.

‘Wait. Could this be…?’

I hurriedly looked at the mirror hanging on one side of the store. I could hear Lee In-cheol shouting something else but it didn’t register.

“Wow.”

I stared intently at the face reflected in the mirror. It wasn’t just CEO Lee In-cheol that looked younger. I had also reverted by at least twenty years.

No, to be precise, it was the very face I had when I first started working part-time at the local soup restaurant. Perfectly!

“No way…”

I mumbled, touching my face. Was I dreaming? I pinched my cheek, and it stung sharply.

It was reality.

‘I’m back.’

I finally understood the situation. I couldn’t quite comprehend what to call this movie-like occurrence.

“CEO, there will surely be other opportunities.”

Attorney Kim Young-jun’s voice seemed to echo softly in my mind.

Yes. This was an opportunity.

‘An opportunity not to repeat the same mistakes.’

As I clenched my fist tightly, reality finally began to sink in.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“Y-yes. I’ll start wiping the tables right away…!”

First, let’s finish the work!

***

“Wow. Song Wooyeon. Did you feel bad about rebelling today? You’re working so hard.”

Lee In-cheol glanced around the gleaming kitchen, throwing out a joke. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my sleeve and finally straightened my back.

Oh, my back. Maybe it’s because I’m in an overly young age. I’m definitely lacking muscle.

“I misspoke earlier... I’m sorry!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. You’ve been doing your job well this past week, so I’m letting it slide!”

Despite his words, his face was full of smiles. Contrary to his rough words, his heart was always soft and full of warmth.

Facing the young CEO Lee In-cheol, I felt a wave of nostalgia.

“You can head home now.”

“I’ll just finish up here and then leave.”

“No need. Just go.”

Lee In-cheol waved his hand dismissively and sat down heavily on a nearby chair.

“What good does vigorous cleaning do? There are no customers….”

At his self-deprecating mumble, I, too, quietly set down the cloth. I had been wanting to discuss this anyway.

“Wooyeon, do you know how much I made today? Exactly 100,000 won. 100,000 won.”

Hmm. That’s serious.

A daily revenue of 100,000 won meant a monthly income of about 3,000,000 won even if you worked without taking a day off.

After deducting rent, ingredient costs, and other expenses, there wasn’t much left.

“You’re the one earning the most from this store!”

A boss earning less than a part-timer. It was a scenario I had seen countless times before the regression.

“Ugh. I honestly don’t know what’s wrong. I mean, the soup’s delicious, the price is cheap, and the portions are generous. What exactly is the problem?”

What’s the problem?

I took a glance around the store. Everything that caught my eye seemed to be a problem.

There were countless aspects that, if fixed or adjusted, could be significantly improved.

Of course, back in those days, this store’s interior would have seemed just like any ordinary place.

But I’m different now.

With decades spent in the food service industry, my accumulated experience transformed me entirely.

I wanted to say that not knowing the problem was the real problem. But I bit my lip and held back for now.

“I’ve grown quite attached to this place. It breaks my heart to think of leaving or quitting.”

Lee In-cheol clicked his tongue in regret.

Countless small business owners dream big when starting their businesses, but the harsh reality is that most don’t survive even five years before shutting down.

Lee In-cheol’s soup restaurant, Chungseong Hall, was just another among the many stores on the path to closure.

The difference was,

“Uh, boss. I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

That this place had me, Song Wooyeon.

“What would you say if I told you I know how to increase the store’s sales by three times, no, by ten times?”

Especially since it was I, Song Wooyeon, who had built up more than twenty years of experience in the restaurant industry.
User: translate in a similar way to how this is translated: Chapter 1

My daily life after being reborn was quite fulfilling.

Every morning, I’d wake up and immediately do some stretching, followed by vocal exercises.

On top of that, I never forgot to practice various acting techniques while watching TV.

So, why was I studying acting, you ask?

Well, it was all for the sake of maintaining a desirable RP (role-play).

What is RP, you wonder? It’s essentially the mask and concept I’d use while acting as a VTuber.

In other words, it’s the setting that the VTuber character possesses.

Among VTubers, there were those who strictly adhered to their RP, and many who didn’t stick to it at all.

For the record, I had a tendency to get a bit grrrr frustrated when I saw VTubers who didn’t respect their RP.

I mean, how different is that from just being a streamer?

Hmmm… “Even if I say this, I haven’t seen many VTubers in the first place.”

As a busy office worker pressed for time, I couldn’t watch them often, and even when I did, it was just shorts or clips posted by others.

Wyuu~ “I should have watched more back then.”

Since the industry wasn’t properly formed at the moment, I found myself at a loss about what to do.

First and foremost, I needed to focus on vocal training and acting.

And if I wanted to be a streamer, I obviously needed a certain flair…

Tek! “It’s hard to get a feel for broadcasting skills unless you actually try it out.”

In many ways, it was a difficult journey.

Regardless of whether it’s a streamer or a VTuber, brainstorming content is absolutely crucial.

If I could get a head start on that now, I wouldn’t have to struggle later on.

Pop! “I should be good at games, right?”

The body I had been reborn into had reflexes that were on another level, after all.

So, I didn’t worry much about the gaming aspect.

Hmm… “But if I’m doing RP, what kind of character should I portray?”

Thinking about such concepts for VTuber personas was a fairly pleasurable experience in its own right.

With kindergarten starting next year, I knew that such time would be scarce, so it was better to plan ahead.

Hmm… “Come to think of it, I could also do a male persona as a VTuber.”

Since my male identity was still quite potent, that thought crossed my mind, but I quickly shook my head.

I had been born with a good voice, so ruining that advantage would be a fool’s errand.

Thus, I diligently followed my daily routine.

Though I wouldn’t have lasted even a month in my previous life’s routine, it had now become a habit.

“Hey, daughter, have you thought about auditioning for a child actor role?”

My mother suddenly threw that question at me.

*

“No matter how much of a public audition it is, geez…”

Casting director Kim Hyungseok scratched his head and let out a sigh.

While it was indeed an audition to find a child actor for a commercial, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had messed up.

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to just use a more well-known child actor?”

At that comment from a staff member, Kim Hyungseok shook his head.

“Do you think that would be easy? The budget just doesn’t allow it, unfortunately.”

“Why are the advertisers being so stingy…?”

The staff complained, but there was nothing they could do.

After all, it wasn’t a big corporate advertisement; it was a job given by a small business.

Having worked as a casting director for quite some time, Kim Hyungseok found such situations to be incredibly rare.

In such cases, it was typical to run ads online rather than squeezing every penny to make a commercial.

Sure enough, that director seems like a newcomer with little experience.

It was no surprise that someone with connections wouldn’t be giving such a young person the director’s chair.

Everything had been skimped and budgeted down to the last penny.

It was laughable that the highest-paid person on the team was the casting director himself.

At least they had a properly prepared studio, which felt like a stroke of luck.

It seemed the rookie commercial director understood this, as he came up to Kim Hyungseok first to greet him.

“Ha ha, um, I look forward to working with you. I haven’t been in commercial design for long before jumping over to this…”

“Oh, yes, according to the advertisers, I’ve been told to give it my all.”

“Ah, ha ha.”

Seeing the man awkwardly laugh caused Kim Hyungseok to click his tongue.

What was his name again? Jo Min-tae, was it?

Of course, Jo Min-tae had no way of knowing that Kim Hyungseok was judging him, so he tried to strike up a friendly conversation.

“Ah, casting director. Have you checked the profiles of the kids who participated in the audition today?”

“The profiles? Ah, yes, I glanced at them…”

Profile pictures at a child actor audition didn’t provide much information.

Especially in public auditions like this, it was even more limited.

“It’s hard to see the teeth in these pictures… I guess I’ll have to check each kid individually.”

This was a critical issue when shooting commercials for ‘food-related’ products.

In child auditions, kids often had wobbly teeth, making it difficult to film nicely, so they usually avoided such scenarios.

“Ah, you probably narrowed it down to children aged around five to seven, right?”

“Yes. That’s about the age range the advertisers wanted…”

Kids younger than five are tough to communicate with, and those older than eight don’t fit the image either.

From among such kids, Kim Hyungseok selected one that stood out.

“Has this kid arrived at the audition venue?”

“Let’s see… It doesn’t seem like they’ve shown up yet?”

“Oh, really? I hope they come.”

Seeing Jo Min-tae’s reaction of disappointment made Kim Hyungseok sneak a glance at the profile.

Five years old… and facially, they’re definitely nice enough.

Their eye color was oddly distinct.

It looked brown, yet somehow appeared reddish due to lacking pigmentation.

To be honest, he was surprised by the appearance alone.

“Of course, you know it’s not just about being pretty, right?”

“Oh, of course I know.”

Jo Min-tae said this with a playful smile as Kim Hyungseok nodded.

Then, he saw parents and kids entering the audition room just as the blinds came down.

Each parent, confident in their own right, seemed to believe their child was the most beautiful.

Hmmm… “Considering there doesn’t seem to be any experienced participants, this might get intense.”

Inside the audition, as Kim Hyungseok thought, a subtle psychological battle was occurring.

“Oh my, Mi-yeon’s mom is here too.”

“I think I’ve seen you at the last audition. Hi, Hyun-soo~.”

Though they greeted each other with smiles, the exchange was loaded with underlying tension.

Didn’t you flop last time? How can you show your face again?

You should just give up already; your kid just doesn’t have it!

Some parents sought the public audition channel, and among them was a child who had come after receiving acting lessons from an agency.

“My Ji-yeon is different from those kids. You know that, right?”

“Yes, mom.”

Lee Ji-yeon puffed out her chest in response to her mother’s words, scanning the surroundings.

Unlike the other kids trembling in fear, Ji-yeon displayed a rather confidently poised attitude.

I’m already under management, after all.

Of course, the agency she belonged to was still pretty small.

But compared to the other kids who had never acted before, she had received decent training.

Ji-yeon is definitely the prettiest here.

After glancing around, Ji-yeon’s mother, Hong Jin-hee, clicked her tongue lightly.

What were those other kids even wearing for makeup?

With those looks, they didn’t seem to grasp what being a child actor truly meant.

She should be able to get cast easily.

It was Ji-yeon’s first opportunity.

Hadn’t the agency mentioned that girls with her level of skill would breeze through a small audition like this?

It was just for experience and a chance to add a line to her resume.

Thud.

Lost in such thoughts when the waiting room door suddenly swung open, Hong Jin-hee, who was nearest to the door, casually turned her head.

“…!”

A cute girl with neatly arranged long black hair entered.

What stood out was her strikingly unusual eye color.

Her fair face and elegant appearance made her the prettiest child Hong Jin-hee had ever seen at an audition.

However, if it had only been her appearance that caught her attention, Hong Jin-hee wouldn’t have been so astonished.

What is it… this atmosphere feels different?

There was a strangely transcendent aura about her.

It carried a similarity to the aura that actors possess but with something entirely unique.

Who is she?

How would I know?

It seemed that she wasn’t the only one feeling this way, as the waiting room buzzed with chatter.

In the commotion, Seo-yeon’s mother, Sua, smiled brightly.

“Oh my, look! There are friends over there, Seo-yeon. But you know mommy thinks you’re the prettiest, right?”

Holding the hand of the woman who seemed to be her mother, she walked in, emitting a strangely non-childlike vibe.

Typically, a child would respond with something like, “Really??” or “Oh, stop joking~” at such a statement from their mother.

“Yeah.”

Her response was utterly resolute, as if such a statement were merely common knowledge.

It wasn’t just a claim of being pretty in her mother’s eyes; it was a ‘Yes’ that dripped with confidence, asserting that she was the prettiest child in that audition room.

Thanks to that, the mothers in the audition had no choice but to ponder over who that child was.

Could she have previously done some acting somewhere?

While they exchanged short opinions, they couldn’t gather any relevant information.

Hmm…

Watching them, Seo-yeon crossed her arms and nodded.

This is also an experience.

A casting audition.

To be honest, it was something I had never really anticipated, so I found myself taken aback at first.

But upon reconsidering, this was actually a wonderful opportunity.

Isn’t this part of acting too?

Looking ahead to when I’d debut as a VTuber, I figured such experiences would prove useful.

They’d aid my RP, and the more conversational practice I got, the better my talking skills would become.

I might even spin tales about how I starred in a commercial as a kid, or about acting experiences.

So, I didn’t really mind how the auditions turned out.

Of course, I’m the prettiest, but…

Having a transcendent appearance was unbeatable.

No ordinary girl could even come close.

That said, I knew that auditions aren’t solely based on looks.

With that in mind, Seo-yeon casually plopped down in an empty seat.

In her actions, there was no trace of the slightest hint of anxiety that a typical child would exhibit.

Is she really a child who’s used to auditions?

Or… maybe she really is a child from a management agency?

Though no manager was in sight, it’s quite customary for mothers to take on that role for child actors.

So it made total sense if Seo-yeon belonged to a management agency or was one of the child actors in a major company.

Our Seo-yeon is quite composed, isn’t she?

As various mothers and staff members whispered amongst themselves, Seo-yeon’s mother, Sua, simply continued to stroke her daughter’s round head.

To her, her daughter was just the cutest thing in the world.
Assistant: