God-Given Business Genius - Chapter 151

A similar text message had come before my regression. The words were slightly different, but the context was somewhat similar.

「Woo-yeon, hello. I'm gathering courage to contact you after a long time. You might not remember me, but I'm Ahn Si-heon, who was the class president of Ganghyeon Middle School Class 3-4. Have you been well? I don't know how you've been since you're not active on social media haha. But since there were some people who still had your contact info, I'm sending this text to this number. I hope you can attend the upcoming reunion to share recent news too. Please check the link below for the detailed location and time. Take care!」

...It was something like this.

While I don't have any good memories from middle school, perhaps it was because time had beautified those memories.

Or maybe it was because I was feeling proud seeing Lee In-cheol's gradually growing shop as I busily worked, and unlike before, I was gaining a bit of confidence.

Despite not having a single classmate I was properly in touch with, I decided to suddenly visit that place.

'How nervous I was.'

Most of my peers were either in college, struggling in the military, or preparing to return to school after being discharged from the military.

There were very few friends who decided not to go to college like me.

'Well. I guess it's natural since most went to academic high schools. Even in our high school... I seemed to be the only one not going to college.'

The pitying look in my high school homeroom teacher's eyes is still vivid. Throughout the college counseling session, the teacher couldn't hide their bewildered expression, as if they had discovered a dark side of society.

'Well. In today's world, what student would say they can't go to college because they don't have money for application fees?'

After a moment of silence, the teacher asked if I wouldn't consider applying to at least one place, offering to cover the application fee.

Saying it would be a waste of my grades.

But I wanted to earn money rather than study while going into debt. I would be happy anywhere as long as I had a single room to lay my body down.

I had roughly calculated it.

'Even if I went to college, my miserable life wouldn't change. Even if I took out loans for tuition, who would cover living expenses and rent? If I worked tirelessly to make ends meet, I wouldn't have a day to rest. And even if I graduated like that, would I have time to properly focus on job hunting?'

I was busy.

Busy trying to feed myself, no one else.

Just that alone was so burdensome and difficult, leaving me breathless, that I had no energy left to balance academics.

After working frantically, just when I could finally breathe a little, this invitation to attend the reunion arrived.

Despite not having particularly fond relationships. I desperately clung to this small gesture of kindness. I was starved for human connection.

After pouring all my time into the shop every day, there was no spare time to meet people. On days off, I just slept like I was unconscious.

I didn't have any friends to meet separately anyway.

But sometimes, I too longed for human warmth.

'Now that we're all grown up, it's different from when we were students. I'm curious about how everyone is living. Maybe I could even make a friend if I meet someone I can talk to well?'

With such hope, I went to the reunion.

Of course, what I got in return was...

*-Hey, Woo-yeon. What have you been up to these days? Where are you going to college? You were good at studying in middle school~*

*-.......*

*-Oh. Serving at a restaurant...?*

*-Hey, don't ask unnecessary things! Woo-yeon's family went bankrupt in middle school~ Don't you remember she missed school for 3 days back then?*

*-This bastard is drunk.*

*-I'm not drunk?*

*-Then your personality is just trash.*

*-Yeah, that's the correct answer~*

*-Puhahaha! What a weirdo~*

Cackle cackle. Hahahahaha!

What thoughts went through my mind as I sat there blankly amidst the laughter?

Sipping on a beer, I closely examined the faces of these people, unchanged from when we were middle schoolers.

They had cut their hair and tried to look stylish in their own way. But I thought, the stench emanating from within them couldn't be hidden.

How should I put it? It was bitter. Thinking that these kids were all attending decent universities, living within the comfortable boundaries provided by their parents.

My shallow hope that something might have changed was shattered. And amidst their rowdy chatter, I...

'Ah, I'm lonely.'

I think that's what I thought.

Even while sitting in a noisy drinking party, surrounded by dozens of people. I felt lonely to the bone.

'These kids will live like this until they die. So I'm not even angry. But them ganging up to attack just me... is it because I'm different from them after all?'

Don't people have an instinct to reject what's different from themselves?

It was like that in middle school too. The reason I became a target this time too is probably because in their eyes, I'm different from them. With that thought, my mind went blank.

I felt sorrowful, and also afraid.

Afraid that I might forever drift like duckweed, unable to belong anywhere.

Because I painfully realized how out of place my existence was among them.

More than their mocking laughter, that was truly heartbreaking.

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"...Pfft!"

I couldn't hold back and let out a small laugh. Whether he noticed or not, Park Sang-won spoke with his mouth full.

"Ohh! This is really delicious!"

"Park Sang-won-ssi, eat slowly. No one's going to take it away from you."

Park Sang-won nodded with sparkling eyes. He was chewing so enthusiastically that anyone watching might think he was a competitive eater.

"It definitely has its charm."

"Right?"

I grinned.

"Being able to choose exactly what you want. I think this 'customization' will become an even stronger point in the future."

At my words, Roh Se-hee also nodded. She was holding a sample salad in her hand.

"While the method of adding salad ingredients one by one is unfamiliar, it's certainly nice to be able to eat according to your own combination."

"Right?"

This way, you feel less like you're paying for vegetables you don't want to eat. Sometimes you feel a bit regretful, don't you? Like you're losing out somehow.

"If the quantity feels a bit lacking, you can add pasta noodles like this to make it more filling. For sauces, if we present a few set recipes with recommended sauces, it will help those who are unsure what to eat."

I brought <The Song> employees for a tasting session to try the salad. The response is quite good.

I looked at Baek Jae-ha, who was standing back, and winked at him.

'Well done!'

As I gave him a thumbs up, Baek Jae-ha smiled brightly. But then he immediately stiffened his face.

'What's wrong?'

When I turned my head, Hyun Ye-won had already approached my side.

Hyun Ye-won was making a growling expression while looking towards Baek Jae-ha, but when I turned around, she quickly changed her face to that of a gentle lamb.

"?"

Why are they like this?

As I was feeling puzzled, Hyun Ye-won approached and spoke cheerfully.

"CEO! I'm trying the combination you recommended, and I think it's the most delicious! The balsamic sauce has just the right amount of tanginess, it's so good. As expected of CEO Song! The best!"

"That sauce was actually mixed by Jae-ha..."

"Ahahaha~ No wonder it was too sour~"

She was saying it was delicious just a moment ago.

Hyun Ye-won said, "Hmm. Not great," and then poured another dressing generously over it.

It seems they're still not getting along well. I wish they could be friendly with each other. They're around the same age too...

I patted Hyun Ye-won's shoulder and said,

"Jae-ha isn't a bad kid."

"Pardon?"

"Enjoy your meal. If you need more, there's more over there, so ask Jae-ha for it."

Then I naturally moved to the side to observe other people's reactions.

'Ah. Come to think of it, wasn't today the deadline to respond about attending the reunion?'

With this sudden thought, I took out my phone. Following the attached link, a page asking about attendance appeared.

'Should I go or not?'

I was conflicted.

It's not like those people would have changed anyway. If the same thing repeats, there's no need to experience an unpleasant situation twice, is there?

'...Have they changed?'

My social standing has changed quite a bit from before the regression.

Even before the regression, I was earning well, but that was a bit later on.

It would be difficult for anyone to earn more than me at this age.

'Since I've changed, maybe your reactions will be different too.'

Suddenly, I wanted to check.

"Team Leader Jo."

"Yes. As you said, the satisfaction seems much higher with the customizable salad. We've only had employees participate so far, but I think it would be good to conduct a tasting session with external participants soon..."

Sensing that this could go on endlessly, I hastily cut him off.

"No, that's not it. Is my schedule free next Saturday?"

"...Ah, the schedule? Just a moment. I need to check..."

Jo I-ruk froze for a moment before taking out his notebook. After flipping through a few pages, he answered.

"Hmm. There is a meeting scheduled with prospective franchisees who are in training, but it's an adjustable schedule."

"Then could you change it? I think I'll have plans that day."

"I see. Please let me know and I'll add it."

"Ah, it's not company business. It's a personal schedule."

"...!"

At my words, Jo I-ruk widened his eyes while holding his pen.

"Personal... schedule?"

"Yes. Is it that surprising?"

"I can't help but be surprised. Since I've been managing your schedule, I've never heard of a personal schedule for you, CEO. Except for maybe holidays."

Hmm. Was it to that extent?

Come to think of it, it does seem that way. Suddenly, I even thought that I had been living quite bleakly.

"Ahem, I apologize. I was a bit surprised. May I ask what kind of personal schedule it is?"

"It's nothing special. My middle school classmates are gathering, so I'm thinking of going."

"Ah, a reunion."

"Yes. I wasn't planning to go originally..."

I mumbled while looking out the window.

"But I want to check something."

How will you see me now?

Will I still seem like drifting duckweed to you?