Chapter 207

<Luck (4)>

***

Jin Hyuk’s management, SI Sports, notified the Junior Asian Athletics Championships of the absence of their affiliated athlete through a legal representative.

The reason? To ensure the student’s right to education.

The athletics federation, which had consistently argued for the “right to sports,” encountered an unexpected adversary. They had refused the junior national team emblem, which is crucial for an athlete’s future.

– Chairman, this isn’t something to judge emotionally, is it? For the sake of the athlete’s future—

“Hohoho. Sounds like a threat to me?”

Despite her laughter, Yoo Se-ra’s voice was calm and firm, drier than winter air. It was her long-standing tactic to speak in a strong tone early on to dominate the conversation.

This arrogant rhetoric is something only those with social status can wield, but when used correctly, it can prevent unnecessary time wastage. It’s particularly effective against those who rely on age and experience to act slyly, like now.

Taking advantage of the opponent’s hesitation, Yoo Se-ra continued in a softer voice.

“It’s a political decision by our foundation.”

– What do you mean by that…?

“How much does the group where my husband is chairman donate to your federation annually? Let’s see…”

Rustle, rustle—

Though no one was watching, Yoo Se-ra pretended to shuffle through documents while on the call, fiddling with a memo between her thumb and index finger.

– Ah, I’m well aware that you’re our largest sponsor.

“Exactly. The largest sponsor. If an athlete from a foundation where the chairman’s spouse is the director becomes a national representative, wouldn’t there be talk of favoritism? Especially since she’s only a freshman and so young. Our foundation made this decision considering your federation’s position as well. Ho. Ho. Ho.”

It was just a throwaway comment, with a fabricated laugh added mockingly.

It’s much more dignified to say this than to curse and refuse to send our athlete.

This was also a political statement, learned from her husband.

– Ah, this is quite something. It seems the chairman isn’t aware, but in record competitions, such talk can’t arise. It’s all about the individual athlete—

“Well said. It’s all about the athlete, but it was your federation that threatened to disqualify her for leaving training to take exams. It was your federation that threatened her future. I merely made a basic request on behalf of the athlete, but you kept repeating the same thing. There’s no room for negotiation with someone who won’t change their stance, is there?”

– Chairman, the sacred right to sports isn’t something to be so easily dismissed—

“Listen. Carefully.”

As Yoo Se-ra put force into her voice, the seasoned voice on the other end of the line immediately quieted. Rumors abound that even the First Lady had to request a private meeting after being repeatedly turned down by Yoo Se-ra. To stand firm and cite federation regulations in front of such a person takes considerable courage.

After a brief pause, Yoo Se-ra took a deep breath.

Now it was time to deliver the impressive words she had heard from both her father and her husband, two chairmen.

“I believe all policies should exist for the sake of people. If you want to select outstanding athletes, you need to revise outdated thinking. It’s not about asking for special favors, is it? Is a student taking exams a special favor?”

– That’s not wrong, but regulations are regulations. Our seniors also trained under the same conditions.

“I fully sympathize with the fact that past athletes led the sports world while being underfed and poorly clothed, but honestly, as someone who has one foot in the sports world, I don’t know what else those senior athletes did besides being underfed and poorly clothed.”

Her tone was calm, but the words could provoke anger.

Yet, they couldn’t openly show their anger. This was Yoo Se-ra, after all.

“Senior athletes showed up at events, stood on podiums to give encouraging speeches. Beyond that, I’ve reviewed many documents and researched policy efforts while preparing the foundation, but while there are records of ‘various efforts,’ I don’t see any tangible results.”

– Hmm…

As the other side made a sipping sound, Yoo Se-ra delivered the final blow.

“Despite significant investments and sponsorships from the government and various sectors, even places labeled as elite sports don’t seem to benefit.”

It was a calculated strike, but Yoo Se-ra’s voice remained calm. Her expression was relaxed, proving her natural managerial skills. Even now, the corners of her mouth were softly upturned, showing a benevolent smile that didn’t betray any reproach.

– Well, for the development of athletics and sports—

He was cut off again.

“Outstanding stars worry about making a living, hopping between TV programs to fund their studies abroad. If star athletes are like that, what about the others? It’s not just because coaching positions are poorly paid. Ah, by the way, how many professional teams have you attracted? Are there any proper professional athletics teams in our country, not just abroad?”

It’s not just about verbally defeating the opponent.

Though she always appears relaxed and carefree, Yoo Se-ra is a general who only goes to war after thorough preparation.

“If you aim to develop athletics and sports, why not adopt a more flexible mindset? Even now, you’re doing this. We’ve already sent an official statement, yet you call and repeat the same things. It shows how you view the other party. Despite having a designated person in charge, demanding to change the chairman also seems to disregard our foundation, which is quite unpleasant.”

What’s the difference between calling oneself a ‘customer’ and coming to a corporate lobby to demand to see the president? Each role has its responsibilities and given authority.

– Ah, I—

“I’m a very busy person. Being the chairman and all. Especially. Directly. Taking. Your call. Please keep that in mind.”

Click.

Yoo Se-ra boldly hung up and leaned back in her chair.

It wasn’t because she was still angry.

“Whew. That was nerve-wracking. Hong Ki-jun talks like this to politicians almost every day, doesn’t he?”

That’s my husband.

Before sending the official statement, Yoo Se-ra had sought advice from her father, Yoo Myung-sun, who had stepped down as honorary chairman.

– You have the world’s best strategist by your side, yet you come to your old man in the countryside?

– “So you don’t like it?”

– No, it’s not that I don’t like it—. It’s just that Ki-jun is better than me.

– “Got it. Bye.”

– Hey, wait—

Click.

What, he’s telling me to ask my husband.

So I did as Hong Ki-jun said.

Support the athlete as they wish.

At first, it seemed like no big deal.

It’s something that could be resolved if one side compromised.

“What a joke. Isn’t it great to skip finals?”

But Jin Hyuk was stubborn.

The athletics federation, which only pushed the “right to sports” and regulations, was equally unyielding.

Stuck between children and adults repeating the same things, Yoo Se-ra was the only one losing her temper.

But she couldn’t just slump over.

If she gave up when things didn’t go her way, Yoo Se-ra wouldn’t have received a department store or a hotel from Chairman Yoo Myung-sun.

“These brats are getting cheeky. I’m Yoo Se-ra! Now, next—.”

While flipping through the Asian Games regulations, she tilted her head, narrowing her eyes unusually.

Sigh.

“These jerks aren’t using me, are they?”

No way.

Yoo Se-ra is not someone to be used.

Even if they are, it doesn’t matter.

After all, Yoo Se-ra also needs to use Jin Hyuk’s skills and her husband’s position.

“Hehe, no one’s doing business with my money.”

Humming while shuffling through documents.

There’s no better way to promote the foundation than through international competition results.

For that, a star player is needed. The star that Hong Ki-jun mentioned when introducing the concept of the first sports foundation and management.

If that athlete wins, top international sports companies will offer sponsorships. Advertising offers will come in too. Even if they don’t, there’s no worry. A couple of ads for Saein Electronics alone would bring in enough money. The plan to use her husband was precisely with advertising revenue in mind.

‘There’s no better golden goose than this.’

After consulting experts from Germany and the USA, they confirmed that Jin Hyuk’s growth trajectory is exceptional, even for an Asian junior athlete.

From the start to the finish, there’s no flaw.

As her husband said, he should grow freely, without constraints or interference.

He’s the bluebird that will bring honor to Yoo Se-ra.

***

There’s no such thing as absolute in this world.

And for matters too awkward to handle directly, using a legal representative is the best.

“Yes. It’s resolved well.”

Jin Hyuk nodded lightly as he received the update from Min Yong-rak, sweating profusely from intense self-training.

If selected for the national team and then leaving the training camp for exams, disqualification was inevitable. There have been quite a few such athletes in the past.

There’s no need to cite specific cases; the logic governing organizations or groups is inherently like that. They demand unilateral sacrifices from individuals to protect the organization. No matter how reclusive his life has been, Jin Hyuk would understand such dynamics.

But since he didn’t participate in the first place, the worry of disqualification was less.

‘It’s better this way.’

Not knowing what to do, Yoo Se-ra actively represented Jin Hyuk’s position, and Hong Ki-jun provided appropriate cover.

– Oppa! If you go to the army, I’ll beat you up! I’ll bring all my friends who do kendo, boxing, and taekwondo to teach you a lesson! Got it?

Rumble.

More like an angry cat than a teenager.

If Hong Soo-jung hadn’t called out of the blue with threatening words and relayed her parents’ conversation, the fact that Hong Ki-jun was behind Yoo Se-ra’s awakening might have been buried.

“You look tired. Shall we talk after your workout?”

Min Yong-rak asked worriedly, seeing Jin Hyuk’s heaving chest.

“Whew, it’s okay. I’m used to it.”

After rinsing his mouth with water, Jin Hyuk signaled to Min Yong-rak with his eyes.

“The competition regulations state that athletes who meet the standard record can participate even if they’re not from the national team. According to the materials sent by the competition committee office—.”

「······ who have achieved ······ record can participate even if ······ not from the national team.」

Though his breathing was heavy and his stamina low, making the text blurry, he could grasp the gist. Min Yong-rak was already highlighting the key points.

“‘The season’s best record is the qualification for the competition.’ Ah, you already know this, right? Participation isn’t limited to national team members. Actually, this is the first time I’ve seen such a regulation. It’s to give as many athletes as possible a chance, but it’s a sudden change from previous competition regulations.”

Rubbing his eyes, Jin Hyuk looked at the part Min Yong-rak pointed to.

「Athletes who achieve the standard record can apply to participate based on sportsmanship, regardless of nationality, religion, or beliefs. However, all expenses are borne by the individual.」

The reason why athletes with the ability can’t participate without support from the country or association was detailed in the appendix.

‘If it’s about expenses, it would be airfare and accommodation costs. Athletes who need to focus on conditioning would be exhausted handling all that themselves.’

He let out a bitter laugh.

Of course, Jin Hyuk had someone to handle expenses and schedule management, so this wasn’t a hindrance. It almost felt like the regulation existed for him.

“The chairman probably thinks it’s for the best. It could make the federation look like a sitting duck.”

“That doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Huh? Weren’t you planning to participate as a free agent?”

Jin Hyuk shook his head.

“It shouldn’t look like a power struggle, and I shouldn’t appear as a victim either.”