The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms – Ch. 6

**The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms, Episode 6**

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**6. Sense of Debt**

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I opened my eyes wide without even realizing it.

Why?

Because she was just too beautiful.

No, "beautiful" didn't even begin to cover it.

As she stood there looking down at me, her appearance was so striking that I wondered if this was even reality. On top of that, her slender figure rivaled that of any professional Western model. I had caught a glimpse of her in the lobby, but seeing her fully styled, she radiated the aura of a goddess.

‘Wow… are celebrities born with different genes?’

The admiration came naturally.

Just looking at her was a treat. No, even just breathing the same air in the same space made my heart flutter in a strange way. She had that luxurious yet innocent vibe that was the exact ideal type every man dreamed of.

But what was even more surprising was the algorithm that appeared again.

[Q. Will you continue acting?]

[Yes] or [No]

The same question and options as before.

Below them, flow lines and rectangles alternated. I scanned the lower part that I hadn't been able to check because she had disappeared into the crowd.

A web of interconnected flowcharts.

‘It’s a shame, it’s all obscured….’

Next step, next step—I followed it down dozens of levels, but the result was still not visible. A sense of disappointment washed over me.

‘Not getting as much out of this as I thought.’

Just as I was about to give up in frustration, one of the many rectangles caught my eye.

[A]

It was so simple that it was actually hard to interpret.

‘What could this mean…?’

While I was lost in thought, Go Arin approached. I quickly tore my eyes away from the algorithm and met her gaze. As our eyes locked, she opened her mouth as if she had been waiting.

"You said you had something to deliver?"

Her tone was sharp, her expression rigid. I could feel her wariness even in her brief greeting. Well, she had already made up her mind to quit, so drawing a line was only natural. I tried to steady my mind and spoke up.

"Are you heading somewhere?"

"I have a shoot."

"A shoot?"

"Ah, I help a friend out with fitting modeling from time to time. I have to make a living, too."

Her speech and actions were blunt. On the other hand, there wasn't a hint of a smile on her face. She possessed the classic charm of a cold beauty.

"Don't worry about it. The team leader already knows. I only do body shots, so people don't even know it's me."

Her tone was final. It was her way of saying, "State your business and leave." I held out the headset I had brought.

"Ah, I looked everywhere for this, but it was there. Thank you."

Go Arin tried to leave immediately after a short greeting. I had no choice but to get to the point quickly.

"Is your mind still set on retiring?"

Her expression grew colder.

"Did the team leader send you? I already told you what I think."

"This is just my own thought. Today is my first day on the job."

Go Arin watched me quietly before speaking slowly.

"Yes, I’m quitting and going back to the States. I’m… sick and tired of this line of work now."

"Then why did you come to the company earlier?"

"…I had something to return."

"You could have just sent it by courier."

"That’s…."

"I’m pretty sure you were holding a script. Did I see wrong?"

"……."

For the first time, Go Arin was at a loss for words.

"You still love acting, don't you? If you didn't, you wouldn't have come all the way to the company holding a script you’re supposedly 'sick and tired' of."

"……."

"Let’s try to reignite that passion together. I’ll help you solve whatever is troubling you, Go Arin."

Even to my own ears, that was a smooth line. I felt confident I could persuade her.

"How about it? Don't you want to try filming just one more project?"

At my question, Go Arin smiled sweetly and replied.

"No, not at all."

* * *

A cold-blooded answer.

Being rejected so flatly actually made me feel less embarrassed.

‘She’s not an easy one.’

Just as the seniors said, she wasn't a character to be trifled with. I barely managed to coax her into giving me a one-day grace period.

And so, I followed her to the shooting location. She was modeling products for an online shopping mall.

Dresses, two-piece sets.

She wore various items suited for the upcoming spring. The clothes mostly emphasized cuteness and femininity, but she pulled off every single one as if they were made for her.

‘It’s like a painting.’

It felt like I was watching a scene from a commercial. Especially that office look—elegant yet haughty—it was my type…. Ahem, ahem. No, that’s not it.

Anyway,

Her nose was already turning red from the biting late-winter cold. Yet, the moment the camera lens was pointed at her, her passion surged. I could feel it even from a distance.

‘And her eyes, expression, lip shape, and gestures are all perfect.’

When you think about it, there’s no job that requires as much acting ability as modeling. Capturing emotions and feelings in every single moment requires immense skill. On top of that, Go Arin was even acting with parts of her face that weren't in the frame.

‘She’s a born actor. And yet, a person like this wants to retire?’

It still didn't make sense. There must be some external factor besides acting.

‘What on earth could the cause be?’

Unfortunately, unless she said it herself, there was no way to know. All I knew was the algorithm that told me if she continued acting, she would be ‘A’.

‘What could this mean?’

The more I thought about it, the more complicated my head became. But at that moment, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘Could it be… a grade?’

People often used English letters to grade celebrities. And they often referred to top-tier, successful actors as "A-list" actors.

‘Yes, that’s it!’

I finally understood exactly what the algorithm meant. It meant that as long as she didn't give up acting, she would become an A-list celebrity.

Yes, look at her.

A person who loves acting this much is going to retire?

At that moment, I made up my mind.

I would definitely make the actor Go Arin my person.

* * *

"Yeah. Mom. Yes, I’m really going this time."

-You promised. Don't think there will be any inheritance or anything else if you don't.

"I know. I already told the company."

-Good. Make sure you keep that promise.

After hanging up, Go Arin let out a deep sigh. The time she had spent alone in Korea, driven by the sole desire to act. Had she endured all that hardship just to give up like this? Moments of regret flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

"Hoo."

She sighed and put her phone in her bag. Her fingertips were freezing from the biting wind, but she had no pockets to put them in. She just rubbed her small hands together to generate a little warmth. But then, someone suddenly held something out to her.

"……?"

I looked up and saw the manager I had seen in the morning.

"You haven't left yet?"

"I told you. I asked for a one-day grace period. Take this."

What the manager held out was a hand warmer.

And it was piping hot, having just reached its peak temperature.

"I'm fine."

"You'll get frostbite. Do you think taking this will change your mind?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then it shouldn't matter if you take it."

The manager bluntly shoved the hand warmer into my hand and coolly walked back to the van.

"…What is his deal?"

He wasn't a normal person. Still, the warmth left in my hands made me forget the cold for a moment.

‘I’m sorry, but this won’t change my mind.’

Go Arin bit her delicate lip.

* * *

The shoot, which I thought would end in the afternoon, dragged on longer than expected. On top of that, there was a problem with the cafe we had booked for the indoor shoot.

"Arin, I'm sorry. What should I do? The reservation got messed up, and they gave the rental to another team."

My friend holding the camera looked like she was about to cry.

"It's okay. Even worse things happen when filming dramas. Anyway, what about the remaining products?"

"If you're okay with it, I think we could shoot them all at that park over there…."

"Then let's shoot quickly. If I go to the States, I won't be able to help you anymore."

"You're the best, friend! Thank you. I'll buy you something delicious."

And so, the shoot continued. Fortunately, the idea of using the park as a backdrop wasn't bad. However, there was no proper place to change clothes, so we had to use a park restroom far away.

‘It’s still winter, so the days are short.’

Since there wouldn't be another chance if not today, Go Arin hurried her steps. Once, twice—she went back and forth on that long path in high heels. Thanks to that, her heels were a mess.

"Ah…."

"Are you okay?"

"Oh? I'm fine."

It would be better if I could at least put on a bandage, but since we were in the middle of a park, there wasn't a convenience store in sight. Go Arin had no choice but to limp as she moved again.

But then, someone approached and held out a transparent bandage. I looked up, and it was that manager again.

"Hey. You doing this won't change my mind. So don't go through the trouble."

"I also won't change my mind just because you say that. Instead of saying things like that, just take this."

The manager pressed the bandage into my hand and walked away as if he had no regrets.

‘That person isn't normal either.’

Go Arin applied the bandage to her heel. She finally felt like she could breathe.

"Is that your boyfriend?"

My friend, who had snuck up on me, asked.

"Are you crazy?"

"Why? He’s tall and has a decent, plain face."

"Stop talking nonsense and just shoot. We’re already past the promised time, aren't we?"

"O-okay! Alright, everyone, move to the next bench!"

My friend quickly led the people away. However, Go Arin stood still, watching the manager retreating back.

‘But how did he know I needed a bandage? Was he watching me the whole time?’

* * *

The shoot continued until the sun began to set. Just when I thought the weather was getting a bit warmer, rain suddenly started to pour. Winter rain—it was just one thing after another.

"Hey, watch the camera!"

People were in a frenzy, trying to pack up clothes and cameras. Go Arin looked around to avoid the rain, but there was no proper shelter in the empty vacant lot.

But then, someone approached and opened an umbrella for me.

Could it be….

"There was a weather forecast that it would rain."

It was that stubborn manager again, without fail.

"…Hey."

"Take it. If you get caught in the rain in this weather, you'll definitely catch a cold."

The manager handed over the umbrella and turned around as if he had no regrets.

"Wait? Manager, what about your umbrella…?"

"It turns out there was only one umbrella in the car."

His breath misted in the air as he spoke.

With that, the manager walked toward the van, getting drenched in the rain.

'Geez… does he think he looks cool doing that?'

I scoffed, but I couldn't stop thinking about the handle that still held the warmth of his hand. The sound of the rain pattering against the ground echoed in my ears.

"He said I'd catch a cold if I got rained on in this weather…."

I felt a growing sense of indebtedness.

'Should I have at least said thank you…?'

He was a manager who really got under my skin.

* * *

The shoot was wrapped up in a hurry due to the sudden rain. It was fortunate that the main product shots were already finished.

"You worked hard, even getting rained on. I've wired the money."

"Thanks."

"I guess I don't need to give you a ride today."

"What? Why?"

My friend pointed with her chin toward the back. I turned my head to see the van still parked there.

"No, what time is it right now…."

After a moment of hesitation, I started walking. I had to return his umbrella anyway.

"Here. You really are persistent."

"Persistence and patience. They are important virtues for a manager. I'll take that as a compliment."

"Ha."

"Don't just stand there in the rain. Get in. I'll take you home."

"I'm fine. My friend is giving me a ride."

"Are you perhaps talking about that person?"

At the manager's words, I looked back to see my friend already leaving. She was even waving from the open car window.

"No, hey, hey! Kim Sun-jung!"

"Get in. I saw earlier that you could barely walk."

"……."

My heels were stinging, and it was cold outside. It was a long way from the empty park parking lot to the bus stop. I reluctantly grabbed the handle of the passenger door.

"You might as well sit in the back. That's what the car was made for, after all."

Come to think of it, sitting next to him would only be more awkward. After a brief hesitation, I climbed into the backseat.

Once I was inside, the manager didn't say a word. Silence hung between us as we drove.

'I should say thank you….'

I didn't know why those words were so hard to get out.

*Gurgle.*

It wasn't my stomach. It was the manager's, sitting in the driver's seat.

"Don't tell me you haven't eaten?"

"I haven't. The shoot ran long, you know."

"No, what have you been doing all this time without even eating?"

"Trying to persuade you, Arin."

"……."

He was impossible. I was stubborn myself, but I was no match for him.

"……."

He hadn't even eaten on this cold day and had only suffered. Compared to that, I hadn't even managed to say a single word of thanks….

The sense of debt had grown too large. With no way to resolve it, the car sped toward my home.

* * *

I glanced at Go Arin through the rearview mirror.

'She looks much better than before.'

Perhaps because we’d been bumping heads all day, her cold expression had softened significantly. It was all thanks to the sales know-how I’d learned at my previous job.

'The foundation of sales is observation.'

I had kept observing Go Arin and filling in what she needed. It was like offering a cool seat and ice water first to a client who walked in sweating on a hot day. It was a very small gesture, but the results such efforts brought were immense.

'That was why I didn't have a single complaint in the last two years.'

It was also a time to glimpse Go Arin's potential. Even when her heels were blistered and her fingertips felt like they were freezing in the cold, her focus shifted the moment a camera was pointed at her. That sense of responsibility and expressiveness were enough to make my heart race.

'She’s not an A-list prospect for nothing.'

It felt like I had discovered a limited edition. However, I still hadn't heard the answer I wanted.

'How should I persuade her?'

Just as I was deep in thought, the navigation voice suddenly rang out through the car.

[You have almost arrived at your destination. Guidance will now end.]

'What? Already?'

I could see the alley in front of Go Arin's house ahead. My heart sank.

There was no more time. I had to say something to persuade her now.

My heart pounded. An A-list actor I absolutely had to secure.

My first impression depended on whether or not I could persuade this woman. I gathered my courage and opened my mouth cautiously.

"Um…."

But Go Arin spoke a beat faster.

"I'm a bit hungry. Do you want to have some ramen?"