Echoes of Asael: A Manager's Second Chance

Cat and Mouse: Second Encounter

"Why?" Yaara's puzzled, watching Su-min repeatedly check her phone's clock as if awaiting someone with no time limit. Su-min's suspiciously wide smile adds to the intrigue.

"Don't you have class now?" Su-min queries, tugging at Yaara's sleeve. Yaara nods, perplexed by her classmates' odd behavior. Su-min releases her grip as soon as she knows the destination.

"Sorry, but if I hadn't pulled you, you might have missed her," Su-min teases, winking towards someone. Yaara follows her gaze, spotting Soojin waving at them.

"You—" Yaara begins, ready to scold Su-min, but she's interrupted by a distant call of her name. Yaara's forehead furrows as she sees Soojin approaching.

"This is irritating," Yaara grumbles under her breath. She knows Su-min is scheming to push her into meeting Soojin. After expressing my gratitude to Su-min for facilitating my encounter with Yaara, I promptly grasped the strap of Yaara's backpack, ensuring she wouldn't slip away from me..

Yaara slaps my hand away. "You don't have to treat me like that. Am I something to be dragged around?"

I smirk, enjoying her annoyance. "No, I just knew you'd try to avoid me."

"No need," Yaara retorts, opening my car door without permission and sliding into the driver's seat. She slams the door so forcefully that it startles passersby in the parking lot.

"Be gentle with my car, it's my first one from my side job," I plead.

"I'll take you somewhere. Is that okay?"

"Do whatever you want," Yaara replies dismissively.
...

Yaara stands upon the shore, her gaze fixed upon the horizon where the sea meets the sky. With a restless demeanor, she watches the waves crash against the rocks, lost in the rhythm of the tide. Unfazed by the bustling activity around her, Yaara seems cocooned in her own world, where only the vast expanse of the ocean exists. Her eyes hold a certain intensity, as if searching for answers in the endless ebb and flow of the sea, her thoughts carried away by the whispering winds. In this solitary moment, she is both grounded and adrift, a solitary figure amidst the vastness of nature's embrace.

"Yaara," I called out to her. I knew she was listening, yet she kept her gaze fixed on the sea. Taking a seat beside her, I placed a green tea within her reach. She glanced at it briefly before returning her attention to the vast expanse before us.

"Yaara, can I share something about myself?" I ventured, sensing her silent curiosity about my life post-Seoul. Taking a sip of the coffee I had just fetched, I cleared my throat before delving into my story.

"I was in a car accident. It wasn't my fault, but it left me needing surgery to remove a blood clot from my head. I was terrified, fearing the worst during the operation. Thankfully, I pulled through, but there were complications afterward. The doctor advised rest and avoiding stress."

Pausing as I noticed Yaara reaching for the green tea, she finally spoke, "Is that why you returned to Busan?"

"Yes," I replied. "I didn't tell you because you were young, and I didn't want to burden you with worry, especially with your busy schedule."

"And why wait until now to tell me?" she asked, turning to face me.

"I intended to share when you were older, and I planned to invite you to stay with me in Seoul. But life took unexpected turns, and I lost your contact. When I found out you left MANA, I was determined to reconnect."

Another reason is, I don't want to bother you mentally after your brother died.

"And how did you find out?" Yaara's gaze pierced through me.

I wanted to answer, saying that I found out after I got fired from AZ in my first life. But she definitely won't believe it.

"I asked your mother," I confessed, though it was only partly true. "And when I lost your contact, I rushed back to Seoul to find you, only to be offered a job at AZ."

The whirlwind of events felt surreal, almost orchestrated by fate. Did it mean I wasn't meant to find Yaara?

"Why do you want me for the new group? Is there any other ulterior motive?" Yaara's voice broke the silence, her eyes revealing a mix of anger and vulnerability.

I chuckled softly, seeing through her tough exterior to the fragile heart within. You may seem tough, but I know you have a tender heart. You pretend not to cry, but I know you're hurting inside. I'm sorry.

Her gaze softened, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. Silly Yaara, trying to hide her emotions.

"Yaara, I truly regret everything, especially to you. I left you alone in Seoul, even though I was the one who promised and gave you hope to stay there for your dreams. I shattered your hopes, didn't I? So this time, I want to redeem myself and hope to become your manager, as well as take care of you like a real sister. I'll be responsible for everything that happens in your life, so, can you reconsider my offer?"

Yaara remained silent. She was probably debating whether to accept it or reject my offer again. Or perhaps, she was searching for another reason to refuse, just like she had rejected offers from other companies?

"Yaara, I heard you caused a stir and stirred up trouble at MANA. What if you use my offer to clean your tarnished reputation?" I offered another option.

Her eyes widened at me. "How did you know I caused trouble at MANA? Isn't that information only known to MANA?"

Ah, I forgot. I tried to stay calm and come up with an excuse in my head. I forgot that I knew because in my past life, gossip about you being known as the "most problematic MANA trainee" had spread among other companies. It just hadn't happened in my second life.

"I'm your Unnie, there's nothing you can hide from me. I wouldn't believe MANA would dismiss you unless you 'requested' it."

She pouted, behaving like someone sulking. Even though you're 18 now, your childish behavior still shines through. You're going to make me age quickly, Yaara.

"So... what do you say?" I asked for the second time. She glared at me sharply, are you still dissatisfied with me?

"... When can I meet with the group?"

I smiled. So, she's interested. "The group's name is ASAEL. We'll have our second meeting in July. So how about you come then?"

She looked up at the sky, which had turned dark, then rose from her seat, crushed the empty tin can, and tossed it right into the nearby trash bin. She looked back at me with those eyes; yes, that look that I've been waiting for from you.

The look that wants something.

"Do PD Oh know about my arrival?"

"Not only does he know, he'll also welcome your arrival there. You don't need to worry about it. Just be prepared to meet them." I explained to her enthusiastically.

"My position?"

"All-rounder and leader."

"Leader... huh? Okay, I'll contact you again, so give me your number." She reached out her hand to me, instructing me to hand over my phone.

"Alright, you too. Give me your number-"

"No, I don't want to. I don't want you to call me."

This brat. So you still don't forgive me. I felt a little sad, but it's okay. As long as you've opened your heart a bit for me to enter. That's enough.

"So, I just have to wait for you to call me?" I asked her, seeking reassurance. She only shrugged in response.

"I don't know, just wait."